SPEAKERS

RapidLabz

Adalbert is an innovative product manager, coder, and visionary in the tech and creative space. Known as @SerStaxx on X, he's cultivated a reputation as a vibe-coding enthusiast. His work spans social platforms, podcasting tools, and on-chain MVPs, with a philosophy that prioritizes shipping over perfectionism. This mentality has allowed him to place in the Top 100 app design for Lovable Buildathon. ""Anyone can shape the digital future with plain English and relentless curiosity. I founded RapidLabz to democratize digital creation and help innovators turn their ideas into market-ready products without the typical delays and complications.

STEMBoard

Aisha Bowe is a former NASA rocket scientist, two-time founder, and recent member of the historic all-female Blue Origin space crew. She is the CEO and Founder of STEMBoard, a tech firm providing strategic advisory services with an education arm investing in future STEM leaders. She also founded LINGO, an edtech company serving over 10,000 students and aiming to equip one million learners with STEM skills. Among the top 2% of women founders to raise more than $2 million in venture capital, Aisha has earned numerous honors including NASA’s Engineering Honor Award, STEM for Her Woman of the Year, and Black Enterprise’s Luminary Award. She holds a BSE in aerospace engineering and an MEng in space systems engineering from the University of Michigan.

Lockheed Martin & Aliyah's Intelligence LLC

Aliyah Gibbs is an AI Adoption Strategist and Training Specialist at Lockheed Martin, where she leads enterprise efforts to scale generative AI through strategic training and responsible implementation. She also serves as the Lead Technical Instructor for Black Girls Code Dallas, teaching students how to build with AI through hands-on coding experiences. Aliyah is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Artificial Intelligence at the University of Texas at Austin, blending academic expertise with real-world applications. She is the founder of Aliyah’s Intelligence, a tech education platform that empowers professionals and communities to use AI for productivity, leadership, and career growth. Her mission is to make AI accessible, actionable, and inclusive—bridging the gap between innovation and impact.

Femigist

Amara Onwukaeme is the founder of Femigist, a wellness brand born from her battle with PCOS. She created the solutions she couldn’t find—plant-powered, science-backed care that treats hormonal imbalances from the inside out. As the Chief Estrogen Officer of Femigist, Amara is building the safe, wellness affirming space every woman deserves.

CORXLY

Ariana Rodriguez is a 3X founder and the CEO of CORXLY, an adaptive productivity platform designed for neurodivergent minds. With over a decade of experience in operations and systems strategy, she’s built a career at the intersection of technology, inclusion, and emotional intelligence. Ariana is a thought leader on neurodivergence, burnout, and the future of work. Her work has been featured in Forbes, Create & Cultivate, and Buffer.

Revamped

Arianny Mercedes is a renowned Career Strategist and founder of Revamped, a consultancy reshaping how professionals navigate the job market. She has guided over 700 clients into roles at leading companies like Goldman Sachs, Disney, and Amazon—driving more than $15 million in earned salaries. Known for her expertise in career storytelling, job market positioning, and leadership development, Arianny blends strategy and substance to help professionals build careers with clarity, confidence, and compensation. Her work has been featured in Forbes, CNN, and Business Insider.

Columbia University

Cedoni Francis is your internet big sister, bringing you the real, the glam, and the game. A NYC-based Gen-Z lifestyle creator, podcast host, Vanderbilt grad, and Columbia MBA student, she started sharing her life as a product marketer in big tech before pivoting to full-time entrepreneurship. From career moves and dating tea to beauty, fashion, and finance, Cedoni is all about showing women how to level up their lives. Whether she’s securing major brand deals with your favorite companies or navigating life’s plot twists (like getting laid off and bouncing back better), she’s here to empower and inspire - with a side of fun.

