As a speaker, David Rowan has delivered over 600 keynote speeches and hosted numerous webinars and virtual conferences, addressing the impact new and emerging technologies could have on business in the future, and the steps companies can take to get ahead now. Through his work as founding editor-in-chief of the UK edition of WIRED magazine, David has formed links with some of the most respected minds in technology and has worked with ambitious start- ups around the world. He has also met the brains behind brands such as WhatsApp, LinkedIn, Google and Spotify.

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Author of a best-selling business book, "Non-Bullshit Innovation: Radical Ideas from the World's Smartest Minds", Rowan has been published internationally. In the book, he sets off on a journey through 20 countries to discover inspiring examples of bold business innovation and presents 16 proven strategies for future-proofing companies. The latest edition incorporates lessons for the post COVID-19 world. As a columnist, David has also written for publications including The Times, GQ, Condé Nast Traveller and The Sunday Times. He also hosts the podcast series 'Walks With Founders', where he discusses current issues and the latest trends with technology founders.

Bernardo Caldas is a data & AI leader, passionate about powering data transformation in companies and promoting social good in society using data. He currently leads the data and artificial intelligence teams at one of Europe's largest fintechs, Mollie, after having worked in various national and international companies. He also founded the Data Science for Social Good Portugal association.

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He is specialized in data science, machine learning and AI, having won two awards in this field (Innovation in Big Data Award by Thomson Reuters and Machine Learning & Neural Computation Award by Imperial College London). His goal is to be able to take any challenge, no matter how complex, and solve it using a fusion of art and science, business and technology capabilities, data and analytics to make it happen.

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Bernardo has a MRes in Advanced Computing from Imperial College London, with a specialization in Machine Learning and a BSc in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Instituto Superior Técnico.

Sofia de Castro Fernandes has a degree in Law, a post-graduate degree in Marketing Management and Positive Psychology. Trainer, Human Resources Consultant, turned Executive Trainer, with an international career in London, Geneva, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.

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She passionately contributes to the development of individual and collective talent in some of the best multinationals in Portugal, in the areas of leadership, emotional intelligence, positive psychology, time & stress management (TSM) and influential communication.

 

Guest lecturer at ISEG, ISCTE, Porto Business School, NOVA SBE and ISEC.

Author of six books and one of the most read blogs in our country, blog of the year 2019 and host of the podcast "à descoberta das cinco estrelas" and one of the most respected speakers in Portugal.

Tiago Forjaz is the founder and managing partner of The Epic Talent Society. He is a TEDx speaker and a faculty member at SingularityU Portugal. He is a renowned entrepreneur in the talent industry, best known for launching companies such as The Star Tracker and Jason Associates, after working in multinational executive search and recruitment firms such as Heidrick & Struggles and Michael Page.

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Tiago is a creative and passionate communicator, with the courage and passion to lead people into the future. He is frequently invited to address topics related to talent, transformation, collaboration, exponential leadership, entrepreneurship and the future of work. In recent years, he has worked on various transformation projects, from envisioning the future and facilitating journeys to discover new business models, to the challenges of cultural definition.

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He has a degree in Economics and a Portuguese passport, although he was born and lived in South Africa until he was 13. He is a native speaker of English, Portuguese and Spanish.

Kristen Geez is the CEO of Advising Generation Z, a non-profit diversion mentoring program that provides support, resources, and guidance to troubled students ages 10-24 – GenZers. 2x Author, Instructional Content Creator, National Speaker, Professor, and a passionate advocate in bridging the gap between generations, Kristen holds degrees from Wiley College and Wayland Baptist University. She is a Ph.D. student studying Strategic Leadership (DSL) at Liberty University. She is a transformational leader who brings clarity, new insights, and solutions to help reshape society's perspectives on how best to reach, redirect, and uplift misguided youth and young adults. 

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Kristen has been recognized for her distinctively, modern and refreshing perspective on leadership, education, and restorative practices for Gen Z & millennial topics.  She has spearheaded projects for some of the US’s most prominent Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and media outlets to create content in the form of instructional videos and engaging training workshops and teaching leaders how to focus on managing a multigenerational workforce, alternate disciplinary learning, and best practices for young emerging talent.

Julia Zhou is a serial entrepreneur passionate about building a more regenerative and conscious economy. As a co-founder of Tidal Impact, a global sustainability, impact management, and investment firm, Julia helps organizations embed sustainability and impact as fundamental components of their businesses. Additionally, Julia is a founding member of the Sigma Squared Society, a global network of 1000 of the world's most ambitious founders in their early 20s across 30 countries, who have collectively raised more than $1.5bn. Her entrepreneurial journey also includes co-founding an HR-Tech company, which later became Vyou, an innovative platform combining psychology and data science to enhance workplace wellness.

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She is recognized as a Responsible Leader of the BMW Foundation and serves as an advisor and mentor to various impact-driven organizations. Besides her professional pursuits, Julia has had a long-standing passion for music, playing the piano, and composing for diverse occasions since her childhood.