Elliott is the CEO of Current, a full-stack digital agency that builds, optimizes, and markets digital products in a continuous cycle — ensuring the work never stops performing after launch.

Since joining Mediacurrent in 2021, Elliott has moved quickly through the organization — from Creative Strategy Director to Head of Product to CEO — before building Current through the strategic combination of Mediacurrent and Rhythm. That journey reflects a through-line he's carried across his career: the belief that great digital products and smart marketing shouldn't live in separate worlds.

It's a conviction he's put into practice across education, financial services, and media and entertainment — and one he developed long before Current. At EY Design Studio and Doberman NY, Elliott's work ranged from reimagining the grocery store of the future for the world's largest retailer, to building an accessible technology ecosystem for a New York City arts institution, to crafting an award-winning digital platform for a national fast-casual brand. Different problems, same instinct: making complex systems feel invisible for the people who use them.

Elliott is the CEO of Current, a full-stack digital agency that builds, optimizes, and markets digital products in a continuous cycle — ensuring the work never stops performing after launch. Since joining Mediacurrent in 2021, Elliott has moved qu... Show more

My goal is to help people develop media literacy in an environment where culture is accelerating faster than most people can interpret.

My work focuses on the systems underneath contemporary digital life: how memes encode cultural behavior, how algorithms reorganize attention, how advertising collapses spatial boundaries, and how the underlying protocols of media shape what we believe, share, and understand.

I’m a digital culture analyst and media theorist and I’ve spent my life moving through every major shift in digital culture. I began on a Commodore Vic20 writing BASIC programs on loose-leaf paper. I discovered the early web through Netscape in art school, studying Intermedia when digital experimentation was still a fringe idea. I worked through the rise of social platforms, the marketing era of Web2, the speculative creativity of Web3 and I’ve now arrived in the AI era as an educator and media theorist trying to explain what all of this means.

My work explains the systems behind contemporary digital life: meme dynamics, protocol aesthetics, algorithmic influence and the collapse of traditional media logic. Rather than focusing on tools, I work to uncover the deeper structures that shape how people think, communicate and create.

I’ve spent my life moving through every major shift in digital culture. I began on a Commodore Vic20 writing BASIC programs on loose-leaf paper. I discovered the early web through Netscape in art school, studying Intermedia when digital experimentation was still a fringe idea. I worked through the rise of social platforms, the marketing era of Web2, the speculative creativity of Web3, and I’ve now arrived in the AI era as an educator and media theorist trying to explain what all of this means.

I’m not teaching people how to use tools. I’m trying to map the deeper structures.

I believe in what I’m talking about because I’ve been there to see it form:

A student in Web1.
A practitioner in Web2.
An educator in Web3.
A theorist in the AI era.

Everything I publish - talks, videos, essays, posts and digital projects is an attempt to make digital culture legible.

My goal is to help people develop media literacy in an environment where culture is accelerating faster than most people can interpret. My work focuses on the systems underneath contemporary digital life: how memes encode cultural behavior, how al... Show more

Marcia is a Principal Developer Advocate at AWS with over 20 years of experience building and scaling software. She specializes in Serverless, cloud architecture, and AI agents — and is known for making complex technical concepts approachable and practical.

She is also the founder of Desplegando.cloud, a YouTube channel, newsletter, and community focused on AWS Serverless in Spanish, where she helps thousands of developers across Latin America and Spain build real projects in the cloud.

Marcia is a Principal Developer Advocate at AWS with over 20 years of experience building and scaling software. She specializes in Serverless, cloud architecture, and AI agents — and is known for making complex technical concepts approachable and pra... Show more

