Gunjan is a Partner Development Manager at AWS, where he works with leading Data & Analytics, AI ISV partners to integrate emerging AI capabilities into their platforms. He specializes in helping technology companies navigate the technical and strategic challenges of implementing generative AI and agentic systems at scale. Gunjan's research focuses on agentic AI frameworks for precision oncology and multi-omics data integration in drug discovery. He has published research in IEEE conferences on AI/ML applications for medical diagnosis. With an M.Tech in Biotechnology and MBA in Information Management Systems, Gunjan bridges deep domain expertise in life sciences with practical experience scaling AI technologies across cloud platforms. His unique perspective combines academic research rigor with hands-on insights from deploying AI solutions in production environments.

Gunjan is a Partner Development Manager at AWS, where he works with leading Data & Analytics, AI ISV partners to integrate emerging AI capabilities into their platforms. He specializes in helping technology companies navigate the technical and strate... Show more

Leah Drew is a trauma-informed somatic leadership mentor, women’s empowerment guide, and culture-shaping consultant devoted to helping people remember who they are beneath performance, perfection, and people-pleasing so they can expand into their next level without burnout.

With a background in pain management, nervous system regulation, international teaching, embodiment & somatic work, and leadership development, Leah brings a rare blend of science, soul, and lived experience to every stage she steps onto. She supports high-achieving women, entrepreneurs, and leaders in reconnecting to their bodies, reclaiming their confidence, and leading with emotional intelligence, authenticity, and heart-led power.

Alongside her work with women's leadership, Leah consults with co-ed organizations and executive teams to enhance workplace culture and performance by creating workforces that are engaged, energized, and resilient. She helps businesses build high-performing teams by embedding practical, leadership-led wellbeing and culture practices into the everyday workflow to transform burnout cultures into environments where people feel supported, connected, motivated, and empowered to do their best work, together.

Leah is the founder of the Somatic Leadership Academy and the Mind Body Initiative, and host of the Mindful Evolution Podcast. Her work centers on healing the feminine wounds that keep women playing small & functioning from burnout, and guiding people of all genders into leadership that is grounded, embodied, and unapologetically human.

Whether she’s speaking to entrepreneurs, corporate teams, facilitators, or global communities, Leah creates experiences that are deeply felt. She doesn't just speak, she guides her audience into an experience. Through storytelling, somatic practices, and deeply human conversations, she helps audiences connect with each other, build resilience, strengthen connection, and cultivate cultures rooted in presence, purpose, and belonging.

Her mission is simple: to help people transform their pain into power, their wounds into wisdom, and their lives into expressions of their fullest potential.

Leah Drew is a trauma-informed somatic leadership mentor, women’s empowerment guide, and culture-shaping consultant devoted to helping people remember who they are beneath performance, perfection, and people-pleasing so they can expand into their nex... Show more

Nikki Maginn is a powerhouse at the intersection of engineering excellence and
human-centered leadership. A nuclear engineer, pilot, and former Division I athlete from the
University of Tennessee, she brings a rare blend of grit, curiosity, and compassion to every
stage she steps on. Nikki holds a B.S. in Nuclear Engineering and has complemented her
technical foundation with advanced leadership and management training throughout her career.
Currently, Nikki is the founder of Inside Out Engineering, a groundbreaking initiative that delivers
emotional intelligence training to engineers in industry, academia, and beyond. She is also an
advisor and coach to organizations seeking to build cultures of accountability, trust, and
innovation through people-first leadership.
Her career path spans high-stakes roles across the nuclear, logistics, and technology sectors.
As Director of Program Management at the largest material handling and logistics manufacturer
in the country, she drove multimillion-dollar cross-functional programs while cultivating cultures
of accountability, trust, and psychological safety. Prior to that, she held executive leadership
roles in the nuclear startup space, directing engineering operations for small modular reactor
development. Here Nikki negotiated nuclear fuel contracts, built partnerships with global nuclear
suppliers, ran new product development to ensure the ultimate safety and program performance
in one of the most demanding technical environments on earth.
In parallel with her technical and leadership work, Nikki has been a lifelong advocate for mental
health and emotional well-being in STEM. She has conducted research and facilitated programs
on emotional intelligence, resilience, and workplace culture, translating insights from psychology
and behavioral science into actionable tools for engineers and technical leaders. She has also
founded and led mentorship programs, women’s networks, and engineering education outreach
initiatives, ensuring that the next generation of engineers—especially women in STEM—enter
the field with both the technical expertise and human skills to thrive.
Nikki speaks and writes on topics ranging from courageous leadership and emotional
intelligence in technical fields to building mentorship cultures and leading with authenticity in
male-dominated industries. Her story challenges traditional notions of leadership—and reminds
us that empathy is not a soft skill; it is a core skill for the future of work.

