Thought Leaders
INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports
SEAN MENDEZ CATLIN
MANAGING PARTNER, MC & J LAW
Sean Méndez-Catlin is the 1Up Lawyer, giving you a 1Up on the competition and an extra life. He has been playing games since he was a Kid. He started with the N64 and has continued to play as he went through school and now as an attorney. Listening to his...
INNOVATIONS in Pharmaceutical Development®
Bob Kain
Co-Founder and CEO - LunaPBC
Bob Kain Co-Founder And CEO – LunaPBC 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...
INNOVATE™ Estonia
JANA KRIMPE
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND CO-FOUNDER, B.EST SOLUTIONS
Digital transformation is often viewed in terms of platforms, applications, or the latest disruptive technology. But these are only surface layers. The true foundation of a digital society is trust and trust begins with secure digital identity. Without it, governments cannot serve effectively, businesses cannot scale confidently, and citizens are...
INNOVATE™ Stockholm
JOHAN JUHLIN
CEO AND CO-FOUNDER OF MAVATAR
There’s something profoundly beautiful about entrepreneurship. To throw yourself into the unknown. To build something from nothing. To see an idea, the one you’ve nurtured in your mind, become real in the world. But let me be honest: it’s not for the faint of heart. Entrepreneurship is a rollercoaster. One...
INNOVATE™ Estonia
AHTI HEINLA
ESTONIAN INNOVATOR BEHIND SKYPE AND STARSHIP ROBOTS
Ahti Heinla is one of Estonia’s most visionary minds – the co-founder of Starship Technologies and formerly the Chief Technical Architect of Skype. His impact on global communication and autonomous technology is immense, yet his story is deeply rooted in Estonia’s culture of curiosity, experimentation, and civic spirit. Heinla wrote...
INNOVATE® Tampa Bay Vol.3
Vik Bhide
Director of Mobility-City of Tampa
Mobility or the ability to move around freely is at the heart of personal liberty. As Director of the City of Tampa’s Mobility department I have the privilege of overseeing many aspects of this essential function of civilization. In the context of mobility the challenges of our times manifest themselves...
INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2
ROBERT MACKIE
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER BIOLYTICAL
The Changing Diagnostics LandscapeWith almost twenty years in the medical diagnostics industry, undoubtedly, one of the biggest impacts we’ve experienced has been COVID-19. From upending business models and shutting down the globe to forcing the world to rethink how we conduct business and even what products we make and how,...
INNOVATE® South Carolina
GSP International Airport
Dave Edwards, President/CEO at GSP Airport District
As a leader, I’ve always believed that success isn’t measured solely by the milestones we achieve but by the way we inspire others to grow and excel alongside us. When I joined the Greenville-Spartanburg Airport District, my vision was clear: to create an organization that not only excels operationally but...
INNOVATE™ Estonia
JAANUS TAMM
CEO AND FOUNDER DEFSECINTEL SOLUTIONS, COUNCIL MEMBER OF THE ESTONIAN DEFENCE AND AEROSPACE INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION, COUNCIL MEMBER OF DEFENCE ESTONIA CLUSTER
When people ask me why I do what I do, my answer is simple: I build solutions that help our clients and partners win, protect, and increase security. My journey as an entrepreneur has always been shaped by real-world conflicts and the urgent need to innovate faster than the threats...
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...
INNOVATE® Nashville
HARRY ALLEN
CO-FOUNDER & CHIEF RELATIONSHIP OFFICER, STUDIO BANK
A NATIVE’S PERSPECTIVEI love Nashville. As a fifth-generation native, Nashville is the only place I’ve ever called home. And while it’s not the town I grew up in, today’s Nashville has certainly kept me engaged and excited. So I’ve continued to choose Nashville as the place to build my family,...
INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2
Dr. Wayne Tamarelli, President - AWT Private Investments
President - AWT Private Investments
As a CEO, entrepreneur, private company owner, and public company officer, Dr. Wayne Tamarelli’s 40+ years of experience have encompassed general management, entrepreneurship, new ventures, mergers and acquisitions, and many more. He also has investments in several wine industry businesses. His primary business activity is as a professional venture capital...
INNOVATE™ Stockholm
DAVID FREDMAN
CO-FOUNDER, HEARTRUNNER
With my background as a cardiology nurse, I have been trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) regularly since the mid 90’s. Still, I never got to use my lifesaving skills outside work until I was alerted through the platform I had been involved in creating. This is likely the case for...
