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TITAN Innovation Awards Panel

United States

SAURABH SUMAN CHOUDHURI

Vice President & Global Head of Digital Modalities, SAP America Inc.

Saurabh Choudhuri, a distinguished Global Digital Transformation Leader with 15 years of experience, spearheads Artificial Intelligence-driven initiatives at SAP as the Vice President & Global Head of SAP Digital Modalities, Innovation & Incubation Hub to enhance the productivity and experiences of customers worldwide. Celebrated for his leadership and innovation, including an approved US patent in machine learning, he also founded a tech startup. Saurabh, holds the degrees from Harvard Business School and the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore. His active engagement in tech forums and strategic AI advisories, coupled with his recognition by the Forbes Business Council, makes him an extraordinary Digital Transformation Leader with massive business impact driving forward innovation using Artificial Intelligence. Saurabh is also part of the advisory board for the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) Strategic Artificial Intelligence program & guest speaker at Georgia Tech University.

United States

Tomofumi Nakata

Co-Founder and CEO, Qlay Technologies

Tomofumi Nakata possesses extensive industry insight from advising Fortune 500 clients globally in the consumer sector. With a Statistics degree from Harvard and 3.5 years at McKinsey, he offers strong analytical skills to evaluate contestants' business plans. His global leadership experience, managing teams in multiple cities, enhances his ability to assess business models and teamwork capabilities. As the founder of Qlay Technologies, Nakata brings entrepreneurial acumen and firsthand knowledge of product development, invaluable in understanding contestants' challenges and opportunities in the competitive landscape.

Japan

Shoya Matsumori

Founder and CEO, Carnot Inc

Shoya Matsumori has been working on machine learning-related projects for more than several years. His research interest is Vision and Language, and he was especially focused on devising generative agents to handle dialogue in the visuo-linguistic environment.

United States

Santiago Villegas

CEO and Co-Founder, 1903 Public Relations

As the CEO and co-founder of 1903 Public Relations, Santiago Villegas leverages his extensive background in the field of public relations.

Villegas has collaborated with startups, publicly traded corporations, and governmental organizations to develop approaches that successfully entered markets and facilitated substantial multi-million-dollar deals and investments.

His previous positions have provided him with extensive expertise in various domains, including machine learning, cybersecurity, augmented reality, sustainable and renewable energy, agricultural technology, environmental technology, Salesforce, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), educational technology, and numerous others. He has orchestrated campaigns that achieved national recognition for clients, notably securing the cover of Forbes and arranging global TED Talks for them.

United States

Sudha Ranganathan

Director of Marketing, LinkedIn

Sudha Ranganathan holds a leadership position in Marketing at LinkedIn, where she has dedicated over six years to the HR Tech sector within the Talent Solutions division, managing marketing for talent acquisition, development, and retention services.

With more than 17 years of experience in marketing leadership roles at organizations such as LinkedIn, Procter & Gamble, and PayPal, she has a broad perspective across various global regions, including Asia, North America, and developing markets worldwide.

Her extensive background covers both B2C sectors, including Beauty, Health Care, Food and Beverages, and Household Products, as well as B2B categories such as HR Technology, Talent Development, E-commerce, and Financial Technology. Her dedication to the field of marketing and HR technology is evident in her relentless pursuit of innovation and excellence across diverse global markets. Her commitment to driving growth and enhancing talent solutions showcases her deep understanding and passion for creating impactful marketing strategies.

Georgia

Vladimer Botsvadze

Advisory Board Member , United States Artificial Intelligence Institute

Ranked as the No. 1 Global Marketing, Social Media and Retail Thought Leader by Thinkers360 in 2023 with over 130,000 followers across his social media platforms, Vladimer Botsvadze is a world-renowned digital transformation and social media influencer and keynote speaker who initiates change, drives growth, and positions brands as market leaders in their industries. He has more than 15 years of international experience with a proven track record and has enjoyed an outstanding career at the top of the technology industry. Vladimer has been described as ''a pioneer across the globe'' by the Exeleon Magazine. Vladimer has become one of the world's top-rated speakers on technology and he has been booked by Startup Grind, Digital Talk Forum, AI Conversational Summit, and Global Marketing Summit. His performance at the Global Marketing Summit has been watched by 50,000+ participants from 143 countries, 6 continents, and 922 cities. His keynote speeches center around his social media career and his marketing strategies provide a foundation for success. He helps high-performers achieve their growth and prepares organizations to think with a new perspective on the future of marketing. His expertise is trusted by the American Marketing Association. Always ahead of the curve, Vladimer is an Advisory Board Member of the United States Artificial Intelligence Institute and the United States Data Science Institute. He has been elected as a jury member at the Digital Revolution Awards and the Prolific North Marketing Awards in the UK. In addition, he is a member of the Marketing Judging Committee of the American Business Awards and he has recently been invited as a judge to the Gartner Marketing and Communication Awards in London. He has been featured in Forbes, Bloomberg, and Yahoo Finance. Moreover, Vladimer is a career mentor at the University of Westminster and a marketing mentor at global start-up accelerators including UCL Hatchery Startup Incubator, Abu Dhabi SME Hub, Seedstars, Take Off Istanbul, Hype Sports Innovation, FasterCapital and APX VC. He has recently started mentoring start-ups at the UCLA Anderson School of Management. One of the world's most recognized marketing personalities, Vladimer has contributed to the European Business Review. He has been interviewed by World Biz Magazine, Natfluence, Billion Success, Thought Leader Magazine, Irish Tech News, and Emerging Europe. He sets the highest standards for marketing and delivers extraordinary results. With many successful projects to his name, he provides the matchless opportunity to global clients in navigating the ever-changing modern business world. Vladimer is equipped with a plethora of game-changing strategies tailored to give his clients a competitive advantage that guarantees long-term success and sustainability. Vladimer has been recognized as a Transformative Leader of the Year by Exeleon Magazine, Enterprise World Magazine has listed him among the Top 5 Successful Entrepreneurs to Watch in 2022 and Insights Success Magazine has named him among the Top 10 Inspiring Business Leaders Making a Difference. The CIO Today Magazine has recognized him among the Luminaries The Most Iconic Leaders You Must Follow For Inspiration. Vladimer is among the Top 25 Digital Transformation Influencers by Sparity and the Top 100 Global Retail Influencers by RETHINK Retail.

