Thought Leaders
INNOVATE® South Carolina
DR. GREGORY D. LITTLE
PRESIDENT, MIDLANDS TECHNICAL COLLEGE
In this life, some our greatest joys and successes are deeply connected to our relationships. It’s easy to remember and see it in our personal lives, but it can be easy to forget in our professional and business lives. All too often, we get mentally and physically stuck behind our...
INNOVATE® Tampa Bay Vol.3
COL (RET) STU BRADIN
GLOBAL SOF FOUNDATION
As I approached my retirement from U.S. Special Operations Command in 2014, I decided to keep serving my nation and the wider Special Operations community through the formation of a new professional SOF association – the Global SOF Foundation (GSF). Since 9/11 U.S. special operations forces (SOF) had over doubled...
INNOVATE™ Stockholm
MATHAPELO MZIZI - DEMAND DIRECTOR (ERICSSON)
BOARD MEMBER (NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR) AND INCLUSIVE INNOVATION ADVOCATE
There’s an African proverb that says, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Another says, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” And both, I believe, capture the very heartbeat of innovation. When I look at Sweden’s innovation scene, I...
INNOVATE® Nashville
NATALIE M. CURCIO
M.D., M.P.H., M.M.H.C.CEO & FOUNDER, CURCIO DERMATOLOGY, P.C
My late father will always be my original mentor and the embodiment of everything I have wanted to be…a successful doctor and business professional with a limitless heart for caring for others, an unending passion for giving to those less fortunate, and an unbounded love of being a parent. Losing...
INNOVATE™ Adelaide
ELOISE HALL
MANAGING DIRECTOR AND CO-FOUNDER, TABOO PERIOD PRODUCTS
We all enter this world the same, screaming, and naked, as human as each other and as deserving of the same freedoms and rights as the next tiny infant. Unfortunately, people’s access to human rights isn’t as simple as that. It’s dependent on the family you were born into, the...
INNOVATE™ Ottawa
Rima Aristocrat
President & Ceo - Willis College
Rima Aristocrat President & Ceo – Willis College When they come together to elevate, inspire, and empower, they can truly make a difference in people’s lives and build a thriving community. Thriving communities mean stronger countries and stronger countries mean a better world—socially, economically, and politically—for our future generations. As...
INNOVATE® Blockchain
NAMIR ANANI
PRESIDENT & CEO, INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL
We live in an era of rapid disruption where global forces are now demanding our full attention. Emerging economies, geopolitical inflections, health risks, cyber threats, and changing employment prospects are now top of mind. Against this backdrop are digital technologies that are accelerating innovations and transforming industries faster than economies...
INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1
DORRI MCWHORTER
PRESIDENT & CEO OF YMCA OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO
People will be studying the global pandemic’s effects on the workplace for decades to come. The trends it accelerated. The inequality it exposed. The countless challenges and opportunities it created. However, there is one thing that is already perfectly clear, and business leaders in every industry across the country...
INNOVATE™ Montréal
Federico Puebla
Directeur Innovation Ouverte - Open Innovation Manager - Mouvement Desjardins
French: ÊTRE PREMIER DANS LE CŒUR DES GENS. DEVENIR UN LEADER SOCIO-ÉCONOMIQUE. ENRICHIR LA VIE DES PERSONNES ET DES COMMUNAUTÉS. VOILÀ, TOUT À LA FOIS, UNE MISSION NOBLE, HUMAINE ET AMBITIEUSE. OUI, NOUS VISONS HAUT. NOUS L’AVONS TOUJOURS FAIT. ET NOUS LE FERONS TOUJOURS PUISQUE NOTRE HISTOIRE EST MARQUÉE DE...
VOICES of the Future
HASNAE TALEB
REDEFINING SUCCESS IN A CHANGING WORLD
It’s a rare privilege to connect – and connect so deeply – with someone like Hasnae Taleb, a remarkable embodiment of success and inspiration. As I sit down with her, I find myself in awe of her journey, achievements, and vision for the future. “At a young age, we all...
