Thought Leaders

VOICES of the Future

DR. MARIAM MATAR

A LEGACY OF HEALING

Connecting with hearts and humanity is the motivation behind ‘Voices of the Future.’ When meeting people as authentic, deep, insightful, and purposeful as Dr. Mariam Matar, our conversation can project her voice into the future – and the hearts of many more people. While she describes herself as a proud...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

KGOMOTSO LEKOLA

KGOMOTSO LEKOLA

FOUNDER & GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR, BT INDUSTRIAL GROUP

We have to rethink our national strategy for growth, meaningful economic participation of blacks and job creation; it’s not just about funding and quality of education. I argue that South Africa is a sleeping giant ready to take on the world; we may just be waiting for the right moment...

INNOVATE® Orlando

Frank DiBello

Frank DiBello

President & Chief Executive Officer - Space Florida

Frank DiBello, Space Florida President and CEO, was selected in May 2009 to lead Space Florida, which is the principal state agency for aerospace-related economic development, and the Space Authority for the State of Florida. In his position, he develops and executes programs designed to attract, retain and grow aerospace...

INNOVATION Quebec

KATHY MALAS

Adjointe au Président-directeur général, Pôle d’Innovation

Adjointe au Président-directeur général, Pôle d’Innovation, d’intelligence artificielle et de Projets, direction générale, Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM). Membre du conseil d’admisnistration, Conseil de l’innovation du Québec. Membre du conseil d’administration, Quartier de l’innovation en santé. Chercheuse professionnelle de la santé, Axe Carrefour de l’innovation, CRCHUM. Professeure associée,...

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...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

DEREK WATFORD

DEREK WATFORD

HIGH POINT GAMER

  Pioneering Esports has been a journey filled with many lessons on the upside and downside of innovation. I have learned that innovation can be a lonely place for a visionary. I established my presence in the Esports industry early on by co-founding High Point Gamer (HPG) to produce competitive...

INNOVATE™ Flanders

FRANÇOIS DE VRIENDT

OWNER OF NEW VALMAR

Perspectives on InnovationTo thrive in today’s competitive business landscape, SMES must embrace automation and streamline all its processes to ensure cost-effectiveness and compatibility with other players in the market. At New Valmar, we understand this well and have made significant investments in cutting edge technologies that augment our Enterprise Resource...

INNOVATE® Nashville

LAURIE OSWALD

CEO, INTERAWORKS AND CO-FOUNDER, BEST YEAR YET FOUNDATION

LEADING THE NEXT WAVE IN BUSINESSWe are in a huge change moment equal to the Renaissance and the Industrial revolution. The way we have always done business cannot continue to work in this new environment. The focus must move away from expecting employees to serve the company with no reciprocity...

INNOVATE™ Adelaide

ANTHONY KITTEL

MANAGING DIRECTOR, REDARC

It’s rare these days to come across a business that doesn’t refer to itself as innovative. Unfortunately it’s become a far too common marketing term used without any real accountability attached or underlying evidence. True innovation is a clear comparative advantage in an increasingly globally competitive environment. It is incredibly...

INNOVATE™ Adelaide

HEATHER CROALL

DIRECTOR AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE, ADELAIDE FRINGE

Innovation is a core value at Adelaide Fringe. It’s something I’ve focused on since I took on the role as Director and Chief Executive in 2015, implementing an agile and inclusive model to help artists, producers and presenters thrive in South Australia’s arts industry. Adelaide is the ultimate city for...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

Melissa Bradley

Professor of the Practice, Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business

Melissa Bradley is a professor of the practice at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business, where she teaches impact investing, social entrepreneurship, P2P economics, and innovation. Since graduating from Georgetown McDonough in 1989 with a B.S. in finance, Bradley has remained passionate about preserving the strength of the American financial...

INNOVATE™ Adelaide

JO CLOSE

DIRECTOR OF THE ADELAIDE INTERMEDIARY PROGRAM, MTPCONNECT

Innovation – turning a great idea into a new, accessible product or service – never occurs in isolation. It needs collaboration which is sparked by connection. In health and medical innovation, we talk about the globally connected ecosystem because ours is a global endeavour that requires collegial bright minds, significant...

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® New Jersey Vol.2

THERESA A LYONS

FOUNDER, LYONS & ASSOCIATES, P.C.

A LEGACY IN THE MAKINGOur clients are the heartbeat of our existence. They remind us why we chose this path. They are the reason we fight, innovate, and care. We carry their battles as if they were our own because, in truth, they are. The discipline of law falls under...

