Schedule
| 8:00 AM PST | Fireside Chat: Christopher Lafayette & Ruth Diaz “The Psychology of DEI in XR” |
| 8:10 AM PST | Roundtable Discussion: “Navigating the Challenges of Impact-Driven Entrepreneurship” Panelists: Andrea Silva, Ed Lantz, Vasilapostolos Ouranis, Omkar Pimple, Jared Arms, Andrea Carmago, Marc Loeb Moderator: Russell Bundy |
| Julia Scott: “Designing games with the mind in mind” | |
| Barry Haughey: “HoloGen-Unlocking Potential: Transforming Education with Immersive Technologies” | |
| 9:10 AM PST | Roundtable Discussion: “Why have you chosen this path? Why should others?” Panelists: Divya Anantharaman, Allen Olson-Urtecho, Benjamin Suleiman, Terence Leclere, Daveed Benjamin, Trish Kane, Richard Bukowski, Jonas Surmann Moderator: Christian Brown |
| 10:00 AM PST | Fireside Chat: Christopher Lafayette & Adrian Rashad Driscoll “Becoming a Founder in the Ai Era” |
| Genea Barnes: “Entrepreneurs … the Evolution of Humanity is in Your Hands” | |
| 10:10 AM PST | Roundtable Discussion: “What does XR, Ai and Humanity together look like?” Panelists: Sasha Tityanko, Liam Broza, Thomas Herman, Charlene Nichols, Frank Mueller, Sharron McPherson Moderator: Christopher Lafayette |
| Adam Yasmin: “On going hyperslow in an exceedingly fast world” | |
| Karen Shidlo: “Web3: Bridging the Digital Divide for a Better World” | |
| Jeremy Prasetyo: “Securing Web3 – Why we need to reinvent the current model” | |
| Closing: GatherVerse Founders Summit – “Christopher Lafayette” | |
Speakers
Sasha Tityanko: Bio
Sasha Tityanko is Art Director and Deputy CEO for Art and Marketing at Sensorium Corporation.
With over 15 years of experience in the international entertainment industry, Sasha is behind the marvelous virtual creations and product marketing campaigns of Sensorium Galaxy — a next-generation social metaverse developed in collaboration with the world’s top artists, producers, and media companies.
With a proven record for representing some of top artists, including leading pop singer, Eurovision awarded Dima Bilan and the internationally renowned band t.A.T.u., Sasha plays a vital role in finding the right content partners and negotiating their participation at Sensorium Galaxy.
She also coordinates creative efforts with international agencies such as Hi Scream and The Night League, Ibiza, closely involved in the development of virtual worlds PRISM and MOTION.
Before life at Sensorium Corporation, Sasha worked for well-known record labels EMI Music and Interscope / Universal Music to bring chart-topping artists from the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, and Latin America.
Omkar Pimple: Bio
Over the past decade, Omkar has worked as an engineering leader in technology companies across education, health, banking, fashion, e-commerce, and logistics, at scale-ups such as N26, HelloFresh, and Zalando.
Today, Omkar leads Myracle.io to transform homes, classrooms, and physical spaces into real-world STEM labs, through mixed reality education on everyday mobile devices.
Myracle.io works together with governments, schools, museums, and teenagers to transform theoretical education into hands-on, scenario-based educational journeys in the real world.
One of Omkar’s hobby projects in the past has been a brain & puzzle app that crossed 5 million downloads across 180+ countries.
Omkar moonlights as an science researcher at the intersection of education psychology, AI, and immersive technology.
A few slices of his research are published in international peer-reviewed science journals, including Springer.
Charlene Nichols: Bio
Creating the Future of Eyewear Dispensing with Omniverse City With 26 years of experience in the optical industry, I have always been passionate about finding innovative solutions to the challenges faced by independent eyecare professionals and businesses.
As the Chief Imagineer at Omniverse City, I lead the development of the first metaverse platform designed for an entire industry to reimagine how they do business together.
I have a proven track record of launching successful online ordering portals, virtual try-on and measuring apps, and virtual trade shows that have transformed the optical landscape.
