Thought Leaders
INNOVATE™ Estonia
PROF. MART USTAV
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, ICOSAGEN GROUP
I studied molecular science because I wanted to understand how things work. I built a strong knowledge of molecular processes, but the turning point came when my mother was diagnosed with melanoma. I could explain the disease in detail, but I couldn’t change its course. That loss shifted my focus...
INNOVATE™ Flanders
DR THIERRY VANELSLANDER
PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT AND REGIONAL ECONOMICS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ANTWERP
When I started working at TPR in 1998, transport and logistics was mostly a phenomenon split up according to the modes, not featuring that much public attention, and not that innovative. All that has changed a lot over the past two decades. Multimodality has changed into intermodality and more recently...
INNOVATE® Milwaukee
DEEPAK ARORA
FOUNDER, PRESIDENT & CEO OF WEAR-TECH
I was born to be an entrepreneur. But I didn’t feel the urgency to step into that role until tragedy struck. In that moment, everything changed. Technology is in my DNA, and I want to use it to make the planet a better place. I realized that technology isn’t just...
INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2
MICHAEL E. ZWICK
RUTGERS UNIVERSITY SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT FOR RESEARCH
Research, discoveries, innovations, and solutions define the Rutgers research enterprise. That is why my vision, and the mission of the Rutgers Office for Research, is to support the research, scholarship, and creative endeavors of all Rutgers faculty. Since joining Rutgers as the Senior Vice President for Research in 2021, I...
INNOVATE® Milwaukee
Ryne Cooper
Director of Growth at Data Holdings
Innovation is not the work of one person. It happens when people come together, share ideas, and support each other. Milwaukee is full of individuals and organizations pushing boundaries, taking risks, and making an impact. The real strength of this city lies in its people, their resilience, creativity, and willingness...
VOICES of the Future
LARA TABET
THE INFLUENTIAL PERSONALITY
In the glittering world of luxury and fashion, Lara Tabet emerges as a pioneering force, seamlessly bridging her Swiss-honed hospitality expertise with the dynamic UAE high-end restaurant industry. Her transformation into a media icon, marked by her roles with ‘Societe’ and ‘City Women,’ has seen her engage with global celebrities...
INNOVATE® Gainesville
Innovation Starts with Culture-BuildingThe greater Gainesville area is abuzz with growth, development and activity. From the expansion of major entertainment, restaurant and retail hubs, to the launch of technology start-ups, to the relocation of major biotechnology and life science firms to our area, it’s an exciting time. Innovation is at...
INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition
JEAN C. ACCIUS
PHD, PRESIDENT & CEO, CHC: CREATING HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES
Time is our most valuable asset. Once you lose it, you never get it back. Yet, millions of people across our country are robbed of priceless time. A Tale of Two CitiesIn the United States, there’s a strong likelihood that a person in one city might live 20 years longer...
INNOVATE™ Montréal
Carl Baillargeon
Communications and Marketing Director - Technoparc Montréal
English: It’s a park. It’s techno. The Technoparc is relaxed and peaceful. The site is also green. Very green. With a huge proportion of green space and protected zones, located between areas of concrete omnipresence, the feel of nature is flagrant and fragrant. A perfect setting for companies and...
VOICES of the Future
DR. CORRIE BLOCK
COACHING SUCCESS
In a world yearning for guidance, Dr. Corrie Block emerges as a lighthouse of hope and transformation. Our conversation, steeped in the urgency of our era, unveils a brilliant mind and a visionary heart. As we delve into his insights, it becomes clear that Dr. Block doesn’t just see the...
INNOVATE™ Adelaide
PROFESSOR SIMON LUCEY
DIRECTOR, AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE FOR MACHINE LEARNING (AIML), THE UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE
Not only does Adelaide offer a great lifestyle and work-life balance for families, but in my field—artificial intelligence (AI)— the Australian Institute for Machine Learning (AIML) helps position the city as a global leader in research and innovation excellence. I’ve had the privilege of visiting many of the leading AI...
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® Gainesville
Christine E. Schmidt
J. Crayton Pruitt Family Chair & Department Chair Of Biomedical Engineering - University Of Florida
One of the most important jobs of any leader is to create a vision for what they want to accomplish and to implement a realistic plan to realize that vision. It was fundamentally important to me in executing my vision to identify what voices were not being heard and to...
INNOVATE® Northern Virginia
CRAIG CHASON
LEADER & PARTNER, PILLSBURY’S NORTHERN VIRGINIA CORPORATE GROUP
When people talk about innovation, they often focus on the breakthrough idea or the individual who disrupted an industry. While those moments capture headlines, I believe innovation truly begins with cultivating a dynamic business community – one that brings together curious minds who might not otherwise cross paths. You want...