Nikki Maginn is a powerhouse at the intersection of engineering excellence and human-centered leadership. A nuclear engineer, pilot, and former Division I athlete from the University of Tennessee, she brings a rare blend of grit, curiosity, and com... Show more

Maxim Schepelin has been an engineering leader in various industries, including Game Dev, e-commerce, and travel building teams capable of launching products from idea to world-scale. With over a decade of experience leading engineering teams, Maxim has mastered the art and science of management, as well as how to exit both Vim and Emacs.
Maxim continues exploring ways to build effective engineering teams that deliver value at a sustainable pace.

Maxim Schepelin has been an engineering leader in various industries, including Game Dev, e-commerce, and travel building teams capable of launching products from idea to world-scale. With over a decade of experience leading engineering teams, Maxim ... Show more

Uri Rosenberg is the Strategic Specialist Technical Manager of AI Services at Amazon Web Services (AWS). Based out of Israel, Uri works to empower strategic customers to design, build and operate deep learning at scale.
Uri is an AWS certified Lead Machine Learning Subject Matter Expert and holds an MsC. in computer science from Tel-Aviv Academic college, where his research focused on large scale deep learning models. He is also a member of the European Commission’s AI Alliance, a forum dedicated to all legal, technical, and economic implications that artificial intelligence (AI) presents to our societies.
Before his current role, Uri was the AI Specialist Technical Manager for Europe, Middle East and Africa. Prior to AWS, He also led the ML projects at at&t innovation center in Israel, working on deep learning models with extreme security and privacy constraints.

Uri Rosenberg is the Strategic Specialist Technical Manager of AI Services at Amazon Web Services (AWS). Based out of Israel, Uri works to empower strategic customers to design, build and operate deep learning at scale. Uri is an AWS certified Lea... Show more

Oliver is the Chief Privacy Office and Director of Security and Compliance at TAXbit, where he manages all aspects of security and compliance, including Incident Management/Response, Corporate Security Engineering, Cloud Security, Security Guidance, Product Security, Physical Security, and Compliance audits.

Before joining TAXbit in 2023, he was Head of Cloud Security at Uber Engineering in Seattle. There, he built a team working on secure-by-default architecture, best practices, engineering standards, automated compliance (SOC II, SOX, PCI, HIPPA, GDPR, ISO 27001), monitoring tools, data security, and threat detection/response solutions for all of Uber’s cloud assets and engineering efforts.

Prior to that, Oliver spent over 18 years at Microsoft, where he worked in various engineering and engineering management roles contributing to Windows client security (developing, testing, and releasing security updates), anti-piracy, cloud security standards, security testing (Windows, Office, and Azure), and continuous integration/delivery for all the company’s commercial online services.

In his spare time, he also volunteers to deliver (security) engineering training to schools and start-up companies in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania.

Oliver is the Chief Privacy Office and Director of Security and Compliance at TAXbit, where he manages all aspects of security and compliance, including Incident Management/Response, Corporate Security Engineering, Cloud Security, Security Guidance, ... Show more

Cloud & DevOps Architect specializing in Kubernetes-based cloud-native platforms, data engineering, and end-to-end automation. My approach is driven by a deep focus on AI Governance and FinOps.

Having navigated the complexities of regulated sectors, I bridge the gap between compliance and innovation.

Today, I lead initiatives in data control planes and X-Ops, delivering concrete cloud governance that cuts through the industry hype.

