Thought Leaders

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

ENG. LUCY A CRESPO

ENG. LUCY A CRESPO-CEO

CEO, P. R. SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & RESEARCH TRUST

Innovation is a driver of well-being and economic development. Innovation and scientific advances are essential to driving economic growth, new business creation, and improving the quality of life. At the Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust, we continually strengthen our innovation culture by being optimistic, passionate, and curious. During...

INNOVATE™ Stockholm

PATRIK STRÖMBERG

PHD MBA, CEO AT ANACARDIO

I have spent my entire career in Stockholm’s vibrant Life Science innovation space, with renowned universities, great scientists, and companies. After attaining a PhD in Biochemistry from Karolinska Institutet, I have held various positions within R&D and corporate development at Astra Zeneca and Swedish Orphan Biovitrum (Sobi), such as Vice...

INNOVATE™ Atlantic Canada

ALICIA ROISMAN ISMACH

HEAD OF FINTECH, ATLANTIC FINTECH

Looking back on Atlantic Canada’s fintech sector, I remember being impressed by the stark resilience of the entrepreneurs in the region. Incredible innovation was happening across the four provinces to revolutionize and digitalize under-developed technologies, particularly in back-end solutions of all industries—from banking and aviation to communications and human resources....

INNOVATE® Kansas City

"KANSAS CITY’S COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE IS BIGGER THAN ANY ONE STAT.”

TIM COWDEN, PRESIDENT & CEO, KANSAS CITY AREA DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

TIM COWDEN, PRESIDENT & CEO, KANSAS CITY AREA DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL I’ve spent my career working in economic development, but at its core, this work has never been solely about buildings, incentives or corporate announcements. It’s about people. It’s about creating communities where businesses can grow, talent can thrive and future...

INNOVATE™ Stockholm

SARA NOŽKOVÁ

CEO & CO-FOUNDER, FLOX INTELLIGENCE

I’ve always believed that the next frontier of artificial intelligence isn’t about replacing humans — it’s about reconnecting us with the natural world. At Flox, we’re building systems that use AI not to dominate nature, but to protect it. We train intelligent devices to detect, understand, and respond to wild...

INNOVATE® Northern Virginia

TODD STOTTLEMYER

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, ACENTRA HEALTH

Curiosity has shaped every meaningful stage of my career, pushing me to challenge assumptions and keep searching for better ways to serve people. Real progress tends to come from teams willing to challenge old assumptions and look at problems differently. Curiosity creates space for stronger ideas and fresh approaches to...

INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2

STUART COOK

CHIEF INNOVATION OFFICER, VALLEY NATIONAL BANK

LEVERAGING OUR DIFFERENTIATOR IN THE AGE OF AI – PEOPLEWe are entering a new age of innovation where artificial intelligence will revolutionize the way we work, interact with our customers, and drive business outcomes. It’s going to impact all industries, including banking and financial services. Yet, while everyone rushes up...

INNOVATION Quebec

GILLES DÉRY

PRÉSIDENT-DIRECTOR GENERAL, CQRDA

The idea of contributing to Quebec’s development is why I’m involved in the fast-paced world of innovation. It’s also the way to ensure an essential approach to our collective ambitions, in order to become a hub in several cutting-edge innovation sectors, notably aluminum. To this end, I am a fierce...

VOICES of the Future

DR. MARSHALL GOLDSMITH

NAVIGATING THE WHEEL OF CHANGE

Professor Marshall Goldsmith stands as a paragon of leadership and executive coaching, his name synonymous with transformative change in business and personal development. As a two-time winner of the Thinkers 50 award for the #1 Leadership Thinker in the World and the world’s #1 Executive Coach, his influence stretches across...

INNOVATE™ Toronto

YUNG WU

CEO, MaRS

It’s invaluable to work at a place that never stops innovating — especially in the face of a generational pandemic. From the outset of the emergency, MaRS has remained open at reduced capacity to help in the fight. Public health workers testing COVID-19 cases day and night; hospitals using our...

INNOVATE™ Antwerp Vol.2

CLAUDIA DE MOOR

CLAUDIA DE MOOR

HR & FINANCE MANAGER, VOSSCHEMIE BENELUX & V-SURE

HR & FINANCE MANAGER, VOSSCHEMIE BENELUX & V-SURE Get to know your neighbour – entrepreneur and get out. I’ m active in Voka Lokaal Netland, Lier4business, JOL (youth entrepreneurship Lier) and I also do voluntary work. The region of Lier supports entrepreneurship and we like to support this with interesting...

