I am Staff software engineer at Rivian VW group, I have been a founding engineer at Rivian from October 2021 and we have built the entire realtime stream processing stack here. I am passionate about Realtime stream processing using Apache Flink, Kafka, Schema registry, Druid, Pinot, web application development using Spring-Boot MVC micro services framework, React and Javascript. Prior to Rivian, I was at Yahoo in feed Personalization team where I worked on streaming data for feature engineering and worked closely with data scientists to serve relevant content to users across Yahoo homepage, Yahoo finance etc.
At Stony Brook, Data Science, AI, Operating Systems, Database systems have been my favorite subjects to study. I am passionate about Systems, Networking, Machine Learning. I like to describe myself as a problem solver and I am never shy of adapting to a new technology, tool or language to solve a given problem.

I am Staff software engineer at Rivian VW group, I have been a founding engineer at Rivian from October 2021 and we have built the entire realtime stream processing stack here. I am passionate about Realtime stream processing using Apache Flink, Kafk... Show more

Jocyl Sacramento is an Associate Professor of Ethnic Studies at Cal State East Bay, where she serves as the Director of Curriculum and Pedagogy for INSPIRE, a First Year Experience program. Her praxis bridges Asian American Studies with women of color feminisms, relational racialization, Ethnic Studies pedagogies, Pinayism, and love. She co-edited the forthcoming Comparative Ethnic Studies textbook, Love, Knowledge, and Revolution (Routledge).

Jocyl Sacramento is an Associate Professor of Ethnic Studies at Cal State East Bay, where she serves as the Director of Curriculum and Pedagogy for INSPIRE, a First Year Experience program. Her praxis bridges Asian American Studies with women of colo... Show more

Ray’Chel Wilson is a Certified Financial Therapist™ and Certified Financial Education Instructor® who helps first‑generation wealth builders and mission‑driven organizations heal financial trauma and turn it into financial traction. She is the CEO of Raise the Bar Investments and co‑founder of ForOurLastNames.io, a financial technology venture rooted in North Tulsa’s historic Black Wall Street.

A former Teach For America high school personal finance teacher, Ray’Chel created what became the internationally selling Black Wealth Freedom workbook series, equipping thousands of readers with practical, values‑aligned money strategies. Her expertise in financial resilience and money mindsets has led to invitations from institutions such as Boston University, Urban Leaders Fellowship, and Impact Tulsa.

Named the 2024 U.S. Small Business Administration Young Entrepreneur of the Year for Oklahoma, Ray’Chel blends behavioral economics, lived experience, and trauma‑informed care to close wealth gaps for underinvested communities. Event organizers choose her for sessions that are both grounding and galvanizing—leaving audiences with language for their money story and clear next steps to change it.

Ray’Chel Wilson is a Certified Financial Therapist™ and Certified Financial Education Instructor® who helps first‑generation wealth builders and mission‑driven organizations heal financial trauma and turn it into financial traction. She is the CEO of... Show more

Education Researcher & Lecturer 👨‍🏫
@HSGStGallen 🇨🇭 | Researching #educationaltheory #educationalmyths #educationalmedia | Enjoying #highered #sustainability #openscience

🧠#PKM Nerd using #ObsidianMD

#Hochschuldidaktik #Hochschullehre #Nachhaltigkeit #Erziehung #Bildung #Lehren #Lernen #Evidence #Misconceptions #Bildungsmedien #Videos #PKM #OER #sotl #academicdevelopment

Education Researcher & Lecturer 👨‍🏫 @HSGStGallen 🇨🇭 | Researching #educationaltheory #educationalmyths #educationalmedia | Enjoying #highered #sustainability #openscience 🧠#PKM Nerd using #ObsidianMD #Hochschuldidaktik #Hochschullehre #Na... Show more

Art’s perspective has been acquired from thirty years of experience across the spectrum of his profession, many of those years living and working in the vibrant innovation community of Boston’s Route 128 tech beltway as well as in Washington, DC. Together with his pioneering clients, who were eager to re-order many of the old paradigms, they navigated through the swings of dramatic change for the U.S. tech world and the global business landscape.