Cloud & DevOps Architect specializing in Kubernetes-based cloud-native platforms, data engineering, and end-to-end automation. My approach is driven by a deep focus on AI Governance and FinOps. Having navigated the complexities of regulated sector... Show more

Darlene Kilian is a seasoned English for Specific Purposes instructor and project leader at TU Bergakademie Freiberg’s International University Center (IUZ), specializing in academic and professional English language training and intercultural communication. She co-leads the Professional Communication curriculum, develops tailored courses for students and staff, and continues to drive Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) projects connecting TUBAF learners and educators with their peers abroad. Kilian also spearheads initiatives linking alumni and current students to showcase global English use in engineering and sciences, combining language pedagogy with digital and intercultural competencies to prepare participants for international academic and professional environments.

Darlene Kilian is a seasoned English for Specific Purposes instructor and project leader at TU Bergakademie Freiberg’s International University Center (IUZ), specializing in academic and professional English language training and intercultural commun... Show more

I am a seasoned professional with over a decade of experience in Data Warehousing, Business Intelligence (BI), and Analytics across industries such as Banking, Healthcare, and Retail. Currently, I work as an Analytics Solutions Associate Sr. at JP Morgan Chase, where I have led BI system migrations, executive dashboard development, and data optimization initiatives. My expertise spans Tableau, Business Objects, Cognos, and PL/SQL, with a strong focus on data governance and AI-driven analytics to enhance decision-making and operational efficiency.

I hold a Master’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and have earned certifications in Tableau, Microsoft Azure, AWS, and Alteryx. As an active IEEE member and peer reviewer, I am committed to advancing technology by contributing to technical reports, research publications, and mentoring. I am passionate about driving BI transformation projects that enable data-driven strategies, regulatory compliance, and business innovation.

I am a seasoned professional with over a decade of experience in Data Warehousing, Business Intelligence (BI), and Analytics across industries such as Banking, Healthcare, and Retail. Currently, I work as an Analytics Solutions Associate Sr. at JP Mo... Show more

Blessing Agbor is an API Security Engineer with 2 years of experience in application security, specializing in the emerging threat landscape where artificial intelligence meets traditional API vulnerabilities. Operating at the intersection of OWASP API Security Top 10 and OWASP Top 10 for LLM Applications, she addresses the critical security gaps that most organizations miss when deploying AI agents and LLM-powered systems. Her research focuses on cross-framework vulnerability analysis, demonstrating how attackers chain traditional API flaws (BOLA, broken authentication, excessive data exposure) with LLM-specific vulnerabilities (prompt injection, insecure plugins, excessive agency) to achieve complete system compromise. This work emerged from conducting real-world security assessments of AI agent deployments in fintech, e-commerce, and SaaS platforms across multiple continents.

Throughout her career, Blessing has conducted security assessments for organizations and identified 5+ critical vulnerabilities. She holds CompTIA Certs as well as APISEC and actively contributes to the security community through technical blog posts and local security meetups. Based in Lagos, Nigeria, Blessing Agbor is committed to elevating cybersecurity expertise across emerging markets. She believes that advanced security knowledge should be accessible to all practitioners, regardless of geography or organizational size. When not breaking AI agents, she enjoys vlogging, reading books, and documenting her memories.

She has served in technical and leadership roles for major community-led events, including Google Developers Group's Build with AI, DevFest, TechSafe, and STEMCON Tour, and regularly speaks on how security, ethics, and human behavior intersect in tech development. Currently, she’s working on API security projects—deepening her expertise in securing APIs, understanding real-world attack surfaces, implementing threat modeling, and integrating security seamlessly into CI/CD pipelines. Her focus is on building resilient, developer-friendly security workflows that align with modern DevSecOps practices.

Blessing Agbor is an API Security Engineer with 2 years of experience in application security, specializing in the emerging threat landscape where artificial intelligence meets traditional API vulnerabilities. Operating at the intersection of OWASP... Show more

Highlighting place and location as memory, audiences explore our interactions with ecosystems revealing that what appears completely factual is often, not factually complete. Recognized as a leading voice in thinking beyond words to illuminate climate science and the human impact on our planetary boundaries, Bonny describes storytelling as where perception and truth create friction. Her expertise transforms raw data into compelling narratives that drive impactful decision-making.

