Humanities & Social Sciences

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

Awoke Dagnew Kassahun

Awoke Dagnew Kassahun

Awoke Dagnew is a dedicated and collaborative project management professional with over 13 years of experience in the non-profit sector. He has strong expertise and skills in project design and execution, having successfully managed a diverse range of development and humanitarian projects. Awoke's expertise spans program management, monitoring, and evaluation, particularly in areas such as water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), women’s empowerment, digital rights, and social inclusion. His experience includes strategy development, project design and execution, program logistics administration, and engaging in policy dialogues. Currently, he is working with HOPE International Development Agency in the capacity of Strategy and Programs Manager and actively volunteering with TOGETHER, a civil society working towards narrowing down the digital divide for persons with disabilities.

Awoke holds a Master’s degree in Political Science and Social Work, and a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology. He is an alumnus of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Regional Leadership Center and the DATA4CHANGE Data Storytelling and Design Sprint. Recognized for his leadership and impact, Awoke was awarded the African Youth SDGs Achievers Award in 2022, under the category of Leader of Equality. His professional interests include policy dialogue, digital inclusion, environmental sustainability, women’s empowerment, and WASH issues.

Awoke Dagnew is a dedicated and collaborative project management professional with over 13 years of experience in the non-profit sector. He has strong expertise and skills in project design and execution, having successfully managed a diverse range o... Show more

Mario Esposito

Mario Esposito

Artiste plasticien, Architecte, UX Designer et enfin Coach Agile.
Un parcours atypique, plusieurs pivotages dans ma vie m'ont porté à comprendre que c'est la valorisation de l'humain la plus grande des réalisations.

Artiste plasticien, Architecte, UX Designer et enfin Coach Agile. Un parcours atypique, plusieurs pivotages dans ma vie m'ont porté à comprendre que c'est la valorisation de l'humain la plus grande des réalisations. Show more

Abdul Ahad

Abdul Ahad

With over seven years of experience across multiple industries and countries, Ahad is a seasoned data practitioner specializing in building data infrastructures from scratch for Small Medium Organisations. Recognizing the importance of the human element in technology, Ahad emphasizes on bringing the attention back to the human instead of another tool.

In November 2024, Ahad will deliver a TEDx Talk at TEDxEindhoven 2024 on "Karma Democracy," discussing how incentivising humans could be the key to a better democracy and leveraging technology to scale this idea.

With over seven years of experience across multiple industries and countries, Ahad is a seasoned data practitioner specializing in building data infrastructures from scratch for Small Medium Organisations. Recognizing the importance of the human elem... Show more

Erwin Derksen

Erwin Derksen

Since 1999 in IT – Practical – Simplifier – #BulletPointFree Public Speaker - Likes sharing knowledge – Projects and changes only – Has also a technical focus – Acts as bridge between business and technology – Founded DerkIT in 2017 and Blue Identity in 2022 - Guides complex decisions and reduces them to the essence – Believes that humor, clarity, and simplicity are most important.

Since 1999 in IT – Practical – Simplifier – #BulletPointFree Public Speaker - Likes sharing knowledge – Projects and changes only – Has also a technical focus – Acts as bridge between business and technology – Founded DerkIT in 2017 and Blue Identi... Show more

Michèle Ruffault

Michèle Ruffault

Michèle a mené des transformations Lean et Agiles d’organisations. Au fil de ses expériences, elle a constaté l’importance du facteur humain au-delà des processus, des méthodes et des outils. Elle étudie les difficultés relationnelles et les facteurs qui les entretiennent. Son travail s’appuie sur l’approche systémique, les techniques de médiation et la communication non violente.

Michèle a mené des transformations Lean et Agiles d’organisations. Au fil de ses expériences, elle a constaté l’importance du facteur humain au-delà des processus, des méthodes et des outils. Elle étudie les difficultés relationnelles et les facteurs... Show more

Ifeanyi Idiaye

Ifeanyi Idiaye

I am a passionate data scientist and software developer with a strong background in machine learning, data visualization, natural language processing, dashboards, graph data science, and full-stack development. I thrive on turning data into actionable insights and creating software solutions that drive business success.

