Ricardo Sandoval-Palos is the Public Editor of the Public Broadcasting Service -- the audience representative before PBS and its community of producers and journalists. He is an award-winning investigative reporter and multimedia editor who helped shape reporting teams of nonprofit newsrooms and recently co-founded palabra, the digital magazine of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.

Ricardo is a former supervising editor of NPR’s Morning Edition broadcast, an editor with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists and The Sacramento Bee, and a Latin America correspondent for the Dallas Morning News and the San Jose Mercury News. Before that, he was an investigative business reporter in California and co-author of the award-winning biography, "The Fight in the Fields: Cesar Chavez and the Farmworkers Movement."

Ricardo Sandoval-Palos is the Public Editor of the Public Broadcasting Service -- the audience representative before PBS and its community of producers and journalists. He is an award-winning investigative reporter and multimedia editor who helped sh... Show more

Dr. Sharmayne Jenkins is a speaker, educator, life coach, and founder of Reinvention Solutions Coaching and Training Company, where she helps individuals and organizations challenge limiting narratives, strengthen emotional intelligence, and create environments where people can thrive. With more than 30 years as a business owner, 15 years as a psychology lecturer, and a background that spans leadership development, positive psychology, coaching, and organizational culture, her work sits at the intersection of mindset, performance, identity, and human behavior.

Recognized by ForHarriet as one of the “Seven Life Coaches Every Black Woman Should Know,” Dr. Jenkins is known for delivering engaging, thought-provoking conversations that are both practical and deeply human. Her speaking topics range from personal reinvention, self-awareness, goal achievement, and mindset transformation to leadership, workplace culture, racial microaggressions, emotional wellness, and psychologically supportive environments.

Her academic research explores the lived experiences of Black non-tenure-track faculty navigating racial microaggressions in higher education, further informing her work around belonging, identity, leadership, and institutional culture. She has presented for educators, corporate teams, nonprofits, and leadership organizations on topics including implicit bias, culturally responsive practices, workplace wellbeing, and the hidden narratives that shape performance and decision-making.

Sharmayne is the author of Be Honest, Sis: The Clarity Conversations, Reckoning with the Narratives That Built You… and the Woman You’re Becoming; created to help women reconnect with themselves, challenge disempowering beliefs, and make more aligned life decisions. She is also the author of a guided journal for teens- Before You Begin: How to Go from Guessing About Your Future to Choosing It, which encourages young people to develop self-awareness, empowering thought patterns, and intentional goal-setting practices before making major life decisions.

Blending academic insight, lived experience, humor, and straight talk, Dr. Jenkins creates sessions that leave audiences thinking differently about themselves, their leadership, and the environments they help create.

Clients include NYPD, Wyckoff Hospital, Agency of Children's Services (ACS), NAF, East Orange School District, Queensborough Community College, Bronx Independent Living (BILS)

Dr. Sharmayne Jenkins is a speaker, educator, life coach, and founder of Reinvention Solutions Coaching and Training Company, where she helps individuals and organizations challenge limiting narratives, strengthen emotional intelligence, and create e... Show more

Joshua Rumbaoa Jerome Garcia is a Ph.D. candidate at The Graduate Theological Union at Berkeley studying Asian American theologies and religions, specializing in hermeneutics. His dissertation project, entitled "Peril! In the House of Omri: The Asiatic Racial Form and Biblical Hermeneutics," engages critical theory from Asian American literary criticism and cultural studies, to rearticulate an Asian American theology that allies with the material, political, and intellectual commitments of ethnic studies.

Joshua holds master’s degrees in religion and theology from Yale University and Boston University, respectively, as well as dual bachelor’s degrees in psychology and biblical studies from George Fox University.

