Thought Leaders

INNOVATE® Philadelphia

IN TRIBUTE: DR. EMMA C. CHAPPELL

FOUNDER, UNITED BANK OF PHILADELPHIA

Philadelphia’s financial history includes many influential leaders, yet few reshaped the city’s banking landscape with the determination shown by Dr. Emma C. Chappell. Through persistence and vision, she helped open new pathways to capital for entrepreneurs, homeowners, and families who had long struggled to gain access through traditional financial institutions....

INNOVATE® Orlando

Thad Seymour

Thad Seymour

PhD, Interim President | Vice President for Partnerships and Chief Innovation Officer - University o

As Interim President, Vice President for Partnerships and Chief Innovation Officer at UCF, Thad Seymour is helping to implement an aggressive 20-year plan for the university, including overseeing the new UCF Downtown campus at Creative Village in the heart of Orlando. In addition to his multiple entrepreneurial ventures, Seymour helped...

INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2

Raghwa Gopal

Raghwa Gopal

President , CEO - Innovate BC

If you’re reading this book right now, there’s a good chance you already know that: In other words – we’re growing fast, we have challenges to overcome, and the future looks extremely bright. Yet, despite the mounting momentum and optimistic outlook, it’s difficult to pin down exactly what our tech...

INNOVATE™ Antwerp Vol.2

Kris Bogaerts

Kris Bogaerts

Co-Founder & Engineer, Cellows

As long as I can remember, I have always wondered how things work and how I could improve them. At ten years old, I came up with an electrical motor with magnets, only to discover a few years later that the damn thing already existed! This made me realize that...

INNOVATION Quebec

VINCENT ROUSSON

RECTEUR, UQAT

Cependant, pour une université en région comme l’AbitibiTémiscamingue, l’innovation peut jouer un rôle encore plus important dans son développement et dans celui de ses territoires d’attaches. Tout d’abord, l’innovation peut aider à attirer et à retenir les étudiants et les professeurs. En développant des programmes innovants et en offrant des...

INNOVATE® Austin Volume 2

Jay Hallberg

Jay Hallberg

CEO and Founder

There’s no greater transformative force in the world’s businesses than technology’s ability to connect people, increase competitiveness, and ultimately help organizations grow. But as the business technology market nears $4 trillion in annual spend, two significant challenges have emerged for both the businesses  who buy technology and the vendors who...

INNOVATE® Philadelphia

BILL BROWN

PRESIDENT AND CEO, CITADEL CREDIT UNION

The Future of Finance Must Be More Human Innovation is often confused with technology. In financial services, we tend to measure progress by how quickly something happens: a faster transaction, a faster loan decision, a faster digital experience. Those things matter. But I believe the real measure of innovation is...

INNOVATE® Blockchain

SHAMSH HADI

SHAMSH HADI

CEO, ZORROSIGN, INC

Data democratization is an approach to information technology (IT) whereby everyone has access to data, and data systems have few—or no—gatekeepers to that data. Such aspiration goes beyond breaking data free from IT departments, organizational silos, and institutional borders, to even across governments and states. The origins of Bitcoin, for...

INNOVATE™ Adelaide

TOM HAJDU

CEO, DISRUPTER

A little over five years ago, I had the privilege of serving as the Chief Innovator of South Australia, a position through which I could catalyze change. During that time, I spearheaded a pivotal initiative, transforming Adelaide into Australia’s first gigabit city and the first city outside the United States...

INNOVATE™ Alberta

HUBBA KHATOON

REGIONAL INNOVATION DIRECTOR (PRAIRIES), CANADIAN FOOD INNOVATION NETWORK (CFIN)

True innovation isn’t just about expertise and knowledge — it’s about having an unwavering passion to make a difference. Over the past decade, I’ve been fortunate to witness remarkable enthusiasm and drive that Alberta’s entrepreneurs bring to the table. As the Regional Innovation Director for Prairies Canada at the Canadian...

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...