Highlighting place and location as memory, audiences explore our interactions with ecosystems revealing that what appears completely factual is often, not factually complete. Recognized as a leading voice in thinking beyond words to illuminate climat... Show more

PhD in Applied Geosciences (Hydrogeology & Hydrochemistry)

PhD in Applied Geosciences (Hydrogeology & Hydrochemistry) Show more

Kristopher Sandoval is a Product Marketing and Developer Relations expert with over a decade of experience across industrial, biomedical, and artificial intelligence development. To date, Kristopher has written over 700 books and articles on development, product marketing, and future technologies.

Kristopher Sandoval is a Product Marketing and Developer Relations expert with over a decade of experience across industrial, biomedical, and artificial intelligence development. To date, Kristopher has written over 700 books and articles on developm... Show more

Blythe is a product marketing executive, focused on SQL Server and database product development. She has more than two decades of success delivering multi million-dollar revenue growth through innovative marketing, product positioning, messaging, and competitive differentiation. She spends her days developing products that Data Pros use every day. She has a background in Microsoft SQL Server, PowerBI and Data Warehousing. She speaks at many conferences and events around the world, helping improve the work lives of DBAs everywhere.

Blythe is a product marketing executive, focused on SQL Server and database product development. She has more than two decades of success delivering multi million-dollar revenue growth through innovative marketing, product positioning, messaging, and... Show more

Will is the TSC chair of Vortex (a Linux Foundation project), the fastest & most extensible open-source columnar file format. He is also the co-founder/CEO at Spiral, which builds a multimodal data warehouse. Previously, he worked at Palantir for 10 years. While there, he helped create Palantir Foundry and built/scaled "everything that read or wrote bytes".

Will is the TSC chair of Vortex (a Linux Foundation project), the fastest & most extensible open-source columnar file format. He is also the co-founder/CEO at Spiral, which builds a multimodal data warehouse. Previously, he worked at Palantir for 10 ... Show more

I am a Developer Relations Engineer at Harness, where I build and evangelize developer-focused solutions for cloud platforms, APIs, and beyond. I enjoy transforming complex debugging challenges into simple, teachable stories.

With over nine years of experience in engineering and product development, I have built software that scales for enterprises and tools that empower developer communities across the email and cloud infrastructure space.

I am a Developer Relations Engineer at Harness, where I build and evangelize developer-focused solutions for cloud platforms, APIs, and beyond. I enjoy transforming complex debugging challenges into simple, teachable stories. With over nine years... Show more

A wellbeing guide. Kira Buckley is an integrative medicine practitioner, writer, and ceremonial guide whose work sits at the intersection of somatics, ancestral intelligence, nervous system regulation, and cultural repair.
With a background as a former educator and over a decade of clinical and experiential work in acupuncture, herbal medicine, somatic therapy, and ritual facilitation, Kira speaks to what happens beneath behavior—where the body carries stories that language, systems, and family structures often fail to name.
Her talks explore themes such as:
The inherited costs of caretaking, productivity, and “being strong”
Rest as a physiological and cultural recalibration—not a luxury
How grief, burnout, and chronic symptoms are often signals of misalignment rather than pathology
Reclaiming authority from external validation, tradition, and transactional love
The body as a living archive of ancestral memory and future possibility
Kira is known for her grounded presence, sharp insight, and ability to translate complex somatic and spiritual concepts into language that is accessible, embodied, and actionable. She does not offer platitudes or performance healing—she invites people into honest self-contact, practical integration, and courageous choice-making.
Whether speaking to educators, healers, creatives, caregivers, or organizational leaders, Kira’s work leaves audiences with more than inspiration—it leaves them with permission and tools to live in deeper alignment with their bodies, boundaries, and truth.

A wellbeing guide. Kira Buckley is an integrative medicine practitioner, writer, and ceremonial guide whose work sits at the intersection of somatics, ancestral intelligence, nervous system regulation, and cultural repair. With a background as a for... Show more

Shana Sumers is a keynote speaker, community builder and former HubSpot leader who teaches organizations and professionals to develop strategic relationship capital that drives career advancement and business growth. Known as "The Mayor" for her ability to connect everyone with anyone, she delivers high-energy sessions on building relationship capital, personal branding and authentic connection. With a track record of scaling communities by 400%, hosting 5 star working events and launching multiple communities in startup and corporate organizations, Shana brings proven frameworks, real-world stories, and actionable takeaways that help audiences turn connections into opportunities.

