Speakers

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 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.