Abdifatah Hassan Roble is Somali technologist, writer, and advocate from the Bay region of Somalia. Abdifatah brings incredible experience, perseverance, and expertise as an online platform builder, writer, and activist for the education of Somali youth and greater Somali community through technological empowerment. Abdifatah was born in Sanca, Yemen while his family was internally displaced from the civil war in Somalia. He hails from Mogadishu. Abdifatah embodies Somali values and is committed to lifting the Somali community as a whole.

Abdifatah graduated from Salaam University with a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (2025), focusing on Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, and Artificial Intelligence. Abdifatah is the first university graduate in his family. He is studying for his Master’s and PhD in Cybersecurity and AI, with the intention of contributing to global research and policy making.

Abdifatah Hassan Roble founded Somali Tech Digest in 2025, aiming to educate Somali speaking populations and a global audience on technology policies, digital security, and the innovation shaping the region. Abdifatah critically examines laws and policies pertaining to cybersecurity in countries which matter most to Somali tech stakeholders, and writes original content in both English and Somali for his readers. By drawing parallels to similar trends in the West, Abdifatah consistently delivers smart, accessible coverage of rapid digital transformation for Somali Tech Digest readers.

Professionally, Abdifatah is a Sales Representative at Premier Bank as well as Shaakir Furniture where he gained key skills such as business communication and building customer trust while utilizing technology to effectively engage in promotional activities. Abdifatah combines expertise in this field while emphasizing the importance of effective communication that links to the technical knowledge that the customer is seeking.

Abdifatah is dedicated to serving the Somali population and the global community at large. He is deeply involved in the local community and is an avid promoter of youth empowerment and growth. Abdifatah is an avid reader and publisher of law review articles, particularly in the realm of cybersecurity law. In his free time, Abdifatah enjoys learning about cultural differences and exploring the lives of rural Europeans. Abdifatah is a persistent, motivated, and hopeful individual that thrives in the face of adversity. Most importantly, Abdifatah is driven by a desire to leave a lasting legacy. As such, he strives to achieve the maximum potential of every endeavor that he pursues.

Areas of Expertise

Cybersecurity & Artificial Intelligence

Digital Strategy & Business Agility

Editorial Leadership & Community Engagement

Stakeholder Analysis & Communication

Comparative Cybersecurity Law

Sessions

1. Database-Last Design in Somali Context
For decades, software started from the database out, with the database at the core and the rest of the application circling around it. In modern application design, we start from the user tasks and work our way out, trying to be as flexible as possible. In this talk, I will highlight to Somali developers and organizations how “database-last” design can be used to build sustainable, scalable, and user-centric software systems.
You’ll learn:
The transition from database-centric to user-centric design

Architecture of CQRS, microservices, NoSQL (practice)

How agile, cross-functional teams succeed with loosely coupled components

Life After Story Points: Somali Agile Planning

Story points are often the focus of much consternation during sprint planning. This talk presents alternative planning techniques that actually use real numbers and has been validated with Somali developers with strict, fixed capacity limits.
You’ll learn:
Put some real numbers behind your decision making

Ways to structure your time so that you get the most out of it

Agile Requirements: Building What Somalia Needs
Requirements gathering is a hard problem

too rigid in traditional approaches and too fuzzy in early agile adoption. In this talk, a balanced approach will be presented for capturing requirements to improve productivity in Somali organizations.
You’ll learn:

Writing clear, simple user stories

Using acceptance criteria to capture details

Balancing analysis with responsiveness

The value of documenting conversations and decisions

Great Retrospectives that Drive Change
This interactive session explores how to keep the ritual fresh and go home with real improvements!
You’ll learn:

Setting goals and benefits for retrospective session

Feedback Best Practices for Improved Outcomes

Formats that generate actionable outcomes

Methods to measure success beyond intuition

Scrum vs. Kanban: Lessons for Somali Teams
Scrum vs Kanban? Both methods have been used successfully in many environments and contexts. In this meeting we will go through the strengths and weaknesses of Scrum and Kanban so Somali teams can decide which method suits them better.
You’ll learn:

Misconceptions about both methodologies

Visibility of work and planning timelines

Handling work in progress and shifting priorities

Mixing and blending traditional and modern methods

Hunting Down the Elusive MVP
One of the biggest challenges when creating a new product or service is defining a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). This interactive session gives Somali startups and innovators tools to identify and deliver a relevant MVP.
You’ll learn:

Visioning, personas, and user journeys

Story mapping and risk evaluation

Creating a realistic release plan

Building a canvas that ties everything together

When traditional sizing is not useless

Abdifatah Hassan Roble is Somali technologist, writer, and advocate from the Bay region of Somalia. Abdifatah brings incredible experience, perseverance, and expertise as an online platform builder, writer, and activist for the education of Somali yo... 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

Engin Eser is Co-Founder of Event Punks GmbH, a Creative Tech Studio that transforms business challenges into playable experiences. From gamified recruiting and immersive brand activations to game-based training and edutainment, built on platforms like Roblox, Fortnite, Minecraft, and the Web.

On the Microsoft side, Engin is a Microsoft MVP and Power Platform practitioner with a strong focus on Power Apps Code Apps, Copilot extensibility, and AI Agent development. He builds solutions that bridge the gap between low-code and pro-code and believes that great technology should feel less like a tool and more like an experience.

He speaks at international conferences about gamification, UX-driven app design, and the future of immersive digital experiences.

Engin Eser is Co-Founder of Event Punks GmbH, a Creative Tech Studio that transforms business challenges into playable experiences. From gamified recruiting and immersive brand activations to game-based training and edutainment, built on platforms li... Show more

Karen Riley-Love is a hyper-local tourism strategist and entrepreneur who has helped transform Anna Maria Island into a sought-after wedding destination through local-first partnerships and marketing. She is a CO—100 Honoree, recognized as one of the Top 100 Small Businesses in the nation by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and one of only ten businesses awarded the Customer Champion distinction. Karen is a multi-time Visit Florida Flagler Award winner, including Best of Show, and was named Tourism Ambassador of the Year by the Bradenton Area CVB and featured in First for Women Magazine. She is a featured speaker at The Digital Marketing Conference, sharing how community-driven brands scale with authenticity. Karen blends creativity with strategy to promote sustainable, high-value tourism, leveraging community, culture, and local charm to create visitor experiences that resonate far beyond the shoreline.

Karen Riley-Love is a hyper-local tourism strategist and entrepreneur who has helped transform Anna Maria Island into a sought-after wedding destination through local-first partnerships and marketing. She is a CO—100 Honoree, recognized as one of the... 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

Jennie has solved business problems with technology for two decades. She has managed products for companies large and small with software developers, marketers, customer support, and clients from a wide variety of industries, proprietary and open source, B2B and B2B2C. She loves talking shop about how to solve user problems, build the right thing, and help teams thrive.

Jennie has solved business problems with technology for two decades. She has managed products for companies large and small with software developers, marketers, customer support, and clients from a wide variety of industries, proprietary and open so... Show more

Collette helps businesses translate how people strategy directly underpins business strategy. Crucially how to engage the potential 90% of your team who, according to Gallop, are disengaged and increasingly unhappy. Collette she's a neuroscience informed practitioner, fixing engagement is not easy - but it is not as hard that you'd imagine.

Employee engagement is at a crisis low and it is probably silently killing your businesses - if your average employee paid to work 37.5 hours a week - an average you might be getting less than 4 hours a week from them.

We can cut through the noise and talk openly and honestly about human operating systems that help build high-performing teams and joyous workplaces (remote or other) based upon the combined strengths your people are today, not continuing being suffocated by environments and ways of working that were built for a imaginary human being that doesn't even exist!

Collette combines 25 years in digital marketing space, 15 in leadership including an CEO role; with her accredited Leadership coaching qualification (AC) + qualified neuroscience for change practitioner (APMG), making her uniquely qualified to help your teams, help themselves and your businesses thrive again.

Collette helps businesses translate how people strategy directly underpins business strategy. Crucially how to engage the potential 90% of your team who, according to Gallop, are disengaged and increasingly unhappy. Collette she's a neuroscience info... Show more

Jonny Selimović, a.k.a. his artist name, Jonny Music, is an Organ Cover Artist who has produced over 920 organ covers of popular tunes and soundtrack music and counting for over 10 years. For a long time, he's had a profound and long-lasting passion for music and its powerful effects on positively changing lives, including music/rhythm games like the Rock Band and Guitar Hero series. Bonus fact: He has two mascots representing his music artist brand: his ponysona, Silver Whistle, and his mouse fursona, Jonny Musemiš.

