Travel & Tourism

Experts in the promotion and management of travel experiences, focusing on leisure, business, and cultural exploration

D'arce Hess

D'arce Hess

D’arce Hess is a Sr. Cloud Architect with CloudWay. For more than eight years, D’arce has specialized in the creation of custom portals and experiences in SharePoint and Office365. As a UI/UX Designer and Developer, D’arce uses industry and Microsoft best practices as a base for creating solutions that simplify processes, drive user adoption, and governance from the start. As a recognized Microsoft MVP, D’arce has had the opportunity to work with Fortune 500 companies and has become a trusted partner to her clients in the industries of healthcare, pharmaceuticals, legal, travel & tourism and entertainment.

D’arce Hess is a Sr. Cloud Architect with CloudWay. For more than eight years, D’arce has specialized in the creation of custom portals and experiences in SharePoint and Office365. As a UI/UX Designer and Developer, D’arce uses industry and Microsoft... Show more

Valentin Kononov

Valentin Kononov

I work at Mapbox R&D center in Minsk, Belarus, experienced in .NET, Angular, React Native, NodeJS, NestJS and other interesting stuff in full-stack software development. Really love modern web technical stack, but strongly believe in the understanding of fundamental aspects of programming. I like code writing, work in amazing and useful projects, which can bring something valuable to people. My spare time is mostly dedicated to my family, reading and writing, and also traveling is an important part of my life!

I work at Mapbox R&D center in Minsk, Belarus, experienced in .NET, Angular, React Native, NodeJS, NestJS and other interesting stuff in full-stack software development. Really love modern web technical stack, but strongly believe in the understandin... Show more

Chip Kennedy

Chip Kennedy

Chip Kennedy is the CTO of Tastemakers Africa, a venture-backed experiences marketplace connecting travelers to heritage and culture across the world. Chip built the Tastemakers platform and grew the marketplace to support thousands of travelers and hundreds of experience providers. Previously, he founded and ran Collectively, a startup studio for mission-driven entrepreneurs, where he led projects for startups, accelerators, and government offices, including the NYC mayor's office. Chip has a BS in Computer Science from Case Western Reserve University.

Chip Kennedy is the CTO of Tastemakers Africa, a venture-backed experiences marketplace connecting travelers to heritage and culture across the world. Chip built the Tastemakers platform and grew the marketplace to support thousands of travelers and ... Show more

Katrina Moore

Katrina Moore

Katrina Moore
Globetrotter | Storyteller | Cultural Bridge-Builder
Founder, Kat Explores & Traveling Kat Media
Katrina Moore is a travel storyteller and cultural connector who transforms strangers into family through her podcast, Kat Explores. With a background as a former tourism director (Port Lavaca & Montgomery, TX), she now hosts a platform celebrating transformative travel, cultural exchange, and the art of getting lost. Katrina’s work includes virtual tours with Egyptian guides, planning international festivals, & her upcoming nonprofit, Kat’s Crew Cares, focused on globetrotters giving back.
Her travels aren’t about checking boxes—they’re about collecting people and stories. Katrina embodies travel as a two-way street. She’s passionate about Egypt, Venice, and Houston, where she marshals parades and hosts cultural festivals.
Katrina is at ESTO to connect with destinations and brands who believe in travel as a force for cultural understanding eco&nomic empowerment.

Katrina Moore Globetrotter | Storyteller | Cultural Bridge-Builder Founder, Kat Explores & Traveling Kat Media Katrina Moore is a travel storyteller and cultural connector who transforms strangers into family through her podcast, Kat Explores. Wit... Show more

Knowledge Benjamin

Knowledge Benjamin

Knowledge Benjamin is a solution oriented Software Developer.

Knowledge Benjamin is a solution oriented Software Developer. Show more

Lianacris Panaligan

Lianacris Panaligan

building belonging through movement

building belonging through movement Show more

Vix Reitano

Vix Reitano

20 years of marketing and sales experience.

