Humanities & Social Sciences

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

Charles-Louis de Maere

Charles-Louis de Maere

Bringing people together is something that lives on through my workshops and training. Whether they take place online or on-premise, I facilitate workshops and learning experiences that focus on high participation, on learning by doing and verifying that the concepts are integrated. I use Live Online Learning Activities to ensure people get a chance to practice their understanding of the new concepts.

What better way is there to give meaning to what we say than to draw to make our thoughts explicit? When we add visual information to what we’re saying, suddenly our intention becomes much more precise, and we can begin to work on shared understanding. This is why I love bringing people in contact with the power of Visual Thinking, of getting back to our roots and using pen and paper to bring people closer together.

Stories are another option for bringing sensitive topics to the surface, which I recently started to explore through my self-development practice, as well as during numerous Around the world in (less than) 80 days workshops throughout the past years!

Bringing people together is something that lives on through my workshops and training. Whether they take place online or on-premise, I facilitate workshops and learning experiences that focus on high participation, on learning by doing and verifying ... Show more

Tivona Lady V Elliott

Tivona Lady V Elliott

Tivona “Lady V” Elliott is a Spiritual Release Coach, speaker, and creator of the R.O.A.R. Method, empowering people to release their past, awaken their purpose, and rise into their God-given calling.

Tivona “Lady V” Elliott is a Spiritual Release Coach, speaker, and creator of the R.O.A.R. Method, empowering people to release their past, awaken their purpose, and rise into their God-given calling. Show more

Santiago Bustelo

Santiago Bustelo

Pionero de UX en Argentina. Fundador de Kambrica, consultora de UX estratégico. Desde 1996 ha trabajado en más de 1000 proyectos para más de 40 industrias. Fue docente en 11 universidades y orador en más de 30 conferencias en 24 países. Creador de Experience Decisión Making, sistema que integra teoría de la decisión a los procesos de UX. Mentor de profesionales que quieren dar el salto de ejecutores a líderes.

Pionero de UX en Argentina. Fundador de Kambrica, consultora de UX estratégico. Desde 1996 ha trabajado en más de 1000 proyectos para más de 40 industrias. Fue docente en 11 universidades y orador en más de 30 conferencias en 24 países. Creador de Ex... Show more

Fernanda Souza

Fernanda Souza

On social media aka @leitoraincomum, she is a student of Systems Analysis and Development, is currently coordinator of the Feministech community, host of the podcast Criando Monstrinhos, where she talks about being a mother of a teenager, in addition to having done programming study lives on twitch, where he shared his knowledge and his challenges in graduating after the age of 30.

On social media aka @leitoraincomum, she is a student of Systems Analysis and Development, is currently coordinator of the Feministech community, host of the podcast Criando Monstrinhos, where she talks about being a mother of a teenager, in addition... Show more

David Schmudde

David Schmudde

David is a technologist practicing at the intersection of computing and culture. He has worked on problems related to digital identity, reproducible data science, and software preservation, exhibited interdisciplinary art across Europe and the United States, and taught at Stevens Institute of Technology and the Illinois Institute of Art. He currently opines on technology in the public interest at Beyond the Frame and applies those ideas as the CTO of Yorba.

David is a technologist practicing at the intersection of computing and culture. He has worked on problems related to digital identity, reproducible data science, and software preservation, exhibited interdisciplinary art across Europe and the United... Show more

Laurent Sarrazin

Laurent Sarrazin

100% agile DNA, boosted with Solution-Focus brief coaching, narrative practices, MGT3.0, Host-Leadership, Heart of Agile, I'm currently on the road to my new life, 100% focused on my NGO Agility With No Borders (www.awnb.org). Our mission is to help people achieve financial, social and professional autonomy, using the best practices of agile culture, enhanced by our dialogic signature. On our agenda: employability, social & eco-responsabile agile micro-entrepreneurship, development of essential 21st century skills (critical thinking, innovative problem-solving, creativity, teamwork, leadership, resilience... and AI). www.awnb.org.

