Where Agents
Meet the World

Eric Pace is the former CAIO & Head of Artificial Intelligence at Cox Communications, where he oversaw AI governance, strategy, and implementation to deliver measurable business impact. With over 20 years of experience in digital leadership and transformation, Eric brings expertise in scaling AI across large organizations and driving customer-centric innovation in the media and communications industry.

Shivanku (Shiv) Misra is Global Head of Technology - Data, AI & Emerging Tech at Marriott. A seasoned digital and data executive with over 20 years of experience, Shiv leads enterprise-wide AI and data science initiatives that have delivered $3.5B+ in measurable business impact. His expertise spans advanced analytics, machine learning, and digital transformation across Fortune-50 organizations.

Noelle Russell is a multi-award-winning TEDx speaker, best-selling author, and AI Executive who specializes in transforming businesses through delivering responsible AI solutions that scale. She is a revenue growth and cost optimization expert, 5x Microsoft AI MVP, and named the #1 Agentic AI Leader in 2025. She has taught over 3.4 million learners on LinkedIn and has led teams at NPR, Microsoft, IBM, AWS, and Amazon Alexa. She is the founder of the AI Leadership Institute and the "I __ AI" Community, teaching responsible AI for everyone.

John Dvorak is Chief Technology Officer, Public Sector at Red Hat. He leads a team of experienced Chief Architects and open source thought leaders who focus on the diverse mission requirements of Federal, State, Local, and Education customers. His team helps to shape and communicate the Red Hat technology vision; co-innovates with customers, partners, and associates; and advocates for Public Sector interests within Red Hat and Open Source communities.

Dvorak has spent 30 years as a technology leader in the Federal Government and industry. He is a former FBI Senior Executive who led efforts in data analytics, enterprise engineering, and software development within the law enforcement and intelligence communities. He began his civil service at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), where he oversaw network engineering and drove several cybersecurity modernization efforts. Prior to joining Red Hat, he served in Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) roles within the systems integrator community, maintaining a focus on government mission requirements. He maintains active participation in multiple industry and government cooperative forums.

Natalie Buda Smith is Director of Digital Strategy at the Library of Congress, where she leads AI, innovation, and digital transformation for one of the world's largest and most visited institutions. With over 30 years of experience in digital transformation, data insights, and user-centered design, she has built large teams at NavigationArts, IBM, and the Library of Congress UMD College of Information, with work spanning the U.S., Europe, and India.

Justin Fanelli is Chief Technology Officer at the U.S. Department of the Navy and Technical Director of PEO Digital, where he focuses on measurably improving technology-driven mission outcomes. A former DARPA Service Chiefs Fellow, he holds degrees from Penn State and the University of Pennsylvania, and is a Senior Executive Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School. He teaches graduate courses at Georgetown University and advises both ARPA-H and the NIST AI Safety Institute.

Keith Forsythe is Chief Technology Officer at NORTH, a global leader in payments, where he drives technology strategy and innovation across large-scale commerce and financial systems. Prior to NORTH, Keith held senior leadership roles at Meta and Capital One, where he worked at the forefront of platform scale, data, and customer-centric technology. His experience spans high-growth consumer platforms and complex financial infrastructure.

A longtime ecosystem builder, Pete has spent over two decades creating the platforms and gatherings that connect technology innovators with enterprise buyers. He founded Modev to power emerging-tech communities, created the VOICE Summit — the world's largest voice AI conference — and now leads the AGENTIC AI Summit series. Pete's work focuses on turning conversation into execution — bringing together the right people, ideas, and opportunities to move markets forward.

Aisha Tahirkheli is a Principal and Trusted AI Leader in KPMG US’s AI and Digital Innovation group, where she leads the responsible and ethical design, development, and deployment of AI across the firm. With more than two decades of Big Four consulting experience, she brings deep expertise in Trusted AI, IT strategy, operations, and digital transformation, helping organizations translate complex technologies into scalable, well governed solutions that deliver impact and earn trust.

