Thought Leaders

VOICES of the Future

DR. V. FRANCIS JOHN

THE STARTUP SUPREMO

From the moment I sat down with Dr. V. Francis John, my neighbor and the luminary behind Ztartup.com and Kube VC, it was clear that I was in the presence of a true visionary. His journey is a testament to the transformative power of technology and innovation. Chief Enablement Officer...

INNOVATE™ Adelaide

NICK ADDISON

CEO, ADELAIDE OVAL STADIUM MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY

Whether in technology, the cost of goods and wages, contracts, regulatory variations, social and environmental change – the list is endless. However, in my opinion, changes in expectations is the most important dynamic. A business staying abreast of things on paper but deaf to a shift in mood from its...

INNOVATE® Austin Volume 2

Erin Mays & Kalyn Rozanski

Erin Mays & Kalyn Rozanski

CO-CEOs - Ebco

Thought leaders in the truest sense, Erin Mays and Kalyn Rozanski of Ebco are completely reenvisioning and disrupting the trend and innovation research space with unique and differentiated products and services that support global Fortune 1000 companies. Coming from design thinking and qualitative research backgrounds, Mays shares “we no longer...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

SHADMAN HOSSAIN

MANAGER OF EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES PRACTICE, CGI FEDERAL

At its core, blockchain technology is about giving people control over their own data and assets, and enabling them to transact with one another in a transparent and secure way. By giving people control over their own data, we can create a more fair and just society where individuals have...

INNOVATE® Seattle

FRANÇOIS BANEYX

COMOTION - DIRECTOR AND VICE PROVOST FOR INNOVATION

For over 150 years, the University of Washington (UW) has nurtured scholarly endeavors that have yielded discoveries and inventions with profound effects on people’s lives. From medical devices and vaccines to deep-sea mapping and natural language processing, our researchers have uncovered bold new insights that have pushed the boundaries of...

INNOVATE™ Adelaide

MAYOR MOIRA WERE AM

MAYOR, CITY OF ONKAPARINGA

In fact, one former recipient of our Young Citizen of the Year Award – in which we recognise young people who have made exceptional contributions by leading through generosity and enterprise – has just been elected to Council. We recognise and acclaim community-led events – festivals; sporting, arts and cultural...

INNOVATE® Blockchain

MAJA VUJINOVIC

MAJA VUJINOVIC

FOUNDER, OGROUP LLC

I am moved by technology’s capability to impact people’s lives. I saw this power first-hand in Africa and Latin America after recognizing the potential of mobile money systems in the early 2000’s and moving to Africa to help develop these technologies. Mobile payments and mobile money systems changed people’s lives....

INNOVATE™ Alberta

RICK CHRISTIAANSE

CEO, INVEST ALBERTA

Known for a relentless ‘make it happen’ attitude, Alberta is gaining remarkable momentum with investors across the world by proving ourselves right here at home. Tech and finance are flourishing, energy and cleantech are diversifying, agriculture is innovating, and aviation and logistics are reaching new heights. With a track record...

INNOVATE® San Diego Vol.1

Kristin Gaspar

San Diego County Supervisor

The government is famous for operating under the philosophy – “If it ain’t broke, fix it till it is”. That may be why we throw millions, even billions of dollars at the same problem every year and get the same results. After being elected to the San Diego County Board...

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...

INNOVATE™ Antwerp Vol.2

Carole Lamarque

CEO, Founding Partner Of Duval Union Innovative Marketing

Strategic Marketing, launching innovations and new technologies are my passions. I worked as a marketing leader for various companies in competitive markets. It was a privilege to work in these sectors. I look back on my very pleasant and extremely smart colleagues. Many of them supported me and made me...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

DAN BROWN JR

DAN BROWN JR.

PRESIDENT OF LOGGERHEAD TOOLS & CEO OF INSTASHIELD

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, consumers faced shortages of toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and PPE. Now we’re looking at the global scarcity of computer chips and fertilizer, coupled with the highest inflation seen in 40 years. These events have pointed a spotlight on the health of the U.S....

INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2

Ron Gaboury

Ron Gaboury

CEO - Yorktel and Caregility

As the CEO of two technology companies, I have the distinct honor of leading a group of highly talented and passionate individuals across both organizations. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned along the way is that building the right team can be a force multiplier when it comes to...

INNOVATE™ Bristol & Bath

BIG LEADERSHIP TEAM

BIG LEADERSHIP TEAM -BRISTOL INNOVATORS GROUP

BRISTOL INNOVATORS GROUP

In Spring 2019, two of our team – Charlie Widdows and Rob Sheffield – discussed how to create a network that would focus on innovation across Bristol. They had an intuitive sense that this was needed, but lacked the time and resource to turn the idea into reality. Then in...

INNOVATE™ Atlantic Canada

ANDY FISHER

DIRECTOR, BOUNCE HEALTH INNOVATION

Are you a driven entrepreneur who’s passionate about improving the world around you? Then take a look at these two charts: One shows the growing prevalence of chronic disease at every age. The other shows how much we’re spending per person just to keep up. We are getting sicker earlier,...

VOICES of the Future

CARA DE LANGE

THE FUTURE IS SOFTER

In the evolving corporate world, Cara de Lange stands out as a change-maker, TEDx speaker, author of ‘Softer Success,’ host of the Work Reset Revolution podcast, and a burnout researcher, advocating a shift from traditional corporate success to prioritizing employee well being. As the founder of Softer Success, Cara developed...

INNOVATE® Philadelphia: 250 Years of Innovation

DAN RHOADS

CEO, RHOADS INDUSTRIES

At Rhoads Industries, innovation does not start with a product. It begins with a vision. As a 130-year-old, family-owned manufacturer, we don’t develop our own products; what we build is driven by our customers’ designs. Our role is to translate those ideas into reality through large-scale fabrication, welding, and assembly,...

INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2

CYBELE NEGRIS

CYBELE NEGRIS

CEO - WEBNAMES.CA

CYBELE NEGRIS   Life is so fast-paced that we take too much for granted, whether it is the Internet which has now practically become a basic right or the growing role of women in positions of power, which is an outcome that has not come easily. All these giant leaps...

INNOVATE® Tampa Bay Vol.3

DENNIS SCHMITT

DENNIS SCHMITT

NUROTECH CORP - FOUNDER & CEO

It is hard for me to accept being a visionary leader, as it is difficult for me to reconcile where I am now, with where I was 15 years ago. I didn’t envision a future where I’m the CEO/Founder of a multi-million dollar Biotech company on the precipice to lead...

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

IGNACIO ALVAREZ

PRESIDENT AND CEO OF POPULAR INC.

Technological advances, changing customer expectations and a rapidly evolving competitive landscape have made innovation not a choice, but a requirement to remain competitive at every level. Countries, companies and individuals must constantly question the present and aspire to make the future better. Because innovation is not an end in itself;...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

Gordon Nameni, PhD

Managing Partner at August Brown

Innovation alone does not guarantee market success. Many promising technologies fail to gain traction because companies struggle to translate technical breakthroughs into commercially viable products. This is where Tech Translation—a structured framework for bridging the gap between technology development and market adoption—becomes essential. The Tech Translation Framework Tech Translation integrates...

INNOVATE™ Adelaide

PETER DEMPSEY

FOUNDER,OWN THE POWER

DISABILITY DRIVES INNOVATIONI want to see this world thriving with innovation, creativity for good. I say Be the change you want to see in the world. When the brain doesn’t work the way it used to, the effects are profound and long lasting. You see, it’s not just about the...

INNOVATE™ Flanders

PROF. DR. STEVEN VAN PASSEL

VICE-RECTOR VALORISATION AND SUSTAINABILITY, UNIVERSITY OF ANTWERP.

At the University of Antwerp, we are committed to being a dynamic, entrepreneurial and forward-thinking institution that actively helps shape the future. We conduct excellent, fundamental research, and are internationally recognised in several key domains. But I believe our responsibility goes beyond academic excellence. It is crucial that the knowledge...

INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2

Doug Klinger

Doug Klinger

Founding CEO and a Member of the Board of Directors - Zelis

On a MissionAt Zelis, we are passionate about working to reduce the rising cost of healthcare in America. We are on a mission to help make healthcare more affordable and more understandable for all of us. We partner with healthcare payers and providers to connect consumers with providers; to ensure...

DR. V. FRANCIS JOHN

THE STARTUP SUPREMO

From the moment I sat down with Dr. V. Francis John, my neighbor and the luminary behind Ztartup.com and Kube VC, it was clear that I was in the presence of a true visionary. His journey is a testament to the transformative power of technology and innovation. Chief Enablement Officer...

NICK ADDISON

CEO, ADELAIDE OVAL STADIUM MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY

Whether in technology, the cost of goods and wages, contracts, regulatory variations, social and environmental change – the list is endless. However, in my opinion, changes in expectations is the most important dynamic. A business staying abreast of things on paper but deaf to a shift in mood from its...

Erin Mays & Kalyn Rozanski

Erin Mays & Kalyn Rozanski

CO-CEOs - Ebco

Thought leaders in the truest sense, Erin Mays and Kalyn Rozanski of Ebco are completely reenvisioning and disrupting the trend and innovation research space with unique and differentiated products and services that support global Fortune 1000 companies. Coming from design thinking and qualitative research backgrounds, Mays shares “we no longer...

SHADMAN HOSSAIN

MANAGER OF EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES PRACTICE, CGI FEDERAL

At its core, blockchain technology is about giving people control over their own data and assets, and enabling them to transact with one another in a transparent and secure way. By giving people control over their own data, we can create a more fair and just society where individuals have...

FRANÇOIS BANEYX

COMOTION - DIRECTOR AND VICE PROVOST FOR INNOVATION

For over 150 years, the University of Washington (UW) has nurtured scholarly endeavors that have yielded discoveries and inventions with profound effects on people’s lives. From medical devices and vaccines to deep-sea mapping and natural language processing, our researchers have uncovered bold new insights that have pushed the boundaries of...

MAYOR MOIRA WERE AM

MAYOR, CITY OF ONKAPARINGA

In fact, one former recipient of our Young Citizen of the Year Award – in which we recognise young people who have made exceptional contributions by leading through generosity and enterprise – has just been elected to Council. We recognise and acclaim community-led events – festivals; sporting, arts and cultural...

MAJA VUJINOVIC

MAJA VUJINOVIC

FOUNDER, OGROUP LLC

I am moved by technology’s capability to impact people’s lives. I saw this power first-hand in Africa and Latin America after recognizing the potential of mobile money systems in the early 2000’s and moving to Africa to help develop these technologies. Mobile payments and mobile money systems changed people’s lives....

RICK CHRISTIAANSE

CEO, INVEST ALBERTA

Known for a relentless ‘make it happen’ attitude, Alberta is gaining remarkable momentum with investors across the world by proving ourselves right here at home. Tech and finance are flourishing, energy and cleantech are diversifying, agriculture is innovating, and aviation and logistics are reaching new heights. With a track record...

Kristin Gaspar

San Diego County Supervisor

The government is famous for operating under the philosophy – “If it ain’t broke, fix it till it is”. That may be why we throw millions, even billions of dollars at the same problem every year and get the same results. After being elected to the San Diego County Board...

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...

Carole Lamarque

CEO, Founding Partner Of Duval Union Innovative Marketing

Strategic Marketing, launching innovations and new technologies are my passions. I worked as a marketing leader for various companies in competitive markets. It was a privilege to work in these sectors. I look back on my very pleasant and extremely smart colleagues. Many of them supported me and made me...

DAN BROWN JR

DAN BROWN JR.

PRESIDENT OF LOGGERHEAD TOOLS & CEO OF INSTASHIELD

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, consumers faced shortages of toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and PPE. Now we’re looking at the global scarcity of computer chips and fertilizer, coupled with the highest inflation seen in 40 years. These events have pointed a spotlight on the health of the U.S....

