Thought Leaders

AI Québec

YOSHUA BENGIO

YOSHUA BENGIO

FULL PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE AND OPERATIONS RESEARCH AT UNIVERSITÉ

My first passion will always remain understanding intelligence. This includes the artificial intelligences we are currently developing, but the natural ones as well. In recent years, my thinking about artificial and human intelligence has hinged on AI for social good. How can we ensure that what we do will benefit...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

The Water Council

Dean Amhaus, President & CEO

Fifteen years ago, when I became the founding CEO of The Water Council, I brought with me a background in government and nonprofit management. I faced a steep learning curve in understanding water technology and environmental issues. I’m still very much a novice, but over time I’ve learned a thing...

INNOVATE® South Florida

BETH WAGMEISTER

CEO, WAG - WORKPLACE ACCESSIBILITY GROUP

BREAKING BARRIERS: HOW THE WAG EMPOWERS BUSINESSES TO CREATE INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENTS Accessibility as a Catalyst for Innovation In the United States, the employment disparity between deaf and hearing individuals highlights a significant accessibility gap. According to the National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes (NDC), only 48% of deaf individuals aged...

INNOVATE® Blockchain

WADE PEERY

WADE PEERY

CHIEF INNOVATIONS OFFICER, FIRSTBANK

INFLECTION POINTS AND NEW POSSIBILITIES As a career banker with over 30 years’ experience, I’ve seen a fair amount of change along the way. In retrospect, major inflection points, no matter how disruptive to traditional banking methods have been positive in terms of making the banking experience better for everyone....

INNOVATE® Orlando

Frank DiBello

Frank DiBello

President & Chief Executive Officer - Space Florida

Frank DiBello, Space Florida President and CEO, was selected in May 2009 to lead Space Florida, which is the principal state agency for aerospace-related economic development, and the Space Authority for the State of Florida. In his position, he develops and executes programs designed to attract, retain and grow aerospace...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

DEAN DEBIASE

DEAN DEBIASE- REBOOT PARTNERS

REBOOT PARTNERS

CEOs constantly hear noise about competitive “disruption” in their sectors, fueling concerns about their organization’s ability to innovate in an increasingly competitive and agile global market. This creates natural pressure to grow and meet earnings targets—but growth can be slow and expensive. With Open-Innovation and Co-Creation platforms, it doesn’t have...

INNOVATE® Miami

Alberto Carvalho

Alberto Carvalho

Superintendent - Miami-Dade County Public Schools

Innovation in education takes the form of rich, powerful, explosive choice. Alberto Carvalho, Superintendent, Miami-Dade County Public Schools class=”img-responsive”> In education, innovation is about ensuring that today’s students emerge from the educational process with a critical skill set that empowers them to work in diverse teams, enables them to reason...

INNOVATE™ Adelaide

NOEL J. LINDSAY

NOEL J. LINDSAY, PROFESSOR OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND COMMERCIALISATION, DEAN OF BUSINESS

THE PATHWAY TO PROSPERITY AND QUALITY OF LIFE IS UNDERPINNED BY INNOVATIONInnovation is a term frequently used but often not fully understood. Innovation occurs when something new is created that creates value. It is a key contributor toward improving productivity and quality of life. “Innovation” and “invention” are sometimes used...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

JAMES O’HAGAN

FOUNDER & CEO, THE ACADEMY OF ESPORTS

Would you be so quick to shut off your child’s video game system if you knew that it could be a portal to a scholarship at an international university or a career in a billion-dollar industry? What about if it led to a reduction in your child’s anxiety, better connections...

INNOVATION Quebec

VINCENT ROUSSON

RECTOR, UQAT

However, for a university located in a region like Abitibi Témiscamingue, innovation can play an even more critical role in its development. First and foremost, innovation can help attract and retain students and professors. By developing innovative programs and offering exciting research opportunities in partnership with the community, UQAT attracts...

