Speakers

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

Chris Ford is a business leader at Capco and a trusted advisor to financial services organizations. He began his career in the mid-1990s, working with Canadian banks to establish the first telephone banking and call center infrastructure for RBC. With extensive experience in the financial services sector, Chris has a proven track record of driving innovation and operational efficiency. His expertise in banking technology and customer service has made him a valuable asset in helping organizations navigate the evolving landscape of financial services. Chris’s strategic insights and leadership continue to influence the development of effective solutions for clients in the industry.

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.

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.

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.

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.