Media & Information

Esteemed specialists working in the fields of media education, digital media, multimedia and radio services

Vasilika Klimova

Vasilika Klimova

I have been a Web Developer for over 14 years (Frontend, Fullstack).
I had experience working as a single web developer, as a member of big teams in FinTech, and as a Team Lead.

I enjoyed working on web 3D projects, awesome animations, visualizations, and good infographics. I am a speaker & organizer of tech meetups and conferences. I helped many students at different schools with learning web development. 
I like tech communities and modern technologies.

Over the last 8 years, I have been living in Luxembourg and organising the Lux TechPulse meetup. Last years I switched to Technical Management.

My passion is 🎮 video/board games, 🏞️ traveling, 🤿 diving, animals (I have a red cat 🐈), and cinema 🎥. I collect children's books from different countries and Christmas tree decorations.

I have been a Web Developer for over 14 years (Frontend, Fullstack).
I had experience working as a single web developer, as a member of big teams in FinTech, and as a Team Lead. I enjoyed working on web 3D projects, awesome animations, visualizati... Show more

Jay Dwayne

Jay Dwayne

Jay Dwayne is a highly sought-after tech specialist and dedicated public servant renowned for his exceptional skills in software and systems engineering. Following previous excellent work at the ICT Authority, under the Ministry of Information, Communication and the Digital Economy in Kenya, Jay is currently driving digital transformation at the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). Jay brings a comprehensive technical toolkit spanning full-stack software and systems development, cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, mobile development, and advanced DevOps practices. His reputation as an expert is well-deserved, with numerous accolades and awards recognizing his contributions to the technology sector. With a wealth of experience and a diverse skill set, Jay is a valuable asset to any project team. His adaptability and proficiency make him an indispensable resource in the fast-paced world of modern technology, where he continues to contribute significantly to the advancement of software development and technological innovation.

As a Tech speaker, Jay has spoken at International and local conferences such as the Dublin Tech Summit, Dublin, Ireland, in May 2025, CABSAT, SATExpo & Integrate ME 2025 conference in Dubai, UAE in May, 2025. TEMS ICT Africa conference in Nairobi, Kenya in April 2025, Moonshot by Techcabal in Lagos in 2024, 2023,2022, Connected Africa Summit in Nairobi, 2024, The freelancers summit in Harare, Zimbabwe, 2023, African Congress on Cyber Security in Nairobi, 2022, MWC Series in Kigali, Rwanda, 2023 among many others including webinars and hackathons and workshops

Current Roles
Software Systems Engineer at Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA)
Jay collaborates with a multidisciplinary team of engineers in leading digital transformation initiatives at Kenya's premier tax and customs revenue agency, contributing to system optimization, automation projects, and enhancing user experiences across KRA's digital platforms.

Tech Consultant, Special Projects at United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)

• Providing technical advisory on innovation ecosystem development across Africa
• Leading technical assessment and implementation of digital platforms to connect entrepreneurial universities continent-wide
• Developing strategic frameworks for university business incubation models
• Facilitating knowledge transfer between academic institutions and industry partners
• Designing monitoring and evaluation systems to track progress toward the one-billion-startup goal
• Collaborating with university leadership to create entrepreneurship curricula integration strategies

Jay's Core Expertise

Technical Specializations
-Full-Stack Development: Expert in modern JavaScript frameworks (React, Angular, Vue.js), Node.js, TypeScript, and comprehensive front-end technologies
- Backend Engineering: Proficient in multiple languages including C#/.NET, Java, Python, Golang, with expertise in enterprise frameworks and API development
- Mobile Development: Native iOS (Swift) and Android (Kotlin/Java) development, plus cross-platform solutions with Flutter
- Cloud & Infrastructure: AWS services (EC2, Lambda, S3), Docker, Kubernetes, and modern DevOps practices
- Database Technologies: Extensive experience with SQL Server, MongoDB, PostgreSQL, Oracle, and graph databases
- DevOps & DevSecOps: CI/CD pipelines, containerization, infrastructure as code, and security integration
- Visual Design: Adobe Creative Suite mastery (AI, AE, PS, ID, Pr), Sketch, and modern design tools

Leadership & Communication
- Public Speaking: Accomplished speaker with ability to translate complex technical concepts for diverse audiences
- Visual Design: Creative problem-solving through design thinking
- Project Management: End-to-end software lifecycle management
- Cross-functional Collaboration: Stakeholder alignment and team leadership