INNOVATION Quebec

LAYLA NASR

CEO, MAKILA AI

En Amérique du Nord comme en Europe, la collaboration entre le milieu de la recherche scientifique et le milieu de la pratique professionnelle contribue au développement d’un savoir essentiel et bénéfique pour l’ensemble de la société. En matière de technologies et notamment en ce qui concerne l’intelligence artificielle, la diversité...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

MARILIIS PIKKAR

FOUNDER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR, MARIMO

When I founded Marimo, I wasn’t just building a fashion brand—I was creating a different kind of experience for women. One that respects their time, individuality, and values. To me, true luxury is about knowing who you are and choosing pieces that reflect that. What I’m most proud of is...

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™ Antwerp Vol.2

STIJN COENEN

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™ Montréal

Federico Puebla

Desjardin - Become Everyone’s #1 Choice. Be A Socio-Economic Leader. Enrich The Lives Of People And Communities

Directeur Innovation Ouverte - Open Innovation Manager - Mouvement Desjardins

French: ÊTRE PREMIER DANS LE CŒUR DES GENS. DEVENIR UN LEADER SOCIO-ÉCONOMIQUE. ENRICHIR LA VIE DES PERSONNES ET DES COMMUNAUTÉS. VOILÀ, TOUT À LA FOIS, UNE MISSION NOBLE, HUMAINE ET AMBITIEUSE. OUI, NOUS VISONS HAUT. NOUS L’AVONS TOUJOURS FAIT. ET NOUS LE FERONS TOUJOURS PUISQUE NOTRE HISTOIRE EST MARQUÉE DE...

INNOVATE™ Ottawa

Gérard Métrailler

Gérard Métrailler

Executive Vice President Of Global Products - Corel Corporation

WELCOME TO THE FUTURE OF USER-FOCUSED SOFTWARE  Gérard Métrailler has made Ottawa his home since moving from Europe in 2006. Today he is Corel Corporation’s Executive Vice President of Global Products, where he is responsible for developing and maintaining worldwide product strategy, management, and marketing across major software brands such...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

Mara Lord

Chief Strategy and Growth Officer at MCW

Innovation is more than a buzzword—it’s a mindset, a movement; in Milwaukee, it’s a way of life. At the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), we’re not just imagining a healthier future—we’re building it. And we’re doing it with purpose, collaboration, and the grit that defines Wisconsin. Leading Through Collaboration Wisconsin...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

PHIL RANTA

PHIL RANTA

CEO, WORMHOLE LABS

ESPORTS ISN’T A SPORT, IT’S THE IDEA OF SPORTSSince the birth of video games, we’ve played to win. It began with high scores and simple 1v1 games, progressed through games with an objective of story completion and now, finally, an online free-for-all where a kid in Japan and an adult...

INNOVATE® Nashville

ALEX SEVILLA

VICE PROVOST VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY

It is the promise of innovation that brought me to Nashville and to Vanderbilt University. I was hired in August of 2021 to serve as Vanderbilt’s first Vice Provost for Career Advancement and Engagement. There were many elements of this opportunity which were attractive: joining a pre – eminent global...

INNOVATE™ Stockholm

SARA NOŽKOVÁ

CEO & CO-FOUNDER, FLOX INTELLIGENCE

I’ve always believed that the next frontier of artificial intelligence isn’t about replacing humans — it’s about reconnecting us with the natural world. At Flox, we’re building systems that use AI not to dominate nature, but to protect it. We train intelligent devices to detect, understand, and respond to wild...

INNOVATE™ Bristol & Bath

Monika Radclyffe

Monika Radclyffe

Centre Director - SETSquared Bristol

MONIKA RADCLYFFE – LEADING THE CITY’S TECH CLUSTER GROWTH SETsquared Bristol is the Global No.1 University-led Business Incubator working with the University of Bristol. I have been the Centre Director since 2016, working with over 250 companies, including Bristol Pound, Interactive Scientific, Immersive Labs, YellowDog and Zeetta Networks. Bristol is...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

MIKE ABEL

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® Blockchain

BRIAN HARSTINE

BRIAN HARSTINE

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, ACQUIRE

Nearly every socio-economic sector is asking more questions, new questions, and challenging the way they have been doing just about everything, all the way down to their own personal finances and investment decisions. I came across an observation recently; when mass groups of people increase their awareness and knowledge of...

