Jean Lawrence is Chief Marketing Officer for Nokia Cloud & Network Services, where she leads the global marketing and communications organization spanning portfolio marketing, demand gen digital campaigns, field and partner marketing, product launches, analyst relations, PR, and executive communications. Her work helps communications service providers and enterprises realize the benefits of 5G, cloud, and the digital economy, securing and automating networks, unlocking efficiencies through AI, and enabling new business models.
Jean is passionate about building high-performing, empowered teams. Her current organization spans 15 countries and she loves working in global organizations. Her leadership philosophy is rooted in curiosity, candor, and collaboration, providing clear objectives and space for innovation. She believes progress comes from open dialogue, diverse perspectives, and an eagerness to continually learn. A plaque on her desk has a phrase attributed to Michelangelo: “I am still learning.”
With more than 25 years of experience in technology and telecom, Jean has held senior leadership roles in marketing, strategy, communications, and product development at Oracle, Computer Sciences Corporation, Motorola, and T-Mobile. At Oracle, she led global product marketing and helped drive growth in SaaS. At Motorola and CSC, she advanced strategy and communications initiatives to drive growth and industry recognition.
Jean is also an advocate for representation and mentorship in the tech industry. She has been active in Nokia’s StrongHer program, which fosters career development for women in technology, and she frequently speaks on topics of leadership, innovation, AI, and the future of connectivity. She is energized by opportunities to mentor the next generation of leaders, especially women in STEM, through programs that encourage curiosity, resilience, and bold thinking.

Michael Strand is the Chief Revenue Officer at Promethean. He's focused on helping transform how the world learns and collaborates by bringing his tech background into the EdTech and Workplace collaboration space to connect with a new generation of educators, integrators, and thought leaders.

With 25+ years of experience leading sales, channel, marketing, and operational teams across global Enterprise SaaS and services firms, Michael specializes in building high-performing, $100M–$1B revenue engines that scale.

George Ng is the Co-Founder and CTO at GGWP, where they’re working to make online games safer and smarter by applying multimodal AI in near real time to support live ops.

His work spans gaming, fintech, cybersecurity, and health, with the goal of building systems that address clear problems, adapt to real-world complexity, and create durable value for both users and builders.
George began his career as a research scientist at DARPA, developing models for cyber threats and terrorism. From there, he became Chief Data Scientist at Cray, building machine learning solutions across finance, national security, and healthcare. George later co-founded Cyence, a cyber risk modeling company acquired by Guidewire (NYSE: GWRE).
Alongside industry work, he stays connected to academia through UC Berkeley, where he has advised and taught across the College of Engineering, School of Public Health, and College of Letters & Science.
George continues to support cross-functional teams across product, engineering, and design — working to build systems that are resilient, scalable, and grounded in how people actually use them.

Josh Hatter is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Curated Vacation Properties (CVP), a boutique short-term rental and property management company headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina. Since founding CVP in 2016, Josh has grown the company into a 3-time Inc. 5000 honoree (2023, 2024, 2025), with a portfolio of 140+ active listings, 400+ bedrooms, $13M+ in annual bookings, and $150M+ in real estate under management. CVP’s long-term target—CVP 2030—is to scale to $10M in EBITDA by 2030.
Josh is also the Founding Director of KEYS Collective, a 501(c)3 nonprofit mastermind that equips professionals with the knowledge and support to transition from corporate employment to hospitality real estate ownership. KEYS Collective provides education, mentorship, and peer support with a goal of helping 1,000 individuals achieve financial independence through STRs, B&Bs, and boutique hotel investments.
In addition to his leadership at CVP and KEYS Collective, Josh is Managing Partner at Phoenix Capital Management (PCM) and CEO at Trouvaille Collection. PCM manages $15M in real estate and equities with a focus on coastal STR investments. Josh is co-founder and CEO of the Trouvaille Collection brand of boutique B&Bs, including two 9-bedroom properties in downtown Charleston,SC and a 16-key boutique hotel in Savannah, GA.
Prior to his transition into real estate, Josh held executive and senior leadership roles in the federal contracting and defense sectors. He served as Vice President of Capture at ISHPI and held various leadership roles at SAIC and General Dynamics Information Technology, where he helped drive over $15B in contract awards and developed strategic business development processes across NAVWAR and other various DoD/Federal markets.

