Thought Leaders

INNOVATE® Nashville

SAMUEL “BO” BARTHOLOMEW

SAMUEL “BO” BARTHOLOMEW

CEO, EVIDENCECARE

There is more access to information and opinions than ever before in history. With this historic access, you’d think there’d be more visibility to leaders making a difference in the world. Instead, we have more talking heads, self-proclaimed experts, and self-promoted leaders competing for our attention over the airwaves. So...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

KÄDI RISTKOK

CEO, ESTONIAN CLEANTECH ASSOCIATION

The past decade has seen a lot of shifts in the world and this is also inherent in the cleantech sector. Cleantech is no longer defined solely by its sustainability goals; it is positioning itself as a foundational driver of resilience, autonomy, and transformation across industries. Clean technologies emerging in...

INNOVATE™ Alberta

REG JOSEPH

CEO, HEALTH CITIES

I have spent most of my career in health sciences and innovation in both Canada and the United States. As we grapple with the challenges in our health systems across Canada, it is clear to me that while there are several areas that need attention (including policy and new funding...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

SARI KITELYN

SARI KITELYN

DIRECTOR OF ESPORTS AND PROJECT DEVELOPMENT, FULL SAIL UNIVERSITY

Building a successful esports program requires a comprehensive, 360 plan to fully support all aspects of the industry. Most importantly and often overlooked – community. The gaming and esports community is the foundation of this explosive industry. Each game genre has unique community identities, and you’ll find both variations and...

INNOVATE® Tampa Bay Vol.3

LAKSHMI SHENOY

LAKSHMI SHENOY

CEO-EMBARC COLLECTIVE

REFLECTING ON THE CURVEBALLS OF 2020 For Embarc Collective, 2020 was defined as an exercise of turning obstacles into opportunity. In January we launched the final component of our value proposition, our 32,000-square-foot physical space. In doing this, we could finally bring our vision of making Embarc Collective the central...

INNOVATION Quebec

GRAHAM CARR

PRESIDENT & VICE-CHANCELLOR, CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY

Montreal is the city with the largest concentration of university students per capita in North America. It has a completely unique mix of French and English and attracts students from more than 155 countries worldwide. Montreal is not just Canada’s leading centre for university research, it’s a world leader in...

INNOVATE® Georgia

MATHEW WITTE

ORTEC AMERICAS - CHIEF COMMERCIAL OFFICER

Innovation. Optimization. Transformation. Those three words describe my unwavering passion for driving change at some of the biggest manufacturers and distributors across the globe. At ORTEC, we are not just in the business of providing advanced analytics and optimization – we are in the business of shaping the future, empowering...

INNOVATE™ Stockholm

STEFAN MORITZ

HEAD OF INNOVATION AT MAX MATTHIESSEN, KEYNOTE SPEAKER & PROFESSOR

Having worked around the globe, I choose Stockholm every time. Close to nature, stunning water all around, super digital, wellbeing and family focused. Also, I believe Stockholm is best placed to lead a united Europe in human-centric innovation. In a world grappling with profound shifts — from volatile stocks, climate,...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

ERKI ANI

CHAIRMAN OF THE SUPERVISORY BOARD, ESTONIAN CLEANTECH ASSOCIATION AND CO-FOUNDER & CEO, JÄLLE TECHNOLOGIES

The technologies that fall under its umbrella shift over time—new breakthroughs emerge, trends take the podium, and success stories in sector X blind us to what’s happening in sectors Y and Z. It gets even trickier when you realize cleantech isn’t just a sector—it’s a mindset. It’s a commitment to...

INNOVATIONS in Pharmaceutical Development®

INNOVATE™ Oeiras

JOÃO ALMEIDA LOPES

JOÃO ALMEIDA LOPES

PRESIDENTE DA DIRECÇÃO DA APIFARMA

Past conquests bear witness to the value and significance of scientific knowledge and leave no doubt than an innovative spirit is still the best answer to major challenges faced by humankind. In fact, innovation-friendly policies foster models of development based on people and are a recipe for prosperity. This is...

