Speakers

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 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.

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.

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 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.

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.