Speaking Topics

Primary Topics
- Full-Stack Development Excellence: Modern JavaScript frameworks, API design, and scalable architecture patterns
- Cloud-Native Applications: AWS ecosystem, containerization with Docker/Kubernetes, and serverless architectures
- Mobile Development Strategy: Cross-platform development, native vs hybrid approaches, and Flutter implementation
- DevOps Transformation: CI/CD pipeline design, infrastructure automation, and team collaboration practices
- Database Architecture & Design: From SQL to NoSQL, choosing the right database for your needs
- Digital Government Services: Modernizing public sector technology and citizen-facing applications
- Visual Design in Tech: Bridging design and development for better user experiences

Secondary Topics
- Enterprise Software Development: .NET ecosystem, Java enterprise patterns, and legacy system modernization
- API Design & Integration: RESTful services, GraphQL implementation, and microservices architecture
- Testing Strategies: Comprehensive testing approaches from unit to integration testing
- Performance Optimization: Front-end performance, database tuning, and scalability planning
- Technology Leadership: Building and managing technical teams in fast-paced environments

Session Formats
- Keynote Presentations (45-60 minutes)
- Technical Deep-Dives (30-45 minutes)
- Interactive Workshops (90-120 minutes)
- Panel Discussions (30-60 minutes)
- Lightning Talks (10-15 minutes)

Jay's Technical Stack

Frontend Technologies
JavaScript, TypeScript, React, Angular, Vue.js, HTML5, CSS3, SCSS/Sass, Bootstrap, Gatsby, Stencil.js, GraphQL, Firebase

Backend & Server Technologies
Node.js, Express.js, C#/.NET Core, ASP.NET, Java/Java EE, Python/Django, Golang, PHP/Laravel, Apache, NGINX

Mobile Development
Swift (iOS), Kotlin/Java (Android), Flutter, Firebase, Android Studio, Xcode

Databases
SQL Server, MongoDB, PostgreSQL, MySQL, Oracle, Neo4j, CockroachDB, SQLite

Cloud & DevOps
AWS (EC2, Lambda, S3, SQS), Docker, Kubernetes, GitLab, Git, Digital Ocean, Heroku, IBM Cloud

Design & Testing
Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, Jest, Jasmine, jUnit, Cucumber, Protractor

Development Tools
Visual Studio, VS Code, Android Studio, Xcode, Maven, Gradle

Speaking Experience
Accomplished public speaker with a proven track record of making complex technical concepts accessible to diverse audiences, from technical teams to executive stakeholders. Recognized industry expert with numerous accolades and awards for contributions to the technology sector.

Thinking of booking Jay?
Jay brings an exceptional combination of breadth and depth across the entire technology stack. His hands-on experience spans from frontend frameworks to cloud infrastructure, mobile development to enterprise systems. This comprehensive expertise, combined with his government sector experience and proven communication skills, makes him uniquely qualified to speak at conferences focused on:

- Full-Stack Development
- Cloud Computing & DevOps
- Mobile Application Development
- Enterprise Software Architecture
- Digital Transformation
- Government Technology
- Database Design & Architecture
- Modern JavaScript Frameworks
- Cross-Platform Development

Portfolio & Contact
Website: www.jaydwayne.com
Available for speaking engagements at technology conferences, corporate events, and educational institutions. Experienced in both in-person and virtual presentation formats.

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Bridging the gap between complex technical concepts and practical business solutions through innovative software engineering and clear communication.
Let's make it happen!

Jay is a trophy of God's grace, a conduit of rhema, saved by grace through faith.

Jay Dwayne is a highly sought-after tech specialist and dedicated public servant renowned for his exceptional skills in software and systems engineering. Following previous excellent work at the ICT Authority, under the Ministry of Information, Commu... Show more

Mark Techson

Mark Techson

Mark loves to code, teach and create transformational experiences for audiences all over the world. He's spoken at prestigious events, taught at world class institutions and worked for some of the best companies in the world.

Mark loves to code, teach and create transformational experiences for audiences all over the world. He's spoken at prestigious events, taught at world class institutions and worked for some of the best companies in the world. Show more

David Levai

David Levai

Fullstack product engineer creating content about building production-ready apps as a solopreneur.

Over the past decade, I've worked as a freelance full-stack developer mostly with startups and small businesses. In 2020 I decided to deepen my business and product knowledge, to build outstanding products.

As of now, I'm building production-ready products efficiently, and documenting my journey as a solopreneur product engineer. Twitter, YouTube, and my blog.

Why building in public?
Following other people's journeys can teach you a lot. As well as you, I follow many other creators.
Being active on social media and building in public allowed me to be part of a club that prioritizes shipping and giving value.