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® Orlando

David Brim

David Brim

Marketing Strategist, Entrepreneur, Investor & Founder - Orlando Entrepreneurs

David Brim is a marketing strategist, entrepreneur and investor living in Orlando, Florida. He is a founding partner of Orlando Opportunity Fund (OrlandoOpportunityFund.com), and the founder of Orlando Entrepreneurs (OrlandoEntrepreneurs.org), a network, podcast, and resource center created to connect, cultivate & celebrate Central Florida entrepreneurs. His primary professional focus areas...

INNOVATE® Maryland

CYNTHIA RIVARDE

CEO OF ROCKVILLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, INC. (REDI).

In an era where uncertainty is the new normal, the greatest asset a community can cultivate is not just data or infrastructure – it is creativity. And creativity does not emerge from a vacuum. It is nurtured in spaces where art, culture, and innovation intersect. Rockville is one of those...

INNOVATE® Minnesota

Shaye Mandle

Shaye Mandle

President & CEO - The Medical Alley Association

You might say modern healthcare was invented in Medical Alley more than 150 years ago when the Mayo Clinic set the standard for care delivery. The medical device industry was born here with Medtronic’s founding in 1949. When the relationship between payers and providers needed to change, HMOs were invented...

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® Washington DMV Edition

SEEMA ALEXANDER

PRESIDENT & CO-FOUNDER, VIRGENT AI

We are amid society’s most unprecedented era of technological innovation – the next industrial revolution driven by the mainstream adoption of artificial intelligence (AI). For CEOs, founders, and organization leaders, this period surpasses the advent and rise of the internet. New business categories will emerge, while many companies that resist...

INNOVATE™ Antwerp Vol.2

Fred Niemans

FRED NIEMANS

PRESIDENT, WORLD TRADE CENTER ANTWERP

 It’s not the strongest species that survives, nor is it the most intelligent one. It’s the species that has the ability to cope with drastic changes. That’s Darwinism in a nutshell. His ‘survival of the fittest’… also applies to the corporate ecosystem. Agility reduces fragility: the companies and organisations that...

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® Washington DMV Edition

DANTE DISPARTE

CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER AND HEAD OF GLOBAL POLICY AT CIRCLE

While many people are preoccupied about the potential risks if digital asset innovations succeed, what are the risks if we fail? Billions of people are relegated to the financial shadows because analog financial services have reached a point of diminishing returns, which would be a terrible societal outcome. I advocate...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

KRISTINA NOELL

ANACOSTIA BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Progress isn’t just a metric; it’s a mindset. I envision a world where art is at the heart of innovation, powering inclusive economic growth and nurturing a vibrant, diverse, and connected society. My journey has been fueled by a lifelong commitment to learning—both through formal education and the invaluable experiences...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

CLEMENT TSANG

CLEMENT TSANG

MANAGING DIRECTOR, AUSTRALIA

As of the writing of this article in October 2021, the Twitch Influencer payment hack was making its way through the metaverse, enabling a comparison between the compensation that influencers and broadcast anchors enjoy, and the relative engagement they have with theiraudiences and the business models that underpin their ecosystems...

INNOVATE™ Bristol & Bath

PROFESSOR IAN WHITE

PROFESSOR IAN WHITE

VICE-CHANCELLOR AND PRESIDENT, UNIVERSITY OF BATH

Innovation and collaboration will always be essential to power progress in our societies and I think are a crucial part of what universities in particular can offer in partnership with others. This is especially important now as we begin to recover from Covid-19, and I have been pleased to play...

INNOVATE® Phoenix

Todd Sanders

President & CEO - Greater Phoenix Chamber

Todd Sanders President & CEO – Greater Phoenix Chamber Every morning, as the sun rises above the mountains and the early morning city lights glitter with flashes of orange, we all wake up with a new chance—a fresh opportunity. Each sunrise in Phoenix, Arizona is the start of a new...

