Melissa Marina Johnston is the destiny & success mentor to the world’s top leaders, keynote speaker & subconscious healer, recently featured expert in Women’s Insider and CEOTimes.

Melissa helps Awakened High Achievers release deep subconscious fears & dissolve the blocks to their dream life, so they can go all in on their life purpose & get paid to do what they love most. 

Her award winning signature method helps spiritual seekers add an extra ‘ZERO’ to their income & hit their next level of success FAST without sabotage.

Melissa Marina Johnston is the destiny & success mentor to the world’s top leaders, keynote speaker & subconscious healer, recently featured expert in Women’s Insider and CEOTimes. Melissa helps Awakened High Achievers release deep subconscious fe... Show more

Elizabeth Dunbar is executive editor of MinnPost, an independent nonprofit newsroom based in Minneapolis. Before joining MinnPost in 2022, she was a member of the newsroom leadership team at Minnesota Public Radio. In both newsrooms, she has responded to complex breaking news and safety considerations for journalists during an unprecedented time in Minnesota, beginning with the pandemic and the George Floyd uprising in 2020 and most recently with ICE enforcement this winter in the Twin Cities.

Elizabeth Dunbar is executive editor of MinnPost, an independent nonprofit newsroom based in Minneapolis. Before joining MinnPost in 2022, she was a member of the newsroom leadership team at Minnesota Public Radio. In both newsrooms, she has responde... Show more

Julie Watts is a national-award-winning investigative correspondent for CBS News California. Based in California’s State Capitol, Julie's reporting combines watchdog journalism with solutions-focused storytelling to expose systemic failures, hold the powerful accountable, spur legislative reforms, increase transparency and drive change.

Julie Watts is a national-award-winning investigative correspondent for CBS News California. Based in California’s State Capitol, Julie's reporting combines watchdog journalism with solutions-focused storytelling to expose systemic failures, hold the... Show more

Brendan Keefe serves as Chief Investigator for Atlanta News First Investigates. He’s one of the most-decorated investigative reporters in the nation.

Brendan’s investigations have earned two National Emmys, the George Foster Peabody Award, the DuPont-Columbia Silver Baton, nine National Edward R. Murrow Awards, and more than 145 regional Emmys.

His biggest motivation is uncovering systemic and institutional failures with the goal of making our communities better and safer places in which to live. Brendan’s stories have changed laws, led to multiple patents, fixed the nation’s 911 system, and stopped DEA agents from searching innocent air travelers nationwide.

Brendan has worked as an investigative reporter in Atlanta for over a decade. He began his career 35 years ago as a news photographer. Brendan never really put the camera down as a reporter and anchor in cities across the nation, including Houston and New York City.

He was embedded with the US Army during the Iraq war. Brendan has also taught generations of journalists as a member of the visiting faculty of the Poynter Institute. Brendan graduated from Kenyon College with a degree in English Literature.

Today, Brendan is a one-man-band by choice, serving as his own photographer, producer and video editor on complex investigations for Atlanta News First, and Gray Media’s national program, InvestigateTV+.

Brendan Keefe serves as Chief Investigator for Atlanta News First Investigates. He’s one of the most-decorated investigative reporters in the nation. Brendan’s investigations have earned two National Emmys, the George Foster Peabody Award, the DuP... Show more

Growth and platform executive with 15+ years across media and technology ecosystems, leading revenue growth, digital transformation, partnerships, and operating model design. Known for building scalable commercial engines, owning multi-market revenue outcomes, and advising cross-sector stakeholders. • Drove 77% year-over-year member subscription growth and 50% growth in one quarter by redesigning acquisition, partnership, and commercial operating models.• Built and scaled digital revenue divisions, generating $400K+ annual digital revenue and 250% monthly growth in competitive broadcast markets.• Delivered approximately $1.3M annually through consultative digital, video, and sponsorship solutions.• Designed and governed scalable CRM and prospect intelligence systems, expanding active pipelines by 700%.• Led and developed teams ranging from market operators to 80+ distributed contributors globally.• Appointed by the FCC to lead national policy work on innovation and access to capital.• Founded and led original platform and IP initiatives with long-term monetization and ecosystem strategy.• Worked with 100s of companies in diverse sectors such as Agencies, CPGs, QSRs, Government, Non-profits, Sports, Auto, Events, Health.

