Humanities & Social Sciences

Esteemed speakers contributing their insights into human culture, behavior, and societal development

Nicole Radtke

Nicole Radtke

I describe myself as a talent matchmaker, a recruiting futurist, or a bridge‑builder between people and technology.

My motto: “Hire with heart, decide with data.” sums up my approach perfectly.

For over a decade, I’ve been shaping recruiting and talent strategy in (IT) environments—across regions, teams, and stakeholder groups, and almost always with a tangible impact on the organization. My focus is not the tool stack for its own sake. Instead, I’m devoted to the processes and the people behind the processes.

My aim is to build and empower hiring communities, think digital transformation from a people‑first perspective, and I love exploring one essential question: How do we want to live and work in the future—and what must recruiting contribute so that technology and AI create real value?

I also actively champion Women in Tech—spotlighting role models, mentoring emerging talent, and creating visibility for women’s contributions so that more diverse voices shape the future of our industry.

Today, I also work as a coach, mentor, and sparring partner—sharing practical playbooks on Talent Intelligence, modern employer branding, and candidate‑centric hiring. And I aim to show—by doing—that a clear stance and a good dose of courage are necessary to break with outdated hiring myths and ways of thinking.

I describe myself as a talent matchmaker, a recruiting futurist, or a bridge‑builder between people and technology. My motto: “Hire with heart, decide with data.” sums up my approach perfectly. For over a decade, I’ve been shaping recruiting a... Show more

Blessing Agbor

Blessing Agbor


Blessing Agbor is an API Security Engineer with 2 years of experience in application security, specializing in the emerging threat landscape where artificial intelligence meets traditional API vulnerabilities. Operating at the intersection of OWASP API Security Top 10 and OWASP Top 10 for LLM Applications, she addresses the critical security gaps that most organizations miss when deploying AI agents and LLM-powered systems. Her research focuses on cross-framework vulnerability analysis, demonstrating how attackers chain traditional API flaws (BOLA, broken authentication, excessive data exposure) with LLM-specific vulnerabilities (prompt injection, insecure plugins, excessive agency) to achieve complete system compromise. This work emerged from conducting real-world security assessments of AI agent deployments in fintech, e-commerce, and SaaS platforms across multiple continents.

Throughout her career, Blessing has conducted security assessments for organizations and identified 5+ critical vulnerabilities. She holds CompTIA Certs as well as APISEC and actively contributes to the security community through technical blog posts and local security meetups. Based in Lagos, Nigeria, Blessing Agbor is committed to elevating cybersecurity expertise across emerging markets. She believes that advanced security knowledge should be accessible to all practitioners, regardless of geography or organizational size. When not breaking AI agents, she enjoys vlogging, reading books, and documenting her memories.

She has served in technical and leadership roles for major community-led events, including Google Developers Group's Build with AI, DevFest, TechSafe, and STEMCON Tour, and regularly speaks on how security, ethics, and human behavior intersect in tech development. Currently, she’s working on API security projects—deepening her expertise in securing APIs, understanding real-world attack surfaces, implementing threat modeling, and integrating security seamlessly into CI/CD pipelines. Her focus is on building resilient, developer-friendly security workflows that align with modern DevSecOps practices.

Blessing Agbor is an API Security Engineer with 2 years of experience in application security, specializing in the emerging threat landscape where artificial intelligence meets traditional API vulnerabilities. Operating at the intersection of OWASP... Show more

Derek Porter

Derek Porter

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

Lee Tonouchi

Lee Tonouchi

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

Quinn Grace

Quinn Grace

Quinn Grace is a Data Scientist who:
* Is very Autistic, but pretends not to be for survival
* Loves anime and gaming
* Made the SA National debating team twice and the Western Cape provincial debating team four times

Quinn Grace is a Data Scientist who: * Is very Autistic, but pretends not to be for survival * Loves anime and gaming * Made the SA National debating team twice and the Western Cape provincial debating team four times Show more

