GatherVerse Summit 2024
Speakers
February 20-21-22, 2024 (8:00 AM PST)
Dr. Martha Boeckenfeld: Bio
Dr. Martha Boeckenfeld is a leading expert in the fields of Web3, AI, and the Metaverse, honored as a “Top 100 Women of the Future.”
Her distinguished career includes recognition as one of the Top 5 Women in Tech Europe and a Top 50 Business & Marketing Visionary, solidifying her influence in the tech world.
Dr. Boeckenfeld’s profound strategic insights have positioned her as a highly sought-after Web3 Advisor and Investor, dedicated to guiding digital transformation towards the betterment of society. As the visionary creator behind ‘marthaverse’, femitopia, and krea, alongside being a co-founder of the cutting-edge Deep Tech education platform Me, Myself and Deep Tech, Dr. Boeckenfeld is renowned for her unique ability to blend AI with digital artistry, highlighting her pivotal role in innovative technology leadership.
Her appointment as a United Nations Peace Ambassador exemplifies her unwavering belief in technology as a cornerstone for international peace and progress, aimed at benefiting humanity.
Dr. Boeckenfeld’s digital transformation leadership is underscored by her extensive experience as a Senior Executive at financial powerhouses like Axa, UBS, and her role on the Supervisory Board of Unicredit, Blackrock, and Generali. Additionally, her academic influence shines through her role as the Co-Founder and Dean of the Metaverse Academy, as well as being a distinguished Global Guest Lecturer at renowned institutions in emerging tech education. An avid advocate for diversity in technology, Dr. Boeckenfeld actively supports organizations such as the AllStarWomen DAO, Women in Tech, 100 Davos Women, Women in Web3 Switzerland, and champions LGBTQIA+ visibility as a Meta-Host for diversity and inclusion communities.
Serving as a WBAF Senator for Switzerland, she actively engages with the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion, advocating for financial literacy, startup growth, and women’s empowerment in technology.
Dr. Boeckenfeld’s role on the World Smart Cities Economic Development Commission underscores her unwavering commitment to smart city innovation, advocating for interconnected, eco-friendly urban spaces powered by intelligent technologies.
Join Dr. Boeckenfeld on this transformative journey as she crafts a narrative of cutting-edge innovation and inclusivity, inviting us all to participate in the creation of a smarter, more equitable world.
Dr. Debi Silber: Bio
Dr. Debi Silber is the founder of the PBT (Post Betrayal Transformation) Institute and is a holistic psychologist, a health, mindset and personal development expert, and is a 2-time #1 International bestselling author.
Her podcast: From Betrayal to Breakthrough is also globally ranked within the top 1.5% of podcasts. Her recent PhD study on how we experience betrayal made 3 groundbreaking discoveries that changes how long it takes to heal.
In addition to being on FOX, CBS, The Dr. Oz Show, TEDx (twice) and more, she’s an award-winning speaker and coach dedicated to helping people move past their betrayals as well as any other blocks preventing them from the health, work, relationships, confidence, and happiness they want most.
Dr. Debi is also the founder of National Forgiveness Day, celebrated annually on September 1st.
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.
Ippolito Caradonna: Bio
Ippolito Imani Caradonna is molecular biologist and biotechnologist with over a decade of laboratory experience.
He is also an innovator and entrepreneur in the field of extended reality.
Him and his team are building an AR software interface for laboratory production called Aug Lab.
Aug Lab helps laboratory users navigate any given laboratory space with a spatially projected interactive environment.
Katarina M.V. Galic: Bio
I come from an entrepreneurial family with 4 generations of successful business owners.
At the age of 15, I started my first business venture in Europe, and subsequently established businesses in Singapore, Canada, and in Portugal. I had a tremendous opportunity to help, support and advise more then 5,000 entrepreneurs and SMEs. My true passion is supporting and empowering entrepreneurs to understand impact, qualities and benefits of sustainable operations – enabling start-ups to scale, expand and grow as they create a long term impact. I enjoy helping start-ups and SMEs develop strategies for advancement, build foundational partnerships, and drive change with a purpose to create global impact.
Most of all, I love supporting women in tech and all start-ups that leverage sustainable technology for the benefit of mankind. Sustainability is ingrained in our mindset, it’s the way we live our lives.
Currently I am PhD candidate in Sustainable Energy Systems @ MIT Portugal and Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon. I am proud to be part of the Instituto Superior Técnico family, the most reputed school of Engineering, Science and Technology, and Architecture in Portugal.
After many years of living around the world, I have come back home, to Europe, and currently live in beautiful Lisbon with my family.
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.
Elisabetta Rotolo: Bio
Elisabetta is a business strategist and brand management executive, creative & executive producer, art director, interior architect and keynote speaker, with international experience in XR, AI, spatial computing, virtual worlds, immersive arts and storytelling, Web3 and Metaverse strategies.
She is CEO and founder of MIAT Multiverse Institute For Arts and Technology and created the first creative and educational hub for immersive arts and emerging technologies integrating an Immersive Academy to train the talents of the future to create immersive contents, new languages, experiences, AI writing, visual storytelling, Corporates trained AI, and worldbuilding, and Web3/ Metaverse strategies, with an Immersive Studio conceiving and producing high-end research-based immersive, art and cinematic experiences, with XR, photorealistic GCI, Web3, Metaverse, interactive real time experiences, AI video presenters, AI-powered and interactive worldbuilding.
She is leading international award winning artists, creatives, scientists, immersive creators and filmmakers, directors. XR developers, creative technologists, immersive sound designers, AI artists and prompt engineers, digital curators and created the first digital artworks/NFT in the high-end jewelry for Bulgari and the first international immersive art exhibition opening Le Théâtre des Lumières – Seoul.
She has over 20 years of experience as Global Chief Marketing, Brand, Communication, Innovation & Change Officer, and Business Strategic Consultant for international organisations such as the State of New York, Omnicom Group, Walt Disney, Mattel, Heinz, Plasmon, Italian Railways, the Olympic Games.
She is a sought-after speaker. She has spoken at the Immersive Global Summit, Bocconi University, Police Academy, Italian Army, Immerse Global Metaverse Summit, Stereopsia, AWE, Artissima, Gatheverse Global Summit, ITTV global Festival, Venice Biennale, We Make Future, View Conference and many other venues.
She is a contributor to Artribune, member of OnLive Campus with Piedmont Foundation, board member and Italian representative of Euromersive, Advisor of Fondazione Cariplo for the Art and Cultural sector.
She graduated in Interior Architecture and holds an MBA from the University of Liverpool and was awarded worldwide Student of the Year in 2016-2017. She is leading trainings for international creators, visual artists, C-Levels, Directors, Professors, to create with AI using an ethical and human-centric approach.
Hubertus von Roenne: Bio
Managing Partner Data Sharing Solutions – Advising corporations, SMEs, public services and governments on value-creation through data-sharing in compliance with European regulation 20 years Tech-sector experience as VP at British Telecom and AOL and as CDO in large family-owned businesses PhD in Law, involvement in EU Digital Single Market and EU Data Act
Isabel De Peuter-Rutten: Bio
Introducing Isabel De Peuter-Rutten, a dedicated virtual explorer and entrepreneur in emerging technologies.
As President of Euromersive and GatherVerse EU Director, she advocates for a human-centric approach and accessibility within the emerging tech industry.
Following the GatherVerse standards, Isabel fosters ethical development & connecting people.
Her role as Community Manager at WIIT Europe, XR4Heritage representative in Flanders and co-founder of the Community of Change highlights her commitment to a positive impact, shaping an inclusive future.
Eddie Avil: Bio
Eddie Avil, is at the forefront of India’s AR/VR and future technology ecosystem. With an unwavering passion for immersive experiences, Eddie has paved the way for groundbreaking initiatives that are transforming India’s tech landscape.
Founder of “IMMERSION,” India’s first and largest VR Fest, Eddie has spearheaded a movement that brings together enthusiasts, creators, and industry leaders to explore the endless possibilities of virtual reality.
Through IMMERSION, Eddie has created a platform for innovation, collaboration, and unforgettable experiences that push the boundaries of imagination.
Driving the XR revolution, Eddie established XROM -[Home of Extended Reality], a news website and marketplace exclusively dedicated to extended reality.
With XROM, Eddie has curated a hub of cutting-edge XR content, providing a gateway to the latest trends, innovations, and breakthroughs in the world of immersive technology.
As a host, Eddie takes his passion for AR/VR to the airwaves with India’s first AR/VR-focused podcast, XROM. Through captivating conversations and insightful discussions, Eddie delves into the minds of industry pioneers, exploring their visions, inspirations, and the transformative impact of augmented and virtual reality.