My Vision Show, which I founded in 2019, was recognized as one of the most influential innovations in optical by Vision Monday, and Optical Near ME, which I founded in 2017, is the world’s first omnichannel ecosystem for independent opticians and optometrists.
My vision and mission is to empower optical businesses with cutting-edge tools and technologies that enable them to thrive in the digital era.
Christopher Lafayette: Bio
Christopher Lafayette is an emergent technologist and humanitarian deeply engaged in the sectors of the metaverse, AI, medtech, education, Web3, and applied sciences. His contributions and influence extend from Silicon Valley to the international stage, as he passionately advocates for a more equitable culture in technology.
Gatherverse, a brainchild of Christopher Lafayette, is an inspired response to an age of unprecedented technological growth. Christopher saw a critical need for going beyond the technical aspects of creating the metaverse and emerging technologies to include humanity itself in the conversation about the intertwining of technology and the human experience. In this ethos, every pixel and protocol is infused with the values, aspirations, and needs of the very individuals they aim to empower, positioning Gatherverse as a luminous guidepost in the terrain of our shared digital future.
Christopher Lafayette stands at the helm of the BTMP and C-TAP programs. He guides both served and underserved communities in offering their best contributions to innovation. He strongly adheres to the principle that everyone, irrespective of color or gender, should have the opportunity to shape the fabric of technology.
In addition to his many roles, Christopher founded HoloPractice, a medical immersive incubator, bridging the gap between healthcare and technology.
His advisory and collaborative roles span prestigious organizations, including Google, Meta, NFL, Merlin Entertainments, European Commission, Nikko Hotels, NBA, Linux Foundation, Cisco, Microsoft, Salesforce, Verizon, Stanford University, Duke University, San Jose College of Engineering, and UCLA, among others. Additionally, his influence has reached renowned chefs, musicians, and hundreds of startups.
Sitting on various advisory councils and boards, Christopher is actively shaping the future of the metaverse and emerging technologies. His mission is to bring thousands of communities and millions of people into this new frontier, ensuring that humanity remains at the core of technological advancement.
Adrian Rashad Driscoll: Bio
From the small city of Barstow CA, (yeah, the pitstop on the way to Vegas) Adrian Rashad Driscoll followed his dream of becoming a professional actor and moved to Los Angeles.
Shortly after that, he was woken up. After 15 years of great weather and bad traffic, he now makes his living as a filmmaker and Immersive Media creative.
He has had the privilege of working with large companies such as CBS, NBC, KTLA, Facebook, Microsoft, United Way, and more to push the boundaries of immersive media whilst producing great XR titles and experiences.
Recently, Adrian has partnered with music legend Gimel “Young Guru” Keaton to form the immersive media production house, Collimation.
In addition, Adrian teaches in multiple education programs around the world to bring more people into immersive media.
He also teaches at the OYA & EAST education programs on multiple XR initiatives geared towards education, entertainment, and medical research.
He takes pride in the fact that he is able to help implement this technology into a wide range of toolkits.
His goal is to create opportunities for under-served communities and using said opportunities, to change their current trajectory.
“French fries” are the key to his heart.
Fireside Chat:
Christopher Lafayette & Adrian Rashad Driscoll
Ed Lantz: Bio
Ed Lantz is an immersive media entrepreneur, engineer, producer and experience designer. Ed left aerospace engineering in 1990 to transform traditional planetariums into immersive visualization environments, designing over a dozen digital dome theaters worldwide including Egypt’s Library of Alexandria Planetarium, Domodigital at Papalote Museo del Niño in Mexico City, and the National Space Centre in Leicester, UK.
His company Vortex Immersion develops immersive media venues and experiences, both real and virtual, and seeks to develop a network of immersive entertainment complexes.
Ed sees modern digital domes as “digital temples of transformation” for their ability to deliver compelling immersive journeys, live performances and art experiences with positive impact while serving as local creative placemaking centers.
Andrea Camargo: Bio
Andrea is a visionary at the intersection of biology and business.
With a background in veterinary medicine and a passion for innovation, she’s leading the charge in applying biomimicry principles to create sustainable and regenerative business models.
Join her to explore the exciting world of nature-inspired entrepreneurship.
Russell Bundy: Bio
He was previously in the radio industry, where his passion for music drew him into radio.