Joshua Rumbaoa Jerome Garcia is a Ph.D. candidate at The Graduate Theological Union at Berkeley studying Asian American theologies and religions, specializing in hermeneutics. His dissertation project, entitled "Peril! In the House of Omri: The Asiat... Show more

Hinako Ishikawa is a second-year graduate student in the Department of Sociology & Sexuality Studies at San Francisco State University and has been studying racial fetishization of Asian/Japanese women and the ways of reclaiming their sexuality. Hinako is currently working as a Teaching Assistant for Asian American Sexuality course at SFSU. She won Queer Ethnic Studies Endowed Graduate Student Scholarship and Grant A. Larsen Scholarship at SFSU in recognition of her research on Japanese women’s sexuality and the Japanese queer community. As an international student from Japan, Hinako utilizes her own experiences of facing yellow fever and racial fetishization as well as her connections with Japanese queer and feminist communities. Utilizing her multicultural experiences and multilingual ability, Hinako analyzes Japanese erotic comics and animations that are consumed by Western male audience, where she finds out the perpetuation of the traditional Japanese women's stereotype such as geisha and maiko tropes. Hinako presented “Intersectionality in Japanese LGBTQ Community” at the Annual Research Week 2020 at the Akita International University as the only undergraduate student presenter. She is part of a local LGBTQ organization in Akita, Japan, where she helped organize the first pride parade in Akita. She also works as a lecturer who delivers information on gender, sexuality, and feminism-related issues in Japan. She also co-organized the first comprehensive sexual education event at Akita International University in 2020. Utilizing her professional experiences and these community activism, Hinako examines and explores racial objectification of Asian/Japanese women and the ways to reimagine their sexuality.

Hinako Ishikawa is a second-year graduate student in the Department of Sociology & Sexuality Studies at San Francisco State University and has been studying racial fetishization of Asian/Japanese women and the ways of reclaiming their sexuality. Hina... Show more

Noreen Naseem Rodríguez is an Associate Professor of Elementary Education and Educational Justice in the Department of Teacher Education and core faculty in the Asian Pacific American Studies and Muslim Studies Programs at Michigan State University. Her current research, funded by the Spencer Foundation, examines the implementation of Asian American Studies in K-12 classrooms across the U.S. She has published over fifty peer-reviewed book chapters and articles in scholarly and practitioner journals such as Harvard Educational Review, Curriculum Inquiry, and Journal of Children's Literature, and is co-author of Social Studies for a Better World: An Anti-Oppressive Approach for Elementary Educators with Katy Swalwell and Teaching Asian America in Elementary Classrooms with Sohyun An and Esther Kim. Before becoming an award-winning researcher and teacher educator, Noreen was a bilingual elementary teacher in Austin, Texas for nine years.

Noreen Naseem Rodríguez is an Associate Professor of Elementary Education and Educational Justice in the Department of Teacher Education and core faculty in the Asian Pacific American Studies and Muslim Studies Programs at Michigan State University. ... Show more

I am a PhD researcher at the University of Graz (Centre for Southeast European Studies) working at the intersection of security, political violence, and governance. My doctoral research examines genocide recognition, political silence, and security discourse in Bosnia and Herzegovina, drawing on Critical Security Studies, discourse analysis, and political theory.

Before returning to academia, I spent over a decade working in international organizations and public institutions on security sector reform, governance, and results-based management, with a regional focus on Southeast Europe and post-conflict contexts. This professional background continues to shape my research interests, particularly my focus on how political authority, legitimacy, and knowledge are produced and contested in practice.

Alongside my doctoral work, I am increasingly interested in questions of epistemic and cognitive security, including misinformation, disinformation, and the governance of emerging technologies such as AI in peripheral and post-conflict settings. I aim to contribute research that bridges critical theory and policy-relevant debates, engaging both academic and practitioner audiences.

I am a PhD researcher at the University of Graz (Centre for Southeast European Studies) working at the intersection of security, political violence, and governance. My doctoral research examines genocide recognition, political silence, and security d... Show more

Jinah Kim's research focuses on the American Century in Asia, decolonizing Korea, and legacies of US militarism in the Asia-Pacific. She is the recipient of the 2020-2021 National Endowment for the Humanities Award and the 2020 California Civil Liberties Grant.

Jinah Kim's research focuses on the American Century in Asia, decolonizing Korea, and legacies of US militarism in the Asia-Pacific. She is the recipient of the 2020-2021 National Endowment for the Humanities Award and the 2020 California Civil Liber... Show more

Janah Esplana Balane is a first-generation college graduate who aspires to contribute to the preservation and expansion of Filipino American history through the arts and education.

Janah attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), where she earned both a B.A in English with a minor in Asian and Asian American Studies and her M.A in English Literature. She currently teaches first-year English Rhetoric and Writing to UNLV undergraduate students. Her scholarly scope includes twentieth-century Asian American literature, Filipinx/a/o-American diaspora, post-colonialism, musical theatre, and performance studies.