INNOVATE® San Diego Vol.1

San Diego Tech Hub (SDTH) - Claude Jones

Adversity Is a Leadership SuperpowerA leader is forged through the trials and tribulations of life. And when faced with negative influences, instead of giving into personal doubt and insecurities, leaders demonstrate the qualities of resiliency, passion, and authenticity enabling them to overcome the challenges of life empowering them to reach...

YOSHUA BENGIO

YOSHUA BENGIO

FULL PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE AND OPERATIONS RESEARCH AT UNIVERSITÉ

My first passion will always remain understanding intelligence. This includes the artificial intelligences we are currently developing, but the natural ones as well. In recent years, my thinking about artificial and human intelligence has hinged on AI for social good. How can we ensure that what we do will benefit...

The Water Council

Dean Amhaus, President & CEO

Fifteen years ago, when I became the founding CEO of The Water Council, I brought with me a background in government and nonprofit management. I faced a steep learning curve in understanding water technology and environmental issues. I’m still very much a novice, but over time I’ve learned a thing...

BETH WAGMEISTER

CEO, WAG - WORKPLACE ACCESSIBILITY GROUP

BREAKING BARRIERS: HOW THE WAG EMPOWERS BUSINESSES TO CREATE INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENTS Accessibility as a Catalyst for Innovation In the United States, the employment disparity between deaf and hearing individuals highlights a significant accessibility gap. According to the National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes (NDC), only 48% of deaf individuals aged...

WADE PEERY

WADE PEERY

CHIEF INNOVATIONS OFFICER, FIRSTBANK

INFLECTION POINTS AND NEW POSSIBILITIES As a career banker with over 30 years’ experience, I’ve seen a fair amount of change along the way. In retrospect, major inflection points, no matter how disruptive to traditional banking methods have been positive in terms of making the banking experience better for everyone....

Frank DiBello

Frank DiBello

President & Chief Executive Officer - Space Florida

Frank DiBello, Space Florida President and CEO, was selected in May 2009 to lead Space Florida, which is the principal state agency for aerospace-related economic development, and the Space Authority for the State of Florida. In his position, he develops and executes programs designed to attract, retain and grow aerospace...

DEAN DEBIASE

DEAN DEBIASE- REBOOT PARTNERS

REBOOT PARTNERS

CEOs constantly hear noise about competitive “disruption” in their sectors, fueling concerns about their organization’s ability to innovate in an increasingly competitive and agile global market. This creates natural pressure to grow and meet earnings targets—but growth can be slow and expensive. With Open-Innovation and Co-Creation platforms, it doesn’t have...

Alberto Carvalho

Alberto Carvalho

Superintendent - Miami-Dade County Public Schools

Innovation in education takes the form of rich, powerful, explosive choice. Alberto Carvalho, Superintendent, Miami-Dade County Public Schools class=”img-responsive”> In education, innovation is about ensuring that today’s students emerge from the educational process with a critical skill set that empowers them to work in diverse teams, enables them to reason...

NOEL J. LINDSAY

NOEL J. LINDSAY, PROFESSOR OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND COMMERCIALISATION, DEAN OF BUSINESS

THE PATHWAY TO PROSPERITY AND QUALITY OF LIFE IS UNDERPINNED BY INNOVATIONInnovation is a term frequently used but often not fully understood. Innovation occurs when something new is created that creates value. It is a key contributor toward improving productivity and quality of life. “Innovation” and “invention” are sometimes used...

JAMES O’HAGAN

FOUNDER & CEO, THE ACADEMY OF ESPORTS

Would you be so quick to shut off your child’s video game system if you knew that it could be a portal to a scholarship at an international university or a career in a billion-dollar industry? What about if it led to a reduction in your child’s anxiety, better connections...

VINCENT ROUSSON

RECTOR, UQAT

However, for a university located in a region like Abitibi Témiscamingue, innovation can play an even more critical role in its development. First and foremost, innovation can help attract and retain students and professors. By developing innovative programs and offering exciting research opportunities in partnership with the community, UQAT attracts...

LAYLA NASR

CEO, MAKILA AI

En Amérique du Nord comme en Europe, la collaboration entre le milieu de la recherche scientifique et le milieu de la pratique professionnelle contribue au développement d’un savoir essentiel et bénéfique pour l’ensemble de la société. En matière de technologies et notamment en ce qui concerne l’intelligence artificielle, la diversité...