Antonieta Herrera

Antonieta Herrera

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

Ayobami ⚡

Ayobami ⚡

Ayobami Atolagbe
Founder & Executive Director, BitKwa | Co-Founder & CEO, Demohub

Ayobami Atolagbe is a visionary entrepreneur, educator, and growth marketing executive on a mission to empower 10 million Africans through Bitcoin, education, and technology. He is the Founder and Executive Director of BitKwa, a nonprofit organization driving Bitcoin education, adoption, and circular economy initiatives across Africa. Through BitKwa, Ayobami has educated over 10,000 individuals and empowered grassroots movements via merchant onboarding programs, community workshops, and strategic partnerships that advance financial inclusion.

He is also the Founder and CEO of Demohub, an AI-powered EdTech platform making globally relevant digital skills accessible to African youth. Ayobami’s leadership bridges education, innovation, and economic empowerment at the grassroots level.

Ayobami previously served as Head of Growth at Paycrest (San Francisco), helping build fintech products for the Global South, and held key roles at Paxful and NoOnes, where he expanded Bitcoin’s reach across Africa through ambassador programs, market expansion strategies, and community-driven campaigns. He also volunteered with Built With Bitcoin to support the construction of a school in Kaduna, Nigeria, demonstrating Bitcoin’s real-world impact on education and community development.

Personal Philosophy: Always Thrive Towards Greatness

Ayobami Atolagbe Founder & Executive Director, BitKwa | Co-Founder & CEO, Demohub Ayobami Atolagbe is a visionary entrepreneur, educator, and growth marketing executive on a mission to empower 10 million Africans through Bitcoin, education, and t... Show more

Thomas Gebert

Thomas Gebert

Thomas Gebert is an adjunct lecturer at CUNY CityTech, a PhD student at the University of York, and a software engineer whose career has included companies such as Jet.com, Apple, Walmart Global Tech, and Reddit.

In addition to a bunch of technical tomfoolery, Thomas also enjoys watching cartoons, playing with professional audio equipment, and trying out various recipes for pizza.

Thomas Gebert is an adjunct lecturer at CUNY CityTech, a PhD student at the University of York, and a software engineer whose career has included companies such as Jet.com, Apple, Walmart Global Tech, and Reddit. In addition to a bunch of technic... Show more

Elvire Gagneur

Elvire Gagneur

With a PhD in History (to understand where we come from) and an HR MBA from Dauphine (to know where we’re headed), I eventually traded academic theories for the boots-on-the-ground reality of SMEs.

La DistilleRHie: This is my lab. I support business leaders on HR topics and, more broadly, on the art of "working well together." I distill HR into the right doses—no silver bullets, no indigestible jargon. Just practical, concrete solutions, built on conviviality and co-creation.

CoQuest: My "cards on the table" project. Literally. Because recruitment is increasingly becoming a standoff between recruiter and candidate, I decided to change the rules of the game. I created a gamified method to put the human connection back at the heart of hiring.

My Philosophy:
I’m neither a traditional consultant nor a coach. I’ve carved out my own path at the intersection of HR, collective intelligence facilitation, and game design. My goal? To transform HR processes into real experiences, blending business efficiency with genuine pleasure at work.

My mantra? Less talk, more results, and always one move ahead.

With a PhD in History (to understand where we come from) and an HR MBA from Dauphine (to know where we’re headed), I eventually traded academic theories for the boots-on-the-ground reality of SMEs. La DistilleRHie: This is my lab. I support busine... Show more

Tom Ridge

Tom Ridge

Tom Ridge is a father of 4, an engineer, and long time remote worker and leader.

When he does find a scrap of time, he's known to run a D&D game or three.

Tom Ridge is a father of 4, an engineer, and long time remote worker and leader. When he does find a scrap of time, he's known to run a D&D game or three. Show more

Kylie Bragdon

Kylie Bragdon

Dr. Kylie Bragdon, Ed.D., is a transformational leadership expert and workforce strategist committed to solving one of today’s most pressing challenges: 75% of businesses are struggling to find employees with the right skills. Drawing on her background as an educator and executive leader, Dr. Bragdon empowers organizations to close the talent gap by building innovative, future-ready training solutions.