100% agile DNA, boosted with Solution-Focus brief coaching, narrative practices, MGT3.0, Host-Leadership, Heart of Agile, I'm currently on the road to my new life, 100% focused on my NGO Agility With No Borders (www.awnb.org). Our mission is to help ... Show more

Fabiana Lima

Fabiana Lima

Fabiana Lima é profissional com mais de 28 anos de experiência em gestão, planejamento, indicadores e apoio à tomada de decisão. Atua há mais de 5 anos na Adepe, com foco em gestão estratégica, análise de desempenho, governança, OKRs, inteligência de dados e projetos institucionais ligados ao desenvolvimento econômico de Pernambuco.

Sua trajetória conecta visão estratégica, análise de evidências e execução institucional, contribuindo para transformar dados e informações em diagnósticos, painéis, recomendações e subsídios para decisões mais qualificadas.

Com experiência de 23 anos no Sistema S, também atua como professora, consultora e treinadora nas áreas de estratégia, planejamento, cultura organizacional, gestão de dados e inteligência artificial aplicada.

Fabiana Lima é profissional com mais de 28 anos de experiência em gestão, planejamento, indicadores e apoio à tomada de decisão. Atua há mais de 5 anos na Adepe, com foco em gestão estratégica, análise de desempenho, governança, OKRs, inteligência de... Show more

Josh Nel

Josh Nel

I'm Josh Nel and I'm a Johannesburg-based freelance data analyst, storyteller, and community strategist working at the intersection of data analytics, content marketing, and community engagement. I have a background in both the Humanities and Data Science with Master's degrees in Philosophy and Social Data Science. That combination lets me bring a combination of rigorous analytical thinking and curiosity to every project. To me, any good form data-driven work means staying focused on why the data matters and who needs to hear it.

I've been a lead contributor to South Africa's largest tech careers report and dataset, as well as the country's largest community salary benchmarking dataset for tech professionals. My seasonal spend report series for Yoco examined domestic and international tourism behaviour during South Africa's peak travel seasons. This series earned national media syndication and a direct invitation to present findings to the Mayor of Cape Town.

Today, I work across FinTech, InsurTech, tech recruitment, and the nonprofit sector, with clients including Yoco, Feather Insurance, OfferZen, and the People's Water Anti-Corruption Forum. Across my clients my approach remains to find the story hiding in the numbers, and tell it in a way that helps people make better decisions.

I speak on topics related to data-driven storytelling and its applications for businesses, community research, and ways of translating data or statistical insights for non-technical audiences.

I'm Josh Nel and I'm a Johannesburg-based freelance data analyst, storyteller, and community strategist working at the intersection of data analytics, content marketing, and community engagement. I have a background in both the Humanities and Data Sc... Show more

Raghavendra Joshi

Raghavendra Joshi

At Raghavendra Joshi Astrology, we are committed to offering accurate astrological guidance to bring clarity and solutions to life’s challenges. Based in Jayanagar, Bangalore, we specialize in Vedic astrology to help you navigate personal and professional aspects with confidence and insight. Known as the best astrologer in Bangalore, Raghavendra Joshi provides trusted and personalized consultations that truly make a difference.

Call: +91 99000 01573

Visit: https://www.raghavendrajoshi.com/

At Raghavendra Joshi Astrology, we are committed to offering accurate astrological guidance to bring clarity and solutions to life’s challenges. Based in Jayanagar, Bangalore, we specialize in Vedic astrology to help you navigate personal and profess... Show more

Liam Spradlin

Liam Spradlin

I'm a designer focused on the future and philosophy of the interface.

I've helped independent developers, startups, corporations, and civic organizations invent or improve human-centered experiences.

My work is enriched by conversations with creative practitioners from across disciplines on the Design Notes podcast, and regular writing about design theory on Interface Café.

I'm a designer focused on the future and philosophy of the interface. I've helped independent developers, startups, corporations, and civic organizations invent or improve human-centered experiences. My work is enriched by conversations with cr... Show more

Ally Waring

Ally Waring

I'm a relationship marketing consultant partially informed by my experience as a sex and relationship therapist.

With fifteen years working across some of the world's major brands, including Tesco, Formula 1, PayPal and Coca-Cola, through agencies including BBH and Ogilvy, I now consult independently and teach on the Advertising Master's programme at University of the Arts London.

I am also in the final months of a COSRT-accredited diploma in psychosexual and relationship therapy.