VOICES of the Future

AMNAH AJMAL

LEADING WITH HEART

Amnah Ajmal’s ascent to global corporate leadership is nothing short of riveting. She shines as Mastercard’s Executive Vice President, Market Development, Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa, covering 80 countries, and embodies the essence of inspiration. This conversation unveils her remarkable path through the ranks, highlighting a relentless pursuit of...

INNOVATE™ Botswana Vol.1

AOBAKWE “AUPA” MONYATSI

GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE, LETSHEGO HOLDINGS

Why innovate? According to research by Stanford University*, it may be possible to achieve economic growth simply by increasing the inputs and resources to spur growth, such as natural resources and labour, for example. Increasing inputs is only responsible for 15% of aggregated economic growth. Innovation, on the other hand,...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

DartPoints

Brad Alexander, CTO

Unlocking South Carolina’s Tech Potential Growing up surrounded by South Carolina’s rolling hills and vibrant communities, I always believed this state had untapped potential—a potential that extends beyond our scenic beauty and rich history into the dynamic, opportunity-filled world of technology. As someone who has dedicated their career to fostering...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

ADRIAN GORE

ADRIAN GORE

FOUNDER, DISCOVERY

One of these cognitive errors is a failure to recognise the impact that outliers have in our increasingly interconnected world. Take for instance, the decision to create the Vitality programme. It is one outlier decision that had, and continues to have, an enormous impact on our entire business. A few...

INNOVATE™ Stockholm

AMIR ELION

THINK BIG LEADERS - CEO, INNOVATION AND AI ADVISOR, SPEAKER

Many years ago, when I was facilitating internal innovation workshops at Motorola, word got out, and executives would ask me to run “The Innovation Workshop” for their teams. I told them that I don’t have an innovation workshop, and that they should tell me what they aiming to achieve, and...

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

ALBERTO LUGO

ALBERTO LUGO

PRESIDENT, INVID LLC

  When I first learned to code, I never imagined its profound impact on my life. I was 15 years old when I first learned to discovered software development, and I remember the awe of seeing the computer do what I instructed it to do. I still maintain that same...

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...

INNOVATE™ Bristol & Bath

Professor Hugh Brady

Professor Hugh Brady

Vice-Chancellor And President, University Of Bristol

Innovation is the application of creative solutions to real-world problems – a basic maxim, and one that perhaps obscures the more complex processes that underpin its subject. In reality, innovation can require patient investment in both fundamental and applied research, cross-discipline and cross-sector collaboration, risk-taking, iteration, trust, vision and civic...

INNOVATE™ Antwerp Vol.2

JACQUES VANDERMEIREN

CEO, PORT OF ANTWERP / ANNICK DE RIDDER, PORT VICE MAYOR, PORT OF ANTWERP

Jacques Vandermeiren is CEO of Port of Antwerp since 2017. He is an active board member of the digital platform NxtPort, Kunsthuis Opera Ballet Vlaanderen and the Belgian coffee brand Vascobelo. He is also cofounder and Chairman of the sustainability platform The Shift. Annick De Ridder is chair of the...

INNOVATION Quebec

VINCENT ROUSSON

RECTOR, UQAT

However, for a university located in a region like Abitibi Témiscamingue, innovation can play an even more critical role in its development. First and foremost, innovation can help attract and retain students and professors. By developing innovative programs and offering exciting research opportunities in partnership with the community, UQAT attracts...

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...

INNOVATION Quebec

FRANTZ SAINTELLEMY

PRÉSIDENT ET CHEF DE L’EXPLOITATION, LEDDARTECH, CHANCELIER ET PRÉSIDENT DU CA

Le Québec est un terreau fertile pour l’entrepreneuriat deeptech, qui repose sur le savoir et la recherche de pointe, et ouvre de nouvelles perspectives dans plusieurs domaines de haute technologie. Ces entreprises repoussent les limites de l’innovation et créent des solutions novatrices ayant un impact profond sur notre société. Les...