Angela Renick
Owner - A`Vie Events
Angela Renick Owner – A`Vie Events Angela Renick has been planning events in Gainesville for 30 years. She began in 1996 with a part-time wedding coordination business, which has continued to expand over the years. She has planned many events along the way during these years. In 2005, she opened...
INNOVATION Quebec
RÉMI QUIRION
SCIENTIFIQUE EN CHEF DU QUÉBEC
RÉMI QUIRION, SCIENTIFIQUE EN CHEF DU QUÉBEC, LUC SIROIS, INNOVATEUR EN CHEF DU QUÉBEC, SYLVIE PINSONNAULT, PREMIÈRE VICE-PRÉSIDENTE, STRATÉGIES, INNOVATION ET DÉVELOPPEMENT DURABLE. At the opening of the Sommet des accélérateurs, organized by the Mouvement des accélérateurs d’innovation du Québec, Rémi Quirion, Quebec’s Chief Scientist, Luc Sirois, Quebec’s Chief Innovator,...
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...
INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2
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® South Florida
BETH WAGMEISTER
CEO, WAG - WORKPLACE ACCESSIBILITY GROUP
BREAKING BARRIERS: HOW THE WAG EMPOWERS BUSINESSES TO CREATE INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENTS Accessibility as a Catalyst for Innovation In the United States, the employment disparity between deaf and hearing individuals highlights a significant accessibility gap. According to the National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes (NDC), only 48% of deaf individuals aged...
INNOVATE™ Stockholm
KATARINA GOSPIC
CO-FOUNDER, EDSVÄRD
FROM STRAWBERRIES TO THE STATES One of my first memories from when I was about 4-years old is about strawberries. I used to close my eyes and imagined one, then another. This little thought experiment was something I became obsessed with. I wanted to be like Lucky Luke, faster than...
INNOVATE™ Bristol & Bath
MAX BROWN
Vice President Horizon 3 Technology
Although the aerospace industry finds itself in unprecedented times, at GKN Aerospace we have much to be excited about. Over the past 12 months we have maintained an important balance, with a firm focus on our short-term priorities in response to the corona virus pandemic, alongside continued support for our...
INNOVATE® Jacksonville
Jim Stallings
CEO - PS27 Ventures
What is your vision for startup culture in Jacksonville? I believe Jax will become a first-tier city for entrepreneurs. We’re well on our way, there’s tremendous momentum and interest. We have all of the basics in place. We’ve been gifted a great natural environment that is a great place to...
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™ Adelaide
HON NICK CHAMPION
MINISTER FOR TRADE AND INVESTMENT
Adelaide and our surrounds are famous for world-class wine, food and cultural attractions and iconic nature experiences. With our close proximity city, abundance of green spaces, world-class vineyards, bustling festival seasons, and pristine beaches, there is no doubt that Adelaide is a great place to live, work and play. But...
PROF. MART USTAV
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, ICOSAGEN GROUP
I studied molecular science because I wanted to understand how things work. I built a strong knowledge of molecular processes, but the turning point came when my mother was diagnosed with melanoma. I could explain the disease in detail, but I couldn’t change its course. That loss shifted my focus...
DR THIERRY VANELSLANDER
PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT AND REGIONAL ECONOMICS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ANTWERP
When I started working at TPR in 1998, transport and logistics was mostly a phenomenon split up according to the modes, not featuring that much public attention, and not that innovative. All that has changed a lot over the past two decades. Multimodality has changed into intermodality and more recently...
DEEPAK ARORA
FOUNDER, PRESIDENT & CEO OF WEAR-TECH
I was born to be an entrepreneur. But I didn’t feel the urgency to step into that role until tragedy struck. In that moment, everything changed. Technology is in my DNA, and I want to use it to make the planet a better place. I realized that technology isn’t just...
MICHAEL E. ZWICK
RUTGERS UNIVERSITY SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT FOR RESEARCH
Research, discoveries, innovations, and solutions define the Rutgers research enterprise. That is why my vision, and the mission of the Rutgers Office for Research, is to support the research, scholarship, and creative endeavors of all Rutgers faculty. Since joining Rutgers as the Senior Vice President for Research in 2021, I...
Ryne Cooper
Director of Growth at Data Holdings
Innovation is not the work of one person. It happens when people come together, share ideas, and support each other. Milwaukee is full of individuals and organizations pushing boundaries, taking risks, and making an impact. The real strength of this city lies in its people, their resilience, creativity, and willingness...
LARA TABET
THE INFLUENTIAL PERSONALITY
In the glittering world of luxury and fashion, Lara Tabet emerges as a pioneering force, seamlessly bridging her Swiss-honed hospitality expertise with the dynamic UAE high-end restaurant industry. Her transformation into a media icon, marked by her roles with ‘Societe’ and ‘City Women,’ has seen her engage with global celebrities...
Innovation Starts with Culture-BuildingThe greater Gainesville area is abuzz with growth, development and activity. From the expansion of major entertainment, restaurant and retail hubs, to the launch of technology start-ups, to the relocation of major biotechnology and life science firms to our area, it’s an exciting time. Innovation is at...
