Humanities & Social Sciences

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

Jill Hanass-Hancock

Jill Hanass-Hancock

During the last two decades, Prof Jill Hanass-Hancock's research has primarily focused on sexual and reproductive health and rights for vulnerable populations in Southern Africa, including women, youth, adolescents and people with disabilities. Prof Jill is best known for her contributions to the understanding of the sexual and reproductive health needs of people with disabilities using a variety of research approaches, including ethnography, epidemiology, disability statistics, situation and policy analysis techniques and the development, piloting and evaluating of several tailored interventions in the health and education sector. She also provided significant support in translating research into policy.
Prof Jill's previous work has notably contributed to a better understanding of the vulnerability of women with disabilities to HIV and violence, the increased risk of disability among people living with HIV and methods to measure the cost of disability. The latter was among the best of UNICEF's research 2016. In her research, her work on comprehensive sexuality education and young people with disabilities is noteworthy, as she developed an evidence-informed curriculum innovation to provide CSE in accessible formats. This intervention, called Breaking the Silence, has been identified by UNESCO as a good practice. Similarly, her, Forgotten Agenda project focused on the sexual and reproductive health and needs of women with disabilities under the COVID pandemic in South Africa., which won the Discovery Award for Policy Translation in the 2023 South African AIDS Conference. She is also the developer of the Disability Awareness Checklist and accompanying toolkit, which is an action-oriented tool to transform health facilities into inclusive and accessible services utilising local resources. Currently, Prof Jill leads the Disability Data Initiative Sub-Saharan Africa, which provides an innovative approach towards disability rights monitoring using national datasets.

During the last two decades, Prof Jill Hanass-Hancock's research has primarily focused on sexual and reproductive health and rights for vulnerable populations in Southern Africa, including women, youth, adolescents and people with disabilities. Prof ... Show more

Bonny Brandenburger

Bonny Brandenburger

Ich bin Referentin für Studienreform an der Europa-Universität Viadrina in Frankfurt (Oder) und arbeite an einem Reformkonzept für Studium und Lehre, in dem die Perspektive der Studierenden eine besondere Rolle spielt. Das Thema der studentischen Partizipation liegt mir dabei besonders am Herzen, weil es zu einem demokratieförderlichen Miteinander in und außerhalb der Universität beitragen kann. Außerdem bin ich als assoziierte Forscherin am Weizenbaum Institut tätig.

Ich bin Referentin für Studienreform an der Europa-Universität Viadrina in Frankfurt (Oder) und arbeite an einem Reformkonzept für Studium und Lehre, in dem die Perspektive der Studierenden eine besondere Rolle spielt. Das Thema der studentischen Par... Show more

Alex Hart, Ed.D.

Alex Hart, Ed.D.

Originally from Roseville, CA, working in residence life began for Alex when he was a first-year student at William Jessup University near Sacramento, CA. A professional staff member asked Alex to apply to be an Orientation Leader and later on a Resident Advisor. Since then Alex finished his Masters Degree in Student Development Counseling & Administration at Indiana Wesleyan University and his Doctorate of Education in Higher Education Leadership at Azusa Pacific University, studying the development of programming to increase residential college students' sense of community. Alex loves television shows, movies, camping, traveling, and sitting around and talking.

Originally from Roseville, CA, working in residence life began for Alex when he was a first-year student at William Jessup University near Sacramento, CA. A professional staff member asked Alex to apply to be an Orientation Leader and later on a Resi... Show more

Amy Barthelemy

Amy Barthelemy

Amy Barthelemy is the solo founder of GovParti (govparti.net), a free civic intelligence platform covering all 3,127 US counties. The platform stores data from almost50 federal sources locally, functioning as a living civic archive resilient to federal data removal. She is a published researcher (SSRN: 10928268), Latina first-generation American, military spouse, and mom.