Awards:
* Winner: International Data Visualization Competition
* Top Contributor: AA Idea Rally
* Hall of Famer: Hacktoberfest

I am a passionate data scientist and software developer with a strong background in machine learning, data visualization, natural language processing, dashboards, graph data science, and full-stack development. I thrive on turning data into actionabl... Show more

Philippe Paulus

Philippe Paulus

As an engineer, I first became interested in the technical side of things as a developer, then as a software architect and finally as a technical director. During this period, I became aware that if you want to obtain the best result, you have to take into account the human aspect: from the users to the implementation teams. That's when I discovered agility. It became a passion and I made it my job: agile coach and trainer.

As an engineer, I first became interested in the technical side of things as a developer, then as a software architect and finally as a technical director. During this period, I became aware that if you want to obtain the best result, you have to tak... Show more

Karen Tompkins

Karen Tompkins

Karen’s mission is to create an environment where differences are expected rather than the exception. Her understanding of the neurochemistry of behaviour has allowed the participants of her sessions to make a plan and MoveON from whatever stressors they are experiencing. Karen has been an invited speaker and presenter at the Wyoming Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Canadian Organization of Rare Disorder’s National Conference as well as the Moracle Foundation in England. Karen is the author of the children’s book Different is Just… Different as well as Purple Stew (a parenting guide). She has facilitated workshops for international conferences and several universities and teacher conferences. She is currently a sessional instructor at the University of Windsor in the Faculty of Education.

Karen’s mission is to create an environment where differences are expected rather than the exception. Her understanding of the neurochemistry of behaviour has allowed the participants of her sessions to make a plan and MoveON from whatever stressors ... Show more

Elsa Iguedjtal

Elsa Iguedjtal

Nyah Macklin

Nyah Macklin

Nyah Macklin is a Sr. Developer Advocate at Neo4j. Nyah cares deeply about the ethical use of data, data privacy & security, and ethical artificial intelligence. Nyah has a non-traditional background, with a degree in African & Afro-American Studies and a career in civil service and community organizing. This background gave them the expertise to decipher the ways systems within tech perpetuate the exclusion of historically underrepresented communities, and implement policies to counteract that fact. Nyah cares about making technology and software accessible to as many communities as possible. Twitter: @NyahMacklinDev

Nyah Macklin is a Sr. Developer Advocate at Neo4j. Nyah cares deeply about the ethical use of data, data privacy & security, and ethical artificial intelligence. Nyah has a non-traditional background, with a degree in African & Afro-American Studies ... Show more

Nishant Aanjaney Jalan

Nishant Aanjaney Jalan

I'm a programming enthusiast pursuing Computer Science at Imperial College London. I started writing code about ten years ago, majorly covering the fields of Android App development and Full Stack Development.

I'm a programming enthusiast pursuing Computer Science at Imperial College London. I started writing code about ten years ago, majorly covering the fields of Android App development and Full Stack Development. Show more

Lianna Adams

Lianna Adams

Lianna is empowering change at the intersection of art, culture, technology, and social impact, catalysing positive transformations with a focus on humanity in Web3 and beyond. As a podcast host for Wirex, and a regular speaker, she imparts invaluable insights on Web3, mental health, and social impact, speaking on platforms such as the World Economic Forum at Davos24, COP28, and TEDx, as well as premier Web3 and NFT conferences.

As an advisor to ARTXV, a neurodivergent collective in Web3, Lianna empowers diverse voices within the community. She's a member of Top Tier Impact Network, recognising leaders driving positive community change. Formerly the VP and Curation Lead at The Dream Conduit, she guided creatives into Web3, fostering innovation and inclusivity. Lianna has been pivotal in leveraging blockchain and NFTs to raise funds for humanitarian crises and promoting social impact in the NFT realm. A committed advocate for mental health, Lianna hosts Weekly Mental Health Check-Ins and meditation sessions, nurturing holistic well-being.