Growth and platform executive with 15+ years across media and technology ecosystems, leading revenue growth, digital transformation, partnerships, and operating model design. Known for building scalable commercial engines, owning multi-market revenue... Show more

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

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

Janette Luviano is a journalist with 25+ years in mass media, including over 20 years in broadcast TV at Univision and Telemundo, where she served as News Director in Washington, DC. With professional experience in Mexico, Spain, the U.S., and China, she holds a degree in Communication Sciences and a master’s in Psychology and Education.

She is also a media consultant, leading public speaking engagements and workshops focused on communications, storytelling, and leadership.

Today, she is Director of Programs at Sachamama, where she leads Huella Zero, its environmental news platform, and the Climate Hub, advancing Latino climate leadership and community empowerment.

Janette Luviano is a journalist with 25+ years in mass media, including over 20 years in broadcast TV at Univision and Telemundo, where she served as News Director in Washington, DC. With professional experience in Mexico, Spain, the U.S., and China,... Show more

Joe Dana is a multi-media journalist in Phoenix covering public education, energy policy and climate.
Reports on schools examine:
-funding, academics and policy debates in the nation's first universal private voucher program, launched in 2023
-how federal, state and local tax dollars support three systems of education in Arizona (school districts, charter schools, ESA private vouchers)
-how billions of dollars flows from the state, to private voucher accounts, and then to education vendors, tutors, and retailers like Amazon. This multi-year investigation has led to an ongoing public records lawsuit brought by investigative reporter/colleague Craig Harris against the AZ Superintendent and Treasurer.
Joe's series, Power & Influence, examines climate and justice concerns in Arizona's energy sector. His stories exposed faulty customer service at Arizona's largest utility in 2019, prompting a $25 million class settlement. A 2025 investigation about utility shut-off deaths during extreme heat was credited by the AZ Attorney General for helping lead to a $7 million civil settlement for low-income customers.
Joe gets easily distracted, chasing random stories about stuff like birdwatching technology, the science of art therapy and what its like to walk Arizona's first barefoot forest trail.

Joe Dana is a multi-media journalist in Phoenix covering public education, energy policy and climate. Reports on schools examine: -funding, academics and policy debates in the nation's first universal private voucher program, launched in 2023 -how... Show more

Adedire Abiodun Christopher, widely known as @oacthecreator, is a visual storyteller and global changemaker using the power of storytelling to inspire action and amplify unheard voices.

Via his storytelling abilities, he’s made unknown people celebrated across the world, he’s made some who had nothing, millionaires overnight.

With a digital footprint that has reached over 100 million people across social media, his work blends creativity with purpose, reminding people that storytelling can be more than just entertainment. Through powerful visual stories, he challenges people to look beyond virality and views, and instead, to create with intention.

His storytelling continues to motivate thousands to create not just for clout or money, but to create for something greater: change, impact, and legacy.

Adedire Abiodun Christopher, widely known as @oacthecreator, is a visual storyteller and global changemaker using the power of storytelling to inspire action and amplify unheard voices. Via his storytelling abilities, he’s made unknown people cele... Show more

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

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

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

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

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

Ann Marie Awad is an award-winning independent audio journalist with more than 15 years of experience in the news business. As a host and reporter in public radio newsrooms across three different states, their work has also aired nationally on NPR and Here & Now. Ann Marie has produced, edited and consulted on podcast projects with clients including Audible, SONOS and WAMU.

Ann Marie Awad is an award-winning independent audio journalist with more than 15 years of experience in the news business. As a host and reporter in public radio newsrooms across three different states, their work has also aired nationally on NPR an... Show more

Steve Geimann was a reporter, editor, manager and executive for more than four decades in print, broadcast, trade press and wire services. He is active in professional journalism groups and leads the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications, the agency that accredits 118 international college journalism and mass communications programs. He was elected in 2025 to a three-year term as Council president.
Geimann was 1996-97 president of the Society of Professional Journalists, the 117-year-old group of U.S. professional and student journalists. He was president of the Sigma Delta Chi Foundation, now the SPJ Foundation, the educational arm of the Society, from 2006-12. He won the Wells Memorial Key, the Society's highest honor, in 2001.
The long-time Washington, D.C., resident managed weekend coverage of Europe, the Middle East and Africa for Bloomberg News in London for more than three years, after leading coverage of regulation, transportation, politics and technology in Washington. For two years, he anchored Bloomberg Radio’s “The Final Word,” a daily wrap-up of market, company and political news broadcast in New York and on satellite radio.
Geimann spent 11 years at United Press International, including two years as executive editor and spokesman.