For Russell, radio was all about presenting music in a certain way and bringing up creative discussions around the music.
After doing radio for many years where he owned his own radio station, and being a creative himself, he wondered how NFTs could be used for other creatives in 2020.
He always understood that women creators in the music industry had multiple hurdles and problems to overcome.
Russell wanted to do something about this, which allowed women creators to get a fairer pay and more opportunities in the industry.
That why he started his company called MadBop, which is a NFT music platform where women creatives are empowered to make a fairer income, while building deeper connections with their fans.
It is no secret that the music industry has been broken for a very long time, but Russell believes that with the right education, community, and support, blockchain technology can be beneficial for women creatives and can be used to help women across the world inside the music industry.
Ruth Diaz, Psy.D.: Bio
Ruth Diaz is the co-founder and Core Vision Owner (CVO) of Liminal XR, a company that leverages XR (VR/AR/MR) to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion in various domains.
With over three years of experience as a VR Ux/Cx Consultant, she helps clients create immersive and engaging spaces that promote human connection and understanding.
As a social scientist and organizational consultant, Ruth has a strong background in clinical psychology, social work, and conflict resiliency.
She is passionate about using XR as a tool for personal and social transformation, and has developed the Deepen, Orient, Transform (DOT) model to facilitate this process.
She has also built hundreds of VR worlds and events, and has been featured in Oculus blog for her work on Belong, a world that celebrates women’s history and contributions.
Fireside Chat:
Christopher Lafayette & Ruth Diaz
“The Psychology of DEI in XR”
Julia Scott: Bio
Julia Scott, PhD is CEO and Chief Scientific Officer of Gambit Labs. She received her training in neuroscience at University of California campuses (Davis, San Diego, and San Francisco).
She has published widely on normal and abnormal neurodevelopment as well as brain aging. Presently at Santa Clara University, she directs the Brain and Memory Care Lab which focuses on XR applications in healthcare.
She co-founded Gambit Labs in 2021 with the mission of empowering youth to take the lead in ensuring their own well-being by developing specific cognitive skills that underlie healthier habits of mind.
Session Topic:
“Designing games with the mind in mind”
Christian Brown: Bio
Christian Brown is a compassionate servant leader who cares deeply about the wellness of humanity. He is a national and international speaker on topics such as self-awareness, emerging technology, and intentional positivity.
Christian lives in Paris, France, where he is building a mental wellness startup called Blimish. Blimish is a virtual wellness ecosystem using XR technology and AI to connect the global community with mental health experts from every inch of the planet.
Barry Haughey: Bio
Barry Haughey, also known as Hawkie, is a visionary Founder of HoloGen, an accomplished digital artist, and an esteemed STEAM educator with over two decades of experience in the UK and Irish education and youth work sectors.
Passionate about empowering young minds, Barry’s work spans a diverse range of creative disciplines. Since 2019, he has been at the forefront of incorporating immersive technology, particularly Virtual Reality (VR), into his educational and creative practice.
Recognized for his innovative work, Hawkie has recently been selected for an Irish entrepreneurial development program, New Frontiers, which is backed by Enterprise Ireland.
His mission is to unlock the potential of existing education and youth organizations by creating safe and imaginative digital spaces through VR, where young people can connect and thrive across wide regions in safe, creative, inclusive digital environments.
With a steadfast commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology, education, and creativity, Barry Haughey is leading the way in transforming traditional learning spaces into vibrant and captivating digital realms, offering boundless opportunities for growth and exploration.
Session Topic:
“HoloGen-Unlocking Potential: Transforming Education with Immersive Technologies”
Jared Arms: Bio
Hailing from St. Louis, MO, Jared Arms is not just an entrepreneur but a beacon of hope for communities touched by adversity.
At the young age of 23, Jared established Kylar.io, a transformative technology platform designed to bridge communities and businesses.
His passion for technology was catalyzed by personal loss – having mourned the loss of over ten friends to gun violence, he harnessed his pain, teaching himself programming to create tools that commemorate victims and bring communities together.
As he gears up to speak at the Founders Summit, Jared brings with him a unique blend of innovation, resilience, and a deep-rooted commitment to societal change.