INNOVATE™ South Africa
SASHEEN RAJKUMAR
PROJECT ENGINEER, SANRAL INNOVATION HUB
As a key driver of Africa’s knowledge economy, SANRAL had to the opportunity to contribute to the African Smart Cities Summit, where Sasheen Rajkumar, an Engineer in SANRAL’s Eastern Region (KZN) led the discussion on Smart Mobility for Sustainability. Sasheen, a millennial, is passionate about inspiring people and creating societal...
INNOVATE™ Atlantic Canada
DORIS GRANT
CEO, LIFE SCIENCES NOVA SCOTIA
As the CEO of Life Sciences Nova Scotia, I have the privilege of witnessing firsthand the creativity, resilience, and vision of the people and companies driving change in the life sciences sector. From pioneering healthcare solutions to cutting-edge biotechnology developments, the Atlantic region is making a profound impact both locally...
INNOVATE™ South Africa
JAYSHREE NAIDOO
CEO, YIEDI
Just over two decades ago I sat in a university lecture hall while pursuing an E Commerce course and we were introduced to our guest speaker for the day, she worked at a large bank, just like me, but her title fascinated me, she was called a “futurist”. Her main...
VOICES of the Future
GAUTAM GANGLANI
NAVIGATING NEW HORIZONS
Sitting down with Gautam Ganglani, you can’t help but feel a sense of awe. This CEO of Right Selection Global Thought Leaders is a man who has actively shaped the evolving landscape of thought leadership and personal development over decades. Our conversation unfolds like a map to the future, punctuated...
VOICES of the Future
DR. V. FRANCIS JOHN
THE STARTUP SUPREMO
From the moment I sat down with Dr. V. Francis John, my neighbor and the luminary behind Ztartup.com and Kube VC, it was clear that I was in the presence of a true visionary. His journey is a testament to the transformative power of technology and innovation. Chief Enablement Officer...
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® Washington DMV Edition
SEEMA ALEXANDER
CEO & FOUNDER, DISRUPTIVE 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™ South Africa
MIKE ABEL
FOUNDING PARTNER: CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, M&C SAATCHI GROUP SOUTH AFRICA
Innovation for innovation sake has absolutely no purpose. It requires direction. It needs to convey a message, inspire curiosity, drive real change, shape the future, and influence action. It must have meaning. Combine this with entrepreneurship, and suddenly the world moves forward. Innovation thrives when curious and imaginative people ask...
INNOVATE™ Stockholm
SIMON MORITZ
INTRAPRENEUR AND AUTHOR STOCKHOLM SWEDEN
I have spent nearly two decades navigating the digital transformation, watching astonishing breakthroughs in AI, 5G, and autonomous systems roll off the assembly line. Yet, for all this potential, I often feel we are still stuck. Our innovation is stuck in the digital mud. Think back to Henry Ford. The...
SEAN MENDEZ CATLIN
MANAGING PARTNER, MC & J LAW
Sean Méndez-Catlin is the 1Up Lawyer, giving you a 1Up on the competition and an extra life. He has been playing games since he was a Kid. He started with the N64 and has continued to play as he went through school and now as an attorney. Listening to his...
Bob Kain
Co-Founder and CEO - LunaPBC
Bob Kain Co-Founder And CEO – LunaPBC 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...
JANA KRIMPE
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND CO-FOUNDER, B.EST SOLUTIONS
Digital transformation is often viewed in terms of platforms, applications, or the latest disruptive technology. But these are only surface layers. The true foundation of a digital society is trust and trust begins with secure digital identity. Without it, governments cannot serve effectively, businesses cannot scale confidently, and citizens are...
JOHAN JUHLIN
CEO AND CO-FOUNDER OF MAVATAR
There’s something profoundly beautiful about entrepreneurship. To throw yourself into the unknown. To build something from nothing. To see an idea, the one you’ve nurtured in your mind, become real in the world. But let me be honest: it’s not for the faint of heart. Entrepreneurship is a rollercoaster. One...
AHTI HEINLA
ESTONIAN INNOVATOR BEHIND SKYPE AND STARSHIP ROBOTS
Ahti Heinla is one of Estonia’s most visionary minds – the co-founder of Starship Technologies and formerly the Chief Technical Architect of Skype. His impact on global communication and autonomous technology is immense, yet his story is deeply rooted in Estonia’s culture of curiosity, experimentation, and civic spirit. Heinla wrote...
Vik Bhide
Director of Mobility-City of Tampa
Mobility or the ability to move around freely is at the heart of personal liberty. As Director of the City of Tampa’s Mobility department I have the privilege of overseeing many aspects of this essential function of civilization. In the context of mobility the challenges of our times manifest themselves...
