Thought Leaders
Andrew Rae
Woodgreen Ventures - Encouraging Trend Line is in Great Opposition to a Historical Strug
Encouraging Trend Line is in Great Opposition to a Historical Struggle this City and Country has Faced at Multiple Levels Andrew is a former biotechnology equities analyst and a serial entrepreneur. Mr. Rae has partnered with many leading biopharmaceutical companies globally, including Ionis, Alexion and AstraZeneca, and has invested in...
INNOVATE® Utah
In early 2016, Instructure launched its Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DIB) Council to “make Instructure an awesome place to work for everyone.” Those were our words for the mission of the Council at the time, and building a workplace where people can thrive and develop in their careers remains a...
INNOVATE™ Antwerp Vol.2
TOM LAVEREN
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER VOKA - CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MECHELEN-KEMPEN
The Mechelen-Kempen region is ideally located between the port and the airport and close to the two big metropolises of Brussels and Antwerp. It is a place where it is good to live, work and do business. Where craftsmanship is a brand. The region is booming and many fine and...
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® Kansas City
KEVIN MCGINNIS
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AT KEYSTONE INNOVATION DISTRICT (KEYSTONE COMMUNITY CORPORATION)
Keystone Innovation District was born out of a fundamental question: How can we cultivate organic and sustainable collaboration in Kansas City? This question serves as the driving force behind the establishment of a space where diverse individuals and organizations can converge, exchange knowledge, and collaborate to propel innovation in our...
INNOVATE® Detroit
MICHAEL HEALANDER
AIRSPACE LINK, INC - PRESIDENT AND CEO
As we look to the skies, we’re witnessing a revolution in mobility that will transform our communities for the better. Drones are no longer just cool gadgets or military tools – they’re becoming powerful forces for good that can make our lives safer, easier, and more eco-friendly. At Airspace Link,...
INNOVATE® Nashville
LEAH MELBER
PH.D. PRESIDENT & CEO OF ADVENTURE SCIENCE CENTER
We all have a memory of visiting a science museum; a larger-than-life exhibition, dynamic program, or time with friends and family. Each person’s experience may be different, but they all have one commonality: connecting with a world larger than themselves. Science museums may be the only science learning the public...
INNOVATE® Austin Volume 2
Gillan Taddune
Banyan Water, President & CEO
Gillan Taddune is the Chief Executive Officer of Banyan Water. She believes that technology solutions are the most effective way to address critical natural resource issues and has dedicated her career to realizing that vision. Gillan came to Banyan with the belief that water scarcity is a growing global concern...
INNOVATE™ Stockholm
GUSTAV BUDER
FINTECH FOUNDER, BOARD-LEVEL ADVISOR AND ACTIVE INVESTOR - REGION PARTNER, BYBIT NORDIC
Most people don’t reject new ideas because they’re irrational. They reject them because they’re using the wrong frame. I learned this the hard way. Coming from the payment’s world, I initially looked at Bitcoin like a payment network and asked, “Why is it so slow?” That’s the classic mistake: judging...
INNOVATE™ Estonia
MARKUS VILLIG
CEO & FOUNDER, BOLT
At 19, Markus Villig founded Bolt with a €5,000 family loan, turning a small taxi app into a global mobility platform spanning ride-hailing, scooters, and deliveries – while championing sustainability and lean growth from Estonia to 50+ countries. Markus Villig launched Bolt (then Taxify), turning it into one of the...
INNOVATION Quebec
FRANÇOIS BERTRAND
DIRECTEUR DE LA RECHERCHE ET DE L’INNOVATION
Notre recherche, en particulier notre recherche collaborative, constitue un levier fondamental de l’innovation. Depuis plus de 50 ans, nous réalisons la majeure partie du transfert technologique à travers nos nombreux partenariats de recherche établis avec des entreprises de toutes tailles, ainsi qu’avec des universités et autres organisations de partout dans...
INNOVATE™ Antwerp Vol.2
LUC LUWEL
CEO, VOKA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANTWERP-WAASLAND
To me, social impact is the reason for our organisation’s existence. A chamber of commerce is not there to serve the private interests of a few individual companies, but to help an entire region grow. I have always been a firm believer that you can only achieve prosperity through entrepreneurship,...