His journey from personal tragedy to tech-driven community upliftment serves as a testament to the power of purpose-driven entrepreneurship.
Allen Olson-Urtecho: Bio
A few years ago I read about children as young as 9 years old committing suicide and self mutilation in refugee camps, something deep inside of me said enough, this is unacceptable.
With that began a journey to provide therapies using virtual reality and mobile phones in reaching vulnerable populations.
I am the founder of Studio Bahia, a 501c3 nonprofit that provides VR therapy, treatments, and training around the world.
Our team is composed of clinical psychologists, designers and health specialists.
Also I grew up in 10 countries and have backpacked over 80 countries and currently developing an aesthetic philosophy for worldbuilding in my PhD dissertation.
Benjamin Suleiman: Bio
Benjamin Suleiman, popularly known as “NS Ben” , is a Biological science graduate, MSc degree in Environmental management in-view, and a young fast-growing Nigerian musical artiste devoted to contributing meaningfully to African-quality music and wider socio-cultural and environmental initiatives.
His educational background and distinct lyrical style and collaboration with Top musical superstars have placed NS Ben, in a class of his own.
NS Ben is the founder of the “Project Save The Planet” initiative, where he and his team use music and art as a tool to engage the younger generation as agents of change to champion environmental sustainability.
NS Ben commenced a school tour campaign in Lagos state primary schools in 2019, a sensitization campaign that engages the students to keep their environment clean hence living a sustainable lifestyle.
NS Ben composed and produced a global awareness team song titled “Save The Planet” to educate humans on the importance of environmental protection and its related effects, for the benefit of both nature and humans which was endorsed by the federal ministry of environment, Nigeria.
He is a team coordinator at the ” John Brooks” Climate coy initiative in San-Diego Califonia(the United States of America).
He has engaged in various environmental clean-ups and climate change awareness strategies.
He composed and performed the Lagos state Environmental bees club theme song anthem Titled “IMOTOTO” which means “Cleanliness”.
Daveed Benjamin: Bio
Daveed Benjamin is a technologist, patent holder, and author with a BS and MS in Engineering from Stanford.
As a “Shift Shaper,” his work focuses on altering systems of consciousness to catalyze the deep shifts that humanity urgently needs.
As a founder of Bridgit DAO, Presence Browser and the Web4 Foundation and author of the forthcoming book “The Metaweb: The Next Level of the Internet,” Daveed’s focus is decentralizing knowledge, protecting cognitive freedom, and building collective intelligence.
Vasilapostolos Ouranis: Bio
Vasilapostolos Ouranis (aka Vasapo) is the co-founder and COO of Magos. He is also co-founder of the Greek Newspace Society (GRNSS), a chapter of the National Space Society (NSS) where he served as Vice President for almost 3 years, supporting and executing under his role several programs and initiatives that promote the newspace economy to the Greek audience.
Before joining Magos as full time in 2019, he worked at Deloitte as a Business Technology Consultant for 4 years.
Prior to that he worked at the presales department of SAP, mainly focused on its flagship solution, the most commercially speaking successful ERP, called S/4HANA.
He holds a M.S. degree in Management Science and Technology, and a B.S. degree in Management and Business Administration from Athens University of Economics and Business.
Terence Leclere: Bio
Terence Leclere is the founder of #metaforyou, a company that provides immersive interactive services via talent, content, and consultation, including specializing in casting and creative direction for actor driven pop-up experiences.
#metaforyou has created work in conjunction with agencies such as Campfire, NVE, Giant Spoon, M ss ng P eces, and IHEARTCOMIX, on experiential events for brands such as Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Spotify, Paramount Pictures, Peacock, Freeform and more.
An actor, an immersive person, an entertainer lebenskünstler who communes by extemporaneous expression in moment to moment realities.
Imbued with his studies at presence-factories such as William Esper Studios NY and The Second City TCLA, and honed through many lives lived in performances around the world.
He became a staltwart of the immersive interactive theatrical scene having performed live, on screens, and in VR, in scores of immersive interactive shows, events and experiential activations.
As featured in Vice, LA Weekly, Stage Raw, VR Focus, CNet, The Verge, Variety, Broadway World, Backstage, Huffington Post, AV Club, Buzzfeed, and No Proscenium.