INNOVATE® Tampa Bay Vol.3
David Robinson
CEO - DSM Technology Consultants
People say there’s nothing new under the sun, and I completely disagree. If you look at things from a macro- or micro-perspective, cloud computing is merging with mobile computing and that’s going to form what I call “Ubiquitous Computing”—meaning your computing is everywhere. If you think about your business, your...
INNOVATE™ Alberta
TRAVIS OBERG
DIRECTOR OF DESIGN, UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY PROPERTIES GROUP
In a rapidly changing world, where the boundaries of what is possible continue to expand, the essence of innovation lies at the heart of progress. It is not confined to sterile laboratories or academic institutions; rather, it thrives in vibrant communities where collaboration, creativity, and a sense of place converge....
INNOVATE™ Adelaide
PETER ROWLAND
CEO, MICRO-X
In fact, a culture of innovation must be endemic across a company. It must form part of its DNA, driving the behaviour and thinking of every employee. This is important across all members of the innovation ecosystem, with opportunities to learn through the sharing of ideas in innovation precincts like...
INNOVATE® Tampa Bay Vol.3
Shane Needham
In marketing, the Engagement Economy is defined as the competition for the valuable attention and cognitive bandwidth of a target audience. It’s a very real and valuable asset that is becoming more complex and harder to attain with each passing year. But, this is not the Engagement Economy I’m talking...
INNOVATE™ Estonia
REIN LEMBERPUU
.CONTRIBER
Having a background in physics and engineering, I have approached leadership challenges for many years from the angle of building the best possible team and environment where people can bring out their best talent. Like in engineering where every next iteration is slightly improved and closer to perfection. Today, 20...
INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2
KARM SUMAL
CO-FOUNDER AND CEO OF DAILY HIVE
KARM SUMAL CO-FOUNDER AND CEO OF DAILY HIVE Being an entrepreneur can be extremely rewarding and extremely difficult — and that’s all before lunch.You never know what the day, week, or year can bring. Innovation is an integral part of staying relevant, so if you’re thinking of taking the entrepreneurial...
INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2
John Spence
Founder and Chairman - Karma Group
John Spence Founder and Chairman – Karma Group For nearly 30 years I’ve traveled all over the world to help businesses and people be more successful. I’ve worked for top tech companies such as Microsoft, IBM, Motorola, and Apple and have traveled to Palo Alto, Seattle, New York, Boston, Amsterdam,...
VOICES of the Future
DAVID SHRIER
THE HARMONY OF HUMAN INGENUITY AND AI
David Shrier, a notable professor at Imperial College London and co-director of the Trusted AI Institute, stands at the intersection of technology and humanity. His work, transcending academia, delves into the commercialization of AI and digital assets, influencing top tier corporations and governments alike. Through our conversation, it is clear...
INNOVATE® Northern Virginia
JONATHAN ABERMAN
CO-FOUNDER AND CEO, HUPSIDE
For most of my career, I’ve watched the same cycle play out whenever a transformative technology arrives. At the start, everyone rushes to adopt it: speed is rewarded, efficiency is celebrated, and early movers get headlines and high-fives. Then something quieter – and dangerous – sets in: sameness. In business,...
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...
VOICES of the Future
ARUNA NARAYANAN
REDEFINING SUSTAINABILITY FOR TOMORROW
Sustainability is a loaded – and vague – term nowadays. What is sustainability, and what does its impact mean for the future? Aruna Narayanan breaks down the barriers to understanding and decodes its complexities, while her insights serve as a guiding light of hope. This podcast was not just a...
INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1
Joel B. Bruckman
Attorney - Freeborn & Peters LLP
I support innovators by providing them with a comprehensive approach to data privacy and cybersecurity to both protect them and free them to function at full capacity. This includes providing clients with: i) a clear understanding of the data privacy laws and regulations applicable to their businesses; ii) guidance in...
INNOVATE™ Oeiras
Pedro Rodrigues
Director-General, Desafio Global – Events And Activation Experience And Go Live – Digital Events
This “Life of Events” that I chose and am very proud of is in no way a normal life. A professional in this area is not just a service provider. I sincerely believe that most of us view each event as nothing less than a mission that transcends schedules, other...