She is widely recognized for her ability to translate complex challenges into actionable strategies, blending real-world leadership experience with cutting-edge approaches to workforce development. With deep expertise in upskilling, organizational change, and talent pipeline design, she equips leaders with the tools to foster resilience, cultivate high-performing teams, and drive sustainable growth.

Dr. Bragdon’s work is rooted in the belief that the future of work will be built, not found. Her mission is to change the world with kindness by helping organizations create environments where people and performance thrive together.

Dr. Kylie Bragdon, Ed.D., is a transformational leadership expert and workforce strategist committed to solving one of today’s most pressing challenges: 75% of businesses are struggling to find employees with the right skills. Drawing on her backgr... Show more

Jacques Balolage

Jacques Balolage

I am a Deaf leader from the Democratic Republic of Congo, working at the intersection of ethical finance, disability inclusion, sustainable development, and climate justice.
As a Senior Financial Analyst and Junior Accountant, I support schools, organizations, and businesses in strengthening financial transparency and accountability.
As the Executive Director of EAI, I lead inclusive programs that amplify the voices and talents of Deaf and disabled people, centering sign language access and intersectional inclusion in leadership.
I also serve as National Coordinator of Rise for Impact (DRC), empowering youth leadership and civic engagement across Central and East Africa.
A former Youth4Climate participant, I advocate for integrating accessibility and resilience into climate action.
Certified in DEI and Leadership, I’m passionate about digital accessibility and building technology that is equitable and inclusive for all.

I am a Deaf leader from the Democratic Republic of Congo, working at the intersection of ethical finance, disability inclusion, sustainable development, and climate justice. As a Senior Financial Analyst and Junior Accountant, I support schools, org... Show more

Owilla Abiro Mercy

Owilla Abiro Mercy

Owilla Abiro Mercy is a seasoned researcher and writer specialising in investigative journalism at the African Institute for Investigative Journalism (AIIJ). With a passion for uncovering hidden truths and holding the powerful accountable, Mercy has dedicated her career to shedding light on critical social issues and promoting transparency in Africa.

Mercy's work extends beyond traditional reporting. She is well-versed in utilising Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) techniques to gather and analyse digital information, adding a new dimension to her investigative reports. Her expertise in OSINT has garnered attention and recognition within the industry, and she is often sought after for her insights on leveraging digital tools and technologies in investigative journalism.

Passionate about sharing knowledge and empowering others, Mercy frequently conducts workshops and training sessions on investigative journalism, OSINT, and ethical reporting practises. She believes in nurturing the next generation of investigative journalists and equipping them with the skills necessary to make a significant impact.

Owilla Abiro Mercy is a seasoned researcher and writer specialising in investigative journalism at the African Institute for Investigative Journalism (AIIJ). With a passion for uncovering hidden truths and holding the powerful accountable, Mercy has ... Show more

Monica "moe" Anderson, DDS, DBA, FICD

Monica "moe" Anderson, DDS, DBA, FICD

Dr. Monica “mOe” Anderson, DDS, DBA is a dentist, TEDx speaker, and award-winning podcast host who has been inspiring audiences for more than three decades. Known for her top-ranked TEDx Talk on Unconscious Bias, she blends humor, heart, and hard data to ignite conversations about communication, leadership, and health equity.

She has delivered high-impact keynotes and workshops to organizations such as Deciphera Pharmaceuticals, Aetna, National Network for Oral Health Access, American Academy of Dental Group Practice, the University of Minnesota, the American Association of Dental Consultants, the U.S. Department of Defense, the National Association of Purchasing Management, LSU, TCU, Girl Scouts, OKC Urban League, Healthcare Businesswomen's Association, Americredit Corporation, U.S. Department of Justice, American Association of Dental Consultants and Rotary International.