My two disciplines have no business being this similar, yet each keeps making the other better: humanity and insight from therapy, creativity and rigour from brands. I write about the crossover between these worlds at Vulgar Thoughts on Substack.

I'm a relationship marketing consultant partially informed by my experience as a sex and relationship therapist. With fifteen years working across some of the world's major brands, including Tesco, Formula 1, PayPal and Coca-Cola, through agencies... Show more

Zakir Mahmud

Zakir Mahmud

Zakir Mahmud was born on August 29, 2005, in the calm village of Titpallah, Jamalpur, Bangladesh. Growing up in a humble family and a peaceful rural setting, he learned from an early age the values of honesty, respect, and perseverance. His parents, Md Rafiqul Islam and Mst. Muslima Begum played an essential role in shaping his personality and outlook on life. His father taught him the importance of commitment and discipline, while his mother’s kindness and patience fostered empathy and thoughtfulness. His siblings have been a steady source of motivation and friendship, helping him stay focused and confident throughout his journey.

He began his education at Light House Lab School and College, where he studied from classes 1 to 5—these years helped him develop a sense of curiosity, responsibility, and a positive attitude toward learning. Later, he joined Police Lines Ideal High School, Tangail, where he continued his studies from classes 6 to 10. His determination and focus on academics earned him a GPA of 4.33 out of 5 in the SSC Examination 2021. He then enrolled at Jamalpur Residential Model College, Jamalpur, where he achieved a GPA of 4.08 out of 5 in the HSC Examination 2023. For him, education represents growth, discipline, and preparation for future responsibilities beyond academic achievement.

Zakir is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology at the Government. Titumir College, Dhaka. His decision to study sociology reflects his interest in people, communities, and the structures that shape society. He believes this field enables him to understand human behavior and social development, which he hopes to apply to make a positive contribution to his community.

Alongside his academic career, he has also entered the professional world as a Junior SEO Executive at Aan Nahl Software Company. His work focuses on Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Digital Marketing, and Online Reputation Management (ORM). His daily responsibilities include conducting keyword research, optimizing content, and building links. Through this role, he has developed analytical skills, teamwork, and adaptability—qualities essential in a fast-evolving digital industry.

Mahmud's ambition is to become a skilled SEO and Digital Marketing professional while remaining connected to social causes, including education, youth empowerment, and digital literacy. Outside of work, he enjoys writing, planning, and playing cricket, activities that help him maintain creativity and balance in life.

The journey of Zakir Mahmud is one of effort, discipline, and continuous growth. From his simple beginnings in Jamalpur to his academic and professional success in Dhaka, Mahmud continues to move forward with dedication and the vision to create meaningful change.

Zakir Mahmud was born on August 29, 2005, in the calm village of Titpallah, Jamalpur, Bangladesh. Growing up in a humble family and a peaceful rural setting, he learned from an early age the values of honesty, respect, and perseverance. His parents, ... Show more

Dr. Harbir Singh

Dr. Harbir Singh

I help organizations achieve ISO 27001 certification and implement AI governance frameworks (ISO 42001), leading end-to-end compliance and cybersecurity transformation programs that improve risk posture by 30–60%.

I am an AI Governance, Cybersecurity, and Risk & Compliance leader with 19+ years of experience delivering enterprise-scale programs across healthcare, fintech, and SaaS organizations. My expertise spans ISO 27001 implementation, audit readiness, AI governance (ISO 42001), and AI risk management aligned with NIST AI RMF.
I have led several enterprise risk and compliance programs, driving end-to-end execution—from risk assessment and control design to remediation, audit readiness, and certification outcomes. My work combines deep domain expertise with strong program leadership, enabling organizations to translate regulatory requirements into structured, scalable implementation roadmaps.

I led large-scale cybersecurity audit and compliance programs, improving audit pass rates from ~70% to 98%, managing 150+ remediation actions, and strengthening governance practices in a highly regulated environment.
I bring a unique combination of:
AI governance and cybersecurity expertise
Program / project leadership and execution
Stakeholder alignment at enterprise scale
This allows me to operate effectively as both:
1: Strategic advisor to leadership
2: Hands-on program leader driving execution

I can contribute in roles involving:
Subject Matter Expert on EU AI Act Compliance.
AI Governance and AI Risk Management (ISO 42001, NIST AI RMF)
ISO 27001 implementation, audit readiness, and certification
Cybersecurity governance and compliance transformation programs
Enterprise risk management and regulatory compliance (including DPDPA)
Program / Project / Delivery Management in GRC and AI-enabled environments
I hold a PhD in Management, with research focused on digital systems and technology governance.
I actively share insights on AI governance, cybersecurity, and compliance through research and expert discussions.

