Thought Leaders
INNOVATE™ Atlantic Canada
SEAN FAHEY
CEO AT VIDCRUITER
The Future of HR: Embracing Technology Without Losing the Human Touch In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, HR stands at a crossroads. The integration of advanced technologies into our processes is no longer optional—it’s essential for attracting, retaining, and nurturing top talent. As leaders, we have an opportunity to shape...
INNOVATE® Georgia
RICH STINSON
SOUTHWIRE - PRESIDENT & CEO
The promise of an all-electric future in North America is here. We’re experiencing a shift from an oil, coal, and gas-based economy to an electrified one. Electric vehicles, data centers, renewables, and other factors are accelerating demand. Society today wants and assumes that everything that can be electric probably will...
INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2
ALINA HUANG, CEO, ILLUMINATE UNIVERSE
ALINA HUANG, CEO, ILLUMINATE UNIVERSE
Innovation is the backbone of progress and growth. It is a commitment to continuous learning, a willingness to challenge the status quo, and explore untapped opportunities for development. As the founder of Illuminate Universe, a Canadian organization dedicated to providing top tier business and leadership education, I have dedicated my...
INNOVATION Quebec
MARIE CLAUDE LAGACÉ
DIRECTOR, INNOVATION AND SOCIAL CHANGE, CONSEIL DE I’NNOVATION DU QUEBEC
Growing up, I used to play a lot, from hockey with my brother to chess with my dad. The only game that truly bored me to death was Monopoly, which inevitably ended with one of us (usually my sister) bankrupting others. No uncovering of a killer, no epic naval battle,...
INNOVATE™ Adelaide
The Hon Peter Malinauskas
Premier of South Australia
They’re all inventions which changed the face of the world. They’re all examples of original and innovative thinking. And they all began as sparks of brilliance in the minds of South Australians. From Sir Howard Florey’s insights into the properties of penicillin and Lancelot de Mole’s development of caterpillar tracks,...
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® Georgia
DR. HANK CAPPS
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, CHIEF INFORMATION AND DIGITAL OFFICER AT WELLSTAR HEALTH SYSTEM, PRESIDENT AT CATALYST BY WELLSTAR
Healthcare is personal. We are all one diagnosis away from being a patient. To a doctor, the relationship with a patient is one of the most sacred connections. To the patient, it is almost always a moment of anxiety and fear. As a family doctor, I’ve seen this moment of...
VOICES of the Future
DORIE CLARK
PURPOSE IN THE TUNNEL
In the heart of America’s corporate hustle, where ambition beats faster than a Wall Street trader’s pulse, Dorie Clark is a beacon of foresight and inspiration. This moment isn’t just a conversation; it is a masterclass in future-flung vision, delivered by a woman who’s cracked the code on thriving in...
VOICES of the Future
ALEXANDER ALEGRIA-SEIF
THE INTENTIONAL INVESTOR
Alexander Alegria-Seif stands at the crossroads of passion, purpose, and impact, embodying what it means to dream and act with intention. “I’m an impact investor and passionate about creating impact in the world,” he states, heralding a dialogue transcending the mundane. As friends and Harvard Business School alums, our connection...
INNOVATE™ Montréal
Catherine Mounier
Vice-Rectrice à la Recherche, à la Création et à la Diffusion | Vice-President Research - UNIVERSITÉ
English: UQAM joined the university landscape in 1969 and quickly distinguished itself through its commitment to serving society. Fostering entrepreneurship and social impact innovation, the University believes in the concerted ability of social actors to bring about change in response to issues as they arise. Building knowledge together Like many...
INNOVATE® Georgia
MATHEW WITTE
ORTEC AMERICAS - CHIEF COMMERCIAL OFFICER
Innovation. Optimization. Transformation. Those three words describe my unwavering passion for driving change at some of the biggest manufacturers and distributors across the globe. At ORTEC, we are not just in the business of providing advanced analytics and optimization – we are in the business of shaping the future, empowering...