He also hosts “The Ones Changing the World,” India’s first future tech meets sustainability podcast, he shines a spotlight on the intersection of deep- tech and sustainability to create a better more sustainable future. Currently serving as the Metaverse Strategist for Shemaroo Entertainment, one of India’s largest entertainment companies, Eddie continues to push the boundaries of innovation.
With his expertise in the metaverse, he is shaping the future of entertainment and reimagining the way we consume media.
Eddie Avil’s journey is one of relentless dedication, innovation, and unwavering belief in the power of technology to shape a better world
Muhsinah Morris: Bio
Metaversity Director, VR Enthusiast, Innovator, Chemist, Educator, Speaker, Autism Advocate, Author, Wife, Mom Meet the first ever Metaversity Director, Dr. Muhsinah Lateefah Morris. A BS chemistry graduate of the HBCU Clark Atlanta University.
She obtained an MS & PhD from the Harvard of the South, Emory University in Biomolecular Chemistry. Dr. Morris has been part of and leading Morehouse’s Metaversity project since the Spring of 2021.
She’s won awards for Teaching Excellence at Morehouse College, Best Emerging Technology and Innovation from CBRE, First Place Unconventional Innovation in Industry by T-Mobile, and Educator of the Year for 2022 by STEM Women Atlanta.
She resides in McDonough GA with her husband and five sons. One of her sons has autism and she advocates for the entire autism community as a member of the Community Advisory Council and advocacy Ambassadors for Autism Speaks.
She’s a VR pioneer in education and is transforming learning globally. She is affectionately known as Dr. M.O.M. (Molder of Minds) by all her students.
She continues to mold the minds of educators and students globally in the Metaverse. She is a member of the XR Advisory Council for the XR Association and Futurist Council for Jobs for the Future (JFF).
She was named a Top 100 Woman of the Future for 2023 by Women of the Future and has been featured on CNN International, The Next Frontier. Her goal is to authentically transform the educational system for our future leaders using immersive technologies in the Metaverse.
She currently trains both pre-service and in-service educators on how to create and optimize their own institutional Metaverse Culture.
More recently, she founded Metaverse United, LLC where she helps people find where they belong in the embodiment of the internet called the Metaverse.
Learn more at UnitetheMetaverse.com.
Dr. Angelina Dayton: Bio
Dr. Angelina Dayton is the Director of Research at the Virtual World Society and an Aspen Institute Tech Policy Fellow.
She is a virtual reality researcher, user experience designer, speaker, consultant and trainer.
Her specialty is design and deployment of XR technologies into complex organizations for the purpose of large-scale deployment and mass adoption.
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.
Deborah Thomson: Bio
Dr. Deborah Thomson is the author of The Art of Science Communication and has founded an organization that inspires children and adults around the world to value the interconnection between human health and the health of the environment, plants, and animals (called One Health Lessons).
In addition, she has served as a Science Policy Advisor in the United States Congress and is a veterinarian and award-winning public speaker.
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.
Tanya Vacarda: Bio
Tanya Vacarda is a WiiT Europe co-ambassador for Northern Ireland, entrepreneur, product development specialist, and business management consultant behind the successful delivery of complex and innovative projects in digital platform solutions, cybersecurity, software infrastructure, luxury interiors, and bespoke decor.
She is a passionate ambassador of ethical design and business practices, economic sustainability, and women and diversity empowerment.
She volunteers as a Women Who Code Lead, and mentors talented leaders with Women in Business NI.
With an educational background in social studies and years of navigating the complexities of delivering projects across multiple teams, personalities, and narratives, Tanya has developed a deeper interest in exploring the effects of human factors on work dynamics, which she shares with her mentees and in public talks.
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.
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.
Athena Demos: Bio
Athena Demos is co-founder and CEO of Big Rock Creative (BRC), an award-winning XR experience company creating groundbreaking experiences for global clients.
Big Rock Creative won the Producer’s Guild Award for Innovation, the Aurea Award for creativity, the No Proscenium award for Best VR experience of 2020, the Hermes’ Platinum Award, the Auggie Award for Best Societal Impact of 2022 and the Global LiveWire Creative Innovators of the Year for 22/23 and most recently the Auggie for Best Indie Creator 2023, XR Women’s Trailblazer award, and named in the Top 50 Business & Marketing Visionaries by Adello magazine.
With over 20 years of experience producing iconic events, like the LA Burning Man Decompression Arts and Music Celebration, as well as the Art of Change Inaugural Ball for President Obama in LA, she transitioned to the metaverse to produce BRCvr (Black Rock City Virtual Reality).
BRCvr is an official virtual Burning Man Experience whose scope is unprecedented in the VR space. Athena produced internationally recognized social impact projects such as Breonna’s Garden which premiered at SXSW 2022 and Pride has no borders which was a finalist in the VR Awards.
She has developed a philosophical approach to guiding humanity to build a foundational fabric for creative collaboration in the metaverse.
As a result, she has been quoted in leading books, articles, delivered key notes, and spoken at leading industry events and universities across the globe.
In August of 2022, Athena and the BRCvr team went to Burning Man in the Black Rock Desert to film the community, art, event, and ethos in 360 and 180 3D formats to combine with the VR worlds and models they cultivated the past two years.
Currently in post production, she plans to deliver a new format for storytelling that brings them all together into one participatory experience.
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.
Tiffany Patterson: Bio
Tiffany C.J. Patterson has developed innovative enterprise data products for roughly nine years.
She recently accepted an invitation to join Virgin Galactic’s Astronaut Program and has also been invited to participate as a fellow in the 2024 Wine Writer’s Symposium in Napa Valley.
Tiffany is a passionate traveler fascinated by our beautiful planet, the vast universe that surrounds it, and the cultures that inhabit our world. Her interests lie in cosmology and geology, and she loves to write about her diverse experiences in enotourism.
Furthermore, Tiffany’s work has been published in Panorama Journal.
Spending time between the United States and the Caribbean, she explores themes of displacement, culture, language, and self-discovery—striving for reflection, not perfection.
Jamaal Thomas: Bio
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.
Ricky Houck: Bio
Ricky has spent over 7 years helping small companies sell to big companies and develop GTM processes in emerging technology.
He’s worked with 86 enterprise brands to deliver creative visual content at scale, advised 134 executive teams on how to use immersive technology, spoken at industry events, and supported grad students with their research regarding the metaverse, web3, and AI.
Most of his work today is focused on large enterprise brands and helping them explore in headset virtual reality experiences.
For workplace collaboration, employee onboarding, training, and client engagement.
He also hosts the MetaRick Podcast where he interviews creative and technical leaders in XR and AI.
Featuring executives from Accenture, Aquent, Leia, Blockade Labs, Azra Games, and others.
Areas where he adds the most value: – Sales Development and Execution – Metaverse and web3 Strategy – Creating Virtual Experiences (AR / VR) – Scaling Photo and Video Production Some clients he’s worked with include: Pernod Ricard, Heineken, Thermo Fisher, Konica Minolta, Nestle, Airbnb, Pfizer, Experian, Amazon, P&G, Lyft, IBM
Eli Boahen: Bio
Excited | Curious | Problem-solver Eli is a cross-disciplinary communicator and researcher in design, data, ethics, and autonomy. They believe our techno-future is already here, and that it is past time to ask the questions so we can discuss the uncomfortable answers.
Currently, Eli is completing their master’s degree in Data Analytics and Computational Social Science ( DACSS ) at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
At UMass, their work focuses on technology policy and technoliteracy as a means of power and its impact on our understanding of the technology around us, thus our ability to consent or self-advocate.
Their theories intersect with ethnography, cyborg anthropology, biomedicine, education, robotics, and Society 5.0. Mostly recently, Eli led an project analyzing sentiments towards what they call the “technological-other”.
Eli is ready and excited to continue exploring and conducting research in this fascinating field.
Class of 2020 Smithie | Posse Alum | HEAF Alum | SDXD board | UMass RTC
Grant McGaugh: Bio
Grant McGaugh, the distinguished Owner and Founder of 5 STAR BDM, is globally celebrated as a visionary thought leader and a pivotal super-connector in the healthcare industry.
His reputation as an influential speaker resonates worldwide, marked by his remarkable achievements and recognitions.
At the forefront of his accolades is the establishment of a groundbreaking statewide organization for the National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE) in Florida, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to healthcare advancement.
As the immediate past president and a current Regent National Board member of NAHSE, Grant’s leadership has been pivotal in shaping the future of healthcare services.
His role as the Program Chair for the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) further underscores his dedication to healthcare innovation.