I help organizations achieve ISO 27001 certification and implement AI governance frameworks (ISO 42001), leading end-to-end compliance and cybersecurity transformation programs that improve risk posture by 30–60%. I am an AI Governance, Cybersecur... Show more

Falene McKenna

Falene McKenna

Falene McKenna is a product manager with a strong background in software development, conversational experience design, and data analysis. Specializing in Robot VUIs, she is passionate about using technology, particularly social robots and Conversational AI, to improve people's lives.

Coming from a background Linguistics, Falene began her Social Robotics career at Intuition Robotics, working on their flagship project ElliQ—an AI-powered social companion robot for older adults—and developing in-car voice experiences. She later collaborated on a proof-of-concept for Fur Hat Robotics and Microsoft PVA before serving as the Head of Product for Aico, an AI-driven early childhood learning robot by Curiosity Robotics.

In October of 2023, Falene started her own company, Lingua Robotica, with the hopes of bringing ethical and holistic design into multimodal development.

A voice in the conversational AI space, Falene has presented at various events, including the Conversation Design Festival 2022, emphasizing the importance of bot building standards, language expertise in AI experiences, and persona building. She is also an active member of Women in Voice, promoting gender diversity in the voice technology industry.

Falene McKenna is a product manager with a strong background in software development, conversational experience design, and data analysis. Specializing in Robot VUIs, she is passionate about using technology, particularly social robots and Conversati... Show more

Henning Klaffke

Henning Klaffke

Prof. Dr. Henning Klaffke ist seit August 2021 Professor für Angewandte Informatik an der Beruflichen Hochschule Hamburg. In der Zeit von 2005 - 2021 hat er am Institut für Technische Bildung und Hochschuldidaktik im Bereich der fachwissenschaftlichen Lehramtsausbildung für die Beruflichen Schulen mit den Fachrichtungen Medientechnik sowie Elektrotechnik-Informationstechnik gelehrt und geforscht. 2014 promovierte er zum Dr. rer. pol. mit der Thesis „Qualität beruflicher Standards“
In den Jahren nach der Promotion leitete Herr Klaffke viele Forschungsprojekte im Bereich der Digitalisierung und beruflichen Bildung und verfasste zahlreiche Publikationen in diesem Bereich.

Prof. Dr. Henning Klaffke ist seit August 2021 Professor für Angewandte Informatik an der Beruflichen Hochschule Hamburg. In der Zeit von 2005 - 2021 hat er am Institut für Technische Bildung und Hochschuldidaktik im Bereich der fachwissenschaftliche... Show more

Rebecca Grier

Rebecca Grier

Rebecca Grier, Ph.D. is a behavioural scientist with 20 years experience in product development across various business sectors. Most recently she was the lead for Customer-Driven: EMEA at Microsoft, with the goal to change product making culture to be more customer obsessed. Previously she moved Ford to consider people with disabilities in the design of their autonomous vehicles and the US DoD to include user experience in testing of systems. She currently lives in Dublin with her husband and son.

Rebecca Grier, Ph.D. is a behavioural scientist with 20 years experience in product development across various business sectors. Most recently she was the lead for Customer-Driven: EMEA at Microsoft, with the goal to change product making culture to ... Show more

Franziska Brenner

Franziska Brenner

Franziska Brenner (M.A.) studierte Geschichtswissenschaft, Romanistik, Deutsch als Fremdsprache, Soziologie und Erziehungswissenschaft in Bielefeld, Sevilla, Magdeburg und Roskilde. Seit 2019 arbeitet sie als wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin im Team E-Learning der Universität Leipzig. Neben ihrer Mitarbeit und Koordination im Verbundprojekt Digitalisierung der Hochschulbildung Sachsen in der Programmlinie Digital Change Agents baute sie das universitätsweite Netzwerk Lehre.Digital auf. Im Rahmen ihrer Promotion beschäftigt sie sich mit der Rolle von Hochschullehrenden vor dem Hintergrund von KI.