Janah believes that every story deserves to be told, and these stories are at the root of who we are. She aspires to draw on her expertise in arts, culture, and leadership to further develop scholarship as well as advocate for the AAPI community.

Janah Esplana Balane is a first-generation college graduate who aspires to contribute to the preservation and expansion of Filipino American history through the arts and education. Janah attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), where ... Show more

PhD candidate, English Literature

PhD candidate, English Literature Show more

Roy Vũ earned his Ph.D. (2006) in history at the University of Houston. He is now a history professor at Dallas College - North Lake Campus. He is also an advisory board member for Foodways Texas and Keep Irving Beautiful, where he is the 2018 recipient of the Sadie Ray Graff Education Award. His new book, Farm-to-Freedom: Vietnamese Americans and Their Food Gardens, was released in September 2024 by Texas A&M University Press. He and his wife, Ngọc, live in Irving, Texas.

Roy Vũ earned his Ph.D. (2006) in history at the University of Houston. He is now a history professor at Dallas College - North Lake Campus. He is also an advisory board member for Foodways Texas and Keep Irving Beautiful, where he is the 2018 reci... Show more

Agilist, feminist, humanist

Agilist, feminist, humanist Show more

ANTHONY JULIAN TAMBURRI is Dean of the John D. Calandra Italian American Institute and Distinguished Professor of European Languages and Literatures. He is co-founder and co-director of Bordighera Press, with Fred Gardaphé and Paolo Giordano, which is now an official entity of the John D. Calandra Italian American Institute. Tamburri served as president of the Italian American Studies Association and o fthe American Association of Teachers of Italian.
Concentrating on semiotics, the literature and cinema of Italy and its diaspora, and interpretation theory, he has authored twenty-two books, long and short, in both English and Italian, and more than 140 peer-reviewed essays and book chapters. Some of his books of the past thirty-five years include Of Saltimbanchi and Incendiari: Aldo Palazzeschi and Avant-Gardism in Italy. (1990); To Hyphenate or not to Hyphenate: the Italian/American Writer: Or, An Other American? (1991); A Semiotic of Ethnicity: In (Re)cognition of the Italian/American Writer (1998); Italian/American Short Films & Music Videos: A Semiotic Reading (2002); Una semiotica della ri-lettura: Guido Gozzano, Aldo Palazzeschi, e Italo Calvino (2003); Narrare altrove: diverse segnalature letterarie (2007); Re-reading Italian Americana: Generalities and Specificities on Literature and Criticism (2014); Un biculturalismo negato: La letteratura “italiana” negli Stati Uniti (2018); The Columbus Affair: Imperatives for an Italian/American Agenda (2021); Signing Italian/American Cinema: A More Focused Look (2021); A Politics of [Self-]Omission: The Italian/American Challenge in A Post-George Floyd Age (2022); Expanding Diasporic Identity: A Multi-directional Path to the New Italian Writer (2025); and Knowledge, What Is It Good For? Italian/American Leadership in the Twenty-first Century (2025).
Tamburri has been acknowledged by several organizations over the years for his work; some recognitions include Distinguished Alumnus of the Year. Southern Connecticut State University (2000); Cavaliere dell’Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana (2010); “Frank Stella Person of the Year Award,” ILICA (2010); “The Lehman-LaGuardia Award for Civic Achievement,” OSDIA & B’nai B'rith International (2012); AATI Award for Distinguished Service for Colleges and Universities (2013); The Joseph Coccia Jr. Heritage, Language and Culture Award (2016); Italian American Leadership Award, Italian Charities (2023). In 2025 the A Colorni-Hershman International Institute published a selection of his essays in Italian in its series “Culture Mediterranee,” entitled Gli americani italiani: cultura e società, Nicoletta Stame and Sabrina Vellucci, eds.
When not directing two book series (one in English, “Italian Series” [Fairleigh Dickinson University Press]; the other in Italian, “Americana” [Franco Cesati Editore]), he is executive producer and host of the Calandra Institute’s TV program, Italics.
Tamburri’s degrees are from Southern Connecticut State University (B.S., Italian), Middlebury College (M.A., Italian), and University of California, Berkeley (Ph.D., Italian & Spanish). In addition to teaching at Smith College, Middlebury College, and Auburn University, he spent thirteen years at Purdue University before moving to Florida Atlantic where, from 2000 to 2006, he served as Chair of Languages and Linguistics and, subsequently, Associate Dean for Research, Graduate, and Interdisciplinary Studies, as well as director of the Ph.D. in Comparative Studies.