MARILIIS PIKKAR

FOUNDER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR, MARIMO

When I founded Marimo, I wasn’t just building a fashion brand—I was creating a different kind of experience for women. One that respects their time, individuality, and values. To me, true luxury is about knowing who you are and choosing pieces that reflect that. What I’m most proud of is...

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...

STIJN COENEN

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...

Federico Puebla

Desjardin - Become Everyone’s #1 Choice. Be A Socio-Economic Leader. Enrich The Lives Of People And Communities

Directeur Innovation Ouverte - Open Innovation Manager - Mouvement Desjardins

French: ÊTRE PREMIER DANS LE CŒUR DES GENS. DEVENIR UN LEADER SOCIO-ÉCONOMIQUE. ENRICHIR LA VIE DES PERSONNES ET DES COMMUNAUTÉS. VOILÀ, TOUT À LA FOIS, UNE MISSION NOBLE, HUMAINE ET AMBITIEUSE. OUI, NOUS VISONS HAUT. NOUS L’AVONS TOUJOURS FAIT. ET NOUS LE FERONS TOUJOURS PUISQUE NOTRE HISTOIRE EST MARQUÉE DE...

Gérard Métrailler

Gérard Métrailler

Executive Vice President Of Global Products - Corel Corporation

WELCOME TO THE FUTURE OF USER-FOCUSED SOFTWARE  Gérard Métrailler has made Ottawa his home since moving from Europe in 2006. Today he is Corel Corporation’s Executive Vice President of Global Products, where he is responsible for developing and maintaining worldwide product strategy, management, and marketing across major software brands such...

Mara Lord

Chief Strategy and Growth Officer at MCW

Innovation is more than a buzzword—it’s a mindset, a movement; in Milwaukee, it’s a way of life. At the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), we’re not just imagining a healthier future—we’re building it. And we’re doing it with purpose, collaboration, and the grit that defines Wisconsin. Leading Through Collaboration Wisconsin...

PHIL RANTA

PHIL RANTA

CEO, WORMHOLE LABS

ESPORTS ISN’T A SPORT, IT’S THE IDEA OF SPORTSSince the birth of video games, we’ve played to win. It began with high scores and simple 1v1 games, progressed through games with an objective of story completion and now, finally, an online free-for-all where a kid in Japan and an adult...

ALEX SEVILLA

VICE PROVOST VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY

It is the promise of innovation that brought me to Nashville and to Vanderbilt University. I was hired in August of 2021 to serve as Vanderbilt’s first Vice Provost for Career Advancement and Engagement. There were many elements of this opportunity which were attractive: joining a pre – eminent global...

SARA NOŽKOVÁ

CEO & CO-FOUNDER, FLOX INTELLIGENCE

I’ve always believed that the next frontier of artificial intelligence isn’t about replacing humans — it’s about reconnecting us with the natural world. At Flox, we’re building systems that use AI not to dominate nature, but to protect it. We train intelligent devices to detect, understand, and respond to wild...

Monika Radclyffe

Monika Radclyffe

Centre Director - SETSquared Bristol

MONIKA RADCLYFFE – LEADING THE CITY’S TECH CLUSTER GROWTH SETsquared Bristol is the Global No.1 University-led Business Incubator working with the University of Bristol. I have been the Centre Director since 2016, working with over 250 companies, including Bristol Pound, Interactive Scientific, Immersive Labs, YellowDog and Zeetta Networks. Bristol is...

MIKE ABEL

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...

BRIAN HARSTINE

BRIAN HARSTINE

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, ACQUIRE

Nearly every socio-economic sector is asking more questions, new questions, and challenging the way they have been doing just about everything, all the way down to their own personal finances and investment decisions. I came across an observation recently; when mass groups of people increase their awareness and knowledge of...

San Diego Tech Hub (SDTH) - Claude Jones

Adversity Is a Leadership SuperpowerA leader is forged through the trials and tribulations of life. And when faced with negative influences, instead of giving into personal doubt and insecurities, leaders demonstrate the qualities of resiliency, passion, and authenticity enabling them to overcome the challenges of life empowering them to reach...

INNOVATE® Ecosystems