Jonny Selimović, a.k.a. his artist name, Jonny Music, is an Organ Cover Artist who has produced over 920 organ covers of popular tunes and soundtrack music and counting for over 10 years. For a long time, he's had a profound and long-lasting passion ... Show more

Lead UX/Digital Product Designer with over 20 years of experience and certification in design strategy. My career spans major tech hubs, including New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and London, where I've delivered impactful digital solutions across diverse industries.

Beyond client work, I'm committed to advancing the design community through thought leadership and mentorship. I regularly publish insights on UX and product design, speak at industry conferences and events, and mentor emerging designers. My work has built an engaged audience of 10,000+ followers across Medium, LinkedIn, and X.

Lead UX/Digital Product Designer with over 20 years of experience and certification in design strategy. My career spans major tech hubs, including New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and London, where I've delivered impactful digital solutions acro... Show more

Jon Rivers is the Co-Founder and COO of Marketeery, where he helps ERP and CRM partners, ISVs, and technology companies turn complex solutions into clear, compelling marketing that drives real pipeline. With 20+ years in the Microsoft and broader tech ecosystem, Jon focuses on the intersection of SEO, AEO, GEO, social media, and AI-driven search—and how those shifts are changing buyer behavior in the Dynamics channel.

Known as a pioneer in the Microsoft partner community, Jon leads go-to-market strategy at Marketeery across fractional CMO engagements and content-driven campaigns, with a sharp, performance-obsessed approach to improving traffic, engagement, and opportunities. He’s also a frequent conference and webinar speaker, regularly presenting at Directions North America, Community Summit, and Dynamics user groups and local chapters.

Jon Rivers is the Co-Founder and COO of Marketeery, where he helps ERP and CRM partners, ISVs, and technology companies turn complex solutions into clear, compelling marketing that drives real pipeline. With 20+ years in the Microsoft and broader tec... Show more

Layshi Curbelo is a user experience designer specializing in digital accessibility, with a focus on creating inclusive solutions with high return on investment (ROI). She holds a Bachelor's degree in Advertising, a Master's degree in Education with a specialization in Instructional Design, and certifications in User Experience.

She is the CEO of Command Z Studio and the Command Z podcast, where she explores trends and challenges in design. Additionally, she produces other design-focused podcasts, including Design Tracks from Design Matters and If U Seek from the company Useberry. She is also the CTO and Co-Founder of Yestoday, an innovative software that blends creativity and functionality for entrepreneurs and creatives, ensuring that technology transforms ideas into tangible realities.

With over a decade of experience, Layshi has worked on international projects and has been a speaker at prestigious events such as Design Matters, South by Southwest, Interaction Foundation, and the 2020 Ibero-American Biennial, where she was a finalist. She has created educational materials used in more than 16 countries and has spoken at over 30 international conferences. Her commitment is to make every digital experience accessible and effective, changing the world one pixel at a time.

Layshi Curbelo is a user experience designer specializing in digital accessibility, with a focus on creating inclusive solutions with high return on investment (ROI). She holds a Bachelor's degree in Advertising, a Master's degree in Education with a... Show more

Candice Grobler is the founder of Candid Collab, a systems-savvy community consultancy helping solo founders and stretched teams build community-led marketing engines that scale revenue.

After a CPTSD diagnosis and a “you’re unemployable” jab from a well-meaning manager, Candice left the cubicle grind to forge a new model: one where neuro-spicy, outside-the-norm entrepreneurs could thrive through mentorship, scrappy systems, and candid community.

Today, she’s a sought-after mentor and speaker known for transforming sticky-note chaos into streamlined workflows and turning feast-or-famine floundering into steady, soul-aligned revenue. Her live talks, workshops, and interviews blend radical candour with practical playbooks, because life’s too short to build someone else’s empire (or burn out building your own).

Candice has helped dozens of founders grow recurring revenue, reduce burnout, and build communities that market for them, without agency retainers, bro-marketing gloss, or a selling out.