Fullstack product engineer creating content about building production-ready apps as a solopreneur. Over the past decade, I've worked as a freelance full-stack developer mostly with startups and small businesses. In 2020 I decided to deepen my busi... Show more

Arome Ibrahim

Arome Ibrahim

Arome is a Business Analyst, Immersive Technologist and the Executive Director of Immersive Tech Africa, a non-profit organization dedicated to democratizing and increasing access to Extended Reality (XR) & Human -Centered AI technology across the African continent. Under his guidance, Immersive Tech Africa has leveraged education, training, and research initiatives to foster a thriving and inclusive XR community in Africa.

As the convener of the XR Innovation Summit, Africa's premier virtual XR conference, Arome and his team have played a pivotal role in bringing together thought leaders, innovators, and enthusiasts to explore the vast potential of XR technology. Additionally, he serves as the team lead for the XR Innovation Launchpad program, a platform empowering emerging talents in the XR space with the goal of training 2000 VR/AR creators by 2026.

Arome's exceptional expertise and innovative contributions have garnered widespread recognition, including prestigious accolades like the Next Economy Entrepreneurship Hero and the Next Economy Impact Award from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. His commitment to advancing XR technology in Africa has been further acknowledged with awards like the Digital Lab Africa #5 XR award and selection for the New Dimensions Lab by Electric South.

Arome has been recognized as one of the ten emerging African creators by Garage Stories and New Images Festival Paris. His efforts in democratizing XR in Africa led to his inclusion among the Top 50 Voices in VR, AR, and 3D (2022/2023) by Threedium UK, a testament to his tireless dedication to the field.

Arome's extensive speaking engagements include the Augmented World Expo Europe, Laval Virtual Paris, New Images Festival Paris, Immersive Global Summit, Global XR Conference, Games for Change Festival, and the WebXR Education Summit, where he discussed XR technology's transformative potential in education, business and social development.

Beyond his speaking engagements, Arome has received numerous awards, including the Erasmus Mundus Masters Scholarship in Impact Entrepreneurship and the Oasis Innovation Challenge Winner in the AR/VR category. He is a proud recipient of the THINC Fellowship Program, Electric South New Dimensions Lab Artists, and the Opportunities Hub 100 Most Influential Young People.

As a dynamic leader and an impact-driven changemaker, Arome continues to shape the XR landscape in Africa, leaving an indelible mark through his innovative projects, impactful initiatives, and commitment to empowering the next generation of XR creatives.

Arome is a Business Analyst, Immersive Technologist and the Executive Director of Immersive Tech Africa, a non-profit organization dedicated to democratizing and increasing access to Extended Reality (XR) & Human -Centered AI technology across the Af... Show more

Liz Moy

Liz Moy

Liz Moy is a Developer Advocate at Evervault, a platform that provides encryption infrastructure for developers. Previously she served on the Developer Evangelism team at Twilio, scaling an international team focused on hackathons and workshops for developers at Fortune 500 companies. Her software engineering origin story started writing Python at a company where she had a mouse for a boss. You can find her console logging her way through a demo or curled up with a book next to her fluffy tuxedo cat, Sanderson.

Liz Moy is a Developer Advocate at Evervault, a platform that provides encryption infrastructure for developers. Previously she served on the Developer Evangelism team at Twilio, scaling an international team focused on hackathons and workshops for d... Show more

Annalisa Nash Fernandez

Annalisa Nash Fernandez

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

Julien Bisconti

Julien Bisconti

Software engineer turned Site Reliability Engineer. Certified Data Engineer for GCP and Kubernetes Administrator. Has worked on performance critical microservices at a global scale. Helps companies scale up their infrastructure by mentoring, educating and building scalable software solutions. Focuses on information used and generated by services, basically data, which in turn is used to make informed, data-driven decisions about the future of the business. Has a Master in Computer Science and a broad experience in many layers from infrastructure to front-end. University guest lecturer and active in the Stockholm meetup community.

website:
https://bisconti.cloud

Software engineer turned Site Reliability Engineer. Certified Data Engineer for GCP and Kubernetes Administrator. Has worked on performance critical microservices at a global scale. Helps companies scale up their infrastructure by mentoring, educatin... Show more

Nathaniel Nunes

Nathaniel Nunes

Nathaniel Nunes is a developer, musician, and professional broadcaster. He currently works as a Software Developer at ClerksWell, specializing in Umbraco CMS, pragmatic API design, and modern web frameworks.

This is his spot on the web for posts, projects, experiments, notes, and everything else. Nathaniel loves documenting and sharing what he learns — whether through code, demos, or teaching sessions. His talks focus on making technical concepts approachable, showing practical workflows, and helping others build with confidence.

He enjoys connecting with the community and encourages people to reach out via his social handles to say hi.