Steve Geimann was a reporter, editor, manager and executive for more than four decades in print, broadcast, trade press and wire services. He is active in professional journalism groups and leads the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and... Show more

Daniel Stanica is a Romanian SEO, AI Visibility, and digital assets advisor. As the founder of Competico, he helps digital businesses adapt to AI-driven search by building frameworks that define what it means for brands to be discoverable in the LLM era. With 15+ years in the WordPress, hosting, and affiliate ecosystems, he's a recurring presence at CloudFest, Domain Days Dubai, and WordCamp Europe.

Daniel Stanica is a Romanian SEO, AI Visibility, and digital assets advisor. As the founder of Competico, he helps digital businesses adapt to AI-driven search by building frameworks that define what it means for brands to be discoverable in the LLM ... Show more

I am a Podcaster and Public Speaker who creates content, workshops and talks for businesses as well as the youth . I am always looking to offer my services, and support the youth through my talents and experience. My topics that I touch on are Personal branding, storytelling and Podcasting (media).

I am a Podcaster and Public Speaker who creates content, workshops and talks for businesses as well as the youth . I am always looking to offer my services, and support the youth through my talents and experience. My topics that I touch on are Perso... Show more

Harmony Sithole is the Founder of One Percent Academy, a communication and leadership development platform focused on helping professionals, founders, executives, and teams speak with clarity, confidence, and influence.

A Pan-African speaker, strategist, and communication coach, Harmony is the creator of the S.P.E.A.K Framework™, a practical communication model designed to help leaders structure their message, command attention, and communicate with impact.

Through his work, he has trained and coached over 500 leaders, startups, professionals, and executives, equipping them with tools for public speaking, executive presence, persuasive communication, and leadership articulation.

His mission is simple:

“Your voice is a weapon. Wield it.”

Harmony Sithole is the Founder of One Percent Academy, a communication and leadership development platform focused on helping professionals, founders, executives, and teams speak with clarity, confidence, and influence. A Pan-African speaker, stra... Show more

Dr. Sandesh Lamsal is a practising physician and public figure from Nepal. He helps audiences and organisations bridge medicine, digital influence, and social impact. He translates clinical knowledge into clear, actionable health education using real patient stories and both Nepali and global perspectives. This enables individuals and communities to make informed decisions on prevention, well-being, and daily resilience.

As a social media creator, philanthropist, and author, Dr. Lamsal delivers practical insights on digital wellness, youth empowerment, public health innovation, and community leadership. His talks and programmes connect health education with responsible online habits and measurable social action. They inspire individuals, NGOs, schools, and healthcare partners to collaborate and create lasting change.

Dr. Sandesh Lamsal is a practising physician and public figure from Nepal. He helps audiences and organisations bridge medicine, digital influence, and social impact. He translates clinical knowledge into clear, actionable health education using real... Show more

Alberto Lucas López is a Spanish-born journalist who, since 2016, has served as Senior Artist – New Narratives at National Geographic Magazine. In this role, he specializes in the development of innovative approaches to visual storytelling and graphic journalism. His individual work has been honored with more than 200 international awards from Webby, SPD, WAN-IFRA, IIBA, DJA Global Editors Network, SND and CaGIS, among other organizations. It is worth highlighting he has been awarded with the Best of Show Malofiej—that distinguishes the best infographic in the world published of the year—, two Human Rights Award Malofiej, the Best Map of the World Miguel Urabayen Award, and the Impressive Individual Award from Information Is Beautiful Awards. Occasionally, he serves as a jury in journalistic contests such as the Premio GABO, WAN-IFRA World Media Awards or the Society of Publishers in Asia Awards, and leads talks and workshops internationally on visual storytelling.

Prior to joining National Geographic, he was Graphics Director at Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Society for News Design and, in recent years, has devoted a significant portion of his time to doctoral research in Arts and Education. He also regularly delivers international lectures and leads workshops on visual storytelling.

