Thought Leaders

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

LAURA CANTERO

LAURA CANTERO

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, GRUPO GUAYACÁN, INC

One aspect I can highlight about doing business in Puerto Rico is the vibrant and growing community of entrepreneurs committed to transforming the local economy. This community of entrepreneurs is navigating a complex scenario under the shadow of an economic crisis that forced the local government to overhaul public finances....

INNOVATE® St. Louis

Josh Turner

Josh Turner

CEO - LinkedSelling

Founded by Wall Street Journal–bestselling author and CEO Josh Turner, LinkedSelling is the world’s foremost B2B marketing and lead generation company. One of the nation’s fastest-growing companies, we’ve made the Inc. 5000 list three years running and, most recently, have been listed as one of Entrepreneur’s 360 top entrepreneurial companies...

INNOVATE™ Alberta

ARLEIGH VASCONCELLOS

MANAGING DIRECTOR, THE AGENCY

“When I started The Agency in 2009 as a boutique firm servicing the tech sector in Calgary, I heard the same thing over and over: What tech sector?” Arleigh Vasconcellos, CEO/Founder, The Agency Communications Inc. And they had a point – the tech sector here was small. But the city...

INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2

NERISSA ALLEN B.SC.

PRESIDENT & CEO, BLACK BUSINESS ASSOCIATION OF BC (BBABC)

I think we over analyze the meaning of “ Innovation “. Innovation is simply thinking beyond the now. Innovation thrives from adversity and challenge, so, you will find most successful entrepreneurs are innovators. Through our work at the BBABC, we must find practical methods to help businesses create sustainable growth...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

MIKE JOUBERT

MIKE JOUBERT

FOUNDER, BILLYBO GROUP

As a changemaker with over 35 years’ experience, I believe innovation is a critical tool to address a deeper human need to be better for a greater good. The culmination of a rewarding career has led me to creating the Billybo Group, a human-centred solutions collective. To help make a...

INNOVATE™ Atlantic Canada

OWEN SAGNESS

CEO, DIGITAL NOVA SCOTIA (DNS)

Introduction The digital sector is experiencing an unprecedented demand for skilled professionals, creating a significant talent gap. Traditional education pathways alone are no longer sufficient to meet this demand. In early2024, Digital Nova Scotia surveyed our members and produced the2024 Digital Nova Scotia Workforce Survey. This survey highlights a promising...

INNOVATE™ Antwerp Vol.2

Carole Lamarque

CEO, Founding Partner Of Duval Union Innovative Marketing

Strategic Marketing, launching innovations and new technologies are my passions. I worked as a marketing leader for various companies in competitive markets. It was a privilege to work in these sectors. I look back on my very pleasant and extremely smart colleagues. Many of them supported me and made me...

Phoebe Cade Miles

Phoebe Cade Miles

Co-Founder - The Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention

Phoebe Cade Miles Co-Founder – The Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention In 2004, I helped my father, Dr. James Robert Cade, the lead inventor of Gatorade, to establish the Cade Museum. Sixteen years later, it is inspiring the next generation of inventors, entrepreneurs, and visionaries. The Gatorade story had...

INNOVATE® Nashville

Deborah German

Deborah German

M.D. - University of Central Florida

Deborah German was appointed founding dean of the University of Central Florida College of Medicine in December 2006 following a distinguished career at Duke University, Vanderbilt University, and St. Thomas Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee. She has overseen the construction of UCF’s 375,000-square-foot medical school at Lake Nona and is now...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

KRISTINA NOELL

ANACOSTIA BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Progress isn’t just a metric; it’s a mindset. I envision a world where art is at the heart of innovation, powering inclusive economic growth and nurturing a vibrant, diverse, and connected society. My journey has been fueled by a lifelong commitment to learning—both through formal education and the invaluable experiences...

INNOVATE™ Antwerp Vol.2

GEERT VERACHTERT

GEERT VERACHTERT

DIRECTOR STRATEGY AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, GROEP VAN ROEY

“Our Iceberg is Melting”, the book by John Kotter on change management was given to me as a present from my mentor at Philips. I’ve always associated myself with the mindset of Fred the penguin: someone who creates a feeling of urgency by helping others realise why change is necessary...