Corro AI

Chinwendu Iwuorie is the Founder and CEO of Corro AI, a Houston-based consultancy helping startups and SMBs streamline operations through intelligent AI systems. With a background in Data& AI, she specializes in building agentic solutions that transform business workflows. Chinwendu’s work sits at the intersection of strategy, innovation, and accessibility, making AI practical for everyday business use.

Technical Accounting

Christine Miao is the creator of technical accounting, the practice of tracking engineering maintenance, resourcing, and architecture. It turns massive initiatives - like breaking up monoliths, complex refactors, or cleaning up tech debt - into visuals simple enough to explain to your grandmother. Previously, she led some of the first Agile Transformation projects at McKinsey Digital. She has worked with dozens of organizations - from idea to Fortune 50 - launch and improve their products. She now researches technical accounting fulltime while writing at The Thoughtful Engineer, which aims to educate, demystify, and promote healthy engineering cultures.

Wrk Receipts

Cierra Gross is the Founder and CEO of Worklution Inc., a Future of Work company that operates two groundbreaking brands: Caged Bird HR, which provides independent HR support to employees, and Wrk Receipts, an AI-powered app helping users document workplace experiences and understand their rights in real time. Since launching Cierra has bootstrapped the company to over $1M in revenue and Wrk Receipts has gained 9,000+ downloads. She’s been featured in Forbes, The Guardian, and Yahoo for her bold approach to labor tech and employee advocacy. Prior to entrepreneurship, she held HR roles at companies like ExxonMobil and Google.

Kohls + Sephora

Courtney Walker is a cybersecurity leader with extensive experience in protecting data, modernizing technology systems, and enhancing user experiences across public and private sectors. She has led initiatives for secure payment systems, data governance, and compliance for major national brands. Passionate about cybersecurity education, Courtney empowers communities and helps organizations navigate emerging threats with confidence.

Off Worque

Cristina Jerome is a DMV based community leader and marketer who prides herself on mastering talent, entertainment, and brand marketing. Known first for her efforts in music, she led digital strategy at Keep Cool (RCA Records) for R&B acts, Normani, Lucky Daye, and UMI. From there, she ventured into TV and worked on content and social strategy for Jada Pinkett Smith, her show Red Table Talk, Peacock's Bel-Air, and Issa Rae's Rap Sh!t on HBOMax. Recently, she directed all social content at Topicals, Sephora's fastest growing black-owned skincare brand and executed a global brand marketing campaign for adidas' SS23 running campaign. From there, she led Social and Culture at Lobos 1707, a luxury tequila brand. Today, she has pivoted into social impact in the mental health space by founding off Worque, a non-profit social club catered to those who want to decenter work and create a healthy work/life balance.

Meta

Czara Reynolds is a strategic project and program management leader with a proven track record of delivering impact at top tech companies, including Mastercard, GitHub, and Meta. She has deep expertise in managing both technical and non-technical programs across engineering, privacy, and strategy & operations, among others—illustrating that with the right approach, one can seamlessly adapt and lead across any discipline, regardless of their starting point. Czara’s journey into tech wasn’t linear, and that’s precisely what makes her story powerful. Drawing from her own experience transitioning into technical program management from a nontraditional background, Czara is passionate about helping others navigate their career journeys. She speaks on topics including career pivots, leveraging transferable skills, and breaking into tech without a traditional resume, offering actionable insights for professionals at every stage of their path. Beyond her work, Czara is dedicated to mentoring and uplifting professionals undergoing career pivots, with a focus on inclusion, strategy, and self-advocacy.