Candice Grobler is the founder of Candid Collab, a systems-savvy community consultancy helping solo founders and stretched teams build community-led marketing engines that scale revenue. After a CPTSD diagnosis and a “you’re unemployable” jab from... Show more

Dmytro is a Senior Cloud Operations Engineer at Sage Austria and an AWS Community Builder based in Vienna, Austria. He co-leads AWS User Group Vienna alongside AWS Hero Linda Mohamed, helping grow one of Central Europe's most active cloud communities.
Before Sage, Dima built his cloud foundation at APA-IT — the technology arm of the Austrian Press Agency — where he architected cloud infrastructure for Austria's national broadcaster ORF and developed media workflow systems where latency and reliability are not negotiable. That background in broadcast-grade infrastructure shaped how he thinks about every system he touches today.
By day, Dima manages complex enterprise infrastructure — AWS migrations, Cloudflare security at scale, Progress OpenEdge systems, and production environments where a wrong config means a very bad morning for a lot of people. He's the engineer who gets paged at 2 AM when 1.6 million requests hit in a single day, and who turns those incidents into architecture lessons worth sharing.
His talks bridge the gap between deep technical depth and real-world pragmatism: no theoretical slides, no happy-path demos. If he's on stage, there's a production story behind it, numbers to back it up, and something the audience can implement on Monday.
Outside of infrastructure fires, Dima is a photographer who built a serverless AWS pipeline to process over 8,000 community event photos in a single conference season — because if you're going to automate something, it might as well be something you love.
Dima speaks at AWS Community Days across Europe — Vienna, Prague, Budapest — and has presented at events as far as Abu Dhabi. He's been recognized as Rookie of the Year at Sage and brings the same energy to the community that he brings to an incident bridge call: calm, direct, and focused on what actually works.

Dmytro is a Senior Cloud Operations Engineer at Sage Austria and an AWS Community Builder based in Vienna, Austria. He co-leads AWS User Group Vienna alongside AWS Hero Linda Mohamed, helping grow one of Central Europe's most active cloud communities... Show more

Joeri is a Belgium-born, Portugal-based Fractional CMO, AI Visibility Strategist, and author of The Future CMO. He advises founders and executive teams on marketing leadership, brand positioning, and visibility in AI-driven markets. He helps companies become discoverable, accurately represented, and recommended by both customers and the AI systems that increasingly mediate them: ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, and Google's generative search.

Philip Kotler endorsed his last book 'The Future CMO': The best update that I have read on the role and work of CMOs. A must-read for leaders ready to embrace financial accountability.

Philip Kotler, S.C. Johnson & Son Distinguished Professor of International Marketing, Kellogg School of Management

Joeri is a Belgium-born, Portugal-based Fractional CMO, AI Visibility Strategist, and author of The Future CMO. He advises founders and executive teams on marketing leadership, brand positioning, and visibility in AI-driven markets. He helps companie... Show more

Ana Sarmiento is a senior media executive and an expert in navigating the complexities of the post-AI media landscape. Her focus extends beyond content creation to the critical mechanics of performance: using AI to unlock deeper audience insights and solving the real-world challenges facing modern media companies. From combating the traffic implications of liquid content to standing out in increasingly saturated creator marketplaces, Ana provides real world data-backed tactics. She draws on her deep experience in revenue operations to help organizations identify hidden costs and implement the emerging business models required to thrive in a synthetic media world.

She is the Director of AI Revenue at Advance Local and has an extensive background at industry giants including Disney, Paramount, and HBO. She has an EMBA from UCLA Anderson and a BBA from The University of Georgia. She brings a rare trifecta to the stage: creative media intuition, technical product rigor, and the high-stakes financial strategy of management consulting. Ana provides an action-oriented blueprint for turning Generative AI innovation into commercial success.

Ana Sarmiento is a senior media executive and an expert in navigating the complexities of the post-AI media landscape. Her focus extends beyond content creation to the critical mechanics of performance: using AI to unlock deeper audience insights and... Show more

A reference in the world of design and product, creator of La Conf Qui Tue Le Game, and a key contributor to the rise of user- and product-centered culture at France Télévisions for over 10 years, Michael Baeyens (“Mitch”) is currently National Director of Product and Design Practices at eXalt, leading a community of more than 200 product and design professionals (since June 2024).