Germany

Oliver Dietrich

Global CMO / Global CCO, Mission Mittelstand

Oliver Dietrich is a highly seasoned and celebrated creative professional who currently serves as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) and Chief Creative Officer (CCO). He provides strategic marketing guidance and creative consultancy to up-and-coming firms and start-ups.

Dietrich plays a pivotal role in shaping the brand narratives and marketing strategies for burgeoning firms and startups, guiding them towards market relevance and growth. His strategic insights help these companies position themselves effectively in competitive industries, leveraging innovative marketing tactics and creative direction. His expertise is instrumental in transforming fresh visions into compelling stories and campaigns that resonate with audiences and drive business success. He is recognized worldwide for his expertise in omni-channel campaigns and integrated marketing innovations, skillfully capitalizing on his strengths in these areas.

Throughout his career, he has been associated with more than 400 international creative accolades, setting a nearly unmatched standard of excellence in his field.

United States

Oswaldo Sa

Group Creative Director, VMLYR Commerce NY

Oswaldo Sa is working as the regional creative director at VMLY&R Commerce, based in NYC.

He is driven by a fervor to conceive and cultivate ideas that lead the pack in innovation, having had the honor of doing so alongside esteemed colleagues and brands across the US, Dubai, Qatar, and Brazil at renowned agencies such as VMLY&R in the US, TBWA in Dubai, Leo Burnett Qatar, DDB, and Mullen Lowe in Brazil. His portfolio of clientele, where he has imparted his creative expertise, includes distinguished names such as Nissan, McDonald's, Oreo, Ferrara, Coca-Cola, Du, Unilever, Cheetos, and Amnesty International, among others.

His unwavering dedication to his craft has culminated in a series of high-impact campaigns, cementing his reputation as a formidable force in the industry. His collaborations with major international brands have not only yielded substantial success but have also showcased his ability to intertwine creative innovation with strategic thinking.

Bulgaria

Vasil Velchev

Media & Product Life Cycle Manager, Europe, Ideal Standard International NV

Despite earning a master's degree in electrical engineering, Vasil Velchev has amassed over a decade of experience as a graphic designer within global organizations. Initially, his foray into product design was more of a hobby, but as his creations gained international recognition and garnered awards, his confidence in his ideas grew.

Several years ago, He initiated the MAGMA project, a platform aimed at consolidating his diverse creations under one umbrella. The project's name is symbolic, representing the designer's belief that every original idea should remain in a constant "liquid" state, continuously evolving to explore its full potential and staying vibrant until it transforms into a tangible product.

Velchev also serves as a valued member of the Grand Jury for prestigious awards. His remarkable talent has earned him approximately 20 international awards across various categories, with a primary focus on furniture design, recognized by design awards worldwide.

Chile

Pancho Gonzalez

Co-founder and Chief Creative Officer, Inbrax

Pancho Gonzalez is the co-founder and chief creative officer of Inbrax.

González, who studied advertising at the Universidad de Santiago in Chile and earned an MBA from the Berlin School at Steinbeis University in Germany, plays a significant role in shaping the creative industry. As the Chief Creative Officer at Inbrax Chile, a Board Member and Vice President at IAB Chile, and a member of the Marketing Circle at Icare, his influence extends across multiple facets of advertising and marketing. Additionally, his past experience as a board member of Achap (Chilean Advertising Association) underscores his comprehensive involvement and leadership in the field.

González has delivered speeches in various countries including Costa Rica, Brazil, Argentina, Russia, Mexico, Germany, Sri Lanka, Guatemala, the United States, Japan, South Korea, the Czech Republic, Peru, and Chile. His global presence as a speaker demonstrates his commitment to sharing knowledge and insights in the field of advertising and marketing.

United States

Alexandre Kazuo Kubo

Associate Creative Director, McCann NY

Alexandre Kazuo Kubo is a craft-obsessed, design-based and conceptual thinker kind of creative art director. He has been working on advertising, design, and art directions since 2004, and spent most of those years in Brazil, while recently moved to the US in 2021.

Throughout his career, he has been fortunate to contribute to global brands such as Stella Artois, Budweiser, Coca-Cola, BMW, Peugeot, Citroën, Gatorade, Puma, and ESPN. Furthermore, he was recognized in some of the most important Festivals in the world, like Cannes Lions, D&AD, One Show, ADC, Clio, among others.

Italy

Alessandro Sciortino

Chief Creative Officer, Traditional and Digital Advertising Expert, McCann Worldgroup

Alessandro Sciortino is the Chief Creative Officer of McCann Worldgroup with an international experience of 20 years in traditional and digital advertising.

Sciortino has had the privilege to create campaigns for renowned clients like MasterCard, Honda, Opel, Alitalia, FAO, Poste, and more. With a Master's Degree in Economics, Alessandro began as a copywriter and later rose to prominence as a global campaign leader, specializing in automotive, financial, and corporate communication.

He has garnered over 30 prestigious awards on a global scale for his exceptional work. Additionally, he shares his extensive knowledge and expertise by serving as an instructor in the fields of advertising and copywriting. Furthermore, he holds an esteemed position as a member of the Scientific Committee at the University of Tor Vergata, contributing to academic advancements and research in his field.