20 years of marketing and sales experience. Show more

Rucha Kapare

Rucha Kapare

Hello, I'm Rucha Ramchandra Kapare, an Agile enthusiast with a decade of experience in software and product development. Currently, I am Head of the Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion(DEI)Data team at Springer Nature.

😇 I firmly believe diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are essential to creating a productive and innovative workplace. As an Agile practitioner, I strive to incorporate DEI principles into the Agile framework to create more inclusive and collaborative teams. I am also committed to allyship and researcher diversity and have spoken at several conferences.

📝As a leader in Business Analysis and Agile methodologies, I enjoy facilitating workshops and meetings that help organisations embrace change and drive innovation. Being a Business Agility Meetup leader gives me ample opportunities to facilitate, share and learn.

I am a travel freak and love reading, and it's been an old love reunion during the pandemic. I relate to many social causes, and you will find me working for these in my free time or chilling with my parents and family.

Hello, I'm Rucha Ramchandra Kapare, an Agile enthusiast with a decade of experience in software and product development. Currently, I am Head of the Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion(DEI)Data team at Springer Nature. 😇 I firmly believe diversi... Show more

Dolphy Fernandes

Dolphy Fernandes

Dolphy Fernandes is an experienced Technology Director in Architecture and Platform Engineering, with over 10 years of experience leading high-performing teams and spearheading digital transformation initiatives for leading global organizations. With a strong background in building enterprise-level platforms, Dolphy’s career has focused on designing agile, cross-functional teams that deliver innovative, high-quality solutions at scale. He is passionate about optimizing team structures and interactions, to unlock faster delivery and improve team engagement.

Dolphy Fernandes is an experienced Technology Director in Architecture and Platform Engineering, with over 10 years of experience leading high-performing teams and spearheading digital transformation initiatives for leading global organizations. With... Show more

Tatiana Rodriguez

Tatiana Rodriguez

Soy una apasionada profesional en constante búsqueda de desafíos en el mundo de la tecnología, con una sólida formación en Administración de Negocios Internacionales y un perfil destacado como Desarrolladora Senior Frontend. Mi trayectoria está marcada por un incansable espíritu de superación, respaldado por la próxima obtención de una Maestría en Ingeniería de Software y Sistemas Informáticos, y certificación como scrum master. Como líder de la comunidad Pioneras Dev en Bucaramanga, me enorgullece promover la inclusión y la diversidad en la industria tecnológica, mientras comparto mi pasión por la innovación con otros profesionales. Mi amor por viajar se entrelaza con mi carrera, proporcionándome inspiración constante y ampliando mis horizontes tanto personal como profesionalmente. Estoy comprometida a seguir creciendo y contribuyendo al mundo tecnológico con determinación.

Soy una apasionada profesional en constante búsqueda de desafíos en el mundo de la tecnología, con una sólida formación en Administración de Negocios Internacionales y un perfil destacado como Desarrolladora Senior Frontend. Mi trayectoria está marca... Show more

Esther Edike

Esther Edike

I am a skilled community manager with a proven track record of successfully creating and cultivating online communities. My exceptional communication and interpersonal skills enable me to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds and establish positive relationships.

As a proactive and collaborative team player, I am committed to delivering outstanding outcomes while continually seeking opportunities to enhance user experiences and boost community engagement. My in-depth understanding of social media platforms and community management best practices further strengthens my ability to drive results.

Outside of my professional pursuits, I enjoy pursuing my personal interests, such as traveling, sleeping, and savoring delicious meals.

I am a skilled community manager with a proven track record of successfully creating and cultivating online communities. My exceptional communication and interpersonal skills enable me to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds and establis... Show more

Sailendra Kumar

Sailendra Kumar

Sailendra is the Vice President of Product Management at Back Market, a France-based global online marketplace for refurbished electronics, operating in 18 countries worldwide.

With a career that began in software engineering nearly two decades ago, Sailendra’s journey has been defined by a relentless drive to build products that matter. After earning his MBA, he transitioned into product management, where he discovered his true calling, leading teams to transform ideas into impact.

