Speakers

As the Director of Content at Starweaver, I lead the creation of engaging learning experiences by collaborating with subject matter experts, instructional designers, and multimedia specialists. I oversee teams to produce high-quality audio and video content, shaping our instructional design and quality standards to inspire a global audience. I also support senior leadership in promoting the brand and aligning with strategic goals. With over 30 years of experience as a Leadership Effectiveness Coach, Consultant, and Speaker, I’ve helped individuals and corporations enhance leadership skills. My career spans major international airlines, a European regional carrier, and an aerial emergency services provider, setting strategic direction in commercial aviation.

Alex Cowan is a faculty member at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business, where he teaches product design and digital development. He has delivered online courses to over 500,000 students. Before his teaching career, Alex founded and sold two companies, and he remains active in advising and investing in digital ventures. His work on Hypothesis-Driven Development is widely recognized and used by both practitioners and educators in new product and venture creation. Alex’s blend of entrepreneurial experience and academic expertise equips his students with the skills needed to innovate and succeed in the dynamic business landscape.

Nagy has extensive experience in the rapidly evolving technology landscape, spanning Financial Services, Telecommunications, and Consultancy & Service industries. He is skilled in navigating all phases of the business cycle, including periods of high growth, economic downturns, and major transitions. His expertise also extends to organizational transformations and acquisition integrations (M&A). Nagy’s broad industry knowledge and ability to adapt to change have made him an asset in successfully managing complex business challenges. With a proven track record of leadership, he has driven innovation and growth across various sectors, helping organizations align their technology strategies with overall business objectives to stay competitive in fast-paced markets.

As the Head of Engagement Management and Content Production at Starweaver, Vani Aggarwal leads the development and execution of high-quality educational content, working closely with world-class experts and content creators to ensure each course is engaging and impactful. With over 15 years of experience in media production, including directing and producing award-winning films and documentaries for platforms like National Geographic and Discovery Channel, Vani brings a wealth of creativity and expertise to her role. She specializes in video storytelling, digital production, and AI-driven tools to enhance the online learning experience. At Starweaver, Vani is passionate about collaborating on strategic content creation, optimizing processes, and delivering exceptional learning solutions that drive engagement and success for a global audience.

As Co-Founder and CTO of Guidepoint PEO LLC and Founder of Drighten Research, I bring extensive experience in leading teams across industries like software, healthcare, education, and government. My focus is on supporting Information Systems (IS) and IT services for large user communities, ensuring effective, tailored solutions. I have successfully managed projects from inception to completion, overseeing budgets and leading teams to achieve goals. With expertise in Decision Science, Data Analytics, Cloud technologies, and Project Management, I bridge technical expertise with business strategy. I am passionate about guiding teams to deliver innovative solutions that meet both technological and organizational objectives.

As the Head of Generative AI Strategy and Business Development at Cerebras Systems, I lead the development of cutting-edge AI solutions, specializing in generative AI for corporate use. With over a decade of experience, including leadership roles at AWS, where I shaped strategies for products like SageMaker and Bedrock, I bring a deep understanding of AI's transformative impact. As the founder of AI Guru Academy, I’ve trained over 1,000 executives in AI adoption. At this conference, I’ll discuss the future of AI in professional education and how it’s revolutionizing workforce training, helping organizations foster growth, enhance skills, and stay competitive in an AI-driven landscape.

Vikas Sharma is a Senior Partner at Ernst & Young, specializing in Digital Transformation and Big Data Platform Program Management. His expertise spans various domains, including digitization, social media strategy (both internal and external), social analytics, process and workflow re-engineering, and technology portfolio rationalization. Vikas has a proven track record of driving successful digital initiatives that enhance operational efficiency and business performance. He plays a critical role in helping organizations navigate the complexities of digital transformation, leveraging data and analytics to inform strategic decisions. His leadership and insights make him a key contributor to advancing innovative solutions in the consulting landscape.

I am a seasoned expert in data analytics, AI strategy, and business transformation, currently serving as the lead for Data & AI Technology at Accenture Switzerland. Over the years, I have honed my skills in creating innovative solutions that merge the power of generative AI, advanced analytics, and cloud architectures to drive business value. My career spans pivotal roles at pmOne and Teradata, where I successfully led teams and designed cutting-edge data warehousing and business intelligence strategies. My work is deeply rooted in helping organizations modernize their data infrastructures, improve strategic planning, and harness AI-driven insights to achieve transformative growth. I am passionate about pushing the boundaries of technology to create meaningful business impacts, always focusing on pragmatic, scalable solutions that align with both current and future industry trends.

Dan is a seasoned professional in the banking and financial services industry, recognized for his ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive innovation in career management. As a global leader, he has demonstrated success in formulating and executing strategies, managing large-scale transformations, and overseeing P&L responsibilities. His expertise spans consulting, complex services, software, and hardware sectors, where he has consistently delivered results by aligning business goals with operational excellence. Dan's collaborative leadership style has enabled him to foster high-performing teams, navigate industry challenges, and implement solutions that drive growth and efficiency. His broad experience positions him as a key contributor to organizational success in dynamic, fast-paced environments.

Silvia is a seasoned payments professional with extensive sales and management experience across the industry, including financial institutions, processors, and networks. She is passionate about payment innovation, focusing on instant payments and open APIs, while possessing a strong understanding of regulatory impacts. Silvia has a proven ability to quickly build and motivate sales teams, complemented by a large network of executive relationships across the European banking and payments industry. Currently, she is focused on growing the European business and has a history of acquiring new logos across various territories. Alongside other women, she leads the charge for the European Women Payments Network and actively discusses payment trends on Twitter and at industry events.

Paul Siegel is an accomplished entrepreneur and "venture execution expert" with extensive experience across various business domains. His diverse background includes IT services, financial and professional development, healthcare devices and services, online retail, and HR and talent management. Paul has a proven track record of driving growth and innovation within these sectors, leveraging his expertise to execute successful ventures. His strategic approach combines deep industry knowledge with a focus on operational excellence, enabling him to navigate complex challenges and deliver impactful results. With a commitment to fostering collaboration and building high-performing teams, Paul is dedicated to transforming ideas into successful business outcomes and enhancing the overall value proposition for stakeholders.

Kelley O’Connell is an internationally renowned author, with one published book and over a dozen titles available on the LinkedIn Learning platform. She partners with organizations of all sizes to drive change through knowledge and empowerment, building a devoted following worldwide. With more than 25 years of experience in Project and Program Management, as well as Business Leadership, Kelley is a sought-after speaker, trainer, and coach. Her expertise in fostering leadership development and enhancing organizational effectiveness makes her a valuable asset in the industry. Kelley's passion for empowering individuals and teams has established her as a leading voice in the field of professional development.