Canada

Arvin Maleki

Senior Industrial Designer, Futuredge Design Studio

Arvin Maleki stands as a distinguished figure in the realm of industrial design, seamlessly integrating his family's rich Persian carpet heritage with contemporary design innovations.
Embarking on a transformative journey from a strong background in technology to prioritizing user-focused and eco-friendly design, Maleki showcases a fervent dedication to blending age-old traditions with forward-thinking creativity. His relentless pursuit of excellence is continually recognized with high-profile awards.
His broad knowledge, covering everything from sketching and model-making to conducting research and collaborating in teams, is underpinned by a steadfast commitment to ongoing education and improvement. As a mentor and educator, he is actively involved in workshops and symposiums worldwide, cultivating future design leaders and building a community dedicated to pioneering innovation. Maleki's narrative transcends individual achievement, serving as a compelling example of how the fusion of cultural legacy and modern design can impact and inspire the international design landscape, making a significant and enduring contribution to industrial design.

China

Zhou Wen Jun

Founder and Design Director, 524 STUDIO ® / NGISED.DESIGN ® / Zhou Wen Jun ® Design

Zhou Wen Jun is a renowned designer and an esteemed global awards adjudicator with over two decades of professional expertise in the realms of architecture, creativity, and design. He firmly upholds a design philosophy encapsulated by the mantra: "Everything is Design, Design for Everything! Better Design equals Better Life, Better Quality & Better Business."

Jun plays a pivotal role in shaping the creative direction and vision of his endeavors. His extensive experience spanning over 20 years in the architecture, creative, and design industry positions him as a guiding force in driving innovative and impactful design solutions. He instills a sense of purpose and excellence into every aspect of his work, ultimately contributing to better quality, enhanced lifestyles, and prosperous businesses.

Jun’s remarkable contributions to the field have garnered numerous prestigious international awards and accolades, showcasing his exceptional talent and dedication. His distinguished achievements include, but are not limited to, the following:

Cyprus

Thanasis Papapostolou

Founder, AIP Consulting Ltd

Thanasis Papapostolou is a skilled sales and project management professional known for his strong work ethic and innovative ideas for generating revenue. With over 15 years of experience in various sectors, including Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) and retail, he currently assists organizations in gathering valuable data to enhance customer experiences.

His qualifications for a judging role are supported by an array of relevant skills, including market and competitive research, strategic and tactical planning, profit and loss (P&L)/financial reporting, project management, team building and leadership, as well as new business development.

Papapostolou's unwavering dedication is apparent in his consistent pursuit of excellence in sales and project management, demonstrating a commitment that spans over 15 years across various industries. His expertise in transforming data into meaningful customer experiences showcases his deep understanding of market dynamics and consumer behavior. His passion for driving growth and innovation is reflected in his strategic approach to business development.

Netherlands

Brian Hoehl

Chief Executive Officer and Design Director, Bikedezign

Brian Hoehl holds the positions of Chief Executive Officer and Design Director at BikedeZign. Additionally, he has played roles as an investor, product manager, market intelligence director, brand manager, HDC design director, prototype specialist, director of innovation, micro-mobility expert, and licensed brand specialist.

With a decade of experience in global product development and design, Hoehl has garnered more than 200 International Design Awards. He's credited as the innovator behind the original downtube battery design, now recognized as Bosch power tubes. For the past 18 years, he's partnered with various automotive companies to develop e-mobility vehicles and pioneer advancements in micromobility.

He's a pioneering figure in the bicycle industry, celebrated for his award-winning work. He acts as the link that binds the brand identity of top bike brands to the industrial design that maintains product line consistency. His primary mission revolves around brand-building through design thinking processes.

Costa Rica

Daniel Montiel

Founder and Owner, Gitanos

Daniel Montiel is the founder and owner of Gitanos in Costa Rica, a renowned and leading agency specializing in brand building within the region.

As both the founder and owner, he offers expert counsel to numerous business clients across multiple countries in Latin America and the United States. He has applied his creative abilities to serve a wide array of clients, including major names like Coca-Cola Company, Jeep, Mercedes Benz, Renault, Costa Rica Brewery (Imperial Beer), Essential Costa Rica (country brand), and more.

Across his career, Montiel has displayed remarkable tenacity and an unwavering drive for success. He has achieved exceptional results, garnering over 60 prestigious international awards at some of the most renowned advertising festivals. Additionally, his thought leadership is evident through numerous publications in prominent blogs and advertising magazines, solidifying his status as a global authority in the fields of branding and design.

South Korea

Joon Kwon

Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder, LR Seoul

Joon Kwon, CEO and Co-Founder of LR Seoul since 2021, began his career in 2008 at GREY GROUP, Korea, progressing through roles at Geometry Global and Havas, where he served as Executive Creative Director for 16 years.

Throughout his career, Kwon played a pivotal role in crafting advertising campaigns for global brands like BMW, Budweiser, Pepsi, and Heineken, earning numerous prestigious awards. Beyond advertising, he is a dedicated creator committed to societal impact, recognized with design accolades such as the iF Design Award and IDEA in the Social Impact category.

His career reflects not only business acumen but also a commitment to using creativity as a force for positive change.

Malaysia

Jae Leong

Judging Committee Chairperson, International Awards Associate (IAA)

Jae Leong is the accomplished chairperson of IAA’s extensive judging committee.

As the chairperson, Leong assumes a leadership role, guiding the organization and spearheading initiatives to uphold quality and creative excellence in critical areas such as design, creative advertising, marketing communications, video production, and business. Additionally, she serves as a key award representative at IAA, consistently demonstrating success in overseeing assessments throughout her career.

She prioritizes the coordination of strategic arrangements among various jury panels, establishing herself as a standout figure in the industry. Demonstrating a keen sense of management, Leong has executed her role with precision, ensuring that each participant receives fair evaluations and unbiased assessments, underscoring the significance of integrity in maintaining the credibility of the judging outcomes. Furthermore, her collaboration with professionals globally has positioned her at the forefront of specialization, enabling the development of exceptional communication and relationship management skills.