Having been involved in the responsible business movement since its seeding years, Art has originated and/or collaborated on groundbreaking industry research and thought leadership as well as business processes and trainings. His clients have been central players in the business, technology, and nonprofit advancements seen across a wide range of industries.

He has served as a strategist and program developer, advisor-counselor, and implementer to a diverse range of CEOs, senior executives, public and other organization leaders. His C-suite work includes supporting the M&A process, providing guidance during business or industry upheaval, tackling the dramatically changed risk terrain, managing clients’ reputational risk liabilities, and complementing the work of corporate counsel during escalations and legal disputes. As a Board Member, Art is a Founding Director of a groundbreaking AI venture for American veterans.

Art has led a range of organizational development facilitations. As an educator, he researched and developed a multi-level curriculum and content platform on the “New Responsibility Paradigm” – launching the undergraduate edition at Emerson College. He was also one of only five faculty members at Emerson invited to teach a visiting delegation in a summer residency from the Communications University of China. For eight years he held an honorary role as Research Fellow at the Hoffman Center for Business Ethics at Bentley University and has taught graduate students at Northeastern University.

Art writes and speaks on the transformation of business and institutions into agents of change for solving our most significant global challenges. He partnered with the Private Directors Association on a five-part podcast series “ESG Insights”. In Summer 2023, he produced a webinar on private markets ESG in a collaboration with Blank Rome, and recently partnered with the Board Risk Committee on a panel webinar addressing the new risk management and Corporate Impact 2.0. As a blogger for the Corporate Responsibility Association, one of his posts became the fourth most-read in their content program that regularly reached 120K+ business leaders. He was the first author to publish a work on Corporate Social Responsibility in the annual “Journal of Integrated Marketing Communications” (JIMC) for the Medill School, Northwestern University.

Art earned a mid-career Master’s in Policy Management from Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy, a postgraduate certificate in Senior Executive Leadership also from Georgetown, an undergraduate degree in Mass Communications from Emerson College, and has completed “Dealing with an Angry Public,” with the MIT-Harvard Law School Public Disputes and Negotiation Program.

He is included in various Marquis’ Who’s Who editions, such as Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who in Media and Communications. Art is ranked as a "Top Thought Leader" in several categories by Thinkers360, including for CSR; Change Management; and Business, Strategy, Management, and Leadership.

Art’s perspective has been acquired from thirty years of experience across the spectrum of his profession, many of those years living and working in the vibrant innovation community of Boston’s Route 128 tech beltway as well as in Washington, DC. Tog... Show more

Studium der Geschichtswissenschaft (Passau, Potsdam)
Arbeitsorte:
ZDF (Redaktion Zeitgeschichte / ZDF History), Mainz
Kulturstiftung des Bundes, Halle
Lehrstuhl Neueste Geschichte, Universität Würzburg
Lehrstuhl Fränkische Landesgeschichte, Universität Würzburg
Stabsstelle Kompetenzentwicklung in Studium und Lehre, Universität Passau

Aktuell Instructional Designer, mediendidaktische Beratung zu digitaler Lehre, KI-Implementierungen in der Hochschullehre

Studium der Geschichtswissenschaft (Passau, Potsdam) Arbeitsorte: ZDF (Redaktion Zeitgeschichte / ZDF History), Mainz Kulturstiftung des Bundes, Halle Lehrstuhl Neueste Geschichte, Universität Würzburg Lehrstuhl Fränkische Landesgeschichte, Univ... Show more

I am passionate about market research, focusing on SME market segments and business ecosystems. My work revolves around need-based innovation, particularly within social entrepreneurship spaces, where I explore sustainable solutions that drive long-term impact.

With a keen eye for emerging trends, I specialize in identifying opportunities for social sustainability ventures. I bridge gaps between market needs and transformative innovations, and I thrive on fostering collaborations that create business models with lasting social value.

