Thought Leaders
AI Québec
GILLES SAVARD
DIRECTEUR GÉNÉRAL -IVADO
Moteur d’innovation, les données sont au cœur de la transformation numérique qui s’impose partout. Liées à plusieurs technologies numériques habilitantes arrivant à maturité dont, l’infonuagique, l’internet des objets, le 5G, le 3D, la réalité augmentée, la robotique, etc., ces données et leur valorisation par l’analytique sont les véritables activateurs de...
INNOVATE® San Diego Vol.1
Jim Filanc
Intelligent Cities Associates, LLC
Jim Filanc Intelligent Cities Associates, LLC Back in 2012, I wrote a White Paper entitled EnLighten San Diego when I had an insight into the strategic value of “power and perch,” two unique characteristics of streetlights. Streetlights are everywhere in most cities, but in San Diego, we envisioned attaching Small...
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...
VOICES of the Future
KUSHAL SHAH
ETHICS, INNOVATION, AND IMPACT
When talking with Kushal Shah, the Managing Director of e& capital, I am struck by the depth and range of his experiences. Kushal, a man whose life journey began in the serenity of Nairobi, Kenya, opened our conversation with a profound reflection on his roots. “I was born and brought...
INNOVATION Quebec
KATHY MALAS
Associate to the President & Chief Executive Officer, Pole of Innovation
Associate to the President & Chief Executive Officer, Pole of Innovation, Artificial Intelligence and Projects in Health, Executive Office, CHUM Member of the Board of Directors, Conseil de l’innovation du Québec (CIQ). Member of the Board of Directors, Health Innovation District. Health Professional Researcher, Innovation Hub Axis, CRCHUM. Associate Professor,...
AI Québec
ALAIN LAVOIE
CEO, LEXROCKAI AND COPRESIDENT, IROSOFT
Quebec has the reputation of being a major player in the world of artificial intelligence (AI). We may believe it, but exactly what will it be like? From a strictly objective point of view, the fact that Prof. Yoshua Bengio is one of the Top 3 most cited researchers worldwide...
INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2
FRANCIS J. GIANTOMASI
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, CSG LAW
Francis J. Giantomasi (Frank), a member of the Executive Committee of CSG Law, plays a critical role in the firm’s Real Estate, Development & Land Use Group. Over the course of his career, Frank has guided clients through a wide variety of planning, zoning and development projects throughout the Garden...
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® Maryland
TERRY HASSELTINE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MARYLAND SPORTS COMMISSION
As the executive director of the Maryland Sports Commission—an organization that attracts and retains amateur and professional sporting events across the state — sports tourism has never been just about events. It’s about people, communities, and the shared experiences that bring Marylanders together. Over the years, I’ve come to believe...
INNOVATE® Georgia
PAIGE NEEDLING
CEO, NEEDLING WORLDWIDE
As organizations look to innovate and stay ahead of the competition, it’s becoming increasingly clear that building a nurturing team and environment is key to driving innovation. A nurturing team is one that feels supported, encouraged, and empowered to take risks and try new things. A nurturing environment is one...
INNOVATE™ Estonia
KADI OJA
HEAD OF FLAGSHIP EVENTS, MINDVALLEY
We live in a paradox. Billions of us are more connected than ever through apps, platforms, and now AI – yet loneliness is at an all-time high. Nearly half of adults worldwide report feeling disconnected from others. If technology connects us, why do so many of us feel so alone?...
INNOVATE® Georgia
VANESSA EDMONDS
UTILITY 2030 COLLABORATIVE - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
YOUR ROLE IN SHAPING A SUSTAINABLE WORLD STARTS TODAY Our planet faces unprecedented challenges. Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, the transition to clean energy is more urgent than ever, and water resources are under increasing strain. Our world’s sustainability and the well-being of future generations are on the...
INNOVATE™ Bristol & Bath
Sandeep Roy
Advisor & Mentor - Innovate2Grow
The current pace of new technology-led change has left classic economy companies vulnerable, but disruption is also a huge borderless opportunity in a world where ultrafast digital connectivity and the information superhighway has democratized innovation. We have a choice. We can view Airbnb as strangling the hotel industry or see...
INNOVATION Quebec
CHRISTIAN BLANCHETTE
RECTEUR CHEZ UQTR - UNIVERSITÉ DU QUÉBEC À TROIS-RIVIÈRES
Dès sa fondation, en 1969, l’Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR) a déployé ses activités dans plusieurs villes environnantes des régions de la Mauricie, du Centre-du-Québec et de Lanaudière. Plus de cinquante années d’ancrage régional facilitent la création de maillages entre l’Université et une diversité de milieux. La proximité entre...
INNOVATE™ Adelaide
BEN BAKER
FOUNDER, BEN BAKER STUDIOS
“Mr. President, it’s great to see you today; here is the plan.” Those are words I have spoken to the past five American Presidents and many other world leaders as a photographer trusted to create iconic images that will stand the test of time. How did a kid from a...