A licensed dentist and Senior Dental Consultant for a global Fortune 500 financial services organization, Dr. mOe brings lived experience and rare insight into how systems, stories, and social determinants intersect in healthcare. Her career spans private practice, corporate leadership, and community advocacy, including founding the nonprofit Drop the Drugs, Inc., which promotes safe medication disposal.

The bestselling author of eight books and host of the globally ranked podcast Perpetual mOetion with Dr. mOe Anderson, she has been featured in national magazines and media outlets, testified on access to care before legislative bodies, and given workshops on global stages. Whether delivering a keynote on inclusive leadership and cross generational communication or moderating a panel on resilience and life balance, Dr. mOe’s mix of expertise and authenticity transforms audiences long after the applause.

Available for keynotes, workshops, panels, and SME interviews. Reach out to book or collaborate.

Dr. Monica “mOe” Anderson, DDS, DBA is a dentist, TEDx speaker, and award-winning podcast host who has been inspiring audiences for more than three decades. Known for her top-ranked TEDx Talk on Unconscious Bias, she blends humor, heart, and hard dat... Show more

George Woodard

George Woodard

I help organizations grow their online presence and create experiences that convert visitors into supporters. I am a Technical Marketing Specialist with extensive experience in website marketing management and building systems that enhance your team's effectiveness.

The digital world changes fast. Whether it's the latest on SEO or building out AI, I stay on top of what's working now so you don't have to figure it out yourself. Your time is better spent on what you do best.

I help organizations grow their online presence and create experiences that convert visitors into supporters. I am a Technical Marketing Specialist with extensive experience in website marketing management and building systems that enhance your team'... Show more

Stephanie Sylvestre

Stephanie Sylvestre

Are you searching for a conference speakers who can make artificial intelligence approachable, actionable, and deeply human? Meet Stephanie Sylvestre—a technologist, entrepreneur, and corporate leader who’s on a mission to empower professionals and organizations to thrive in the age of AI.

Stephanie’s unique blend of technical expertise, leadership experience, and passion for human development makes her the perfect presenter for conferences focused on leadership, innovation, technology, and the future of work. She doesn’t just talk about AI—she brings it to life with stories, strategies, and a contagious sense of possibility.

Signature Topics Stephanie Brings to Your Audience
1. Top 5 Quintessentially Human Skills for Success in the AI World
AI is transforming the way we work, but the most valuable skills remain deeply human. Stephanie reveals the five essential traits—resilience, creativity, resourcefulness, problem-solving, and critical thinking—that every professional needs to cultivate to stay ahead. She shares actionable strategies for adapting to technological change, devising innovative solutions, and navigating complex challenges, all while fostering collaboration and continuous learning. Perfect for leadership development and motivational speaking.

2. Understanding the AI Alphabet: LLM, SLM, and AI Agents
AI can feel like an alphabet soup of acronyms and jargon. Stephanie demystifies the digital landscape, breaking down the differences between Large Language Models (LLMs), Small Language Models (SLMs), and AI Agents. With practical examples and a step-by-step approach, she empowers listeners to understand how these components work together—and how anyone can leverage them to solve real-world problems. Ideal for audiences new to AI or seeking a clear, engaging introduction.

3. Responsible AI: Ensuring Human Oversight
Worried about rogue technology or AI “hallucinations”? Stephanie provides a roadmap for responsible AI implementation, sharing proven strategies for integrating human oversight, setting up effective guardrails, and ensuring outputs are verified and trustworthy. Listeners will walk away with a clear understanding of AI accountability, ethical standards, and how to build trust in technology. A must-hear for IT leaders, AI practitioners, and anyone interested in the future of ethical tech.

4. Beyond Software: Considering AI’s Social Impact
AI isn’t just about code—it’s about culture, values, and the way we live and work together. Stephanie invites audiences to reimagine AI implementation as a catalyst for positive social change. She explores the ethical, cultural, and human dimensions of AI, showing how anyone—not just technologists—can lead in our AI-transformed future. This session is perfect for social impact, nonprofit, and philanthropic audiences.

Why Invite Stephanie?