Shana Sumers is a keynote speaker, community builder and former HubSpot leader who teaches organizations and professionals to develop strategic relationship capital that drives career advancement and business growth. Known as "The Mayor" for her abil... Show more

Austin Caudle, MSc
Vice President, SmartSkin Technologies

A seasoned pharmaceutical quality thought leader, Mr. Caudle has over two decades of experience across pharmaceuticals, biotech, and medical devices, specializing in bridging technology with critical industry needs to advance quality and patient outcomes. He actively shapes industry standards as Immediate Past-President of PDA Southeast Chapter, a member of the PDA Regulatory and Quality Advisory Board (RAQAB), and a Regulatory Authority Engagement Liaison for the EMA Quality Working Party. He also contributes to ISPE CaSA Chapter and is a frequent contributor to discussions on data integrity, quality maturity, and regulatory science.

His extensive career includes roles at Fortune 500 companies (Kelly Science & Clinical, IQVIA, ThermoFisher), leadership at NSF Health Sciences and Charles River, and establishing Redica Systems as a leader in Quality and Regulatory Intelligence software. At SmartSkin, he drives strategic partnerships and customer engagement to accelerate technology adoption, empowering manufacturers by focusing on damage prevention, process control, and regulatory confidence.

Austin holds a BSc and MSc in Nutrition & Food Science from Auburn University and has published research in scientific journals.

Austin Caudle, MSc Vice President, SmartSkin Technologies A seasoned pharmaceutical quality thought leader, Mr. Caudle has over two decades of experience across pharmaceuticals, biotech, and medical devices, specializing in bridging technology wi... Show more

Over 25 years of Software development experience in Business applications, PaaS and bespoke solutions. Dave has a long history in many different industries- computer games, personal finance, local government, resources, education, insurance, utilities and energy providers. He has enjoyed steady progression up the layers from machine code and Assembly to C and C++, finally to SQL, c#, javascript and PowerFX. He says that you learn by mistakes. Dave prefers to learn from other peoples. Having made enough mistakes of his own to learn a lot..... His epitaph would read "What's the worst that can happen.....oh...yeh... I hadn't thought of that."

Over 25 years of Software development experience in Business applications, PaaS and bespoke solutions. Dave has a long history in many different industries- computer games, personal finance, local government, resources, education, insurance, utili... Show more

Android Engineer with 14+ years of experience, former Google Developer Expert for Android and mentor at Google for Startups Brazil, and creator of Android Dev BR - the biggest Brazilian Android community out there!

Android Engineer with 14+ years of experience, former Google Developer Expert for Android and mentor at Google for Startups Brazil, and creator of Android Dev BR - the biggest Brazilian Android community out there! Show more

Many of us are exhausted when our nervous systems carry more than they were ever designed to hold, while the world still expects peak performance. Farhan Zahid steps into that gap and turns all of that pressure into a doorway for sustainable power, clearer thinking, and real breakthroughs in personal and professional wellness.

Farhan is the founder and CEO of KNKO, a concierge wellness company for high-performing leaders, teams, and member communities based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Before KNKO, he spent years as a Chartered Accountant, Big 4 Internal Auditor and Head of Risk at a global investment firm. That experience means his keynotes and workshops connect wellbeing directly to performance, outcomes, and impact, helping individuals and organizations create tangible, measurable shifts instead of simply “feeling better.”

Alongside his corporate career, Farhan has trained as a clinical hypnotherapist, Master NLP practitioner, yoga teacher, massage therapist, and has worked as an auxiliary nurse in both clinical and psychiatric settings. He combines body-mind science, behavioral change, and practical tools into sessions that help people immediately regulate stress, deepen rest, and cultivate their energy in real-world conditions.

With 20+ years on stage, Farhan has spoken at organizational and industry conferences, board meetings, executive off-sites, company all-hands and private members clubs. Whether he is working with a leadership team, a full organization, or an individual, his aim is simple: to help people who carry a lot on their shoulders move through the world with more clarity, calm, sustainable power...and the capacity to perform at their best when it truly counts.