I am passionate about market research, focusing on SME market segments and business ecosystems. My work revolves around need-based innovation, particularly within social entrepreneurship spaces, where I explore sustainable solutions that drive long-t... Show more

Dr. Derek Porter works with educators, teams, and institutions who care deeply about their work—but are carrying too much of it alone. His work supports people navigating burnout, complexity, and constant demand by helping them slow down, think more clearly, and reconnect daily work to their purpose. Through coaching, consulting, and facilitation, he helps individuals move from overwhelm to steadiness by reducing cognitive overload, reframing unhelpful narratives, and creating space for reflection, alignment, and intentional choice. A graduate of Yale University and the College of William & Mary, Derek is known for creating spaces where difficult conversations feel safer, trust deepens, and sustainable growth becomes possible.

Derek is known for translating big ideas into practical, humane frameworks that restore energy and strengthen workplace culture without asking people to do more. His approach honors both excellence and humanity, helping organizations protect conditions where people can contribute fully without sacrificing well-being. Whether working with individuals or entire systems, his focus is the same: creating clarity, shared responsibility, and sustainable ways of working so difference and belonging can sustain excellence.

Dr. Derek Porter works with educators, teams, and institutions who care deeply about their work—but are carrying too much of it alone. His work supports people navigating burnout, complexity, and constant demand by helping them slow down, think more ... Show more

Stella Ihenacho is a dynamic speaker and multifaceted professional who shares her expertise on global platforms, including TEDx, covering topics such as Agile, Project Management, Leadership, DEI Advocacy, and Career Development. Her goal in every engagement is to create transformation and lasting change in her diverse audiences.

Stella is the Co-Founder and Agile Faculty Lead at NSTAR Technologies, an ed-tech work force development institution in Atlanta, GA, where she has transforms the learning landscape for students/professionals through innovative training programs. Her work has enabled countless professionals to advance their careers, contributing to their communities and the local economy.

With over a decade of experience in Agile coaching, Stella leads enterprise agile transformations in the Data and AI organization at Red Hat, the world’s leading provider of open-source solutions. She spearheads initiatives that foster agility, innovation, and collaboration unlocking new possibilities for data-driven customer experiences. Her efforts enhance Red Hat’s products and services, contributing to the company’s ongoing business transformation

Beyond her professional roles, Stella is deeply committed to social and community impact. Passionate about immigrant advocacy, she plays a key role in the African Immigrant Collective, a non-profit organization dedicated to creating the ecosystem and infrastructures for African immigrants to thrive in the diaspora. Additionally, she is involved in diverse-empowered networks such as Women Doing It Afraid, Women of Project Management and Women in Software Engineering. These initiatives align with her mission to create inclusive spaces and advocating for underrepresented groups and championing change.

As a distinct voice in the workplace, she is dedicated to championing the causes where women, immigrants, and business leaders can achieve their fullest potential. Her vision is to uplift diverse voices in the tech industry and beyond and empower individuals to take ownership of their careers and lives.

Stella Ihenacho is a dynamic speaker and multifaceted professional who shares her expertise on global platforms, including TEDx, covering topics such as Agile, Project Management, Leadership, DEI Advocacy, and Career Development. Her goal in every en... Show more

Lee A. Tonouchi stay one Okinawan American writer known as "Da Pidgin Guerrilla" for his activism in campaigning for Pidgin a.k.a. Hawai‘i Creole for be accepted as one legitimate language. He wuz da 2023 recipient of da American Association for Applied Linguistics Distinguished Public Service Award for his work in raising public awareness of important language-related issues and promoting linguistic social justice.

Lee has always been one leader. When he wuz just starting out back in 2000, he wuz one of twelve selected participants nationwide for attend da Emerging Asian Pacific American Leaders in the Arts Convening in New York, one summit sponsored by da Ford Foundation. Lee wen organize and edit Da Kine Dictionary, da first eva community Pidgin dictionary project that came out from Bess Press. He wen write da first eva essay in Pidgin about Pidgin that wuz publish inside College English, das da Journal of Composition and Rhetoric from da National Council of Teachers of English. He wen create da first eva college course devoted soley to Pidgin Literature and for doing so he got recognitions on top da front page of The Wall Street Journal in 2005.