INNOVATE® Georgia

BRIAN KEMP, GOVERNOR OF GEORGIA, ANDRE DICKENS, MAYOR OF ATLANTA

Andre Dickens, Mayor of Atlanta, Brian Kemp, Governor of Georgia, presenting at TAG’s GeorgiaTechnology Summit There is no doubt that Georgia is the leader of technology and innovation in the South. We’re very proud to say Georgia is the #1 state for business in the nation, which we’ve maintained for...

IN TRIBUTE: DR. EMMA C. CHAPPELL

FOUNDER, UNITED BANK OF PHILADELPHIA

Philadelphia’s financial history includes many influential leaders, yet few reshaped the city’s banking landscape with the determination shown by Dr. Emma C. Chappell. Through persistence and vision, she helped open new pathways to capital for entrepreneurs, homeowners, and families who had long struggled to gain access through traditional financial institutions....

Thad Seymour

Thad Seymour

PhD, Interim President | Vice President for Partnerships and Chief Innovation Officer - University o

As Interim President, Vice President for Partnerships and Chief Innovation Officer at UCF, Thad Seymour is helping to implement an aggressive 20-year plan for the university, including overseeing the new UCF Downtown campus at Creative Village in the heart of Orlando. In addition to his multiple entrepreneurial ventures, Seymour helped...

Raghwa Gopal

Raghwa Gopal

President , CEO - Innovate BC

If you’re reading this book right now, there’s a good chance you already know that: In other words – we’re growing fast, we have challenges to overcome, and the future looks extremely bright. Yet, despite the mounting momentum and optimistic outlook, it’s difficult to pin down exactly what our tech...

Kris Bogaerts

Kris Bogaerts

Co-Founder & Engineer, Cellows

As long as I can remember, I have always wondered how things work and how I could improve them. At ten years old, I came up with an electrical motor with magnets, only to discover a few years later that the damn thing already existed! This made me realize that...

VINCENT ROUSSON

RECTEUR, UQAT

Cependant, pour une université en région comme l’AbitibiTémiscamingue, l’innovation peut jouer un rôle encore plus important dans son développement et dans celui de ses territoires d’attaches. Tout d’abord, l’innovation peut aider à attirer et à retenir les étudiants et les professeurs. En développant des programmes innovants et en offrant des...

Jay Hallberg

Jay Hallberg

CEO and Founder

There’s no greater transformative force in the world’s businesses than technology’s ability to connect people, increase competitiveness, and ultimately help organizations grow. But as the business technology market nears $4 trillion in annual spend, two significant challenges have emerged for both the businesses  who buy technology and the vendors who...

BILL BROWN

PRESIDENT AND CEO, CITADEL CREDIT UNION

The Future of Finance Must Be More Human Innovation is often confused with technology. In financial services, we tend to measure progress by how quickly something happens: a faster transaction, a faster loan decision, a faster digital experience. Those things matter. But I believe the real measure of innovation is...

SHAMSH HADI

SHAMSH HADI

CEO, ZORROSIGN, INC

Data democratization is an approach to information technology (IT) whereby everyone has access to data, and data systems have few—or no—gatekeepers to that data. Such aspiration goes beyond breaking data free from IT departments, organizational silos, and institutional borders, to even across governments and states. The origins of Bitcoin, for...

TOM HAJDU

CEO, DISRUPTER

A little over five years ago, I had the privilege of serving as the Chief Innovator of South Australia, a position through which I could catalyze change. During that time, I spearheaded a pivotal initiative, transforming Adelaide into Australia’s first gigabit city and the first city outside the United States...

HUBBA KHATOON

REGIONAL INNOVATION DIRECTOR (PRAIRIES), CANADIAN FOOD INNOVATION NETWORK (CFIN)

True innovation isn’t just about expertise and knowledge — it’s about having an unwavering passion to make a difference. Over the past decade, I’ve been fortunate to witness remarkable enthusiasm and drive that Alberta’s entrepreneurs bring to the table. As the Regional Innovation Director for Prairies Canada at the Canadian...

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...