Vidya Shankaran is the Head of AI Talent at PeerIslands, overseeing the end-to-end talent functions that power the company's innovation. She is a people and strategy leader with a proven track record of driving change at the intersection of talent, technology, and business. Her leadership philosophy—balancing “horsepower and heart”—combines bold, data-driven execution with instinct, care, and emotional intelligence. Biased for action, transformation programs are her area of passion and strength.
A passionate advocate for the modern, fractional workforce, Vidya believes the future of work lies in high-impact, flexible talent models. She champions community building and the creation of vibrant talent ecosystems, sourcing deeply experienced professionals who can deliver transformational results without the overhead of traditional structures. She champions “pay-per-use” access to expert talent and the integration of legacy knowledge with new-age tools and thinking.
Vidya served as Senior Vice President of Customer and Employee Success at Revature, where she oversaw the full lifecycle of employee and client engagement. Prior to that, Vidya served as Chief Operating Officer for Cognizant Digital Engineering, where she led operational strategy, workforce transformation, and P&L for a high-growth tech business unit. She delivered consistent year-over-year growth (+15%) while pioneering inclusive talent programs that became models for the broader organization. Her tenure included integrating acquisitions, advancing DEI benchmarks, and accelerating skill development for the cloud era.
A strategic and results-driven Talent and HR leader, Vidya brings deep expertise in driving organizational transformation, full-lifecycle talent management and acquisition, and employee engagement and enablement. Whether leading enterprise-wide change or scaling talent programs, Vidya consistently aligns people strategy with business outcomes, creating talent ecosystems that deliver long-term value.

As President & CEO of Valor Tech and former Chief AI Officer at Zantech, Scott has spent the last 5 years leading major defense programs and pioneering practical AI applications in the federal space - developing proprietary agentic AI tools that cut business development cycles by 40% and creating automated capability matrices and p-win calculators that give his teams a decisive edge.

Current focus: Helping federal contractors and agencies leverage AI responsibly to win more, deliver faster, and build resilient technology strategies that pass the toughest scrutiny.

Terry Palisch is a highly respected leader in the energy industry with nearly four decades of experience in petroleum engineering, technology innovation, and completions optimization. He currently serves as the Chief Technology Officer at CARBO, where he leads a team of scientists and engineers in advancing cutting-edge solutions across Oil & Gas, Foundry, Grinding, and other emerging markets. His expertise in R&D, product development, and technical engineering has played a pivotal role in shaping industry advancements and driving CARBO’s growth.
In addition to his leadership at CARBO, Terry is the 2024 President of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), a global organization dedicated to technical knowledge-sharing and industry collaboration. His previous roles on the SPE International Board, including serving as Completions Technical Director, have allowed him to influence key technical initiatives, mentor young professionals, and foster global partnerships that push the boundaries of energy innovation and sustainability.
Terry’s career began with ARCO, where he spent 14 years focusing on production engineering, well optimization, and completions technology. His technical expertise is reinforced by over 60 co-authored technical papers and multiple patents, demonstrating his commitment to advancing industry knowledge and best practices. Recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus of the Missouri University of Science and Technology, Terry continues to inspire and mentor the next generation of energy professionals.

Karl is a seasoned litigation attorney with over 18 years of experience in the courtroom, representing clients in personal injury, business, and employment litigation. He is a skilled advocate and a tenacious fighter who handles cases with precision and an eye towards trial from day one. His adversaries describe him as "skilled" and "whip smart." But Karl's expertise doesn't stop there - he's also the founder of Skribe.ai, a software platform for capturing and analyzing legal testimony that's changing the game for attorneys and their clients.
Prior to launching his own law firm in 2015, Karl worked as a litigation partner at one of Texas' largest law firms, Winstead PC, where he was mentored by some of the state's top litigators, including former appellate judges and veteran trial lawyers. Karl received his law degree from South Texas College of Law in Houston and his undergraduate degree from Stephen F. Austin State University. In his free time, Karl loves spending time with his wife, Adrienne, and daughters, Annabelle and Millie, in Dripping Springs, Texas, and takes great pride in cheering them on in volleyball, basketball, and their many other pursuits!

