Humanities & Social Sciences

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

Weam Taha

Weam Taha

I am an Academic Content Specialist and Teacher Trainer at Tihama, where my focus is on aligning curriculum design with the realities of classroom practice. My foundation in education was built as an IB high school English teacher, an experience that instilled in me a deep commitment to crafting learning experiences that are both intellectually rigorous and genuinely responsive to student needs.

In my current role, I lead professional development initiatives and oversee academic content strategy, working to ensure that educators are equipped with resources that are coherent, purposeful, and adaptable. I believe that strong content is the cornerstone of effective teaching, and that every curriculum decision ultimately serves a learner who deserves clarity, relevance, and inspiration.

I am honored to join the GESS community to share insights drawn from my journey and to contribute to the ongoing dialogue shaping our profession.

I am an Academic Content Specialist and Teacher Trainer at Tihama, where my focus is on aligning curriculum design with the realities of classroom practice. My foundation in education was built as an IB high school English teacher, an experience that... Show more

Tammy Winner

Tammy Winner

Dr. Tammy Winner is a Professor of Technical Writing at the University of North Alabama, executive trainer, and Keynote speaker specializing in AI ethics, leadership, and responsible communication. A former NASA Faculty Fellow at Marshall Space Flight Center, she brings a distinctive perspective to the ethical challenges surrounding emerging technologies, information, and human decision-making. Her work focuses on translating complex ethical questions into practical frameworks leaders and professionals can use to determine not simply what AI can do, but what it should do. Through research, teaching, and professional training, Dr. Winner helps organizations navigate AI with greater accountability, transparency, trust, and human judgment.

Dr. Tammy Winner is a Professor of Technical Writing at the University of North Alabama, executive trainer, and Keynote speaker specializing in AI ethics, leadership, and responsible communication. A former NASA Faculty Fellow at Marshall Space Fligh... Show more

Jack Sessions

Jack Sessions

# jack_sessions.py

class Human:
def __init__(self):
self.name = "Jack Sessions"
self.role = "Mobile Security Researcher && Rapper"
self.specialty = "Android/IOS bug hunting"
self.skills = [
"Finding exported components vendors forgot existed",
"Breaking weak token storage with gentle disappointment",
"Bypassing certificate pinning (for educational purposes)",
"Writing reports that actually get replies"
]
self.fuel = "Coffee"
self.enemy = "Slow WiFi"
self.alignment = "Lawful Good... Sometimes"
self.status = "Probably decompiling something right now"

def bio(self):
return (
f"{self.name} hunts Android bugs in public bug bounty programs "
f"and turns 'huh that’s weird' into responsible disclosures. "
f"Powered by {self.fuel} and personally attacked by {self.enemy}. "
f"{self.alignment} alignment. {self.status}."
)

if __name__ == "__main__":
print(Human().bio())

# jack_sessions.py class Human: def __init__(self): self.name = "Jack Sessions" self.role = "Mobile Security Researcher && Rapper" self.specialty = "Android/IOS bug hunting" self.skills = [ "Fi... Show more

Zeki Ubor

Zeki Ubor

I am the founder of Mindvest Global Resources, an ecosystem built around a simple conviction: better outcomes require better people, better thinking and better systems.
My work brings together human development, unconventional learning, business development, design and practical execution.
Through initiatives including The Becoming Institute, Origin Thinking Platform and Elevation Studio, I have explored different ways of helping people move beyond information and into capability—learning how to think, make decisions, solve problems, build value and execute.

I am the founder of Mindvest Global Resources, an ecosystem built around a simple conviction: better outcomes require better people, better thinking and better systems. My work brings together human development, unconventional learning, business dev... Show more

Ferigul Gungoren

Ferigul Gungoren

I've been working in entrepreneurship, innovation, and gender equality, with a particular interest in creating better opportunities for women and underrepresented groups in these fields.

I have been involved in innovation and intrapreneurship programs in big technology organizations such as Turkish Aerospace, TürkTraktör and HAVELSAN for the last 14 years. My work is about entrepreneurial learning, facilitation, mentoring, startup collaboration and ecosystem building to support people and organizations in turning ideas into action.