Alberto Lucas López is a Spanish-born journalist who, since 2016, has served as Senior Artist – New Narratives at National Geographic Magazine. In this role, he specializes in the development of innovative approaches to visual storytelling and graphi... Show more

Angie is a multidisciplinary educator, director, and wellness innovator whose work brings together neuroscience, awareness, and the performing arts through Learning HOW to Age™. This curriculum-based program integrates research on brain health with experiential practices from acting, voice, and movement, offering engaging, skill-based approaches to lifelong vitality and presence.

She serves as administrator for the Expressive Avenues Wellness YouTube channel, where she shares lessons designed to support active, independent aging. Angie holds an MFA from the University of Louisville and brings decades of experience in education, performing, directing, and media production. Angie leads experiential breakout sessions at aging conferences like the National Council on Aging, sharing results from a two-year implementation of Learning HOW to Age™ with independent living adults averaging 81 years old. She will present “Learning HOW to Age™: An Experiential, Intergenerational Program—Skills for Every Generation” for the first time at the Mid-Atlantic Intergenerational Conference, expanding the curriculum into an actionable intergenerational model across the lifespan.

A survivor of a catastrophic car accident, Angie chronicles her journey through coma and back into consciousness in her memoir Emerging: From Coma to Presence. With honesty, humor, and candor, she reflects on what she encountered in that liminal space and later with a numinous bearded iris—offering a deeply human perspective on resilience, awareness, and what it means to truly be present.

Angie is a multidisciplinary educator, director, and wellness innovator whose work brings together neuroscience, awareness, and the performing arts through Learning HOW to Age™. This curriculum-based program integrates research on brain health with e... Show more

Wesley Ellul is President and co-founder of Technotainment®, the world's first decentralized streaming network pioneering what's being called Streaming 2.0 — where creators own their revenue, audiences shape the experience, and Hollywood meets Web3. A leading voice on the future of entertainment and emerging technology, Wesley brings two decades of experience at the intersection of blockchain, AI, and creator economies.
Co-founded alongside media legend Nyhl Henson — the visionary behind MTV, Nickelodeon, and Pay-Per-View — Technotainment has drawn comparisons to the early days of cable, with Henson likening Wesley to "Ted Turner when he entered the cable business."
A serial entrepreneur and former technology consultant to global organizations including the University of Oxford, Light & Wonder, and SiGMA, Wesley has built a reputation for translating complex emerging technologies into real-world business results. He is also a Maltese Government Diplomat for startup innovation, and an advisor to leading Web3 ventures.

Wesley Ellul is President and co-founder of Technotainment®, the world's first decentralized streaming network pioneering what's being called Streaming 2.0 — where creators own their revenue, audiences shape the experience, and Hollywood meets Web3. ... Show more

Khayri has over a decade of engineering experience, from co-founding a Knight Foundation award winning security startup to leading engineering at Al Jazeera America, The Atlantic, and Axios. He has spent his career building products that reach millions. Now he's building the digital layer that recreational sports has always been missing.

Khayri has over a decade of engineering experience, from co-founding a Knight Foundation award winning security startup to leading engineering at Al Jazeera America, The Atlantic, and Axios. He has spent his career building products that reach millio... Show more

Great Oloyede is a multifaceted professional building a unique career at the intersection of brand marketing and product management. Passionate about bridging creativity and strategy, she thrives on driving engagement, shaping brand identity, and streamlining product processes—transforming ideas into experiences that spark connection and drive impact.

Great Oloyede is a multifaceted professional building a unique career at the intersection of brand marketing and product management. Passionate about bridging creativity and strategy, she thrives on driving engagement, shaping brand identity, and str... Show more