AMNAH AJMAL

LEADING WITH HEART

Amnah Ajmal’s ascent to global corporate leadership is nothing short of riveting. She shines as Mastercard’s Executive Vice President, Market Development, Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa, covering 80 countries, and embodies the essence of inspiration. This conversation unveils her remarkable path through the ranks, highlighting a relentless pursuit of...

AOBAKWE “AUPA” MONYATSI

GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE, LETSHEGO HOLDINGS

Why innovate? According to research by Stanford University*, it may be possible to achieve economic growth simply by increasing the inputs and resources to spur growth, such as natural resources and labour, for example. Increasing inputs is only responsible for 15% of aggregated economic growth. Innovation, on the other hand,...

DartPoints

Brad Alexander, CTO

Unlocking South Carolina’s Tech Potential Growing up surrounded by South Carolina’s rolling hills and vibrant communities, I always believed this state had untapped potential—a potential that extends beyond our scenic beauty and rich history into the dynamic, opportunity-filled world of technology. As someone who has dedicated their career to fostering...

ADRIAN GORE

ADRIAN GORE

FOUNDER, DISCOVERY

One of these cognitive errors is a failure to recognise the impact that outliers have in our increasingly interconnected world. Take for instance, the decision to create the Vitality programme. It is one outlier decision that had, and continues to have, an enormous impact on our entire business. A few...

AMIR ELION

THINK BIG LEADERS - CEO, INNOVATION AND AI ADVISOR, SPEAKER

Many years ago, when I was facilitating internal innovation workshops at Motorola, word got out, and executives would ask me to run “The Innovation Workshop” for their teams. I told them that I don’t have an innovation workshop, and that they should tell me what they aiming to achieve, and...

ALBERTO LUGO

ALBERTO LUGO

PRESIDENT, INVID LLC

  When I first learned to code, I never imagined its profound impact on my life. I was 15 years old when I first learned to discovered software development, and I remember the awe of seeing the computer do what I instructed it to do. I still maintain that same...

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...

Professor Hugh Brady

Professor Hugh Brady

Vice-Chancellor And President, University Of Bristol

Innovation is the application of creative solutions to real-world problems – a basic maxim, and one that perhaps obscures the more complex processes that underpin its subject. In reality, innovation can require patient investment in both fundamental and applied research, cross-discipline and cross-sector collaboration, risk-taking, iteration, trust, vision and civic...

JACQUES VANDERMEIREN

CEO, PORT OF ANTWERP / ANNICK DE RIDDER, PORT VICE MAYOR, PORT OF ANTWERP

Jacques Vandermeiren is CEO of Port of Antwerp since 2017. He is an active board member of the digital platform NxtPort, Kunsthuis Opera Ballet Vlaanderen and the Belgian coffee brand Vascobelo. He is also cofounder and Chairman of the sustainability platform The Shift. Annick De Ridder is chair of the...

VINCENT ROUSSON

RECTOR, UQAT

However, for a university located in a region like Abitibi Témiscamingue, innovation can play an even more critical role in its development. First and foremost, innovation can help attract and retain students and professors. By developing innovative programs and offering exciting research opportunities in partnership with the community, UQAT attracts...

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...

FRANTZ SAINTELLEMY

PRÉSIDENT ET CHEF DE L’EXPLOITATION, LEDDARTECH, CHANCELIER ET PRÉSIDENT DU CA

Le Québec est un terreau fertile pour l’entrepreneuriat deeptech, qui repose sur le savoir et la recherche de pointe, et ouvre de nouvelles perspectives dans plusieurs domaines de haute technologie. Ces entreprises repoussent les limites de l’innovation et créent des solutions novatrices ayant un impact profond sur notre société. Les...

BRIAN KEMP, GOVERNOR OF GEORGIA, ANDRE DICKENS, MAYOR OF ATLANTA

Andre Dickens, Mayor of Atlanta, Brian Kemp, Governor of Georgia, presenting at TAG’s GeorgiaTechnology Summit There is no doubt that Georgia is the leader of technology and innovation in the South. We’re very proud to say Georgia is the #1 state for business in the nation, which we’ve maintained for...

INNOVATE® Ecosystems