INNOVATE™ Alberta

JILL DE GROOD

DIRECTOR, DEVELOPMENT AND PARTNERSHIPS, W21C

Health and health care is something that impacts every single one of us, whether we want it to or not. In Alberta, we have seen tremendous developments in how health care is delivered and in the availability of innovative solutions to better manage care. At the same time, it feels...

INNOVATION Quebec

RÉMI QUIRION

SCIENTIFIQUE EN CHEF DU QUÉBEC

RÉMI QUIRION, SCIENTIFIQUE EN CHEF DU QUÉBEC, LUC SIROIS, INNOVATEUR EN CHEF DU QUÉBEC, SYLVIE PINSONNAULT, PREMIÈRE VICE-PRÉSIDENTE, STRATÉGIES, INNOVATION ET DÉVELOPPEMENT DURABLE. En ouverture du Sommet des accélérateurs, organisé par le Mouvement des accélérateurs d’innovation du Québec, Rémi Quirion, scientifique en chef du Québec, Luc Sirois, Innovateur en chef...

INNOVATE® Kansas City

PHIL ABRAHAM

THE VISION OF BRILLIANCY QUANTUM BRANDS

VISIONARY “BRILLIANCY COMPLEXITY SCIENCE METHODOLOGIES” INTEGRATE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI), BLOCKCHAIN, AND QUANTUM TECH TO DELIVER SOLUTIONS THAT ESCAPE TODAY’S LIMITS WITH TOMORROW’S CAPABILITIES In the fast-paced world of frontier technologies, Phil Abraham stands out as a transformative leader, expertly connecting legacy systems with cutting-edge innovations. As the visionary founder of...

INNOVATE™ Atlantic Canada

MEAGAN KAY-FOWLOW

CO. INNOVATION CENTRE, PRESIDENT

LEADERS BY DESIGN: The Innovation Mindset of Newfoundland and Labrador Meagan Kay-Fowlow, President, Co. Innovation Centre As a proud Newfoundlander and Labradorian, I’ve always believed that innovation isn’t just something we do— it’s embedded in who we are. Our history and culture have been shaped by the challenges of living...

INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2

Chaya Pamula

Chaya Pamula

President & Ceo - Pamten

I’ve always believed that, with anything you do in life, it’s important to find your passion. Once you find that passion and set short- and long-term goals, you can transform your dream into a reality. Today’s technology gives us the unique opportunity to find and follow our path in more...

INNOVATION Quebec

GILLES DÉRY

PRÉSIDENT-DIRECTOR GENERAL, CQRDA

The idea of contributing to Quebec’s development is why I’m involved in the fast-paced world of innovation. It’s also the way to ensure an essential approach to our collective ambitions, in order to become a hub in several cutting-edge innovation sectors, notably aluminum. To this end, I am a fierce...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

KEN POLOTAN

Leadership matters. That’s an undeniable truth — the quality and type of leadership we cultivate and practice are paramount. From my journey in big consulting fi rms to my own innovation advisory practice, from startups to Global 500 companies, the critical success factor remains: leadership is the foundation of open...

INNOVATE® Philadelphia

JOE VOLPE

CO-FOUNDER, CESCAPHE

As the co-founder of Cescaphe, I never set out to disrupt the hospitality and events industry, I set out to create an experience I couldn’t find elsewhere. When we launched Cescaphe, the traditional wedding and event model was fragmented, making for an unpleasant client experience, when it should be a...

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...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

TOMMY KNAPP

TOMMY KNAPP

PRESIDENT ESPORTS DIVISION, OPTIMA SPORTS GROUP

After making the plunge into the ecosystem myself, in 2017, I found myself telling people this everywhere I went. Whether it was at an industry breakout conference at DreamHack, as a panelist on a YouTuber Zoom discussion, on a college campus speaking to Sports Management students or just in daily...

INNOVATE® Philadelphia

Stephen K. Klasko

Stephen K. Klasko

MD, MBA - President - Thomas Jefferson University; and CEO - Jefferson Health

Philadelphia will become a global solutions center when we prioritize a couple of core values: Here’s how I see creativity, and why I believe all of us can use it to make our city the world’s first option for solutions.Creativity comes in different shapes. There is a body of literature...