Muhammad Hassaan is a 16-year-old award-winning & certified youth leader, journalist, and education-focused changemaker. He is one of the youngest news anchors in the country (Asian Book of Records & National Book of Records), currently serving with the Awaz Group of Media (Radio Awaz & Awaz News). He has been invited as a guest lecturer at APS&CS, FGEI, and Fauji Foundation College. In 2025, Hassaan founded the Visionary Tech Society, a youth-led initiative aimed at promoting AI awareness & digital literacy, particularly in underserved communities. Through this platform, he has delivered free lectures & mentorship in AI & tech to thousands of students. His work aligns with UN SDG 4: Quality Education, earning him recognition as a UN SDG Hero. Hassaan co-organized TEDxAir University Kamra and played a leading role in bringing the first-ever TEDx experience to a region like Attock. He co-led the entire event, working closely with all departments to ensure its success, and also served as a speaker at TEDxAir University Kamra. He is an accomplished author, with a book officially selected for the Legacy of Literature Award by The Literature Times, chosen from a diverse pool of submissions for excellence and impact. He has served as a Campus Ambassador Intern for an International MUN. He was selected among the Top 50 delegates across the Asia Pacific for the Asia World Muslim Summit 2026 (Malaysia), where he was recognized with the Asia Muslim Inspiring Ambassador Award 2026 and chosen as a self-funded delegate for the Youth Ambassador Fellowship Malaysia 2025. Hassaan served as Vice President of the Attock Champions League 2025, co-leading one of the largest student-led inter-school & inter-college football tournaments in Attock, involving 19 prominent institutions. He also served as a Student Ambassador for Let’s Go Together Community (Pvt Ltd), a national-level initiative supporting home-based women entrepreneurs. He co-founded Trendora Studios, a marketing agency, where, as Creative Director, he led the visual direction of client campaigns. He also serves as a board member of the Pakistan Artificial Intelligence Association, a youth-led emerging AI organization, providing recommendations to drive organizational growth. His professional exposure includes attending ITCN Asia Lahore 2026 and the Global CISO Summit (Pakistan Edition) as a VIP delegate. Hassaan is certified in IT & Tech from Microsoft, Google, and multiple other leading global institutions. He has been recognized with prestigious awards, including the Impact Creator Award at Expo Center Lahore during the Future Leaders Award 2026, and special recognition at the Parliament of Australia during the World School Summit 2026 (Australia). He has been nominated among the Top 100 Student Leaders of Pakistan and received the Top Student Leader Award at Islamabad National Skills University, along with multiple debating competition victories and extensive features in national media.

Muhammad Hassaan is a 16-year-old award-winning & certified youth leader, journalist, and education-focused changemaker. He is one of the youngest news anchors in the country (Asian Book of Records & National Book of Records), currently serving with ... Show more

Derek is a senior analyst with extensive experience working across Europe’s largest organizations in the pharmaceutical, retail, banking, and media sectors. Over his career, he has helped global companies turn complex data into actionable insights that drive commercial growth and strategic decision-making.

A regular speaker at international conferences, Dereks work has been cited in several books and he is known for bringing clarity to complexity, connecting analytical rigor with practical and pragmatic business impact. His work focuses on enabling organizations to harness data intelligently, foster innovation, and achieve measurable performance improvement across diverse markets.

Derek is a senior analyst with extensive experience working across Europe’s largest organizations in the pharmaceutical, retail, banking, and media sectors. Over his career, he has helped global companies turn complex data into actionable insights th... Show more

Michael Collett is a San Francisco born-and-based career designer with nearly two decades of experience in graphic, print, brand, web and generalized two-dimensional design. He has also taught, designed, developed and built exhibitions and public programs, while operating as a sole practitioner and team member at studios, start-ups and institutions.

He is currently the Design Director and a co-founder at Àrokò Cooperative, a worker-owned design studio and publishing concern.

Michael Collett is a San Francisco born-and-based career designer with nearly two decades of experience in graphic, print, brand, web and generalized two-dimensional design. He has also taught, designed, developed and built exhibitions and public pro... Show more

Multiple award winning agency owner. Started with zero resources, zero network and built a million dollar agency that is the only one in europe that has won tiktok awards twice, one of europe’s most sought after public speaker within field of AI and marketing. An international speaker seen on stages at Cannes Lions festival, TEDx, a taste of Brilliant Minds, Techarenan, Innowave Summit and many more.

Founder of Bright Mind Agency and oriiion.ai

Speaks from experience of working with some of the worlds biggest brands, how to actually succeed with marketing and ai, sharing personal stories and practical insights, tools and work flows that anyone could implement for immediate results.