Over the past ten years, Sailendra has led global product teams across India, Europe, the USA, and the UK at industry-leading companies like MakeMyTrip, Indeed, and Spotahome. His expertise spans online marketplaces, payments, data science, and leadership, yet it's his passion for building empowered, high-trust teams that truly defines his approach.

Sailendra believes that great products are born at the intersection of empathy, data, and bold vision. Guided by his personal mantra, “Explore, Express, Evolve”, he is committed to shaping the future of commerce through innovation that is sustainable, inclusive, and meaningful.

Sailendra is the Vice President of Product Management at Back Market, a France-based global online marketplace for refurbished electronics, operating in 18 countries worldwide. With a career that began in software engineering nearly two decades ag... Show more

Kazi Hossain

Kazi Hossain

Hi! My name is Kazi, and I'm currently pursuing computer science at Queens College with a growing interest in AI, product management, and software engineering.

I bring strong experience in technical program management and software engineering through my work at Pure Storage, Sparc, and Conatix Cysana. This upcoming summer, I'm interning at Google as a technical program manager on the security team.

My major areas of focus are distributed systems, backend development (Java, Flask), and mobile app development (Kotlin) to underrepresented individuals! I’m also experienced in assembly language, Python, and SQL.

I have ~ 2 years of experience in venture capital, working with GoAhead Ventures at Stanford University to source 10+ tech startups.

I’m deeply committed to increasing representation in tech. I co-founded the BISESJ Mentorship Program, where I served as a tutor and mentor for 3 years along with 10 other students. I love to mentor college students break into tech from underrepresented backgrounds!

I’m excited to continue exploring AI, product and program management, software engineering, and consulting. Feel free to reach out via email at Kazihossain416@gmail.com

Hi! My name is Kazi, and I'm currently pursuing computer science at Queens College with a growing interest in AI, product management, and software engineering. I bring strong experience in technical program management and software engineering thr... Show more

Richard K Niner

Richard K Niner

Canine furry and fursuiter from Toronto. Organizer of the Furnal Equinox "Tour De Fur" public fursuit walk since 2017.

Canine furry and fursuiter from Toronto. Organizer of the Furnal Equinox "Tour De Fur" public fursuit walk since 2017. Show more

Alex Hart, Ed.D.

Alex Hart, Ed.D.

Originally from Roseville, CA, working in residence life began for Alex when he was a first-year student at William Jessup University near Sacramento, CA. A professional staff member asked Alex to apply to be an Orientation Leader and later on a Resident Advisor. Since then Alex finished his Masters Degree in Student Development Counseling & Administration at Indiana Wesleyan University and his Doctorate of Education in Higher Education Leadership at Azusa Pacific University, studying the development of programming to increase residential college students' sense of community. Alex loves television shows, movies, camping, traveling, and sitting around and talking.

Originally from Roseville, CA, working in residence life began for Alex when he was a first-year student at William Jessup University near Sacramento, CA. A professional staff member asked Alex to apply to be an Orientation Leader and later on a Resi... Show more

Kyle Edmiston, CDME

Kyle Edmiston, CDME

Kyle Edmiston, CDME, is president and CEO of Visit Lake Charles and a nationally recognized leader in the travel and tourism industry with nearly two decades of experience. Known for his strategic vision and collaborative leadership style, he has played a key role in elevating Southwest Louisiana on regional, national, and international stages while strengthening partnerships across the community. His service includes leadership roles with Destinations International, Brand USA, U.S. Travel Association, Travel South USA, and the Louisiana Association of CVBs. His honors include the 2023 Destination Organization Leadership Award, the Marion “Butch” Fox Advocacy Award, and recognition as National State Tourism Director of the Year. He currently serves as chair-elect of the 2025–26 Destinations International Board of Directors.

Kyle Edmiston, CDME, is president and CEO of Visit Lake Charles and a nationally recognized leader in the travel and tourism industry with nearly two decades of experience. Known for his strategic vision and collaborative leadership style, he has pla... Show more

Faraz Babar

Faraz Babar

Passionate software developer focused on modern, cloud native, distributed systems.