ANTHONY JULIAN TAMBURRI is Dean of the John D. Calandra Italian American Institute and Distinguished Professor of European Languages and Literatures. He is co-founder and co-director of Bordighera Press, with Fred Gardaphé and Paolo Giordano, which i... Show more

Dr. Abbie Maroño is an internationally recognized behavioral and social scientist, acknowledged by the U.S. Department of State as a top 1% expert. She has delivered behavioral analysis training to representatives from 29 U.S. federal agencies, including the U.S. Secret Service, FBI, and Department of Homeland Security, as well as to senior leadership at INTERPOL. Dr. Abbie is the creator of The Upper Hand, a proprietary framework for understanding human decision-making and influence. After delivering this training, the U.S. Secret Service recognized her expertise with an award for outstanding contribution to their forensic services. ​

​Earning her PhD in Psychology, Abbie became a Professor of Psychology at 23 and now specializes in behavior analysis. She contributes regularly to Forbes, Court TV, and Apple News and has been featured on BBC News, Fox News, WIRED, Reuters, Forbes Breaking News, and many more. Dr. Abbie is also a highly sought-after expert witness, retained for high-profile cases, including lawsuits involving A-list celebrities.

As an active member of internationally recognized research groups, Abbie was honored as Reviewer of the Year for her significant contribution to the academic community. Additionally, she is an author, expert consultant, coach, and a TEDx speaker.

Dr. Abbie Maroño is an internationally recognized behavioral and social scientist, acknowledged by the U.S. Department of State as a top 1% expert. She has delivered behavioral analysis training to representatives from 29 U.S. federal agencies, inclu... Show more

Lena Chen (she/her) is an artist and Ph.D. student at the University of California, Berkeley in the Department of Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies. Her scholarship examines the figure of the Asian America woman as (Tiger) Mother and Whore. Her work appears in the edited volumes Curating as Feminist Organizing (Routledge, 2022), Sex Work Now (NYU Press, forthcoming), and To Be Named (Routledge, forthcoming). She has taught classes on feminist theory, performance art, and socially engaged art. As an artist, she has exhibited, performed, and screened her work internationally. She has been awarded grants and residencies from Mozilla Foundation, Sundance Institute, Millay Colony for the Arts, Center for Cultural Power, Burning Man Global Arts Fund, Office of Public Art, and others. Currently, she is hosting community workshops on AAPI sexuality to devise a collective performance as part of her practice-based research.

She is a co-founder of JADED, the largest AAPI arts and cultural platform in Western Pennsylvania, and a founding member of MATERNAL FANTASIES, an interdisciplinary collective of mothers/artists and their children. She coordinates the Performing Asian American and Diasporic Sexualities working group at UC Berkeley’s Center for Race & Gender.

Lena Chen (she/her) is an artist and Ph.D. student at the University of California, Berkeley in the Department of Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies. Her scholarship examines the figure of the Asian America woman as (Tiger) Mother and Whore. Her... Show more

Guido Thys (b. 1956) studied General, Psycho- and Neurolinguistics and the Philosophy of Language in Antwerp (B), Leuven (B), Brussels (B) and Salzburg (AT). As a Lecturer in Strategy, Marketing and Database Management at a Business School, he (co-)authored 20 books & dozens of articles on these subjects and has presented over 2,600 times to business audiences. Wrote the (dBase-II) code for his first database in 1985 and has been at the forefront of database use ever since.
He is an avid collector of books (printed in Antwerp) and vice-president of the Antwerp Bibliophile Society.

Guido Thys (b. 1956) studied General, Psycho- and Neurolinguistics and the Philosophy of Language in Antwerp (B), Leuven (B), Brussels (B) and Salzburg (AT). As a Lecturer in Strategy, Marketing and Database Management at a Business School, he (co-)a... Show more

Dr. Fanny Jimenez specializes in the psychology of personality, social relationships and organizational behavior. She is VP Performance & Collaboration at the newly formed PREMIUM-GRUPPE (Politico, WELT, Business Insider) after having worked as the head of the Career & Science Department as well as the head of the Audio Department at Business Insider Germany. Fanny studied psychology and neuroscience in Berlin and the USA before completing her doctorate at the International Max Planck Research School/Humboldt University in Berlin. She is hosting the weekly psychology podcast "Never Mind – Psychologie in 15 Minuten".

