Thought Leaders
INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1
JASON VANDEBOOM
FOUNDER AND CEO, ACTIVECAMPAIGN
Building and investing in a differentiated customer experience used to be thought of as a nice to have but not a critical item. When it made it into the business plan or the balance sheet it did so as a necessary cost of sale – a cost you’d look to...
INNOVATE™ Antwerp Vol.2
STIJN COENEN
CEO, THOMAS MORE UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES
“The sky is not the limit anymore.” Quite a bold statement, likely to provoke more than a few raised eyebrows or some smug laughter. It is, however, the proud motto and goal of the students that enroll annually in Thomas More’s ICE honours programme, tailored for those students who want...
INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1
DAN BROWN JR
PRESIDENT OF LOGGERHEAD TOOLS & CEO OF INSTASHIELD
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, consumers faced shortages of toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and PPE. Now we’re looking at the global scarcity of computer chips and fertilizer, coupled with the highest inflation seen in 40 years. These events have pointed a spotlight on the health of the U.S....
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™ 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® Gainesville
Rich Blaser
Co-Founder & CO-CEO - Infinite Energy
I can’t think of a better place to start a business than Gainesville. When my business partner and I started here more than 25 years ago, it was the location that drew us. Geographically we’re at the hub of a wheel–just two hours from Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Orlando and Tampa–so we...
INNOVATE™ Adelaide
JASMINE VREUGDENBURG
DEPUTY DIRECTOR: INCUBATION, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA ENTERPRISE HUB
In 2018, I founded one of Australia’s first space-related incubator programs, (Venture Catalyst Space) with the state’s huge focus on the growing space sector. With the Australian Space Agency HQ in Adelaide, a growing number of new space companies, and the proposed new Space Park, Adelaide is fast becoming Australia’s...
INNOVATE™ Alberta
REG JOSEPH
CEO, HEALTH CITIES
I have spent most of my career in health sciences and innovation in both Canada and the United States. As we grapple with the challenges in our health systems across Canada, it is clear to me that while there are several areas that need attention (including policy and new funding...
INNOVATIONS in Pharmaceutical Development®
Karen Roy
Chief Strategic Officer - Phlexglobal
On joining Phlexglobal in 2007, and becoming immersed in the trial master file (TMF) space, I didn’t imagine that something that seemed to get so little focus (a TMF was really just a paper archive) could turn into such an innovative space. When I started, an eTMF was broadly an...
INNOVATE™ Stockholm
JENNY RINGSÖ
FOUNDER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR, I AM YOUR SISTER (IAYS)
THE LIFESTYLE OF NOT GIVING UP Entrepreneurship isn’t a job, it’s a lifestyle. A way of living built on persistence, humility, and the willingness to reinvent yourself again and again. When you decide to follow an idea, you don’t just commit to a vision. You commit to setbacks, uncertainty, and...
INNOVATION Quebec
ISABELLE CAYER
DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE CENTER FOR DEVELOPMENT AND RESEARCH IN DIGITAL INTELLIGENCE
By 2030 , Quebec will witness the emergence of a tidal wave of new skills and therefore new companies in digital intelligence. Technical, professional and scientific profiles will be revisited, merged, transmuted into workforce profiles combining creative genius and advanced techniques that more effectively integrate the benefits of research. The...
AI Québec
ANNE-MARIE HUBERT
EAST MARKET LEADER, EY CANADA
Québec is renowned for its vibrant artificial intelligence (AI) innovation ecosystem for three primary reasons: a phenomenal talent pool, collaborative partnerships and a strong commitment to building ethics into design. In fact, the region is home to the Montreal Declaration for a Responsible Development of Artificial Intelligence, which is globally...
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
Judy Genshaft
President, USF System
As the state’s first public research university to be located in a metropolitan region, the University of South Florida System has always been proud of its relationship with the Tampa Bay community we serve.We live in an era when the public increasingly depends on research universities to be a key...
INNOVATE® South Florida
MELISSA MEDINA
CEO & PRESIDENT, eMERGE AMERICAS
Innovation has been a foundational principle I’ve seen throughout my life. As the first-generation daughter of immigrant parents from Cuba, I learned early on from my parents and grandparents how creative, innovative thinking can help me navigate everyday obstacles and unpredictable circumstances. This drive to continuously innovate and think bigger...
INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1
BIJU KULATHAKAL AND JASON BARSEMA
CO-FOUNDERS, HALO INVESTING
Chicago’s rich history of financial innovation is world-famous for a reason. In 1848, the Chicago Board of Trade launched to promote commerce—most notably around agricultural commodities. Today people recognize Chicago for its role in revolutionizing global finance. It’s here where financial futures, options, and derivatives trading began. This vibrant and...
INNOVATE™ Ottawa
Why do we pursue innovation in health care? The population is aging, and patients are entering the health-care system with more complex health needs. As a leader in world-first health-care research and as a part of the Ottawa community, The Ottawa Hospital pursues health-care innovation to support healthier populations while...