In this capacity, Grant has been instrumental in orchestrating knowledge share programs that empower Health Information Technology professionals in South Florida.
His efforts have not gone unnoticed, earning him the prestigious title of South Florida’s Top Black Healthcare Professional of 2019 by Miami Legacy Magazine and the African American Achiever award by JM Family in 2020.
Grant’s impact extends beyond organizational boundaries, having established a socially conscious digital presence that continuously inspires and engages the healthcare community.
In 2021, his influential work was recognized by Becker’s Healthcare Review and lauded by best-selling author and Brand Master Martin Lindstrom.
With a robust following of over 20,000 across various platforms, Grant McGaugh has become a beacon of inspiration and guidance for a diverse array of individuals, including entrepreneurs, students, and aspiring professionals.
He empowers them to dream ambitiously and equips them with practical strategies to turn those dreams into tangible results.
Grant’s acclaimed personal branding program and his innovative business development strategies for small enterprises have been featured in esteemed publications such as NAHSE News, the Miami Herald, and the Sun-Sentinel.
These initiatives reflect his deep commitment to fostering growth and excellence in the healthcare sector, making him a world-class speaker and a true pioneer in his field.
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.
Richard Bukowski: Bio
Richard Bukowski, a seasoned Futurist with over two decades in digital marketing, is a visionary in forecasting trends and developing innovative strategies.
As the founder of Digital Wheel of Fortune, LLC., based in Queens, NY, he’s been at the forefront of instilling an entrepreneurial mindset in tech platforms.
His track record includes pioneering marketing solutions, fostering client relationships, and spearheading adoption for emerging technologies.
From avatar-based social networks to hologram tech, Richard’s expertise spans diverse media platforms, showcasing a keen ability to spot trends and monetize new technologies early.
With a foundation in traditional and digital marketing, Richard seamlessly bridges the gap between consumer behavior, market trends, and the dynamics of communication channels.
His unique perspective on Web 1.0 and Web 2.0 positions him to forecast the trajectory of Web 3.0, providing valuable insights into decentralized applications, blockchain, and immersive online experiences.
In summary, Richard Bukowski is not just a Futurist; he’s a dynamic strategist, speaker, and trendsetter, ready to guide audiences through the exciting future of cross markets and emerging technologies.
Emily Wright: Bio
Emily Wright is a rising voice of their generation, with an eclectic background encompassing child care, education, marketing, and management, to name a few, and they have assisted in the establishment and growth of multiple small businesses.
As a writer, their first book, ‘The 100 Days of Colour: Celebrating Frequetic Beauty,’ is a firm look at the connection between algorithmic and subconscious bias, and discusses the psychology behind discrimination and how we can make positive progress in light of our biases.
Their second book, ‘My Brain: Explained, A Modern Conversation of the Mind,’ explores the relationship between the Conscious and Subconscious Minds in more detail, as well as Mind Management and Thought Organisation to facilitate a happier and more productive Life.
Emily’s brand, It’ll be alwright®, is the foundation of their multifaceted endeavours that focus on cultivating individual potential to facilitate collective healing.
Michael Goldrich: Bio
As the founder and chief advisor of Vivander Advisors, Michael J. Goldrich excels in crafting digital and AI strategies that drive transformative growth and enhance overall business value.
As the author of “Too Many Hats, Too Little Time,” Michael brings his extensive expertise in leveraging AI technologies in the professional sphere, providing readers with invaluable insights and practical strategies for enhancing efficiency and decision-making in their careers. But his skills go beyond mere writing and consultancy.
A recent standout feature of Goldrich’s career is his emphasis on generative AI. As demand for this knowledge soars, he assumes a leading role in educating and training teams in best practices. He developed a five-step blueprint for companies to follow as they start their AI transformation. The goal of this process is to utilize this powerful technology to boost productivity, increase revenue, and lower costs.
At the heart of this five-step process is the individual within the company. The main objective is to equip these individuals, enabling them to use this technology efficiently to enhance their success and foster a sense of empowerment.
Serving as Chief Experience Officer at The Hotels Network, an organization driven by AI and data, Goldrich further extends his influence.
Goldrich’s expertise in “predictive personalization” has not only established him as a sought-after consultant but also as a pivotal figure in shaping the future of customer engagement within the hospitality sector. With this innovative company, he works with hotels to anticipate the needs and preferences of their guests, thereby elevating the customer experience and, by extension, boosting conversion rates.
As a program leader at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School, Goldrich conducts interactive discussions for the Data Strategy for Generative AI Platforms course, offering clarity on complex course material.
Innovation is not a recent addition to Goldrich’s skillset. During his time as head of global marketing at Club Quarters Hotels, he skillfully adapted the business model in the wake of the pandemic to appeal to a younger, local audience. This strategic shift significantly enhanced the brand’s market presence. Furthermore, his proficiency isn’t limited to hospitality; he has also contributed his know-how to international powerhouses like Accenture, Starwood, Monster Worldwide, and Wyndham, refining their e-commerce and digital capabilities. Goldrich’s achievements have garnered him high-profile awards, including the Platinum Adrian Award for an outstanding social media campaign and the Gold Adrian Award for a creative website.
In 2020, the Hotel Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) recognized him as one of the Top 25 Extraordinary Minds in Sales, Marketing, and Revenue Optimization. On the educational front, Goldrich holds a BA in literature from the University of Michigan and an MA in business communications from Northwestern University.
These academic qualifications, coupled with his passion for technology and innovation, render him a committed leader in driving productivity.
Whether it’s a project seeking a novel approach or an organization striving to improve its performance, Michael Goldrich stands as the authoritative figure for transformative solutions.
Aileda Lindal: Bio
“Awaken the Spirit, Engage the Mind, Embrace the Body, and Flourish Consciously!” Everyone can lead an extraordinary life on their terms.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to elevating your life, as each individual is unique in their perception of the world and has their means of tapping into their full potential.
The notion that life should be lived in loving and supporting conditions should not be rare; rather, it should be a mandate. Don’t let unknown challenges hold you back from realizing your true potential.
As a seasoned entrepreneur with over a decade of experience, Aileda is a transformative Business Alchemist and Intuitive Adviser, blending cutting-edge business strategies with deep intuitive insights to guide leaders and organizations through transformative growth. Specializing in the convergence of technology and humanity, she empowers clients to navigate the complexities of the digital era with a human-centric approach.
Her consultancy fosters innovation, ethical leadership, and sustainable success, making her a beacon for those seeking to harmonize business excellence with the essence of human values.
A visionary in her field, Aileda is redefining leadership for the future.
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.
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.
Raul V Rodriguez: Bio
Dr. Raul Villamarin Rodriguez, Vice President of Woxsen University, is a distinguished Cognitive Technologist and Adjunct Professor at Universidad del Externado, Colombia.
He serves as a member of the International Advisory Board at IBS Ranepa, Russian Federation, and holds positions on the Advisory Boards of PUCPR, Johannesburg Business School, SA, Milpark Business School, South Africa, PetThinQ Inc, and SpaceBasic, Inc. Additionally, Dr. Rodriguez is a Visiting Professor at Uni. del Rosario and an Expert at UNESCO.
As a Steering Committee Member for the Annual Conference at EFMD Global, Dr. Raul is deeply involved in shaping the future of education. He is honored with a scholarship in his name at ZIBS, China, and represents India in the PRME i5 Expert Pedagogy Group. Further, he holds two prestigious titles: Steven Pinker Professor of Cognitive Psychology and Classavo Chair Professorship in Integrative Research and Digital Learning.
Dr. Rodriguez specializes in the convergence of cognitive psychology with cutting-edge technologies such as Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Natural Language Processing, Computer Vision, Robotic Process Automation, Multi-agent Systems, Knowledge Engineering, and Quantum Artificial Intelligence. Registered as an expert in Artificial Intelligence, Intelligent Systems, and Multi-agent Systems at the European Commission, he has been nominated for the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe 2020 list and recognized as a Europe India 40 under 40 Leader.
A sought-after keynote speaker and panel moderator, Dr. Raul contributes significantly to national and international conferences, including the ML Conference (Singapore). He actively participates in the ETS Business School Advisory Council (BSAC) in India and the Institute for Robotics Process Automation & Artificial Intelligence.
Committed to responsible research, he aligns his efforts with RRBM, GRLI, and PRME. Dr. Rodriguez’s influence extends to the literary realm, co-authoring reference books in Psychology and Human-Tech interface available in Taylor and Francis and IGI Global.
As a weekly contributing writer to various magazines focusing on analytics and emerging technologies, he continues to shape the discourse in these fields.
Lynn Gitau: Bio
Lyn Gitau is an entrepreneur, Founder MetaVersations, an organization that evangelizes, educates and creates immersive Metaverse experiences through meaningful collaborations with Metaverse builders.
