Thought Leaders
INNOVATE™ Oeiras
ROGÉRIO COLAÇO
DEAN, INSTITUTO SUPERIOR TÉCNICO
At Instituto Superior Técnico we believe that although we cannot do more than the bigger ones, although we cannot do better than the best ones, we could be at least as big as the bigger ones and as best as the best ones. And we also believe that we can...
INNOVATE® Jacksonville
Carlton Robinson
Vice President - Jax Chamber Entrepreneurial Growth Division
After working in financial services for 10 years, I decided to leave and start my own business. I built on my strength of providing quality training and focused the business on building learning-management systems. I spent seven years building systems for small and large companies. An opportunity at the JAX...
INNOVATE® Milwaukee
SID BHATNAGAR
CEO AT ASQ
We are living in a defining moment for our global workforce. The convergence of rapid technological advancement, economic uncertainty, and evolving societal expectations transforms how we work, learn, and lead. Two forces are more critical than ever: continuous upskilling and staying grounded in community. These aren’t just buzzwords. Upskilling and...
INNOVATE® Nashville
ROD MCDANIEL
CEO, S3 RECYCLING SOLUTIONS
My career in the electronics recycling industry is a vehicle to fund my passion. Yes, it excites me to have a profession that reduces e-waste and creates a more sustainable planet. But my true passion is giving back to my community and putting technology in the hands of people who...
INNOVATE® Tampa Bay Vol.3
Robert H. Bishop
Dean Of The College Of Engineering At USF
The College of Engineering at the University of South Florida is at the forefront of engineering research and education, cultivating knowledgeable, passionate engineers who are dedicated to needs-based, solutions-oriented engineering. We are innovators. We are explorers. For us, it’s all about helping people. After more than fifty years of pursuing...
INNOVATE™ Estonia
KADI PÄRNITS
CHAIRMAN OF THE MANAGEMENT BOARD, MAINOR AS, ÜLEMISTE CITY.
When I joined Ülemiste City the vision of a smart city for smart people was already in place. Today, the vision has grown into a future-focused urban environment with 18 000 talents from more than 73 countries and 400 companies. Based on the labor tax from business ventures, the contribution...
INNOVATE™ Adelaide
AARON HICKMANN
FOUNDER, VALO
PUTTING SOUTH AUSTRALIA IN THE SPOTLIGHTI’ve never watched the world go by without wanting to stick my hand up and disrupt proceedings. At school I was the one with the locker full of PlayStation memory cards, running my own business and disrupting. School students are supposed to sit and learn,...
Global Innovation Spotlight
LAUREN S MOORES
PHD DIGITAL INNOVATION LEADER, TEACHING FELLOW AT HARVARD BUSINESS ANALYTICS PROGRAM, USA FOR UNHCR
Digital transformation is a 20th century phenomena. As an early adopter of new technologies – and the digital age – I quickly embraced digital data structures and tend to think in data matrices, looking for the data keys to join data and discover new patterns. When I look to create...
INNOVATE® Milwaukee
Mara Lord
Chief Strategy and Growth Officer at MCW
Innovation is more than a buzzword—it’s a mindset, a movement; in Milwaukee, it’s a way of life. At the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), we’re not just imagining a healthier future—we’re building it. And we’re doing it with purpose, collaboration, and the grit that defines Wisconsin. Leading Through Collaboration Wisconsin...
INNOVATE™ South Africa
LUIS RODRIGUEZ
MANAGING DIRECTOR, ACCENTURE STRATEGY IN AFRICA
Demystifying innovation is trying to break it into what we see are the building blocks of getting from creating ideas to realising the value of innovation. There are three parts to it, and these are not necessarily sequential – ideating and shaping, designing and killing ideas and lastly scaling. Many...
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™ Stockholm
ÅSA ZETTERBERG
CEO, TECHSVERIGE
Sweden has long been a pioneer in technology and innovation. From Ericsson to Spotify, Klarna and Recorded Future, Swedish companies have helped put us on the global tech map. Today, tech is more than a growth sector—it’s a foundation for our economy and society. The numbers speak for themselves. Sweden’s...
INNOVATE™ Antwerp Vol.2
WARD KENNES
MAYOR OF KASTERLEE
In October 2019, together with the Regional Platform Kempen, we organized a two-day “Future Forum” on the future of our region Kempen. The Regional Platform Kempen is a socio-economic consultative body of Kempen MPs, provincial and local administrators together with social partners. During this Future Forum, some 80 people brainstormed...
INNOVATE™ Estonia
MARILIIS PIKKAR
FOUNDER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR, MARIMO
When I founded Marimo, I wasn’t just building a fashion brand—I was creating a different kind of experience for women. One that respects their time, individuality, and values. To me, true luxury is about knowing who you are and choosing pieces that reflect that. What I’m most proud of is...