United States

Kushal Birari

Creative, Mother New York

Kushal Birari is a creative at Mother, one of the world’s most respected, independent creative companies.

Having worked in five prominent cities across three continents, he has made a significant impact through his art direction and design. He has left an indelible mark on numerous international brands, including OREO, MINI Cooper, Make in India, FIFA, Bosch, Instagram, and more. His recent noteworthy contribution to the OREO Pride campaign has garnered widespread attention, resonating with diverse communities globally and earning recognition through various national and international accolades. Birari excels in creative direction, advertising, ideas development, art direction, and creative strategy, showcasing a comprehensive skill set in the realm of visual communication and strategic brand development.

His proficiency in his role is evident through the impactful influence he has wielded on major international brands, demonstrating a keen understanding of art direction and design and His ability to resonate with diverse audiences.

Singapore

Larry Lim

Motion Director, Anchor Agency Pte Ltd

Larry Lim is a Motion Director of Anchor Agency with over 7 years of experience in motion graphics, broadcast, production, branding & social platforms. Prior to the founding of Anchor Agency, Larry has been with Facebook, as well as multiple productions and post-production houses, hence expanding his expertise beyond just motion graphics but also how social media is able to integrate design into our daily lives.

With his strong interest in design & entrepreneurship, he decided to embark on a new journey by starting Anchor Agency to pursue his ambitions to new heights. Being the Motion Director of Anchor Agency, he has worked with established clients such as Meta, Zespri, TikTok, Singapore Tourism Board, Conde Nast - The New Yorker Lab, MSIG, and Benjamin Barker. On top of illustrated animation and motion graphic content that live in both 2D and 3D spaces, Anchor's works can be seen as constantly redefining the animation art form with experimentation on different media, such as digital stickers or augmented reality.

Canada

Pronob Das

Project Management Consultant, Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness

Pronob Das is a skilled Project Management Consultant focusing on business sustainability and currently oversees PMO for various clients.

In his present role, he takes on multiple responsibilities, including serving as a country coordinator, an ISO9001:2015 Internal Auditor, and a Sustainability Coordinator, while also working in project management consultancy. Pronob's expertise spans PMO Transformation, Business and Project Process Improvement & Control, Project Management, Sustainability Reporting and Implementation, and ISO9001:2015 Quality Assurance.

Committed to contributing to society both professionally and personally, Das actively participates as a volunteer in several global professional organizations. These include the Project Management Institute (PMI), the International Project Managers Association (IPMA), the Circular Economy Club (CEC). Das demonstrates unwavering dedication to his field, constantly seeking innovative ways to enhance business sustainability and project management practices. His passion for quality and efficiency is reflected in his multifaceted roles and his commitment to continuous learning and improvement.

United States

Muhammad Moinuddin

Sr. Business Intelligence & Data Analytics Manager, RCG Global Services

Muhammad Moinuddin is a Business Intelligence and Data Analytics Manager at RCG Global Services, where he drives comprehensive market research initiatives for the healthcare practice and intelligent automation solutions. He crafts impactful reports for internal and external stakeholders, distilling complex data analyses into actionable insights that fuel strategic decision-making and program development. Muhammad also conducts meticulous competitor analyses, identifying strategic advantages and areas for improvement. He completed his master's degree in Business Data and Marketing Analytics at the Illinois Institute of Technology, where he enhanced his data engineering and business intelligence capabilities. Previously, he served as a Business Data Analyst and SAP Executive at K-Electric, applying his analytical and technical skills to support business optimization and customer retention. With over 7 years of experience in various domains including financial consulting, healthcare, IT, and airline, Muhammad has delivered insights, recommendations, and solutions using Python, R, SQL, Tableau, AWS, Google Analytics, and Machine Learning. He is passionate about finding opportunities and challenges in data and solving them with creativity and innovation.

Iran

Elham Mirzapour

Head of Design, Arena Design Studio

Elham Mirzapour, a talented figure, currently holds the position of Head of Design at Arena Design Studio. She pursued her academic journey by studying Industrial Design at the ID Faculty of I. Art University in Tabriz, Iran.

As Head of Design at Arena Design Studio, she leverages her extensive experience, gained from working in several interior design studios, to produce exceptional work. Her leadership role involves shaping the creative vision for the studio's projects, guiding a team of designers to bring innovative concepts to life. With her remarkable track record of producing outstanding interior designs, she ensures that projects meet the highest standards of excellence and aesthetic appeal.

Mirzapour's remarkable achievements include winning over 15 international design awards, a testament to her outstanding talent and innovative approach to design. These accolades highlight her ability to consistently deliver excellence and creativity in the field of design.

United States

Ashlesha V Kadam

Product Head, Amazon Music, Amazon

Ashlesha V Kadam heads a global product team at Amazon Music, specializing in creating music experiences for customers in over 45 countries across Alexa and Amazon Music apps (web, iOS, Android).

Her role involves guiding her product team in crafting diverse music experiences, encompassing both highly specific and niche requests. It's worth noting that her product launches have consistently generated positive publicity for Amazon Music, earning recognition in prominent publications like VentureBeat, TechCrunch, Android Central, VoiceBot.ai, and others.

Beyond her role at Amazon Music, Kadam has demonstrated her expertise in the field of AI application for voice assistants by securing two patents in this domain. She also contributes her insights as a member of the editorial board for multiple scholarly journals dedicated to AI-related topics. Her substantial achievements underscore her reputation as a highly regarded industry leader in the realm of AI for consumer technology.

United States

Lokesh Yamasani

Director - IT Security (CISO), Linksys USA Inc

In Lokesh Yamasani's role as the Director of IT Security at Linksys, he bears the responsibility of safeguarding the security and compliance of the foremost wireless networking platform globally, catering to millions of customers and businesses across the world.