Franziska Brenner (M.A.) studierte Geschichtswissenschaft, Romanistik, Deutsch als Fremdsprache, Soziologie und Erziehungswissenschaft in Bielefeld, Sevilla, Magdeburg und Roskilde. Seit 2019 arbeitet sie als wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin im Team E... Show more

Arne Mertz

Arne Mertz

Arne Mertz has been working with modern and not-so-modern C++ codebases for over 15 years in various kinds of embedded and enterprise contexts. He is a mentor and teacher for clean code and modern C++ for colleagues and customers at Zühlke Engineering. Since 2015 he has written more or less frequently about those topics on his blog "Simplify C++!"

Arne Mertz has been working with modern and not-so-modern C++ codebases for over 15 years in various kinds of embedded and enterprise contexts. He is a mentor and teacher for clean code and modern C++ for colleagues and customers at Zühlke Engineerin... Show more

Andrew Kolikoff

Andrew Kolikoff

For over 25 years, Andrew Kolikoff has been a leadership coach who identifies & solves where issues are stemming from and elevates company cultures.

For over 25 years, Andrew Kolikoff has been a leadership coach who identifies & solves where issues are stemming from and elevates company cultures. Show more

Oliver Larsson

Oliver Larsson

My PhD journey in the cold of northern Sweden has led me down a path to much of the latest cloud-native tech. Between that and my somewhat alarmingly high interest in homelabbing, I really live in the cloud-native ecosystem. But those are just side-hustles, cat-dad is my main occupation.

My PhD journey in the cold of northern Sweden has led me down a path to much of the latest cloud-native tech. Between that and my somewhat alarmingly high interest in homelabbing, I really live in the cloud-native ecosystem. But those are just side-h... Show more

Nicolle Petersen

Nicolle Petersen

Nicolle is a certified Personal Performance & Relationship Coach specializing in conscious relationships and embodiment, including feminine embodiment. Her work helps high-achieving women navigate love, leadership, and personal growth with greater presence, clarity, and connection. Drawing on transformational coaching, mindfulness, high-level communication, and trauma-informed somatic practices, she has coached individuals, teams, and businesses and facilitated workshops and seminars with organizations such as Simon Sinek’s The Optimism Company and Lululemon.

Nicolle is a certified Personal Performance & Relationship Coach specializing in conscious relationships and embodiment, including feminine embodiment. Her work helps high-achieving women navigate love, leadership, and personal growth with greater pr... Show more

Luka Pavlešić

Luka Pavlešić

Detective in IT world.

Detective in IT world. Show more

Károly Füzessi

Károly Füzessi

Full-stack application creator. Musician. With degrees in philosophy and librarianship. A father, a husband, a brother, a son. Human, after all.

Full-stack application creator. Musician. With degrees in philosophy and librarianship. A father, a husband, a brother, a son. Human, after all. Show more

Tyler Suard

Tyler Suard

Tyler Suard is a Python software developer in the field of Machine Learning and AI. He loves spaceships, giant robots, and his cat Ridley.

Tyler Suard is a Python software developer in the field of Machine Learning and AI. He loves spaceships, giant robots, and his cat Ridley. Show more

Ludmila Dubini Zerga

Ludmila Dubini Zerga

I’m a Labor Relations graduate (UNLaM) with a postgraduate degree in Neuroscience applied to organizations (UCEMA) and over 15 years working in the world of talent—always within the tech and digital ecosystem.
I’ve worked across consulting, outsourcing, and product companies, and today I lead Boost Inc., a company I co-founded to help startups and digital teams grow with a people-first, business-savvy approach. My focus is on building strong leadership, shaping culture, and making sure talent strategies actually drive impact. I work side by side with technical leaders and teams that want to grow with purpose, make better decisions, and turn talent into one of their biggest assets.