INNOVATE™ Atlantic Canada
SARAH COREY HOLLOHAN, CEO, IGNITE
CEO - IGNITE
Innovation thrives where diverse perspectives intersect—what I like to call “collision points.” Whether it’s the synergy between rural and urban communities, new entrepreneurs exchanging ideas with seasoned business owners, or students immersing themselves into the local business ecosystem, these intersections spark creativity, growth, and resilience. As someone deeply committed to...
INNOVATE® Austin Volume 2
MARK MCCLAIN
CEO & CO-FOUNDER, SAILPOINT TECHNOLOGIES
A Perspective on InnovationInnovation can take many forms. For the tech industry, innovation is abusiness tool. This entails engineering new solutions to old problems,designing different approaches and different processes, and creating newstrategies and products to keep the company competitive. Austin hasnurtured a culture of innovation and groomed its tech industry...
INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2
JENNIFER TWINER MCCARRON
THUNDERBIRD CEO
As a leader, people and culture need to be a priority. You need to tangibly demonstrate what a culture of excellence looks like. I believe that attitude and outlook are everything. What you bring to the table (or zoom meeting) directly impacts those around you — personally and professionally. True...
INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2
MICHELLE SHOGREN
CEO, INNOVATE IN WHAT YOU DO! LLC
With 25+ years in clinical research, Michelle Shogren, CEO of Innovate In What You Do! LLC, started as a patient participant, then journeyed through nursing, clinical trial monitoring, and a significant role at Bayer Pharmaceuticals. Her innovation-focused path culminated in founding her own company in 2022. Michelle is dedicated to...
INNOVATE® Milwaukee
MATTHEW PEARLSON
INTRNLS - CEO & FOUNDER
My journey has always been driven by one relentless pursuit: redefining the boundaries of sustainable energy systems. As the CEO of Intrnls Inc., I am on a mission to rewrite the playbook for carbon capture efficiency, pioneering a future where sustainability and efficiency are not just goals but standards. Starting...
INNOVATE™ Adelaide
DR. JONATHAN HALL PHD
FOUNDER, DIRECTOR & CHIEF SCIENTIST, LIFE WHISPERER
STORY & CHALLENGESIn 2016, I was nearing the end of a frontier research project to combine interdisciplinary knowledge to ask if a biological cell could sustain light circulating inside: called ‘whispering gallery modes’. Could we go further, and turn a cell into a laser, with the hope of it being...
INNOVATE® Blockchain
ERYKA GEMMA
FOUNDER OF MIAMI BLOCKCHAIN CENTER AND TIMELOCK VENTURES
As the world moves in cycles, we see that change is constant. The pendulum swings and with global lockdowns, continuous quantitative easing, and privacy breaches – we are approaching a point of conflicting overreach and control. However, there is hope! History shows that human ingenuity will always find a way....
INNOVATE™ Alberta
MIK ALLA
PRESIDENT & CEO, ROUTEIQUE™
Fostering a Culture of Innovation at Routeique™The core of our approach to innovation at Routeique™ is that we see ourselves as problem-solvers rather than service or technology providers. Whether it’s warehouse layouts or inefficiencies in last-mile delivery, our philosophy is that it’s essential to look at issues from new perspectives,...
INNOVATE™ Stockholm
STINA WALLMARK
INVESTMENT DIRECTOR LIFE SCIENCES, VOIMA VENTURES
Early-stage life sciences and healthtech are not just about innovation – they are about belief. Belief that something complex, expensive and uncertain can one day change how we prevent, diagnose, or treat disease. In the earliest stages, focus is survival. Startups do not lose momentum because competitors move faster –...
INNOVATE™ Botswana Vol.1
MARTIN MOKGWARE
CHIEF EXECUTIVE, BOTSWANA COMMUNICATIONS REGULATORY AUTHORITY
What does innovation mean to you?Innovation simply means new ways of doing things and bringing in new ideas or improving what already exists to solve challenges brought about by new ways of living. Overtime, the word Innovation is commonly associated with technology for the simple reason that modern life is...
INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports
KAROL SEVERIN
SENIOR ANALYST AND CO-FOUNDER AT MIDIA RESEARCH
For an activity (like playing video games) to turn into a publicly-observed competition (like esports), first there needs to be a demand to know who is best. Then, for the competition to grow a mainstream appeal and audiences to expand beyond the initial enthusiasts, it needs to have entertainment value....