Following the success of Human After All — closing keynote at UX Conf 2023 (800+ attendees) and subsequently performed 8 times across France for a total audience of over 3,500 — Mitch established himself as a distinctive voice on the ethical, cultural and strategic impacts of AI, drawing a parallel between the career of Daft Punk and our relationship with automation, robotics and generative systems.

Since then, he has created and delivered two major conferences:

UI0 – Interface Zero: The Rise of Invisible Products in the Age of AI,
an exploration of how AI agents are reshaping product design by shifting from user-facing interfaces to products designed for agent-consumers. The talk examines the deep impact of this paradigm shift on design and product roles, methods and responsibilities. UI0 has been presented more than 16 times across France and internationally (including LPC Paris and PMF Zurich), reaching over 8,000 attendees and generating more than 8,000 video views.

FAMOUS – Lessons Learned on Brand, Values and Resilience from the Most Iconic (and Maybe the Most Underrated) Product of Our Times (FLUPA 2025),
a cultural and strategic analysis of Taylor Swift’s career as a product ecosystem, extracting concrete lessons on brand consistency, long-term vision, value systems and resilience that modern product teams can apply to their own work.

Recognized for mastering the art of storytelling, Mitch brings audiences along through a distinctive mix of sharp insight, humor, personal anecdotes and pop culture references. Sitting at the intersection of strategic planning, design leadership and product expertise, he delivers talks that are both intellectually rigorous and highly engaging — making him an unmissable speaker on the future of product, design and culture in the age of AI.

A reference in the world of design and product, creator of La Conf Qui Tue Le Game, and a key contributor to the rise of user- and product-centered culture at France Télévisions for over 10 years, Michael Baeyens (“Mitch”) is currently National Direc... Show more

Brian R. Yurachek is a former 'Wall Street' asset manager and founder of Parallel Worlds, Inc., where he develops IoT-driven media platforms that connect physical environments with digital assets for next-generation user experiences.

Brian R. Yurachek is a former 'Wall Street' asset manager and founder of Parallel Worlds, Inc., where he develops IoT-driven media platforms that connect physical environments with digital assets for next-generation user experiences. 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

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

Nathan Saldanha is the Global Sales Director at Codehouse and a Sitecore Ambassador MVP (2025 & 2026). With Ten years of digital transformation and Industry 4.0 experience, he specialises in crafting compelling business cases for enterprise website rebuilds and Personalisation at scale. Nathan has been part of Sitecore implementations across APAC and North America, including award-winning projects. He is passionate about helping organisations unlock real business value through scalable, future proofed architecture and smart platform strategy.

Nathan Saldanha is the Global Sales Director at Codehouse and a Sitecore Ambassador MVP (2025 & 2026). With Ten years of digital transformation and Industry 4.0 experience, he specialises in crafting compelling business cases for enterprise website r... Show more

Chad Crawford is a third-generation Floridian and a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV host and outdoor adventurer, with a unique perspective on Florida like no one else in the world. Over his 25-year career, he has dedicated himself to telling the story of the state he loves. Chad has collaborated with major government agencies, conservation groups, and tourism organizations giving him a rare perspective into the tourism industry.
In his current role as Director of Strategic Partnerships with Conservation Florida, he continues to build valuable relationships to help protect the state's natural resources.
Chad is a father of four and resides in Lake Mary. He enjoys fishing, camping, open water swimming, and taking on whatever adventures Florida can serve up.

Chad Crawford is a third-generation Floridian and a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV host and outdoor adventurer, with a unique perspective on Florida like no one else in the world. Over his 25-year career, he has dedicated himself to telling the sto... 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

I design for user agency across digital products and interactive narratives.

I’m a Principal Product UX/UI Designer at Persado, where I work on generative AI systems that shape how language influences behavior at scale. My focus is designing the space where AI output meets human judgment.

I have 9+ years of experience in product design, including leading a design team as Head of Design. With a background in Product & Systems Design Engineering, I approach products as systems rather than isolated screens.

I’m also co-founder of Choose Your Fate, a platform where creators build interactive fiction and readers shape the narrative through their choices.