Passionate software developer focused on modern, cloud native, distributed systems. Show more

Eric & Elisa Malo

Eric & Elisa Malo

Eric & Elisa are a creative couple and founders of Eric x Elisa, a brand rooted in creativity, wellness, and community. Through modeling, content creation, and immersive experiences, they focus on building genuine connection and helping others grow with confidence and intention.

Eric & Elisa are a creative couple and founders of Eric x Elisa, a brand rooted in creativity, wellness, and community. Through modeling, content creation, and immersive experiences, they focus on building genuine connection and helping others grow w... Show more

Sarah Hughes

Sarah Hughes

Sarah Hughes is a 2025 Inside Business 40 Under 40 honoree, is Vice President of Marketing & Communications at VisitNorfolk. With 13+ years in travel and tourism marketing and 7+ years shaping Norfolk’s destination strategy, she is passionate about using creativity and community engagement to showcase the city’s culture, history, and local businesses. A graduate of Old Dominion University, Sarah started her career in PR and advertising before joining VisitNorfolk, where she helps connect visitors with experiences that support the local economy. She is actively involved in regional and national tourism initiatives, including the Coastal Virginia Tourism Alliance, Destinations International, and the Hampton Roads Chamber. When she’s not promoting Norfolk, Sarah enjoys exploring the outdoors, traveling, and sharing adventures with family and friends.

Sarah Hughes is a 2025 Inside Business 40 Under 40 honoree, is Vice President of Marketing & Communications at VisitNorfolk. With 13+ years in travel and tourism marketing and 7+ years shaping Norfolk’s destination strategy, she is passionate about u... Show more

Kathryn Hyatt

Kathryn Hyatt

Kathryn “Kat” Hyatt is the Vice President of Marketing at Visit Corpus Christi, where she has spent the past five years leading award-winning destination marketing efforts. With a strong pre-agency background, Kat brings deep expertise in digital performance and data-driven strategy to every campaign. She oversees communications, content, and marketing operations and is recognized as a leader in travel and tourism marketing.

Kat was named a 2025 Emerging Marketing Star by eTourism Summit and has spoken at national industry conferences, including the DI MarCom and eTourism Summit. She is a Certified Tourism Executive (CTE) through the Texas Travel Alliance and a proud graduate of Baylor University—go Bears. Her work includes leading the accessibility initiative that made Corpus Christi the first Gulf Coast destination to earn Destination Verified Accreditation from Wheel the World, setting a new standard for inclusive and accessible destination marketing.

Kathryn “Kat” Hyatt is the Vice President of Marketing at Visit Corpus Christi, where she has spent the past five years leading award-winning destination marketing efforts. With a strong pre-agency background, Kat brings deep expertise in digital per... Show more

Unnati Mishra

Unnati Mishra

Unnati is working as a R&D Engineer Software 2 at VMware by Broadcom, India. Currently working with the Release Engg team of the Tanzu Kubernetes Grid. She has been active in Open Source community since 2019 and has also participated in many Hackathons, bagging prizes in few of them. She enjoys giving talks at local conferences. When not working, she enjoys dancing and making Tech YouTube videos.

Unnati is working as a R&D Engineer Software 2 at VMware by Broadcom, India. Currently working with the Release Engg team of the Tanzu Kubernetes Grid. She has been active in Open Source community since 2019 and has also participated in many Hackatho... Show more

Nyla Pollard

Nyla Pollard

Nyla Pollard is the Founder & CEO of Ballin AI, a sports technology company building the world’s first AI-powered recruiting intelligence platform for basketball.

A former Division I point guard at William & Mary, Nyla experienced firsthand how much recruiting success depends on exposure and fit—not just talent. That insight led her to build Ballin AI: a platform that analyzes game film, evaluates player performance, and helps coaches recruit using data.

Under her leadership, Ballin AI has partnered with Division I programs, professional organizations, and major grassroots circuits, including Nike, and has attracted nearly $1M investments from firms such as Slauson & Co., Oregon Sports Angels, and FBomb Angels.