Clark R. Beecher is Managing Partner of Beecher Reagan, the executive search firm that exclusively focuses on transformational leadership for Professional & Technology Services, Private Equity funds and portfolio companies. For services clients, he has spent most of his career advising management consulting, technology services, and Business Services firms on building or growing industry, functional, and geographical capabilities by hiring growth-oriented leaders. Clark also advises Private Equity firms on attracting leaders into transformative roles for the funds including Deal and Operating Partners and the following for portfolio companies: CEO & Board, CFO, COO, Commercial Excellence, Ops Excellence, and Talent
.
Prior to Beecher Reagan, Clark spent a decade as a leader of the professional services practice at Magellan International LP. Prior to joining Magellan, Clark founded and owned several product and services businesses. Clark holds a B.B.A. in Marketing and Entrepreneurship from the Bauer School of Business at the University of Houston.

Kyle Healy is a seasoned sales leader and business strategist with more than 15 years of experience building and leading high-performing sales organizations while also advising companies on employee rewards and human capital solutions. He has led national sales enablement functions, integrated go-to-market initiatives, and large-scale growth strategies that have helped firms expand revenue and deepen client relationships. Known for his holistic, forward-looking approach, Kyle connects sales effectiveness with organizational goals, demonstrating how strong benefits strategies and disciplined sales execution together drive productivity and performance.
A cancer survivor, Kyle’s passion for advancing benefit and workplace solutions is deeply personal. He knows firsthand the value that comprehensive, employer-sponsored programs bring to employees’ well-being and engagement, and he partners with HR leaders and sales teams to design responsible, personalized strategies that reflect both business objectives and human needs.
In addition to his leadership roles, Kyle is a sought-after speaker on topics including sales strategy, employee engagement, workplace demographics, and progressive benefits. He has delivered insights at marquee forums such as the McLagan Hedge Fund Roundtable on Benefits, the Yale Thought Leaders in Business Series, and the Mid-Sized Healthcare and Retirement Conference. Kyle holds a Bachelor of Science from Ithaca College and resides in New Jersey.

Jimmy Banish is the Chief Operations Officer at The Bear Factory, a Michigan-based, family-owned and operated company established in 2001. He drives global operations, supply chain innovation, and product design. His focus ensures the company leads the "build your own" plush industry in sustainability and quality. Jimmy fosters a culture of deep commitment, believing every detail, from sourcing to delivery, is crucial to their mission.
Jimmy's leadership has marked key milestones for The Bear Factory. In 2020, he launched "Plush for the Planet," the industry's first sustainable line of stuffable plush made from recycled fabrics. He also champions product quality and safety, including Jerry Banish's patented secure enclosure system. The company is committed to being PFAS-free by 2026. His work in demand forecasting and ethical sourcing has solidified their position as a B2B wholesale leader.
Beyond his contributions at The Bear Factory, Jimmy is a committed conservationist and community advocate. Since 2020, he has served on the Executive Board for the Great Lakes Business Network, actively supporting their clean water initiatives and the coalition's efforts to preserve and protect the vital Great Lakes region. This dedication extends to his past professional experience as a Partner at Four Seasons Events, a zero-waste event company, and his role as Board Chair for the Livingston County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Jimmy's holistic approach to leadership reflects his belief that business can be both profitable and profoundly good.