Andreas Sexauer ist Mitarbeiter am Zentrum für Mediales Lernen (ZML) des Karlsruher Instituts für Technologie (KIT). Neben Themen der Medienproduktion und Digitalen Lehre entwickelt er dort im Rahmen des Projekts GenAI@KIT den kompetenten Einsatz generativer KI am KIT mit. Dazu zählen unter anderem die Herstellung der Möglichkeit zur Arbeit mit individuell angepassten KI-Chatbots in allen Lehrveranstaltungen des KIT. Diese sogenannten Custom Chatbots können spezifisch in einer Lehrveranstaltung eingesetzt werden. Dabei können die Lehrpersonen selbst bestimmen, mit welchem Wissenskorpus, z.B. dem eigenen Skript, und mit welchem Verhalten diese Custom Chatbots mit den Studierenden interagieren. In einer Kooperation mit dem KI-Campus ist Andreas einer der Autoren des Prompt-Labor 2: Generative KI in der Hochschullehre – Anwendungen. Dort hat er das Kapitel „Informationsvisualisierung mit KI" beigetragen. Darüber hinaus setzt er sich intensiv mit der Thematik Agentic AI auseinander und wirkt dabei im Hochschulforum Digitalisierung in einer Arbeitsgruppe dazu mit. Im Hochschulnetzwerk Digitalisierung der Lehre in Baden-Württemberg ist er Mitglied der Special Interest Group Learning Analytics und Künstliche Intelligenz (LAKI).

Andreas Sexauer ist Mitarbeiter am Zentrum für Mediales Lernen (ZML) des Karlsruher Instituts für Technologie (KIT). Neben Themen der Medienproduktion und Digitalen Lehre entwickelt er dort im Rahmen des Projekts GenAI@KIT den kompetenten Einsatz gen... Show more

Jo Hasenau is an open source veteran who has been building, maintaining, and scaling community-driven software ecosystems for more than two decades.

He started out in the early days of the internet, moved from a late-80s designer background to digital media production in the 90s, and then shifted his focus to large-scale platforms and integration problems - from corporate environments such as T-Systems and Deutsche Telekom to long-running open source projects such as TYPO3, maintained in the open.

He is known for shipping pragmatic tools and growing communities, as a maintainer of widely used extensions, a trainer and coach, a speaker at conferences, developer days, and camps, and an organizer of formats such as the User Experience Week. He has also contributed through publications, including the O’Reilly TYPO3 Cookbook.

After serving as CTO at InnoCoding, he now works at the next layer beyond websites as a Big Picture Brainiac at Cybercraft, focusing on AI-enabled content infrastructure, interoperability, and digital sovereignty.

Jo Hasenau is an open source veteran who has been building, maintaining, and scaling community-driven software ecosystems for more than two decades. He started out in the early days of the internet, moved from a late-80s designer background to dig... 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

Daniel Gomes started Arquivo.pt (the Portuguese web-archive) in 2007 as follow-up of his PhD thesis and have lead this public service until June 2025.

He is a researcher in web archiving and web-based information systems since 2001. He obtained is PhD in Computer Science with a thesis focused on the design of large-scale systems for the processing of web data.

Daniel Gomes was the chief-editor of the book The Past Web: exploring web archives.

As Environmental Advocate, he founded the TaraRecuperavel.org movement; successfully lobbied for three Portuguese laws regarding plastic reduction, deposit-return systems, and cigarette butt waste.

Daniel Gomes started Arquivo.pt (the Portuguese web-archive) in 2007 as follow-up of his PhD thesis and have lead this public service until June 2025. He is a researcher in web archiving and web-based information systems since 2001. He obtained is... Show more

I'm Mithun A. Sridharan, an entrepreneur, author and keynote speaker on Strategy, Management Consulting and Digital Transformation. I'm a Forbes Technology Council Thought Leader and a Member of Harvard Business Review Advisory Council. As a strategy and technology executive, I advise senior leaders and corporations derive value from their strategic technology investment portfolios. I am a TEDx speaker and regularly share insights at industry conferences and corporate events. I have also contributed thought leadership to high-impact journals and magazines, such as the World Economic Forum, the American Banker, Wired, Bloomberg, etc. I hold an MBA from ESMT Berlin, a Master of Science from Christian Albrechts University of Kiel, both in Germany and a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Madras, India.