INNOVATION Quebec
LAYLA NASR
CEO, MAKILA AI
In both North America and Europe, collaboration between the communities of scientific research and professional practice plays a pivotal role in the advancement of knowledge that benefits society at large. When it comes to technologies, especially artificial intelligence, the diversity of skills and the wealth of knowledge from research communities...
Andrew Rae
Woodgreen Ventures - Encouraging Trend Line is in Great Opposition to a Historical Strug
Encouraging Trend Line is in Great Opposition to a Historical Struggle this City and Country has Faced at Multiple Levels Andrew is a former biotechnology equities analyst and a serial entrepreneur. Mr. Rae has partnered with many leading biopharmaceutical companies globally, including Ionis, Alexion and AstraZeneca, and has invested in...
In early 2016, Instructure launched its Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DIB) Council to “make Instructure an awesome place to work for everyone.” Those were our words for the mission of the Council at the time, and building a workplace where people can thrive and develop in their careers remains a...
TOM LAVEREN
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER VOKA - CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MECHELEN-KEMPEN
The Mechelen-Kempen region is ideally located between the port and the airport and close to the two big metropolises of Brussels and Antwerp. It is a place where it is good to live, work and do business. Where craftsmanship is a brand. The region is booming and many fine and...
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...
KEVIN MCGINNIS
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AT KEYSTONE INNOVATION DISTRICT (KEYSTONE COMMUNITY CORPORATION)
Keystone Innovation District was born out of a fundamental question: How can we cultivate organic and sustainable collaboration in Kansas City? This question serves as the driving force behind the establishment of a space where diverse individuals and organizations can converge, exchange knowledge, and collaborate to propel innovation in our...
MICHAEL HEALANDER
AIRSPACE LINK, INC - PRESIDENT AND CEO
As we look to the skies, we’re witnessing a revolution in mobility that will transform our communities for the better. Drones are no longer just cool gadgets or military tools – they’re becoming powerful forces for good that can make our lives safer, easier, and more eco-friendly. At Airspace Link,...
LEAH MELBER
PH.D. PRESIDENT & CEO OF ADVENTURE SCIENCE CENTER
We all have a memory of visiting a science museum; a larger-than-life exhibition, dynamic program, or time with friends and family. Each person’s experience may be different, but they all have one commonality: connecting with a world larger than themselves. Science museums may be the only science learning the public...
Gillan Taddune
Banyan Water, President & CEO
Gillan Taddune is the Chief Executive Officer of Banyan Water. She believes that technology solutions are the most effective way to address critical natural resource issues and has dedicated her career to realizing that vision. Gillan came to Banyan with the belief that water scarcity is a growing global concern...
GUSTAV BUDER
FINTECH FOUNDER, BOARD-LEVEL ADVISOR AND ACTIVE INVESTOR - REGION PARTNER, BYBIT NORDIC
Most people don’t reject new ideas because they’re irrational. They reject them because they’re using the wrong frame. I learned this the hard way. Coming from the payment’s world, I initially looked at Bitcoin like a payment network and asked, “Why is it so slow?” That’s the classic mistake: judging...
MARKUS VILLIG
CEO & FOUNDER, BOLT
At 19, Markus Villig founded Bolt with a €5,000 family loan, turning a small taxi app into a global mobility platform spanning ride-hailing, scooters, and deliveries – while championing sustainability and lean growth from Estonia to 50+ countries. Markus Villig launched Bolt (then Taxify), turning it into one of the...
FRANÇOIS BERTRAND
DIRECTEUR DE LA RECHERCHE ET DE L’INNOVATION
Notre recherche, en particulier notre recherche collaborative, constitue un levier fondamental de l’innovation. Depuis plus de 50 ans, nous réalisons la majeure partie du transfert technologique à travers nos nombreux partenariats de recherche établis avec des entreprises de toutes tailles, ainsi qu’avec des universités et autres organisations de partout dans...
LUC LUWEL
CEO, VOKA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANTWERP-WAASLAND
To me, social impact is the reason for our organisation’s existence. A chamber of commerce is not there to serve the private interests of a few individual companies, but to help an entire region grow. I have always been a firm believer that you can only achieve prosperity through entrepreneurship,...