Nathaniel Nunes is a developer, musician, and professional broadcaster. He currently works as a Software Developer at ClerksWell, specializing in Umbraco CMS, pragmatic API design, and modern web frameworks. This is his spot on the web for posts, ... Show more

Olga Anyutsa

Olga Anyutsa

Communication and advocacy professional focused on advancing digital rights, civic space, and citizen engagement through strategic storytelling and media advocacy in Africa.

Communication and advocacy professional focused on advancing digital rights, civic space, and citizen engagement through strategic storytelling and media advocacy in Africa. Show more

Matt Bliss

Matt Bliss

Matt has been an Umbraco developer for 15 years, is a member of both the Umbraco CMS and Umbraco Cloud Advisory boards and a long time Umbraco Certified Master. When he's not at the keyboard you'll either find him with a camera view finder pressed to his eye taking black and white photographs or building things with Lego.

Matt has been an Umbraco developer for 15 years, is a member of both the Umbraco CMS and Umbraco Cloud Advisory boards and a long time Umbraco Certified Master. When he's not at the keyboard you'll either find him with a camera view finder pressed to... Show more

Kelly Wade

Kelly Wade

Growing up in a small business-focused family and small town in Ohio, Kelly learned her work ethic and customer-first style having worked in every role of the family's local clothing store and hotel. She would go on to amass 30 years of sales, marketing, and management experience focused on growing and leading people, cultivating unique cultures, and developing strategic long-term growth plans for a variety of industries, including two startups of her own. She spent a decade with one of the largest commercial roofing companies, where she helped transition the company to an ESOP before leading their sale to Private Equity as the first female CEO in the national roofing industry.

Since she has held various CEO and Board roles in and around the Building Services space, many backed by Private Equity, and led a dozen M&A transactions. Kelly's latest startup is Woman Up Holdings, which includes media, ecommerce, live programming and investments in female founders and female-led companies. She is the author of Why Assume The Position and is currently writing a life guide book for young female millenials and Gen Z, as well as co-authoring a Vietnamese cooking storybook. She is an active investor in female founder startups and leads discussions with female founders on growth, transition and exit strategies. She obtained her MBA at 50 while in a CEO role.

Kelly is the single mom of two young adult sons and an international high altitude trekker, having climbed Kilimanjaro, Whitney, Elbert, Patagonia's Torres Del Paine, the Haute Route, Corsica's GR20, Sleeping Indian in Jackson Hole, Mt Fuji Sea to Summit 2x, Rim2Rim Grand Canyon, Mt Muhabura Rwanda. She also is an avid skier since learning at 50, practices Yoga, French, tennis, reader and all-around adventureholic.

Growing up in a small business-focused family and small town in Ohio, Kelly learned her work ethic and customer-first style having worked in every role of the family's local clothing store and hotel. She would go on to amass 30 years of sales, market... Show more

Markus Schlichting

Markus Schlichting

Markus is a Senior Software Engineer and Architect working for Karakun. He's spend most his time so far in building solutions for desktop, web and mobile and has become passionate about open source software and team culture. He loves to deliver working, beneficial solutions.
Markus organizes the Hackergarten in Basel and loves to contribte back to the open-source community. His community activities also include speaking at conferences and publishing articles.
In his sparetime, he likes to take photos, to spend time with his family and to ride his Motorbike to get some freah air.

Markus is a Senior Software Engineer and Architect working for Karakun. He's spend most his time so far in building solutions for desktop, web and mobile and has become passionate about open source software and team culture. He loves to deliver worki... Show more

Jessica Preuss

Jessica Preuss

Jessica Preuss ist Senior Data Analyst bei SoftwareOne mit einem außergewöhnlichen Hintergrund: Bachelor in Journalistik, Master in Medienkonzeption/Produktentwicklung, über 5 Jahre Erfahrung in Data Analytics. Sie vereint Storytelling, User-Centered Design und technische BI-Expertise, um Dashboards zu schaffen, die wirklich genutzt werden. Ihre Projekte reichen von Reports mit 500+ täglichen Nutzern bis zu komplexen Enterprise-Analytics-Lösungen. Ihr Fokus: BI mit echtem User-Impact statt technischer Perfektion ohne Nutzen.