AI Québec
PHILIPPE MOLARET
DIRECTEUR TECHNIQUE CHEZ THALES
Elle vise l’accroissement des capacités opérationnelles dans plusieurs secteurs d’application tels que la santé, la sécurité, ou le transport. L’agent intelligent que nous développons n’est pas qu’un ‘simple’ double numérique. L’Agent couvre trois fonctionnalités; 1) une veille permanente sur la situation opérationnelle dans son cadre d’emploi et dont il informe...
INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2
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® Tampa Bay Vol.3
David Robinson
CEO - DSM Technology Consultants
People say there’s nothing new under the sun, and I completely disagree. If you look at things from a macro- or micro-perspective, cloud computing is merging with mobile computing and that’s going to form what I call “Ubiquitous Computing”—meaning your computing is everywhere. If you think about your business, your...
INNOVATE® Blockchain
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...
INNOVATIONS in Pharmaceutical Development®
DR. GER BROPHY
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENTOF BIOPHARMA PRODUCTION, AVANTOR
Bioproduction has taken a remarkable journey over the last several decades. In recent years, the demand for specific and powerful biologic therapies has continued to increase, underpinned by the ongoing development of monoclonal antibodies therapies (mAbs) and augmented by new platforms such as Cell and Gene Therapy and also nucleic...
INNOVATE™ Bengaluru
Geetha Panda
Mentoring Involves Leading by Example
As more women reach out for leadership positions within the proliferating innovative companies, mentorship plays a crucial role in nurturing their talent. We spoke to Geetha Panda who contributes as a mentor in her dual roles as the Global Director, Service Desk & Large Platform Security Capability, DXC Technology and...
INNOVATE® Blockchain
MORNE J VENTER
MANAGING DIRECTOR, RECO.
“Invention is the most important product of man’s creative brain. The ultimate purpose is the complete mastery of mind over the material world, the harnessing of human nature to human needs.”- Nikola Tesla “Our mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with...
INNOVATE® Houston
DR. ANDRE THOMAS
FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR OF THE LIVE LAB, DEPARTMENT OF VISUALIZATION, TEXAS A&M
DR. ANDRE THOMAS,FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR OF THE LIVE LAB, DEPARTMENT OF VISUALIZATION, TEXAS A&M Education is ripe for disruption. Society’s been told – and accepted – that the textbook is holy and contains all knowledge. We also accept that a professor standing in front of 200 students in a classroom...
INNOVATE® San Diego Vol.1
I’ve been fortunate enough to live a life distinguished by constant progression, from understanding to impacting, particularly in my career. Trained as a physicist, I was fueled by a deep drive to understand some of the most complex “whys” of our world. Quickly I learned that understanding is more satisfying...
INNOVATE® Nashville
ALEX SEVILLA
VICE PROVOST VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
It is the promise of innovation that brought me to Nashville and to Vanderbilt University. I was hired in August of 2021 to serve as Vanderbilt’s first Vice Provost for Career Advancement and Engagement. There were many elements of this opportunity which were attractive: joining a pre – eminent global...
ROGÉRIO COLAÇO
DEAN, INSTITUTO SUPERIOR TÉCNICO
At Instituto Superior Técnico we believe that although we cannot do more than the bigger ones, although we cannot do better than the best ones, we could be at least as big as the bigger ones and as best as the best ones. And we also believe that we can...
Carlton Robinson
Vice President - Jax Chamber Entrepreneurial Growth Division
After working in financial services for 10 years, I decided to leave and start my own business. I built on my strength of providing quality training and focused the business on building learning-management systems. I spent seven years building systems for small and large companies. An opportunity at the JAX...
SID BHATNAGAR
CEO AT ASQ
We are living in a defining moment for our global workforce. The convergence of rapid technological advancement, economic uncertainty, and evolving societal expectations transforms how we work, learn, and lead. Two forces are more critical than ever: continuous upskilling and staying grounded in community. These aren’t just buzzwords. Upskilling and...
ROD MCDANIEL
CEO, S3 RECYCLING SOLUTIONS
My career in the electronics recycling industry is a vehicle to fund my passion. Yes, it excites me to have a profession that reduces e-waste and creates a more sustainable planet. But my true passion is giving back to my community and putting technology in the hands of people who...
Robert H. Bishop
Dean Of The College Of Engineering At USF
The College of Engineering at the University of South Florida is at the forefront of engineering research and education, cultivating knowledgeable, passionate engineers who are dedicated to needs-based, solutions-oriented engineering. We are innovators. We are explorers. For us, it’s all about helping people. After more than fifty years of pursuing...
KADI PÄRNITS
CHAIRMAN OF THE MANAGEMENT BOARD, MAINOR AS, ÜLEMISTE CITY.
When I joined Ülemiste City the vision of a smart city for smart people was already in place. Today, the vision has grown into a future-focused urban environment with 18 000 talents from more than 73 countries and 400 companies. Based on the labor tax from business ventures, the contribution...
AARON HICKMANN
FOUNDER, VALO
PUTTING SOUTH AUSTRALIA IN THE SPOTLIGHTI’ve never watched the world go by without wanting to stick my hand up and disrupt proceedings. At school I was the one with the locker full of PlayStation memory cards, running my own business and disrupting. School students are supposed to sit and learn,...