JEAN C. ACCIUS
PHD, PRESIDENT & CEO, CHC: CREATING HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES
Time is our most valuable asset. Once you lose it, you never get it back. Yet, millions of people across our country are robbed of priceless time. A Tale of Two CitiesIn the United States, there’s a strong likelihood that a person in one city might live 20 years longer...
Carl Baillargeon
Communications and Marketing Director - Technoparc Montréal
English: It’s a park. It’s techno. The Technoparc is relaxed and peaceful. The site is also green. Very green. With a huge proportion of green space and protected zones, located between areas of concrete omnipresence, the feel of nature is flagrant and fragrant. A perfect setting for companies and...
DR. CORRIE BLOCK
COACHING SUCCESS
In a world yearning for guidance, Dr. Corrie Block emerges as a lighthouse of hope and transformation. Our conversation, steeped in the urgency of our era, unveils a brilliant mind and a visionary heart. As we delve into his insights, it becomes clear that Dr. Block doesn’t just see the...
PROFESSOR SIMON LUCEY
DIRECTOR, AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE FOR MACHINE LEARNING (AIML), THE UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE
Not only does Adelaide offer a great lifestyle and work-life balance for families, but in my field—artificial intelligence (AI)— the Australian Institute for Machine Learning (AIML) helps position the city as a global leader in research and innovation excellence. I’ve had the privilege of visiting many of the leading AI...
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...
Christine E. Schmidt
J. Crayton Pruitt Family Chair & Department Chair Of Biomedical Engineering - University Of Florida
One of the most important jobs of any leader is to create a vision for what they want to accomplish and to implement a realistic plan to realize that vision. It was fundamentally important to me in executing my vision to identify what voices were not being heard and to...
CRAIG CHASON
LEADER & PARTNER, PILLSBURY’S NORTHERN VIRGINIA CORPORATE GROUP
When people talk about innovation, they often focus on the breakthrough idea or the individual who disrupted an industry. While those moments capture headlines, I believe innovation truly begins with cultivating a dynamic business community – one that brings together curious minds who might not otherwise cross paths. You want...
Angela Renick
Owner - A`Vie Events
Angela Renick Owner – A`Vie Events Angela Renick has been planning events in Gainesville for 30 years. She began in 1996 with a part-time wedding coordination business, which has continued to expand over the years. She has planned many events along the way during these years. In 2005, she opened...
RÉMI QUIRION
SCIENTIFIQUE EN CHEF DU QUÉBEC
RÉMI QUIRION, SCIENTIFIQUE EN CHEF DU QUÉBEC, LUC SIROIS, INNOVATEUR EN CHEF DU QUÉBEC, SYLVIE PINSONNAULT, PREMIÈRE VICE-PRÉSIDENTE, STRATÉGIES, INNOVATION ET DÉVELOPPEMENT DURABLE. At the opening of the Sommet des accélérateurs, organized by the Mouvement des accélérateurs d’innovation du Québec, Rémi Quirion, Quebec’s Chief Scientist, Luc Sirois, Quebec’s Chief Innovator,...
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...
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...
BETH WAGMEISTER
CEO, WAG - WORKPLACE ACCESSIBILITY GROUP
BREAKING BARRIERS: HOW THE WAG EMPOWERS BUSINESSES TO CREATE INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENTS Accessibility as a Catalyst for Innovation In the United States, the employment disparity between deaf and hearing individuals highlights a significant accessibility gap. According to the National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes (NDC), only 48% of deaf individuals aged...
KATARINA GOSPIC
CO-FOUNDER, EDSVÄRD
FROM STRAWBERRIES TO THE STATES One of my first memories from when I was about 4-years old is about strawberries. I used to close my eyes and imagined one, then another. This little thought experiment was something I became obsessed with. I wanted to be like Lucky Luke, faster than...
MAX BROWN
Vice President Horizon 3 Technology
Although the aerospace industry finds itself in unprecedented times, at GKN Aerospace we have much to be excited about. Over the past 12 months we have maintained an important balance, with a firm focus on our short-term priorities in response to the corona virus pandemic, alongside continued support for our...
Jim Stallings
CEO - PS27 Ventures
What is your vision for startup culture in Jacksonville? I believe Jax will become a first-tier city for entrepreneurs. We’re well on our way, there’s tremendous momentum and interest. We have all of the basics in place. We’ve been gifted a great natural environment that is a great place to...
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,...
HON NICK CHAMPION
MINISTER FOR TRADE AND INVESTMENT
Adelaide and our surrounds are famous for world-class wine, food and cultural attractions and iconic nature experiences. With our close proximity city, abundance of green spaces, world-class vineyards, bustling festival seasons, and pristine beaches, there is no doubt that Adelaide is a great place to live, work and play. But...