Keynotes
Nancy Giordano
Strategist, Author of Leadering
Described as endlessly optimistic, Nancy is a visionary strategist, gatherer and author who has presented 200+ global keynotes. With a drive to help enterprise organizations and caring leaders transform to meet the escalating expectations ahead, she is recognized as one of the top futurists.
The world’s first TEDx licensee, co-founder of the Femme Futurists Society podcast, best-selling author of Leadering: The Ways Visionary Leaders Play Bigger, and mother of three, her expertise and experiences range from A.I. to frozen foods to reinventing the internet, and all of her projects have a key common denominator: transitioning away from the extractive operating systems and expired thinking of the industrial era to creating the more regenerative, inclusive and dynamic solutions the future demands.
Fascinated by the intersection of technology, business, society and our own expanding consciousness, she has designed and produced several immersive leadership conferences and strategic summits, champions several horizon distributed tech and emerging economic movements, and for the past nine years has been an advisor to two AI start-ups, including Kungfu.AI, a fast-growing AI services company.
All conference registrants received immediate access to Nancy Giordano’s ebook Leadering.
Ethan Mollick
Innovation Expert and Artificial Intelligence Thought Leader; Professor of Entrepreneurship, The Wharton School; Author of Co-Intelligence
Ethan Mollick is an Associate Professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He brings a rare blend of academic rigor and real-world relevance to the evolving conversation around artificial intelligence. His work explores the intersections of AI, innovation, and entrepreneurship in the workplace and classroom. Recognized by TIME Magazine as one of the Most Influential People in AI and author of the New York Times bestselling book Co-Intelligence, Ethan has earned distinction for his clear, accessible insights that empower individuals across industries. His book, named one of the best of the year by The Economist and Financial Times, underscores his role as a thought leader who makes complex ideas not only understandable but actionable.
Ethan’s balanced, optimistic, and practical approach to AI perfectly aligns with our conference’s goals. Rather than promoting fear or uncertainty, he invites us to actively shape the future of work and education with AI as a powerful collaborator. His keynote promises to spark significant conversations and energize our thinking about what is possible. Whether you are an educator, student, business leader, or creative, Ethan’s message speaks directly to the opportunities that generative AI brings to our fields.
Ethan has become a trusted guide for navigating the fast-changing world of AI. He co-directs Wharton’s Generative AI Labs, co-founded Wharton Interactive—which uses simulations and games to expand access to education—and regularly consults with startups and global organizations. His popular newsletter, One Useful Thing, and his active social media presence offer real-time, practical insights that continue to shape how we think about and engage with technology. We’re thrilled to have him join us and can’t wait to learn from his experience and vision.
The first 500 in-person conference registrants received a complimentary copy of Ethan’s book Co-Intelligence.
Luncheon Address
Our Luncheon Address was presented by Dean Devesh Ranjan.
Devesh Ranjan
Grainger Dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Wisconsin–Madison
Devesh Ranjan is the Grainger Dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he leads one of the nation’s top engineering programs. A mechanical engineering scholar, he previously held faculty and leadership roles at Georgia Tech and Texas A&M, with research focused on power conversion and complex fluid flows in extreme conditions. Ranjan has received early-career awards from the U.S. Department of Energy, NSF, and Air Force, is a fellow of ASME, and was honored with its Gustus L. Larson Memorial Award. He is also a recognized educator and mentor, and holds graduate degrees from UW–Madison and a bachelor’s from NIT-Trichy.
Enjoy a short clip from Dean Devesh Ranjan’s luncheon address:
Master of Ceremonies
John Stofflet, a seasoned journalist and storyteller, has an illustrious career highlighted by 25 Regional Emmy Awards and prestigious accolades from the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association, showcasing his unwavering commitment to broadcasting excellence. John’s relentless pursuit of stories has taken him across 40 countries and all seven continents, fueled by his genuine passion for adventure and profound curiosity. Along his journey, he had the privilege of interviewing renowned figures such as President Barack Obama, Julia Roberts, Robin Williams, Brad Pitt, and many others. After 16 years at KING-TV (NBC) in Seattle, he returned to Wisconsin to anchor for NBC 15 News, bringing his expertise home. Additionally, as a proud alum of UW-Madison’s School of Journalism and Mass Communications, he contributes to his community by serving on the boards of the Badger Childhood Cancer Network and the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Alliance of Wisconsin. He inspires and enlightens audiences globally with an unwavering commitment to storytelling and advocacy.
Graphic Recorder
Sherrill Knezel
Sherrill is a graphic recorder, illustrator, art educator, and founder of Meaningful Marks LLC, based in the Milwaukee, WI metro area where she uses visuals and graphic recording to uplift, and amplify the work of nonprofits, educators, and corporate sector clients having conversations and creating generative and transformative change in their communities. She leads visual literacy workshops to empower people to use visuals to increase connection, clarity, and collaboration. Sherrill is the author of Heart Speak: A Visual Interpretation of Let Your Life Speak written in collaboration with Parker J. Palmer, and contributing author to Social Action Stories: Impact Tales for The School & Community.
Sherrill provided “graphic recordings” on large boards at the UWEBC Annual Conference. These drawings capture the memorable and takeaway points of conference speakers. They are a mix of words and pictures that are great artifacts to refer to some of the insights and concepts heard during the event. Attendees had the opportunity to take pictures of and with her art throughout the day and during Happy Hour at the conclusion of the conference.