Lee stay one very prolific Pidgin author and playwright. He get one award-winning Pidgin short story collection called Da Word from Bamboo Ridge Press and one collection of Pidgin essays called Living Pidgin: Contemplations on Pidgin Culture from Tinfish Press. He wen also edit da anthology Buss Laugh: Stand Up Poetry from Hawai‘i. Lee had several of his plays produce before by Kumu Kahua Theatre, da Hawai‘i Conservatory of Performing Arts, da Honolulu Theatre for Youth, and East West Players in LA. His Pidgin play Three Year Swim Club wuz even one Los Angeles Times Critic's Choice Selection.

He one multiple time winning Honolulu magazine fiction contest Grand Prize Winner. He get several Kumu Kahua Playwriting Contest prizes. Lee won da Cades Award for Literature and da Tony Quagliano Poetry Prize. His Pidgin pieces wuz publish in numerous literary magazine in Hawai‘i, on top da continent, and internationally. An'den Lee stay kinda da only Pidgin journalist. For decades he been writing Pidgin reviews, articles, and interviews for various publications. He currently get one Pidgin column called Much Mahalos that he does for Discover Nikkei, das da online magazine for The Japanese American National Museum.

In his more recent works, Lee stay exploring more of his Uchinaanchu identity. His Pidgin poetry collection Significant Moments in da Life of Oriental Faddah and Son: One Hawai'i Okinawan Journal won da Association for Asian American Studies Book Award. His children's picture book Okinawan Princess: Da Legend of Hajichi Tattoos got one Skipping Stones Honor Award. His latest book wuz da anthology, Chiburu: Anthology of Hawai'i Okinawan Literature. Currently he stay working with Playbuilders Hawai‘i and The Hawai‘i United Okinawa Association for write one community-based play inspired by da stories he stay gathering from Hawai‘i's Local Okinawan community.

Lee A. Tonouchi stay one Okinawan American writer known as "Da Pidgin Guerrilla" for his activism in campaigning for Pidgin a.k.a. Hawai‘i Creole for be accepted as one legitimate language. He wuz da 2023 recipient of da American Association for Appl... Show more

Antonieta Herrera es la fundadora de ZEAZE, un ecosistema de impacto social y Venture Builder de nueva generación enfocado en construir resiliencia económica y digital para Latinoamérica.

Lidera iniciativas internas pro-bono de Impulso para el acompañamiento estratégico a ONGs dedicadas a derechos humanos y sostenibilidad. Además, crea el currículum para laboratorios de incubación donde los participantes aprenden a construir soluciones (MVPs) para problemas reales de la región. Es también CEO y Arquitecta de Producto de Enhacy, un asistente de marketing inteligente para democratizar la creación de autoridad orgánica para emprendedores.

Como creadora y anfitriona, expande el ecosistema a través de sus dos podcasts: Reimagina Latam, un espacio para visibilizar a los héroes que construyen activamente el futuro de nuestra región; y Reimagina Blueprints, una serie enfocada en analizar y documentar los frameworks de innovación de líderes globales. Su participación activa en comunidades como Voice of Women in Innovation contribuye a fortalecer un ecosistema tecnológico más inclusivo y diverso.

Su misión: es fomentar una cultura de adopción tecnológica que sea ética y consciente para nuestra Región.

Antonieta Herrera es la fundadora de ZEAZE, un ecosistema de impacto social y Venture Builder de nueva generación enfocado en construir resiliencia económica y digital para Latinoamérica. Lidera iniciativas internas pro-bono de Impulso para el aco... Show more

Dr. Sandya Venugopal is an award-winning neurosurgeon-scientist, public policy scholar, and interdisciplinary leader with accomplishments across academic, government, and private sectors. Her global expertise spans healthcare, public health, scientific research, health policy, data analytics, bioethics, regulatory compliance, and technological innovation—all applied to advancing impactful solutions for societal and policy challenges.