INNOVATE® South Carolina
DR. NIKKI HONEYCUTT
DIRECTOR, DANIEL MORGAN TECHNOLOGY CENTER
Career Centers: The New Workforce Suppliers I want you to imagine standing at the edge of a river. On one side are thousands of students—bright-eyed, full of energy, buzzing with ideas and untapped skills. On the other side are industries—manufacturing, healthcare, transportation—calling out for skilled workers, desperate for fresh talent...
INNOVATE™ Alberta
HUBBA KHATOON
REGIONAL INNOVATION DIRECTOR (PRAIRIES), CANADIAN FOOD INNOVATION NETWORK (CFIN)
True innovation isn’t just about expertise and knowledge — it’s about having an unwavering passion to make a difference. Over the past decade, I’ve been fortunate to witness remarkable enthusiasm and drive that Alberta’s entrepreneurs bring to the table. As the Regional Innovation Director for Prairies Canada at the Canadian...
INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1
JOAN M. STELTMANN
FOUNDER AND CEO, BOUNCE CHILDREN’S FOUNDATION
FOUNDER AND CEO, BOUNCE CHILDREN’S FOUNDATION CHANGING OUR MINDSET WILL MOVE THE PRIVATE AND SOCIAL SECTORS CLOSER TOGETHER – ENHANCING BOTH. If you still say “Non-Profit”, it’s time to upgrade your thinking to “Not for-Profit”. Why? It conveys purpose and intention, without placing limitations on outcomes. For social service organizations,...
VOICES of the Future
BERNARD POULIN
THE HUMAN ESSENCE IN THE TECHNOLOGICAL ERA
Listening to Bernard Poulin, I’m struck by his narrative that encapsulates not just the essence of innovation and foresight but also a profound connection to the human spirit and our planet. Hailing from Canada, he shares his life’s tapestry woven with experiences from around the globe, embodying a passion for...
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...
Global Innovation Spotlight
DR. JOE PEREZ
SENIOR SYSTEMS ANALYST, CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER, INTERNATIONAL KEYNOTE SPEAKER
BALANCING ART AND SCIENCE: THE POWER OF DATA STORYTELLING IN BUSINESS INTELLIGENCEAs a seasoned thought leader in the realm of data analytics and business intelligence, I am passionate about communicating the innovative role of data storytelling in effectively communicating data-driven insights. While different perspectives exist on its nature, some viewing...
Global Innovation Spotlight
FRANK LEYHAUSEN
CEO AF1 GMBH, COLOGNE, GERMANY
In almost all countries of the developed world, the labor market is under pressure. The reason: Demographic change has shrunk the number of people of working age. Seriously? I don’t think so! In Western society, age is and always has been associated with the loss of skills and abilities. For...
STIJN COENEN
CEO, THOMAS MORE UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES
“The sky is not the limit anymore.” Quite a bold statement, likely to provoke more than a few raised eyebrows or some smug laughter. It is, however, the proud motto and goal of the students that enroll annually in Thomas More’s ICE honours programme, tailored for those students who want...
DAN BROWN JR
PRESIDENT OF LOGGERHEAD TOOLS & CEO OF INSTASHIELD
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, consumers faced shortages of toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and PPE. Now we’re looking at the global scarcity of computer chips and fertilizer, coupled with the highest inflation seen in 40 years. These events have pointed a spotlight on the health of the U.S....
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...
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...
Rich Blaser
Co-Founder & CO-CEO - Infinite Energy
I can’t think of a better place to start a business than Gainesville. When my business partner and I started here more than 25 years ago, it was the location that drew us. Geographically we’re at the hub of a wheel–just two hours from Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Orlando and Tampa–so we...
JASMINE VREUGDENBURG
DEPUTY DIRECTOR: INCUBATION, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA ENTERPRISE HUB
In 2018, I founded one of Australia’s first space-related incubator programs, (Venture Catalyst Space) with the state’s huge focus on the growing space sector. With the Australian Space Agency HQ in Adelaide, a growing number of new space companies, and the proposed new Space Park, Adelaide is fast becoming Australia’s...
REG JOSEPH
CEO, HEALTH CITIES
I have spent most of my career in health sciences and innovation in both Canada and the United States. As we grapple with the challenges in our health systems across Canada, it is clear to me that while there are several areas that need attention (including policy and new funding...
Karen Roy
Chief Strategic Officer - Phlexglobal
On joining Phlexglobal in 2007, and becoming immersed in the trial master file (TMF) space, I didn’t imagine that something that seemed to get so little focus (a TMF was really just a paper archive) could turn into such an innovative space. When I started, an eTMF was broadly an...