INNOVATION Quebec

RICHARD CHÉNIER

CENTECH CEO

The next decade will offer several strategic opportunities for entrepreneurship and innovation, particularly technological. Several scientific advances, once considered fundamental, are now transiting at lightning speed to real applications. These new applications must act as a catalyst for concrete solutions to meet our climate challenges and improve the quality of...

INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2

Kookai Chaimahawong

Associate

Kookai Chaimahawong Associate “IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO BUILD GREAT COMPANIES, ESPECIALLY IN HARD TECH. VANCOUVER IS THE VILLAGE WITH A WORLD-CLASS PARTNER ECOSYSTEM THAT ARE HUNGRY TO SEE FOUNDERS AND STARTUP COMPANIES SUCCEED”. – KOOKAI CHAIMAHAWONG, ASSOCIATE I moved to Vancouver in 2017 to pursue my Master of Business...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

DR. DOUG MATTHEUS

DOUG M. CONSULTANCY

Innovation will not take place without some sort of Reinvention – a changing state,...

INNOVATE® St. Louis

Josh Turner

Josh Turner

CEO - LinkedSelling

Founded by Wall Street Journal–bestselling author and CEO Josh Turner, LinkedSelling is the world’s foremost B2B marketing and lead generation company. One of the nation’s fastest-growing companies, we’ve made the Inc. 5000 list three years running and, most recently, have been listed as one of Entrepreneur’s 360 top entrepreneurial companies...

INNOVATE™ Adelaide

ANDREW DOWNS

FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SAGE AUTOMATION

While Australia finds itself in a critical skills shortage, young people who embrace a career in the trades, are finding endless opportunities. When we ask our children what they want to be when they grow up, we hope they will dream big, and pursue a career of enjoyment and meaning....

INNOVATE® Tampa Bay Vol.3

DR. RICHARD M. SMITH

DR. RICHARD M. SMITH

FOUNDER & CHAIR, STOCKSAVVY

One of the greatest wealth-building tools available, the stock market has long been out of reach for most people. I believe that no one benefits in the long run when we have to depend on other people to invest our money and wealth is increasingly concentrated into fewer and fewer...

INNOVATE™ Adelaide

HON. CHRIS PICTON

MP, MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND WELLBEING

Taking hold of the opportunities derived from research excellence and innovation will help us to build a resilient, efficient, and informed health system that supports the future health and wellbeing of all South Australians. Research excellence and innovation will also play a vital role in our ability to proactively respond...

INNOVATE® Maryland

TROY LEMAILE-STOVALL

CEO OF TEDCO

In my experience, most entrepreneurs develop their ideas from personal experiences and observations. Here in the DMV, we’re observing major shifts in federal spending. These changes are having a noticeable impact on both our personal and professional lives. My journey has led me to earn two STEM degrees, so having...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

JEAN C. ACCIUS

PHD, PRESIDENT & CEO, CHC: CREATING HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES

Time is our most valuable asset. Once you lose it, you never get it back. Yet, millions of people across our country are robbed of priceless time. A Tale of Two CitiesIn the United States, there’s a strong likelihood that a person in one city might live 20 years longer...

INNOVATE™ Botswana Vol.1

PROFESSOR OTLOGETSWE TOTOLO

PHD, FBAS - CURRENTLY, BIUST VICE CHANCELLOR

“Our dream as institutions of higher learning in Africa is to facilitate the growth and capacity of our national economies; anchored on locally designed infrastructure in many and different spheres…” What is your vision for your specific industry? The transitioning from a resourced-based to a knowledge-based economy is not a...

INNOVATE® San Diego Vol.1

Bob Kain

I’ve been fortunate enough to live a life distinguished by constant progression, from understanding to impacting, particularly in my career. Trained as a physicist, I was fueled by a deep drive to understand some of the most complex “whys” of our world. Quickly I learned that understanding is more satisfying...

INNOVATIONS in Pharmaceutical Development®

ROBERT SALCEDO

FOUNDER AND CEO, OCYONBIO GENE AND CELL THERAPY

Robert Salcedo was born in the Dominican Republic on August 26,1964. When he was ten years old, his family decided to immigrate to the United States in search of better opportunities. At an early age Robert understood the need of medicine accessibility for everyone regardless of social status or race....