Amy Barthelemy is the solo founder of GovParti (govparti.net), a free civic intelligence platform covering all 3,127 US counties. The platform stores data from almost50 federal sources locally, functioning as a living civic archive resilient to feder... Show more

Malissa Phung

Malissa Phung

Malissa Phung is honoured and privileged to live and work as an uninvited guest on the territories of the Huron-Wendat, Mississauga, Haudenosaunee, and Anishinaabe peoples. She is a second-generation settler descendant of Sino-Vietnamese refugees who have resettled on the territories of the Néhiyawk (Cree), Dene, Niitsitapi (Blackfoot), Métis, Nakoda (Stoney), and Anishinaabe (Ojibway/Saulteaux). She is a full-time teaching stream professor in the School of Communication and Literary Studies at Sheridan College (Ontario, Canada), where she teaches Communications, Composition & Rhetoric, Life Writing, Popular Literature and Culture, and Cultural Studies. Her scholarship develops a transnational and comparative approach to the study of Asian North American Literature that draws on theoretical analytics of Diaspora, Postcolonial, Critical Race, and Indigenous Studies. Her current manuscripts in progress include a new life narrative "[excerpts from fleeing catastrophe]" and two academic book projects: 1) Memorializing Chinese Exclusion: The Racial Capitalist and Settler Politics of Commemorating Chinese Labour in Canada; and 2) Making Kinship: Remembering and Honouring Relations of Indebtedness in Indigenous and Asian North American Literature.

Malissa Phung is honoured and privileged to live and work as an uninvited guest on the territories of the Huron-Wendat, Mississauga, Haudenosaunee, and Anishinaabe peoples. She is a second-generation settler descendant of Sino-Vietnamese refugees who... Show more

Josef Břečka

Josef Břečka

Josef Břečka has been working in HR for 8 years and currently leads business strategy development at Bohemia Interactive. He has helped many candidates find better jobs and supported companies in setting up more effective HR processes. Today, he connects the world of education and shows that learning can be simple through games.

Josef Břečka has been working in HR for 8 years and currently leads business strategy development at Bohemia Interactive. He has helped many candidates find better jobs and supported companies in setting up more effective HR processes. Today, he conn... Show more

Joshua Crafford

Joshua Crafford

Josh Crafford is a neurodivergent global learning leader who has committed his life to mastering the art and science of learning. Professionally, he led the wing-to-wing design and creation of several International Learning and Development departments within Fortune 200 companies, such as GE Capital.
Additionally, he works with several universities as an Expert Partner in the Practice of Creative Thinking, Complex Problem Solving, Neurodiversity in the Workplace, and Leadership Development. Partnering universities include Emory, UConn, UIUC, SCAD and UH Manoa. Since 2023 he has also led the first of its kind, Neurodiversity Early Career Program, with UConn and University of Illinois.
Josh is an engaging keynote speaker who has been featured in multiple publications including USA Today and Training Industry. He produced the Neuro Creatives Podcast and the documentary, Blessed with Dyslexia and Neurodiversity, which can be found at NeuroCreatives.org
Holding a master’s degree in design management & innovation, Josh brings a fun and engaging perspective wherever he goes.

Josh Crafford is a neurodivergent global learning leader who has committed his life to mastering the art and science of learning. Professionally, he led the wing-to-wing design and creation of several International Learning and Development department... Show more

Débora Fernandes Herszenhut

Débora Fernandes Herszenhut

Debora Herszenhut é antropóloga, documentarista e consultora do Ministério da Cultura, com experiência em políticas públicas, articulação institucional, sistematização de dados e desenho de processos para a gestão cultural. Mestra em Antropologia, atua na interface entre cultura, inovação e transformação social. com atuação voltada para meio ambiente, culturas populares e tradicionais, direitos de povos indígenas, quilombolas e comunidades tradicionais, além de antropologia visual. Desenvolve projetos que articulam pesquisa, cinema e políticas culturais, com forte base etnográfica e atenção às relações entre território, memória e modos de vida.

Debora Herszenhut é antropóloga, documentarista e consultora do Ministério da Cultura, com experiência em políticas públicas, articulação institucional, sistematização de dados e desenho de processos para a gestão cultural. Mestra em Antropologia, at... Show more

Sarah Becker

Sarah Becker

Sarah Becker ist seit Winter 2025 als Werkstudentin im CHE-Team des Hochschulforums Digitalisierung tätig. In ihrer Rolle unterstützt sie das Projektmanagement in den Bereichen Bildung und Digitalisierung.
Sarah studiert aktuell an der Ruhr-Universität Bochum im Master Philosophie mit einem persönlichen Fokus auf Technikphilosophie und Technikethik, insbesondere mit Schwerpunkt auf Bildungstechnologien und Künstliche Intelligenz.