Through Impactful Artistry, she harnesses the fusion of art, technology, and innovation to drive global impact. Recognised as one of the Top 10 Rising Women in Crypto 2023, and an influential educator and creator in the Web3 Space by Forbes Web3, Animoca Brands, and Open Campus 2024 initiative; OC100 - taking the top spot under the category of “Social Impact & Ethics”. Lianna stands at the forefront of pioneering change and cultivating a humanity-first culture within the Web3 landscape.

Lianna is empowering change at the intersection of art, culture, technology, and social impact, catalysing positive transformations with a focus on humanity in Web3 and beyond. As a podcast host for Wirex, and a regular speaker, she imparts invaluabl... Show more

Angel Paredes Barato

Angel Paredes Barato

Passionate Engineering Manager at Datadog, mentoring aspiring engineers and advocating for the importance of soft skills in achieving success. Sometimes I like to define myself as "proud holistic hobbyist".

Passionate Engineering Manager at Datadog, mentoring aspiring engineers and advocating for the importance of soft skills in achieving success. Sometimes I like to define myself as "proud holistic hobbyist". Show more

Adi Stein

Adi Stein

Meet Adi! Adi is a multi-disciplinary master: She manages the App & AI and cloud services across Southeast Europe, holds a degree in software engineering, launched startups, managing startups competitions, won global competitions and is a passionate innovator. This diversity gives her the unique ability to communicate complex technologies in a compelling way to tech and non-tech audiences alike and makes her a sought-after public speaker.

Adi is also a global speaker on AI technologies, developers productivity and entrepreneurship. She empowers companies and startups to innovate with generative AI for building cutting-edge applications at scale.

Adi has a wealth of experience in the tech industry, from corporate to startups, having held various roles in product management, software engineer, CEO, innovation, entrepreneurship, and AI domain. She previously worked as an innovation manager at Microsoft R&D CTO office, where she led market research and developed business models for new tech ventures. She also worked at Over.ai, which was acquired by Vonage, and as a product manager for AI products.

Adi is startups founder. Growing two ventures in the brain computer interface for gaming and wellness domain, ignited her mission to encourage more women to start their own ventures. Adi launched and managed Ben-Gurion University innovation hub for entrepreneurs, and in the last 7 years, she manages Merage alumni network (an Israeli network of 1000 startup CEOs selected to the prestigious Merage program) and the Merage startup competition (Granting $100K to entrepreneurs above the age 45 or women at any age), and volunteer in various women empowerment initiatives.

Adi is a dynamic and engaging speaker who is always willing to share her experiences and insights with others.

Meet Adi! Adi is a multi-disciplinary master: She manages the App & AI and cloud services across Southeast Europe, holds a degree in software engineering, launched startups, managing startups competitions, won global competitions and is a passionate ... Show more

Jeremiah Lee

Jeremiah Lee

Jeremiah Lee develops monetization tools for digital creators. He previously worked on cloud infrastructure at Stripe, hardware integrations at Spotify, and web APIs at Fitbit. He grew up under the California sun, but now calls Stockholm home.

Jeremiah Lee develops monetization tools for digital creators. He previously worked on cloud infrastructure at Stripe, hardware integrations at Spotify, and web APIs at Fitbit. He grew up under the California sun, but now calls Stockholm home. Show more

Tod Creneti

Tod Creneti

Tod has spent 30+ years as a leader and coach in various settings. While his path began on the athletic fields where he built championship teams in various sports, Tod has been applying his teaching and coaching skills in the business world for more than a decade. Tod focuses on helping teams of all types become their best. He has been able to translate the lessons learned on the field into improvements in performance and culture in the workplace. ​

​Tod has an MS in Industrial and Organizational Psychology and continues to commit to his growth as a professional. His approach to teaching and coaching is based on a deep understanding of how the human brain works, especially as it’s facing transformation. While his coaching and training sessions cover much ground related to human behavior, his work frequently helps clients shift mindsets, improve emotional intelligence, and embrace servant leadership. Tod’s clients have improved personal performance, rebuilt struggling cultures, and created inclusive work environments that challenge each team member to bring their best work to the table every day.​