Jessica Preuss ist Senior Data Analyst bei SoftwareOne mit einem außergewöhnlichen Hintergrund: Bachelor in Journalistik, Master in Medienkonzeption/Produktentwicklung, über 5 Jahre Erfahrung in Data Analytics. Sie vereint Storytelling, User-Centered... Show more

Chevron (Commander A9)

Chevron (Commander A9)

Chevron is a gray wolf, gamer, and event host from New Jersey. He works with several VRChat-based convention groups like the Furality Online Xperience, TailBass, Misho's Feeshquarium, Lords of Floof, WaterWolf, Projekt Community, and xCirrex Media to create events and bring people together for fun nights, games, friendship, and great times. He hosts Thursday VRChat Games alongside NoxTheSergal and Scottish Gamer every week (which are often attended with full instances), as well as in-person gatherings monthly. He passionately embraces VRChat and its rave and convention scene, especially with Furnal Equinox, CozyCon, Projekt Community, WaterWolf, and the Furality Online Xperience. You'll find him most often sharing photos on his art galleries to help promote his favorite events and organizations. Furrydelphia, Furnal Equinox, and Anthro New England's first ever VRChat Meet-and-Greets and Intro Panels were co-hosted by TJCoyote, Chief, Chevron, Lilithe Lotor, mBlade, and members of the Fluffy Fur Friends. Motivated by the TailBass and Furality VRChat portals, Chevron is now working to set up VRChat portals and meets at other in-person conventions.

He serves as a Photographer for the Furality Online Xperience, operator for the Operations Department for WaterWolf, Events Host for Projekt Community, and a tournament co-host for xCirrex Media events.

Chevron's love and passion for Furnal Equinox motivated him to cosplay as "Badgie" (Virtual Furnal Equinox 2021's unofficial mascot made of nothing but attendee badges) at the in-person convention in 2022. He reprized his role in-person in 2023 and 2024, and also attends other conventions as "Badgie" who is often referred to as "Attendee Man."

Chevron first attended Furnal Equinox in March 2021 over VRChat. The experience was so enjoyable that he dared to compared his experience at Furnal Equinox to Furality 2000 (November 2020). This motivated him to attend the in-person Furnal Equinox convention for the first time in March 2022. The trip was a first of many for Chevron: His first time in Canada, first time using Lyft, and first time public suiting and marching in a fursuit parade. Chevron has now added Furnal Equinox to his list of yearly attended conventions.

A lifelong player of EVE Online, Mechwarrior, Armed Assault III, Halo, Command & Conquer, and Dance Dance Revolution, Chevron holds a particular appreciation for older games of the late 1990s-early 2000s, such as the first Ghost Recon (2002) and Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. His first video game was Mario on the original Game Boy when he was five years old. His admiration of cyberpunk and all things futuristic is on full display with his Illumi Cyberwear LED visor. His fursuit was made by Sarahcat. Outside of the fandom, he works in the IT industry as a cybersecurity administrator and is (jokingly) addicted to Mountain Dew.

Chevron's ultimate goal is to bring people together for fun and great times. He embraces the future with open arms and is eager to dive right into all the fun that can be had together with friends and the fandom.

Chevron is a gray wolf, gamer, and event host from New Jersey. He works with several VRChat-based convention groups like the Furality Online Xperience, TailBass, Misho's Feeshquarium, Lords of Floof, WaterWolf, Projekt Community, and xCirrex Media to... Show more

Suresh Kumar Palus

Suresh Kumar Palus

Suresh Kumar Palus is a Lead Software QA Engineer with over 18 years of experience across media, telecom, and banking domains. He specializes in building scalable automation frameworks and CI/CD pipelines for web, mobile, OTT, smart TV, and API platforms, with a strong focus on accelerating quality delivery through innovative engineering practices.

Suresh Kumar Palus is a Lead Software QA Engineer with over 18 years of experience across media, telecom, and banking domains. He specializes in building scalable automation frameworks and CI/CD pipelines for web, mobile, OTT, smart TV, and API platf... Show more

Des Lee

Des Lee

Desirae (Des) Lee is a creative producer, multi-media artist, poet and filmmaker from Jacksonville, FL.

Des strives to create art which celebrates vulnerability, finds beauty amongst the mundane, and portrays Black people in diverse ways. She aspires to travel the world, tell honest stories and sprinkle stardust wherever she goes.

She is a Blackhouse Foundation Fellow, a Facebook SEEN initiative winner, and a Paul Robeson Awardee. She has had digital art installations exhibited up and down the east coast including the Anacostia Arts Center, Lycoming College, and Miami Soul Basel. She recently completed a film residency in Ghana through a partnership with the Library of Africa and the African Diaspora (LOATAD). She is also the grant recipient of several creative initiatives including Moment Invitational Film Fest, Late Fee Magazine photography grant, and the inaugural National Black Movie Day Scholarship.

Films directed by Des have screened at renowned national festivals including Martha's Vineyard African American Film Fest, Pan-African Film Festival, Afrikana Film Festival and the esteemed American Black Film Festival - New Voices Category.