Karen Shidlo: Bio
Karen Shidlo is an Marketing and UX Design Pro.
She is inspired by how DeFi can address many of the flaws in existing financial systems and how blockchain technology will revolutionise the roles of banks and end users.
Currently CMO at Fiat24, her focus is on how Web3 technologies can positively impact the world.
Session Topic:
“Web3: Bridging the Digital Divide for a Better World”
Liam Broza: Bio
Liam Broza, is a seasoned speaker, engineer, and entrepreneur with deep expertise in immersive computing and data analytics.
He’s the driving force behind Ethereal Engine, a groundbreaking spatial development platform that democratizes the creation of rich, social 3D web experiences.
As an RIT alumni, he conceived LifeScope.io, an open-source AI venture that captures personal digital memories, enhanced by a unique Time Machine feature for spiritual XR journeys.
Richard Bukowski: Bio
Richard`s Future(s) forecasting strategies comes from a consolidation of 15+ years of digital’s multifaceted sectors, best and worst of early Web 1 & 2 startups to today’s roller coaster of unimaginable platforms that will become the XAI, GAI, Web 3. 0, proto-Metaverse and Future(s) blockchain cultures.
My mission is to help organizations, communities, and leaders become future-ready.
I believe in the power of human imagination to envision futures that are better, fairer, and more sustainable.
And we know that using our systematic tools and methods can make a difference in inspiring hope and agency to tackle the complex, seemingly intractable issues facing society.
Trish Kane: Bio
Trish Kane, MBA is the CEO and Founder of Healerverse. She is a Healer, Entrepreneur, and Consultant.
In 2014, Trish was found non-responsive and dead by paramedics with a body temperature of 86* F/30* C, went to “other side,†and was resuscitated twice. This was followed by fighting for her life in a 9-day coma and 2 strokes. Trish was blessed to receive a second chance at life and healed completely. Her purpose and passion lies in bringing people together to facilitate alternative healing on a global level.
Trish leads an international team at Healerverse, developing the first-of-its-kind community for holistic and spiritual healers and leaders to connect on and offline within their communities. Www.5Dhealerverse.com
Trish holds a BBA from Iona University and MBA from Florida Atlantic University.
Thomas Herman: Bio
Tom is the CEO of Meta Carbon Inc. He has been building Utility NFTs since 2018 when he launched DeedLock, to lock and transfer real estate deeds using NFT smart contracts.
He has spent the last 3 years building blockchain solutions to address climate change including at AirCarbon Pte Ltd where he built an ERC20 based Carbon Trading Exchange.
Tom sold the first Carbon Offset Backed NFTs in April 2021 to support endangered animals and their habitats.
Tom has more than 20 years of experience with startups and product development and is a frequent guest lecturer and speaker.
Genea Barnes: Bio
Genea Barnes teaches purpose-driven entrepreneurs to be more efficient and profitable in their businesses by helping them overcome indecision and procrastination.
Her custom state-of-the-art system, which saved her own business from financial ruin, is based on 20 years of experience, study, and training with leading experts.
Genea has helped hundreds of people take their businesses and lives to the next level giving them time freedom, financial breakthroughs, and more joy.
She believes that when you operate from who you truly are, you evolve humanity.
An Entrepreneur’s Guide to Creating More Joy, Impact, and Profit in Your Business. http://
Session Topic:
“Entrepreneurs … the Evolution of Humanity is in Your Hands”
Adam Yasmin: Bio
Adam is a former UX designer turned certified digital well-being educator & facilitator of immersive tea experiences for workplace wellness.
He brings 15 years of Chinese tea culture study & practice to in-person & virtual programming to help humanize fellow technologists.
Session Topic:
“On going hyperslow in an exceedingly fast world”
Divya Anantharaman: Bio
Divya is the founded Ikabit Inc in 2017. She is an Inventor and holds multiple patents.
A solutions-oriented firmware and software engineering leader with a dedicated 20+ years career enabling companies like Intel, Hughes, & Wipro.
She has extensive expertise in all facets of the project life cycle, on-time and quality delivery of new and next-generation products.