LAUREN S MOORES
PHD DIGITAL INNOVATION LEADER, TEACHING FELLOW AT HARVARD BUSINESS ANALYTICS PROGRAM, USA FOR UNHCR
Digital transformation is a 20th century phenomena. As an early adopter of new technologies – and the digital age – I quickly embraced digital data structures and tend to think in data matrices, looking for the data keys to join data and discover new patterns. When I look to create...
Mara Lord
Chief Strategy and Growth Officer at MCW
Innovation is more than a buzzword—it’s a mindset, a movement; in Milwaukee, it’s a way of life. At the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), we’re not just imagining a healthier future—we’re building it. And we’re doing it with purpose, collaboration, and the grit that defines Wisconsin. Leading Through Collaboration Wisconsin...
LUIS RODRIGUEZ
MANAGING DIRECTOR, ACCENTURE STRATEGY IN AFRICA
Demystifying innovation is trying to break it into what we see are the building blocks of getting from creating ideas to realising the value of innovation. There are three parts to it, and these are not necessarily sequential – ideating and shaping, designing and killing ideas and lastly scaling. Many...
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...
ÅSA ZETTERBERG
CEO, TECHSVERIGE
Sweden has long been a pioneer in technology and innovation. From Ericsson to Spotify, Klarna and Recorded Future, Swedish companies have helped put us on the global tech map. Today, tech is more than a growth sector—it’s a foundation for our economy and society. The numbers speak for themselves. Sweden’s...
WARD KENNES
MAYOR OF KASTERLEE
In October 2019, together with the Regional Platform Kempen, we organized a two-day “Future Forum” on the future of our region Kempen. The Regional Platform Kempen is a socio-economic consultative body of Kempen MPs, provincial and local administrators together with social partners. During this Future Forum, some 80 people brainstormed...
MARILIIS PIKKAR
FOUNDER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR, MARIMO
When I founded Marimo, I wasn’t just building a fashion brand—I was creating a different kind of experience for women. One that respects their time, individuality, and values. To me, true luxury is about knowing who you are and choosing pieces that reflect that. What I’m most proud of is...
PHILIPPE MOLARET
DIRECTEUR TECHNIQUE CHEZ THALES
Elle vise l’accroissement des capacités opérationnelles dans plusieurs secteurs d’application tels que la santé, la sécurité, ou le transport. L’agent intelligent que nous développons n’est pas qu’un ‘simple’ double numérique. L’Agent couvre trois fonctionnalités; 1) une veille permanente sur la situation opérationnelle dans son cadre d’emploi et dont il informe...
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...
David Robinson
CEO - DSM Technology Consultants
People say there’s nothing new under the sun, and I completely disagree. If you look at things from a macro- or micro-perspective, cloud computing is merging with mobile computing and that’s going to form what I call “Ubiquitous Computing”—meaning your computing is everywhere. If you think about your business, your...
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...
DR. GER BROPHY
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENTOF BIOPHARMA PRODUCTION, AVANTOR
Bioproduction has taken a remarkable journey over the last several decades. In recent years, the demand for specific and powerful biologic therapies has continued to increase, underpinned by the ongoing development of monoclonal antibodies therapies (mAbs) and augmented by new platforms such as Cell and Gene Therapy and also nucleic...
Geetha Panda
Mentoring Involves Leading by Example
As more women reach out for leadership positions within the proliferating innovative companies, mentorship plays a crucial role in nurturing their talent. We spoke to Geetha Panda who contributes as a mentor in her dual roles as the Global Director, Service Desk & Large Platform Security Capability, DXC Technology and...
MORNE J VENTER
MANAGING DIRECTOR, RECO.
“Invention is the most important product of man’s creative brain. The ultimate purpose is the complete mastery of mind over the material world, the harnessing of human nature to human needs.”- Nikola Tesla “Our mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with...
DR. ANDRE THOMAS
FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR OF THE LIVE LAB, DEPARTMENT OF VISUALIZATION, TEXAS A&M
DR. ANDRE THOMAS,FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR OF THE LIVE LAB, DEPARTMENT OF VISUALIZATION, TEXAS A&M Education is ripe for disruption. Society’s been told – and accepted – that the textbook is holy and contains all knowledge. We also accept that a professor standing in front of 200 students in a classroom...
I’ve been fortunate enough to live a life distinguished by constant progression, from understanding to impacting, particularly in my career. Trained as a physicist, I was fueled by a deep drive to understand some of the most complex “whys” of our world. Quickly I learned that understanding is more satisfying...
ALEX SEVILLA
VICE PROVOST VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
It is the promise of innovation that brought me to Nashville and to Vanderbilt University. I was hired in August of 2021 to serve as Vanderbilt’s first Vice Provost for Career Advancement and Engagement. There were many elements of this opportunity which were attractive: joining a pre – eminent global...