ReeTheCyberBoss®

​Dr. Jeree Spicer is a passionate cybersecurity leader with over seven years of experience spanning strategy, risk management, engineering, agile methodologies, and program management. As the founder of Ree The CyberBoss™, Jeree is dedicated to educating underrepresented communities on digital safety and cyber resilience. She is also the author of The Adventures in Cybersecurity with Huggie Hugglesworth, a children's book introducing young readers to cybersecurity fundamentals. Pursuing a Doctorate of Science in Cybersecurity, Jeree focuses her research on cybersecurity and cyberpsychology.​

PR Girl Manifesto

Fatou B. Barry is a cultural and communications strategist and the founder of PR Girl Manifesto, a global platform making the PR and communications industry more inclusive and accessible. She currently serves as the Director of PR & Marketing for Impact13 Foundation, NBA star James Harden’s nonprofit. With over a decade of experience, Fatou helps mission-driven brands tell stories that spark connection and drive impact. She was recently named a 2024 Entreprenista 100 Award Winner. Fatou is also the author of the upcoming book PR Girl Manifesto: New Rules for Success and the producer of COMM/UNE, a summit for next-gen PR professionals launching in 2026.

Google

Francine “Frenchy” Marquis is a first-generation Haitian-American technologist, Cloud AI leader at Google, and passionate advocate for equity in tech. With over seven years at Google, she’s led transformative projects that make artificial intelligence more accessible, ethical, and culturally relevant. Frenchy’s work bridges innovation and inclusion, helping Black and Brown communities harness the power of emerging tech. A proud HBCU graduate, she’s also a sought-after speaker on topics ranging from AI for social good to overcoming imposter syndrome in male-dominated industries.

NFNTE

Harold Hughes is a serial entrepreneur, CEO, and founder of NFNTE Capital, an entrepreneurial support organization that helps startup founders leverage social capital. Institutions, including Benedict College, the University of Texas, and Yale University, have adopted his entrepreneurial curriculum to further the entrepreneurial mindset in their communities. As a first-generation American prioritizing education, he holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Economics and Political Science and an MBA from Clemson University. As a community leader, he authored and published "A Kids Book About Blockchain" to make Web3 technology accessible to all ages.As a community builder and co-founder of Catalyst Labs, Harold runs a 12-week accelerator program for emerging entrepreneurs. His expertise spans from go-to-market strategy and business development, to supporting founders from ideation to scale. He is an active angel investor, primarily investing in companies led by diverse founders. Most notably, he has invested in Partake Foods, the Jay-Z-backed CPG company making allergy-friendly snacks, and companies like Liquid Death, Athletic Greens, Republic, Winx Health, Major League Pickleball, and Broadway plays like Stereophonic, Hell’s Kitchen, and The Wiz on Broadway.

The Circle

Jadejha is a security leader with extensive experience in IAM and SIEM solutions. Having experience starting in a SOC and working in EdTech, FinTech, and start up environments, she possess in-depth knowledge of SIEM tools like Splunk, Sentinel, Qradar, and proven success in implementing CyberArk and Entra for IAM. Jadejha enjoys being in the field daily but also helping others learn about the different paths of cyber security.

Jaz Turner LLC

Jaz Turner is a full-time content creator, entrepreneur, and self-development speaker dedicated to inspiring women to elevate their lives through self-care, wellness, and intentional luxury. Originally from Chicago, she earned her B.A. summa cum laude from Spelman College before pursuing both law and business degrees at Emory University. With a community of over 950K followers across platforms, Jaz shares daily vlogs, routines, and GRWM content that blend elegance with practicality. Her passion lies in curating a lifestyle rooted in intention, growth, and beauty. Deeply community-focused, she creates content that reflects her audience’s values and fosters a space for empowered transformation.

Step Up

Jess-Mara Jones is the Senior Manager of Young Adult Programs at Step Up, a mentoring nonprofit serving young women and girls. With a decade of public service experience, Jess-Mara began her career as an AmeriCorps VISTA after graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Elon University, later completing a Master's Degree in Public Administration with a focus in Nonprofit Management from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Her accomplishments include significantly increasing participation in campus-wide service opportunities, revamping and expanding mentorship and public service programs for youth, and addressing physical and economic barriers for students during the pandemic. She strives to continue making confidence and career-focused mentorship accessible and accommodating to the needs of young women everywhere.