Beyond KPMG, Aisha plays an active role in shaping global AI policy and governance. She serves on the OECD Global Digital Policy Committee and is a member of the AI Policy Council at World Leaders in Data & Analytics (WLDA). She also serves on the board of the Mark Cuban Foundation and partners with nonprofits, such as Break Through Tech to expand access to AI education and empower the next generation of technology leaders.

Aisha has been recognized as a Top 10 Trailblazing Woman in Enterprise AI by Reuters Momentum (2026), a Top 100 Global Technology Leader by HITEC (2026), and a Women in Technology Leader by Consulting Magazine (2023).

Jason Michael Perry is the Founder of PerryLabs and host of Thoughts on Tech & Things, a podcast on how emerging technologies move from concept to real-world impact. He works with organizations to define strategy and implement AI, robotics, and quantum computing, drawing on more than two decades of experience across Fortune 50 companies, government agencies, and startups. In 2025, he released The AI Evolution, a guide for organizations implementing AI and navigating the Chief AI Officer role.

Monique Mellini is Founder of VOXVERSA, where she builds innovative voice and AI-powered experiences that transform how brands and users interact. She focuses on leveraging conversational technologies to create scalable, human-centered solutions across industries. Monique brings a strong background in voice, emerging tech, and digital innovation, helping organizations adopt and operationalize next-generation interfaces.

Susan Sly is Founder of The Pause, a platform dedicated to supporting women through menopause with science-backed education, community, and solutions. Through The Pause, she is helping redefine how menopause is understood, addressed, and integrated into conversations around health, performance, and leadership. A serial entrepreneur, author, and speaker, Susan has built multiple successful companies and is known for her work in business growth, human performance, and resilience. She brings a unique perspective to the intersection of women's health, leadership, and longevity — advocating for greater awareness and support for women navigating midlife transitions.

Roya Kandalan is Adjunct Professor of AI at Northeastern University, where she teaches applied artificial intelligence and helps prepare the next generation of practitioners to build real-world AI systems. Her work focuses on practical implementation of AI, including areas such as retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) and modern machine learning applications. Roya brings a hands-on, industry-informed perspective to both education and enterprise use of AI, bridging theory and deployment.

Kat Khosrowyar is Associate Director of Regulatory and Scientific Affairs at the American Chemistry Council and a Next-Gen Global Leader with the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition. With a background spanning international business development, policy research, and partnership strategy, she holds a Master of Arts in Global Affairs from Rice University and a Master of Engineering in Chemical Engineering from the University of Birmingham.

David DeSanto is Chief Executive Officer at Anaconda, where he leads the company’s mission to empower the world’s data science and AI communities through open-source innovation and secure enterprise solutions. A proven product and technology executive, David brings more than two decades of experience spanning cybersecurity, developer platforms, and enterprise software.

Most recently, David served as Chief Product Officer at GitLab, where he led the global product organization in delivering a comprehensive, AI-native DevSecOps platform with more than 50 million registered users worldwide. During his six years with the company, he helped transform GitLab from a high-growth startup into a publicly traded, industry-defining leader of the DevOps Platform category.  

Before GitLab, David held leadership roles in cybersecurity and product management at Spirent Communications, NSS Labs, and ICSA Labs, where he led distributed teams focused on vulnerability and malware research, network security, and security product validation. He has also served on the OpenSSF Governing Board, helping shape global software supply chain security initiatives.

David holds a Master of Science in Cybersecurity from New York University and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Millersville University.   

Uvika Sharma is Managing Partner of INTLDA, an AI advisory firm specializing in responsible AI adoption, governance, and strategy. With 20+ years of experience across enterprise, startups, and government, she helps leaders cut through the hype, assess readiness, and implement AI with the right guardrails. A sought-after speaker and facilitator, Uvika has contributed to global forums including CES, Cornell Tech, Columbia University, WorldEF Dubai, and the GovAI Summit. She holds a B.S. in Computer Science from Stony Brook University and an MBA from Cornell, advises startups through Cornell Tech and Harvard Business School programs, and is co-founder of Asian Women Advancing AI (AWAAI).