Sakib is a Partner at Argon & Co in the Middle East, where he specializes in leading strategic and operational transformations for both public and private sector organizations. With over 20 years of experience across the MENA region, Sakib has built a reputation for delivering large-scale digital transformation and business automation projects that generate sustainable value and drive competitive advantage. His expertise spans multiple industries including banking, energy and government institutions, enabling clients to navigate complex challenges and embrace innovative technology solutions.
Throughout his career, Sakib has developed deep knowledge in Agile strategy, core banking system modernization, Smart Grid and Advanced Meter Infrastructure implementations, as well as compliance frameworks such as IT CMF, ISO 20000, ISO 27001 and COBIT. He is known for his ability to manage end-to-end project delivery, ensuring initiatives are completed on time and within budget while meeting client expectations. His technical expertise is matched by strong leadership and interpersonal skills, allowing him to successfully lead diverse, cross-functional teams across geographies.

Currently serving as CEO of Servebolt — a global performance hosting platform — Lasse brings 20+ years of executive experience across technology, financial services, and management consulting. He has led businesses through scale-up, restructuring, and market expansion across Europe and the Middle East, delivering results through clear strategy, disciplined execution, and resilient leadership.
Lasse has built fintech companies from the ground up across 9 markets, led $60M+ transformation programs, and managed teams of 100+ across regions. He has also advised founders and boards on commercial growth, funding strategies, and organizational design — typically stepping in when stakes are high and clarity is needed.
While fully committed to his current CEO role, Lasse stays connected with forward-thinking boards and founders. His focus remains on building high-performing, mission-driven organizations that are operationally sound and commercially ambitious.

With over 20 years of experience working with and for global industry leaders, Christina specializes in building high-performing programs and teams, executing market expansions, and forging strategic partnerships across retail, consumer, and tech sectors.
Currently, as Head of U.S. Business Development at Marco MKT, she is leading our expansion into the U.S.—helping brands navigate the evolving commerce landscape, from omnichannel strategy to AI-powered shopper engagement. Her career highlights include launching 500+ seasonal retail locations, guiding brands to #1 premium market share, and delivering results for Snapdragon, Meta, LG, and T-Mobile.

As Director of Operations at Gather, Surendra leads the strategic and operational transformation of our agentic martech platform, helping businesses turn event interactions into clean, actionable data that drives real ROI.

Gather uses OCR (Optical Character Recognition) to capture attendee and client information in real time, syncing it seamlessly into CRM systems like Salesforce. My focus is on embedding automation into every layer of the business, from product to process, to improve how companies capture, use, and act on customer data.

With 20+ years of experience across industrial automation, cybersecurity, and data systems, Surendra has built and
scaled businesses on both sides of the Atlantic. He specializes in identifying inefficiencies, implementing tech-powered solutions, and modernizing operations to support rapid growth.

At Gather, Surendra has helped clients (including several in the automotive and manufacturing sectors) streamline lead capture workflows, reduce manual data entry, and gain faster insights into customer behavior, turning event spend into measurable pipeline impact.

Norma Lubin is a transformational leader, retired United States Air Force veteran (E-8, top 2% of enlisted force), and the visionary Founder & CEO of LIFE3 Academy and Veterans’ Founders Academy for Public Charters. With a mission to empower scholars to soar beyond limits, Norma leads with compassion, courage, and conviction—creating pathways to education equity and leadership development in underserved communities across the globe.
Under her leadership, LIFE3 Academy—a public charter school in Montgomery, Alabama—has grown from 180 students to over 600 in just four years. The academy offers a dual curriculum to prepare K–8 students for academic success, trades, and entrepreneurship. Norma is the driving force behind the school’s financial growth and academic innovation, rooted in her belief that all students deserve the opportunity to become lifelong learners and community leaders.
Through her nonprofit LIFE Educational Solutions, Norma is advancing leadership seminars, entrepreneurship training, and veteran support services. Her flagship program, Veteran Founder’s Academy for Public Charters, offers blended training and mentorship for Senior Enlisted Veterans World Wide to plan, open, operate, and lead their own Title 1 k-12 public charter school, serving as the Executive Director/Founder. Her first year cohorts are launching in Texas, Florida, Alabama, Colorado and Georgia.
Norma’s 24-year military career shaped her leadership philosophy: mission-first, people-always. As a senior advisor in global deployments and Director of Education at the U.S. First Sergeant Academy, she oversaw curriculum design, institutional accreditation, and professional development for service
members worldwide. She brings this operational excellence to every initiative—whether developing school systems, training future leaders, or expanding international humanitarian work.
Her global service includes leading missions to Sri Lanka, India, and Liberia, where she provided over 30,000 meals, dug wells for clean water, distributed 1,000+ lbs of personal items, and trained 200+ local leaders. Norma is a champion for equity, community uplift, and women's leadership—guided by faith, family, and purpose.

