Thought Leaders

Andrew Rae

Andrew Rae

Woodgreen Ventures - Encouraging Trend Line is in Great Opposition to a Historical Strug

Encouraging Trend Line is in Great Opposition to a Historical Struggle this City and Country has Faced at Multiple Levels Andrew is a former biotechnology equities analyst and a serial entrepreneur. Mr. Rae has partnered with many leading biopharmaceutical companies globally, including Ionis, Alexion and AstraZeneca, and has invested in...

INNOVATE® Utah

Becky Frost

In early 2016, Instructure launched its Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DIB) Council to “make Instructure an awesome place to work for everyone.” Those were our words for the mission of the Council at the time, and building a workplace where people can thrive and develop in their careers remains a...

INNOVATE™ Antwerp Vol.2

TOM LAVEREN

TOM LAVEREN

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER VOKA - CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MECHELEN-KEMPEN

The Mechelen-Kempen region is ideally located between the port and the airport and close to the two big metropolises of Brussels and Antwerp. It is a place where it is good to live, work and do business. Where craftsmanship is a brand. The region is booming and many fine and...

INNOVATE™ Atlantic Canada

DORIS GRANT

CEO, LIFE SCIENCES NOVA SCOTIA

As the CEO of Life Sciences Nova Scotia, I have the privilege of witnessing firsthand the creativity, resilience, and vision of the people and companies driving change in the life sciences sector. From pioneering healthcare solutions to cutting-edge biotechnology developments, the Atlantic region is making a profound impact both locally...

INNOVATE® Kansas City

KEVIN MCGINNIS

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AT KEYSTONE INNOVATION DISTRICT (KEYSTONE COMMUNITY CORPORATION)

Keystone Innovation District was born out of a fundamental question: How can we cultivate organic and sustainable collaboration in Kansas City? This question serves as the driving force behind the establishment of a space where diverse individuals and organizations can converge, exchange knowledge, and collaborate to propel innovation in our...

INNOVATE® Detroit

MICHAEL HEALANDER

AIRSPACE LINK, INC - PRESIDENT AND CEO

As we look to the skies, we’re witnessing a revolution in mobility that will transform our communities for the better. Drones are no longer just cool gadgets or military tools – they’re becoming powerful forces for good that can make our lives safer, easier, and more eco-friendly. At Airspace Link,...

INNOVATE® Nashville

LEAH MELBER

PH.D. PRESIDENT & CEO OF ADVENTURE SCIENCE CENTER

We all have a memory of visiting a science museum; a larger-than-life exhibition, dynamic program, or time with friends and family. Each person’s experience may be different, but they all have one commonality: connecting with a world larger than themselves. Science museums may be the only science learning the public...

INNOVATE® Austin Volume 2

Gillan Taddune

Gillan Taddune

Banyan Water, President & CEO

Gillan Taddune is the Chief Executive Officer of Banyan Water. She believes that technology solutions are the most effective way to address critical natural resource issues and has dedicated her career to realizing that vision. Gillan came to Banyan with the belief that water scarcity is a growing global concern...

INNOVATE™ Stockholm

GUSTAV BUDER

FINTECH FOUNDER, BOARD-LEVEL ADVISOR AND ACTIVE INVESTOR - REGION PARTNER, BYBIT NORDIC

Most people don’t reject new ideas because they’re irrational. They reject them because they’re using the wrong frame. I learned this the hard way. Coming from the payment’s world, I initially looked at Bitcoin like a payment network and asked, “Why is it so slow?” That’s the classic mistake: judging...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

MARKUS VILLIG

CEO & FOUNDER, BOLT

At 19, Markus Villig founded Bolt with a €5,000 family loan, turning a small taxi app into a global mobility platform spanning ride-hailing, scooters, and deliveries – while championing sustainability and lean growth from Estonia to 50+ countries. Markus Villig launched Bolt (then Taxify), turning it into one of the...

INNOVATION Quebec

FRANÇOIS BERTRAND

DIRECTEUR DE LA RECHERCHE ET DE L’INNOVATION

Notre recherche, en particulier notre recherche collaborative, constitue un levier fondamental de l’innovation. Depuis plus de 50 ans, nous réalisons la majeure partie du transfert technologique à travers nos nombreux partenariats de recherche établis avec des entreprises de toutes tailles, ainsi qu’avec des universités et autres organisations de partout dans...

INNOVATE™ Antwerp Vol.2

LUC LUWEL

CEO, VOKA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANTWERP-WAASLAND

To me, social impact is the reason for our organisation’s existence. A chamber of commerce is not there to serve the private interests of a few individual companies, but to help an entire region grow. I have always been a firm believer that you can only achieve prosperity through entrepreneurship,...