Outside of my corporate role I am passionate about women in STEM and entrepreneurship. I launched TechWomenClub, a women in tech initiative sponsored by the British Embassy, delivered workshops as a certified #IamRemarkable trainer and contributed to research and international discussions on gender equality in entrepreneurship. I co-created and co-hosted a video-podcast series on gender equality for 1.5 years.

I am a Chevening Scholar and hold an MSc in Technology Entrepreneurship (Distinction) from UCL. My academic and professional interests include inclusive entrepreneurship, innovation programmes, experiential learning, and women's participation in technology and entrepreneurship. I love creating spaces for honest conversations and learning through speaking, workshops, podcasts, and community initiatives.

I've been working in entrepreneurship, innovation, and gender equality, with a particular interest in creating better opportunities for women and underrepresented groups in these fields. I have been involved in innovation and intrapreneurship prog... Show more

Regina Trittin

Regina Trittin

https://www.ibp.uni-rostock.de/regina-trittin/

https://www.ibp.uni-rostock.de/regina-trittin/ Show more

David Aronchick

David Aronchick

I am CEO and co-founder of Expanso, the company behind the distributed compute platform Bacalhau. This means I spend most of my time helping humans to convince machines to be smarter. I am only moderately successful at this.

Previously, I led product management for Kubernetes on behalf of Google, launched GKE, and co-founded the Kubeflow project, and led Open Source ML Strategy at Azure. I have also worked at Protocol Labs, Amazon and Chef and co-founded three startups.

I am CEO and co-founder of Expanso, the company behind the distributed compute platform Bacalhau. This means I spend most of my time helping humans to convince machines to be smarter. I am only moderately successful at this. Previously, I led prod... Show more

Marta Scandellari

Marta Scandellari

Marta is a pattern seeker, cerca da sempre come funzionano le cose, umane e tecnologiche, la ragione che completa il sentimento. Ha studiato legge, cinese, scritto codice per più di dieci anni e alla fine intuito che tutte le regole hanno delle eccezioni. L'importante è saperle intercettarle.

Marta is a pattern seeker, cerca da sempre come funzionano le cose, umane e tecnologiche, la ragione che completa il sentimento. Ha studiato legge, cinese, scritto codice per più di dieci anni e alla fine intuito che tutte le regole hanno delle eccez... Show more

Michael Arbuckle

Michael Arbuckle

Michael Arbuckle serves as Executive In Residence within LadderStone’s Banking Practice, bringing deep expertise in financial product innovation, banking technology stack development, and strategic capital advisory. Michael leverages extensive experience in fintech, including roles at leading financial institutions such as Silicon Valley Bank and Charles Schwab, to guide LadderStone’s banking clients through complex technology transformations and product development initiatives. He actively leads projects involving the design, implementation, and enhancement of core banking systems, treasury workstations, trading platforms, and fintech solutions tailored to meet evolving regulatory requirements and market demands. Michael’s hands-on approach enables banks and financial institutions to integrate innovative technology solutions, streamline operational processes, and successfully deploy new financial products, positioning them to capitalize on strategic growth opportunities in a rapidly evolving financial landscape.

Michael Arbuckle serves as Executive In Residence within LadderStone’s Banking Practice, bringing deep expertise in financial product innovation, banking technology stack development, and strategic capital advisory. Michael leverages extensive experi... Show more

Tia Murry

Tia Murry

Dr. Tia Murry is an influential leader and the Co-Founder of Veridian Christian University (VCU), where she focuses on blending faith with learning to empower students for impactful careers. Dr. Tia is also the Founder of FLI, LLC, where her transformative F.L.I. method (Forgive. Let Go. Initiate.) inspires women to lead balanced, purpose-driven lives. Dr. Tia has a proven record in driving strategic initiatives, managing multimillion-dollar budgets, and developing sustainable growth strategies.

A sought-after International Speaker, Dr. Tia has delivered keynotes for universities, nonprofits, and conferences, including the renowned SpeakerCon stage with figures like Les Brown. Her bestselling book, F.L.I. Forgive. Let Go. Initiate., quickly became an Amazon Best Self-Help Short Read, chronicling her journey through personal challenges with courage and resilience.