Tod is best known as a connector and motivator. He has built a reputation based on his honest and genuine approach. Helping others embrace adversity and achieve excellence remains the driving force in his life.​

Tod has spent 30+ years as a leader and coach in various settings. While his path began on the athletic fields where he built championship teams in various sports, Tod has been applying his teaching and coaching skills in the business world for more ... Show more

Nikita Shliakov

Nikita Shliakov

Crypto enthusiast

Crypto enthusiast Show more

Evelyn Rothkranz

Evelyn Rothkranz

Evelyn Rothkranz gestaltet als Bildungswissenschaftlerin die Gegenwart von Studium und Lehre an der Universität zu Köln mit und entwirft Szenarien zur Bildung der Zukunft (beispielsweise zur hybriden Lehre). In Köln hat sie den Master der Interkulturellen Kommunikation und Bildung absolviert und zuvor Erziehungs- und Bildungswissenschaften in Marburg studiert.

Evelyn Rothkranz gestaltet als Bildungswissenschaftlerin die Gegenwart von Studium und Lehre an der Universität zu Köln mit und entwirft Szenarien zur Bildung der Zukunft (beispielsweise zur hybriden Lehre). In Köln hat sie den Master der Interkultur... Show more

Kay Emerson

Kay Emerson

Kay Emerson, MS, brings over 15 years of expertise in public administration, focusing on improving health equity, education, and economic mobility, particularly for marginalized communities. With a strong background in program development, grant management, financial oversight, and civic service training, she is committed to driving impactful change in underserved populations. Kay holds an MS in Human Service and a BA in Psychology, positioning her as a trusted leader in fostering financial fidelity, compliance, and organizational engagement.

As the founder and CEO of SheRen Consulting, a BIPOC and woman-owned business, Kay offers specialized consulting and training services aimed at empowering organizations to achieve their goals while addressing systemic inequities.

SheRen Consulting is known for its tailored approach to policy advocacy, operational support, and comprehensive training. Their methods engage participants in "head and heart work," combining strategic knowledge with personal reflection to inspire meaningful change. By blending practical tools with emotional and ethical engagement, SheRen Consulting ensures that leaders and teams are equipped to drive both organizational success and community impact.

Kay Emerson, MS, brings over 15 years of expertise in public administration, focusing on improving health equity, education, and economic mobility, particularly for marginalized communities. With a strong background in program development, grant mana... Show more

Molly McQueary

Molly McQueary

Molly holds a Doctorate in Sport & Performance Psychology and is a Certified Mental Performance Coach. With a deep passion for unlocking potential, Molly blends cutting-edge, science-based techniques with practical strategies to help high-level executives, healthcare leaders, coaches, and elite athletes perform at their best. Her approach is rooted in the latest research in neuroscience and psychology, providing clients with the mental tools to excel under pressure, overcome challenges, and achieve peak performance. Whether through one-on-one consulting, engaging workshops, or customized programs, Molly is dedicated to driving both personal and professional success with evidence-based methods.

Molly holds a Doctorate in Sport & Performance Psychology and is a Certified Mental Performance Coach. With a deep passion for unlocking potential, Molly blends cutting-edge, science-based techniques with practical strategies to help high-level execu... Show more

Joana Flores

Joana Flores

Joana Flores is a Lisbon-based design thinker and product leader with 6 years of experience creating human-centered solutions that fuel innovation and growth. Having worked in both fast-paced startups and global companies like Volkswagen, she is known for blending empathy with strategy.
Joana is passionate about using Design Thinking to bridge the gap between tech, marketing, and operations to foster meaningful user experiences. As a mentor and facilitator, she empowers teams to innovate by prioritizing people over products.
Joana has also shared her insights as a speaker, addressing all IT employees at Volkswagen on the transformative power of design. Whether leading user research, driving collaboration, or guiding organizations toward design-centered success, Joana brings curiosity, creativity, and connection to everything she does.