INNOVATE™ Atlantic Canada

SARAH COREY HOLLOHAN, CEO, IGNITE

CEO - IGNITE

Innovation thrives where diverse perspectives intersect—what I like to call “collision points.” Whether it’s the synergy between rural and urban communities, new entrepreneurs exchanging ideas with seasoned business owners, or students immersing themselves into the local business ecosystem, these intersections spark creativity, growth, and resilience. As someone deeply committed to...

INNOVATE® Austin Volume 2

MARK MCCLAIN

MARK MCCLAIN

CEO & CO-FOUNDER, SAILPOINT TECHNOLOGIES

A Perspective on InnovationInnovation can take many forms. For the tech industry, innovation is abusiness tool. This entails engineering new solutions to old problems,designing different approaches and different processes, and creating newstrategies and products to keep the company competitive. Austin hasnurtured a culture of innovation and groomed its tech industry...

INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2

JENNIFER TWINER MCCARRON

THUNDERBIRD CEO

As a leader, people and culture need to be a priority. You need to tangibly demonstrate what a culture of excellence looks like. I believe that attitude and outlook are everything. What you bring to the table (or zoom meeting) directly impacts those around you — personally and professionally. True...

INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2

MICHELLE SHOGREN

CEO, INNOVATE IN WHAT YOU DO! LLC

With 25+ years in clinical research, Michelle Shogren, CEO of Innovate In What You Do! LLC, started as a patient participant, then journeyed through nursing, clinical trial monitoring, and a significant role at Bayer Pharmaceuticals. Her innovation-focused path culminated in founding her own company in 2022. Michelle is dedicated to...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

MATTHEW PEARLSON

INTRNLS - CEO & FOUNDER

My journey has always been driven by one relentless pursuit: redefining the boundaries of sustainable energy systems. As the CEO of Intrnls Inc., I am on a mission to rewrite the playbook for carbon capture efficiency, pioneering a future where sustainability and efficiency are not just goals but standards. Starting...

INNOVATE™ Adelaide

DR. JONATHAN HALL PHD

FOUNDER, DIRECTOR & CHIEF SCIENTIST, LIFE WHISPERER

STORY & CHALLENGESIn 2016, I was nearing the end of a frontier research project to combine interdisciplinary knowledge to ask if a biological cell could sustain light circulating inside: called ‘whispering gallery modes’. Could we go further, and turn a cell into a laser, with the hope of it being...

INNOVATE® Blockchain

ERYKA GEMMA

ERYKA GEMMA

FOUNDER OF MIAMI BLOCKCHAIN CENTER AND TIMELOCK VENTURES

As the world moves in cycles, we see that change is constant. The pendulum swings and with global lockdowns, continuous quantitative easing, and privacy breaches – we are approaching a point of conflicting overreach and control. However, there is hope! History shows that human ingenuity will always find a way....

INNOVATE™ Alberta

MIK ALLA

MIKE ALLAN

PRESIDENT & CEO, ROUTEIQUE™

Fostering a Culture of Innovation at Routeique™The core of our approach to innovation at Routeique™ is that we see ourselves as problem-solvers rather than service or technology providers. Whether it’s warehouse layouts or inefficiencies in last-mile delivery, our philosophy is that it’s essential to look at issues from new perspectives,...

INNOVATE™ Stockholm

STINA WALLMARK

INVESTMENT DIRECTOR LIFE SCIENCES, VOIMA VENTURES

Early-stage life sciences and healthtech are not just about innovation – they are about belief. Belief that something complex, expensive and uncertain can one day change how we prevent, diagnose, or treat disease. In the earliest stages, focus is survival. Startups do not lose momentum because competitors move faster –...

INNOVATE™ Botswana Vol.1

MARTIN MOKGWARE

MARTIN MOKGWARE

CHIEF EXECUTIVE, BOTSWANA COMMUNICATIONS REGULATORY AUTHORITY

What does innovation mean to you?Innovation simply means new ways of doing things and bringing in new ideas or improving what already exists to solve challenges brought about by new ways of living. Overtime, the word Innovation is commonly associated with technology for the simple reason that modern life is...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

KAROL SEVERIN

SENIOR ANALYST AND CO-FOUNDER AT MIDIA RESEARCH

For an activity (like playing video games) to turn into a publicly-observed competition (like esports), first there needs to be a demand to know who is best. Then, for the competition to grow a mainstream appeal and audiences to expand beyond the initial enthusiasts, it needs to have entertainment value....