Relatable Storytelling: Stephanie translates complex AI concepts into engaging, real-world stories.
Actionable Insights: Every session with Stephanie leaves attendees with practical takeaways they can use immediately.
Inspiring Perspective: She champions the human side of technology, empowering audiences to embrace change with confidence.
Ready to bring a fresh, human-centric voice to your podcast?
Invite Stephanie Sylvestre and give your audience the tools—and the inspiration—to thrive in the AI era.

Are you searching for a conference speakers who can make artificial intelligence approachable, actionable, and deeply human? Meet Stephanie Sylvestre—a technologist, entrepreneur, and corporate leader who’s on a mission to empower professionals and o... Show more

Ryan Bn. de Ropp

Ryan Bn. de Ropp

Former data architect, current Geopolitical Strategist with Risk Ready Research.

I have worked on just about every database system under the sun, and now use those software development skills to map OSINT to track and forecast global events.

I hope to shed light on the possible futures we may find ourselves in over the next decade involving AI, our CPU supply chain, and their relationship, that most people aren't prepared for.

I'm also a niche celebrity in the Dungeons and Dragons community, have a successful YouTube channel called Dungeon Masterpiece, and have parlayed that success into founding and running a premium RPG Retreat at Ancient Lore Village called Green Dragon Fest which has sold out every year.

Former data architect, current Geopolitical Strategist with Risk Ready Research. I have worked on just about every database system under the sun, and now use those software development skills to map OSINT to track and forecast global events. I ... Show more

Chinonso Ohakwe

Chinonso Ohakwe

Nonso Ohakwe is the Business Operations Manager at Waza, a fintech infrastructure company powering cross-border B2B payments and liquidity for African businesses. At Waza, he leads critical work across partner onboarding, compliance, OTC readiness, and cross-functional execution—ensuring partners are onboarded with speed, structure, and scale.

Nonso’s professional journey spans fintech, legal-tech, policy, and social impact. He has worked with over a dozen justice-focused startups across Nigeria, helping them define their customer segments, validate solutions, and launch to market. As a facilitator at Hill’s Justice Entrepreneurship School, he has coached startups tackling issues from land transactions and domestic violence to electoral accountability and legal transparency.

Throughout his career, Nonso has been deeply invested in systems-thinking, strategy, and building operational frameworks that scale. He’s led initiatives on KYC/KYB compliance flows, managed multi-stakeholder partnerships, and advised founders on process automation and market positioning. His work often blends legal insight with operational execution and strategic storytelling.

Whether he’s onboarding fintech partners, coaching startup founders, or scaling internal systems, Nonso brings a structured, mission-aligned, and detail-driven approach to every room he walks into.

Nonso Ohakwe is the Business Operations Manager at Waza, a fintech infrastructure company powering cross-border B2B payments and liquidity for African businesses. At Waza, he leads critical work across partner onboarding, compliance, OTC readiness, a... Show more

Xiaoji Song

Xiaoji Song

Xiaoji Song (she/they) is an artist, (interdisciplinary) researcher, and creative practitioner based in Berlin. Growing up in China and trained in Europe, Xiaoji works on socially relevant and community-specific experiences, often with the local networks, NGOs, and local cultural and political institutions, mediated by texts, images, games, and performances. Working in the liminal spaces of political theory, practice, and art, Xiaoji's interests include techno-politics, networked social movement, border practices, and the performative aspect of political memory.

Xiaoji Song (she/they) is an artist, (interdisciplinary) researcher, and creative practitioner based in Berlin. Growing up in China and trained in Europe, Xiaoji works on socially relevant and community-specific experiences, often with the local netw... Show more

Kevin Smyth

Kevin Smyth

Kevin Smyth has a PhD in genetics and has helped thousands of scientists communicate their work. He is now building AI tools for science communication.