Joana Flores is a Lisbon-based design thinker and product leader with 6 years of experience creating human-centered solutions that fuel innovation and growth. Having worked in both fast-paced startups and global companies like Volkswagen, she is know... Show more

Tamas Piros

Tamas Piros

Tamas is a Google Developer Expert in Web Technologies and a seasoned Developer Evangelist. He is a passionate advocate for modern web technologies, helping people understand and unlock the latest & greatest features of web development.

Tamas is a Google Developer Expert in Web Technologies and a seasoned Developer Evangelist. He is a passionate advocate for modern web technologies, helping people understand and unlock the latest & greatest features of web development. Show more

Audrey Long

Audrey Long

Audrey Long is a Senior Security Software Engineer at Microsoft in the Commercial Software Engineering team (CSE), which is a global engineering organization that works directly with the largest companies and not-for-profits in the world to tackle their most significant technical challenges. To Audrey, security is like solving a puzzle, but with real life impact- and she loves to break these puzzles. Because security is such a focal point for many customers, but there are so few people, and especially women in the space, Audrey is passionate about making security accessible both to software engineers and as a career for girls in STEM. She holds DoD secret clearance and a Master of Science degree in Cyber Security at Johns Hopkins.

Audrey Long is a Senior Security Software Engineer at Microsoft in the Commercial Software Engineering team (CSE), which is a global engineering organization that works directly with the largest companies and not-for-profits in the world to tackle th... Show more

Lays Felix

Lays Felix

Con un background lavorativo in retail (9y), ho maturato diverse esperienze legate al business: dalla vendita alla performance, dall'expertise prodotto allo sviluppo di nuovi servizi. Nel 2023, ho iniziato ad utilizzare tutto il mio background per contribuire al percorso di trasformazione organizzativa.
Durante gli anni, ho guidato diversi progetti in Italia ed all’estero, cooperando con team cross funzionali, interni ed esterni all’azienda. Oggi mi occupo di supportare il management strategico e operativo di Leroy Merlin nella definizione e esecuzione della strategia.

Con un background lavorativo in retail (9y), ho maturato diverse esperienze legate al business: dalla vendita alla performance, dall'expertise prodotto allo sviluppo di nuovi servizi. Nel 2023, ho iniziato ad utilizzare tutto il mio background per co... Show more

Anoussa Salim

Anoussa Salim

She serves as the Director of the United Nations Partnership at a UN Global Compact member. She was an Advisor at the United Nations, where she supported UN processes related to sustainable development and led regional and global engagements on development and human rights issues. She is passionate about helping new companies and organizations focus on Sustainable Development Goals and maximize their social impact. She fosters inclusive dialogue between stakeholders and strengthens engagement between non-state actors and international policymakers.

She holds a BA in Political Science and History from Fordham University and an MS in Global Affairs from New York University.

She serves as the Director of the United Nations Partnership at a UN Global Compact member. She was an Advisor at the United Nations, where she supported UN processes related to sustainable development and led regional and global engagements on devel... Show more

Nicolas Petitjean

Nicolas Petitjean

Nicolas Petitjean is the former VP Design at Sodexo Group (2017-2022). In 2021, he founded "collectivehood", which helps business leaders design operational models where innovation through design thrives and responsible growth practices flourish. With a Master's degree in Design (Rubika 2000') and an Executive MBA (EDHEC 2015'), Nicolas has over 20 years' experience in user research, human-centered design, innovation & design leadership, strategy and entrepreneurship at various levels, with companies such as Salomon, Adidas, Decathlon, Sodexo, Hanesbrands, Caran d'Ache, Ministry of Defence UK, USAA, Google, GSK, Coventry University among others. Nicolas is also an active and leading speaker on innovation practices, business modeling and social leadership by design across Europe.