Dr. Fanny Jimenez specializes in the psychology of personality, social relationships and organizational behavior. She is VP Performance & Collaboration at the newly formed PREMIUM-GRUPPE (Politico, WELT, Business Insider) after having worked as the h... Show more

Maarten is a polymath trying to make sense of the exponential times we are living in.

He is doing so by is creating an art-collection mirroring our times and opening up expositions around these artworks, with the Project Copernicus collective.

The art is also the foundation in creating Your Guide into the Exponential Age, a set of theoretical frameworks that support us in consciously applying exponential technologies.

Maarten is a polymath trying to make sense of the exponential times we are living in. He is doing so by is creating an art-collection mirroring our times and opening up expositions around these artworks, with the Project Copernicus collective. ... Show more

Julie Ham is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology at Brock University.

Julie Ham is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology at Brock University. Show more

Barbara Salani

Barbara Salani, a graduate of the Juan Manuel Olivares Conservatory in Caracas, furthered her studies in Italy and the US, earning a Bachelor of Music from the Philadelphia University of the Arts and a Master's in Piano Performance from Florida Atlantic University, where she's now a Ph.D. Candidate in Comparative Studies LLC in Musicology and Italian Studies. She serves as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at FAU in Boca Raton. Her research bridges musicology, philology, and digital innovation, focusing on 19th-century Italian opera. Notably, she is leading the revival of Pietro Carlo Guglielmi’s forgotten 1812 opera semiseria, Amalia e Carlo, set to debut on September 12, 2025, in Massa at the Teatro Guglielmi (named after the composer), and later at Florida Atlantic University’s Performing Arts Theatre, aiming to connect historical art forms with modern audiences through digital technologies. Barbara’s innovative teaching projects, such as the “Music Module” at FAU and the composition “Dante’s Anthem,” sponsored by the Consulate General of Italy in Miami, showcase her commitment to interdisciplinary education and the promotion of Italian language and culture. An accomplished pianist and educator, Barbara has performed internationally as a soloist and in piano duos. She has published in three languages and received various awards, including recognition for her book "Music for Life: The Salani Brothers." Barbara is passionate about innovative teaching and interdisciplinary research in music and Italian studies.

Barbara Salani Barbara Salani, a graduate of the Juan Manuel Olivares Conservatory in Caracas, furthered her studies in Italy and the US, earning a Bachelor of Music from the Philadelphia University of the Arts and a Master's in Piano Performance ... Show more

Gracie Brendah Nanyunja
(Born November 10, 1989)

Gracie Brendah Nanyunja is a distinguished LGBTQ disability rights activist, writer, and intersectional feminist from Uganda. As the founder and Advocacy Officer of the Diverse Empowerment Foundation (DEF), she is dedicated to advancing the rights and well-being of LGBTQ individuals with disabilities. Her tireless advocacy work was recognized in 2023 when she was awarded the prestigious Hivos/Winq Diversity International Activist Award.

Early Life and Education
Born at Lubaga Hospital in Kampala, Uganda, Gracie was raised in Luzira, a suburb on the outskirts of the city, within a large family and a strict Catholic upbringing. From an early age, she faced significant challenges due to her disability. Growing up in a society that often viewed disability as something needing correction, Gracie’s childhood was shaped by efforts to find solutions to her condition, including visits to witch doctor shrines, Born-again churches, and hospitals. Despite these hardships, she developed a strong sense of determination and resilience, gaining the respect of those around her.

Gracie pursued higher education at Kyambogo University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in Guidance and Counseling. Her academic background, combined with her personal experiences, prepared her to tackle the social challenges faced by marginalized communities.

Career and Advocacy
In 2018, Gracie founded the Foundation for the Differently Abled (FDA), aimed at supporting people with disabilities, particularly in overcoming employment barriers. However, she soon realized that the organization lacked space for her lesbian identity, making her feel like a "unicorn" within her own creation. This experience underscored the limitations of single-issue advocacy in addressing the complex intersections of identity, prompting Gracie to seek a more inclusive approach.