Sarah Becker ist seit Winter 2025 als Werkstudentin im CHE-Team des Hochschulforums Digitalisierung tätig. In ihrer Rolle unterstützt sie das Projektmanagement in den Bereichen Bildung und Digitalisierung. Sarah studiert aktuell an der Ruhr-Universi... Show more

Joris Quarshie (Ext, OHF)

Joris Quarshie (Ext, OHF)

Joris Quarshie is an Events and Programs Officer at Open Knowledge Impact Foundation, where he leads the planning and execution of impactful programs that promote open knowledge, community engagement, and digital inclusion. He works closely with diverse stakeholders to design initiatives that empower contributors, strengthen collaborative networks, and advance access to free and open information across communities.

Joris Quarshie is an Events and Programs Officer at Open Knowledge Impact Foundation, where he leads the planning and execution of impactful programs that promote open knowledge, community engagement, and digital inclusion. He works closely with dive... Show more

Christopher Mathews

Christopher Mathews

Christopher I. Mathews Jr., LCSW, MPH, is the Capacity Building and Technical Assistance Manager at the Emory COMPASS Coordinating Center within Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health and a current Doctor of Social Work (DSW) student at Tulane University. He has extensive experience supporting community-based nonprofit organizations through capacity-building, program development, and evaluation, with a focus on strengthening organizational infrastructure and sustainability. His background in public health and social work includes facilitating trainings, providing technical assistance, and engaging organizational leaders through qualitative approaches. As a licensed clinical social worker, he is trained in conducting sensitive conversations and engaging participants in an ethical and respectful manner.

Christopher I. Mathews Jr., LCSW, MPH, is the Capacity Building and Technical Assistance Manager at the Emory COMPASS Coordinating Center within Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health and a current Doctor of Social Work (DSW) student at T... Show more

Leila T

Leila T

Hello moi c'est Leila !
Ancienne recruteuse IT, je suis devenue Scrummaster.
Je travaille actuellement chez TF1 en tant que Scrummaster / Coach agile au sein de la Direction du Cloud et des Infra, j'accompagne plusieurs équipes sur la mise en place du framework Scrum et du coaching des Service Owner et la transversalités des sujets.

Diplômé d'un DEUG de sociologie des organisations, j'ai gouté à la sociologie à la Fac et j'ai apprécié pas mal de sociologue comme Bourdieu, Marcel Mauss, Emile Durkheim.

En dehors de cela j'ai pratiqué 5 ans de hand ball et 8 ans de danse. Je suis une grande passionnée de cuisine ;)

Je suis la maman d'un Dobermann et d'un chat.

Hello moi c'est Leila ! Ancienne recruteuse IT, je suis devenue Scrummaster. Je travaille actuellement chez TF1 en tant que Scrummaster / Coach agile au sein de la Direction du Cloud et des Infra, j'accompagne plusieurs équipes sur la mise en plac... Show more

Laura Gates

Laura Gates

Laura Gates is a software engineer, researcher and consultant based at Bath Spa University whose work sits at the intersection of human agency and complex systems. Her background in performance and puppetry research gives her a distinctive lens on software design and human-computer interaction.

She has applied this thinking practically: building and commercialising Obwob, a feedback and impact PWA, and developing a methodology for grounded, TDD-led AI-assisted development using Claude Code. Her approach treats AI tools not as shortcuts but as surfaces that can deepen engineering discipline when properly structured.

Laura advises on human-centred AI integration with a consistent focus: preserving human agency, authorship and flow in environments where humans increasingly share work with non-human systems.

Laura Gates is a software engineer, researcher and consultant based at Bath Spa University whose work sits at the intersection of human agency and complex systems. Her background in performance and puppetry research gives her a distinctive lens on so... Show more

Kepler Marcelo

Kepler Marcelo

Kepler Marcelo é Agile Master Sênior na Porto, com uma trajetória de mais de 13 anos dedicada ao desenvolvimento de equipes de alta performance, atuação em liderança e construção de ambientes organizacionais mais eficazes. É formado em Psicologia, com pós-graduação em Psicologia Organizacional e Gestão de Pessoas, e mestre em Administração, com foco em desempenho de projetos ágeis.