Committed to fostering inclusive and forward-thinking dialogue, Sandya leverages her diverse background to inspire meaningful change. Her contributions bridge the gap between advanced technologies and humanity’s needs, offering fresh perspectives on how innovation can transform lives ethically and equitably.

Dr. Sandya Venugopal is an award-winning neurosurgeon-scientist, public policy scholar, and interdisciplinary leader with accomplishments across academic, government, and private sectors. Her global expertise spans healthcare, public health, scientif... Show more

Moiz feels the Internet can be more mindful and friendlier to not just the end-users but also the developers and adopt more lean principles. He has worked in various roles including front-end development, product management, consulting, research (in Human-Computer Interaction), and teaching. He also organises the monthly TED-Style Talks and, if he has any free time left, enjoys some photography, badminton, and squash.

Moiz feels the Internet can be more mindful and friendlier to not just the end-users but also the developers and adopt more lean principles. He has worked in various roles including front-end development, product management, consulting, research (in ... Show more

Matty Stevenson is the Founder & Lead Facilitator of Conscious Ground, where he works to heal division and loneliness by fostering authentic connection, conscious leadership, and solidarity for action. With over a decade of group facilitation experience and 20 years exploring how people work together in corporate environments, Matty creates transformative experiences that help people communicate and collaborate across differences, reclaim their shared humanity, and take collective action toward a world where everyone can thrive.

Matty's work is grounded in the belief that we have more in common than we have differences, and that the systems keeping us divided and polarized can be overcome when we show up authentically, take radical responsibility, and practice solidarity as a living commitment. His sessions blend practical communication frameworks, conscious leadership practices, and community-building strategies that participants can immediately apply to their relationships, teams, and organizations.

As a Sr. Solutions Architect at Amazon Web Services (AWS) and 2x AWS re:Invent speaker, Matty brings unique perspective on navigating technological transformation, particularly AI's impact on work, connection, and leadership. He helps audiences understand not just what's changing, but how to lead consciously through rapid change while maintaining our humanity and strengthening our bonds.

Based in Ventura, California, Matty's facilitation style emphasizes experimentation, curiosity, and creating spaces where difficult conversations lead to breakthrough moments. Whether working with corporate teams, community groups, or public audiences, he inspires people to remember their power to create change and make a meaningful difference in the world.

For conference organizers: Looking to bring some inspiration to your next event? Matty's sessions spark genuine connection among participants, inspire creative thinking about challenges they're facing, and leave people feeling energized and empowered to take action. If you're looking for a speaker who will help your audience feel a sense of belonging, experience moments of "wow," and leave ecstatic they attended, Matty brings the perfect blend of substance, heart, and practical tools to make that happen.

Matty Stevenson is the Founder & Lead Facilitator of Conscious Ground, where he works to heal division and loneliness by fostering authentic connection, conscious leadership, and solidarity for action. With over a decade of group facilitation experie... Show more

Un historiador del Arte reconvertido al mundo de los datos que trabaja con tecnología Microsoft y disfruta creando comunidad.

Un historiador del Arte reconvertido al mundo de los datos que trabaja con tecnología Microsoft y disfruta creando comunidad. Show more

Dr. Nyasha Chikowore is a licensed clinical psychologist in the Washington, DC metropolitan area of Zimbabwean descent. She provides individual, family, couples and group therapy for individuals aged 5 and up, along with psychological evaluations to identify neurocognitive and mood concerns. Dr. Nyasha is well-versed in depression, anxiety, academic & work stress, diversity issues and trauma. She is also the author of a children’s book, Giraffe Asks For Help, which promotes help-seeking in children aged 4-8 and an adjunct professor, teaching principles of Black psychology and preparing doctoral students for internship. She holds a master’s degree from the University of Baltimore in Applied Psychology, and a doctorate in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Nyasha Chikowore is a licensed clinical psychologist in the Washington, DC metropolitan area of Zimbabwean descent. She provides individual, family, couples and group therapy for individuals aged 5 and up, along with psychological evaluations to ... Show more

Bri Williams helps leaders speak confidently.