I'm Mithun A. Sridharan, an entrepreneur, author and keynote speaker on Strategy, Management Consulting and Digital Transformation. I'm a Forbes Technology Council Thought Leader and a Member of Harvard Business Review Advisory Council. As a strategy... Show more

I bring a unique interdisciplinary perspective that blends forensic anthropology, cultural research, education, and storytelling into engaging, accessible conversations for modern audiences. My background spans scientific research, public education, conference presentations, and multimedia communication, allowing me to translate complex topics into meaningful and memorable experiences.

Through my work as the creator and host of Field Notes from the Dead, I explore the intersections of anthropology, human behavior, trauma, media, and culture in ways that connect academic research with real-world conversations. My presentations combine evidence-based research with approachable storytelling, creating programs that are informative, thought-provoking, and audience-centered.

Whether speaking to students, educators, community groups, writers, or interdisciplinary audiences, I aim to make people think differently about humanity, identity, fear, storytelling, and the ways we understand one another through science and culture.

I bring a unique interdisciplinary perspective that blends forensic anthropology, cultural research, education, and storytelling into engaging, accessible conversations for modern audiences. My background spans scientific research, public education, ... 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

Ming Johanson works with businesses across the globe from training social media to managing (with her team) complex digital strategies that deliver tangible and desirable financial returns. She is dedicated to shaping the landscape for leaders to adapt their management, sales and marketing culture to fit into the modern day world of hyper-connectivity.

Recently recognised and awarded for her ongoing contribution to the technology industries in the 2019 Women In Technology Tech [+] 20 Awards. Ming is a passionate mental health Ambassador for R U OK? Day, a co-facilitator in Startup Weekend Perth and a regular Australian Media Commentator as a Tech Evangelist on a range of topics in Mental Health, Social Media & Technology. 

Ming Johanson works with businesses across the globe from training social media to managing (with her team) complex digital strategies that deliver tangible and desirable financial returns. She is dedicated to shaping the landscape for leaders to ada... Show more

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

Michelle is a multipassionate portfolio careerist who intentionally lives on cross-boundary intersections, bringing together innovation, creative expression, and human well-being. As an Innovation Designer and Human Well-Being Insight Designer, she explores how people live, work, and thrive, translating complex insights into meaningful everyday practices and solutions. Her work as a Vision-to-Experience Curator connects ideas to real-world impact, helping individuals and organizations bring purposeful concepts to life.

She has led workshops, trainings, and sessions focused on leveraging creativity and technology to drive innovative thinking, collaborating with diverse teams to tackle complex challenges. Committed to building bridges between different perspectives, she thrives on turning bold ideas into actionable strategies that yield meaningful, sustainable impact in both the short and long term. Her aim is always to bring people together in ways that spark self-discovery, creative expression, and personal liberation—ultimately empowering every individual to step fully into their potential.

Alongside these roles, Michelle is an author, artist, and podcaster, using storytelling and creative expression to explore themes of purpose, resilience, and modern innovative work. Her multidisciplinary path reflects a commitment to curiosity, integrity, and designing a life that aligns with her values, vision of success, and purpose.

With experience across multiple sectors and creative fields, Michelle brings a grounded, integrated perspective to conversations about wellness, innovation, and entrepreneurship, offering insights shaped by both lived experience and intentional design.

Michelle is a multipassionate portfolio careerist who intentionally lives on cross-boundary intersections, bringing together innovation, creative expression, and human well-being. As an Innovation Designer and Human Well-Being Insight Designer, she e... 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

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

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

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

Annalisa Nash Fernandez is a specialist in world cultures, focusing on cultural elements in technology and business strategy. An experienced corporate strategic planning director who worked globally as an expatriate executive based in emerging markets, she bridges her dual background as a sociolinguist to navigate cross-cultural communication in marketing, leadership, and the digital economy. Her expert quotes are featured widely, including by CIO magazine and the BBC, and her articles are published in trade journals and in leading media. Annalisa held various roles at Philip Morris International and Kraft Foods, based in São Paulo, Brazil, and investment banks, including Bankers Trust, based in New York City and Santiago, Chile. Annalisa holds an M.A. in language and translation from the University of Wisconsin, and a B.S. in international finance from Georgetown University.