INNOVATE® Seattle

LAURA RUDERMAN

CEO, TECHNOLOGY ALLIANCE

One of the most pressing challenges is the need for an educated workforce, particularly amid a changing understanding of what that means. Over the last 20 years, creating that workforce centered on STEM fields and getting a bachelor’s degree. It is time to move beyond the “hard hats vs. high...

INNOVATE® Georgia

LEVI PERKINS

CEO, HANNIBAL AI

When in the shadows of giants, we assume the path to success is to stand on their shoulders. But in the world of technology, I’ve found that it’s not enough to just stand tall; we must also be nimble, ready to jump to the next giant as the ground shifts...

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® Philadelphia

Bill Marvin

Instamed - Bill Marvin - President

President, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder

I have had the privilege to work in healthcare for over 25 years. Major shifts in the industry, particularly the trend of rising out-of-pocket costs for consumers starting in the mid-1990s, have created opportunities for real innovation.   A massive change in the industry and my career trajectory came in...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

Mike Carter

CEO at eGroup

Ideas matter. They spark possibility and set direction. But what transforms possibility into progress is the steady, deliberate work that follows. Over time, I’ve come to believe that the most innovative organizations are not defined by moments of brilliance, but by their commitment to doing the right things, the right...

INNOVATE® Minnesota

Keith Tanski

Keith Tanski

CTO - Optum

Innovation to me is working to never settle… and to continually be obsessive over creating a continued better experience and product. This means that status quos need to continually obsess over all spectrums and that we need to realize that the greatness that got us to this point will not...

INNOVATE® Tampa Bay Vol.3

MARLENE SPALTEN

PRESIDENT & CEO OF THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF TAMPA BAY

The COVID-19 pandemic affirmed what I’ve long believed: Crisis brings out the best in those who truly care about their community – and philanthropy is the place to turn both for immediate help and long-term resiliency. Philanthropy creates hope for those in need, and it creates a stronger connection between...

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® Detroit

Fr. Tim McCabe, SJ

President & CEO, Pope Francis Center

When I arrived at the Pope Francis Center in downtown Detroit in 2015, our focus was on providing food and a space for respite for our friends experiencing homelessness. I quickly realized that while providing immediate relief is critical to staying alive, we were not doing enough to make a...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

KIRSTY BISSET

KIRSTY BISSET

MANAGING DIRECTOR, HAVEYOUHEARD DURBAN

I’m a serial tech entrepreneur with eight (8) businesses under my belt – one (1) of which I still own, two (2) of which have been successfully sold, one (1) which has failed, and four (4) in which I hold shares. With recognition from the likes of Fast Company, Destiny...

DR. MARIAM MATAR

A LEGACY OF HEALING

Connecting with hearts and humanity is the motivation behind ‘Voices of the Future.’ When meeting people as authentic, deep, insightful, and purposeful as Dr. Mariam Matar, our conversation can project her voice into the future – and the hearts of many more people. While she describes herself as a proud...

KGOMOTSO LEKOLA

KGOMOTSO LEKOLA

FOUNDER & GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR, BT INDUSTRIAL GROUP

We have to rethink our national strategy for growth, meaningful economic participation of blacks and job creation; it’s not just about funding and quality of education. I argue that South Africa is a sleeping giant ready to take on the world; we may just be waiting for the right moment...

Frank DiBello

Frank DiBello

President & Chief Executive Officer - Space Florida

Frank DiBello, Space Florida President and CEO, was selected in May 2009 to lead Space Florida, which is the principal state agency for aerospace-related economic development, and the Space Authority for the State of Florida. In his position, he develops and executes programs designed to attract, retain and grow aerospace...

KATHY MALAS

Adjointe au Président-directeur général, Pôle d’Innovation

Adjointe au Président-directeur général, Pôle d’Innovation, d’intelligence artificielle et de Projets, direction générale, Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM). Membre du conseil d’admisnistration, Conseil de l’innovation du Québec. Membre du conseil d’administration, Quartier de l’innovation en santé. Chercheuse professionnelle de la santé, Axe Carrefour de l’innovation, CRCHUM. Professeure associée,...

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...

DEREK WATFORD

DEREK WATFORD

HIGH POINT GAMER

  Pioneering Esports has been a journey filled with many lessons on the upside and downside of innovation. I have learned that innovation can be a lonely place for a visionary. I established my presence in the Esports industry early on by co-founding High Point Gamer (HPG) to produce competitive...

FRANÇOIS DE VRIENDT

OWNER OF NEW VALMAR

Perspectives on InnovationTo thrive in today’s competitive business landscape, SMES must embrace automation and streamline all its processes to ensure cost-effectiveness and compatibility with other players in the market. At New Valmar, we understand this well and have made significant investments in cutting edge technologies that augment our Enterprise Resource...