INNOVATE® Tampa Bay Vol.3

MARLENE SPALTEN

PRESIDENT & CEO OF THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF TAMPA BAY

The COVID-19 pandemic affirmed what I’ve long believed: Crisis brings out the best in those who truly care about their community – and philanthropy is the place to turn both for immediate help and long-term resiliency. Philanthropy creates hope for those in need, and it creates a stronger connection between...

ENG. LUCY A CRESPO

ENG. LUCY A CRESPO-CEO

CEO, P. R. SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & RESEARCH TRUST

Innovation is a driver of well-being and economic development. Innovation and scientific advances are essential to driving economic growth, new business creation, and improving the quality of life. At the Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust, we continually strengthen our innovation culture by being optimistic, passionate, and curious. During...

PATRIK STRÖMBERG

PHD MBA, CEO AT ANACARDIO

I have spent my entire career in Stockholm’s vibrant Life Science innovation space, with renowned universities, great scientists, and companies. After attaining a PhD in Biochemistry from Karolinska Institutet, I have held various positions within R&D and corporate development at Astra Zeneca and Swedish Orphan Biovitrum (Sobi), such as Vice...

ALICIA ROISMAN ISMACH

HEAD OF FINTECH, ATLANTIC FINTECH

Looking back on Atlantic Canada’s fintech sector, I remember being impressed by the stark resilience of the entrepreneurs in the region. Incredible innovation was happening across the four provinces to revolutionize and digitalize under-developed technologies, particularly in back-end solutions of all industries—from banking and aviation to communications and human resources....

"KANSAS CITY’S COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE IS BIGGER THAN ANY ONE STAT.”

TIM COWDEN, PRESIDENT & CEO, KANSAS CITY AREA DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

TIM COWDEN, PRESIDENT & CEO, KANSAS CITY AREA DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL I’ve spent my career working in economic development, but at its core, this work has never been solely about buildings, incentives or corporate announcements. It’s about people. It’s about creating communities where businesses can grow, talent can thrive and future...

SARA NOŽKOVÁ

CEO & CO-FOUNDER, FLOX INTELLIGENCE

I’ve always believed that the next frontier of artificial intelligence isn’t about replacing humans — it’s about reconnecting us with the natural world. At Flox, we’re building systems that use AI not to dominate nature, but to protect it. We train intelligent devices to detect, understand, and respond to wild...

TODD STOTTLEMYER

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, ACENTRA HEALTH

Curiosity has shaped every meaningful stage of my career, pushing me to challenge assumptions and keep searching for better ways to serve people. Real progress tends to come from teams willing to challenge old assumptions and look at problems differently. Curiosity creates space for stronger ideas and fresh approaches to...

STUART COOK

CHIEF INNOVATION OFFICER, VALLEY NATIONAL BANK

LEVERAGING OUR DIFFERENTIATOR IN THE AGE OF AI – PEOPLEWe are entering a new age of innovation where artificial intelligence will revolutionize the way we work, interact with our customers, and drive business outcomes. It’s going to impact all industries, including banking and financial services. Yet, while everyone rushes up...

GILLES DÉRY

PRÉSIDENT-DIRECTOR GENERAL, CQRDA

The idea of contributing to Quebec’s development is why I’m involved in the fast-paced world of innovation. It’s also the way to ensure an essential approach to our collective ambitions, in order to become a hub in several cutting-edge innovation sectors, notably aluminum. To this end, I am a fierce...

DR. MARSHALL GOLDSMITH

NAVIGATING THE WHEEL OF CHANGE

Professor Marshall Goldsmith stands as a paragon of leadership and executive coaching, his name synonymous with transformative change in business and personal development. As a two-time winner of the Thinkers 50 award for the #1 Leadership Thinker in the World and the world’s #1 Executive Coach, his influence stretches across...

YUNG WU

CEO, MaRS

It’s invaluable to work at a place that never stops innovating — especially in the face of a generational pandemic. From the outset of the emergency, MaRS has remained open at reduced capacity to help in the fight. Public health workers testing COVID-19 cases day and night; hospitals using our...

CLAUDIA DE MOOR

CLAUDIA DE MOOR

HR & FINANCE MANAGER, VOSSCHEMIE BENELUX & V-SURE

HR & FINANCE MANAGER, VOSSCHEMIE BENELUX & V-SURE Get to know your neighbour – entrepreneur and get out. I’ m active in Voka Lokaal Netland, Lier4business, JOL (youth entrepreneurship Lier) and I also do voluntary work. The region of Lier supports entrepreneurship and we like to support this with interesting...