Many of us are exhausted when our nervous systems carry more than they were ever designed to hold, while the world still expects peak performance. Farhan Zahid steps into that gap and turns all of that pressure into a doorway for sustainable power, c... Show more

Steve is a Quality Analyst who works to build empowered teams, capable of delivering and taking ownership of quality. He has worked on a wide variety of products, from mainframes to microservices and has a particular interest in complex socio-technical systems and how we work with them.

He is passionate about complexity theory, building quality into culture and testing as part of continuous delivery in modern, distributed architectures. Outside of work, Steve enjoys travel and mountains.

Steve is a Quality Analyst who works to build empowered teams, capable of delivering and taking ownership of quality. He has worked on a wide variety of products, from mainframes to microservices and has a particular interest in complex socio-technic... Show more

I’m an extrovert with over 10 years of multi-industry experience, skilled in Digital Marketing, Semantic SEO, Technical SEO, E-commerce management, customer service, and Amazon/eBay store operations. I plan and execute complete marketing and social media strategies, including budget management, content planning, and campaign implementation. I also have hands-on expertise in Google PPC, Bing PPC, and Amazon PPC.

I’m an extrovert with over 10 years of multi-industry experience, skilled in Digital Marketing, Semantic SEO, Technical SEO, E-commerce management, customer service, and Amazon/eBay store operations. I plan and execute complete marketing and social m... Show more

13 years at Deutsche Telekom, 10 years as Enterprise Architekt, 2 years Reorganisation Telekom IT CoreTeam, 2 years IT@Motion Stream "Culture of Trust" CoreTeam, 2,5 years People Lead Chapter Business Analyst, founded Passioneers in January 2025

13 years at Deutsche Telekom, 10 years as Enterprise Architekt, 2 years Reorganisation Telekom IT CoreTeam, 2 years IT@Motion Stream "Culture of Trust" CoreTeam, 2,5 years People Lead Chapter Business Analyst, founded Passioneers in January 2025 Show more

A Docker Captain and Microsoft MVP, is a Cloud and DevOps engineer, consultant, and instructor with expertise in Microsoft Azure and DevOps practices. Passionate about teaching, she delivers both practical and theoretical courses on Azure, and DevOps. Cigdem helps organizations implement DevOps transformations across cloud and on-premises environments while contributing to the community through insightful technical articles and videos on cloud adoption and DevOps best practices.

A Docker Captain and Microsoft MVP, is a Cloud and DevOps engineer, consultant, and instructor with expertise in Microsoft Azure and DevOps practices. Passionate about teaching, she delivers both practical and theoretical courses on Azure, and DevOps... Show more

As Senior Director of Product Strategy at CheckAlt, I bring over 20 years of expertise in enterprise product management, innovation, automation, AI, and go-to-market strategy. My current focus is on leading the development and optimization of AI/ML-powered payment processing and risk management solutions. By building a high-performing product organization, I’ve streamlined lifecycle management processes and enabled cross-functional teams to launch a real-time payments platform that aligns with market demand.

As Senior Director of Product Strategy at CheckAlt, I bring over 20 years of expertise in enterprise product management, innovation, automation, AI, and go-to-market strategy. My current focus is on leading the development and optimization of AI/ML-p... Show more

Muhammad Rashid is an Industrial PhD researcher at the University of Turin and RuleX Labs, focusing on Explainable AI and trustworthy computer vision. His research integrates interpretability and reliability in deep models for anomaly detection and human–robot interaction. With multiple publications in AAAI and XAI-World, he contributes to the EU project DistriMuSe, designing interpretable AI systems for industrial safety and transparent decision-making.

Muhammad Rashid is an Industrial PhD researcher at the University of Turin and RuleX Labs, focusing on Explainable AI and trustworthy computer vision. His research integrates interpretability and reliability in deep models for anomaly detection and h... Show more

Meet Samuel Rangel

Samuel Rangel, a proud Merced, California native, is a devoted husband, father of seven, and grandfather of eight. He currently serves with the Merced County Human Services Agency’s All Dad’s Matter Program, where he empowers fathers and families through support, education, and advocacy.

With over two decades of service, Samuel has established himself as a licensed substance abuse counselor, Certified Lactation Education Counselor, author, court-appointed gang culture expert, motivational speaker, and community advocate. He is also the co-founder of two nonprofit organizations—Mentoring Odd Jobs Organization (MOJO) and Distinguished Outreach Services—both of which are dedicated to improving the quality of life for Merced County residents with a strong emphasis on youth engagement, prevention, and fatherhood initiatives.