He supervises the development, execution, and administration of the IT security framework, infrastructure, and standards, along with spearheading initiatives focused on security automation and orchestration. With more than 19 years of expertise in the IT security domain, he boasts a demonstrated history of enhancing the security resilience of leading global entities, including Gamma, Satellite Healthcare, and SOAProjects.

His fervor lies in the development and dissemination of best practices, insights, and solutions to address cybersecurity challenges and opportunities in the digital era. His commitment is reflected not only in his accolades but also in his passion for advancing cybersecurity practices and fostering excellence in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

United States

Ram Nikhil Dodda

Head of Product Management, Amazon

Ram Nikhil Dodda is an engineer by education and has built multiple consumer hardware products for Amazon, where strong design language and customer experience was primary criteria. These products have been granted patents and are 4* rated best sellers on Amazon.

In 2018 and 2019, he was the global go-to-market lead for e-reader category for Amazon. This role required him to understand customer preferences from over 18 countries and work with product development to design next generation e-Readers. As the go-to-market lead, Dodda launched 3 new Kindle e-Reader devices that are all rated 4.5+ stars on Amazon for the device design, quality and durability.

Most recently, he built Ring Intercom – a plug and play smart home device that enables remote access management for apartment dwellers globally. The product was launched in 2022 and received 10 awards at launch for product design, aesthetics and in-app UX.

United States

Sarthak Srivastava

Senior DevOps Engineer, Visa Inc

Sarthak Srivastava, an accomplished Senior DevOps Engineer at Visa Inc., boasts over five years of experience in the financial technology sector, where he has significantly improved DevOps processes by implementing advanced testing and automation techniques. He plays a crucial role in enhancing the synergy between development and operations teams to facilitate the rapid and secure deployment of software.

Srivastava earned his Master of Science in Computer Science from Wichita State University in the USA, a institution well-regarded for its computer science program.

In his professional journey, he has actively participated in the research and development sphere, holding memberships with the International Society for Engineering Research and Development (ISERD) and more. His dedication is evident in his relentless pursuit of excellence within the fintech DevOps landscape, where he has continuously sought to refine and innovate processes for more efficient software delivery. His commitment extends beyond his professional duties, as shown by his active engagement.

Romania

Mihaela Plesca

Founder, Neurodesign

Mihaela Plesca is the revolutionary founder of Neurodesign, an avant-garde image consulting agency specializing in assisting companies and individuals in creating and managing their brand image through innovative strategies.

Holding a Bachelor's degree in Engineering and Management in the tourism industry and acclaimed for her outstanding design achievements, she is an ideal judge for the luxury competition's accommodation, F&B, travel, and design categories. Her diverse background equips her to assess these aspects with a comprehensive and discerning perspective, ensuring that only the most exceptional and innovative ideas are recognized and celebrated.

As a visionary in the design industry, she is dedicated to fostering excellence and establishing new benchmarks in the realm of luxury. Plesca's passion lies in blending engineering acumen with creative design, revolutionizing how brands present themselves in the luxury market. Her enthusiasm is evident in her commitment to elevating aesthetic standards and pioneering innovative image consulting strategies.

United States

Rolly Seth

Senior Product Manager, Microsoft

With over a decade of rich experience in the realm of product management and leadership, Rolly Seth has established herself as a quintessential intrapreneur. Her journey spans 13 years, marked by influential contributions and strategic foresight in the field of innovation and product development. At the core of Seth's career is her pivotal role in fostering innovation. She has been instrumental in conceptualizing and pitching groundbreaking business and product ideas. Her tenure at esteemed platforms such as Microsoft Garage is a testament to her skill in nurturing nascent-stage concepts and seamlessly integrating them across the company's ecosystem. A highlight of Seth's illustrious career is her successful scaling of prototypes to reach millions of users, notably within the Microsoft Office suite. This achievement underscores her proficiency in transforming conceptual designs into tangible, widely-used products. Beyond the corporate sphere, Seth's commitment to multidisciplinary thinking is vividly showcased on her YouTube channel, 'Always Be Curious.' Here, she undertakes diverse challenges, such as the "52 Weekends of Making," illustrating her passion for continuous learning and exploration. Seth's academic and professional achievements have garnered prestigious recognitions. She is an alumnus of the esteemed Young India Fellowship program and the Product Leadership Cohort Program at the University of Washington. Her talent and contributions have been acknowledged nationally and internationally, with accolades like being the national winner of the Accenture Innovation Jockeys and recognition as one of the Wall Street Journal's Top 12 Asian Innovators. In the arena of competitive evaluation, Seth has been an active and discerning judge. Her expertise has been sought after in esteemed platforms such as global hackathons, Stanford & MIT hacks, and Globee awards. Her insights and judgments are deeply respected, contributing significantly to the fields she passionately advocates for. Rolly Seth continues to be a luminary in the spheres of product management and innovation, inspiring and leading the way for future generations of intrapreneurs and innovators.

United States

Wasim Fathima Shah

IT Scrum Master, Wellmark- Blue Cross Blue Shield

As a Technical Scrum Master and Project Manager, Wasim Fathima Shah specializes in implementing healthcare standards. Her educational background includes a degree in Electronics and Communication from Anna University and a Master's in Engineering Management from Wichita State University, equipping her with a powerful combination of technical skills and strategic insight.

Shah stands out as a forward-thinking leadership in the intersection of healthcare and technology. Her expertise in the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), particularly in Agile frameworks like SAFe and Scrum, is well-established. Her exceptional ability to motivate, guide, and propel teams toward remarkable achievements in every project she leads.

She has made a significant impact in the academic and thought leadership spheres within healthcare technology. Her research, covering topics from Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) to the nuances of Integrated Care, has become a valuable resource for both practitioners and scholars in the field.

United States

Lisa Popovici

Co-founder, Siena AI

Lisa Popovici is the co-founder and CMO at Siena AI—the world's first autonomous customer service platform designed for commerce turning AI into customer service teams favorite superagent.