INNOVATE® Philadelphia
Liz Dow
CEO of Leadership Philadelphia
Philadelphia’s innovation comes in many forms, not the least of which is thought leadership. Ben Franklin’s genius not only gave us many inventions, but also stressed the value of working together for civic and self-improvement. LEADERSHIP Philadelphia has honored and echoed his thought leadership with its pioneering work recognizing, researching...
INNOVATE® Minnesota
Geoff Martha
President & CEO - Medtronic
Geoff Martha President & CEO – Medtronic Millions of Americans are affected by pain and have been prescribed systemic opioids as part of their treatment plan. Whether for chronic or acute pain, prescribing systemic opioids continues, despite the limited evidence on the benefits of long-term systemic opioid therapy and evidence...
INNOVATE™ Bristol & Bath
PROFESSOR IAN WHITE
VICE-CHANCELLOR AND PRESIDENT, UNIVERSITY OF BATH
Innovation and collaboration will always be essential to power progress in our societies and I think are a crucial part of what universities in particular can offer in partnership with others. This is especially important now as we begin to recover from Covid-19, and I have been pleased to play...
INNOVATE® Gainesville
Collin Austin
Founder - New Scooters 4 Less
Collin Austin Founder – New Scooters 4 Less Collin Austin founded New Scooters 4 Less at the age of 21, which has gone on to become one of the top scooter dealerships in the country. In the last two years he’s also founded Repaint The Wall, a digital media “un-agency,”...
INNOVATE® Blockchain
JASON CASSIDY
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, GAME CREDITS
Living inside of the cryptocurrency sector for eight years gives one a unique perspective on innovation. Things move so quickly with blockchain technology that innovation tends to happen right in front of our very eyes. I grew up in the Caribbean when I was younger and there was virtually no...
INNOVATE™ Stockholm
MELODI ASKELÖF
CEO & CO-FOUNDER, SATOCCI
Next stop: Mars. That’s the mindset that drives me. I’m scaling Retail Tech from MENA to the world with Satocci and our Scan & Pay revolution. I’ve spent fifteen years moving between banking, finance, sales and telecom, and here’s what I’ve learned: money always moves faster than the systems built...
INNOVATE™ Alberta
CREATIVE DESTRUCTION LAB-ROCKIES
PERSPECTIVES FROM CDL-ROCKIES’ MENTORS
Providing a growing global population with abundant, safe, affordable and sustainable food and energy are among the defining challenges of this decade. The Global population is expected to grow from just under 8 billion in 2022 to over 8.5 billion in 2030 and 9.7 billion in 2050. Given the scale...
INNOVATE® St. Louis
Marie Carlie
Tax Partner - BDO USA, Llp
In the world of business, the words “disrupt, innovate, and transform” have become the new normal. For companies looking to make their mark, digital transformation is now the pathway to create revenue and new value, increase profitability, and improve employee and customer retention. It can also help remove IT complexities,...
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...
INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition
SHADMAN HOSSAIN
MANAGER OF EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES PRACTICE, CGI FEDERAL
At its core, blockchain technology is about giving people control over their own data and assets, and enabling them to transact with one another in a transparent and secure way. By giving people control over their own data, we can create a more fair and just society where individuals have...
INNOVATE® Georgia
PAIGE NEEDLING
CEO, NEEDLING WORLDWIDE
As organizations look to innovate and stay ahead of the competition, it’s becoming increasingly clear that building a nurturing team and environment is key to driving innovation. A nurturing team is one that feels supported, encouraged, and empowered to take risks and try new things. A nurturing environment is one...
INNOVATE® Georgia
BRIAN ALBERTSON, PRESIDENT AND PHILLIP LEE, VICE-PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS
ISACA ATLANTA CHAPTER
Developing innovation is a dynamic and ongoing process essential for advancing human knowledge, solving critical problems, and driving progress across domains. It requires creativity, strategic thinking, and effective execution to transform new ideas into tangible benefits. Innovation creates opportunities, fuels growth, and drives development across diverse fields, passing the torch...