Ron Gaboury

Ron Gaboury

CEO - Yorktel and Caregility

As the CEO of two technology companies, I have the distinct honor of leading a group of highly talented and passionate individuals across both organizations. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned along the way is that building the right team can be a force multiplier when it comes to...

BIG LEADERSHIP TEAM

BIG LEADERSHIP TEAM -BRISTOL INNOVATORS GROUP

BRISTOL INNOVATORS GROUP

In Spring 2019, two of our team – Charlie Widdows and Rob Sheffield – discussed how to create a network that would focus on innovation across Bristol. They had an intuitive sense that this was needed, but lacked the time and resource to turn the idea into reality. Then in...

ANDY FISHER

DIRECTOR, BOUNCE HEALTH INNOVATION

Are you a driven entrepreneur who’s passionate about improving the world around you? Then take a look at these two charts: One shows the growing prevalence of chronic disease at every age. The other shows how much we’re spending per person just to keep up. We are getting sicker earlier,...

CARA DE LANGE

THE FUTURE IS SOFTER

In the evolving corporate world, Cara de Lange stands out as a change-maker, TEDx speaker, author of ‘Softer Success,’ host of the Work Reset Revolution podcast, and a burnout researcher, advocating a shift from traditional corporate success to prioritizing employee well being. As the founder of Softer Success, Cara developed...

DAN RHOADS

CEO, RHOADS INDUSTRIES

At Rhoads Industries, innovation does not start with a product. It begins with a vision. As a 130-year-old, family-owned manufacturer, we don’t develop our own products; what we build is driven by our customers’ designs. Our role is to translate those ideas into reality through large-scale fabrication, welding, and assembly,...

CYBELE NEGRIS

CYBELE NEGRIS

CEO - WEBNAMES.CA

CYBELE NEGRIS   Life is so fast-paced that we take too much for granted, whether it is the Internet which has now practically become a basic right or the growing role of women in positions of power, which is an outcome that has not come easily. All these giant leaps...

DENNIS SCHMITT

DENNIS SCHMITT

NUROTECH CORP - FOUNDER & CEO

It is hard for me to accept being a visionary leader, as it is difficult for me to reconcile where I am now, with where I was 15 years ago. I didn’t envision a future where I’m the CEO/Founder of a multi-million dollar Biotech company on the precipice to lead...

IGNACIO ALVAREZ

PRESIDENT AND CEO OF POPULAR INC.

Technological advances, changing customer expectations and a rapidly evolving competitive landscape have made innovation not a choice, but a requirement to remain competitive at every level. Countries, companies and individuals must constantly question the present and aspire to make the future better. Because innovation is not an end in itself;...

Gordon Nameni, PhD

Managing Partner at August Brown

Innovation alone does not guarantee market success. Many promising technologies fail to gain traction because companies struggle to translate technical breakthroughs into commercially viable products. This is where Tech Translation—a structured framework for bridging the gap between technology development and market adoption—becomes essential. The Tech Translation Framework Tech Translation integrates...

PETER DEMPSEY

FOUNDER,OWN THE POWER

DISABILITY DRIVES INNOVATIONI want to see this world thriving with innovation, creativity for good. I say Be the change you want to see in the world. When the brain doesn’t work the way it used to, the effects are profound and long lasting. You see, it’s not just about the...

PROF. DR. STEVEN VAN PASSEL

VICE-RECTOR VALORISATION AND SUSTAINABILITY, UNIVERSITY OF ANTWERP.

At the University of Antwerp, we are committed to being a dynamic, entrepreneurial and forward-thinking institution that actively helps shape the future. We conduct excellent, fundamental research, and are internationally recognised in several key domains. But I believe our responsibility goes beyond academic excellence. It is crucial that the knowledge...

Doug Klinger

Doug Klinger

Founding CEO and a Member of the Board of Directors - Zelis

On a MissionAt Zelis, we are passionate about working to reduce the rising cost of healthcare in America. We are on a mission to help make healthcare more affordable and more understandable for all of us. We partner with healthcare payers and providers to connect consumers with providers; to ensure...

INNOVATE® Ecosystems