LAURIE OSWALD

CEO, INTERAWORKS AND CO-FOUNDER, BEST YEAR YET FOUNDATION

LEADING THE NEXT WAVE IN BUSINESSWe are in a huge change moment equal to the Renaissance and the Industrial revolution. The way we have always done business cannot continue to work in this new environment. The focus must move away from expecting employees to serve the company with no reciprocity...

ANTHONY KITTEL

MANAGING DIRECTOR, REDARC

It’s rare these days to come across a business that doesn’t refer to itself as innovative. Unfortunately it’s become a far too common marketing term used without any real accountability attached or underlying evidence. True innovation is a clear comparative advantage in an increasingly globally competitive environment. It is incredibly...

HEATHER CROALL

DIRECTOR AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE, ADELAIDE FRINGE

Innovation is a core value at Adelaide Fringe. It’s something I’ve focused on since I took on the role as Director and Chief Executive in 2015, implementing an agile and inclusive model to help artists, producers and presenters thrive in South Australia’s arts industry. Adelaide is the ultimate city for...

Melissa Bradley

Professor of the Practice, Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business

Melissa Bradley is a professor of the practice at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business, where she teaches impact investing, social entrepreneurship, P2P economics, and innovation. Since graduating from Georgetown McDonough in 1989 with a B.S. in finance, Bradley has remained passionate about preserving the strength of the American financial...

JO CLOSE

DIRECTOR OF THE ADELAIDE INTERMEDIARY PROGRAM, MTPCONNECT

Innovation – turning a great idea into a new, accessible product or service – never occurs in isolation. It needs collaboration which is sparked by connection. In health and medical innovation, we talk about the globally connected ecosystem because ours is a global endeavour that requires collegial bright minds, significant...

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...

THERESA A LYONS

FOUNDER, LYONS & ASSOCIATES, P.C.

A LEGACY IN THE MAKINGOur clients are the heartbeat of our existence. They remind us why we chose this path. They are the reason we fight, innovate, and care. We carry their battles as if they were our own because, in truth, they are. The discipline of law falls under...

LAURA RUDERMAN

CEO, TECHNOLOGY ALLIANCE

One of the most pressing challenges is the need for an educated workforce, particularly amid a changing understanding of what that means. Over the last 20 years, creating that workforce centered on STEM fields and getting a bachelor’s degree. It is time to move beyond the “hard hats vs. high...

LEVI PERKINS

CEO, HANNIBAL AI

When in the shadows of giants, we assume the path to success is to stand on their shoulders. But in the world of technology, I’ve found that it’s not enough to just stand tall; we must also be nimble, ready to jump to the next giant as the ground shifts...

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,...

Bill Marvin

Instamed - Bill Marvin - President

President, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder

I have had the privilege to work in healthcare for over 25 years. Major shifts in the industry, particularly the trend of rising out-of-pocket costs for consumers starting in the mid-1990s, have created opportunities for real innovation.   A massive change in the industry and my career trajectory came in...

Mike Carter

CEO at eGroup

Ideas matter. They spark possibility and set direction. But what transforms possibility into progress is the steady, deliberate work that follows. Over time, I’ve come to believe that the most innovative organizations are not defined by moments of brilliance, but by their commitment to doing the right things, the right...

Keith Tanski

Keith Tanski

CTO - Optum

Innovation to me is working to never settle… and to continually be obsessive over creating a continued better experience and product. This means that status quos need to continually obsess over all spectrums and that we need to realize that the greatness that got us to this point will not...

MARLENE SPALTEN

PRESIDENT & CEO OF THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF TAMPA BAY

The COVID-19 pandemic affirmed what I’ve long believed: Crisis brings out the best in those who truly care about their community – and philanthropy is the place to turn both for immediate help and long-term resiliency. Philanthropy creates hope for those in need, and it creates a stronger connection between...

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...

Fr. Tim McCabe, SJ

President & CEO, Pope Francis Center

When I arrived at the Pope Francis Center in downtown Detroit in 2015, our focus was on providing food and a space for respite for our friends experiencing homelessness. I quickly realized that while providing immediate relief is critical to staying alive, we were not doing enough to make a...

KIRSTY BISSET

KIRSTY BISSET

MANAGING DIRECTOR, HAVEYOUHEARD DURBAN

I’m a serial tech entrepreneur with eight (8) businesses under my belt – one (1) of which I still own, two (2) of which have been successfully sold, one (1) which has failed, and four (4) in which I hold shares. With recognition from the likes of Fast Company, Destiny...

INNOVATE® Ecosystems