Annalisa Nash Fernandez is a specialist in world cultures, focusing on cultural elements in technology and business strategy. An experienced corporate strategic planning director who worked globally as an expatriate executive based in emerging market... Show more

Nearly 20 years of industry experience launching national campaigns, spearheading announcements and counseling some of the country's most recognized brands including Ancestry, Cantu McDonald's, Pernod Ricard and Staples. Paris specializes in integrated brand communications with deep expertise in media relations, thought leadership, influencer marketing and event activations.

Paris has partnered, collaborated and advised senior leaders to create impactful communications plans that amplify companies' brand stories, authentically connect with diverse audiences and drive results leading to industry honors such as Anthem, Global Sabre, PR Week and Shorty Impact.

Drawing on this experience, she founded Vibrant Communications to help organizations tell their most authentic stories, connect deeply with audiences, and achieve bold growth.

Nearly 20 years of industry experience launching national campaigns, spearheading announcements and counseling some of the country's most recognized brands including Ancestry, Cantu McDonald's, Pernod Ricard and Staples. Paris specializes in integrat... Show more

Short Bio:
James has supported several ecosystems within Blockchain, DeFi & Web3 and is currently the Business Growth Manager at Hype. Hype is a crypto superagency specialising in 'go-to-market' for launching products, services & tokens.

James is a Brand Ambassador for one of the leading NFC companies within the crypto space - Card3.ai, as well as a Core Contributor and advisor for Steelo.io, a new SocialFi platform and dApp that is changing the way that the music industry engages with creators.

Long Bio:
James is a Web3 agency Founder and Marketer within c-suite. Having represented household brands as an Account Manager for over 14 years within Web2, he pivoted into the world of Web3 in 2019, as a CMO with the GratefulDAO.

He was integral in launching the GratefulDAO’s first NFT project - the Grateful Giraffes, raising $2.2 million through pre-sales and their public mint. He built the marketing team from the ground up and set out the Marketing strategy through their Social Media campaigns and Content Calendars.

Following his time with the GratefulDAO, he embarked on a Community Lead role with the 3rd biggest Crypto Media publication globally - BeInCrytpo. It was his responsibility to align and bolster their local communities around the world, operating in a total of 14 countries.

Financial freedom, inclusivity & self-sovereignty have been a passion for James from the beginning (buying his first Bitcoins in 2009), therefore naturally he has always been drawn towards DeFi.

In 2023 he joined the UK’s first FCA-regulated L1 blockchain - ReDeFi, alongside the BABB (Bank Account Based Blockchain) team as a Senior Marketing Manager. He helped grow their marketing team, establish their brand authority, optimise their content strategy and bolster their community as they launched their second token $RED. ReDeFi operated on a substrate layer 1 for privacy with a Layer 2 EVM-compatible para-chain with it's own ERC20 token $BAX. BABB is a NEO bank and launching the L1 with the team, allowed them to set the foundations for their own ecosystem and not just operate within the ethereum ecosystem.

Fast forward to today, he is the Business Growth Manager at Hype, a crypto super agency supporting web3 companies as they take their products, services and tokens to market.

🌴 https://linktr.ee/jayrae212

Short Bio: James has supported several ecosystems within Blockchain, DeFi & Web3 and is currently the Business Growth Manager at Hype. Hype is a crypto superagency specialising in 'go-to-market' for launching products, services & tokens. James is... Show more

Passionated Product Manager shaping products that have impacted millions of lives over the past decade-many of which you likely use daily.

Throughout his career at NOS, Sanoma and Disney, Sam has collaborated with R&D teams from leading tech companies, consumer electronic manufacturers and automotive industry.

Passionated Product Manager shaping products that have impacted millions of lives over the past decade-many of which you likely use daily. Throughout his career at NOS, Sanoma and Disney, Sam has collaborated with R&D teams from leading tech compa... Show more

Caleb Jenkins is an international speaker, author, and 6-time Microsoft MVP award recipient, previously led Developer Experience at Charles Schwab, and is an ex-Microsoft/Sabre/Rocket Mortgage engineering leader - currently coaching teams in one of the largest digital transformation efforts in the world.