Amazon Web Services

Jessica Reyes is a Global Event Marketing Manager within Amazon Web Services' (AWS) Global Brand Partnerships team, where she orchestrates AWS's strategic presence at major industry shows and technology events worldwide. At AWS, Jessica collaborates with product teams and industry experts to develop targeted event experiences that demonstrate cloud capabilities to enterprise clients, specializing in translating technical solutions into clear business outcomes for organizations modernizing their IT infrastructure through cloud adoption. Her background spans commercial tech sales and cloud solutions implementation, backed by AWS Cloud Practitioner and Associate Solutions Architect certifications. Jessica's work directly contributes to AWS's market expansion and customer success stories across multiple sectors. As Board Director for Amazon's Black Employee Network in the DMV region, Jessica focuses on creating meaningful community impact through service initiatives, volunteer programs, and educational outreach that promote STEM education and professional development in underserved areas.

TD Bank

JoAnn Means is a seasoned HR professional with over six years of experience, specializing in diversity and inclusion. As a Senior Diversity Talent Recruiter at TD Bank, she recruits mid-level to executive-level talent while building diverse and inclusive pipelines. Her career reflects a strong commitment to advancing underrepresented talent and fostering equitable workplaces. JoAnn also mentors students, helping them navigate career paths and build confidence in their professional journeys. She holds an M.B.A. from Gwynedd Mercy University.

ESSENCE

Jordyn Brown is a dynamic Senior Product Manager at Essence Communications Inc., where she leads innovative digital experiences that elevate content engagement and community connection. With a proven track record in virtual event streaming, CMS development, and audience growth strategies, she brings a user-first mindset to every project. Jordyn has spearheaded high-impact initiatives like the launch of Essence’s SMS program and the Playlist Player for live events. Passionate about storytelling, technology, and inclusive product design, she thrives at the intersection of culture and innovation.

Techpreneurship Academy

Justice Collier is a seasoned tech entrepreneur, Principal UX designer, and founder of Techpreneurship Academy. With over a decade of experience in the tech industry, she specializes in helping professionals transition from traditional 9-to-5 roles into successful contractors and business owners. As an expert in building FinTech startups and scaling businesses, Justice empowers individuals to unlock their full potential and create their own path to success. Through her coaching and speaking engagements, she equips aspiring techpreneurs with the tools and mindset to thrive in today’s rapidly evolving tech landscape. 4o mini

Yahoo

Khalia O'Dea is a seasoned Talent Acquisition professional with a passion for building inclusive high-impact experiences. She currently serves as a University Recruiter at Yahoo. Her career has been focused on technical recruiting, early talent programs, and curating events that create a lasting impact.

Amazon Web Services

Kourtney is a Senior Cybersecurity Program Owner and Industry Leader at Amazon Web Services, where she leads a global access monitoring program protecting sensitive customer data across cloud infrastructure. With over a decade of experience, including roles at AWS, Fannie Mae, and the U.S. Department of Defense, she specializes in access governance, data protection, and scalable security controls. She is the founder of The Chic Tech Firm, a consulting practice that helps professionals pivot into cybersecurity and thrive. A former Director of Events for Amazon’s Black Employee Network Board of Directors, Kourtney is passionate about creating spaces that elevate underrepresented voices in tech.

She's So Lucky Podcast

Les Alfred is a media entrepreneur and cultural storyteller shaping the future of women-centered narratives. As the creator and host of She’s So Lucky (formerly Balanced Black Girl), an NAACP Image Award-nominated podcast, she has built a thriving media ecosystem that explores wellness and self-discovery through the lens of trail-blazing women. ​​Everything she creates seamlessly blends content, commerce, and culture, positioning her as a next-generation media mogul committed to storytelling that elevates, empowers, and entertains.