She ensures your voice is heard, your contributions are known, and your value is undeniable within your organization through public speaking and leadership development.

An international speaker, she has delivered talks worldwide to culturally diverse audiences in APAC, EMEA, and the Americas.

She brings 20 years of experience in talent, learning, and development within financial services and IT industries, from graduate programs to leadership development.

Her talks help emerging leaders develop unshakeable speaking confidence and skills for:
🟢 Internal and external meetings
🟢 Presentations and Training
🟢 Media
🟢 Events

Her clients are regularly featured in the media, including CNN, Reuters, Bloomberg, COP26, and Macy's, at top industry events or making waves internally with their teams and stakeholders.

Bri has been featured on Thrive Global, International Women's Day and is the in-house communication expert for the wellness app LiveMore.

✔️ 94% of hosts book Bri to speak again.
✔️ 93% of her audience rates her talks as Actionable, Engaging, Inspiring, and Relevant.

Australian-born 🇦🇺 and after a decade of living in London 🇬🇧 Bri is now based in the South of France 🇫🇷 (…if you can't pick the accent!) and loves living between the mountains and the sea, but is always happy to speak at your in-person event or deliver virtually.

Bri Williams helps leaders speak confidently. She ensures your voice is heard, your contributions are known, and your value is undeniable within your organization through public speaking and leadership development. An international speaker, sh... Show more

Elie Alhajjar, PhD, is a Senior Scientist at RAND, leading projects at the intersection of AI, cybersecurity, and government. Prior to that, he was an Associate Professor at the United States Military Academy and a Senior Research Scientist at the Army Cyber Institute in West Point, New York. Previously, Alhajjar served as a Research Scientist in the Computing and Communications Theory Group at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Gaithersburg, Maryland. He holds a PhD in applied mathematics from George Mason University.

Elie Alhajjar, PhD, is a Senior Scientist at RAND, leading projects at the intersection of AI, cybersecurity, and government. Prior to that, he was an Associate Professor at the United States Military Academy and a Senior Research Scientist at the Ar... Show more

Facilitateur graphique & coach agile, je combine pensée visuelle, intelligence collective et agilité pour accompagner les organisations dans leurs transformations.
Passionné par la transmission et la dynamique des groupes, j’anime des ateliers qui rendent les idées visibles et les échanges plus vivants.
Fondateur des Ateliers du Bosquet, j'explore des approches sur-mesure pour cultiver l’Humain et faire grandir le collectif.

Facilitateur graphique & coach agile, je combine pensée visuelle, intelligence collective et agilité pour accompagner les organisations dans leurs transformations. Passionné par la transmission et la dynamique des groupes, j’anime des ateliers qui r... Show more

For over 20 years, Alena has built technical solutions that inform decisions and solve problems across diverse industries. She enjoys both the creativity of programming and the thrill of solving a puzzle. As a leader in the community, a technical trainer, and a mom, she is passionate about providing the tools and mindset required for everyone to learn and succeed.

For over 20 years, Alena has built technical solutions that inform decisions and solve problems across diverse industries. She enjoys both the creativity of programming and the thrill of solving a puzzle. As a leader in the community, a technical tra... Show more

Kevin has been wrangling data and dodging dirty reads for over 15 years — back when SQL Server 6.5 was considered "modern" and query tuning meant praying to the optimizer gods.

His journey began as an "Accidental DBA" — one misfired report and suddenly he was deep in sys.objects, pretending sp_who2 was an actual plan. Since then, he's played nearly every role in the SQL Server ecosystem: SQL Developer, BI Associate, Production DBA, and now a Data Architect with a mission.

These days, Kevin spends his time normalizing chaos, denormalizing silos, and preaching the gospel of clean, well-modeled data. He’s been known to pivot on the fly, avoid Cartesian relationships, and bring deadlocks back to life — all while gently reminding teams that SELECT * is a cry for help.