Sua pesquisa investiga como práticas ágeis, segurança psicológica, liderança e fatores relacionais influenciam a performance em diferentes níveis (individual, equipe e projeto), utilizando modelagem de equações estruturais (PLS-SEM) com dados de mais de 400 profissionais.

Ao longo de sua carreira, tem atuado na promoção de contextos que favorecem segurança psicológica, colaboração e entregas relevantes, apoiando times e áreas de canais digitais na melhoria de performance, além de desenvolver outros agilistas e lideranças. Sua abordagem integra evidência empírica e prática organizacional, com foco na construção de ambientes sustentáveis de alta performance.

Kepler Marcelo é Agile Master Sênior na Porto, com uma trajetória de mais de 13 anos dedicada ao desenvolvimento de equipes de alta performance, atuação em liderança e construção de ambientes organizacionais mais eficazes. É formado em Psicologia, co... Show more

Paula Ledesma

Paula Ledesma

Consultora y Mentora en Comunicación Estratégica, Marca Personal y Corporativa | Ayudo a personas y empresas a conectar, posicionarse e influir con impacto | Speaker |CMO

Soy Estratega en comunicación, creación y posicionamiento de marca. Llevo más de 18 años trabajando en contextos donde lo que se dice y cómo se dice influye directamente en decisiones, percepción y resultados.
Con el tiempo entendí que, para comunicarnos mejor, no es suficiente tener un buen mensaje. Sino que este debe que ser comprendido, recordado y generar una reacción.

Por eso decidí ir más allá de la estrategia tradicional y profundizar en cómo funciona la mente cuando interpreta, conecta y decide. Me especialicé en Gerencia de Mercadeo, cursé un Máster en Neuromarketing y actualmente profundizo en Programación Neurolingüística.

He liderado equipos y procesos en áreas de mercadeo, publicidad y comunicaciones en compañías como; Casa Editorial El Tiempo, LATAM Airlines, Tigo y Grupo Bolívar, además de mi trabajo actual como CMOm en JFC Group y mi plataforma Comunicar es Poder.

Integro estrategia y comportamiento humano para trabajar sobre cómo las personas y las organizaciones se posicionan a partir de lo que comunican… incluso cuando no son conscientes de ello.

Consultora y Mentora en Comunicación Estratégica, Marca Personal y Corporativa | Ayudo a personas y empresas a conectar, posicionarse e influir con impacto | Speaker |CMO Soy Estratega en comunicación, creación y posicionamiento de marca. Llevo má... Show more

Ann Marie White

Ann Marie White

Dr. White is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry, with secondary appointments in Psychology, Public Health Sciences, and Community Health and Prevention at the University of Rochester (UR). In her university faculty roles, she leads change initiatives to deepen community engagement and public health approaches to health promotion as well as child development via service, education and research. From 2004-19, she also directed the Office of Mental Health Promotion (OMHP), prior to leading a nonprofit for five years beginning in 2019. OMHP oversaw community, consumer and diversity affairs for Psychiatry faculty and staff. Dr. White directs collaborative and participatory research. She promotes mental health supporting behaviors, services utilization, injury prevention as well as child and family development strategies within community-based settings. Her research applies system and data science methods in community engaged research, mental health promotion, and injury prevention systems. Her years of research and administrative experiences in developmental psychology emphasize the role of community settings such as childcare, arts centers and after-school programs in child development.

Upon completion of her doctorate in Human Development and Psychology from Harvard's Graduate School of Education, she was an AAAS/SRCD fellow in the U.S. Senate and the National Institutes of Health. She was a visiting scientist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2017 to foster the implementation of systems science approaches to state suicide prevention.

Dr. White is currently an elected member and chair of UR’s Research Policy Committee, and currently co-chair of the Faculty Senate. She has been a member of Faculty Senate since 2019. Her interests include promoting community engagement in all mission areas and promoting a campus climate centered on inclusion, equity, well-being, and families.