INNOVATE™ Bristol & Bath

Sacha Mirzoeff

Head Of Channel 4 Bristol

he human instinct to tell stories can be traced back millennia. From paintings on cave walls, to families huddled around campfires, to bingeable boxsets, storytelling is a thread woven deep into the fabric of human experience and often helps set our moral boundaries. The possibility of changing the way that...

SAMUEL “BO” BARTHOLOMEW

SAMUEL “BO” BARTHOLOMEW

CEO, EVIDENCECARE

There is more access to information and opinions than ever before in history. With this historic access, you’d think there’d be more visibility to leaders making a difference in the world. Instead, we have more talking heads, self-proclaimed experts, and self-promoted leaders competing for our attention over the airwaves. So...

KÄDI RISTKOK

CEO, ESTONIAN CLEANTECH ASSOCIATION

The past decade has seen a lot of shifts in the world and this is also inherent in the cleantech sector. Cleantech is no longer defined solely by its sustainability goals; it is positioning itself as a foundational driver of resilience, autonomy, and transformation across industries. Clean technologies emerging in...

REG JOSEPH

CEO, HEALTH CITIES

I have spent most of my career in health sciences and innovation in both Canada and the United States. As we grapple with the challenges in our health systems across Canada, it is clear to me that while there are several areas that need attention (including policy and new funding...

SARI KITELYN

SARI KITELYN

DIRECTOR OF ESPORTS AND PROJECT DEVELOPMENT, FULL SAIL UNIVERSITY

Building a successful esports program requires a comprehensive, 360 plan to fully support all aspects of the industry. Most importantly and often overlooked – community. The gaming and esports community is the foundation of this explosive industry. Each game genre has unique community identities, and you’ll find both variations and...

LAKSHMI SHENOY

LAKSHMI SHENOY

CEO-EMBARC COLLECTIVE

REFLECTING ON THE CURVEBALLS OF 2020 For Embarc Collective, 2020 was defined as an exercise of turning obstacles into opportunity. In January we launched the final component of our value proposition, our 32,000-square-foot physical space. In doing this, we could finally bring our vision of making Embarc Collective the central...

GRAHAM CARR

PRESIDENT & VICE-CHANCELLOR, CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY

Montreal is the city with the largest concentration of university students per capita in North America. It has a completely unique mix of French and English and attracts students from more than 155 countries worldwide. Montreal is not just Canada’s leading centre for university research, it’s a world leader in...

MATHEW WITTE

ORTEC AMERICAS - CHIEF COMMERCIAL OFFICER

Innovation. Optimization. Transformation. Those three words describe my unwavering passion for driving change at some of the biggest manufacturers and distributors across the globe. At ORTEC, we are not just in the business of providing advanced analytics and optimization – we are in the business of shaping the future, empowering...

STEFAN MORITZ

HEAD OF INNOVATION AT MAX MATTHIESSEN, KEYNOTE SPEAKER & PROFESSOR

Having worked around the globe, I choose Stockholm every time. Close to nature, stunning water all around, super digital, wellbeing and family focused. Also, I believe Stockholm is best placed to lead a united Europe in human-centric innovation. In a world grappling with profound shifts — from volatile stocks, climate,...

ERKI ANI

CHAIRMAN OF THE SUPERVISORY BOARD, ESTONIAN CLEANTECH ASSOCIATION AND CO-FOUNDER & CEO, JÄLLE TECHNOLOGIES

The technologies that fall under its umbrella shift over time—new breakthroughs emerge, trends take the podium, and success stories in sector X blind us to what’s happening in sectors Y and Z. It gets even trickier when you realize cleantech isn’t just a sector—it’s a mindset. It’s a commitment to...

JOÃO ALMEIDA LOPES

JOÃO ALMEIDA LOPES

PRESIDENTE DA DIRECÇÃO DA APIFARMA

Past conquests bear witness to the value and significance of scientific knowledge and leave no doubt than an innovative spirit is still the best answer to major challenges faced by humankind. In fact, innovation-friendly policies foster models of development based on people and are a recipe for prosperity. This is...