I write for UX Collective and Bootcamp, mentor designers on ADPList, and speak on product design, AI, and user agency.

I design for user agency across digital products and interactive narratives. I’m a Principal Product UX/UI Designer at Persado, where I work on generative AI systems that shape how language influences behavior at scale. My focus is designing the s... Show more

Jeremy Conescu helps leaders and innovators craft authentic stories that drive trust, connection, and measurable success. With over 20 years of experience with brands like Adobe, Deloitte, Coca-Cola, and NASA, Jeremy has led more than $1B of client projects that have transformed businesses around the world.

Drawing from his background and education in theater and graphic design, Jeremy coaches audiences to find their authentic voice, and turn complex data into persuasive narratives. Whether you’re seeking to motivate a small group of stakeholders, inspire hundreds of executives, or energize thousands of attendees, Jeremy delivers engaging stories with hands-on activities that inspire lasting change.

Jeremy Conescu helps leaders and innovators craft authentic stories that drive trust, connection, and measurable success. With over 20 years of experience with brands like Adobe, Deloitte, Coca-Cola, and NASA, Jeremy has led more than $1B of client p... 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

I am a Computer Science Student at Makerere University. I am a proud member of many tech communities including Twilio, Blockchain, GDSC (Google Developer Students Club), the Cybersecurity Association, and the Internet Society of Uganda. Additionally, I actively engage in various micro meetups and organizations that align with my tech interests.

In my free time, I channel my passion for technology into technical writing and vlogging, allowing me to share knowledge and insights with a broader audience. Alongside these endeavors, I am deeply involved in nurturing my startup projects, including MpaMpe and mPoint Hub. As a lifelong learner, I continuously seek opportunities for personal and professional growth within the ever-evolving world of technology.

I have also made significant contributions to the tech landscape as a Microsoft and Wolfram Ambassador, Twilio Champion, Notion Campus Lead, and GDSC Lead facilitating collaboration and knowledge sharing within global tech communities.

More: https://linktr.ee/Atuhaire

I am a Computer Science Student at Makerere University. I am a proud member of many tech communities including Twilio, Blockchain, GDSC (Google Developer Students Club), the Cybersecurity Association, and the Internet Society of Uganda. Additionally,... 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

Jeff McWherter is a seasoned business leader and tenacious problem solver with over 26 years in the tech industry. He has a deep understanding of the business landscape with a keen ability to navigate complex challenges with creativity and agility. From local startup to Fortune 500, he has worked with a wide client range, always adapting to the unique needs and challenges of each project. He has developed a deep understanding of the trends and technologies shaping the future of business, and is constantly seeking out new ideas and insights to stay ahead of the curve. Jeff is a three time published author and avid speaker at technical conferences across the world. A Michigan State University graduate, Jeff has also been instrumental in improving the software development community in Michigan and beyond. He founded Gravity Works Design & Development during the 2009 recession, which has since grown into one of the country's leading digital agencies. Jeff has led more than a decade of consistent, managed growth and numerous creative accolades, including Addy, W3, Vega, Davey, and PACE awards.

Jeff believes strong relationships are the foundation of any successful business venture, and is committed to fostering those connections both inside and outside the office. As a father and active community member, Jeff knows success isn't just about achieving your own goals: it's about helping others reach theirs. Whether leading a project, volunteering locally, or cheering on his daughters, Jeff is always looking to make a positive impact in the world around him.

Jeff's commitment to helping others achieve their goals is a testament to his leadership, fresh perspectives, and innovative solutions. Join the conversation, and get information about speaking engagements and projects.

Jeff McWherter is a seasoned business leader and tenacious problem solver with over 26 years in the tech industry. He has a deep understanding of the business landscape with a keen ability to navigate complex challenges with creativity and agility. F... Show more

Over 30 years of experience leading global technology strategy and agentic AI transformation at the highest level. Can tell the story of the $250m AI-powered Marketing Platform I built at WPP; an industry-first. And quite the adventure!

Over 30 years of experience leading global technology strategy and agentic AI transformation at the highest level. Can tell the story of the $250m AI-powered Marketing Platform I built at WPP; an industry-first. And quite the adventure! Show more