I'm a psychologist & Gestalt psychotherapist that likes to spend her time between the world of business and technology.
I like to get creative about the human element in organisations and create value by boosting the value of others.

I was born by the sea in Croatia and found myself thriving in an international environment from a young age studying in English, working in DACH, Nordic and Central EU markets.

I'm a psychologist & Gestalt psychotherapist that likes to spend her time between the world of business and technology. I like to get creative about the human element in organisations and create value by boosting the value of others. I was born b... Show more

Khadyajah Jenkins, M.A.T is a scholar-practitioner, cultural strategist, and doctoral candidate whose work examines the future of education, leadership, and relational labor in the age of artificial intelligence. Her research centers African-American executives and early-career professionals to understand how cultural conformity, emotional expression, respectability politics, and algorithmic bias shape leadership trajectories and mentorship opportunities in tech and media ecosystems. Through narrative inquiry and critical pedagogy, Jenkins studies how care, love, and cultural memory can serve as legitimate frameworks for leadership development and equitable system design.

Positioned at the intersection of higher education, innovation, and community infrastructure, Jenkins develops programs and pilots that translate academic knowledge into workforce outcomes. Her initiatives include college and career advising systems, city-aligned book fairs and literacy programs, AI literacy pathways for students and families, and archival storytelling series that reframe education as a cultural, relational, and economic project. Her platforms span LinkedIn, TikTok, Substack, and Patreon, where she produces research-informed content on education equity, postsecondary transitions, hidden industries, and love as a leadership practice.

Jenkins partners with civic, philanthropic, and educational stakeholders to design models that increase economic mobility, expand access to labor market information, and prepare communities for AI-mediated professional environments. Her work emphasizes that the future of work requires both technical and emotional infrastructure: knowledge, skills, networks, and care.

Her long-term vision is to build a research and learning firm with three pillars education, leadership , and economic justice—that integrates archival research, AI-enabled instructional design, and culturally situated learning systems. Through this interdisciplinary lens, she aims to reimagine how communities learn, lead, and love, and to create academic, civic, and digital ecosystems where Black intellectual and emotional labor are centered rather than extracted.

Khadyajah Jenkins, M.A.T is a scholar-practitioner, cultural strategist, and doctoral candidate whose work examines the future of education, leadership, and relational labor in the age of artificial intelligence. Her research centers African-American... 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

Trainer / Teacher (Agile, project management, edutainment), edutainment researcher, designer of specialist serious learning games (analogue, digital, hybrid).
Has been practising Agile since the 90s.

Trainer / Teacher (Agile, project management, edutainment), edutainment researcher, designer of specialist serious learning games (analogue, digital, hybrid). Has been practising Agile since the 90s. 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

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

I am a Behavioral learning strategist with 10+ years of extensive industry experience in designing and delivering high-impact learning interventions for diverse audiences.

Over the years, I have trained 11,000+ employees across multiple organizations, working with engineers, project managers, team leads, senior professionals, and client-facing teams across industries.

My core expertise includes

- Managerial development programs and learning journeys with real-time action learning pathways

- Campus to corporate Transition programs for graduate engineers

- Business communication & stakeholder management

- Influencing without authority

- Emotional Intelligence

- Leadership presence & confidence building

- Client communication, conflict handling & difficult conversations

- Productivity, ownership & execution excellence

- Problem solving and critical thinking

- Design Thinking

- Team-building and outbound engagement sessions

I bring a strong psychology-backed, experiential facilitation approach, ensuring sessions are practical, engaging, and directly applicable at work. My programs consistently receive strong participant feedback and are known for driving visible behavioral shifts rather than just content delivery.

I am a Behavioral learning strategist with 10+ years of extensive industry experience in designing and delivering high-impact learning interventions for diverse audiences. Over the years, I have trained 11,000+ employees across multiple organizat... Show more

Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin an der Professur für ökonomische Bildung

Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin an der Professur für ökonomische Bildung Show more

For over two decades and till date, Dr. Adéọlá Adijat Fálẹ́yẹ, lectures at the Department of Linguistics and African Languages, Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria. She is an Associate Professor of Yorùbá African Culture, Literature, Indigenous Arts Music and Performance studies. She is a composer, performer, and to her credits are (8) eight waxed audio albums of the African oral traditional music which continue to serve as teaching aids to youths and lovers of African music. She has several academic publications and edited books which attest to her relevance and vibrancy as a scholar in her chosen field of study. As a Thespian, with solid background in theatre, film study, gender and festivals, she is currently the Chairperson of the Ọ̀ṣun State National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners, (NANTAP), and the Vice President of the Yorùbá Studies Association of Nigeria. She is a member of the Canadian Association of African Studies, and she belongs to other academic bodies at the international level. She is well travelled and have attended over a hundred international and national academic conferences. She has authored and co-authored works on AI, Festivals in Southwestern Nigeria, Gender studies and oratures of African people. She is proudly the founder of Adéàbẹ̀kẹ́ Fábọ́lá Educultural Organization (AFECO), an Educultural Non-Governmental Organization for youthful inclusion, teaching, promotion and preservation of African oratures/African Music.
She is an humane personality.

For over two decades and till date, Dr. Adéọlá Adijat Fálẹ́yẹ, lectures at the Department of Linguistics and African Languages, Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria. She is an Associate Professor of Yorùbá African Culture, Literature, Indigenous Art... Show more

I am a writer and author specializing in complex decision making - especially in uncertain times.

I am a writer and author specializing in complex decision making - especially in uncertain times. Show more

2021 - 2025: Studium der Psychologie (BSc.) an der Universität Potsdam
seit 2025: Studium klinische Psychologie/Psychotherapie (MSc.)