In 2020, a pivotal moment in her personal life occurred when she came out to her friends and family after falling in love with her partner. This decision marked a turning point, leading Gracie to co-found the Diverse Empowerment Foundation (DEF) to address the unique challenges faced by the "double minority" community—LGBTQ individuals with disabilities. Through DEF, Gracie has created a safe and inclusive space where members can access socio-economic skills, build their confidence, and advocate for their rights and inclusion within society and the broader LGBTQ movement.

As an intersectional feminist, Gracie emphasizes the importance of considering multiple aspects of identity, such as sexual orientation, disability, and gender, in the fight for equality and human rights. Her work with DEF is a testament to her commitment to a more inclusive and equitable society.

Writing and Intersectional Approach
Beyond her activism, Gracie is a passionate writer, known by her pen name Lunah Steph. Through her writing, she amplifies the voices and experiences of LGBTQ individuals with disabilities, contributing to a deeper understanding of their intersecting identities. Her literary work further complements her advocacy efforts, highlighting the need for a more nuanced approach to human rights.

Gracie’s approach is deeply rooted in intersectional feminism, recognizing that individuals often face multiple, overlapping forms of discrimination. By addressing the intricate interplay between sexuality, gender identity, and disability, she strives for a comprehensive understanding of social justice and human dignity.

Vision and Legacy
Gracie Brendah Nanyunja’s journey from a childhood marked by adversity to becoming a respected and influential advocate demonstrates her unwavering resilience and dedication. Through her leadership at DEF, she continues to inspire many, working tirelessly for a Uganda where equality, inclusion, and justice prevail for all. Her determination is encapsulated in her guiding philosophy: "When I want to achieve something, I don't rest until I've succeeded."

Gracie Brendah Nanyunja (Born November 10, 1989) Gracie Brendah Nanyunja is a distinguished LGBTQ disability rights activist, writer, and intersectional feminist from Uganda. As the founder and Advocacy Officer of the Diverse Empowerment Foundati... Show more

Angela is an author, writer, educator, and activist. She is on the path to completing her doctorate in educational leadership. Her dissertation topic is centered around African-American Parental Involvement. She is a former VP and active member of the UCLA Black Alumni Association. Her passion for youth and parents drives her to empower parents and youth to demand the public school system properly educate students of all colors, starting with capable African-American students who, as a whole, underperform their peers at every level of education.

Angela is an author, writer, educator, and activist. She is on the path to completing her doctorate in educational leadership. Her dissertation topic is centered around African-American Parental Involvement. She is a former VP and active member of t... Show more

“A breath of fresh air, Amy inspires others through her positive outlook on life!”

Positive Psychology Practitioner, Happiness Expert, Two-Time No. 1 International Best-Selling Author

Amy inspires others to live life on a different level, rooted in positivity and pure happiness. Once Amy learned that she may only have 20 more years left to live, she started to think differently, make different choices, and help others to design the life they are meant to have.

Influenced by her mom, who was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, Amy researched the science of positivity and happiness as illustrated in her latest book, “SEVEN MORE DAYS: Live a Life That's Bursting with Positivity and Happiness ... Before It's Too Late.” Seven More Days celebrates the transformative power of positivity and the potential of ultimate joy. It became a bestseller in eight countries and eight categories.

She now brings this message to the stage, creating a gripping experience of emotion, catapulting happiness, and challenging the chaos in today’s world.

“A breath of fresh air, Amy inspires others through her positive outlook on life!” Positive Psychology Practitioner, Happiness Expert, Two-Time No. 1 International Best-Selling Author Amy inspires others to live life on a different level, roote... Show more

WHY IS SHE SO HAPPY?
Elle Benson is a keynote speaker, author, and renowned national consultant who specializes in helping organizations transition to greater impact and build capacity. She founded Nonprofit Leadership LLC to support the social sector. With a remarkable career in the nonprofit sector, she has gained extensive expertise in various areas, including organizational development and change, executive transition consultancy, strategic planning, leadership development, and board governance.

Academically, Benson holds an MBA in organizational change and a Bachelor of Arts degree in business. She has obtained certifications in BoardSource and Group Facilitation to support nonprofit board of directors.