Among their customers are Kitsch, K18 Hair, Verb Energy and Simple Modern which are seeing up to 60% automation rate, 90% faster response times and consistent 5-star CSAT scores. Before diving into the deep end with Siena, she wore the entrepreneur hat, running and exiting two Shopify businesses, all while studying General Medicine for 6 years. After graduating, she then pivoted to what she loves the most: building software for e-commerce.

Previous to Siena, she co-founded and scaled Cartloop, a conversational SMS marketing app for Shopify businesses. When she's not shaping the future of commerce, Lisa's probably exploring a new city, sweating it out at her favorite SoulCycle class or spending time with her King Charles Cavalier pup.

United States

Shashank Gupta

Staff Software Engineer, Lookout

Shashank Gupta boasts over 12 years of expertise in cloud security, artificial intelligence, and distributed systems, where he has led and developed cutting-edge security technologies. His notable contributions include spearheading projects such as the Lookout Distributed Proxy Engine and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), as well as cloud sandboxing.

During his time at Zscaler, Gupta made significant advancements in AI/ML infrastructure, elevating the Zero-Day Threat Protection Service. He has also been instrumental in product development for storage backup systems at major companies like Commvault and EMC-Dell Isilon.

While at Arkose Labs, Shashank was the architect behind the Traffic Shaper product – a ground-breaking blend of machine learning and security designed to thwart volumetric DDOS attacks by botnets. Gupta's passion lies in merging the realms of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, constantly pushing the boundaries of technology to develop innovative security solutions. He thrives on tackling challenges in cloud security and distributed systems, showcasing his dedication.

United States

Atul Gupta

Global Manager, Product Development, Deloitte

Atul Gupta is a highly experienced and accomplished professional with over 17 years of career expertise in various IT industry and Software Engineering roles, focusing particularly on Salesforce Cloud technologies. He has excelled in development, architecture, consulting, administration, and leadership positions. Mr. Gupta stands out as a brilliant and innovative Salesforce architect, having successfully designed cutting-edge solutions for complex business challenges. His proficiency in cloud engineering and extensive knowledge of the Salesforce platform have led to outstanding achievements in project management and team leadership. Some of his notable accomplishments include delivering Global Cloud-based SaaS solutions involving Salesforce technologies, establishing master data and data quality management services, pioneering a pathfinder project in Identity Lifecycle Management, and developing the Tata Hospital Management System, widely adopted in the healthcare industry. Additionally, Mr. Gupta has contributed to IT improvements, such as the "IT On Point" app, which streamlined infrastructure support for employees, and the "Project Demand and Capacity Management" initiative, revolutionizing project planning and prioritization. His skills are backed by numerous certifications, including Salesforce Application Architect®, SAFe Agilist®, PMP®, CSPO®, CSM®, ITIL®, Oracle®, and Microsoft® certifications and his career reflects a profound impact on the IT industry, marked by exceptional achievements and innovative contributions.

United States

Manoj Kuppam

AI Ops and SRE Lead, Medline Industries Inc

Manoj Kuppam is an accomplished Technology leader with an impeccable professional and personal achievements in the Information Technology industry spanning across various business domains including Finance, Healthcare, Retail and FMCG. His professional journey started with Infosys in 2005 and quickly promoted into the rank of Technical Project Manager due to his exceptional performance in various assignments and roles. In the process, he has won multiple on-the-spot awards and Most Valuable Player Award as well and moved to USA for client facing positions leading a large global team serving Corporate and Legal affairs, Tax, Treasury units for leading CPG company, Kraft Foods.

Manoj has then provided consulting services for the world’s breakfast and snacking brand Kellogg’s transforming their field force operating model from a tedious and cumbersome paper binder process to a modern digital planner using Tablets with digital route plan, shelf planning, and most importantly timely updates and quick notifications to the field force. This is a huge transformation and Manoj played the key role of Technical Program Manager and a single point of contact working directly with the CIO and Offshore delivery teams from each of the Software Development Life Cycle reducing the communication time from weeks to hours apart from helping direct cost savings by 300% and reducing tons of paper usage. This was a game changer for Kellogg’s salesforce and the feedback can be found in my Linkedin.

Manoj moved on to Volkswagen Financial Services and then quickly adapted to the Observability specialist role responsible for designing and implementing the monitoring of automobile dashboard monitoring and enterprise payment systems using the AIOps and monitoring tools to ensure the reliability and performance of the platforms. This was a key monitoring dashboard offering the executives about the In car payments and subscriptions, dealer bookings and customer trends during the key rollout of Volkswagen's first Electric Vehicle ID.4 sales, dashboard level interactions and subscriptions apart from monthly payments from the customers.

Currently, Manoj is leading the observability and AIOps programs at Medline Industries, a healthcare manufacturing company to enable intelligent monitoring and applied AI for their ecommerce modernization. He has proposed an SRE driven AIOps model which brought in incredible 40% cost savings in monitoring and significantly faster resolution times for the software issues and driving up the revenues and reducing the ordering times. Manoj is currently responsible for AIOps and applied AI for ecommerce and has formed the Think Tank groups to exchange ideas for the development of the field.

United States

Vandana Sharma

Senior Member Technical Staff, ebay Inc

Vandana Sharma is a business technology expert with over 15 years of experience in implementing complex enterprise architectural solutions specializing in e-commerce platforms.

She has made outstanding contributions to various industry problems related to e-commerce payment systems, payment fraud detection, and transaction tax calculations in different geographies. She has played an important role in streamlining engineering practices at top-notch organizations like Ebay, Cisco,Synopsys, Genpact and IBM.

In her role as a trusted digital transformation advisor, Sharma leads multi-million-dollar business innovation initiatives. Her exceptional research papers in the e-commerce payment technology space have positioned her as an expert in the industry, inspiring fellow researchers and industry professionals to push the boundaries of what is possible. She has authored several papers in the e-commerce Payments domain discussing ‘Payment processing engines for e-commerce’ , ‘Using Cards for payments in e-commerce’. She also actively participates in reviewing fintech publications.