Scott Lock is Co-Founder and CEO of InfernoRed Technology, a Virginia-based software development firm building cutting-edge solutions for the world's most influential organizations. With 30+ years of hands-on development experience, Scott leads a team of senior engineers delivering web, mobile, cloud, and AI-first software for clients including Microsoft, Discovery Communications, Upper Deck, and NPR. Scott co-founded the Capital Area .NET Users Group and remains a leading voice in the DC software community. Outside of tech, Scott is the Co-Founder of SteelCuda Cards and a passionate sports memorabilia collector.

Gillian Eiserman is a Conversation Designer at General Motors, where she designs AI-driven voice and conversational experiences that enhance how customers interact with vehicles and digital services. She specializes in translating complex systems into intuitive, human-centered interactions.

Sze Wong is a serial entrepreneur, inventor, and venture investor with a track record of building and scaling enterprise technology companies. He is the creator of iFormBuilder, a pioneering mobile data platform trusted by Fortune 500 companies and one of the first apps to achieve HIPAA compliance on the Apple App Store. With 7 U.S. patents in data and security, Sze has led innovation across companies including Sun Microsystems, Nextel, and Shell. Today, as a venture investor at Zenith Venture Studio, he supports the next generation of founders building impactful digital solutions.

Caitlin Brosseau is Global Head of Government Affairs and Public Policy at Tripadvisor, where she leads global engagement with policymakers on issues affecting internet platforms, competition, and the digital travel ecosystem. With more than two decades of experience in government and public affairs, she brings deep expertise at the intersection of technology, regulation, and advocacy. Caitlin is also the immediate-past Board Chair of Internet Works, where she led the organization's evolution from an informal coalition into a leading trade association representing 'middle tech' companies in U.S. policy debates. Previously, she led public policy and government relations at Pandora Media and held senior roles at eBay, shaping policy strategies on key digital economy issues. She began her career on Capitol Hill as a staffer to Senator Kent Conrad.

Vineet Mahajan is the Chief Technology Officer at U.S. News & World Report, where he leads the company's technology strategy, platform modernization, and AI-driven product innovation. He is responsible for scaling the infrastructure and data systems that power one of the most trusted sources for rankings, consumer guidance, and decision support across education, healthcare, and finance. With deep expertise in cloud architecture, data platforms, and enterprise AI adoption, Vineet has a track record of transforming legacy systems into high-performance, digital-first ecosystems. His work focuses on leveraging machine learning, personalization, and intelligent automation to deliver more relevant, real-time insights to millions of users.

Min Xu is Senior Principal Security Architect at Navy Federal Credit Union, where he focuses on securing AI and digital systems at one of the nation's largest member-owned financial institutions. His work sits at the intersection of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and trust — ensuring that AI models, data pipelines, and member-facing systems are resilient against emerging threats. With deep expertise in AI risk mitigation, model security, and adversarial defense, Min works on safeguarding machine learning systems from exploitation while maintaining performance and scalability. His experience spans detection of model vulnerabilities, protection of training data, and the implementation of secure AI architectures in regulated, high-trust environments.

Dian Xu is VP of Engineering at New American Funding, leading Data Services and the teams building the data foundation behind the company's analytics, AI, and decisioning capabilities. She is responsible for enterprise data platforms, data engineering and architecture, data science, and the governance that makes that data trustworthy at scale. With a background spanning distributed systems, cloud infrastructure, and data-driven product development, Dian has led initiatives that consolidate fragmented data into unified models, deliver production AI and machine learning capabilities into frontline workflows, and give business leaders faster, more reliable answers. Her work emphasizes practical application of AI and automation to increase efficiency, reduce friction, and enable faster, more accurate financial outcomes.

Dr. Beju Rao is the Founder and CEO of Amruta Inc., where he leads the creation of the world's first operating system for AI-augmented work — enabling safe, explainable, governed collaboration between humans and AI. He brings more than three decades of experience in enterprise transformation. At Amruta, he pioneered Workflow DNA, Governed AI Coworker Blueprints, and an AI Coworker Supply Chain that helps organizations industrialize AI-enabled workflows at scale. He also serves as a statewide advisor on AI education and workforce readiness, shaping curriculum and hands-on learning programs across Virginia. Dr. Rao is widely recognized for advancing responsible, human-centered AI adoption across industries, agencies, institutions, and the future workforce.