When she’s not on set, her interests include poetry, fashion, travel and interior design. Des is an Alumnae of the University of Florida where she completed a unique program infusing photojournalism and innovation. Des holds an MFA in film from Howard University.

Desirae (Des) Lee is a creative producer, multi-media artist, poet and filmmaker from Jacksonville, FL. Des strives to create art which celebrates vulnerability, finds beauty amongst the mundane, and portrays Black people in diverse ways. She asp... Show more

Owilla Abiro Mercy

Owilla Abiro Mercy

Owilla Abiro Mercy is a seasoned researcher and writer specialising in investigative journalism at the African Institute for Investigative Journalism (AIIJ). With a passion for uncovering hidden truths and holding the powerful accountable, Mercy has dedicated her career to shedding light on critical social issues and promoting transparency in Africa.

Mercy's work extends beyond traditional reporting. She is well-versed in utilising Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) techniques to gather and analyse digital information, adding a new dimension to her investigative reports. Her expertise in OSINT has garnered attention and recognition within the industry, and she is often sought after for her insights on leveraging digital tools and technologies in investigative journalism.

Passionate about sharing knowledge and empowering others, Mercy frequently conducts workshops and training sessions on investigative journalism, OSINT, and ethical reporting practises. She believes in nurturing the next generation of investigative journalists and equipping them with the skills necessary to make a significant impact.

Owilla Abiro Mercy is a seasoned researcher and writer specialising in investigative journalism at the African Institute for Investigative Journalism (AIIJ). With a passion for uncovering hidden truths and holding the powerful accountable, Mercy has ... Show more

Erich Archer

Erich Archer

Erich Archer has spent over two decades in television and media production, combining a deep understanding of storytelling with a forward-thinking approach to technology. An Emmy-winning producer, he has led high-impact projects across film, television, and branded content, always pushing the boundaries of creative storytelling. As the founder of CGA Creative, Erich helps brands integrate generative AI into their content strategies, making high-quality production more efficient and accessible.
His expertise in AI-driven storytelling has made him a sought-after consultant, working with companies across Hollywood, Bollywood, and beyond to navigate the intersection of AI and media. Recognized in The CEO’s AI Playbook by Chuck Bolton, Erich is actively shaping conversations about how AI is transforming creative industries, guest lecturing at Section, Innovating with AI, and Harvard University.
A regular podcast guest, Erich shares insights on the evolving role of AI in content creation, storytelling, and business strategy. As the creator of Smarty Pants AI, an AI ecosystem designed for industry professionals, he is helping companies integrate AI into strategic decision-making.
With AI rapidly changing how content is produced and consumed, Erich’s experience in both traditional media and emerging AI technologies offers a practical perspective for businesses looking to stay ahead. His work focuses on making AI an asset for storytellers, marketers, and creators—helping them produce engaging, high-quality content at scale.

Erich Archer has spent over two decades in television and media production, combining a deep understanding of storytelling with a forward-thinking approach to technology. An Emmy-winning producer, he has led high-impact projects across film, televisi... Show more

Frank Abe

Frank Abe

FRANK ABE is co-editor with Floyd Cheung of a new anthology, THE LITERATURE OF JAPANESE AMERICAN INCARCERATION, (Penguin Classics). He is lead author of a graphic novel, WE HEREBY REFUSE: Japanese American Resistance to Wartime Incarceration (Chin Music Press), and with collaborators Tamiko Nimura, Ross Ishikawa, and Matt Sasaki was named a Finalist in Creative Nonfiction for the Washington State Book Award. He won an American Book Award with Cheung and Greg Robinson as co-editor of JOHN OKADA: The Life & Rediscovered Work of the Author of No-No Boy (University of Washington Press), in which he authored the first-ever biography of Okada and traced the origins of his novel. He is currently developing a new stage adaptation of NO-NO BOY in partnership with Seattle Rep.

Abe wrote, produced, and directed the award-winning PBS documentary CONSCIENCE AND THE CONSTITUTION on the largest organized resistance in the camps, and with writer Frank Chin helped organize the first-ever “Day of Remembrance” in Seattle in 1978. He was an original member of Chin’s Asian American Theater Workshop in San Francisco and studied at the American Conservatory Theater.

FRANK ABE is co-editor with Floyd Cheung of a new anthology, THE LITERATURE OF JAPANESE AMERICAN INCARCERATION, (Penguin Classics). He is lead author of a graphic novel, WE HEREBY REFUSE: Japanese American Resistance to Wartime Incarceration (Chin Mu... Show more

Craig Smith

Craig Smith

Meet Craig Smith: an unstoppable force in Live Television Shopping and a dynamic keynote speaker who commands both the stage and the screen. As the go-to host for global brands like Google, HP, Samsung, and more, Craig doesn’t just represent companies—he elevates them. His mastery of storytelling is a true superpower, one that energizes audiences, ignites customer passion, and builds communities that actually stay engaged.