She is the COO of the first African Metaverse DAO that seeks to preserve and showcase African culture and heritage in the metaverse. Her educational background has gained her proficiency in PR and Mass Communications.
She is an advent aficionado of exploring global biodiversity and sustainability at the intersection of emerging technologies. Lynn has spoken in major conferences focused on DeFi, Metaverse and other Web 3 concepts.
Currently, she is one of the most sought-after experts in the realm of the Metaverse in Africa and has been featured in popular business articles and shows.
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.
Miranda Lutz: Bio
Miranda Lutz serves as the Senior Director of Public Policy at the XR Association (XRA). In this role she works with members to develop policy positions that support the responsible development of XR technology.
Prior to XRA, Lutz worked as a policy consultant at Global Counsel, advising multinational companies and investors on tech policy and at Deloitte, counseling C-suite executives on US policy and regulation.
Additionally, Lutz served as a policy advisor in the House of Representatives for Members on the Foreign Affairs and Ways & Means committees.
Lutz graduated magna cum laude from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a bachelor’s degree in International Relations.
Michael Coppola: Bio
Currently building Immerzo (immerzo.io) Background as a filmmaker, creative and entrepreneur with a varied portfolio that spans branded content, music videos, commercial promos, fashion films, narrative shorts, documentaries and virtual reality experiences.
Skilled at problem solving and conflict resolution, and able to help encourage teamwork. Proactive thinker, always looking for new creative ways of communication through the aesthetic of brands.
Paige Dansinger: Bio
Top 25 Women in the Metaverse, Paige Dansinger is the founder of Better World Museum, Horizon Art Museum, and Women in Horizon.
Our programs empower members through world building, summits, and community events.
She prioritizes women, diversity, initiatives for good in the metaverse. Paige currently works at Third Academy as VP of metaverse development.
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”.
Eva Pascual: Bio
Eva Pascual is a visionary of futuristic solutions possible today, where inner peace and life force upliftment are commonly prioritised in a playful way.
She revealed the unconscious by mapping and color-coding the Structure of Thought, a science replicable as a universal language, which solves the perceptual error of separation.
After a lifetime of studying the source of creation and how to augment happiness and life force, she is motivated to integrate these powers into a conscious society that believes in impacting legacy.
She currently works on the dissemination of ancestral knowledge and new science creating immersive analog and digital experiences.
Eva designs evolutionary “paradigm shift” content to update holistically; entertainment, pedagogy, art, policy making, governance and architecture.
She has recently integrated her body of work about the impact of the invisible through an immersive installation in the building of the University of Industrial Design of Barcelona.
Her intention is to share knowledge in a playful and experiential way, to facilitate transcendental processes that cooperate with evolution and intelligent acts based in inseparability and recognition of teh energy unified field where we are all immersed.
To create a legacy of impact and generate a future for young people where kindness and awareness are the fuel of every relationship. And where creativity is in service of blooming of all life forms.
Melvin Anderson: Bio
Melvin Anderson is Founder and CEO of exploreSkillz, Inc. exploreSkillz is an early-stage software company that provides a next generation interactive career discovery ecosystem for the K-12 market.
Mr. Anderson has more than twenty years of experience in enterprise software consulting and sales for a number of business sectors including K-12 education and Fortune 500 corporations such as Microsoft, Coca-Cola, Bank of America.
In addition to exploreSkillz, Mr. Anderson is a published author of the book titled “Ladies, Front & Center! Elevate Humanity Through Self Discovery”. A book that emphasizes the importance of self-discovery.
Mr. Anderson is committed to community efforts and the advancement of our youth by partnering with a number of organizations in the Atlanta and Washington, DC area.
He is currently President – Board of Directors of Kier’s Hope Foundation, Board Member of Boys Transitioning, Inc., former member of the Atlanta Taskforce for the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans, and former Board Member of a number of nonprofit organizations.
Mr. Anderson is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and a graduate of Southern Illinois University – Carbondale.
Betty Dannewitz: Bio
Betty Dannewitz is an Immersive Experience Architect with over 19 years in corporate learning and development.
She is also a Speaker, Podcaster, and High-Performance Coach.
Betty’s passion is to help people become better humans and she advocates that innovative technology, like XR and podcasting, have a HUGE role in making that happen.
Mariya Pallais: Bio
Mariya is a multifaceted professional known for her roles as a Tech & Entertainment Publicist, Scuba Diver, World Traveler, and Personal Branding expert.
Starting in AirBnB’s Marketing department, she developed her PR skills and founded Mariya Pallais PR.
Known for her Millennial humor and love for animals, particularly her chinchilla Bernard, Mariya focuses on authentic, intentional PR, choosing clients who are societal innovators and emerging technologists.
World travel enhanced her career, adding new perspectives and energy to her work.
Mariya balances professional success with personal growth, impacting the PR and marketing world while pursuing a fulfilling life.
Arome Ibrahim: Bio
Arome is a Business Analyst with a specialization in digital strategy and transformation.
Arome is also deeply passionate about Extended Reality (XR) and the Metaverse, with a strong drive to use technology for positive social impact.
He is currently the XR Business Analyst at Fectar. Fectar is the fastest-growing Metaverse & Spatial Creators Platform, empowering businesses and individuals to create interactive augmented and virtual reality experiences without programming expertise.
At the heart of our offerings is Fectar Studio, a platform that grants users access to their Metaverse experiences on any device, anywhere, and anytime.
Arome’s exceptional expertise and innovation have been recognized with numerous accolades, including the Next Economy Entrepreneurship Hero and Next Economy Impact Award from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He received the Digital Lab Africa #5 XR award, was selected for the New Dimensions Lab by Electric South, and was recognized as one of the ten emerging African creators by Garage Stories and New Images Festival Paris.
As one of 24 global XR professionals selected for the Immersive Experience Focus Program organized by the Institut Français and New Images Festival, Arome’s tireless efforts in democratizing Extended Reality (XR) in Africa have earned him a spot among the Top 50 Voices in VR, AR, and 3D (2022/2023) by Threedium UK.
Arome uses his exceptional expertise to empower businesses and clients with valuable insights, analytics, and solutions to unlock the full potential of emerging technologies. He is an active speaker at emerging tech industry events globally.
As a catalyst for innovation, Arome plays a critical role in driving progress and impact by bringing businesses, clients, and communities together to co-create and build the innovations of tomorrow.
Tess McKinney: Bio
Meet Tess McKinney, AAS, a trailblazing force in the technology arena with an illustrious 20-year journey that has unfolded at the forefront of innovation. Over the last decade, Tess has been a driving force in the realm of educational technologies, leaving an indelible mark on the industry.
As the proud proprietor of Firework Media Studio, LLC for the past 18 years, Tess has seamlessly navigated various roles, donning hats as a technology consultant, trainer, instructional designer, and website architect.
Tess’s insatiable passion for innovation has propelled her through the ever-evolving tech landscape, earning her the reputation of a perpetual learner. Seven years ago, she embarked on a captivating journey into immersive technologies, skillfully incorporating XR, AR, and VR into her expansive skill set.
Her dedication to staying abreast of the latest technological advancements has not only kept her at the forefront but has also positioned her as a vanguard in the field. Notably, Tess is currently spearheading the development of VR labs in collaboration with the University of Texas San Antonio College of Nursing and Dentistry, showcasing her commitment to pushing the boundaries of immersive learning.
Her previous engagements include impactful collaborations with esteemed institutions such as The Ohio State University and Brazosport College, where she left an indelible mark on the landscape of educational technologies.
Tess’s influence extends far beyond her role as a technology maven. She has cultivated a robust network of connections with experts and designers specializing in Healthcare Simulation and Immersive Learning.
Her involvement in the realms of XR, AR, and VR within healthcare and education has solidified her as a respected figure in the industry. A quick glance at her LinkedIn profile reveals an extensive network, boasting an impressive 10,200+ followers and connections—a testament to her influence and reach.
In essence, Tess McKinney is not just a tech enthusiast; she is a visionary, a pioneer, and a catalyst for change in the dynamic intersection of technology and education. With a legacy spanning two decades, Tess continues to shape the future of immersive learning, leaving an indelible imprint on the ever-evolving landscape of educational technologies.
Her current undertaking with the University of Texas San Antonio College of Nursing and Dentistry underscores her commitment to pioneering transformative advancements in the field.
Francisco Espinoza: Bio
Aeronautical Engineer, expert in design and planning of large airports. Serial Entrepreneur since 2011 Founder of Enverse: Ecosystem of companies that seek to lead the urbanization process of worlds through great architects and architecture offices.