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 Brim

David Brim

Marketing Strategist, Entrepreneur, Investor & Founder - Orlando Entrepreneurs

David Brim is a marketing strategist, entrepreneur and investor living in Orlando, Florida. He is a founding partner of Orlando Opportunity Fund (OrlandoOpportunityFund.com), and the founder of Orlando Entrepreneurs (OrlandoEntrepreneurs.org), a network, podcast, and resource center created to connect, cultivate & celebrate Central Florida entrepreneurs. His primary professional focus areas...

CYNTHIA RIVARDE

CEO OF ROCKVILLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, INC. (REDI).

In an era where uncertainty is the new normal, the greatest asset a community can cultivate is not just data or infrastructure – it is creativity. And creativity does not emerge from a vacuum. It is nurtured in spaces where art, culture, and innovation intersect. Rockville is one of those...

Shaye Mandle

Shaye Mandle

President & CEO - The Medical Alley Association

You might say modern healthcare was invented in Medical Alley more than 150 years ago when the Mayo Clinic set the standard for care delivery. The medical device industry was born here with Medtronic’s founding in 1949. When the relationship between payers and providers needed to change, HMOs were invented...

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....

SEEMA ALEXANDER

PRESIDENT & CO-FOUNDER, VIRGENT AI

We are amid society’s most unprecedented era of technological innovation – the next industrial revolution driven by the mainstream adoption of artificial intelligence (AI). For CEOs, founders, and organization leaders, this period surpasses the advent and rise of the internet. New business categories will emerge, while many companies that resist...

Fred Niemans

FRED NIEMANS

PRESIDENT, WORLD TRADE CENTER ANTWERP

 It’s not the strongest species that survives, nor is it the most intelligent one. It’s the species that has the ability to cope with drastic changes. That’s Darwinism in a nutshell. His ‘survival of the fittest’… also applies to the corporate ecosystem. Agility reduces fragility: the companies and organisations that...

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...

DANTE DISPARTE

CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER AND HEAD OF GLOBAL POLICY AT CIRCLE

While many people are preoccupied about the potential risks if digital asset innovations succeed, what are the risks if we fail? Billions of people are relegated to the financial shadows because analog financial services have reached a point of diminishing returns, which would be a terrible societal outcome. I advocate...

KRISTINA NOELL

ANACOSTIA BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Progress isn’t just a metric; it’s a mindset. I envision a world where art is at the heart of innovation, powering inclusive economic growth and nurturing a vibrant, diverse, and connected society. My journey has been fueled by a lifelong commitment to learning—both through formal education and the invaluable experiences...

CLEMENT TSANG

CLEMENT TSANG

MANAGING DIRECTOR, AUSTRALIA

As of the writing of this article in October 2021, the Twitch Influencer payment hack was making its way through the metaverse, enabling a comparison between the compensation that influencers and broadcast anchors enjoy, and the relative engagement they have with theiraudiences and the business models that underpin their ecosystems...

PROFESSOR IAN WHITE

PROFESSOR IAN WHITE

VICE-CHANCELLOR AND PRESIDENT, UNIVERSITY OF BATH

Innovation and collaboration will always be essential to power progress in our societies and I think are a crucial part of what universities in particular can offer in partnership with others. This is especially important now as we begin to recover from Covid-19, and I have been pleased to play...

Todd Sanders

President & CEO - Greater Phoenix Chamber

Todd Sanders President & CEO – Greater Phoenix Chamber Every morning, as the sun rises above the mountains and the early morning city lights glitter with flashes of orange, we all wake up with a new chance—a fresh opportunity. Each sunrise in Phoenix, Arizona is the start of a new...

Sacha Mirzoeff

Head Of Channel 4 Bristol

he human instinct to tell stories can be traced back millennia. From paintings on cave walls, to families huddled around campfires, to bingeable boxsets, storytelling is a thread woven deep into the fabric of human experience and often helps set our moral boundaries. The possibility of changing the way that...

INNOVATE® Ecosystems