RICHARD CHÉNIER

CENTECH CEO

The next decade will offer several strategic opportunities for entrepreneurship and innovation, particularly technological. Several scientific advances, once considered fundamental, are now transiting at lightning speed to real applications. These new applications must act as a catalyst for concrete solutions to meet our climate challenges and improve the quality of...

Kookai Chaimahawong

Associate

Kookai Chaimahawong Associate “IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO BUILD GREAT COMPANIES, ESPECIALLY IN HARD TECH. VANCOUVER IS THE VILLAGE WITH A WORLD-CLASS PARTNER ECOSYSTEM THAT ARE HUNGRY TO SEE FOUNDERS AND STARTUP COMPANIES SUCCEED”. – KOOKAI CHAIMAHAWONG, ASSOCIATE I moved to Vancouver in 2017 to pursue my Master of Business...

DR. DOUG MATTHEUS

DOUG M. CONSULTANCY

Innovation will not take place without some sort of Reinvention – a changing state,...

Josh Turner

Josh Turner

CEO - LinkedSelling

Founded by Wall Street Journal–bestselling author and CEO Josh Turner, LinkedSelling is the world’s foremost B2B marketing and lead generation company. One of the nation’s fastest-growing companies, we’ve made the Inc. 5000 list three years running and, most recently, have been listed as one of Entrepreneur’s 360 top entrepreneurial companies...

ANDREW DOWNS

FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SAGE AUTOMATION

While Australia finds itself in a critical skills shortage, young people who embrace a career in the trades, are finding endless opportunities. When we ask our children what they want to be when they grow up, we hope they will dream big, and pursue a career of enjoyment and meaning....

DR. RICHARD M. SMITH

DR. RICHARD M. SMITH

FOUNDER & CHAIR, STOCKSAVVY

One of the greatest wealth-building tools available, the stock market has long been out of reach for most people. I believe that no one benefits in the long run when we have to depend on other people to invest our money and wealth is increasingly concentrated into fewer and fewer...

HON. CHRIS PICTON

MP, MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND WELLBEING

Taking hold of the opportunities derived from research excellence and innovation will help us to build a resilient, efficient, and informed health system that supports the future health and wellbeing of all South Australians. Research excellence and innovation will also play a vital role in our ability to proactively respond...

TROY LEMAILE-STOVALL

CEO OF TEDCO

In my experience, most entrepreneurs develop their ideas from personal experiences and observations. Here in the DMV, we’re observing major shifts in federal spending. These changes are having a noticeable impact on both our personal and professional lives. My journey has led me to earn two STEM degrees, so having...

JEAN C. ACCIUS

PHD, PRESIDENT & CEO, CHC: CREATING HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES

Time is our most valuable asset. Once you lose it, you never get it back. Yet, millions of people across our country are robbed of priceless time. A Tale of Two CitiesIn the United States, there’s a strong likelihood that a person in one city might live 20 years longer...

PROFESSOR OTLOGETSWE TOTOLO

PHD, FBAS - CURRENTLY, BIUST VICE CHANCELLOR

“Our dream as institutions of higher learning in Africa is to facilitate the growth and capacity of our national economies; anchored on locally designed infrastructure in many and different spheres…” What is your vision for your specific industry? The transitioning from a resourced-based to a knowledge-based economy is not a...

Bob Kain

I’ve been fortunate enough to live a life distinguished by constant progression, from understanding to impacting, particularly in my career. Trained as a physicist, I was fueled by a deep drive to understand some of the most complex “whys” of our world. Quickly I learned that understanding is more satisfying...

ROBERT SALCEDO

FOUNDER AND CEO, OCYONBIO GENE AND CELL THERAPY

Robert Salcedo was born in the Dominican Republic on August 26,1964. When he was ten years old, his family decided to immigrate to the United States in search of better opportunities. At an early age Robert understood the need of medicine accessibility for everyone regardless of social status or race....

MARLENE SPALTEN

PRESIDENT & CEO OF THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF TAMPA BAY

The COVID-19 pandemic affirmed what I’ve long believed: Crisis brings out the best in those who truly care about their community – and philanthropy is the place to turn both for immediate help and long-term resiliency. Philanthropy creates hope for those in need, and it creates a stronger connection between...

INNOVATE® Ecosystems