Founder of Enverse-Retail: Agency dedicated to the development of virtual reality for the Retail sector Founder of VRstudio: 3D design and development agency for the architecture sector Founder of NSclick: Agency specialized in the development of web applications Founder of Medicagency, web and 3D development agency for the medical sector Co-Founder of ElearningMedico.com, a medical education platform that incorporates virtual reality content for the development of medical skills through simulated environments.
Hanan Merabi: Bio
Hanan is a mother, nurse leader, certified nurse case manager, author, and founder of Earth’s Angels non profit organization. Born and raised in Ghana, West Africa, and orphaned at a very young age due to the lack of good healthcare, Hanan always knew that she wanted to help others that were in such desperate need in Ghana.
At age 15, she moved to the Unites States and became a U.S citizen, still knowing that she would somehow go back to Ghana and give back to those who need it most.
In 2012, she founded Earth’s Angels with the dream that she could make a difference in the lives of mothers and babies all over the world. Hanan is called on to share her story around the country, as an inspirational speaker.
She has been asked to speak at nursing events, including nursing school presentations, charitable functions, and many other speaking engagements.
Hanan coined the term The Legacy Is Me® when she had a cathartic moment in 2013, realizing she could use her life’s many struggles and painful experiences, as catalysts for greatness.
She believes that we can all write our own legacy, and does her best to live to her fullest expression of herself in each role she takes on.
Allen Olson-Urtecho: Bio
Allen Olson-Urtecho, the founder of Studio Bahia, established this 501c3 nonprofit in response to children as young as 9 years old committing suicide and self harm in refugee camps.
This heartbreaking reality fueled his unwavering commitment to offering accessible and affordable world-class therapies.
Allen’s innovative contribution includes the creation of Lili, a mobile virtual reality headset now in production.
With a background of living in 10 countries and backpacking through 80, he assembled a diverse team, ranging from 7 PhDs in virtual reality to 15 high school interns, to make a lasting impact on the world of therapy and support.
Lisi Linares: Bio
About Lisi Linares: Lisi Linares is an industry-leading publicist at the forefront of the XR revolution.
With a rich background in crypto/blockchain publicity and a lifelong love affair with virtual reality, Lisi’s expertise and passion for the Metaverse have propelled her to the top of the industry.
As the Megalodon Publicist behind PR SHRKS, she combines her boundless creativity and strategic prowess to redefine the narrative of XR and elevate her esteemed client roster to new heights.
Hemachandran Kannan: Bio
Dr Hemachandran Kannan is the Director of the AI Research Centre, Associate Dean of the School of Business, and Area Chair of the Analytics Department at Woxsen University.
He is an ambassador of the AI Accelerator Institute and an Advisory Board member in many international and national companies such as AptAI Labs, USA, Agzitence Pvt, Ltd, and many more.
He served as an effective resource person at various national and international scientific conferences and also gave lectures on topics related to Artificial Intelligence.
Currently serving as Expert at UNESCO and ATL Mentor of Change.
Stacy Whittle: Bio
Stacy Whittle is not just a professional; she’s a storytelling maestro, a digital sorceress, and an architect of impactful experiences.
With over three decades of weaving narratives at the senior level, Stacy’s repertoire spans the roles of producer, director, public speaker, and event maestro, complemented by her accolades as an award-winning stage actor.
At the helm of Block of Love, LLC as CEO, she masterfully blends the art of storytelling with the wizardry of technology, crafting immersive 360 videos that transport viewers to other worlds.
Her leadership at Front Page Live as President and CEO is a testament to her crusade against disinformation, championing the cause of truth in a post-truth world.
Stacy’s flair for orchestrating large-scale events is evident in her groundbreaking work – from pioneering the USDA Forest Service’s first 360 videos to directing a culturally rich and award-winning video series spanning LA to the Pacific Northwest, all under the banner of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
In 2019, Stacy co-produced a globally celebrated Earth Day extravaganza alongside Marc Scarpa, featuring Pope Francis, showcasing her ability to unite the globe in a single, harmonious narrative.
Her globe-trotting adventures have seen her manage multicultural teams across the U.S., the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, infusing her work with the richness of diverse perspectives.
Fluent in Spanish and conversational in Arabic, she’s not just speaking languages; she’s talking to hearts, connecting cultures in her international odyssey.
Stacy’s magic lies in her unique ability to forge alliances with an array of global entities – from academics and governments to the private sector and grassroots organizations.
Amidst this backdrop of professional achievements, Stacy stands proudly as a mother to two sons, balancing the high-wire act of a demanding career with the anchor of family life.
In Stacy Whittle’s world, creativity meets strategy, technology dances with storytelling, and every initiative is a step towards changing the world, one story at a time.
Safaa Alattar: Bio
With strong leadership skills, business acumen, and technical expertise, she is committed to driving success and growth in the companies she works with.
Lubna Dajani: Bio
Curious, creative, conscious, systems thinker, and designer. A polymath cyborg and ubiquitous web OG.
A passionate change-maker inspiring the ethical application of STEAM innovations to regenerate the planet and enable sustainable prosperity and well-being with a focus on empathic AI, hardware security, Web3, and climate tech.
Vivian Gomes: Bio
Vivian is a hands-on, passionate, Human-Centered Design leader with over 25 years of experience spanning multiple aspects of the business of Strategy, Product & Service Design focused on making technology more human.
He loves building simple, intuitive, human-Centered products which enable delightful experiences for everyone in the real world.
Vivian Gomes is the Co-founder and Chief Design Officer at Human Factors Research and Design and SHNORH LLC a studio based in San Francisco.
He is an internationally respected Design leader, mentor and innovation evangelist.
Vivian believes that insights at the intersection of user needs, technology and business helps create highly effective and innovative products and solutions on the foundation of DESIGN. He exhibits extremely sharp natural curiosity and laser instincts in understanding human behaviour, helps in predicting outcomes with metric driven accuracy.
His work has impacts million of lives everyday. Products or solutions he has delivered are used every day around the world with delightful addictive experiences by users and customers across cultures, regions and people of all ages.
He is a regular speaker, mentor, juror and workshop facilitator at events around the world.
He is on boards of Academia, non-profit and enterprise boards to help create Human-Centered focus, a high priority, increase good design experience awareness, implement design strategies and help organizations build joyful experiences for their customers and users. He empowers teams to craft compelling stories and develops a solution’s design ecosystems across multiple mediums and devices for a connected, seamless joyful-user experience.
He is a highly experienced and practical hands-on Design professional who seamlessly works on digital, industrial and hybrid design solutions.
He drives creation of compelling product and solution portfolios for customers that include healthcare, Social innovation in community uplifting program design and application, AI, Retail, Oil & Gas, Smart Cities, Analytics, IT Security, data Science, GIS, payments/finance, social, search, eComm, startups, Cloud applications, Portals, IOT, mobile/telecom, wearables, AR/VR, voice and the engineering / automotive industry.
He works as a core member of the management teams to Institutionalize Design, focused on future of design driven needs, helping digital transformation through applicable design thinking, mentoring design managers/ leaders, setting up global design centers & design research labs in India, EUROPE, Asia, UK, Middle East and USA.
He has deep know how of cutting edge technology trends through his consistent work with communities, teaching initiatives and alliances. This enables him to bring innovative and disruptive design ideas to life while helping create a vision for organizations that delights users and profits their customers.
He is a Member of board of directors of the UXQCC, Austria, Cal Tech East Bay, Garranto Academy Singapore, UXPA Austria Accredited Professional, and on global forums and boards such as Google for Start-ups, Art Bridging Gap (ABG), LA, Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship at CMU, Designed.Org, and ADP list.
Lisa Atkinson: Bio
Lisa Atkinson ‘Filmmaker, Futurist-Storyteller, Artist-Technologist, Peacemaker’ Lisa started as a 2D animation artist in film opticals, in-camera visual effects, then analogue computer, then digital visual effects and live-action visual effects combined with animation. She worked in USA, Canada & Asia as a Visual Effects Supervisor, Second Unit Director, Pre-Production Assistant Director, and Post-Production Supervisor. International coproduction credits include: Heavy Metal, Tron, Star Wars, Inspector Gadget, Curious, Aladdin, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Philip Marlowe, Ray Bradbury Theater, Outer Limits and X-Files.
Lisa was the first Visual Effects Supervisor to use digital effects in a television series “The Twilight Zone” (1988-1989 – 30 episodes). She was recognized with Honorary Membership in Society of High Definition Arts & Sciences; and memberships in British Academy of Film and Television Arts; American Film Institute; British Kinematograph, Sound & Television Society; IEEE; SMPTE; ACM SIGGRAPH.