Global Innovation Spotlight
CRISTÓBAL VIEDMA
CEO, LINGOKIDS
Esta ciudad, Madrid, lo supo bien durante la crisis del coronavirus, que no solo tuvo que parar con su ritmo ferviente tan característico, sino aprovechar la dificultad para reinventarse. En nuestro caso, como empresa afincada en Madrid, ¿qué hicimos para que en tan solo dos años, llegáramos a los hogares...
VOICES of the Future
DK SUGIYAMA
BRIDGING WORLDS: FROM TOKYO TO THE FUTURE
DK Sugiyama’s journey across continents shapes his vision of tomorrow. Our dialogue explores the profound insights of a man whose life story reads like a blueprint for global connectivity and cultural integration. Born in Tokyo and having spent his formative years in New York, DK’s current focus is on Dubai,...
INNOVATE® St. Louis
John G. Gatewood
CFP®, CLU®, President & Founder - Gatewood Wealth Management
When his military pension wasn’t enough to support our family, my father went into life insurance. He realized no one was coordinating all of the separate aspects of families’ financial planning. The Glass Steagall Act was still in effect, and it kept all financial companies separate; insurance was separate from...
INNOVATE® Minnesota
Angelina Lawton
Founder - Sportsdigita
Experience Selling Is Here To StayWith the creativity of design professionals combined with the power of web-based analytics, we’ve been able to give leaders in organizations across the spectrum unparalleled opportunities to make presentations come alive. How? By transforming information and design into experiences that viewers can hear, see, and...
INNOVATE® Blockchain
JASON ENGLISH
CHIEF ECOSYSTEM OFFICER, CG TECH
Governments worldwide are stepping up and playing a crucial role in enabling innovation in their parts of the world. Our leaders can and should do as much as possible to help small businesses, start ups and innovators succeed. These entrepreneurs are the life blood of our future economy. South Africa...
INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1
WILL BEOGLIN
CEO, TIMEDOC HEALTH
The healthcare sector is renowned for breathtaking innovations and technological advancement. We receive news of breakthroughs thought impossible a handful of years ago every day. The reality on the ground is slightly different. Roughly 10,000 new patients age into Medicare each day, drastically outnumbering the staff capable of serving their...
INNOVATE® Nashville
RUSS BLATTNER
CHAIRMAN & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AT SUPERWISE®
“Innovation in AI is not just about technology—it’s about trust. Without transparency, there is no adoption. Forrester, Gartner, and IDC emphasize that AI governance and accountability are now enterprise imperatives. Companies that ignore explainability will face declining adoption and increased regulatory scrutiny.” Innovation in AI is happening at a breakneck...
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® Detroit
TINA KOZAK
FRANCO - CEO
It’s an amazing time to be a Detroiter. Yes, the city has its fair share of challenges, but its reputation is on the rise. As noted in a recent PR News article about Detroit’s renaissance, “Behind every rehabbed reputation lies really hard work, dedicated individuals and, of course, some strategic...
GILLES SAVARD
DIRECTEUR GÉNÉRAL -IVADO
Moteur d’innovation, les données sont au cœur de la transformation numérique qui s’impose partout. Liées à plusieurs technologies numériques habilitantes arrivant à maturité dont, l’infonuagique, l’internet des objets, le 5G, le 3D, la réalité augmentée, la robotique, etc., ces données et leur valorisation par l’analytique sont les véritables activateurs de...
Jim Filanc
Intelligent Cities Associates, LLC
Jim Filanc Intelligent Cities Associates, LLC Back in 2012, I wrote a White Paper entitled EnLighten San Diego when I had an insight into the strategic value of “power and perch,” two unique characteristics of streetlights. Streetlights are everywhere in most cities, but in San Diego, we envisioned attaching Small...
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...
KUSHAL SHAH
ETHICS, INNOVATION, AND IMPACT
When talking with Kushal Shah, the Managing Director of e& capital, I am struck by the depth and range of his experiences. Kushal, a man whose life journey began in the serenity of Nairobi, Kenya, opened our conversation with a profound reflection on his roots. “I was born and brought...
KATHY MALAS
Associate to the President & Chief Executive Officer, Pole of Innovation
Associate to the President & Chief Executive Officer, Pole of Innovation, Artificial Intelligence and Projects in Health, Executive Office, CHUM Member of the Board of Directors, Conseil de l’innovation du Québec (CIQ). Member of the Board of Directors, Health Innovation District. Health Professional Researcher, Innovation Hub Axis, CRCHUM. Associate Professor,...
ALAIN LAVOIE
CEO, LEXROCKAI AND COPRESIDENT, IROSOFT
Quebec has the reputation of being a major player in the world of artificial intelligence (AI). We may believe it, but exactly what will it be like? From a strictly objective point of view, the fact that Prof. Yoshua Bengio is one of the Top 3 most cited researchers worldwide...
FRANCIS J. GIANTOMASI
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, CSG LAW
Francis J. Giantomasi (Frank), a member of the Executive Committee of CSG Law, plays a critical role in the firm’s Real Estate, Development & Land Use Group. Over the course of his career, Frank has guided clients through a wide variety of planning, zoning and development projects throughout the Garden...
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...