INNOVATION Quebec

LAYLA NASR

CEO, MAKILA AI

In both North America and Europe, collaboration between the communities of scientific research and professional practice plays a pivotal role in the advancement of knowledge that benefits society at large. When it comes to technologies, especially artificial intelligence, the diversity of skills and the wealth of knowledge from research communities...

Andrew Rae

Andrew Rae

Woodgreen Ventures - Encouraging Trend Line is in Great Opposition to a Historical Strug

Encouraging Trend Line is in Great Opposition to a Historical Struggle this City and Country has Faced at Multiple Levels Andrew is a former biotechnology equities analyst and a serial entrepreneur. Mr. Rae has partnered with many leading biopharmaceutical companies globally, including Ionis, Alexion and AstraZeneca, and has invested in...

Becky Frost

In early 2016, Instructure launched its Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DIB) Council to “make Instructure an awesome place to work for everyone.” Those were our words for the mission of the Council at the time, and building a workplace where people can thrive and develop in their careers remains a...

TOM LAVEREN

TOM LAVEREN

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER VOKA - CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MECHELEN-KEMPEN

The Mechelen-Kempen region is ideally located between the port and the airport and close to the two big metropolises of Brussels and Antwerp. It is a place where it is good to live, work and do business. Where craftsmanship is a brand. The region is booming and many fine and...

DORIS GRANT

CEO, LIFE SCIENCES NOVA SCOTIA

As the CEO of Life Sciences Nova Scotia, I have the privilege of witnessing firsthand the creativity, resilience, and vision of the people and companies driving change in the life sciences sector. From pioneering healthcare solutions to cutting-edge biotechnology developments, the Atlantic region is making a profound impact both locally...

KEVIN MCGINNIS

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AT KEYSTONE INNOVATION DISTRICT (KEYSTONE COMMUNITY CORPORATION)

Keystone Innovation District was born out of a fundamental question: How can we cultivate organic and sustainable collaboration in Kansas City? This question serves as the driving force behind the establishment of a space where diverse individuals and organizations can converge, exchange knowledge, and collaborate to propel innovation in our...

MICHAEL HEALANDER

AIRSPACE LINK, INC - PRESIDENT AND CEO

As we look to the skies, we’re witnessing a revolution in mobility that will transform our communities for the better. Drones are no longer just cool gadgets or military tools – they’re becoming powerful forces for good that can make our lives safer, easier, and more eco-friendly. At Airspace Link,...

LEAH MELBER

PH.D. PRESIDENT & CEO OF ADVENTURE SCIENCE CENTER

We all have a memory of visiting a science museum; a larger-than-life exhibition, dynamic program, or time with friends and family. Each person’s experience may be different, but they all have one commonality: connecting with a world larger than themselves. Science museums may be the only science learning the public...

Gillan Taddune

Gillan Taddune

Banyan Water, President & CEO

Gillan Taddune is the Chief Executive Officer of Banyan Water. She believes that technology solutions are the most effective way to address critical natural resource issues and has dedicated her career to realizing that vision. Gillan came to Banyan with the belief that water scarcity is a growing global concern...

GUSTAV BUDER

FINTECH FOUNDER, BOARD-LEVEL ADVISOR AND ACTIVE INVESTOR - REGION PARTNER, BYBIT NORDIC

Most people don’t reject new ideas because they’re irrational. They reject them because they’re using the wrong frame. I learned this the hard way. Coming from the payment’s world, I initially looked at Bitcoin like a payment network and asked, “Why is it so slow?” That’s the classic mistake: judging...

MARKUS VILLIG

CEO & FOUNDER, BOLT

At 19, Markus Villig founded Bolt with a €5,000 family loan, turning a small taxi app into a global mobility platform spanning ride-hailing, scooters, and deliveries – while championing sustainability and lean growth from Estonia to 50+ countries. Markus Villig launched Bolt (then Taxify), turning it into one of the...

FRANÇOIS BERTRAND

DIRECTEUR DE LA RECHERCHE ET DE L’INNOVATION

Notre recherche, en particulier notre recherche collaborative, constitue un levier fondamental de l’innovation. Depuis plus de 50 ans, nous réalisons la majeure partie du transfert technologique à travers nos nombreux partenariats de recherche établis avec des entreprises de toutes tailles, ainsi qu’avec des universités et autres organisations de partout dans...

LUC LUWEL

CEO, VOKA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANTWERP-WAASLAND

To me, social impact is the reason for our organisation’s existence. A chamber of commerce is not there to serve the private interests of a few individual companies, but to help an entire region grow. I have always been a firm believer that you can only achieve prosperity through entrepreneurship,...