Invited to work at the Canadian Embassy in Beijing, Lisa set up a ‘Radio, Film and Television Department’ to create content & technology pipelines for TV and long-distance education. Lisa left Embassy work to become the first Digital Visual Effects Supervisor in China, working on Chinese films at the Beijing Film Studio and Shanghai Studio. Later, Lisa worked for Sundance Film Institute to bring Sundance Film Festival to China, and Eastman Kodak as their China Strategist to Chinese filmmakers re: technology.
During the Hollywood and Silicon Valley digital cooperation phase, Lisa’s work included converting pipelines at studios (Rhythm & Hues, Dreamworks, Pacific Data Images, ILM) into digital pipelines capable of moving large shot count feature films (Batman, Star Trek, Speed, Mousehunt) and full digital CG animation feature film pipelines (Bugs Life 3D, Atlantis, Star Trek: Experience, Antz, Shrek, Frankenstein, Final Fantasy).
Lisa served on the Board of Directors for the Visual Effects Society (Global Committee start-up and Education Committee start-up), Women in Animation (Education Committee), and on the Board of Directors for the Directors Guild of America (Canada branch). As Technology Rep for the Director’s Guild, she created training for film directors to transition to computers. Lisa also sat on the Director’s Guild committee to draft the North American Free Trade Agreement for Entertainment & Technology (USA/Canada/Mexico); the International Co-Production Agreement (USA/Canada); and International Co-production Agreement (Canada/China).
Lisa took a hiatus from Hollywood to be a Co-Founder, and Chief Technology Officer, for the world’s first climate-change carbon-reduction technology fund (UK, USA, Canada, Asia). She returned to LA’s independent production focusing on storytelling, content creation and mentoring. In China, Lisa consults at their 1st Free Trade Zone: “Hainan Island Technology Park”; the Digital Civilization Conference; and Student Digital Bootcamp. Lisa also participates in the United Nations SciTech Digital Cooperation “No One Gets Left Behind” global technology development and digital education initiatives.
As a teenager Lisa interned summers at the National Film Board of Canada in the Optical Film Lab Department. She studied Fine Arts at Ottawa Collegiate Institute of Technology’s High School of Commerce, Computer Language Programming at Algonquin College of Applied Arts & Technology, Broadcast Engineering at Carleton University, Filmmaking at Beijing Film Academy.
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.
Tammy Francis: Bio
Affectionately called Dr. Tammy, The Catalyst, she is the founder and CEO of Catalyst 4 Change Global, LLC.
Dr. Tammy is an edupreneur. She is a Global Strategist, Educator, Consultant, Educational Researcher, Speaker, Author, Podcaster, Mentor, and Traveler.
Dr. Tammy has a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction and has taught for over 23 years in the traditional educational system–grades 6-12 and higher education.
Dr. Tammy has a holistic approach to learning and development (talent development).
She helps women, educators, leaders, and entrepreneurs all over the world leverage the opportunities of the digital economy and emerging technologies.
She helps others create a strategy and action plan to upskill, reskill, and retool and provide access to resources to assist in their transition and growth.
She has served as a catalyst and helped people in more than 15 countries with purpose-driven, creative solutions while preparing for the future.
All that she does is grounded in and inspired by her work and philosophy as a JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion >>> Belonging + Access) advocate.
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.
William Jackson: Bio
Professional Educator 33 years in public and higher education. World Metaverse Council Education Group Program Director of Education.
CEO of MetaverseWP building metaverse sites for conferences and educational entities.
My Quest To Teach writing about the integration of technology across education, business and commerce.
Curriculum specialists, creating curriculums addressing hands-on learning, addressing accessibility issues with mobility and engagement.
Meghan Sickner: Bio
Meghan Kelly Sickner Who Meghan is a Holistic Health Practitioner with a Passion and purpose to live in harmony with Nature. WHY Tools for Transformation — 2000- Present Her healing education began in 1989 , brought to her knees in physical pain she found a new way of living.
In 2000 Meghan created Tools for Transformation while recovering from another physical and grief related neck injury. The experience catapulted her once again into her own reorganization, and the program sort of created itself.
Certifications: HOW Transformational Breath facilitator, Dr. Demartini Values Determination Facilitator, Massage Therapist, Reiki Master, Shamansess with the Sisterhood of the shields, Lyn Andrews Mystery School. Dr. Peter Levine Somatic Experiencing facilitator. 12 stages of Healing, Dr. Donny Epstein.
Transformational Breathe facilitator. Judith Kravitz . Veterans Yoga guide, Trauma , adaptive yoga, resilience, mindfulness coach, and more. Where Luxury Wellness Facilitator: 1996-Present Luxury wellness concierge.Meghan works with the Ritz Carlton Hotel offering yoga, Personal wellness journeys, including sound baths, trauma awareness sessions, pilates, personal training etc. Retreats, Personal ceremonies, celebrations, personalized programs.Zoom, live events.
Personal Meghan is a one-time state championship winner with the Dana Point Outrigger canoe club, one-time Marathon runner, a Current Aerial artist, a Nutrition enthusiast, and Non profit volunteer. Life-time student and teacher of Truth. Time spent playing in Nature is her healing and beauty secret.
Additionally, Meghan is a Luxury Realtor and Eco broker in Laguna Beach California. “In order to heal the planet we must begin with ourselves.” Favorite quote.
Po box 1763. Laguna Beach. CA. 92652. [email protected]. 949-510-1621
Hirak Mazumdar: Bio
Hirak is an accomplished Algorithm Developer and Researcher specializing in Computer Vision, Image Processing, and Machine Learning Algorithms.
Currently serving as an Assistant Professor at Woxsen University in Hyderabad, he is recognized as an academician, leader, and mentor in his field. His current research interest includes developing industrial big data analysis, intelligent medical devices, intelligent manufacturing systems, and intelligent quality assurance.
Over the last couple of years, Hirak has worked with Bigdata and implemented many Algorithms based on Wafer defects during the fabrication process and related many optimization techniques.
In addition, he has work experience with two top-tier companies where he works with machine learning and data fault analysis. Besides this, he has completed his doctoral thesis based on computer vision, image processing.
Previously Hirak has done his research on machine learning algorithms development for big data, especially semiconductor sensor fault detection.
His research interests include Nanotechnology, Nano Biosensor Simulation, and Computational Biology with numerical Simulation.
He was also experienced with biomedical image analysis and various cell cultures using Image Processing techniques.
Katiya Xiong: Bio
Katiya Xiong is a social leader, artist, and mother of two growing boys. She left my 15+ years of corporate experience in Human Resources, Marketing, Technology, and Operations to start DEEP Coalition (DC), a global movement on empathy. DC’s mission is about building bridges between education levels, income classes, and industry types to bring the 1% and the 99%closer together for meaningful change.
Katiya is a believer in the power of one, the value of voice, and the strength in unity. Her approach to helping more people (leaders, employees, and students) to explore their creative expression can be seen and felt through my LinkedIn activities, speaking engagements, and interactive workshops.
Currently, Nichols College (a private entrepreneurial institution) is using her profile and social activities for 10% of the final grade in their professional development classes. When it comes to making a difference, she is truly everywhere anywhere all at once!
Sajal Saha: Bio
Dr. Sajal Saha is an esteemed academic professional with over 19 years of experience spanning across the affiliated college and university system.
Currently, he holds the positions of Professor and Head of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, as well as Director of Product & Innovation at Adamas University. Prior to this, Dr. Saha served as the Principal of Meghnad Saha Institute of Technology under Techno India Group, affiliated with Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology, West Bengal.
Between 2019 and 2021, Dr. Saha was the Dean of the School of Computing Sciences and Dean of Research at Kaziranga University. He also served as the Associate Dean (Compliance) from 2016 to 2019.
Dr. Saha earned his Ph.D. from the National Institute of Technology, Durgapur in 2016, with a thesis focused on “QoS and Mobility Management in WiMAX and other Next Generation Networks”.
In 2007, he obtained a Master of Engineering (ME) degree in Information Technology from West Bengal University of Technology, securing second place overall in the order of merit and receiving a silver medallion from the Governor of West Bengal.
Additionally, he holds a Master’s degree in Computer Application from Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Physics from Calcutta University, Kolkata, India.
Tosca Terán: Bio
Tosca Terán, aka Nanotopia, is a 1st generation Mexican-American interdisciplinary artist. She describes herself as a human holobiont whose work is a confluence of art, ecology, and craft. Constructing multisensory installations collaborating with nonhuman life, Tosca’s projects ask people to consider nonhuman sentience and how humans move within and impact the shared environment.