SARAH COREY HOLLOHAN, CEO, IGNITE
CEO - IGNITE
Innovation thrives where diverse perspectives intersect—what I like to call “collision points.” Whether it’s the synergy between rural and urban communities, new entrepreneurs exchanging ideas with seasoned business owners, or students immersing themselves into the local business ecosystem, these intersections spark creativity, growth, and resilience. As someone deeply committed to...
MARK MCCLAIN
CEO & CO-FOUNDER, SAILPOINT TECHNOLOGIES
A Perspective on InnovationInnovation can take many forms. For the tech industry, innovation is abusiness tool. This entails engineering new solutions to old problems,designing different approaches and different processes, and creating newstrategies and products to keep the company competitive. Austin hasnurtured a culture of innovation and groomed its tech industry...
JENNIFER TWINER MCCARRON
THUNDERBIRD CEO
As a leader, people and culture need to be a priority. You need to tangibly demonstrate what a culture of excellence looks like. I believe that attitude and outlook are everything. What you bring to the table (or zoom meeting) directly impacts those around you — personally and professionally. True...
MICHELLE SHOGREN
CEO, INNOVATE IN WHAT YOU DO! LLC
With 25+ years in clinical research, Michelle Shogren, CEO of Innovate In What You Do! LLC, started as a patient participant, then journeyed through nursing, clinical trial monitoring, and a significant role at Bayer Pharmaceuticals. Her innovation-focused path culminated in founding her own company in 2022. Michelle is dedicated to...
MATTHEW PEARLSON
INTRNLS - CEO & FOUNDER
My journey has always been driven by one relentless pursuit: redefining the boundaries of sustainable energy systems. As the CEO of Intrnls Inc., I am on a mission to rewrite the playbook for carbon capture efficiency, pioneering a future where sustainability and efficiency are not just goals but standards. Starting...
DR. JONATHAN HALL PHD
FOUNDER, DIRECTOR & CHIEF SCIENTIST, LIFE WHISPERER
STORY & CHALLENGESIn 2016, I was nearing the end of a frontier research project to combine interdisciplinary knowledge to ask if a biological cell could sustain light circulating inside: called ‘whispering gallery modes’. Could we go further, and turn a cell into a laser, with the hope of it being...
ERYKA GEMMA
FOUNDER OF MIAMI BLOCKCHAIN CENTER AND TIMELOCK VENTURES
As the world moves in cycles, we see that change is constant. The pendulum swings and with global lockdowns, continuous quantitative easing, and privacy breaches – we are approaching a point of conflicting overreach and control. However, there is hope! History shows that human ingenuity will always find a way....
MIK ALLA
PRESIDENT & CEO, ROUTEIQUE™
Fostering a Culture of Innovation at Routeique™The core of our approach to innovation at Routeique™ is that we see ourselves as problem-solvers rather than service or technology providers. Whether it’s warehouse layouts or inefficiencies in last-mile delivery, our philosophy is that it’s essential to look at issues from new perspectives,...
STINA WALLMARK
INVESTMENT DIRECTOR LIFE SCIENCES, VOIMA VENTURES
Early-stage life sciences and healthtech are not just about innovation – they are about belief. Belief that something complex, expensive and uncertain can one day change how we prevent, diagnose, or treat disease. In the earliest stages, focus is survival. Startups do not lose momentum because competitors move faster –...
MARTIN MOKGWARE
CHIEF EXECUTIVE, BOTSWANA COMMUNICATIONS REGULATORY AUTHORITY
What does innovation mean to you?Innovation simply means new ways of doing things and bringing in new ideas or improving what already exists to solve challenges brought about by new ways of living. Overtime, the word Innovation is commonly associated with technology for the simple reason that modern life is...
KAROL SEVERIN
SENIOR ANALYST AND CO-FOUNDER AT MIDIA RESEARCH
For an activity (like playing video games) to turn into a publicly-observed competition (like esports), first there needs to be a demand to know who is best. Then, for the competition to grow a mainstream appeal and audiences to expand beyond the initial enthusiasts, it needs to have entertainment value....
LAYLA NASR
CEO, MAKILA AI
In both North America and Europe, collaboration between the communities of scientific research and professional practice plays a pivotal role in the advancement of knowledge that benefits society at large. When it comes to technologies, especially artificial intelligence, the diversity of skills and the wealth of knowledge from research communities...