Portugal

Tiago Russo

Chief Design Officer, The Craft Irish Whiskey Co.

Tiago Russo is the CDO at The Craft Irish Whiskey Co., a premium & luxury Irish spirits brand that aims to elevate and return to Ireland its former glory and reputation as home of the best whiskies in the world. Building an empire with a global mind-set and Irish heart. Over the last decade Russo has designed for some of the most respectable brands in the world. His impressive portfolio spans the luxury lifestyle domain from spirits to cosmetics, automotive to timepieces including: The Macallan, Dewar’s, The Dalmore, Craigellachie, Bacardi, Louis Vuitton, Patek Philippe, Coty Inc. and McLaren, to name a few. Russo has been obsessed with detailed design for much of his career and holds a Master’s degree in Product Design with Automotive Design specialization. With over a decade of experience implausibly dedicated to design, Russo is the ultimate perfectionist, always focused on making ideas a reality with a spirit of purpose, accuracy and finesse. Mastering the full design process from concept through to production, Russo is continuously immersing himself in culture and innovation to create pioneering, meaningful designs. Revelation Designer of the Year in 2014 and collecting several awards and accolades over the last decade, Russo has been labelled one of the greatest luxury spirits and packaging designers of today. His design work for The Craft Irish Whiskey Co.; ‘The Devil’s Keep’ is an ultra-rare whiskey and has, since its launch in December 2020, attained the world record title for the most expensive inaugural whiskey bottle ever sold, and the overall winner of the Luxury Packaging Awards and the A’ Design Awards, marking another set of achievements on Russo’s creations within luxury product design, joined by the more recent record-breaking and award winning creations The Brollach, The Emerald Isle, in collaboration with Fabergé, The Taoscán or The Aodh. Achieving over 70 design awards across his career so far, 2022 and 2023 have been marked as true highlights where Russo has achieved 2 Platinum A’Design awards, for The Emerald Isle collection and his newest whiskey creation, The Storyteller, joined by two Red Dot Design Awards for the groundbreaking achievements in designing the specialist whiskey glasses, The Érimón and The Finn.

United States

Somil Nishar

Lead Automation Engineer, Quality Design Services, Inc

Somil Nishar is a distinguished global smart automation engineer with over 7 years of experience in industrial and automation engineering. Renowned for his expertise in creating user-friendly interfaces, Somil has revolutionized warehouse operations, increasing efficiency and optimizing productivity in logistics. Being an Expert and inventive, he has contributed significantly to the success of automation projects such as the Amazon Robotic Sort Center, Last Mile Delivery, Mc Master Carr, and more. With a comprehensive education in mechanical engineering, mechatronics, robotics, and project management, Somil leads dynamic product teams, excelling in visionary leadership. His customer-centric approach, boundless creativity, and evidence-based judgments make him a reliable and accomplished leader. Beyond his professional achievements, Somil actively engages in personal growth through reading, attending industry conferences, and an active lifestyle. Somil Nishar is highly respected for pushing boundaries in smart automation engineering and advancing warehouse operations globally.

United States

Quresh Sutarwala

Systems Engineering Lead, Kodiak Robotics

Quresh Sutarwala serves as Systems Engineering Lead for Systems Verification and Validation at Kodiak Robotics , an industry leader in autonomous trucking. Quresh is responsible for building out the V&V framework, including evaluation of the Kodiak Driver and platform.

Prior to Kodiak, Quresh served as the Head of Hardware Systems engineering at Nuro , a robotics company building an autonomous delivery vehicle, where he led the work to build a fully autonomous electric robot platform. Quresh has also held various roles at Cummins, which included a System Integration Leader position, where he was part of the team that launched Cummins’s first electric power-train on a bus platform in 2019. Quresh is a graduate of University of Minnesota, where he received a master's degree in electrical engineering with a minor in computer science.

United States

Aqsa Fulara

Product Manager , Google

Aqsa is an accomplished and seasoned product manager with 6+ years of experience, working on innovative products in business intelligence, leveraging artificial intelligence. She is passionate about solving customer and user problems through creative problem solving, human centered design and cutting edge technology. She has contributed to significant growth in AI products, and led new product development in business intelligence. She holds masters degree in engineering management; computer science undergrad, and several Cloud, Product management professionals and entrepreneurship certifications. She is also passionate about mentoring startups and community building for AI products.

United Arab Emirates

Khaled Abdul Hamid Elnems

Q.C. & Industrial Innovation Product Designer, Parsons Corporation

Khaled Abdul Hanid Elnems is an Abu Dhabi-based R&D Innovations Q.C.,

With over 19 years of experience, Elnems has collaborated with international consultants in municipal settings, specializing in Construction and Operation/Maintenance (O&M) projects related to sewerage, stormwater, water supply, and building infrastructure. His responsibilities encompass quality engineering control of materials, industrial administration, and proficiency in design tools such as AutoCAD (2D/3D) and Autodesk 123D (3D Printing) for modeling. He utilizes various graphic programs for presentations. Additionally, as a Co-founder and Head of Delegation for International Innovations Exhibitions in Egypt and the U.A.E, he actively advocates for young inventors. He presents proposals and information, representing inventors in local and international events. With a dedicated focus on supporting women and marginalized inventors, he fosters collaboration to help them achieve international recognition.

His expertise in quality engineering control, a commitment to fostering innovation and supporting marginalized inventors, has earned him widespread recognition.