Niti Grover is a Strategic Business Transformation Partner and founder of Cynosure Consult. With over 20 years of experience across global multinationals, she advises organizations ready to break the cycle of misalignment, short-term fixes, and siloed thinking.
Her approach blends rigorous commercial strategy with brain-based communication, behavioral frameworks like Management Drives, and stakeholder alignment tools.
Whether it’s redefining customer value, unlocking cross-functional execution, or shifting team behavior, Niti helps turn intent into impact—and strategy into results.

Nikk Gilbert is Chief Information Security Officer at RWE.

As an executive with international experience in Information technology roles, Nikk is a respected thought leader within the government & private sectors. Experienced in multiple verticals, financial services, manufacturing, oil & energy, government & military, he's focused on building success by understanding the needs of the customer and by enabling the business through a deep understanding of the corporate strategy & its culture.
Nikk's experience includes working as an information security executive & information technology leader (CISO, CIO) for large multinational organizations such as the US Army, NATO, Alstom, ConocoPhillips, CUNA Mutual Group & the US Navy.

Karen Boyle is a seasoned HR professional with a passion for nurturing vibrant workplace cultures. Having joined The Graham Company in 2008, Karen has been an integral part of the Human Resources department, where her dedication and expertise have consistently elevated the organization’s employee-centric initiatives.
In her current role, she serves as the driving force behind the Human Resources function at Graham, leveraging her extensive experience to oversee various aspects of employee engagement, talent management, and organizational development. Karen’s commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment aligns seamlessly with Graham’s core values of empathy, discipline, integrity, courage, and tenacity. Her unwavering dedication to upholding the Graham culture is evidenced by her proactive approach to implementing innovative employee programs. By staying attuned to evolving industry trends and employee needs, Karen ensures that Graham remains at the forefront of workplace excellence, consistently recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in the country.
Karen is a proud alumna of Penn State University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management. Building upon this foundation, she pursued her passion for human resources by obtaining a master’s degree from Temple University, further honing her skills and expertise in this dynamic field.

Paul Jankowski is the Executive Vice President of Data Center Strategic Development at First Coast Security, where he focuses on enhancing client satisfaction through the development of sophisticated security programs tailored to unique business needs. With over 25 years of experience, Paul has led transformational security initiatives for global organizations, including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Walmart, and Sears Holdings. His leadership philosophy emphasizes operational efficiency, cross-functional teamwork, and continuous improvement. In his current role, Paul works to expand First Coast Security’s client base, develop new business lines, and ensure security excellence. He has a proven track record of delivering cost savings and innovative security solutions that align with business growth objectives.
Before joining First Coast Security, Paul held significant leadership roles in data center security operations, including his role as Sr. Manager at AWS. There, he led security operations in the Northwest region, achieving more than $70 million in cost savings while streamlining operations and enhancing security protocols. Earlier in his career, Paul served in various asset protection and loss prevention leadership positions at Walmart, Sears, and Mervyns, where he developed expertise in crime prevention, CPTED, investigations, retail security, access control, and security lifecycle management. His background in threat and risk management spans multiple industries, equipping him with a diverse skill set and a deep understanding of securing critical infrastructure.
A U.S. Air Force veteran, Paul is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of security professionals and has volunteered for community programs that focus on personal safety and security. He values integrity, service, and continuous improvement in both his professional and personal life. Outside of work, Paul is passionate about technology trends, enjoys attending industry conferences, and values time spent with his family. He is an advocate for veteran organizations and supports local law enforcement groups in his community.