Focusing on the intelligence of the interstitial that forms the living webs around us. To see, hear and feel the invisible.
Her work has been featured at SOFA New York, The Toronto Design Exchange, MOCA Toronto, The Ontario Science Centre, Music Works, Vector Festival, Studio Art & Craft Canada, SONICA21, NAISA (New Adventures In Sound Art), Ars Electronica, The Art Gallery of Victoria and VRDays Immersive Tech week Rotterdam for Euromersive.
Tosca’s projects have received funding support and residencies from the Goethe-Institut Montreal, The Canada Arts Council, BigCi Environmental Award Australia, Ontario Arts Council, the Toronto Arts Council, SUNY Buffalo’s Coalesce Centre for Biological Art for her immersive, expanded reality, nonhuman collaborative projects.
From 2022 to present, Tosca has been an invited art director and tutor for the Venice Biennale Cinema College VR.
My fascination with what makes ‘us’ Human, the vast, incredible world of nonhuman organisms, and the possibility of collaboration is thoroughly exciting! Every species has a language (if you will) of its own. Whether through body language/signals, eye movement, chemical, vibration or pattern, language is not always represented in words or through sounds the Human ear can perceive.
My ultimate goal is to learn that other language. If the world of science is synonymous with truth and the world of art with that of fiction, I want to tread a middle ground that is unusual and seemingly beyond belief yet also familiar.
Kris Krüg: Bio
Hello there! I’m [Kris Krüg](https://www.kriskrug.co/), a digital pioneer, acclaimed photographer, creative technologist, author, and educator.
My journey has taken me from the sunny shores of California to the vibrant cityscape of Vancouver, where I share my life with my faithful companion, Baby Jesus. My mantra? “Technology is best when it brings people together,” and I strive to embody this ethos in every facet of my life.
My camera has been my passport to the world, capturing everything from the enchanting microcosm of salamanders, nudibranchs, and mushrooms to the grandeur of global icons like [Barack Obama](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama), [Bill Clinton](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Clinton), [Richard Branson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Branson), [Mikhail Gorbachev](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikhail_Gorbachev), and [Shaquille O’Neal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaquille_ONeal). I have a particular fondness for the [biodiversity of Galiano](https://galianoconservancy.ca/), where I’ve documented a wide array of lifeforms, from plants and amphibians to mammals and birds, as well as numerous marine species found near my home on Active Pass. My work has been featured in a wide array of publications, including [National Geographic](https://www.nationalgeographic.com/), [Rolling Stone](https://www.rollingstone.com/), [Business Week](https://www.bloomberg.com/businessweek), [USA Today](https://www.usatoday.com/), the [LA Times](https://www.latimes.com/), [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/international), [The New Yorker](https://www.newyorker.com/), [Forbes](https://www.forbes.com/), [Fortune](https://fortune.com/), [WIRED](https://www.wired.com/), and many more. I’ve also had the privilege of serving as a Photographer and Photo Editor at the [Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA)](https://www.seattlecca.org/), where I used my skills to document the organization’s journey, from the construction of new facilities to the pioneering work of doctors. In addition to my work with SCCA, I’ve been hired by and created photography for a diverse range of companies and projects, including [Microsoft](https://www.microsoft.com/), [American Express](https://www.americanexpress.com/), [Lululemon](https://shop.lululemon.com/), [Samsung](https://www.samsung.com/), [Red Bull](https://www.redbull.com/), [Johnson & Johnson](https://www.jnj.com/), [Getty Images](https://www.gettyimages.com/), the [Canadian Broadcasting Corporation](https://www.cbc.ca/), the [United Nations](https://www.un.org/), the [International Olympic Committee](https://www.olympic.org/), and many more. This extensive experience has allowed me to hone my skills and adapt to a variety of creative challenges, further enriching my portfolio and expanding my understanding of visual storytelling. As an author, I’ve penned two books: [“BitTorrent for Dummies”](https://www.amazon.com/BitTorrent-Dummies-Susannah-Gardner/dp/0470096004) and [“Killer Photos With Your iPhone”](https://www.amazon.com/Killer-Photos-Your-iPhone-Matthias/dp/0321771611), both of which are available on Amazon. These works reflect my commitment to using art and technology to tell stories, build communities, and drive change. In recent years, I’ve been exploring the intersection of art and artificial intelligence, hosting and facilitating several workshops exploring the power of generative AI in creative processes. I’ve also served as the Assistant Director for [Hornby Arts’ 10-episode Hornby Island documentary series](https://www.hornbyisland.com/), taking a deep dive into the importance of art and its power to affect us all. As a community manager at [Future in Review](https://www.futureinreview.com/), an advisory board member at [SXSW](https://www.sxsw.com/), and a mentor at [Reel Youth](https://reelyouth.ca/), I’ve had the opportunity to shape and influence the creative and technological communities. I’ve also shared my knowledge and expertise as an instructor at [Emily Carr University of Art and Design](https://www.ecuad.ca/) and as a professor at [Vancouver Film School](https://vfs.edu/).
I’ve amassed a portfolio of over 130,000 high-resolution photos, freely available under a [Creative Commons license](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/) for artists and non-profits to use, while still retaining the rights to sell these images to companies and corporations.
Welcome to my journey. Let’s explore together. And don’t forget to check out my website at [www.kriskrug.co](http://www.kriskrug.co/) for more of my work and projects.
Shachar Oz: Bio
User experience-oriented technical product owner with an implementation skill-set.
Passionate about bridging business goals with product identity, resulting in concise experiences and turning users’ needs into a solid design.
Extensive background in agile development cycle from prototype to release in both startup environment and corporate, with expertise in emergent technologies.
Umang Varma: Bio
Umang has more than 20 years of experience in driving large technology-led transformations in global organizations.
His passion is in using emerging technologies like big data, Blockchain, IoT & AI to drive business outcomes.
He currently leads a team of cloud architects for Oracle and is based in Malaysia.
He writes the occasional article on emerging tech and some of his articles have been featured by industry associations.
Outside work, he enjoys speedcubing & scuba diving.
LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/umangvarma/
Samm Smeltzer: Bio
Samm Smeltzer believes HR Professionals hold the key to our greatest workplace challenges.
With a doctorate in Medical Qigong, 10 years as an award-winning HR Practitioner, and decade as CEO/Founder of The HRart Center, Samm has written 4 books including “Workplace Healers” and “The HR Intuitive”.
Samm uses both Western and Eastern perspectives on wellness to heal burnout by restoring humanity in the workplace, coaching leadership teams to create cultural shifts by caring for their own energy.
Thomas Tallis: Bio
Thomas brings 25+ years of expertise in Investor Relations, DeFi, Banking, Corporate Communication, Brand Experience, and Strategy.
He has successfully founded, built-up and exited three companies, and possesses a deep understanding of financial services and regulatory landscapes, including the world of cryptocurrency.
He is driven by the opportunities that come from a new financial era and novel commercial structures and the proportionate rebalancing of the equilibrium that Tokenisation of real-world assets is ushering in.
Aadhya K: Bio
Aadhya Krishna, the Founding Executive Director and Provost of Academy of Art Design and Strategy, is the visionary leader behind the Academy of Art Design and Strategy (A.A.D.S), reshaping the future of design led education. where creativity, innovation, and education intersect towards learning and applying design to everyday life.
Aadhya’s dedication to understanding people and their motivations drives her mission to design delightful experiences that teach how to overcome biases and shape a better world through applied design, especially simplifying critical thinking for everyone.
Aadhya’s commitment to unbiased, inclusive, accessible, and fair use of design for all is the cornerstone of her vision in a breakthrough concept “Design Routine”.
She is on a mission to inspire and empower the next generation of designers and strategists to create a delightful daily routine around all products and services people use.
Her “Design Routine” approach, deeply rooted and aligned to human needs, has helped create award-winning products and solutions that amplify the power of design.
She has tirelessly championed the cause of bridging creativity with social impact, leaving an incredible mark globally. Aadhya’s impact is remarkable.
Her workshops, hands-on research, and certification programs have resonated with professionals worldwide.
She instills the significance of human-centered strategies and resilient applicable design, motivating the birth of lasting innovations wherever she goes.
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.
Lynn Gravatt: Bio
Lynn is an Aerospace Engineer-turned-Spiritual Guide and Quantum Coach, and the founder of the Purpose Embodiment Method, the Atomic Power Process, and the non-profit An Ascension Space.
She empowers scientifically-minded professionals and companies to embody their purpose in the corporate realm and at home with mental wellness, purpose clarity, and authentic leadership.