If it involves data, Kevin's in — tuning queries, architecting solutions, or just nerding out about why surrogate keys are misunderstood. He’s not just passionate about data — he’s got a clustered index on it.

Kevin has been wrangling data and dodging dirty reads for over 15 years — back when SQL Server 6.5 was considered "modern" and query tuning meant praying to the optimizer gods. His journey began as an "Accidental DBA" — one misfired report and sud... Show more

Dane Maddams, named one of Amplitude’s Product 50 leaders, is a Director of Product at Culture Amp specialising in HR tech. He operates at the intersection of product strategy and organisational psychology, leveraging 1.5 billion data points on workplace engagement to design systems where performance and people thrive together. Known for cutting through jargon and telling it like it is, Dane leaves audiences with practical frameworks, sharper thinking, and the confidence to lead with both ambition and empathy.

Dane Maddams, named one of Amplitude’s Product 50 leaders, is a Director of Product at Culture Amp specialising in HR tech. He operates at the intersection of product strategy and organisational psychology, leveraging 1.5 billion data points on workp... Show more

Deborah A. Carroll is Director of the Government Finance Research Center at the University of Illinois Chicago. Her research focuses on local government fiscal policy, specifically taxation, revenue diversification, and water pricing and affordability. Dr. Carroll has produced 75 scholarly publications and 25 white papers and technical reports reflecting more than $2.75 million in research funding. She has been invited to share her expertise with academic and practitioner audiences across the U.S. and in several other countries. Dr. Carroll began her career in public service as a budget and policy analyst for the City of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. With a passion for applied research intended to inform public policy and improve public sector management, Dr. Carroll pursued her Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, which she completed in 2004 along with a Graduate Certificate in State and Local Taxation from the UWM Sheldon B. Lubar School of Business.

Deborah A. Carroll is Director of the Government Finance Research Center at the University of Illinois Chicago. Her research focuses on local government fiscal policy, specifically taxation, revenue diversification, and water pricing and affordabilit... Show more

Mathilde is a final-year Media Engineering student at the University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland with a passion for gamification and human-centric design. She brings a unique perspective to software development, holding a previous Bachelor's degree in Philosophy and Medieval French. During her 6-week internship at Avalia Systems, she single-handedly designed, built, and delivered a full-stack team mood-monitoring plugin for Backstage. This talk marks her conference debut.

Mathilde is a final-year Media Engineering student at the University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland with a passion for gamification and human-centric design. She brings a unique perspective to software development, holding a previous Bachelo... Show more

Ms. Thibodeaux has dedicated the past eight years to the field of higher education, excelling in both administrative and faculty roles. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts in English from Lamar University. Currently, she serves as the Assistant Director of Academic Enrichment for Student Tutoring and Retention (STAR) services at her alma mater. Outside of her professional commitments, Ms. Thibodeaux is passionate about reading, traveling, and innovating new strategies to enhance student success.

Ms. Thibodeaux has dedicated the past eight years to the field of higher education, excelling in both administrative and faculty roles. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts in English from Lamar University. Currently, she serves as the A... Show more

Vanessa Ajagu is an attorney in the New York office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP. She is a member of the firm’s Litigation Practice Group.

Vanessa has broad experience in high-stakes complex litigation before federal and state courts, representing clients in the technology, labor and employment, and finance sectors. These matters include defending a major technology company in a securities class action, representing clients in multiple shareholder litigation matters before the Delaware Court of Chancery, achieving victory on behalf of a leading beverage company in arbitration, and reversing a lower court ruling in favor of a streaming company in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Vanessa has a robust pro bono practice centered on appellate advocacy and women’s rights. She has argued and briefed matters before appellate courts, including successfully challenging a decision that reduced attorneys’ fees awarded to The Legal Aid Society based solely on its nonprofit status. She has also contributed to multiple amicus briefs before the U.S. Supreme Court. Beyond her appellate work, Vanessa advocates for survivors of domestic violence—obtaining a restraining order on behalf of one client following an evidentiary hearing and successfully achieving a reduced sentence for another under New York’s Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act (DVSJA).