Multiple award winning agency owner. Started with zero resources, zero network and built a million dollar agency that is the only one in europe that has won tiktok awards twice, one of europe’s most sought after public speaker within field of AI and ... Show more

Damir Šlogar, a luminary in the video game industry, has dedicated over four decades to advancing interactive entertainment. His journey began in the 1980s, developing proprietary games for platforms like MSX and Commodore Amiga. Transitioning through roles in broadcasting and journalism, he eventually ventured into game development in North America, contributing to over 150 titles, including renowned franchises such as Shrek, Barbie, and Battlefield.
In 2004, Šlogar founded Big Blue Bubble, a Canadian video game company that gained international acclaim with titles like "My Singing Monsters," reaching over 250 million players worldwide.
Returning to his hometown of Zagreb, Šlogar established the Video Game Museum to showcase the evolution of video games and their impact on technology and pop culture. He aims to share his passion with the world, especially younger generations who may not have experienced the magic of gaming's early days.
Damir Šlogar's remarkable career and dedication are poised to significantly enrich Zagreb's cultural and tourist offerings, providing a comprehensive look into the history and significance of video games.

Damir Šlogar, a luminary in the video game industry, has dedicated over four decades to advancing interactive entertainment. His journey began in the 1980s, developing proprietary games for platforms like MSX and Commodore Amiga. Transitioning throug... Show more

Margaret Juhae Lee is the author of the award-winning Starry Field: A Memoir of Lost History (Melville House), which was named a best book of 2024 by the San Francisco Chronicle and other outlets. A former literary editor at The Nation, she received a Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Studies Fellowship from Harvard University and a Korean Studies Fellowship from the Korea Foundation. Her articles have been published in The Nation, Newsday, Elle, ARTnews, Writer's Digest and The Rumpus. A seasoned public speaker, she has lectured and taught workshops at universities, libraries and community organizations on searching for family history and how to talked to loved ones about the past, She lives in Oakland, California, with her family.

Margaret Juhae Lee is the author of the award-winning Starry Field: A Memoir of Lost History (Melville House), which was named a best book of 2024 by the San Francisco Chronicle and other outlets. A former literary editor at The Nation, she received ... Show more

Divine is a product-minded media creative who blends storytelling with strategy. Sitting at the intersection of design, video, and digital products, he doesn’t just create content; he engineers experiences that capture attention and drive results. From crafting compelling visuals to building ideas into scalable products, his work is driven by one thing: turning creativity into impact.

Divine is a product-minded media creative who blends storytelling with strategy. Sitting at the intersection of design, video, and digital products, he doesn’t just create content; he engineers experiences that capture attention and drive results. Fr... Show more

Michael Stern is a leader of the new communications era. As the CEO and Founder of HeadStart, Michael is redefining how Digital Health, HR Tech, and Venture Capital firms build authority in an age where the traditional PR model has fundamentally collapsed.

A three-time founder and former TV News Executive Producer, Michael possesses a "double-lens" view of the media landscape. He recognizes that in a world of AI-generated noise and fragmented attention, the old tools—pay-to-play schemes and static press releases—are no longer just ineffective; they are a liability. Michael’s mission is to replace "legacy PR" with a forward-looking framework that ensures a brand’s story reaches audiences where they are at, not where PR agencies think they have the easiest time getting placements, by developing owned and earned media strategies with LLM results in mind.

Under Michael’s leadership, HeadStart operates as an innovation partner for startups, turning "back-of-the-napkin" visions into market-defining narratives. He is a frequent speaker and mentor at Techstars, the Johns Hopkins Accelerator, and DC Startup Week, where he teaches founders how to build media engines that scale trust as fast as they scale code.

Based outside of Denver, Michael is a voracious reader and a dedicated supporter of Philadelphia sports, the Maryland Terrapins, and Everton FC.

Michael Stern is a leader of the new communications era. As the CEO and Founder of HeadStart, Michael is redefining how Digital Health, HR Tech, and Venture Capital firms build authority in an age where the traditional PR model has fundamentally coll... Show more

Advancing the state-of-the-art by bringing radical creativity and innovation to the convergence of artificial intelligence, autonomy, software, cybersecurity, and real-time streaming data at scale in the Joint All-Domain (JADO/JADC2) battlespace.

Specializes in massively scaled, fully autonomous, all-domain swarm warfare ( UxS ).

Cohost of one of the world’s most popular and longest running AI podcasts. Making artificial intelligence practical, productive, and accessible to everyone.

Advancing the state-of-the-art by bringing radical creativity and innovation to the convergence of artificial intelligence, autonomy, software, cybersecurity, and real-time streaming data at scale in the Joint All-Domain (JADO/JADC2) battlespace. ... Show more