Recognized with the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, Dr. Tia has received numerous honors, such as the Women of Distinction by the United Nations Global Women Foundation, Women In Management Africa, Champion Leadership Award U.K., and the Lifetime Commitment to Community Service Award.

Dr. Tia's true joy lies in empowering women, advocating for economic advancement, and inspiring audiences through her talks on leadership, faith, and personal growth. Outside of her professional sphere, she is a devoted mother to Derrick, Tamia, and Jazmyn, and a proud grandmother to Amaiah. Her passion for inspiring transformation makes her an invaluable presence at events where she combines authenticity with actionable insights.

Dr. Tia Murry is an influential leader and the Co-Founder of Veridian Christian University (VCU), where she focuses on blending faith with learning to empower students for impactful careers. Dr. Tia is also the Founder of FLI, LLC, where her transfor... Show more

Alex B. Hill

Alex B. Hill

Alex B. Hill highlights the intersections of power, privilege, and race in regards to health equity, access to basic services, and the social and political determinants of health. He is Project Director for the Detroit Food Map Initiative, Property Praxis, Detroit Atlas Collaboration, and DetroitData. Alex started DETROITography (detroitography.com) in 2013 to bring together various Detroit mapmakers and cartographers to showcase their work and encourage community members to start mapping their own city. He teaches in urban studies, public health, and geography at Wayne State University and Michigan State University. Alex is the author and cartographer of the books, Detroit in 50 Maps (2021) and Great Lakes in 50 Maps (2025) from Belt Publishing. He is a regular contributor to Model D Media, Flintside, Detroit PBS and the Detroit Free Press.

Alex B. Hill highlights the intersections of power, privilege, and race in regards to health equity, access to basic services, and the social and political determinants of health. He is Project Director for the Detroit Food Map Initiative, Property P... Show more

Jonas Böddicker

Jonas Böddicker

Studierte Medienkultur und Medienwissenschaft. Seine Arbeit bewegt sich zwischen Medienanthropologie, Schreibforschung und Bildungspraxis. Schreiben versteht er als wirklichkeitsstiftende und subjektivierende Praxis, in der Wahrnehmungs-, Denk- und Handlungsweisen hervorgebracht werden. Aktuell koordiniert und konzipiert er das Projekt »mit.schrift – Schreiben und KI zusammendenken« in der Universitätsentwicklung der Bauhaus-Universität Weimar und ist zudem Teil des überregionalen Projekts »[˙le:a] – Laboratorium für experimentelle Autor:innenschaft Tübingen-Weimar«. Sein besonderes Interesse gilt einer Bottom-up-Didaktik, die Kompetenzen, Begriffe und normative Orientierungen nicht voraussetzt, sondern gemeinsam entwickelt.
Kontakt: jonas.boeddicker@uni-weimar.de
Foto: Larissa Barth

Studierte Medienkultur und Medienwissenschaft. Seine Arbeit bewegt sich zwischen Medienanthropologie, Schreibforschung und Bildungspraxis. Schreiben versteht er als wirklichkeitsstiftende und subjektivierende Praxis, in der Wahrnehmungs-, Denk- und H... Show more

Mercy Makinde

Mercy Makinde

Mercy is an accomplished technical writer with over a year of professional experience in the field. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with various companies, specializing in enhancing and revitalizing their blogs and technical documentation. By focusing on clarity and user engagement, she transforms complex information into easily understandable content, ensuring that readers can effectively grasp the subject matter. Mercy's meticulous attention to detail and her ability to organize information logically make her a valuable asset to any team seeking to improve their communication materials.

Mercy is an accomplished technical writer with over a year of professional experience in the field. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with various companies, specializing in enhancing and revitalizing their blogs and technical documentation... Show more

Lens Mutombo

Lens Mutombo

10+ years in software industry

10+ years in software industry Show more

Mathias Bolt Lesniak

Mathias Bolt Lesniak

Mathias Bolt Lesniak lives outside Oslo, Norway. He is the official project ambassador of the TYPO3 CMS project and lives to increase the impact of open source through increased cross-community collaboration. He is an experienced and lively public speaker who builds engagement in open source communities by highlighting the connection between code and society at large. He has done numerous conference keynotes and motivational talks centering on topics less commonly addressed — but vitally important to open source success.