Before joining the firm, Vanessa served as a law clerk to the Honorable Gerard E. Lynch of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and the Honorable Margo K. Brodie of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.

Vanessa received her Juris Doctor in 2020 from Columbia Law School, where she was named a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar and served as a Senior Editor of the Columbia Law Review. At Columbia Law, she was awarded a Parker School Recognition of Achievement in International and Comparative Law and selected as a fellow for the Salzburg Lloyd N. Cutler Fellows Program in International Law. She received a Master’s in International Criminal Law from the University of Amsterdam in 2020 and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with high distinction from Queen’s University in 2017.

Vanessa is admitted to practice before the Southern and Eastern District Courts of New York as well as New York state courts.

Vanessa Ajagu is an attorney in the New York office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP. She is a member of the firm’s Litigation Practice Group. Vanessa has broad experience in high-stakes complex litigation before federal and state courts, representi... Show more

Beril is a growth marketer with a deep background in consumer psychology. She currently leads multi-market acquisition at ClassPass, managing £10M+ annual performance budgets and scaling growth across global regions. With 6+ years of experience across startups, scaleups and global brands, her work focuses on how people really think and decide — not just what dashboards show.

She holds both a BA and MSc in psychology, specialising in consumer behaviour at King’s College London, and works at the intersection of growth strategy, behavioural science, and human-centred decision design.

Beril is a growth marketer with a deep background in consumer psychology. She currently leads multi-market acquisition at ClassPass, managing £10M+ annual performance budgets and scaling growth across global regions. With 6+ years of experience acros... Show more

I believe that effective communication helps us all live our best work lives. With over 10 years of experience focused on communication between people and companies, I’m always happy to share my expertise with the tech community.

I believe that effective communication helps us all live our best work lives. With over 10 years of experience focused on communication between people and companies, I’m always happy to share my expertise with the tech community. Show more

Kelly, multi-award winning Brand Marketing and Communications leader in tech, excels in driving DEIB.
With vast experience in Spain and the UK, she's led teams for major clients and focused on organisational culture at Ingram Micro.
Her commitment to DEI is evident in her role as the founder of Latinas In Tech Madrid, mentoring young professionals and entrepreneurs.

Kelly, multi-award winning Brand Marketing and Communications leader in tech, excels in driving DEIB. With vast experience in Spain and the UK, she's led teams for major clients and focused on organisational culture at Ingram Micro. Her commitmen... Show more

I am a systems thinker, AI governance practitioner, and founder of the Regen AI Institute, where I develop system-level approaches to Responsible and Safe AI. My work focuses on the intersection of human cognition, organizational decision-making, and artificial intelligence, with the goal of designing AI systems that remain stable, trustworthy, and resilient at scale.
My background spans enterprise transformation, data-driven decision systems, and AI deployment in complex organizational and regulated environments. Through hands-on work with large-scale AI and automation initiatives, I observed that many AI failures do not originate from technical limitations, but from misalignment between human incentives, institutional decision structures, and machine intelligence.
I am the originator of the Cognitive Alignment framework, which reframes Responsible AI as a coordination challenge across human, organizational, and machine cognition rather than a purely ethical or compliance-driven exercise. My research draws on systems theory, cognitive science, and cybernetics, and is applied to AI governance, risk management, and human–AI collaboration.
I publish and speak on Cognitive Alignment, AI governance, and the emerging Cognitive Economy, with a focus on translating Responsible AI principles into operational practice. My work aims to help organizations design AI systems that support high-quality decision-making under complexity, rather than amplify systemic risk.

I am a systems thinker, AI governance practitioner, and founder of the Regen AI Institute, where I develop system-level approaches to Responsible and Safe AI. My work focuses on the intersection of human cognition, organizational decision-making, and... Show more