Dr. White is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry, with secondary appointments in Psychology, Public Health Sciences, and Community Health and Prevention at the University of Rochester (UR). In her university faculty roles, she leads change initiati... Show more

Héctor Vicente Delgado

Héctor Vicente Delgado

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

Sonam Pankaj

Sonam Pankaj

Sonam is the co-author of the open-source library Embed-Anything, an Ingestion, Inference, and Indexing pipeline built in Rust and widely loved by developers. She worked as a Generative AI Evangelist at Articul8, which spun off from Intel, providing high-end solutions. Previously, she worked as an AI researcher at Saama, where she extensively developed clinical trial analytics solutions with Pfizer. She is passionate about topics such as biases in language models. She has also published a paper in the most reputable journal of computational linguistics, COLING, in the ACL Anthology.

Sonam is the co-author of the open-source library Embed-Anything, an Ingestion, Inference, and Indexing pipeline built in Rust and widely loved by developers. She worked as a Generative AI Evangelist at Articul8, which spun off from Intel, providing ... Show more

Andy Vargo

Andy Vargo

Andy Vargo is a professional speaker, author, life-change coach, podcast host and comedian known for his engaging and humorous approach to personal development. He empowers individuals and organizations to embrace their unique traits through his "Own Your Awkward" concept. Andy has authored several books, including Own Your Awkward Life Changes and Own Your Awkward Thoughts. He also hosts the "Own Your Awkward Talks Speaking Course," coaching individuals to present confidently. With a diverse skill set in public speaking, content creation, and personal branding, Andy is a sought-after speaker and coach who brings laughter and insight into life's challenges.

Andy Vargo is a professional speaker, author, life-change coach, podcast host and comedian known for his engaging and humorous approach to personal development. He empowers individuals and organizations to embrace their unique traits through his "Own... Show more

Richard Watkins, PhD

Richard Watkins, PhD

Dr. Richard L. Watkins is a scientist, strategist, and advocate working at the intersection of research, policy, and society. He is the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of The Science Policy Action Network, Inc. (SPAN), where he is responsible for setting the organization’s overall direction and service strategy. He leads the development of SPAN’s consulting offerings and operational infrastructure, with a focus on impact across education, innovation, and public health.

Dr. Watkins holds a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a B.S. in Psychology from Fayetteville State University. His scientific background informs a systems-level approach to policy advising and program design, particularly in areas such as school safety, mental health, and science-based governance.

A dynamic communicator and bridge-builder, Dr. Watkins also hosts The Richard Watkins Podcast, a platform for thought leaders across disciplines. His work continues to shape public conversations and institutional strategies through science, equity, and community engagement.

Dr. Richard L. Watkins is a scientist, strategist, and advocate working at the intersection of research, policy, and society. He is the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of The Science Policy Action Network, Inc. (SPAN), where he is responsible for setting ... Show more

Paulien Rouwendaal

Paulien Rouwendaal

Over the past few years, I’ve learned that the biggest growth doesn’t happen when you wait until you’re 100% ready.

It happens when you step into opportunities and figure it out along the way.

That’s exactly how I created my own AI role within my organization.

In my talks, I focus on how to take ownership when things aren’t fully clear yet, whether in AI adoption or in your own career.

My sessions are practical, honest, and focused on action over theory.

Over the past few years, I’ve learned that the biggest growth doesn’t happen when you wait until you’re 100% ready. It happens when you step into opportunities and figure it out along the way. That’s exactly how I created my own AI role within... Show more