As a long time community leader and former Microsoft Developer Evangelist Caleb is well known for his engaging speaking style, depth of knowledge and creative energy. He approaches software from a fresh perspective that spans UX, Agile and enterprise customers from across the globe. He has previously led UX product design teams, coached multi team agile transformations and architected and mentored at some of the largest companies in the world.

Caleb will come at you from multiple angles, he has the hip hop that doesn’t stop, and to quote some other people:

“watching one of my new favorite speakers” (@JesseLiberty ) “
“to call Caleb a ball of energy would be an understatement” LinkedIn Review
“had me laughing so hard I could hardly eat my nachos” Speakerpedia Review and Blogged
You’ll laugh, you’ll have a great time, and you’ll learn something while you’re at it.

Caleb Jenkins is an international speaker, author, and 6-time Microsoft MVP award recipient, previously led Developer Experience at Charles Schwab, and is an ex-Microsoft/Sabre/Rocket Mortgage engineering leader - currently coaching teams in one of t... Show more

Native from a small south Caribbean island, passionate about good music and good food, Jonathan was convinced that he would have followed his dreams. Instead of being a chef in a starred restaurant on a paradise island, or being the sound engineer for several major international artists in a large studio in L.A., he finally preferred to take the red pill from the hands of Morpheus in order to fight in the Matrix.
Fervent defender of Neo, he first started with Mouse as a web developer. Following many updates, and more than 15 years of hard fighting, he is now in control of the Oracle as PO/PM and Product Coach to better guide this small team.

Native from a small south Caribbean island, passionate about good music and good food, Jonathan was convinced that he would have followed his dreams. Instead of being a chef in a starred restaurant on a paradise island, or being the sound engineer fo... Show more

Michael Bower is a 30+ year broadcasting and podcast veteran who has hosted national shows on Sirius Satellite Radio, delivered daily reports as a National Correspondent for NBC News Radio, and produced more than 1,000 podcasts across genres. As a former VP of Programming for Ingstad Minnesota Radio Network, he led talent development, coached on-air hosts, and even tested early AI “on-air personalities” — discovering why authenticity always beats automation.

Today, Michael brings that experience to the stage with talks that blend broadcast discipline, podcast innovation, and humor from his years in stand-up comedy. His signature sessions — Craft Over Clout, Process Over Perfection, and The AI DJ Problem — help creators cut through the noise, build loyal audiences, and reclaim quality in an algorithm-driven era.

Michael’s approach is simple but powerful: respect your listener’s time, earn their trust, and give them something they’ll come back for.

Michael Bower is a 30+ year broadcasting and podcast veteran who has hosted national shows on Sirius Satellite Radio, delivered daily reports as a National Correspondent for NBC News Radio, and produced more than 1,000 podcasts across genres. As a fo... Show more

Growth Product Manager @ Integrate | COO @ Agency 99 | Host @ CouzinTech Podcast | Community Lead @ The Product Leaders

Growth Product Manager @ Integrate | COO @ Agency 99 | Host @ CouzinTech Podcast | Community Lead @ The Product Leaders Show more

Maurice Cherry is an award-winning creative visionary who works as a writer, designer, strategist, voice actor, and storyteller. As principal and creative director of Lunch, the award-winning multidisciplinary studio he founded in 2008, he empowers creative brands to craft resonant narratives and forge meaningful connections with diverse audiences, particularly underrepresented communities. Lunch has collaborated with industry leaders such as Facebook, Mailchimp, Vox Media, NIKE, and The City of Atlanta, among others.

Maurice is a pioneering digital creator, best known for Revision Path, the groundbreaking podcast that made history as the first podcast inducted into the permanent collection of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC). His innovative projects also include the Black Weblog Awards, 28 Days of the Web, The Year of Tea, and the design anthology RECOGNIZE, each reflecting his commitment to amplifying diverse voices and fostering creative communities.