Samuel’s work extends beyond titles. He is widely recognized for his ability to connect with people from all walks of life, often using his own experiences to inspire others. Having overcome personal challenges, he understands the struggles many in his community face today. His story of resilience fuels his mission: to help individuals break cycles of hardship and to create pathways toward healthier families and stronger communities.

Outside of his professional and nonprofit leadership, Samuel has lived a dynamic and inspiring life. He is a former MMA coach and fighter, a recording artist with seven albums, and a five-time competitive BBQ rib champion. Each of these pursuits reflects his belief in discipline, creativity, and the importance of pursuing one’s passions fully.

His passion and dedication have earned him numerous accolades, including Safeway’s Humanitarian of the Year Award, recognition as Hispanic Man of the Year by the Merced County Hispanic Chamber, and formal accommodations from both the California State Assembly and the United States House of Representatives. These honors reflect not only his personal achievements but also the profound impact he continues to make on families, youth, and the broader community.

Looking ahead, Samuel remains committed to expanding his work in advocacy, mentorship, and fatherhood education. His vision is to see every father equipped with the tools to lead with love, responsibility, and purpose—because stronger fathers create stronger families, and stronger families build stronger communities.

Samuel often shares this guiding belief:

“You can spend a lifetime looking for your purpose, but when you find your passion, you begin to live.”

Meet Samuel Rangel Samuel Rangel, a proud Merced, California native, is a devoted husband, father of seven, and grandfather of eight. He currently serves with the Merced County Human Services Agency’s All Dad’s Matter Program, where he empowers fa... Show more

Alexis Roig is the CEO of SciTech DiploHub, the world-leading think-and-do tank working at the intersection of science, technology, and foreign affairs, where he leads an international team of over 20 members committed to empowering science and technology to face global challenges.

He also serves in the pioneering role of Barcelona’s Chief Science and Tech Envoy, bringing the voice of evidence-based urban policies and innovations before the UN’s ECOSOC, UNESCO, UNFCCC, the United Nations Sustainable Solutions Network, the International Science Council, the Union for the Mediterranean, and the European Committee of the Regions, among other international organizations. He has over 15 years of experience as a Senior Advisor on Science Diplomacy and City Diplomacy for ministries of Foreign Affairs, Science, Research, and Education across Asia, Latin America, and Europe.

His academic roles include being a Professor at the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology (USST), Associate Researcher at the Barcelona Centre for International Relations (CIDOB), Associate Professor at Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), and the Barcelona Institute for International Studies (IBEI) and Associate Research Fellow at United Nations University (UNU-CRIS), where he works as part of the Regions and Cities Governance Lab in the fields of Science and Technology Diplomacy. Professor Roig is a founder and board member of numerous non-profits and think tanks on Public Diplomacy, Science Advice, and Innovation Policy.

Among other roles, he has served as an advisor to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation of the Government of Spain, and to the European Commission and the United States’ Department of State on their respective Science, Technology, and City Diplomacy strategies, and as Commissioner for International Affairs of the Barcelona Metropolitan Region strategic plan.

Alexis Roig has developed numerous policy reports, strategic plans, and training programs in Science Diplomacy for regional and national governments of the United States, Mexico, Chile, Spain, France, Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, Turkey, China, Korea, and Japan. He has taught in institutions such as Harvard University, Georgetown University, Sciences Po, CEIBS, Fudan University, Tsinghua University, and Johns Hopkins University, and in the last decade trained over 1,000 government officials from over 50 different nationalities.

He holds a master’s degree in Computer Science from the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, an MBA from EM Normandie Business School, a Postgraduate degree in Diplomacy from the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, an Executive Diploma in Nonprofit Foundation Management, and has completed Executive Education programs in Leadership and Public Administration at ESADE and IESE. He is fluent in English, Spanish, French, and Catalan, and is continuously improving his proficiency in Mandarin Chinese.

Alexis Roig is the CEO of SciTech DiploHub, the world-leading think-and-do tank working at the intersection of science, technology, and foreign affairs, where he leads an international team of over 20 members committed to empowering science and techn... Show more