ROBERT MACKIE
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER BIOLYTICAL
The Changing Diagnostics LandscapeWith almost twenty years in the medical diagnostics industry, undoubtedly, one of the biggest impacts we’ve experienced has been COVID-19. From upending business models and shutting down the globe to forcing the world to rethink how we conduct business and even what products we make and how,...
GSP International Airport
Dave Edwards, President/CEO at GSP Airport District
As a leader, I’ve always believed that success isn’t measured solely by the milestones we achieve but by the way we inspire others to grow and excel alongside us. When I joined the Greenville-Spartanburg Airport District, my vision was clear: to create an organization that not only excels operationally but...
JAANUS TAMM
CEO AND FOUNDER DEFSECINTEL SOLUTIONS, COUNCIL MEMBER OF THE ESTONIAN DEFENCE AND AEROSPACE INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION, COUNCIL MEMBER OF DEFENCE ESTONIA CLUSTER
When people ask me why I do what I do, my answer is simple: I build solutions that help our clients and partners win, protect, and increase security. My journey as an entrepreneur has always been shaped by real-world conflicts and the urgent need to innovate faster than the threats...
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...
HARRY ALLEN
CO-FOUNDER & CHIEF RELATIONSHIP OFFICER, STUDIO BANK
A NATIVE’S PERSPECTIVEI love Nashville. As a fifth-generation native, Nashville is the only place I’ve ever called home. And while it’s not the town I grew up in, today’s Nashville has certainly kept me engaged and excited. So I’ve continued to choose Nashville as the place to build my family,...
Dr. Wayne Tamarelli, President - AWT Private Investments
President - AWT Private Investments
As a CEO, entrepreneur, private company owner, and public company officer, Dr. Wayne Tamarelli’s 40+ years of experience have encompassed general management, entrepreneurship, new ventures, mergers and acquisitions, and many more. He also has investments in several wine industry businesses. His primary business activity is as a professional venture capital...
DAVID FREDMAN
CO-FOUNDER, HEARTRUNNER
With my background as a cardiology nurse, I have been trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) regularly since the mid 90’s. Still, I never got to use my lifesaving skills outside work until I was alerted through the platform I had been involved in creating. This is likely the case for...
SASHEEN RAJKUMAR
PROJECT ENGINEER, SANRAL INNOVATION HUB
As a key driver of Africa’s knowledge economy, SANRAL had to the opportunity to contribute to the African Smart Cities Summit, where Sasheen Rajkumar, an Engineer in SANRAL’s Eastern Region (KZN) led the discussion on Smart Mobility for Sustainability. Sasheen, a millennial, is passionate about inspiring people and creating societal...
DORIS GRANT
CEO, LIFE SCIENCES NOVA SCOTIA
As the CEO of Life Sciences Nova Scotia, I have the privilege of witnessing firsthand the creativity, resilience, and vision of the people and companies driving change in the life sciences sector. From pioneering healthcare solutions to cutting-edge biotechnology developments, the Atlantic region is making a profound impact both locally...
GAUTAM GANGLANI
NAVIGATING NEW HORIZONS
Sitting down with Gautam Ganglani, you can’t help but feel a sense of awe. This CEO of Right Selection Global Thought Leaders is a man who has actively shaped the evolving landscape of thought leadership and personal development over decades. Our conversation unfolds like a map to the future, punctuated...
DR. V. FRANCIS JOHN
THE STARTUP SUPREMO
From the moment I sat down with Dr. V. Francis John, my neighbor and the luminary behind Ztartup.com and Kube VC, it was clear that I was in the presence of a true visionary. His journey is a testament to the transformative power of technology and innovation. Chief Enablement Officer...
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...
SEEMA ALEXANDER
CEO & FOUNDER, DISRUPTIVE 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...
MIKE ABEL
FOUNDING PARTNER: CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, M&C SAATCHI GROUP SOUTH AFRICA
Innovation for innovation sake has absolutely no purpose. It requires direction. It needs to convey a message, inspire curiosity, drive real change, shape the future, and influence action. It must have meaning. Combine this with entrepreneurship, and suddenly the world moves forward. Innovation thrives when curious and imaginative people ask...
SIMON MORITZ
INTRAPRENEUR AND AUTHOR STOCKHOLM SWEDEN
I have spent nearly two decades navigating the digital transformation, watching astonishing breakthroughs in AI, 5G, and autonomous systems roll off the assembly line. Yet, for all this potential, I often feel we are still stuck. Our innovation is stuck in the digital mud. Think back to Henry Ford. The...