Kevin Smyth has a PhD in genetics and has helped thousands of scientists communicate their work. He is now building AI tools for science communication. Show more

Luís Miguel Cerqueira

Luís Miguel Cerqueira

Luís Miguel Cerqueira is a Program Manager and communicator passionate about shaping the future of work. With a career built across Talent Acquisition, Diversity & Inclusion, and Program Management in tech, he currently leads initiatives that connect purpose, people, and performance across international teams. Known for his sharp storytelling and human-centered approach, Luís challenges traditional views on hiring, leadership, and career development — inspiring organizations to build spaces where belonging drives results. A Toastmasters speaker and creative strategist, he turns complex ideas into relatable stories that move people to think, feel, and act differently.

Luís Miguel Cerqueira is a Program Manager and communicator passionate about shaping the future of work. With a career built across Talent Acquisition, Diversity & Inclusion, and Program Management in tech, he currently leads initiatives that connect... Show more

Natália Granato

Natália Granato

I work as a Cloud Platform Engineer at iFood, integrating the SRE (Site Reliability Engineering) ecosystem and providing cloud infrastructure resources to over 5,000 developers. I currently participate in the Platform project, contributing to the development of the internal engineering platform. In this context, I use technologies such as Golang, microservices, Temporal Workflow, and infrastructure as code.

I have extensive experience in Cloud Native technologies, cloud computing, and microservices-oriented architectures. My expertise includes migrating workloads to containers, implementing CI/CD (Continuous Integration and Delivery) pipelines, orchestrating and defining applications in Kubernetes, and applying observability practices, including traces, logs, and metrics. I have extensive experience in infrastructure as code, process automation, and DevSecOps practices, focusing on adopting standards for provisioning, configuring, and maintaining scalable and secure platforms.

I was one of the people responsible for building the Celeste Platform—Magalu Cloud's internal infrastructure platform. In this project, I led the implementation of the observability solution, encompassing over 30 services and enabling AZ/DC for customers.

I am a CNCF Ambassador and Docker Captain, actively involved in open source projects such as Kubernetes, and promote the dissemination of Cloud Native technologies through articles, lectures, workshops, and technical events. I also participate in the organization of DevOpsDays Belo Horizonte.

I work as a Cloud Platform Engineer at iFood, integrating the SRE (Site Reliability Engineering) ecosystem and providing cloud infrastructure resources to over 5,000 developers. I currently participate in the Platform project, contributing to the dev... Show more

Gemma Astafanous

Gemma Astafanous

Gemma Astafanous works at the intersection of human performance and embodied intelligence. With a background in corporate project leadership, she bridges structured, results-driven approaches with somatic practices that help people move beyond stress and mental overload into clarity, creativity, and grounded presence.

Her work combines breathwork, movement, and nervous system regulation to create practical tools for developers, leaders, and innovators navigating high-pressure environments. For Gemma, embodiment is about “debugging the noise” — learning to listen to the body’s signals as another system of intelligence, just as vital as logic and code.

Through global workshops, coaching, and group programs, she has supported individuals and teams in releasing unproductive patterns, strengthening resilience, and showing up with authenticity and impact. Splitting her time between the UK and Mexico, Gemma brings a grounded yet human-centered perspective to tech spaces, making wellbeing as integral as performance in building the future.

Gemma Astafanous works at the intersection of human performance and embodied intelligence. With a background in corporate project leadership, she bridges structured, results-driven approaches with somatic practices that help people move beyond stress... Show more

Franco Vela

Franco Vela

GDG Nuremberg Organizer

I've worked at a multiple startups as Mobile Software Engineer specialized in building apps with Flutter. Additionally I've built and published multiple apps of my own. I am also organizer of the Google Developer Group Nuremberg.

GDG Nuremberg Organizer I've worked at a multiple startups as Mobile Software Engineer specialized in building apps with Flutter. Additionally I've built and published multiple apps of my own. I am also organizer of the Google Developer Group Nure... Show more

Jay Patel

Jay Patel

Nova Lorraine

Nova Lorraine

The First Impact Fashion Designer to have her design land on the moon, Nova Lorraine has made history for fashion, sustainability and technology. Named one of the Most Inspirational Women of Web3 and AI, Nova Lorraine is an award-winning Fashion Designer and Futurist. Renowned for her design prowess, has been featured in Forbes, and Inc, with her designs featured in Essence, Italian Vogue, and "The View" to name a few.