Nicolas Petitjean is the former VP Design at Sodexo Group (2017-2022). In 2021, he founded "collectivehood", which helps business leaders design operational models where innovation through design thrives and responsible growth practices flourish. Wit... Show more

Stefan Böhringer

Stefan Böhringer

Having worked independently in web development for many years, Stefan moved to the Chair of Educational Data Science at the University of Regensburg a few years ago. He works there not only as a research assistant, but also as a software developer and lecturer on several projects.

Having worked independently in web development for many years, Stefan moved to the Chair of Educational Data Science at the University of Regensburg a few years ago. He works there not only as a research assistant, but also as a software developer an... Show more

Theodore Walrond

Theodore Walrond

Theodore Walrond, a student, previously engaged in research at the college's School of Medicine. His background includes extensive training as a lifeguard and scuba diving leader, specializing in various water safety and life rescue techniques. During his undergraduate years, he worked at the McKnight Brain Institute, where he harnessed his analytical prowess to help write a pivotal scientific paper on subarachnoid hemorrhages and their potential role in predisposing individuals to Alzheimer's Disease.

Theodore Rex Walrond gained practical experience through an internship at Romark, a pharmaceutical company focused on research located in Tampa, FL. Here, he worked under the leadership of the CEO and head of research, contributing to the development of new medicinal therapies for infectious diseases.

Theodore also belonged to the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, where he studied Psychology with an emphasis on behavioral and cognitive neuroscience. This specialization allowed him to explore the neurological mechanisms affecting human behavior, mood, and cognitive functions, blending physiological insights with psychological theories.

Education played a significant role in shaping his career. Theodore Walrond of Tampa Bay attended Admiral Farragut Academy in St. Petersburg, FL, where he excelled in the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC), eventually becoming a Battalion Commander. His academic journey continued with stellar performances in STEM subjects, leading him to graduate Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, focusing on Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience—a pathway that caters well to those aiming for careers in psychiatry, research, or academia.

In addition to his academic and research commitments, Theodore held various positions with the Florida Parks and Recreation Department, including roles as a lifeguard and swim instructor, where he was responsible for the safety and maintenance of pool facilities.

His professional certifications include SCUBA Dive Master, a role in which he has led and trained numerous diving enthusiasts. Theodore's passion for the outdoors extends to his personal life, where he is an enthusiastic lacrosse player, skier, and mountaineer. He has conquered Mount Rainier and trekked through several of America's national parks, including Yosemite and the Maroon Bells Four Pass Loop.

An avid golfer and cook, Theodore Walrond of Florida also finds solace in music, mainly playing the acoustic guitar, further showcasing his well-rounded character and diverse interests.

Theodore Walrond, a student, previously engaged in research at the college's School of Medicine. His background includes extensive training as a lifeguard and scuba diving leader, specializing in various water safety and life rescue techniques. Durin... Show more

Daylina Miller

Daylina Miller

Daylina Miller (they/them) is a nonbinary, multimedia journalist in Tampa, Florida at NPR member station WUSF 89.7 where they've worked for ten years. They produce much of the multimedia content for the station, and cover the LGBTQ+ and transgender communities. Prior to that, they worked for the Marshall News Messenger newspaper in East Texas, and the Suncoast News, a subsidiary of the Tampa Tribune. They got their bachelors degree in mass communications - journalism from the University of South Florida and their masters degree in new media journalism from Full Sail University. In their free time, they play a lot of videogames, boardgames, and tabletop role-playing games. They're also writing their first TTRPG, combining their experience as a journalist during the pandemic and their love for the zombie genre.

Daylina Miller (they/them) is a nonbinary, multimedia journalist in Tampa, Florida at NPR member station WUSF 89.7 where they've worked for ten years. They produce much of the multimedia content for the station, and cover the LGBTQ+ and transgender ... Show more

Jonathan Fowler

Jonathan Fowler

Dr. Fowler is a practitioner and scholar in big data analytics, creator of the KDQ, and champion of a data culture of compassion and curiosity.

Dr. Fowler is a practitioner and scholar in big data analytics, creator of the KDQ, and champion of a data culture of compassion and curiosity. Show more

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