She is passionate about Technology and Women Empowerment (#HelpGetBackToWork)
Frank Mueller: Bio
Seasoned Software Developer, Startup Engineer, and Social Entrepreneur with 20 years of experience.
Co-founder of theimpactwave.org – Revolutionizing impact funding powered by Blockchain and AI
Sharron McPherson: Bio
Sharron McPherson, an innovative leader with recognized expertise in climate and development finance, brings a global perspective to designing and deploying financial solutions to mobilize private capital for climate-smart development. She specializes in bridging public finance with capital markets and institutional and impact investors to effect the transformation to a low-carbon future that we need.
An accomplished former banking and financial services executive, and attorney with the firm Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton, Sharron has over 30 years of experience starting, building, and navigating businesses through competitive and complex regulatory environments. She is co-Founder and former Executive Director of the Centre for Disruptive Technologies, an affiliate of the University of Cape Town’s Graduate School of Business where she serves as a Senior Adjunct in Project Finance. She is a member of the faculty of Singularity University based in Mountainview, California where her focus is on advancing technologies for a climate resilient future. She has served as a strategic advisor on high impact resilience investing for a number of global corporations including the Shell Foundation, Chevron and Alexander Forbes. Her development finance and government advisory work includes the World Bank & IFC, the African Development Bank, the Development Finance Corporation and the governments of Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania and South Africa. More recently she advised the United States Federal Government on the sustainable job creation aspects of the Inflation Reductions Act of 2022 and in 2023 she was awarded a Senior Non-Resident fellowship with the Loomis Council of the Stimson Center, a bi-partisan think tank based in Washington, D.C.
An experienced relationship manager with a track record in business development and structuring transactions, Sharron has worked in partnership with development finance institutions, commercial banks, asset managers, corporates, climate funds, philanthropic foundations, and governments. She is also a frequent moderator and speaker on topics of climate finance, the global legal and regulatory framework of ESG, climate technology, and mobilizing private capital.
Sharron earned a Doctorate in Jurisprudence (Columbia University School of Law), Honors in International Trade & Finance (University of Toulon), Bachelor of Arts in Economics (The College of William & Mary), and Post-Doctoral Studies in Exponential Technologies (Singularity University).
She serves as a Non-Executive Director, as well as Strategic Advisor, to a number of publicly traded and private companies. She is a member of the South African Institute of Directors (IOD) and the National Association for Corporate Directors in the United States.”
Jeremy Prasetyo: Bio
Jeremy Prasetyo is more than an inspirational speaker – he’s a dynamic thought leader with a unique perspective.
With over 15 years of experience on global stages, Jeremy blends his diverse background as a world champion athlete, former corporate executive, and business owner into a multi-dimensional approach.
As a keynote speaker, Jeremy Prasetyo brings his expertise in Blockchain and AI strategy and emerging technologies to the forefront.
His engaging talks, crafted for each event, simplify complex concepts into actionable insights.
Sharing the stage with tech luminaries like Steve Wozniak showcases his influential role in shaping the future. What sets Jeremy apart is his knack for driving change.
He inspires audiences to embrace technological advancements, capitalize on competitive advantages, and steer organizational transformation.
Jeremy’s accomplishments speak volumes – from collaborating with renowned global brands to guiding organizations through the intricacies of emerging technologies.
His commitment to enabling businesses to thrive in the digital age is evident in every engagement.
Session Topic:
“Securing Web3 – Why we need to reinvent the current model”
Marc Loeb: Bio
As a blockchain engineer, retail manager and entrepreneur, Marc Loeb brings a unique perspective on human values and technology. With development and entrepreneurial experience he understands the opportunities and risks of emerging tech on society.
During his career he always tried to use the potential of innovation and tried to give back value to the business owners and the community – this is a value his grand-grand mother lived in his retail store 100 years ago. While doing this, he always emphasizes long-term focus on customer and employee relationships over short-term profits.
Currently, Marc is working with two Co-Founders on TrustBytes to deliver instant, affordable audits done by Auditors that use AI. This will help to solve web3 security problem and bring web3 to its full potential. With this, Web3 promise to cut out the middleman in many industries will become true, giving economic value back to the users and therefore distribute value better than today.
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