Sylvain Coulombe
Associate Vice-Principal, Innovation And Partnerships - McGill University
English: At a time when local and global challenges demand discoveries at the intersections of diverse disciplines, fostering an adaptable, agile and multi-sectorial innovation ecosystem enables universities to lead as social and economic accelerators. To set this vision in motion, McGill has established a dedicated unit, Innovation, and Partnerships (I+P),...
SEAN FAHEY
CEO AT VIDCRUITER
The Future of HR: Embracing Technology Without Losing the Human Touch In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, HR stands at a crossroads. The integration of advanced technologies into our processes is no longer optional—it’s essential for attracting, retaining, and nurturing top talent. As leaders, we have an opportunity to shape...
RICH STINSON
SOUTHWIRE - PRESIDENT & CEO
The promise of an all-electric future in North America is here. We’re experiencing a shift from an oil, coal, and gas-based economy to an electrified one. Electric vehicles, data centers, renewables, and other factors are accelerating demand. Society today wants and assumes that everything that can be electric probably will...
ALINA HUANG, CEO, ILLUMINATE UNIVERSE
ALINA HUANG, CEO, ILLUMINATE UNIVERSE
Innovation is the backbone of progress and growth. It is a commitment to continuous learning, a willingness to challenge the status quo, and explore untapped opportunities for development. As the founder of Illuminate Universe, a Canadian organization dedicated to providing top tier business and leadership education, I have dedicated my...
MARIE CLAUDE LAGACÉ
DIRECTOR, INNOVATION AND SOCIAL CHANGE, CONSEIL DE I’NNOVATION DU QUEBEC
Growing up, I used to play a lot, from hockey with my brother to chess with my dad. The only game that truly bored me to death was Monopoly, which inevitably ended with one of us (usually my sister) bankrupting others. No uncovering of a killer, no epic naval battle,...
The Hon Peter Malinauskas
Premier of South Australia
They’re all inventions which changed the face of the world. They’re all examples of original and innovative thinking. And they all began as sparks of brilliance in the minds of South Australians. From Sir Howard Florey’s insights into the properties of penicillin and Lancelot de Mole’s development of caterpillar tracks,...
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,...
DR. HANK CAPPS
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, CHIEF INFORMATION AND DIGITAL OFFICER AT WELLSTAR HEALTH SYSTEM, PRESIDENT AT CATALYST BY WELLSTAR
Healthcare is personal. We are all one diagnosis away from being a patient. To a doctor, the relationship with a patient is one of the most sacred connections. To the patient, it is almost always a moment of anxiety and fear. As a family doctor, I’ve seen this moment of...
DORIE CLARK
PURPOSE IN THE TUNNEL
In the heart of America’s corporate hustle, where ambition beats faster than a Wall Street trader’s pulse, Dorie Clark is a beacon of foresight and inspiration. This moment isn’t just a conversation; it is a masterclass in future-flung vision, delivered by a woman who’s cracked the code on thriving in...
ALEXANDER ALEGRIA-SEIF
THE INTENTIONAL INVESTOR
Alexander Alegria-Seif stands at the crossroads of passion, purpose, and impact, embodying what it means to dream and act with intention. “I’m an impact investor and passionate about creating impact in the world,” he states, heralding a dialogue transcending the mundane. As friends and Harvard Business School alums, our connection...
Catherine Mounier
Vice-Rectrice à la Recherche, à la Création et à la Diffusion | Vice-President Research - UNIVERSITÉ
English: UQAM joined the university landscape in 1969 and quickly distinguished itself through its commitment to serving society. Fostering entrepreneurship and social impact innovation, the University believes in the concerted ability of social actors to bring about change in response to issues as they arise. Building knowledge together Like many...
MATHEW WITTE
ORTEC AMERICAS - CHIEF COMMERCIAL OFFICER
Innovation. Optimization. Transformation. Those three words describe my unwavering passion for driving change at some of the biggest manufacturers and distributors across the globe. At ORTEC, we are not just in the business of providing advanced analytics and optimization – we are in the business of shaping the future, empowering...