SARAH COREY HOLLOHAN, CEO, IGNITE

CEO - IGNITE

Innovation thrives where diverse perspectives intersect—what I like to call “collision points.” Whether it’s the synergy between rural and urban communities, new entrepreneurs exchanging ideas with seasoned business owners, or students immersing themselves into the local business ecosystem, these intersections spark creativity, growth, and resilience. As someone deeply committed to...

MARK MCCLAIN

MARK MCCLAIN

CEO & CO-FOUNDER, SAILPOINT TECHNOLOGIES

A Perspective on InnovationInnovation can take many forms. For the tech industry, innovation is abusiness tool. This entails engineering new solutions to old problems,designing different approaches and different processes, and creating newstrategies and products to keep the company competitive. Austin hasnurtured a culture of innovation and groomed its tech industry...

JENNIFER TWINER MCCARRON

THUNDERBIRD CEO

As a leader, people and culture need to be a priority. You need to tangibly demonstrate what a culture of excellence looks like. I believe that attitude and outlook are everything. What you bring to the table (or zoom meeting) directly impacts those around you — personally and professionally. True...

MICHELLE SHOGREN

CEO, INNOVATE IN WHAT YOU DO! LLC

With 25+ years in clinical research, Michelle Shogren, CEO of Innovate In What You Do! LLC, started as a patient participant, then journeyed through nursing, clinical trial monitoring, and a significant role at Bayer Pharmaceuticals. Her innovation-focused path culminated in founding her own company in 2022. Michelle is dedicated to...

MATTHEW PEARLSON

INTRNLS - CEO & FOUNDER

My journey has always been driven by one relentless pursuit: redefining the boundaries of sustainable energy systems. As the CEO of Intrnls Inc., I am on a mission to rewrite the playbook for carbon capture efficiency, pioneering a future where sustainability and efficiency are not just goals but standards. Starting...

DR. JONATHAN HALL PHD

FOUNDER, DIRECTOR & CHIEF SCIENTIST, LIFE WHISPERER

STORY & CHALLENGESIn 2016, I was nearing the end of a frontier research project to combine interdisciplinary knowledge to ask if a biological cell could sustain light circulating inside: called ‘whispering gallery modes’. Could we go further, and turn a cell into a laser, with the hope of it being...

ERYKA GEMMA

ERYKA GEMMA

FOUNDER OF MIAMI BLOCKCHAIN CENTER AND TIMELOCK VENTURES

As the world moves in cycles, we see that change is constant. The pendulum swings and with global lockdowns, continuous quantitative easing, and privacy breaches – we are approaching a point of conflicting overreach and control. However, there is hope! History shows that human ingenuity will always find a way....

MIK ALLA

MIKE ALLAN

PRESIDENT & CEO, ROUTEIQUE™

Fostering a Culture of Innovation at Routeique™The core of our approach to innovation at Routeique™ is that we see ourselves as problem-solvers rather than service or technology providers. Whether it’s warehouse layouts or inefficiencies in last-mile delivery, our philosophy is that it’s essential to look at issues from new perspectives,...

STINA WALLMARK

INVESTMENT DIRECTOR LIFE SCIENCES, VOIMA VENTURES

Early-stage life sciences and healthtech are not just about innovation – they are about belief. Belief that something complex, expensive and uncertain can one day change how we prevent, diagnose, or treat disease. In the earliest stages, focus is survival. Startups do not lose momentum because competitors move faster –...

MARTIN MOKGWARE

MARTIN MOKGWARE

CHIEF EXECUTIVE, BOTSWANA COMMUNICATIONS REGULATORY AUTHORITY

What does innovation mean to you?Innovation simply means new ways of doing things and bringing in new ideas or improving what already exists to solve challenges brought about by new ways of living. Overtime, the word Innovation is commonly associated with technology for the simple reason that modern life is...

KAROL SEVERIN

SENIOR ANALYST AND CO-FOUNDER AT MIDIA RESEARCH

For an activity (like playing video games) to turn into a publicly-observed competition (like esports), first there needs to be a demand to know who is best. Then, for the competition to grow a mainstream appeal and audiences to expand beyond the initial enthusiasts, it needs to have entertainment value....

LAYLA NASR

CEO, MAKILA AI

In both North America and Europe, collaboration between the communities of scientific research and professional practice plays a pivotal role in the advancement of knowledge that benefits society at large. When it comes to technologies, especially artificial intelligence, the diversity of skills and the wealth of knowledge from research communities...

INNOVATE® Ecosystems