I’m a Labor Relations graduate (UNLaM) with a postgraduate degree in Neuroscience applied to organizations (UCEMA) and over 15 years working in the world of talent—always within the tech and digital ecosystem. I’ve worked across consulting, outsourc... Show more

Phillip Meade

Phillip Meade

Dr. Phillip T. Meade is a transformational leadership expert with over 30 years of experience in systems design and culture change. As a senior leader at NASA, he led the cultural transformation following the Columbia tragedy, guided the workforce transition during the Space Shuttle retirement, and helped reinvent Kennedy Space Center into the world’s busiest commercial spaceport. Now a consultant and keynote speaker, Dr. Meade helps organizations navigate complexity, drive cultural shifts, and build high-performance systems from the inside out.

Dr. Meade’s keynotes and presentations are designed to meet the unique needs of your event, whether you’re looking to inspire leadership teams or dive deep into culture transformation and strategic alignment. Dr. Meade is also available for on-demand speaking, offering his signature talks to deliver immediate, actionable insights that create lasting impact.

Dr. Phillip T. Meade is a transformational leadership expert with over 30 years of experience in systems design and culture change. As a senior leader at NASA, he led the cultural transformation following the Columbia tragedy, guided the workforce tr... Show more

Alex Reis

Alex Reis

Alex Reis is a Experience Strategist and Service Design leader with 10+ years of experience leading user-centered transformations in high-complexity sectors including Finance, Telecom, and Agribusiness.

As the founder of Cliente Sempre, Alex facilitates the intersection of User Research and Product Ownership, ensuring that design decisions are treated as strategic business investments. His career is defined by measurable impact: from saving $1M in operational costs through automation to scaling support operations for over 1 million active users.

Holding certifications in Design and Strategy Execution from Harvard Business School, Alex provides a pragmatic, data-grounded approach to CX that prioritizes revenue, risk mitigation, and operational efficiency.

Alex Reis is a Experience Strategist and Service Design leader with 10+ years of experience leading user-centered transformations in high-complexity sectors including Finance, Telecom, and Agribusiness. As the founder of Cliente Sempre, Alex facil... Show more

Ben Lippe

Ben Lippe

Dr. Ben Lippe is a licensed psychologist who is Board Certified in Clinical Health Psychology through the American Board of Professional Psychology.

He is an expert on topics related to health, wellness, fitness, and behavior change.

Award-winning instructor, psychologist, author, and consultant.

He is available for workshops and keynote addresses for:
Healthcare organizations
Professional associations
Clinical teams seeking insight, clarity, and practical inspiration
Support Group organizations (e.g., cancer, chronic pain, transplant)

He speaks candidly about the realities of modern medicine—burnout, leadership challenges, patient communication, healthy behaviors, system constraints—while offering practical strategies that audiences can immediately apply in their own settings.

Dr. Ben Lippe is a licensed psychologist who is Board Certified in Clinical Health Psychology through the American Board of Professional Psychology. He is an expert on topics related to health, wellness, fitness, and behavior change. Award-... Show more

Florian Brunner

Florian Brunner

Florian Brunner is a PhD candidate in International Relations at the University of Oxford and co-head of Project Access Germany. Together with his co-speaker Jael Fechler, he coordinates a student-led volunteer team that widens access to top universities through one-to-one mentoring, practical resources, and public and policy outreach. As a first-generation student raised by a single parent in rural Bavaria, Florian experienced first-hand how social and cultural capital shape educational trajectories. Today he focuses on building partnerships and translating mentoring insights into scalable recommendations for universities and scholarship funders.

Florian Brunner is a PhD candidate in International Relations at the University of Oxford and co-head of Project Access Germany. Together with his co-speaker Jael Fechler, he coordinates a student-led volunteer team that widens access to top universi... Show more

Thomas Thibault

Thomas Thibault

Designer et chercheur en écoconception au sein de Designers Éthiques, Thomas co-mène le projet de recherche Limites Numériques : une collaboration entre designers et chercheurs·euses en informatique et en design sur les formes, fonctions et usages d'un numérique s'inscrivant des les limites planétaires. Il a co-dirigé pendant 10 ans le studio de design numérique Praticable et est président de l'association de critique des technologies le Mouton Numérique.

Designer et chercheur en écoconception au sein de Designers Éthiques, Thomas co-mène le projet de recherche Limites Numériques : une collaboration entre designers et chercheurs·euses en informatique et en design sur les formes, fonctions et usages d'... Show more

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