Jamaican born Nova Lorraine, is a recipient of the Web3 Creator Future Award, the Metaverse Champion Award, and the LAMINA1 NFT Artist Award, cementing her as a trailblazer in both artistic and digital domains. Named a Top 100 Women of the Future, Nova is the author and podcast host of "Unleash Your Supernova" and Co-Host of the "AI for Creatives" podcast.

Having founded Raine Magazine in 2007, Nova has interviewed hundreds of celebrities including Kendall Jenner, Priyanka Chopra, and Mark Cuban, to name a few. She is currently building the House of Nova, the future of couture.

The First Impact Fashion Designer to have her design land on the moon, Nova Lorraine has made history for fashion, sustainability and technology. Named one of the Most Inspirational Women of Web3 and AI, Nova Lorraine is an award-winning Fashion Desi... Show more

Daniël Joubert

Daniël Joubert

I am a husband, father and inventor.

I love spending time with my wife and kids in the outdoors, walking in the bush and fishing.

At the office, I work as a software development manager, which means that I spent most of my time inventing and encouraging other developers to be the best inventers they can be.

I love to read and write and as such, I hold a master's degree in Computer Science with a focus on unsupervised machine learning.

I am a husband, father and inventor. I love spending time with my wife and kids in the outdoors, walking in the bush and fishing. At the office, I work as a software development manager, which means that I spent most of my time inventing and en... Show more

Dr. Zubaida Khatoon

Dr. Zubaida Khatoon

My online membership from BSAC endorsed my research background and enlighten my digital modelling and creativity web of open science community Amsterdam (OSCA) for research projects and grants. My Ph.D. degree certificate and a trophy become a pride indeed at the auditorium of my school of life sciences, JNU, New Delhi in the year 2007. Appreciation certificate for Life Membership from SAMA and Editorial Board Membership certificate from Edwin In, has become a passion for my research approach.

My online membership from BSAC endorsed my research background and enlighten my digital modelling and creativity web of open science community Amsterdam (OSCA) for research projects and grants. My Ph.D. degree certificate and a trophy become a pride ... Show more

Dr. Laura Borland

Dr. Laura Borland

Dr. Laura Borland, DSW, is a fatherhood advocate and founder of Dad-Ease, an ecosystem of solutions designed to promote parental parity. With a deep commitment to addressing the challenges faced by dads, she strives to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all parents. In a society where fathers are often unseen or undervalued in the parenting equation, Dr. Borland aims to spark a conversation about the importance of recognizing and supporting fathers in their parenting roles. She is also a published author and writer, where she has been featured on television, radio, podcasts, and print.

Dr. Laura Borland, DSW, is a fatherhood advocate and founder of Dad-Ease, an ecosystem of solutions designed to promote parental parity. With a deep commitment to addressing the challenges faced by dads, she strives to create a more inclusive and sup... Show more

Carlisia Campos

Carlisia Campos

Carlisia Campos is a software engineer with experience in Go, distributed systems, and Cloud Native technologies. She has been a maintainer of the Velero and Knative open-source projects, a contributor to Kubernetes, and has held leadership roles in CNCF projects. She has worked on building and improving Cloud Native applications, focusing on scalability, resilience, and developer experience.

Beyond engineering, Carlisia is passionate about bridging the gap between complex technical concepts and intuitive mental models. She has spoken at conferences, contributed to technical podcasts such as Go Time and The Podlets, and mentored developers in the Go community.

Her work and research explore how ideas from biological and goal-directed systems can inform software design. In this talk, she introduces biological signaling as a new perspective for thinking about concurrency in Go, encouraging developers to expand their mental models and consider more adaptive, scalable approaches to software design.

Carlisia Campos is a software engineer with experience in Go, distributed systems, and Cloud Native technologies. She has been a maintainer of the Velero and Knative open-source projects, a contributor to Kubernetes, and has held leadership roles in ... Show more

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