Speakers

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.

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.

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.

Jean-Michale Ares has held prominent leadership roles in technology and operations, serving as the Chief Technology and Operations Officer at BMO Financial Group and the Global CIO at The Coca-Cola Company and GE Power Systems. He began his career as a consultant with McKinsey & Company, where he gained valuable insights into various industries. With a strong background in driving innovation and operational excellence, Jean-Michale has been instrumental in implementing technology strategies that enhance organizational efficiency and performance across multiple sectors. His extensive experience positions him as a key leader in navigating the evolving landscape of technology and operations in the financial and consumer goods industries.

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.

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.

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.

Anuj Dhall is a partner at Price Waterhouse Cooper, specializing in Financial Services Technology. He has extensive experience working with companies like BMO and CIBC, leading teams in developing technology strategies and solutions for key customer-facing channels, including Internet, mobile, call centers, branches, and ATMs. Anuj's expertise lies in aligning technology initiatives with business goals to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency. He plays a crucial role in driving digital transformation within the banking sector, ensuring that financial institutions leverage innovative technologies to meet the evolving needs of their clients. His leadership in technology strategy makes him a valuable asset in the financial services industry.

I am a seasoned business leader with over 13 years of experience in the technology learning space. As the Vice President of Partnerships at Packt, I focus on building strategic alliances that foster innovation and drive value. With a background in product development, I've had the privilege of developing innovative learning products and strategies for some of the UK’s biggest brands, such as BT and Hertz. At Packt, my role involves identifying and nurturing partnerships that enhance our market presence, expand our reach, and empower professionals globally through cutting-edge content and technical solutions. My expertise lies in developing product cultures, leading global teams, and driving revenue growth through strategic product innovations.

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.

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.

As an educator, consultant, and speaker, I bring over a decade of experience in leadership development, team building, and organizational communication. My passion lies in helping individuals and organizations unlock their full potential through targeted leadership strategies and fostering stronger team dynamics. With a Ph.D. in Organizational Communication and an MBA with a management focus, I've spent my career working with both academic institutions and corporate clients, developing and delivering cutting-edge courses on leadership, communication, and organizational effectiveness. As the author of multiple books and the designer of over 11 online courses with over 600,000 views on LinkedIn Learning, I am deeply committed to empowering leaders and teams with the tools they need to thrive in today’s complex environments. Let’s work together to build better leaders, better teams, and better organizations.