United States

Bhanu Gurugubelli

AVP intelligent process automation infrastructure Lead , Chubb Insurance

Bhanu Prakash Gurugubelli actively works in order to revolutionize the digital transformation with automation, decreasing processing times for claims, submissions, underwriting, all the while reducing costs and increasing cost efficiency. During hurricane Ida in 2021, Bhanu and his team were able to provide quick quotes and ingest new policies into the system, resulting in claims automations to process over 5000 claims a day. What Bhanu does is not something that only influences a small portion of people, but it may have global effects, if not national. Being such a key figure in the insurance industry, Bhanu is instrumental in developing these key technologies that can revolutionize the way that insurance claims and policies are handled with Chubb Insurance and together, they are setting a new benchmark for how supportive and efficient insurance is. Gone are the days of outdated policies or delayed responses and payouts. With automation being the leading force in insurance, everyone should expect to see much more sophistication in the insurance industry in the coming years and solidifying its presence in society.

United States

Xiaobi Pan

Lead Designer, Amazon

Xiaobi (Iris) Pan is a globally-recognized pioneer in the field of Emerging Technology Design. She has been the inventor of the sound interactive Installation visited by over 1 million participants, the app that promises to plant 100 million trees on our planet by 2025, and a series of industry-leading new technology products and experiences. Currently a Lead Designer at Amazon, she is dedicated to using technologies such as Augmented Reality and Artificial Intelligence to revolutionize the consumer experience for both business and social good.

United States

Lakshmi Sushma Daggubati

Manager, Product Management, Mastercard

Lakshmi Sushma Daggubati, Product Manager at Mastercard, has a unique knack for taking financial services problems and transforming them into industry-changing solutions. She’s known for pioneering user-centric payment solutions and stands out as a visionary within the digital payments sector. She employs a comprehensive approach to product lifecycle management that is deeply embedded in user-centric growth strategies, and this has propelled her to the forefront of innovation in the payments domain. Some of her finest ideas - which she holds patents on - include: Method and system for storage/transfer of verified data via blockchain, Database system architecture for refund data harmonization, Systems and methods for automatic bill enrollment. Sushma's technological contributions in the realm of financial technology are having a major impact on the landscape of the industry. Her focus on enhancing payment technology and streamlining financial transaction services has been pivotal in driving innovation in a sector that is critical to global economic activity. Sushma's advanced solutions in transaction processing are key in addressing some of the primary challenges faced by the industry, such as security, speed, and efficiency of transactions.

United States

Vittal Jadhav

Technical Delivery Manager, Akkodis Inc

As the Technical Delivery Manager at Akkodis, Inc., Vittal Jadhav is integral to fostering strong partnerships and collaborations. His expertise in Consulting and Application Delivery enables him to deliver exceptional products and services tailored to each client's unique requirements. At present, He is fully immersed in the creation of an IoT Fleet Management Solution, specifically focusing on Telematics Data Analytics and Reporting. Before this, he had the opportunity to work for CARIAD Inc. on Connected Cars and specifically, improving the Developer Experience Portal and Data Platforms. Prior to this, Vittal has amassed over 15 years of experience in the Financial Technology Services industry. His extensive experience has equipped him with the ability to drive digital transformation initiatives across diverse domains, such as Digital Payments, Lending for Consumers, Wealth and Investment Management, and Consumer Banking Technology. As an instrumental member of prestigious financial institutions such as Santander NA, Voya Financials, SEI, and Barclays, he spearheaded the drive for innovation and efficiency in consumer banking technology solutions. His dedication to delivering seamless experiences for customers, combined with his aptitude for optimizing operational processes, solidified him as a crucial driving force behind the success of these organizations. Most recently, he channeled his expertise towards developing a cutting-edge digital payment solution for consumer loans as part of his role at Santander NA Consumer Lending. This marked the culmination of his illustrious journey in the financial technology landscape, which began at Barclays. During his tenure at Barclays, he made invaluable contributions to various technical projects, including mobile payments application (BMB and PingIt), mortgage lending services, data center migrations, and other technology business. Continuing his path to excellence, he moved on to work with SEI on Asset Data Services and Advisor Migrations, as well as Voya Financials, focusing on Retirement Services Technology. At the early stages of his career, worked on ERP, distributed computing and digital media and broad casting products.

United States

Jagdish Shankar Zagade

Systems Engineer, Raytheon tecnology

Jagdish Zagade, a distinguished Senior Systems Engineer, stands as a linchpin in his department, leading the test equipment/rigs group and spearheading innovation and capability enhancements in the lab test environment. Overseeing a team comprising Systems and Software Engineers, Jagdish efficiently manages work assignments and progress tracking for Engineer Technicians, fostering a collaborative atmosphere. His collaborative efforts facilitating a comprehensive understanding of project needs and enabling the development of technical designs. Jagdish's role encompasses providing precise bid inputs for contracts, underscoring the critical importance of accuracy in defining future work for Collins Aerospace. Notably, Jagdish introduces a visionary approach, emphasizing commonality and reusability in test rigs, aligning present endeavors with future benefits, showcasing forward-thinking leadership. Beyond his technical prowess, Jagdish is lauded for his role in ensuring first-time quality in the rigorous Avionics environment. His innovative solutions contribute to higher-quality outcomes and sustain a robust business relationship with Boeing. As a top-tier engineer, Jagdish's exceptional blend of technical acumen, leadership, and extensive experience earns him consistent recognition and elevated pay. His profound knowledge, adaptability, and collaborative leadership style make him a highly respected figure within the organization, reinforcing his position as a key leader in the field.

United States

Debjani Mitra

Product Lead, Stripe

Debjani brings over 8 years of dynamic experience in product management, demonstrating a proven track record of successfully launching and scaling high-impact technology solutions at renowned companies like Stripe and Microsoft. Currently serving as a Product Lead at Stripe, Debjani plays a pivotal role in driving key business lines forward, crafting innovative user experiences, and spearheading strategic go-to-market initiatives. During her tenure at Microsoft, Debjani excelled in building products tailored for both Education and Enterprise segments, showcasing her versatile skill set and adaptability across diverse domains. With a deep-rooted passion for leveraging technology to create tangible value in people's lives, Debjani remains committed to driving meaningful impact and shaping the future of product innovation.