With over 4,000 live television appearances, Craig has become a recognizable face in broadcast retail. His magnetic presence has lit up QVC, CBS Saturday Morning, America’s Steals & Deals, and HSN, reaching millions of viewers nationwide. Whether pitching to Fortune 500 executives or inspiring a packed auditorium, Craig brings a clear conviction: storytelling is the ultimate connector.

What sets Craig apart is a rare combination of skill and presence. He crafts experiences audiences remember, turns customers into advocates, and builds vibrant communities around the brands he champions. A seasoned speaker, emcee, media coach, and live TV host, Craig helps organizations communicate with clarity, confidence, and connection.

When you want to captivate, connect, and create lasting impact, Craig Smith is the one audiences never forget.

Meet Craig Smith: an unstoppable force in Live Television Shopping and a dynamic keynote speaker who commands both the stage and the screen. As the go-to host for global brands like Google, HP, Samsung, and more, Craig doesn’t just represent companie... Show more

Stacy Quackenbush

Stacy Quackenbush

Accomplished executive and visionary leader, recognized as one of the top women in Web3 and AI by Unstoppable Women of Web3/AI and shortlisted by Wirex for Best Founder. With a distinguished track record in immersive entertainment, blockchain, and decentralized tech education, Stacy has built and scaled transformative ventures, including the first fully immersive, technology-driven entertainment complex in the U.S. and pioneering blockchain platforms in education and entertainment. A leader in tokenizing ticketing, streaming educational content on-chain, and using NFTs as souvenirs for events, she has also driven initiatives to fund artists and release new music through blockchain-backed models, enabling creators to connect directly with audiences and unlock new revenue streams. Known for driving strategic growth, building influential partnerships, and leading high-profile, tech-driven projects, Stacy excels at creating transformative opportunities within the Web3 space across industries. Skilled in investor relations, brand positioning, and team development, she is dedicated to reshaping the future of tech, entertainment, and decentralized learning, empowering communities, and fostering innovation in high-growth sectors.

Accomplished executive and visionary leader, recognized as one of the top women in Web3 and AI by Unstoppable Women of Web3/AI and shortlisted by Wirex for Best Founder. With a distinguished track record in immersive entertainment, blockchain, and de... Show more

Mrinal Jain

Mrinal Jain

Mrinal Jain is an Engineering Manager at STAGE OTT with 7+ years of experience building scalable full-stack and Flutter applications. A recognized tech speaker and Meta Community Lead, he has led impactful developer communities and shared insights at major tech events. Known as the Introvert Influencer, Mrinal combines deep technical expertise with community-first leadership to empower developers and scale product success.

Mrinal Jain is an Engineering Manager at STAGE OTT with 7+ years of experience building scalable full-stack and Flutter applications. A recognized tech speaker and Meta Community Lead, he has led impactful developer communities and shared insights at... Show more

Kamal Rawat

Kamal Rawat

With expertise spanning SEO, content marketing, PPC, and social media, I help brands elevate their visibility, skyrocket organic traffic, and drive measurable engagement. Whether it’s optimizing site structure, crafting high-impact content, or building performance-driven campaigns, I believe in strategies rooted in data and designed for results.

With expertise spanning SEO, content marketing, PPC, and social media, I help brands elevate their visibility, skyrocket organic traffic, and drive measurable engagement. Whether it’s optimizing site structure, crafting high-impact content, or buildi... Show more

Lizzi Pittman

Lizzi Pittman

Lizzi's career in client services encompasses a wide variety of projects across multiple disciplines: video & media production, traditional & digital advertising, and app & website development. As a Sr. Project Manager, Lizzi manages projects from discovery to delivery, with a focus on collaborative and compassionate leadership.

Lizzi's career in client services encompasses a wide variety of projects across multiple disciplines: video & media production, traditional & digital advertising, and app & website development. As a Sr. Project Manager, Lizzi manages projects from di... Show more

Ilya Burkin

Ilya Burkin

Ilya Burkin is the Global Marketing Director at ADB SAFEGATE, leading the company’s transformation from a hardware provider to a connected solutions partner for airports worldwide.

With a background spanning brand strategy, digital transformation, and creative storytelling, Ilya spearheaded ADB SAFEGATE’s collaboration with CBS News for the Economy 4.0 documentary — a landmark project that combined marketing, engineering, and purpose-driven communication.

He speaks on topics including B2B storytelling, brand innovation, marketing ROI, and the intersection of technology and creativity in industrial sectors.