AYC Consulting Group

Mariah Bayne is a career coach, speaker, and senior leader with over a decade of experience in Sales, Customer Success, and Operations. She’s led teams responsible for over $500M in revenue and helped professionals transition into six-figure roles using business-scale strategies. Mariah is the Founder of AYC Consulting Group and the host ofGrowing the Middle, a podcast for mid-career professionals navigating growth and reinvention. She currently serves as Senior Director of Candidate Placement at RE:WORK TRAINING, where she creates equitable hiring pathways in tech sales.

Mudder AI

Nadia B. Ahmad is an environmental law professor, climate tech founder, and advocate at the intersection of law, technology, and social justice. She is the founder of Mudder AI, a startup that uses artificial intelligence to improve disaster response and climate resilience. A Yale PhD candidate and former visiting professor at Yale Law School, Nadia was part of the global coalition awarded the United Nations Human Rights Prize for advancing the right to a healthy environment. She also serves as co-chair on the DNC Interfaith Council, bringing a principled, solutions-focused voice to movements for environmental and social change.

AirAssistant.io

Nani Israel is the founder of Air Assistant.io, a digital growth marketing firm that scales mission-driven founders to 5-figure months and 10-hour work weeks using “flirt-to-convert” social media automation sales systems and A.I.- powered marketing assistants. Specializing in grassroots marketing that requires ZERO startup funding, Nani has helped founders and large corporations alike amass over $18M in sales through highly successful marketing and social media campaigns with low follower count. Her clients have been featured in Target, Barnes & Noble, Vogue Magazine, Essence Magazine, Hulu, Official Black Wall Street and Sephora among others. As a travel enthusiast who RV’s the country with her hubby & high school sweetheart, Nani has been on a mission to help no less than 1000 BIPOC and women-owned businesses effortlessly achieve $100K-$1M+ in revenue while working less to enjoy a freedom lifestyle most can only dream of.

Innovator-Connector Consultancy

Nina Archie is a professional with extensive experience in dual-use technology and intellectual property. She founded Innovator Connector, a consultancy focused on aiding startups and small businesses in technology commercialization, securing non-dilutive funding, and guidance to small business/startup programs and resources. With a background that includes roles in the U.S. Department of Defense as a Program Manager (contractor) and the United States Patent and Trademark Office as a Patent Examiner, Nina has a robust track record in facilitating and actively participating in the innovation ecosystem. She holds an Intellectual Property certificate from the World Intellectual Property Office and a Technology Transfer certificate from the National Institutes of Health. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and a Master of Science in Bioinformatics. Ms. Archie is also a Small Business Innovation Research Reviewer at the National Science Foundation and SXSW Advisory Board Member.

Vista Supports, LLC

Precious “Preciosa” Myers-Brown is the CEO and Chief Innovation & Dream Officer of Vista Supports, the only Minority Woman-Owned agency providing Enabling Technology and Remote Supports to marginalized communities. With over 36 years of experience in human services, digital transformation, and advocacy, she is a nationally recognized leader, The "Voice" of Enabling Technology, keynote speaker, and tech disruptor. Her work bridges equity, innovation, and impact, proving that technology, when done right, can be a tool of liberation.

Product Place Labs

Sarah Perkins is a seasoned product and technology executive with over 14 years of experience delivering enterprise-scale digital transformation across Fortune 500 companies and high-growth ventures. Known for her strategic vision and empathetic leadership, Sarah blends deep domain expertise in SaaS, ERP, HCM, and AI-powered technologies to drive meaningful innovation at the intersection of product, people, and platforms. As a former Chief Product Officer of Gusto Sarah leads high-performing global teams across product, engineering, marketing, and operations. She is passionate about building modern, customer-centric digital experiences that not only meet business objectives but elevate how teams work and how users interact with technology. Her leadership is rooted in empathy, systems thinking, and a relentless pursuit of clarity—creating environments where product innovation thrives and cross-functional teams align around shared goals. Beyond the boardroom, Sarah is a sought-after speaker and facilitator on topics such as enterprise innovation, product leadership, digital strategy, and inclusive team-building. She champions collaboration, authenticity, and continuous learning—empowering other leaders to build not just better products, but better organizations.