Mathias Bolt Lesniak lives outside Oslo, Norway. He is the official project ambassador of the TYPO3 CMS project and lives to increase the impact of open source through increased cross-community collaboration. He is an experienced and lively public sp... Show more

Marco Calzolari

Marco Calzolari

Philosopher and entreprenuer, involved with technology and communication since 1999. Co-founder of Agile Reloaded and Nobilita. Currently working with corporates teams in order to get their companies ready for the future, evolving the way they works and hacking their culture.

Philosopher and entreprenuer, involved with technology and communication since 1999. Co-founder of Agile Reloaded and Nobilita. Currently working with corporates teams in order to get their companies ready for the future, evolving the way they works ... Show more

Sagar Kesarpu

Sagar Kesarpu

Passionate about leveraging technology to drive innovation and solve technical problems. I am a tech enthusiast with a keen interest in cloud computing, open source and emerging technologies. With a curiosity-driven mid set and a commitment to continuous learning, I enjoy exploring the latest trends, sharing knowledge and contributing to tech communities.

Passionate about leveraging technology to drive innovation and solve technical problems. I am a tech enthusiast with a keen interest in cloud computing, open source and emerging technologies. With a curiosity-driven mid set and a commitment to contin... Show more

Swapna Chimanchodkar

Swapna Chimanchodkar

Swapna Chimanchodkar is an accomplished transformation leader with nearly two decades of experience enabling sustainable business impact for global organizations through process excellence, data-driven decision-making, and digital transformation. She has successfully led strategic initiatives spanning process and IT transformation, enterprise data strategy, and automation integrating technologies such as AI/ML, RPA, Gen AI, and advanced analytics to solve complex business challenges.
In her current role as Director at UBS Financial Services, Swapna drives large-scale transformation and integration programs across various areas of the bank. She oversees strategic integration, data modernization, and digital and process improvement initiatives, collaborating closely with senior leadership and cross-functional global teams.
A certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Swapna brings a unique combination of analytical rigor, strategic insight, and change management expertise to every engagement. She has been instrumental in designing target operating models, and implementing automation frameworks that deliver measurable efficiencies.
As a thought leader, Swapna regularly contributes to industry dialogue. She served as a keynote speaker and panelist at the NexGen Banking Summit USA 2024, discussing AI-driven business innovation and data-led digital transformation in the banking sector.

Swapna Chimanchodkar is an accomplished transformation leader with nearly two decades of experience enabling sustainable business impact for global organizations through process excellence, data-driven decision-making, and digital transformation. She... Show more

Emily Jevica

Emily Jevica

With over 7 years of experience in academic writing, Emily Jevica has quite made a name for herself in the UK academic field. After completing her master's degree in education, she is currently associated with Cheap Essay UK. Her education and professional experience have helped her strengthen her research, critical thinking, editing, and communication abilities. Being an MPhil student and professional academic mentor, she has encountered many students' questions, including “Can someone write my essay for me?" This reflects the wider conversations about understanding the gaps and difficulties pupils face in their academic writing.

With over 7 years of experience in academic writing, Emily Jevica has quite made a name for herself in the UK academic field. After completing her master's degree in education, she is currently associated with Cheap Essay UK. Her education and profes... Show more

Pachi Parra

Pachi Parra

Pachi works as a Developer Relations & Community Manager.
After nannying for years, she started learning to code while building meaningful connections within the dev community.
She is passionate about creating newbie-friendly content and believes a tech career should be accessible to all.
When she's not live coding on Twitch, Pachi watches anime, reads too many romance novels, and enjoys the reaction she gets when she tells people they're awesome.

Pachi works as a Developer Relations & Community Manager. After nannying for years, she started learning to code while building meaningful connections within the dev community. She is passionate about creating newbie-friendly content and believes a... Show more

Areej Salam

Areej Salam

Areej Salam is an Academic Writer based in Dubai with the experience of over 10 years. She recently turned 30 this month and also completed an MPhil degree in Mass Communication from the American University in the Emirates (AUE) in 2022. Her career has given her insight into the creative side of writing, including projects associated with a professional ghostwriting service like Proofreading Services UAE. Areej loves to read novels and personal essays, which she says keeps her sensitive to different writing styles. She also loves to keep notes of interesting words and expressions she discovers while reading.