Ilya Burkin is the Global Marketing Director at ADB SAFEGATE, leading the company’s transformation from a hardware provider to a connected solutions partner for airports worldwide. With a background spanning brand strategy, digital transformation,... Show more

Brian Moncey

Brian Moncey

Helping businesses of all shapes and sizes find and reach their vital audience. Brian is the founder and CEO of Black Raven, a full service marketing agency with a focus on helping firms working in private capital. Balancing the power of storytelling with the necessity of solid marketing operations, Brian brings his background in creative craftsmanship to the art of business.

Helping businesses of all shapes and sizes find and reach their vital audience. Brian is the founder and CEO of Black Raven, a full service marketing agency with a focus on helping firms working in private capital. Balancing the power of storytelling... Show more

Leslie Grandy

Leslie Grandy

Leslie Grandy is an accomplished author, speaker, and CEO advisor who helps companies, teams, and product leaders leverage creative thinking to elevate their organizations, conquer their markets, and maintain relevance in a rapidly changing world. Leslie works with start-ups and large publicly traded companies, including Oracle, Starbucks, and Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, to empower individuals at all levels to identify innovative solutions and think expansively.

With a career spanning over 25 years, Leslie Grandy has taken an unconventional path as a creative leader. From her successful stint in the film industry in Los Angeles as a member of the Directors Guild of America, she transitioned to leadership roles in iconic brands such as Amazon, Best Buy, Discovery, T-Mobile, and Apple. Her ability to build teams from scratch and launch pioneering products has been the hallmark of her success, leading the team that launched the first Android phone, the T-Mobile G1, and the ground-breaking digital media subscription service RealOne SuperPass. This innovative streaming service included major content brands like Turner, Major League Baseball, NASCAR, CNN, and ABCNews and, as part of its development, Leslie co-authored a patent currently held by Intel. She has also led internal innovation labs and is an IDEO-trained leader in Design Thinking.

More recently, Grandy co-created the Product Management Leadership Accelerator, part of the University of Washington Foster School of Business Executive Education program, where she serves as the Lead Executive in Residence. Leslie Grandy is also a member of the Board of Advisors and Adjunct Faculty at Regis College's Marshall Sloane School of Business, as well as West Virginia University’s College of Creative Arts and Media.

Leslie Grandy is an accomplished author, speaker, and CEO advisor who helps companies, teams, and product leaders leverage creative thinking to elevate their organizations, conquer their markets, and maintain relevance in a rapidly changing world. Le... Show more

Anupriy Kanti

Anupriy Kanti

Anupriy Kanti is a UX Design Leader and Content Strategist with over 14 years of experience designing for B2C and B2B products across various domains. He has led multidisciplinary teams in design agencies like Think Design and FoxyMoron, as well as high-growth unicorns such as Zeta and Infra.Market — where he built and scaled content design functions from the ground up.

Anupriy’s work intersects with systems thinking, storytelling, and UX clarity. He is known for developing frameworks and playbooks that make information architecture and content strategy accessible to cross-functional teams. As a design mentor and a frequent speaker across design communities, he employs metaphor-rich thinking to translate abstract ideas into practical tools and playbooks.

When he is not building design systems or advocating for content-informed UX, you will find him conducting mythological-prehistory walks in Bengaluru or decoding cosmic stories from deep time.

Anupriy Kanti is a UX Design Leader and Content Strategist with over 14 years of experience designing for B2C and B2B products across various domains. He has led multidisciplinary teams in design agencies like Think Design and FoxyMoron, as well as h... Show more

Chewie XO

Chewie XO

Chewie is a dynamic force in the worlds of marketing, gaming, and blockchain innovation. As a seasoned marketing strategist, Chewie crafts compelling narratives that bridge traditional strategies with cutting-edge digital ecosystems. A veteran semi-pro gamer, Chewie has a deep history in gaming having managed e-sports teams and running a large gaming community in the past, dominating leaderboards or driving community growth.

Chewie is the co-founder of @OnChainBrits, a vibrant collective championing on-chain culture and British blockchain enthusiasts. In the kitchen of crypto creativity, he collaborate on @ChewieTech_xo whipping up innovative strategy solutions driving UX and functionality. Chewie is also a proud member of @AvaxTeam1 on the Avalanche network where he promotes decentralised finance and Web3 adoption.

With a knack for community-building and a passion for pixels-to-protocols, Chewie isn't just playing the game he is rewriting the rules.

Chewie is a dynamic force in the worlds of marketing, gaming, and blockchain innovation. As a seasoned marketing strategist, Chewie crafts compelling narratives that bridge traditional strategies with cutting-edge digital ecosystems. A veteran semi-p... Show more

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