2022: Gründer des AStA-Referats für Barrierefreiheit an der Universität Potsdam
2023: Inklusionspreis der Universität Potsdam für das Projekt Barriere:frei:zeit erhalten
Seit 2024: Studentischer Mitarbeiter im "Team Barrierefrei" an der Universität Potsdam
seit 2025 Mitkoordinator der AG Chancengerechtigkeit der PsyFaKo

2021 - 2025: Studium der Psychologie (BSc.) an der Universität Potsdam seit 2025: Studium klinische Psychologie/Psychotherapie (MSc.) 2022: Gründer des AStA-Referats für Barrierefreiheit an der Universität Potsdam 2023: Inklusionspreis der Unive... Show more

Sebastian Lang arbeitet als interdisziplinärer Researcher mit Künstler:innen, Wissenschaftler:innen und Philosoph:innen an den Beziehungen zwischen zeitgenössischen Gesellschaften, dem Individuum und digitalen Räumen. Er ist Absolvent des Studiengangs Cross-Disciplinary Strategies (BA) an der Universität für Angewandte Kunst Wien, und studiert aktuell Theorie und Geschichte der Wissenschaft und Technik (MA) an der TU Berlin. Sein besonderes Forschungsinteresse gilt der Frage, wie digitale Technologien unseren Alltag prägen und wie Individuen und Gemeinschaften mit den Anforderungen einer postdigitalen Welt umgehen.

Sebastian Lang arbeitet als interdisziplinärer Researcher mit Künstler:innen, Wissenschaftler:innen und Philosoph:innen an den Beziehungen zwischen zeitgenössischen Gesellschaften, dem Individuum und digitalen Räumen. Er ist Absolvent des Studiengang... Show more

Wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter der Akademie für wissenschaftliche Weiterbildung an der Technischen Hochschule Köln
B.A. Philosophie-Neurowissenschaften-Kognition
M.A. Philosophie (laufend)

Wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter der Akademie für wissenschaftliche Weiterbildung an der Technischen Hochschule Köln B.A. Philosophie-Neurowissenschaften-Kognition M.A. Philosophie (laufend) Show more

Kathryn Lige, LCSW (she/her) is a licensed psychotherapist and certificated school social worker. Her responsibilities include providing oversight of a school-based mental health program, providing psychotherapy, and consulting with staff in educational institutions. She also specializes in designing and teaching social-emotional curricula. The heart of her work is in communities of color. Kathryn has served throughout California and in New York City. She has extensive experience providing behavioral health services to children, adolescents, young adults, and parents in K-12 and college settings.

Kathryn earned a B.A. in Social Work from Cal State LA and an M.S. in Social Work from Columbia University, specializing in Advanced Generalist Practice & Programming. Her focuses included school-based social services and the integration of mental health practitioners in educational leadership. As a current doctoral student, Kathryn researches the social-emotional intelligence and well-being of educational administrators, the motivation and retention of educators, and what it takes to lead school communities of color effectively. Through opportunities in political advocacy at California’s capital, several media appearances, diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, and various committee leadership roles, Kathryn is driven to make a difference in the future of education.

Kathryn Lige, LCSW (she/her) is a licensed psychotherapist and certificated school social worker. Her responsibilities include providing oversight of a school-based mental health program, providing psychotherapy, and consulting with staff in educatio... 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

Hannah Sari ist Sozialarbeiterin, Sexualpädagogin und studiert den Master "Gesellschaftlicher Wandel als Gestaltungsaufgabe" an der Hochschule München. Sie arbeitet vor allem zu den Themen Konsens und Awareness.

Hannah Sari ist Sozialarbeiterin, Sexualpädagogin und studiert den Master "Gesellschaftlicher Wandel als Gestaltungsaufgabe" an der Hochschule München. Sie arbeitet vor allem zu den Themen Konsens und Awareness. Show more

Maggie Ivanova is pursuing a Ph.D. in Theatre, Hawaiian and Indigenous Performance, at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (UHM). She holds a Ph.D. in Comparative and World Literature (Drama) from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and an M.F.A. in Directing - Asian Performance, from UHM. Maggie is a multi-lingual teaching artist: a dramaturg, theatre director, and researcher, working with the performance traditions of Ireland, Britain, Sweden, Norway, Japan, and Russia. Since 2020, Maggie has been affiliated with the East-West Center as Student Affiliate and Foundation Scholar. Currently, Maggie is serving as a co-dramaturg and stage manager for "Panji and the Last Princess," a Balinese wayang listrik show which opens in April 2026 at Kennedy Theatre, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

Maggie Ivanova is pursuing a Ph.D. in Theatre, Hawaiian and Indigenous Performance, at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (UHM). She holds a Ph.D. in Comparative and World Literature (Drama) from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and an ... Show more

Hi! My name is Arin Kimmel. I struggled for years to make friends, win over audiences and express myself in conversations. I didn't have the right words or the right mindset and it was continuously sabotaging my life. Before I got to University I knew something had to change. I read as much as I could about Persuasion, Psychology and People. When I walked onto campus I realized with a shock that I'd gone from the worst communicator I knew to the best! I was making friends left and right. People wanted to hear what I had to say and even crazier…people actually liked listening to me (can you believe it)! But, I didn't stop there... I did Psychology, Sociology, Political Science, Philosophy and anything else that could improve my communication. I graduated from University of Waterloo with a degree in Speech Communication and today I specialize in helping individuals just like yourself better express themselves. Anyone can become a better communicator, I'm living proof. You have a story to tell and I'm here to help you share it!

Hi! My name is Arin Kimmel. I struggled for years to make friends, win over audiences and express myself in conversations. I didn't have the right words or the right mindset and it was continuously sabotaging my life. Before I got to University I kne... Show more