Areej Salam is an Academic Writer based in Dubai with the experience of over 10 years. She recently turned 30 this month and also completed an MPhil degree in Mass Communication from the American University in the Emirates (AUE) in 2022. Her career h... Show more

Paula Diaco

Paula Diaco

Paula Diaco is a professional writer and researcher whose work explores anticipatory grief, intuition, and unexpected experiences surrounding loss. Drawing on research and her lived experience as a spouse and caregiver during a long-term illness, she examines the emotional and intuitive experiences that can emerge before and after a loved one’s death.

Paula Diaco is a professional writer and researcher whose work explores anticipatory grief, intuition, and unexpected experiences surrounding loss. Drawing on research and her lived experience as a spouse and caregiver during a long-term illness, she... Show more

Anna Kovalova

Anna Kovalova

Anna Kovalova is a fantasy writer and a content writer from Kyiv, Ukraine. She currently lives in Zadar due to the war. Her debut novel of the fantasy comedy book series “Smartcharms” was published in 2024. Her fantasy YA novel “Dark seas” is scheduled for publication next year. She writes articles on European speculative fiction for Star Fort, Ukraine's oldest science fiction community .

Anna Kovalova is a fantasy writer and a content writer from Kyiv, Ukraine. She currently lives in Zadar due to the war. Her debut novel of the fantasy comedy book series “Smartcharms” was published in 2024. Her fantasy YA novel “Dark seas” is schedul... Show more

Hina Ovais

Hina Ovais

Hina Ovais is a Learning Designer at the University of British Columbia and a PhD student in Language and Literacy Education. With over 20 years of experience as a teacher, curriculum leader, and professional learning facilitator in Pakistan and Canada, she designs evidence-informed learning experiences that foster critical thinking and meaningful student engagement. Her work focuses on instructional design, educational technology, AI in education, immersive learning, and Visible Thinking Routines. She supports educators in translating research into practical classroom strategies that make student thinking visible and promote deeper learning.

Hina Ovais is a Learning Designer at the University of British Columbia and a PhD student in Language and Literacy Education. With over 20 years of experience as a teacher, curriculum leader, and professional learning facilitator in Pakistan and Cana... Show more

Adam Olenn

Adam Olenn

In over 25 years of creative leadership in branding and marketing, Adam has discovered that the most powerful form of connection, communication, and persuasion is also the oldest—great storytelling. With rich support from neuroscientists, psychologists, and behavioral economists, he shows audiences why that is, and how they can use it to their advantage.

Best of all, the insights in Adam’s keynotes explain phenomena that many people sense are true without knowing why. Armed with the tools, research, and empathy Adam brings to the stage, they emerge as more confident communicators in their personal and professional lives.

Based in Rhode Island, Adam has earned rave reviews by audiences from Boston to Borneo. And with the rise of AI, Adam is determined to empower as many people as possible to become compelling, connection-building storytellers.

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In this high-energy, aha-moment-filled keynote, you’ll learn why stories have such a powerful hold on us, how they work, the transformative effect storytelling can have on your business, and how to do it.

Here are just a few of the benefits you can enjoy immediately:
- Unparalleled ROI
- Increased sales and fundraising revenue
- Greater productivity
- Higher retention
- …and much, much more

Learn more at https://www.rustleandspark.com/story

In over 25 years of creative leadership in branding and marketing, Adam has discovered that the most powerful form of connection, communication, and persuasion is also the oldest—great storytelling. With rich support from neuroscientists, psychologi... Show more

James 'Dante' Midzi Midzi

James 'Dante' Midzi Midzi

I have been in the tech world longer than I care to admit. In that time I have seen the ebb and flow, rise and fall of many things. As a result I am not moved by hype cycles. I am not phased by things that put a lot of people into a panic

I care about what's actually running underneath a framework, not just the abstraction on top of it. I favour stable, well-understood tooling over chasing every new trend, and I write code the next developer (including future-me) can actually read.

My approach is to dig deep and understand the underlying the architecture that makes things the way they are. I am I am not impressed by improvement for improvements sake, there should be a valid reason for any change and modification.