Tiarne Hawkins is the Co-Founder and CTO of Optica Labs, an AI Security and Assurance company helping organizations deploy AI safely, responsibly, and at scale. She specializes in AI governance, model evaluation, agentic workflows, enterprise AI enablement, and production readiness across high-risk AI systems. Over the past decade, Tiarne has supported leading AI and enterprise organizations including OpenAI, Google, Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, NVIDIA, and Meta. Her work focuses on helping enterprises operationalize AI securely while continuously managing risk and governance. She is also the host of the You & AI podcast and author of the forthcoming 2026 book, The Negotiation: AI, Power, and What It Means to Stay Human.

Luis de la Rosa is Director of Engineering at Cvent, where he leads engineering teams focused on building and continuously improving software platforms and digital experiences at scale. With more than 25 years of professional software development experience, Luis combines deep technical expertise with a passion for leadership, mentorship, and helping teams perform at their best. Beyond enterprise engineering, Luis is an active contributor to the broader developer community. He regularly speaks at industry events, organizes meetups and conferences, and shares knowledge through platforms like Stack Overflow. A lifelong builder and technologist, he enjoys creating both software and hardware projects using coding, 3D printing, and electronics tools.

Renée Cummings is a global AI governance leader, award-winning AI ethicist, and Professor of Practice at the University of Virginia’s School of Data Science. As UVA’s inaugural Data Activist-in-Residence, she works to ensure AI systems advance human potential by empowering people rather than exploiting them.

A leading voice in responsible, safe, and trustworthy AI, Renée specializes in AI governance, geopolitics, and innovation. She serves as a Nonresident Senior Fellow at The Brookings Institution and Co-Director of the AI Equity Lab, where she helps shape global standards for responsible AI. She has also contributed to the World Economic Forum’s Data Equity Council and Global AI Governance Alliance.

Her interdisciplinary expertise spans AI ethics, criminal justice reform, terrorism studies, risk management, and public interest technology. A former Co-Director of the Public Interest Technology University Network (PIT-UN) at UVA, she is dedicated to preparing civic-minded technologists to build AI for the public good.

Recognized among the Top 100 Women in AI Ethics, Renée is a compelling storyteller who translates complex technical concepts into actionable insights. Through interdisciplinary leadership and global collaboration, she champions AI that is ethical, inclusive, and designed to advance equity, justice, and human flourishing.

Swarnamalya Mohan is a Senior Full Stack Developer at FedEx, focused on building scalable enterprise applications and intelligent technology solutions for logistics operations. She has experience across full-stack development, distributed systems, cloud technologies, and AI-driven applications, and is passionate about designing practical solutions that improve efficiency and user experience.

Ashok is a software engineer, project manager, solution architect, enterprise architect, consultant, technology executive and Chief Technology Officer over the years. His passion is to use technology to to create, engineer and deliver digital solutions that solve real world consumer and business problems across multiple industry sectors with a focus on Agility, Business Value and User Experience.

As CTO and key senior executive of two startups, Ashok held multi-faceted leadership responsibilities, contributed heavily to the overall growth of the firms and helped the firms take multiple innovative solutions and capabilities to market.  He helped the one of the firms grow its technology solutions footprint from 30% to over 70% of the overall portfolio and grew the technology team 10 fold across a diverse set of capabilities and technologies.

Gregory serves as the Director of Business Development for Enterprise Solutions, bringing more than 30 years of government leadership experience to the organization. Throughout his career, he has been a driving force in the digital evolution of local government, shaping modernization efforts that continue to influence public‑sector technology strategies.

As the former CIO/CTO for Fairfax County, Gregory led one of the nation’s largest and most complex local government technology organizations. His tenure was defined by a commitment to innovation, accessibility, and operational excellence. Under his leadership, the county accelerated the adoption of AI‑driven solutions, implemented automated workflows, strengthened cybersecurity, and expanded multilingual digital services initiatives that significantly enhanced internal productivity and improved the resident experience.

Gregory’s work has consistently emphasized modernization, security, and inclusive service delivery, ensuring technology serves as a catalyst for better government operations and community engagement.