Nyla speaks on startups, sports technology, leadership, and the future of talent evaluation, as well as on building purpose-driven companies in high-performance environments. She is known for blending faith, discipline, and execution — teaching audiences how to build with conviction, resilience, and long-term vision.

Nyla Pollard is the Founder & CEO of Ballin AI, a sports technology company building the world’s first AI-powered recruiting intelligence platform for basketball. A former Division I point guard at William & Mary, Nyla experienced firsthand how mu... Show more

Tushar Shah

Tushar Shah

Tushar Kumar Shah is a Software Development Engineer at Websmiths in Mohali, where he builds scalable full-stack applications using modern technologies such as TypeScript, Next.js, Fastify, Node.js, and cloud platforms. He recently completed his B.E. in Computer Science and Engineering from Chandigarh University.

Beyond professional work, he is a Co-organizer at Google Developer Groups Cloud Chandigarh, where he drives developer community growth through events, technical sessions, and creative content. He has also been recognized as a Top 25 coder among 114k participants in Amazon Hack-On 2024. Tushar is passionate about building impactful software, mentoring peers, and exploring cloud and AI-driven solutions.

Tushar Kumar Shah is a Software Development Engineer at Websmiths in Mohali, where he builds scalable full-stack applications using modern technologies such as TypeScript, Next.js, Fastify, Node.js, and cloud platforms. He recently completed his B.E.... Show more

Ana Cuello

Ana Cuello

With over a decade immersed in customer experience, I’ve learned to truly listen — to ask the right questions, understand what isn’t being said, and build strong, meaningful relationships with both internal teams and external clients. This journey has shaped my ability to identify what people need… often before they express it.

Today, I help entrepreneurs and businesses design customer experiences that captivate from the very first interaction, creating authentic connections that keep clients coming back and choosing you as their top-of-mind option, every time.

After 10 years working hands-on in service-focused roles, one truth is clear to me: customer experience is the soul of any business. It’s the defining factor between a client who stays, recommends, and grows with you — and one who walks away feeling unseen.

My mission is to elevate brands through memorable, consistent, and emotionally resonant customer journeys, transforming satisfaction into loyalty — and loyalty into sustainable growth.

With over a decade immersed in customer experience, I’ve learned to truly listen — to ask the right questions, understand what isn’t being said, and build strong, meaningful relationships with both internal teams and external clients. This journey ha... Show more

Medha Chakraborty

Medha Chakraborty

I’m an engineering leader who loves building scalable, reliable systems that make a real difference. At BlackRock, I lead application development within Aladdin, focusing on creating impactful solutions that connect technology with business outcomes.

Java has been my constant, and I’m deeply curious about how emerging technologies—especially AI—are transforming the way we design and build software. I also lead the Java SIG at BlackRock Atlanta, where I bring developers together to learn, share, and innovate.

For me, technology is as much about people and creativity as it is about code. Speaking at events like Devnexus is my way of giving back to the community that shaped my journey.

I’m an engineering leader who loves building scalable, reliable systems that make a real difference. At BlackRock, I lead application development within Aladdin, focusing on creating impactful solutions that connect technology with business outcomes.... Show more

Anna John

Anna John

I’m a designer and product manager specializing in human–AI collaboration and applied intelligence systems. With a Masters in Human Computer Interaction degree from Carnegie Mellon University, I’ve led design and product strategy for AI platforms across hiring and training. At Zenafide, I focus on turning complex AI workflows into intuitive, no-code-driven systems that scale from prototype to agentic systems for hiring and recruiting. My work bridges design thinking, systems architecture, and product growth—helping teams make AI practical, safe, and human.

I’m a designer and product manager specializing in human–AI collaboration and applied intelligence systems. With a Masters in Human Computer Interaction degree from Carnegie Mellon University, I’ve led design and product strategy for AI platforms ac... Show more

Rohit Gupta

Rohit Gupta

More than 22 years of experience in devoloping internet technologies to deliver performance engineering solutions for billion-dollar global applications systems.Profound understanding of business imperatives, sensitivities, and an array of methodologies, ensuring adaptability and strategic foresight in complex project environments.