Etsy

Taiwo is a User Experience Researcher by weekday, a community builder by weekend, and a lifestyle content creator who calls Los Angeles home. Her career spans roles at LinkedIn, Meta, and Etsy, where she has helped build products that empower creators and entrepreneurs to thrive. Whether that’s through brand building, audience growth, or business expansion. From researching Instagram Shops and Facebook Ads at Meta to improving the search experience for buyers and small businesses on Etsy, Taiwo is passionate about crafting solutions that spark creativity and support entrepreneurship at scale. Outside of her 9–5, she is content creator with a community of over 125K across platforms. Her content explores career theories, travel, and beauty offering an honest and inspiring look at life on and off the clock.

SiriusXM

With over a decade of experience leading high-impact marketing strategies, I specialize in transforming complex challenges into actionable insights that drive results. Currently a Marketing Leader at SiriusXM, I’ve led integrated campaigns for brands like HelloFresh, WeWork, Lyft, Bloomberg Industry Group, and the American Diabetes Association—sharpening my expertise across CRM, mobile apps, social media, and digital content. Blending data-driven precision with creative strategy, I bring a global perspective and a passion for empowering teams to push boundaries. As a speaker, I deliver energy, clarity, and real-world insights on channel marketing, customer engagement, and cross-functional leadership. Let’s connect—and inspire your audience to think bigger, act smarter, and market more effectively.

Dope Nerds

With 30+ years in tech, Ursula Spencer is a pioneer known for bridging innovation with real-world impact democratizing access to emerging technologies. As the founder of Dope Nerds®, she’s led immersive learning using Virtual Reality and AI adoption initiatives across K–12, enterprise, and government. Her work sits at the intersection of strategy and storytelling making the future feel human and accessible. Ursula speaks with purpose, builds with vision, and shows up for the next generation of technologists who dare to lead differently.

SEED Media

Valeisha Butterfield is an award-winning global leader and cultural vanguard in tech, entertainment, and politics. She is the Founder and CEO of SEED Media, a company dedicated to inspiring one billion people through iconic storytelling and experiences. Valeisha has held executive roles at the Recording Academy, Google, and in the Obama Administration, where she made historic impact. She currently serves on several national boards, including Clark Atlanta University Board of Trustees and GRAMMY Global Ventures. A proud CAU alum and North Carolina native, Valeisha is also the co-founder of the Women in Entertainment Empowerment Network (WEEN), author, and a powerhouse mom raising two sons with purpose and passion.

ICF

Whitney Millegan is a strategic leader with expertise in digital strategy, healthcare, and scaled operations. She has led transformation across sectors—from optimizing global operations at Meta to shaping healthcare strategy for former clients at Deloitte. Now leading internal AI development and governance teams at ICF, she ensures responsible and effective adoption of emerging technologies. Millegan holds an MBA from Emory University and an MPH from the University of South Carolina. She is committed to leveraging business and technology to create meaningful, future-focused impact. Her work has been featured in Forbes, and she has been recognized by Diversity Woman Magazine’s Top 100, Northern Virginia Technology Council Tech 100 NextGen Leaders, and MEFEater Magazine’s Women to Watch 2025 lists.

lululemon

Zubia is a Manager, Artificial Intelligence at lululemon where she manages and deploys AI solutions to a variety of cross-functional partners ranging from fashion designers, email & web marketing, guest innovation, inventory planners among others. Her work experience spans multiple industries ranging from investment funds, bioinformatics, consulting and retail. She has a background in statistics, deep learning and computer vision, with an ML publication in Springer. Today, her work involves taking on leadership roles, extracting business value in the deep learning space, and supporting data science products’ journey from conception to deployment. Zubia is a Google Women TechMakers Ambassador, speaker for Women in Data Science, data science instructor, and board member of a non-profit organization.