INNOVATE™ Adelaide
ERIC VAN RYSWYK
CHIEF STRATEGIC OFFICER, CODIUM
In the world of business, technology has long been a driving force behind innovation and progress. Advancements in frameworks, computing power, data analytics, and artificial intelligence have led to significant improvements in efficiency, productivity, and profitability. However, as technology continues to advance, it is becoming increasingly clear that the true...
DR. GREGORY D. LITTLE
PRESIDENT, MIDLANDS TECHNICAL COLLEGE
In this life, some our greatest joys and successes are deeply connected to our relationships. It’s easy to remember and see it in our personal lives, but it can be easy to forget in our professional and business lives. All too often, we get mentally and physically stuck behind our...
COL (RET) STU BRADIN
GLOBAL SOF FOUNDATION
As I approached my retirement from U.S. Special Operations Command in 2014, I decided to keep serving my nation and the wider Special Operations community through the formation of a new professional SOF association – the Global SOF Foundation (GSF). Since 9/11 U.S. special operations forces (SOF) had over doubled...
MATHAPELO MZIZI - DEMAND DIRECTOR (ERICSSON)
BOARD MEMBER (NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR) AND INCLUSIVE INNOVATION ADVOCATE
There’s an African proverb that says, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Another says, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” And both, I believe, capture the very heartbeat of innovation. When I look at Sweden’s innovation scene, I...
NATALIE M. CURCIO
M.D., M.P.H., M.M.H.C.CEO & FOUNDER, CURCIO DERMATOLOGY, P.C
My late father will always be my original mentor and the embodiment of everything I have wanted to be…a successful doctor and business professional with a limitless heart for caring for others, an unending passion for giving to those less fortunate, and an unbounded love of being a parent. Losing...
ELOISE HALL
MANAGING DIRECTOR AND CO-FOUNDER, TABOO PERIOD PRODUCTS
We all enter this world the same, screaming, and naked, as human as each other and as deserving of the same freedoms and rights as the next tiny infant. Unfortunately, people’s access to human rights isn’t as simple as that. It’s dependent on the family you were born into, the...
Rima Aristocrat
President & Ceo - Willis College
Rima Aristocrat President & Ceo – Willis College When they come together to elevate, inspire, and empower, they can truly make a difference in people’s lives and build a thriving community. Thriving communities mean stronger countries and stronger countries mean a better world—socially, economically, and politically—for our future generations. As...
NAMIR ANANI
PRESIDENT & CEO, INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL
We live in an era of rapid disruption where global forces are now demanding our full attention. Emerging economies, geopolitical inflections, health risks, cyber threats, and changing employment prospects are now top of mind. Against this backdrop are digital technologies that are accelerating innovations and transforming industries faster than economies...
DORRI MCWHORTER
PRESIDENT & CEO OF YMCA OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO
People will be studying the global pandemic’s effects on the workplace for decades to come. The trends it accelerated. The inequality it exposed. The countless challenges and opportunities it created. However, there is one thing that is already perfectly clear, and business leaders in every industry across the country...
Federico Puebla
Directeur Innovation Ouverte - Open Innovation Manager - Mouvement Desjardins
French: ÊTRE PREMIER DANS LE CŒUR DES GENS. DEVENIR UN LEADER SOCIO-ÉCONOMIQUE. ENRICHIR LA VIE DES PERSONNES ET DES COMMUNAUTÉS. VOILÀ, TOUT À LA FOIS, UNE MISSION NOBLE, HUMAINE ET AMBITIEUSE. OUI, NOUS VISONS HAUT. NOUS L’AVONS TOUJOURS FAIT. ET NOUS LE FERONS TOUJOURS PUISQUE NOTRE HISTOIRE EST MARQUÉE DE...
HASNAE TALEB
REDEFINING SUCCESS IN A CHANGING WORLD
It’s a rare privilege to connect – and connect so deeply – with someone like Hasnae Taleb, a remarkable embodiment of success and inspiration. As I sit down with her, I find myself in awe of her journey, achievements, and vision for the future. “At a young age, we all...