Bonita Pannell

Bonita Pannell

Bonita Pannell brings over 30 years of experience in healthcare and currently serves as the Director of Community Outreach at UPMC Women’s Magee Hospital. In this role, she acts as a liaison between the hospital and the community, working to enhance access to care, broaden care options, and foster meaningful partnerships. A passionate advocate for the BIPOC community, Pannell develops and leads initiatives aimed at raising awareness and promoting self-empowerment. Her initiatives include organizing Community Health Fairs featuring on-site health screenings, hosting Maternal Health educational baby showers, and providing ongoing mentoring and support groups.
Pannell is an active member of several UPMC councils, including the Diversity Council, the Family Advisory Council, and the Community Doula & Birth Worker Advisory Board, where she advocates for policy changes that strengthen trust and collaboration between healthcare providers and the community. Additionally, she serves as the Director of the UPMC Affiliate Council of Girls on the Run, a national nonprofit organization focused on empowering girls in grades 3 through 8 by strengthening their social, emotional, physical, and behavioral skills. The program operates at 64 school sites and serves over 1,500 girls annually.
Before joining UPMC, Bonita was part of the Gateway Health Plan case management team, where she managed insurance authorizations and cases for individuals with special needs. She also served as the General Manager for Hospice Care of Pittsburgh and Viator Hospice, overseeing care for terminally ill patients for 16 years and Director of Lutheran Senior Life Home Care.
Bonita holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Waynesburg University, a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Bachelor’s degree in Health Science from Slippery Rock University. She is also a licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and earned a certificate in Project Management from Villanova University.
A devoted mother, Bonita has two children—Aaron Burden and Tyler-Nicole Pannell—as well as two bonus children, Teona Williams and Brandon Pannell. She is an active member of Triumph Church, where she serves as a Deacon and the Coordinator of the Usher Ministry. Bonita is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Alpha Alpha Omega Chapter.

Bonita Pannell brings over 30 years of experience in healthcare and currently serves as the Director of Community Outreach at UPMC Women’s Magee Hospital. In this role, she acts as a liaison between the hospital and the community, working to enhance ... Show more

Zhenhao Wen

Zhenhao Wen

Zhenhao Wen is a PhD student in Theatre and Dance at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. His research explores performance-as-research (PaR), intercultural embodiment, and diasporic memory in contemporary dance. Through improvisation and body-based inquiry, Wen examines how movement, rhythm, and affect can function as archives of emotion and decolonial resistance.

Zhenhao Wen is a PhD student in Theatre and Dance at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. His research explores performance-as-research (PaR), intercultural embodiment, and diasporic memory in contemporary dance. Through improvisation and body-based i... Show more

Regine Njiké

Regine Njiké

Regine Njiké is a Cameroonian researcher in the domain of social sciences. While staying in her study areas, Regine and her team were highlight the problem of women' lack of knowledge and selflessness in digital tools. This problem is more acute in rural areas, which is why, through WAFTAI, women and girls in rural areas not only have access to digital knowledge but also become active participants.

Holder of a Ph.D in social and cultural anthropology, Regine and her team are committed to the free sharing of cultural knowledge through Wikimedia projects and Kiwix technologies. Here too, women are at the center of the action. Regine is also a consultant on several development projects.

Regine Njiké is a Cameroonian researcher in the domain of social sciences. While staying in her study areas, Regine and her team were highlight the problem of women' lack of knowledge and selflessness in digital tools. This problem is more acute in r... Show more

Qishen Sam Liang

Qishen Sam Liang

Qishen Sam Liang
samliangsk@gmail.com | https://www.linkedin.com/in/qishen-sam-liang/

EDUCATION
University of California, Santa Barbara | September 2019-June 2023
Bachelor of Arts, Asian American Studies
Honors: Distinction in Asian American Studies & College of Letters & Science Highest Honors

University of Southern California | August 2023-May 2025
Master of Science, Computer Science (Computer Networks)

University of California, Santa Barbara | September 2019-June 2023
Bachelor of Science, Computer Science

RELEVANT RESEARCH & PROJECT EXPERIENCE
Researcher | UCSB Department of Asian American Studies | August 2022-June 2023
Research Project: The Transformation of Asian and Asian American Stereotypes and Representations in the United States

Conducted media content analysis to investigate how dominant narratives about Asians and Asian Americans have been constructed to serve shifting national interests and maintain racial hierarchies.
Analyzed a diverse range of sources, including magazine articles like “How to Tell Japs from the Chinese,” political cartoon “The Honorable Fifth Column,” and COVID-19 anti-Asian news reports.
Argued that while modes of expression evolve, the underlying hegemonic frameworks of stereotype persist, demonstrating the shift from overt to subtle forms of representation in the modern era.
This research, which drew upon frameworks of racial formation and stereotype theory, culminated in a 30 pages paper and a departmental presentation.

Project Manager & Game Developer | University of Southern California | January 2025-May 2025
Project: Area 31: A Horror Maze Game

Led the design and development of a 2D narrative game in C# and Unity, gaining practical experience in the creation of interactive media and player-driven storytelling.
Engineered systems for managing player state and progression, directly informing research into how player agency and interactive systems shape understandings.
Managed the project lifecycle using Agile methodologies, demonstrating leadership in a collaborative, creative-technical environment.