Notably, Benson's thought-provoking TEDx talk, titled "A Crash Course in Learning to Laugh," has catapulted her into the spotlight as a highly sought-after keynote speaker. Benson's passion for sharing wisdom extends to her writing as well. She is the author of two books that focus on mindfulness and happiness. Her publications, "Cultivate Your Happiness: Mama-to-Be" and "Cultivating Calmness in Children," provide practical strategies and insights making happiness obtainable daily. Through her books and keynote presentations, Benson aims to empower individuals and teams to cultivate wellbeing in their lives.

WHY IS SHE SO HAPPY? Elle Benson is a keynote speaker, author, and renowned national consultant who specializes in helping organizations transition to greater impact and build capacity. She founded Nonprofit Leadership LLC to support the social sect... Show more

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

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

As a Licensed Spiritual Guide for the decade, Kristen has a thriving private practice helping others shift their thinking to change their lives. Her book, Bliss Breaks®, empowers individuals by challenging the misconception that mindfulness is difficult, time-consuming, and needs to be performed in private. Her workshops share fast, free, focused exercises that swiftly alleviate stress anywhere, anytime. She is a speaker, author, trainer, and workshop facilitator. Embracing creativity at every step, Kristen is seasoned in appealing to all types of participants and loves sharing a message of empowerment and hope.

As a Licensed Spiritual Guide for the decade, Kristen has a thriving private practice helping others shift their thinking to change their lives. Her book, Bliss Breaks®, empowers individuals by challenging the misconception that mindfulness is diffi... Show more

I deal with participatory processes, group facilitation and community activation practices. I am tutor for the Master's in Migration Law and Policies. I write for Abitare la Terra. I collaborate with CSV Trentino.

I deal with participatory processes, group facilitation and community activation practices. I am tutor for the Master's in Migration Law and Policies. I write for Abitare la Terra. I collaborate with CSV Trentino. Show more

Disziplinär ist meine Arbeit im Schnittfeld von Wissenschafts-, Hochschul- und Bildungsforschung einzuordnen. In meiner Forschung befasse ich mich anhand konzeptionell-theoretischer, empirischer und design-basierter Zugänge mit der Analyse und Gestaltung von Hochschulbildung.

Disziplinär ist meine Arbeit im Schnittfeld von Wissenschafts-, Hochschul- und Bildungsforschung einzuordnen. In meiner Forschung befasse ich mich anhand konzeptionell-theoretischer, empirischer und design-basierter Zugänge mit der Analyse und Gestal... Show more

Dr. Jennifer Brussow received her Ph.D. in Research, Evaluation, Measurement, and Statistics from the University of Kansas in 2018. In her current position as a Psychometrician at Ascend Learning, she uses a variety of statistical procedures to conduct research to assemble construct and criterion validity evidence for certification and licensure assessments. She also develops predictive models around student success, leads psychometric discussions during product development, and develops score reports and reporting guidelines. In her years of experience in the field of assessment, she has also worked as a psychometrician for examinations for students with significant disabilities and led evaluations of educational interventions. Her research projects include investigating factor structure, differential item functioning, and scores’ relationship to external variables; and she has published peer-reviewed articles, research briefs, and whitepapers.

Dr. Jennifer Brussow received her Ph.D. in Research, Evaluation, Measurement, and Statistics from the University of Kansas in 2018. In her current position as a Psychometrician at Ascend Learning, she uses a variety of statistical procedures to condu... Show more

Seit 2025 ist Verena Honkomp-Wilkens an der Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg im Verbundprojekt Digitale Lehre Hub Niedersachsen (DLHN) tätig und gehört zum Team des Teilprojekts InnoTools. Das Projekt verfolgt das Ziel, systematisch ausgewählte und erprobte digitale Lehr-/Lerntools dauerhaft an niedersächsischen Hochschulen zu verankern. Zuvor war Verena Honkomp-Wilkens an den Universitäten Bremen und Vechta tätig. Ihren Schwerpunkt bilden geschlechter- und diversitätssensible Perspektiven in der Medienpädagogik.

Seit 2025 ist Verena Honkomp-Wilkens an der Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg im Verbundprojekt Digitale Lehre Hub Niedersachsen (DLHN) tätig und gehört zum Team des Teilprojekts InnoTools. Das Projekt verfolgt das Ziel, systematisch ausgewähl... Show more