His design work, advocacy, and projects have garnered acclaim from leading organizations and publications, including Apple, Adobe, NPR, Forbes, and Fast Company. Most recently, in 2025, he was honored as one of the Eames Institute's Curious 100, recognizing his innovative contributions to reframing perspectives, amplifying voices, and inspiring action. He served as the Maryland Institute College of Art's 2021 William O. Steinmetz designer-in-residence, and in 2018, he received the Steven Heller Prize for Cultural Commentary from AIGA, was named one of GDUSA’s “People to Watch,” and was included in The Root 100, their annual list of the most influential African-Americans ages 25 to 45. That same year, Creative Loafing Atlanta recognized him as one of their Influentials in the fields of business and technology. Earlier in his career, Maurice was named one of Atlanta’s “Power 30 Under 30″ in Science and Technology by the Apex Society and was selected as one of HP’s “50 Tech Tastemakers” in collaboration with Black Web 2.0. He is also a valued executive member of the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences.

Maurice’s approach to design strategy, problem solving, and his foundation in analytical thinking stems from his studies at Morehouse College, where he earned a degree in Mathematics.

Maurice Cherry is an award-winning creative visionary who works as a writer, designer, strategist, voice actor, and storyteller. As principal and creative director of Lunch, the award-winning multidisciplinary studio he founded in 2008, he empowers c... Show more

Nikhil Mehra is a Senior Product Manager specializing in AI systems, data platforms, and product strategy. He focuses on architecting decision loops, data contracts, and human-in-the-loop patterns using high-velocity, real-time domains as a proving ground for scalable AI product design. His work spans automation frameworks and experimentation systems operating at scale in complex, multi-stakeholder environments. Nikhil writes and speaks on bridging the gap between AI model capabilities and practical product implementation, emphasizing system reliability, risk thresholds, and operational guardrails.

Nikhil Mehra is a Senior Product Manager specializing in AI systems, data platforms, and product strategy. He focuses on architecting decision loops, data contracts, and human-in-the-loop patterns using high-velocity, real-time domains as a proving g... Show more

In the high-stakes B2B ecosystem, moving from a transactional business to a category-leading brand is not a cosmetic exercise. You cannot solve a deep positioning gap with a prettier logo, a generic press release, or superficial copy. It requires a structural redesign of how your business communicates its value.

My approach to strategic communications was forged over 7+ years of building brand strategies for high-growth enterprises and turning around struggling creative agencies and internal communications teams.

But what makes my methodology distinct is where I learned to analyze structures: the tax litigation matters of law firms, PwC India, and at the Delhi High Court. As a former tax litigation lawyer and LL.M. Gold Medalist, I spent 8 years dissecting complex corporate systems in an active legal practice pan-India. This brings unmatched analytical structure, logical flow, and risk-mitigation discipline to brand strategy, narratives, and visual language.

Today, as the Corporate Brand Architect and Founder of Alabaster Comms, I apply that exact analytical rigor to build corporate brand systems for mid-market enterprises, professional services firms, and startups, ensuring their communication strategies structurally align with their commercial goals.

I consult from a lived experience of:

M&A Value Creation: Designing the comprehensive brand strategy and positioning for a mid-tier IT services player, elevating its market posture to play a critical role in its successful acquisition.

Professional Services Scale: Architecting the organic regional narrative for a specialized cross-border law firm, driving their LinkedIn positioning to 10K+ high-value followers purely from scratch.

Agency Turnaround & Operations: Restructuring an APAC creative agency as Head of Client Services, stabilizing team operations, retaining major regional retainers, and securing a shortlist for South Asia Independent Agency of the Year.

Analytical Advocacy: Deploying the mental mobility, attention to detail, and cross-cultural adaptability gained from an LL.M. Gold Medal and an army background to solve high-pressure stakeholder alignment issues.

In the high-stakes B2B ecosystem, moving from a transactional business to a category-leading brand is not a cosmetic exercise. You cannot solve a deep positioning gap with a prettier logo, a generic press release, or superficial copy. It requires a s... Show more