SKILLS & INTERESTS
Research Areas: Asian American Studies, Games, Stereotypes, Computer Networking, Security
Technical Skills: Python, Unity, C#, Git, Data Curation, Data Analysis
Languages: English (Fluent), Mandarin (Fluent), Cantonese (Fluent)

Qishen Sam Liang samliangsk@gmail.com | https://www.linkedin.com/in/qishen-sam-liang/ EDUCATION University of California, Santa Barbara | September 2019-June 2023 Bachelor of Arts, Asian American Studies Honors: Distinction in Asian American ... Show more

Nancy Hanks

Nancy Hanks

Nancy Hanks is a speaker, facilitator, and executive coach known for helping leaders navigate hard things with honesty, clarity, and heart. Drawing on a career that has included serving as a teacher, principal, Chief of Schools, and senior leadership coach, she brings a rare mix of strategic rigor, lived leadership experience, and down-to-earth wisdom to every room she enters.

Nancy currently serves as a Senior Partner at The Management Center, where she coaches leaders, facilitates trainings, and helps mission-driven organizations strengthen their management practices, culture, and impact. She has worked with leaders across education, nonprofits, and the social sector to build stronger teams, communicate more clearly, and lead with greater confidence and humanity. Her work is grounded in the belief that leadership is not just about results, but about how we create the conditions for people to thrive while doing meaningful work.

Before joining The Management Center, Nancy served as Chief of Schools for Madison Metropolitan School District, where she coached and supported leaders across 32 elementary schools. She has also served as a principal, teacher, and district leader, giving her a deep understanding of leadership at every level, from the front lines to the executive table. Across each chapter of her career, she has been drawn to the same work: helping people lead through change, strengthen culture, and move through complexity with courage and care.

Nancy speaks on leadership, resilience, grief, communication, and the human side of management. Audiences appreciate her for being thoughtful, practical, warm, and real — someone who can bring both insight and compassion to the messy, meaningful work of leading people well.

Audiences appreciate Nancy for her warmth, candor, and practical wisdom — and for her ability to speak to both the head and the heart of leadership.

Nancy Hanks is a speaker, facilitator, and executive coach known for helping leaders navigate hard things with honesty, clarity, and heart. Drawing on a career that has included serving as a teacher, principal, Chief of Schools, and senior leadership... Show more

Mina Veszelinov

Mina Veszelinov

I'm Senior Marketing Speacialist at EPAM Systems, working with the teams in Serbia, Croatia and Greece. I have been part of the Marketing team for 5 years and I had lot of experience in this field.

I'm Senior Marketing Speacialist at EPAM Systems, working with the teams in Serbia, Croatia and Greece. I have been part of the Marketing team for 5 years and I had lot of experience in this field. Show more

Raj Singh Rajawat

Raj Singh Rajawat

A systemic design thinker working for a better world.

A systemic design thinker working for a better world. Show more

Menoosha Muziki

Menoosha Muziki

Menoosha Susungi is a TEDx speaker, internationally experienced singer, and vocal coach specializing in the transformative power of the human voice. Having toured with André Rieu and earned UK Soul Chart recognition, she combines artistic mastery with neuroscience-informed coaching through her CVM VoiceCircle workshops. She is currently a presenter for the Sweet Soul Music Touring show across Europe.

Her work helps singers, leaders, and professionals unlock vocal freedom, emotional regulation, and authentic presence.

Menoosha’s topics include voice and nervous system regulation, performance psychology, intercultural communication, and the link between voice, identity, leadership abd women's empowerment. Through her unique blend of storytelling, and performance, she empowers audiences to reclaim their voice as a tool for confidence, connection, and transformation.

Menoosha Susungi is a TEDx speaker, internationally experienced singer, and vocal coach specializing in the transformative power of the human voice. Having toured with André Rieu and earned UK Soul Chart recognition, she combines artistic mastery wit... Show more

Eliora Horst

Eliora Horst

Passionate about bridging the gap between the digital and the human.

Passionate about bridging the gap between the digital and the human. Show more

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