I have been in the tech world longer than I care to admit. In that time I have seen the ebb and flow, rise and fall of many things. As a result I am not moved by hype cycles. I am not phased by things that put a lot of people into a panic I care ... Show more

Daniel Leão Bonatti

Daniel Leão Bonatti

Daniel Bonatti é cientista político e mestre em Gestão de Políticas Públicas, com trajetória de mais de 14 anos dedicada à modernização do Estado e à inovação na gestão pública. Atualmente, dirige a Diretoria de Mobilidade Interna da Secretaria de Gestão e Governo Digital do Estado de São Paulo, onde conduz a reestruturação da frota pública e a consolidação da Política de Mobilidade Interna, pautada em eficiência, sustentabilidade e transformação digital. Sua atuação combina visão estratégica, experiência administrativa e compromisso com a construção de um governo mais ágil e orientado a resultados.

Daniel Bonatti é cientista político e mestre em Gestão de Políticas Públicas, com trajetória de mais de 14 anos dedicada à modernização do Estado e à inovação na gestão pública. Atualmente, dirige a Diretoria de Mobilidade Interna da Secretaria de Ge... Show more

Anthony Todd Johnson

Anthony Todd Johnson

Anthony Todd Johnson Life Coach seems to be an individual with a set of answers and directions to help anyone accomplish a specific goal in their life. However, the world is full of complex humans that wrestle with a symphony of personal, physical and inter-relational challenges that block the fulfillment of many rewarding life targets. If we didn’t have such complicated life knots then a simple set of written instructions would remove all of the human blocks and we would ALL be enlightened and successful human beings. Being better armed with an arsenal of quality human change technology, in tandem with a high level of skill transfer literacy, empowers my practice with the best chance to follow through with success.

Anthony Todd Johnson Life Coach seems to be an individual with a set of answers and directions to help anyone accomplish a specific goal in their life. However, the world is full of complex humans that wrestle with a symphony of personal, physical ... Show more

Matthew Martinez

Matthew Martinez

Matthew Martinez is a high-stakes communication expert and technical architect who helps organizations build untouchable sales teams in the age of AI.

With a decade of front-line experience in real estate and a degree in human communication from UCF, Matthew sits at the rare intersection of behavioral psychology and automated leverage. He understands that as AI voice agents and automated workflows commoditize average sales reps, the only surviving differentiator is high-status human connection, frame control, and rapid rapport.

He doesn't just speak on communication; he engineers it. Having built enterprise-grade digital twins and automated lead triage systems, Matthew shows teams exactly where the technology ends and the human advantage begins.

Bringing Matthew to the stage injects relentless energy and fearless optimism into the room, but more importantly, it arms your audience. Attendees walk away with tactical blueprints for holding the frame under pressure, mastering the "hot handoff," and outmaneuvering the competition in a rapidly shifting business landscape.

Matthew Martinez is a high-stakes communication expert and technical architect who helps organizations build untouchable sales teams in the age of AI. With a decade of front-line experience in real estate and a degree in human communication from U... Show more

Luz López

Luz López

Trabajo en HCI strategist y behavioral designer, especializada en la intersección entre diseño conductual, interacción humano-computadora y adopción de IA. Mi enfoque va en la soberanía cognitiva de las personas frente a los sistemas tecnológicos que usamos a diario.
Mg. en Digital customer emotional experience, centrado en neurociencia y human-computer interaction. Además, tengo diplomatura, certificaciones y cursos de UX/UI, psicología cognitiva para la interacción, CX, AI-generativa y HCI.
Durante 8 años trabajé y lideré áreas de research y diseño de servicios en compañías de retail, SaaS, banca y fintech.
Hoy, en mi noveno año profesional, trabajo 100% como consultora independiente creando frameworks para rediseñar, mejorar y optimizar la relación entre personas y herramientas tecnológicas, buscando proteger y aumentar el criterio humano mediante interfaces digitales, pero sin minar el pensamiento humano.

Trabajo en HCI strategist y behavioral designer, especializada en la intersección entre diseño conductual, interacción humano-computadora y adopción de IA. Mi enfoque va en la soberanía cognitiva de las personas frente a los sistemas tecnológicos que... Show more

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