VOICES of the Future

KUSHAL SHAH

ETHICS, INNOVATION, AND IMPACT

When talking with Kushal Shah, the Managing Director of e& capital, I am struck by the depth and range of his experiences. Kushal, a man whose life journey began in the serenity of Nairobi, Kenya, opened our conversation with a profound reflection on his roots. “I was born and brought...

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...

LAURA CANTERO

LAURA CANTERO

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, GRUPO GUAYACÁN, INC

One aspect I can highlight about doing business in Puerto Rico is the vibrant and growing community of entrepreneurs committed to transforming the local economy. This community of entrepreneurs is navigating a complex scenario under the shadow of an economic crisis that forced the local government to overhaul public finances....

Josh Turner

Josh Turner

CEO - LinkedSelling

Founded by Wall Street Journal–bestselling author and CEO Josh Turner, LinkedSelling is the world’s foremost B2B marketing and lead generation company. One of the nation’s fastest-growing companies, we’ve made the Inc. 5000 list three years running and, most recently, have been listed as one of Entrepreneur’s 360 top entrepreneurial companies...

ARLEIGH VASCONCELLOS

MANAGING DIRECTOR, THE AGENCY

“When I started The Agency in 2009 as a boutique firm servicing the tech sector in Calgary, I heard the same thing over and over: What tech sector?” Arleigh Vasconcellos, CEO/Founder, The Agency Communications Inc. And they had a point – the tech sector here was small. But the city...

NERISSA ALLEN B.SC.

PRESIDENT & CEO, BLACK BUSINESS ASSOCIATION OF BC (BBABC)

I think we over analyze the meaning of “ Innovation “. Innovation is simply thinking beyond the now. Innovation thrives from adversity and challenge, so, you will find most successful entrepreneurs are innovators. Through our work at the BBABC, we must find practical methods to help businesses create sustainable growth...

MIKE JOUBERT

MIKE JOUBERT

FOUNDER, BILLYBO GROUP

As a changemaker with over 35 years’ experience, I believe innovation is a critical tool to address a deeper human need to be better for a greater good. The culmination of a rewarding career has led me to creating the Billybo Group, a human-centred solutions collective. To help make a...

OWEN SAGNESS

CEO, DIGITAL NOVA SCOTIA (DNS)

Introduction The digital sector is experiencing an unprecedented demand for skilled professionals, creating a significant talent gap. Traditional education pathways alone are no longer sufficient to meet this demand. In early2024, Digital Nova Scotia surveyed our members and produced the2024 Digital Nova Scotia Workforce Survey. This survey highlights a promising...

Carole Lamarque

CEO, Founding Partner Of Duval Union Innovative Marketing

Strategic Marketing, launching innovations and new technologies are my passions. I worked as a marketing leader for various companies in competitive markets. It was a privilege to work in these sectors. I look back on my very pleasant and extremely smart colleagues. Many of them supported me and made me...

Phoebe Cade Miles

Phoebe Cade Miles

Co-Founder - The Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention

Phoebe Cade Miles Co-Founder – The Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention In 2004, I helped my father, Dr. James Robert Cade, the lead inventor of Gatorade, to establish the Cade Museum. Sixteen years later, it is inspiring the next generation of inventors, entrepreneurs, and visionaries. The Gatorade story had...

Deborah German

Deborah German

M.D. - University of Central Florida

Deborah German was appointed founding dean of the University of Central Florida College of Medicine in December 2006 following a distinguished career at Duke University, Vanderbilt University, and St. Thomas Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee. She has overseen the construction of UCF’s 375,000-square-foot medical school at Lake Nona and is now...

KRISTINA NOELL

ANACOSTIA BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Progress isn’t just a metric; it’s a mindset. I envision a world where art is at the heart of innovation, powering inclusive economic growth and nurturing a vibrant, diverse, and connected society. My journey has been fueled by a lifelong commitment to learning—both through formal education and the invaluable experiences...

GEERT VERACHTERT

GEERT VERACHTERT

DIRECTOR STRATEGY AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, GROEP VAN ROEY

“Our Iceberg is Melting”, the book by John Kotter on change management was given to me as a present from my mentor at Philips. I’ve always associated myself with the mindset of Fred the penguin: someone who creates a feeling of urgency by helping others realise why change is necessary...