Liz Dow
CEO of Leadership Philadelphia
Philadelphia’s innovation comes in many forms, not the least of which is thought leadership. Ben Franklin’s genius not only gave us many inventions, but also stressed the value of working together for civic and self-improvement. LEADERSHIP Philadelphia has honored and echoed his thought leadership with its pioneering work recognizing, researching...
Geoff Martha
President & CEO - Medtronic
Geoff Martha President & CEO – Medtronic Millions of Americans are affected by pain and have been prescribed systemic opioids as part of their treatment plan. Whether for chronic or acute pain, prescribing systemic opioids continues, despite the limited evidence on the benefits of long-term systemic opioid therapy and evidence...
PROFESSOR IAN WHITE
VICE-CHANCELLOR AND PRESIDENT, UNIVERSITY OF BATH
Innovation and collaboration will always be essential to power progress in our societies and I think are a crucial part of what universities in particular can offer in partnership with others. This is especially important now as we begin to recover from Covid-19, and I have been pleased to play...
Collin Austin
Founder - New Scooters 4 Less
Collin Austin Founder – New Scooters 4 Less Collin Austin founded New Scooters 4 Less at the age of 21, which has gone on to become one of the top scooter dealerships in the country. In the last two years he’s also founded Repaint The Wall, a digital media “un-agency,”...
JASON CASSIDY
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, GAME CREDITS
Living inside of the cryptocurrency sector for eight years gives one a unique perspective on innovation. Things move so quickly with blockchain technology that innovation tends to happen right in front of our very eyes. I grew up in the Caribbean when I was younger and there was virtually no...
MELODI ASKELÖF
CEO & CO-FOUNDER, SATOCCI
Next stop: Mars. That’s the mindset that drives me. I’m scaling Retail Tech from MENA to the world with Satocci and our Scan & Pay revolution. I’ve spent fifteen years moving between banking, finance, sales and telecom, and here’s what I’ve learned: money always moves faster than the systems built...
CREATIVE DESTRUCTION LAB-ROCKIES
PERSPECTIVES FROM CDL-ROCKIES’ MENTORS
Providing a growing global population with abundant, safe, affordable and sustainable food and energy are among the defining challenges of this decade. The Global population is expected to grow from just under 8 billion in 2022 to over 8.5 billion in 2030 and 9.7 billion in 2050. Given the scale...
Marie Carlie
Tax Partner - BDO USA, Llp
In the world of business, the words “disrupt, innovate, and transform” have become the new normal. For companies looking to make their mark, digital transformation is now the pathway to create revenue and new value, increase profitability, and improve employee and customer retention. It can also help remove IT complexities,...
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...
SHADMAN HOSSAIN
MANAGER OF EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES PRACTICE, CGI FEDERAL
At its core, blockchain technology is about giving people control over their own data and assets, and enabling them to transact with one another in a transparent and secure way. By giving people control over their own data, we can create a more fair and just society where individuals have...
PAIGE NEEDLING
CEO, NEEDLING WORLDWIDE
As organizations look to innovate and stay ahead of the competition, it’s becoming increasingly clear that building a nurturing team and environment is key to driving innovation. A nurturing team is one that feels supported, encouraged, and empowered to take risks and try new things. A nurturing environment is one...
BRIAN ALBERTSON, PRESIDENT AND PHILLIP LEE, VICE-PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS
ISACA ATLANTA CHAPTER
Developing innovation is a dynamic and ongoing process essential for advancing human knowledge, solving critical problems, and driving progress across domains. It requires creativity, strategic thinking, and effective execution to transform new ideas into tangible benefits. Innovation creates opportunities, fuels growth, and drives development across diverse fields, passing the torch...
Sylvain Coulombe
Associate Vice-Principal, Innovation And Partnerships - McGill University
English: At a time when local and global challenges demand discoveries at the intersections of diverse disciplines, fostering an adaptable, agile and multi-sectorial innovation ecosystem enables universities to lead as social and economic accelerators. To set this vision in motion, McGill has established a dedicated unit, Innovation, and Partnerships (I+P),...