JENNY RINGSÖ
FOUNDER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR, I AM YOUR SISTER (IAYS)
THE LIFESTYLE OF NOT GIVING UP Entrepreneurship isn’t a job, it’s a lifestyle. A way of living built on persistence, humility, and the willingness to reinvent yourself again and again. When you decide to follow an idea, you don’t just commit to a vision. You commit to setbacks, uncertainty, and...
ISABELLE CAYER
DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE CENTER FOR DEVELOPMENT AND RESEARCH IN DIGITAL INTELLIGENCE
By 2030 , Quebec will witness the emergence of a tidal wave of new skills and therefore new companies in digital intelligence. Technical, professional and scientific profiles will be revisited, merged, transmuted into workforce profiles combining creative genius and advanced techniques that more effectively integrate the benefits of research. The...
ANNE-MARIE HUBERT
EAST MARKET LEADER, EY CANADA
Québec is renowned for its vibrant artificial intelligence (AI) innovation ecosystem for three primary reasons: a phenomenal talent pool, collaborative partnerships and a strong commitment to building ethics into design. In fact, the region is home to the Montreal Declaration for a Responsible Development of Artificial Intelligence, which is globally...
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...
Judy Genshaft
President, USF System
As the state’s first public research university to be located in a metropolitan region, the University of South Florida System has always been proud of its relationship with the Tampa Bay community we serve.We live in an era when the public increasingly depends on research universities to be a key...
MELISSA MEDINA
CEO & PRESIDENT, eMERGE AMERICAS
Innovation has been a foundational principle I’ve seen throughout my life. As the first-generation daughter of immigrant parents from Cuba, I learned early on from my parents and grandparents how creative, innovative thinking can help me navigate everyday obstacles and unpredictable circumstances. This drive to continuously innovate and think bigger...
BIJU KULATHAKAL AND JASON BARSEMA
CO-FOUNDERS, HALO INVESTING
Chicago’s rich history of financial innovation is world-famous for a reason. In 1848, the Chicago Board of Trade launched to promote commerce—most notably around agricultural commodities. Today people recognize Chicago for its role in revolutionizing global finance. It’s here where financial futures, options, and derivatives trading began. This vibrant and...
Why do we pursue innovation in health care? The population is aging, and patients are entering the health-care system with more complex health needs. As a leader in world-first health-care research and as a part of the Ottawa community, The Ottawa Hospital pursues health-care innovation to support healthier populations while...
DR. NIKKI HONEYCUTT
DIRECTOR, DANIEL MORGAN TECHNOLOGY CENTER
Career Centers: The New Workforce Suppliers I want you to imagine standing at the edge of a river. On one side are thousands of students—bright-eyed, full of energy, buzzing with ideas and untapped skills. On the other side are industries—manufacturing, healthcare, transportation—calling out for skilled workers, desperate for fresh talent...
HUBBA KHATOON
REGIONAL INNOVATION DIRECTOR (PRAIRIES), CANADIAN FOOD INNOVATION NETWORK (CFIN)
True innovation isn’t just about expertise and knowledge — it’s about having an unwavering passion to make a difference. Over the past decade, I’ve been fortunate to witness remarkable enthusiasm and drive that Alberta’s entrepreneurs bring to the table. As the Regional Innovation Director for Prairies Canada at the Canadian...
JOAN M. STELTMANN
FOUNDER AND CEO, BOUNCE CHILDREN’S FOUNDATION
FOUNDER AND CEO, BOUNCE CHILDREN’S FOUNDATION CHANGING OUR MINDSET WILL MOVE THE PRIVATE AND SOCIAL SECTORS CLOSER TOGETHER – ENHANCING BOTH. If you still say “Non-Profit”, it’s time to upgrade your thinking to “Not for-Profit”. Why? It conveys purpose and intention, without placing limitations on outcomes. For social service organizations,...
BERNARD POULIN
THE HUMAN ESSENCE IN THE TECHNOLOGICAL ERA
Listening to Bernard Poulin, I’m struck by his narrative that encapsulates not just the essence of innovation and foresight but also a profound connection to the human spirit and our planet. Hailing from Canada, he shares his life’s tapestry woven with experiences from around the globe, embodying a passion for...
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...
DR. JOE PEREZ
SENIOR SYSTEMS ANALYST, CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER, INTERNATIONAL KEYNOTE SPEAKER
BALANCING ART AND SCIENCE: THE POWER OF DATA STORYTELLING IN BUSINESS INTELLIGENCEAs a seasoned thought leader in the realm of data analytics and business intelligence, I am passionate about communicating the innovative role of data storytelling in effectively communicating data-driven insights. While different perspectives exist on its nature, some viewing...
FRANK LEYHAUSEN
CEO AF1 GMBH, COLOGNE, GERMANY
In almost all countries of the developed world, the labor market is under pressure. The reason: Demographic change has shrunk the number of people of working age. Seriously? I don’t think so! In Western society, age is and always has been associated with the loss of skills and abilities. For...