David Robinson
CEO - DSM Technology Consultants
People say there’s nothing new under the sun, and I completely disagree. If you look at things from a macro- or micro-perspective, cloud computing is merging with mobile computing and that’s going to form what I call “Ubiquitous Computing”—meaning your computing is everywhere. If you think about your business, your...
TRAVIS OBERG
DIRECTOR OF DESIGN, UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY PROPERTIES GROUP
In a rapidly changing world, where the boundaries of what is possible continue to expand, the essence of innovation lies at the heart of progress. It is not confined to sterile laboratories or academic institutions; rather, it thrives in vibrant communities where collaboration, creativity, and a sense of place converge....
PETER ROWLAND
CEO, MICRO-X
In fact, a culture of innovation must be endemic across a company. It must form part of its DNA, driving the behaviour and thinking of every employee. This is important across all members of the innovation ecosystem, with opportunities to learn through the sharing of ideas in innovation precincts like...
Shane Needham
In marketing, the Engagement Economy is defined as the competition for the valuable attention and cognitive bandwidth of a target audience. It’s a very real and valuable asset that is becoming more complex and harder to attain with each passing year. But, this is not the Engagement Economy I’m talking...
REIN LEMBERPUU
.CONTRIBER
Having a background in physics and engineering, I have approached leadership challenges for many years from the angle of building the best possible team and environment where people can bring out their best talent. Like in engineering where every next iteration is slightly improved and closer to perfection. Today, 20...
KARM SUMAL
CO-FOUNDER AND CEO OF DAILY HIVE
KARM SUMAL CO-FOUNDER AND CEO OF DAILY HIVE Being an entrepreneur can be extremely rewarding and extremely difficult — and that’s all before lunch.You never know what the day, week, or year can bring. Innovation is an integral part of staying relevant, so if you’re thinking of taking the entrepreneurial...
John Spence
Founder and Chairman - Karma Group
John Spence Founder and Chairman – Karma Group For nearly 30 years I’ve traveled all over the world to help businesses and people be more successful. I’ve worked for top tech companies such as Microsoft, IBM, Motorola, and Apple and have traveled to Palo Alto, Seattle, New York, Boston, Amsterdam,...
DAVID SHRIER
THE HARMONY OF HUMAN INGENUITY AND AI
David Shrier, a notable professor at Imperial College London and co-director of the Trusted AI Institute, stands at the intersection of technology and humanity. His work, transcending academia, delves into the commercialization of AI and digital assets, influencing top tier corporations and governments alike. Through our conversation, it is clear...
JONATHAN ABERMAN
CO-FOUNDER AND CEO, HUPSIDE
For most of my career, I’ve watched the same cycle play out whenever a transformative technology arrives. At the start, everyone rushes to adopt it: speed is rewarded, efficiency is celebrated, and early movers get headlines and high-fives. Then something quieter – and dangerous – sets in: sameness. In business,...
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...
ARUNA NARAYANAN
REDEFINING SUSTAINABILITY FOR TOMORROW
Sustainability is a loaded – and vague – term nowadays. What is sustainability, and what does its impact mean for the future? Aruna Narayanan breaks down the barriers to understanding and decodes its complexities, while her insights serve as a guiding light of hope. This podcast was not just a...
Joel B. Bruckman
Attorney - Freeborn & Peters LLP
I support innovators by providing them with a comprehensive approach to data privacy and cybersecurity to both protect them and free them to function at full capacity. This includes providing clients with: i) a clear understanding of the data privacy laws and regulations applicable to their businesses; ii) guidance in...
Pedro Rodrigues
Director-General, Desafio Global – Events And Activation Experience And Go Live – Digital Events
This “Life of Events” that I chose and am very proud of is in no way a normal life. A professional in this area is not just a service provider. I sincerely believe that most of us view each event as nothing less than a mission that transcends schedules, other...
ERIC VAN RYSWYK
CHIEF STRATEGIC OFFICER, CODIUM
In the world of business, technology has long been a driving force behind innovation and progress. Advancements in frameworks, computing power, data analytics, and artificial intelligence have led to significant improvements in efficiency, productivity, and profitability. However, as technology continues to advance, it is becoming increasingly clear that the true...