With a decade’s experience in cutting-edge engineering at NASA and Boeing, coupled with 15 years and hundreds of thousands of dollars invested delving into spiritual technologies such as meditation, prayer, shamanism, and energy medicine, she possesses a unique blend of scientific rigor and spiritual embodiment.
Beyond her academic and spiritual endeavors, Lynn holds multiple somatic movement certifications and dazzles as a dancer, fire spinner, and somatic movement specialist.
Namrata Dhasmana: Bio
Namrata Dhasmana is an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Management -Lucknow. She did Senior Leadership in Strategy for Leaders from IIM Lucknow and is a Certified Strength Finder Trainer and Coach. She is a Master Trainer and a Certified Design Thinking Practitioner. She is a Global Gallup Professional. Namrata has given her views on Strength-based Leadership in Ventage HR Podcast, Relationship Management, and Purpose Driven Leadership in Leaders Hum.
She has led Mid-size to Large-size teams in organizations like Vedanta, Wells Fargo, and Genpact and held Corporate Leadership Positions. Her exemplary career in corporates in the diversified industry has evolved her into a Seasoned Leader and expert. Namrata Dhasmana is a known name brand in the Industry to provides solutions for business and Leadership Training. She has taken several pieces of training on Leadership and types of Leadership and has been on various panels of Future of Work. Namrata is a Global name and is recognized as 100 most Influential Coaches by the World HRD Congress. As a Global Thought Leader- Most followed Woman Leader by Thinkers 360. Recognized by Leaders Hum as Global Top 50 Culture Champions.
She has done corporate talks and sessions on Understanding Creative Confidence innovation and Leadership Excellence. Her in-depth knowledge about subjects is her USP as a Speaker and Leadership Trainer. Namrata is also engaged with Colleges and Universities as a Guest Lecturer and college-to-corporate model. She has taken multiple pieces of training in Wells Fargo, Manilla Team- Analytical Thinking with working models of identifying Problems to the testing phase and Marketing Intelligence, Genpact, and Vedanta. She has conducted workshops on Design Thinking and Innovation for Leaders of the Manipal Group of Hospital. Namrata is a global Leadership coach and also wishes to refrain some of the clients from maintaining privacy and ethics. Situational Leadership is one of her forte and USP.
She has also conducted sessions in the Global Education & Training Institute, Leaders Hum, Inspirit, Vantage Circle, and Voila Experts. As a business consultant, she has gained an edge while being an impaneled Expert for consulting in Global organizations like Guide Point, GLG, and Knowledge Ridge. Namrata is an Army Veteran. She is an active researcher in the space of International Relations and Global Economics. She is associated with the BRICS Institute for her work on publications. Her focus area is Drug Trafficking and Information Warfare in the space of Global Research.
James Baduor: Bio
James is genuinely interested in merging product development with personal growth.
He brings his solid design expertise and technical know-how to support projects with a community focus.
Constantly seeking to broaden his knowledge, James collaborates with a variety of organizations, from up-and-coming startups to well-established companies, to transform innovative ideas into practical, market-ready products. He also concentrates on adjusting these products for the best market fit.
Beyond his role as a designer, James plays a crucial part in his teams, tackling various tasks to nurture product development and engaging deeply in the operational and fundraising aspects of startup life.
For James, each collaboration is an opportunity for exploration and creativity, where ideas are not only imagined but also carefully crafted to connect with their intended audience.
He is dedicated to delivering products that not only fulfill market needs but also offer significant value and a positive user experience.
Sabina NB: Bio
Sabina is a globally respected leader in strategic design and a well known HCD-UX specialist having played various roles while heading humanity impacting turnkey global projects across industries, technology, domains and a wide business environments.
Sabina teaches humanity-centered design research and is an expert at the delivery of business strategies, planning, budgeting, customer & consumer relations/retention, global liaisons with organizations, institutions and domain experts.
She has hands on experience in delivering on ground research in EMEA, APAC and US markets for over 20 years. Sabina has co-authored numerous courses on HCD-UX processes and methodologies.
She is a board member of 3 international studios and an acclaimed speaker, Google for Startups mentor and Advanced Design Thinking facilitator. Sabina is passionate about digital declutter and mindfulness.
She is a strong advocate of a balanced lifestyle while the world is moving everything to an AI centered living.
Stefan Youngblood: Bio
Stefan Youngblood is a distinguished Founder, CEO, and entrepreneur, expertly melding DEI, innovation, and AI for social impact. With a storied 40-year history in global connection, he stands as a foremost authority in creative digital networking architecture. Stefan is more than just a technologist; he’s a bridge-builder, ardently working to close socioeconomic divides with a mix of compassion, faith, and forward-thinking.
Earning recognition as a leading “Metafluencer” – a term denoting influential figures in the digital realm – Stefan’s expertise breaks conventional confines. His global leadership spans from Myanmar and Tunisia to Ukraine, Haiti, and Nepal. Stefan’s profound insights into AI have adorned numerous publications, sparking rich discussions about the challenges and promises AI holds for contemporary society.
As the visionary Founder and CEO of HireBlack.com, in collaboration with [corrected name/Veritone], Stefan ardently advocates for unbiased partnerships, linking companies with candidates through more than 200,000 daily career opportunities. His other ventures, such as HBCU AI and DataSpy™ – a unique data and privacy platform – further emphasize his dedication to fostering cooperative and educational minority-owned businesses.
A proud father of three, an enthusiastic explorer and hiker, and the honored recipient of the Shenandoah University Presidential Award, Stefan frequently graces stages as a keynote speaker, emphasizing the importance of raising awareness in tech. Stefan Youngblood shines in his efforts to integrate marginalized communities into the AI realm, always championing the principled and community-centric progression of ideas.
LaSha’ Herring: Bio
As COO of Black Metaverse, LaSha’ Herring, is driven to ensure that BIPOC communities are not left behind to participate, own and innovate within the present and emerging technologies. Often given the title of “Connector”, LaSha’ promotes collaboration, knowledge sharing and information empowerment. With that said, she is committed to creating, facilitating and sharing any and all opportunities that will foster the mission of the Black Metaverse.
To connect needed dots in this sphere she co-hosts a weekly social audio talk, has been interviewed for various podcasts, and included on panels for tech conferences speaking on subjects such as the business side of Metaverse, Web3, NFTs, AI, AR, VR and other emerging technologies. In addition, as a Web3/Metaverse strategists she collaborates and consults HBCUs, Tech Conference Founders and Entertainment Industry Leaders/Founders. She also serves on the board of various Web3 startups and social audio platforms.
LaSha’ Herring has various degrees and certifications through her matriculation though Alabama Sate University, Cornell University and Harvard University that focus on strategic leadership in the area of technology, finance and workforce management. She has worked across various industries including the sectors of federal, film and fashion.
To her heart and core, LaSha’ believes in the importance of giving back and making a global impact. No better is this demonstrated than the collaboration she and her young daughter, Savanna, foster with the creation of the nonprofit Lemonade for Life; utilizing NFTs to fund/support programs with the lofty goal of eradicating hunger and food deserts.
Hammton Ndeke: Bio
Hammton Ndeke , serves as ghostwriter for founders , senior executive & In this role he helps his clients to build their personal branding on LinkedIn without spending time on the platform commenting or adding relevant connections or spend time creating elite content.
Additionally, Hammton is also passionate about the use of AI to leverage on content creation.He believes content creation takes time. So one has two options, make the time or hire someone to do it for you. Either way I can help them. But with the AI it has become a game changer now anyone can do.
Majiuzu Daniel Moses: Bio
Majiuzu Daniel Moses is the Founder/Executive Director at The Mo Centre. He is driving research and innovation in the area of responsibly using tech and Artificial Intelligence for social good and sustainable development.
His advocacy is to foster global, regional, national and local collaborations in areas of Technology and Artificial Intelligence as well as ensuring inclusion of the global south in AI conversations.
He has served in various capacities in the field of AI such as Mentor at the All Tech is Human Centre in USA, Mentor at Deep Indaba Africa, Fellow at Emerging Tech for Emerging Markets(E4E).
He also was a contributor to the Global Digital Compact for the United Nations. He is an Alumni of Soliya, J. Christopher Stevens Virtual Exchange Initiative(JCSVEI) as well as the U.S Department of State.
He belongs to several leading Tech and Artificial Intelligence Associations worldwide such as General member of the Digital Lawyers Association(DLA), Africa Law Tech Association(ALTA), International Future of Law Association(IFLA), International Association for Artificial Intelligence and Law(IAAIL), Internet Society(ISOC), Internet Society of Nigeria(ISOCN), Member Int’l Group of AI(IGAI), Responsible Artificial Intelligence Institute(RAII), Global AI hub(GAH) and Internet Society Netherlands.
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