More than 22 years of experience in devoloping internet technologies to deliver performance engineering solutions for billion-dollar global applications systems.Profound understanding of business imperatives, sensitivities, and an array of methodolog... Show more

Nicolò Pignatelli

Nicolò Pignatelli

Nicolò Pignatelli is a seasoned engineering leader currently serving at Heyflow, a fast-growing no-code lead generation platform powered by AI. Since joining their engineering leadership team, he’s driving the development of the next-generation interactive funnels and forms that empower marketers globally. Prior to Heyflow, Nicolò was Director of Engineering for the Traveler Group at GetYourGuide, where he scaled engineering operations for a unicorn in the travel experiences space.

Across both scaleups, he’s known for his expertise in management, software design, and building high-performing teams that deliver product differentiation through superior user experience.

In addition to his day job, Nicolò is a book author, startup mentor and coach, guiding founders through the gritty early stages of building their tech products from 0 to 1 and beyond.

Nicolò Pignatelli is a seasoned engineering leader currently serving at Heyflow, a fast-growing no-code lead generation platform powered by AI. Since joining their engineering leadership team, he’s driving the development of the next-generation inter... Show more

Nazim Khan

Nazim Khan

Nazim Khan is a highly experienced Network Architect and Subject Matter Expert in IP networking, with over 23 years of diverse experience spanning network design, consultancy, pre-sales, technical marketing, and project management. Currently serving as a Solutions Engineer (Technical Solutions Architect) at Cisco Systems Inc. in Herndon, Virginia, Nazim plays a pivotal role in driving innovation across Data Center Technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI) infrastructure, leveraging technologies such as VXLAN EVPN, Cisco ACI, Unified Computing, and NVIDIA GPUs.
Throughout his career, Nazim has worked extensively with leading technology firms, including Disys Solutions Inc., Cisco Systems India, Qwest Telecom (now CenturyLink), Motorola India, HCL Technologies, CMS Computers, and Dataline Integration. His responsibilities have ranged from designing and implementing large-scale enterprise and data center networks to mentoring junior engineers and presenting solutions to C-level executives.
Nazim has made notable contributions as a speaker at global technology conferences, including Cisco Live events in the US, Germany, and Italy, where he delivered technical sessions to international audiences of networking professionals and IT leaders.
He holds an impressive set of certifications, including the Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) in both Data Center and Service Provider domains, demonstrating his deep technical expertise in complex networking environments. Additionally, he is a NVIDIA Certified Associate in AI Infrastructure and Operations, demonstrating his proficiency in emerging AI-driven infrastructures. He is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), which underscores his capability in leading and delivering complex projects. Complementing these are multiple Cisco Specialist and Professional certifications across Data Center, Enterprise, and Security tracks, further showcasing his broad and advanced skill set in network architecture and engineering.
Nazim holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Information Technology and a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical Engineering from the University of Mumbai, India. With a strong foundation in both technology and leadership, he continues to drive customer success by bridging complex business needs with robust technical solutions.

Nazim Khan is a highly experienced Network Architect and Subject Matter Expert in IP networking, with over 23 years of diverse experience spanning network design, consultancy, pre-sales, technical marketing, and project management. Currently serving ... Show more

Ariel Hernandez Saa

Ariel Hernandez Saa

Highly motivated software developer, data engineer and data scientist with a proven record of successfully designing, integrating, and deploying effective technology solutions for increased efficiencies and optimal system functionality.

Highly motivated software developer, data engineer and data scientist with a proven record of successfully designing, integrating, and deploying effective technology solutions for increased efficiencies and optimal system functionality. Show more

Please note that Sessionize is not responsible for the accuracy or validity of the data provided by speakers.

Join Speakers Directory

Join our Speakers Directory today and amplify your reach! Showcase your expertise to a global audience hungry for your insights. Let your voice be heard!

Create Profile