TERRY HASSELTINE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MARYLAND SPORTS COMMISSION
As the executive director of the Maryland Sports Commission—an organization that attracts and retains amateur and professional sporting events across the state — sports tourism has never been just about events. It’s about people, communities, and the shared experiences that bring Marylanders together. Over the years, I’ve come to believe...
PAIGE NEEDLING
CEO, NEEDLING WORLDWIDE
As organizations look to innovate and stay ahead of the competition, it’s becoming increasingly clear that building a nurturing team and environment is key to driving innovation. A nurturing team is one that feels supported, encouraged, and empowered to take risks and try new things. A nurturing environment is one...
KADI OJA
HEAD OF FLAGSHIP EVENTS, MINDVALLEY
We live in a paradox. Billions of us are more connected than ever through apps, platforms, and now AI – yet loneliness is at an all-time high. Nearly half of adults worldwide report feeling disconnected from others. If technology connects us, why do so many of us feel so alone?...
VANESSA EDMONDS
UTILITY 2030 COLLABORATIVE - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
YOUR ROLE IN SHAPING A SUSTAINABLE WORLD STARTS TODAY Our planet faces unprecedented challenges. Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, the transition to clean energy is more urgent than ever, and water resources are under increasing strain. Our world’s sustainability and the well-being of future generations are on the...
Sandeep Roy
Advisor & Mentor - Innovate2Grow
The current pace of new technology-led change has left classic economy companies vulnerable, but disruption is also a huge borderless opportunity in a world where ultrafast digital connectivity and the information superhighway has democratized innovation. We have a choice. We can view Airbnb as strangling the hotel industry or see...
CHRISTIAN BLANCHETTE
RECTEUR CHEZ UQTR - UNIVERSITÉ DU QUÉBEC À TROIS-RIVIÈRES
Dès sa fondation, en 1969, l’Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR) a déployé ses activités dans plusieurs villes environnantes des régions de la Mauricie, du Centre-du-Québec et de Lanaudière. Plus de cinquante années d’ancrage régional facilitent la création de maillages entre l’Université et une diversité de milieux. La proximité entre...
BEN BAKER
FOUNDER, BEN BAKER STUDIOS
“Mr. President, it’s great to see you today; here is the plan.” Those are words I have spoken to the past five American Presidents and many other world leaders as a photographer trusted to create iconic images that will stand the test of time. How did a kid from a...
CRISTÓBAL VIEDMA
CEO, LINGOKIDS
Esta ciudad, Madrid, lo supo bien durante la crisis del coronavirus, que no solo tuvo que parar con su ritmo ferviente tan característico, sino aprovechar la dificultad para reinventarse. En nuestro caso, como empresa afincada en Madrid, ¿qué hicimos para que en tan solo dos años, llegáramos a los hogares...
DK SUGIYAMA
BRIDGING WORLDS: FROM TOKYO TO THE FUTURE
DK Sugiyama’s journey across continents shapes his vision of tomorrow. Our dialogue explores the profound insights of a man whose life story reads like a blueprint for global connectivity and cultural integration. Born in Tokyo and having spent his formative years in New York, DK’s current focus is on Dubai,...
John G. Gatewood
CFP®, CLU®, President & Founder - Gatewood Wealth Management
When his military pension wasn’t enough to support our family, my father went into life insurance. He realized no one was coordinating all of the separate aspects of families’ financial planning. The Glass Steagall Act was still in effect, and it kept all financial companies separate; insurance was separate from...
Angelina Lawton
Founder - Sportsdigita
Experience Selling Is Here To StayWith the creativity of design professionals combined with the power of web-based analytics, we’ve been able to give leaders in organizations across the spectrum unparalleled opportunities to make presentations come alive. How? By transforming information and design into experiences that viewers can hear, see, and...
JASON ENGLISH
CHIEF ECOSYSTEM OFFICER, CG TECH
Governments worldwide are stepping up and playing a crucial role in enabling innovation in their parts of the world. Our leaders can and should do as much as possible to help small businesses, start ups and innovators succeed. These entrepreneurs are the life blood of our future economy. South Africa...
WILL BEOGLIN
CEO, TIMEDOC HEALTH
The healthcare sector is renowned for breathtaking innovations and technological advancement. We receive news of breakthroughs thought impossible a handful of years ago every day. The reality on the ground is slightly different. Roughly 10,000 new patients age into Medicare each day, drastically outnumbering the staff capable of serving their...
RUSS BLATTNER
CHAIRMAN & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AT SUPERWISE®
“Innovation in AI is not just about technology—it’s about trust. Without transparency, there is no adoption. Forrester, Gartner, and IDC emphasize that AI governance and accountability are now enterprise imperatives. Companies that ignore explainability will face declining adoption and increased regulatory scrutiny.” Innovation in AI is happening at a breakneck...
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...
TINA KOZAK
FRANCO - CEO
It’s an amazing time to be a Detroiter. Yes, the city has its fair share of challenges, but its reputation is on the rise. As noted in a recent PR News article about Detroit’s renaissance, “Behind every rehabbed reputation lies really hard work, dedicated individuals and, of course, some strategic...