JILL DE GROOD

DIRECTOR, DEVELOPMENT AND PARTNERSHIPS, W21C

Health and health care is something that impacts every single one of us, whether we want it to or not. In Alberta, we have seen tremendous developments in how health care is delivered and in the availability of innovative solutions to better manage care. At the same time, it feels...

RÉMI QUIRION

SCIENTIFIQUE EN CHEF DU QUÉBEC

RÉMI QUIRION, SCIENTIFIQUE EN CHEF DU QUÉBEC, LUC SIROIS, INNOVATEUR EN CHEF DU QUÉBEC, SYLVIE PINSONNAULT, PREMIÈRE VICE-PRÉSIDENTE, STRATÉGIES, INNOVATION ET DÉVELOPPEMENT DURABLE. En ouverture du Sommet des accélérateurs, organisé par le Mouvement des accélérateurs d’innovation du Québec, Rémi Quirion, scientifique en chef du Québec, Luc Sirois, Innovateur en chef...

PHIL ABRAHAM

THE VISION OF BRILLIANCY QUANTUM BRANDS

VISIONARY “BRILLIANCY COMPLEXITY SCIENCE METHODOLOGIES” INTEGRATE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI), BLOCKCHAIN, AND QUANTUM TECH TO DELIVER SOLUTIONS THAT ESCAPE TODAY’S LIMITS WITH TOMORROW’S CAPABILITIES In the fast-paced world of frontier technologies, Phil Abraham stands out as a transformative leader, expertly connecting legacy systems with cutting-edge innovations. As the visionary founder of...

MEAGAN KAY-FOWLOW

CO. INNOVATION CENTRE, PRESIDENT

LEADERS BY DESIGN: The Innovation Mindset of Newfoundland and Labrador Meagan Kay-Fowlow, President, Co. Innovation Centre As a proud Newfoundlander and Labradorian, I’ve always believed that innovation isn’t just something we do— it’s embedded in who we are. Our history and culture have been shaped by the challenges of living...

Chaya Pamula

Chaya Pamula

President & Ceo - Pamten

I’ve always believed that, with anything you do in life, it’s important to find your passion. Once you find that passion and set short- and long-term goals, you can transform your dream into a reality. Today’s technology gives us the unique opportunity to find and follow our path in more...

GILLES DÉRY

PRÉSIDENT-DIRECTOR GENERAL, CQRDA

The idea of contributing to Quebec’s development is why I’m involved in the fast-paced world of innovation. It’s also the way to ensure an essential approach to our collective ambitions, in order to become a hub in several cutting-edge innovation sectors, notably aluminum. To this end, I am a fierce...

KEN POLOTAN

Leadership matters. That’s an undeniable truth — the quality and type of leadership we cultivate and practice are paramount. From my journey in big consulting fi rms to my own innovation advisory practice, from startups to Global 500 companies, the critical success factor remains: leadership is the foundation of open...

JOE VOLPE

CO-FOUNDER, CESCAPHE

As the co-founder of Cescaphe, I never set out to disrupt the hospitality and events industry, I set out to create an experience I couldn’t find elsewhere. When we launched Cescaphe, the traditional wedding and event model was fragmented, making for an unpleasant client experience, when it should be a...

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...

TOMMY KNAPP

TOMMY KNAPP

PRESIDENT ESPORTS DIVISION, OPTIMA SPORTS GROUP

After making the plunge into the ecosystem myself, in 2017, I found myself telling people this everywhere I went. Whether it was at an industry breakout conference at DreamHack, as a panelist on a YouTuber Zoom discussion, on a college campus speaking to Sports Management students or just in daily...

Stephen K. Klasko

Stephen K. Klasko

MD, MBA - President - Thomas Jefferson University; and CEO - Jefferson Health

Philadelphia will become a global solutions center when we prioritize a couple of core values: Here’s how I see creativity, and why I believe all of us can use it to make our city the world’s first option for solutions.Creativity comes in different shapes. There is a body of literature...

KUSHAL SHAH

ETHICS, INNOVATION, AND IMPACT

When talking with Kushal Shah, the Managing Director of e& capital, I am struck by the depth and range of his experiences. Kushal, a man whose life journey began in the serenity of Nairobi, Kenya, opened our conversation with a profound reflection on his roots. “I was born and brought...

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® Ecosystems