Founder & CEO, Ovida

Alex Haitoglou founded Ovida, the world's first AI platform aimed at enhancing the fundamental communication skills for leadership and coaching. Ovida supports leaders and coaches in their growth by providing AI-generated objective data, video reviews for self-reflection, and expert human mentoring.

With a background in Business Economics and German, Haitoglou worked with Procter & Gamble in global business leadership roles while also leading the Grow Coaching program, training hundreds of leaders in coaching skills. He later assumed executive positions at Walgreens Boots Alliance working across geographies in healthcare. Moving into entrepreneurship, Haitoglou built a health-tech business that was acquired by a major European retailer, and in 2020 launched Ovida with his partner Bryan Watson.

Founder, CEO, and Chair of the Board, Organisation Solutions

Alison Eyring is the Founder and CEO of Produgie, a B2B SaaS building leadership capacity for better business growth. She is an award-winning author [Pacing for Growth (2017)], adjunct Professor at the NUS Business School, and serves on the Advisory Board to Shop Up in Bangladesh. In 2000, Alison founded Organisation Solutions in Singapore and led the business to become a global consultancy building growth leader, team, and organisation capabilities across 5 continents. In 2021 she spun off Produgie (www.produgie.com) to empower inclusive growth by offering premium growth leadership services as affordable, scalable pay-as-you-go products. With Produgie individuals and teams grow-in-the-flow of everyday work as their business scales growth capabilities. Alison earned her MA and PhD in Industrial/Organisational Psychology. Her domain expertise lies in large-scale organisation design and transformation.

Dean, NYU School of Professional Studies

NYU School of Professional Studies Dean Angie Kamath has had a distinguished career in higher education and government. Exemplified by her deep expertise in partnering with industries on skills-based education and workforce development, Kamath is a champion for fostering equal opportunities through higher education and workforce programs that provide immediately applicable skills in hospitality, real estate, publishing, global affairs, sports management, AI technology, and functional business leadership, among other growing and emerging fields.

Grounded in research, Kamath is an expert on workforce development and skills-based training, providing foresight into the future of work. Passionate about developing programs with industry leaders, she has created partnerships with national and local organizations to innovate academic initiatives and advance access to education. Under her leadership, NYU SPS has been ranked as a top higher education institution with its career-connected, industry-focused degrees and courses. Kamath was also instrumental in having NYU SPS endorsed as a talent development partner by OneTen, a coalition of leading chief executives and their companies, committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and upskilling, hiring, and advancing one million Black Americans into family-sustaining jobs over the next 10 years.

Co-Founder & CEO, Shimmer

Christal Wang, ACC, is the Co-founder and CEO of Shimmer, the #1 coaching platform designed for adults with ADHD. Chris started Shimmer after she was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, and is now on a mission to create a more neuro-inclusive world for all neurodivergent individuals. Chris is a recognized Forbes 30 Under 30 entrepreneur with a strong belief in using business as a force for good, proving the thesis that profit and social impact not only coexist but amplify each other. Chris is deeply invested in advocating for and supporting various communities she’s a part of, including LGBTQ+, AAPI, women/non-binary, and the neurodivergent.Before founding Shimmer, Christal worked as a Consultant at Bain with a focus on Private Equity & Social Impact, led International Launch Operations at Drop, and was a Social Impact Consultant at Value for Good. Chris's educational background includes an HBA from Ivey Business School and she is currently on leave from pursuing an MBA at the University of California, Haas School of Business, as well as an MPH at the University of California, School of Public Health.

CEO, Omind Neurotechnologies

Clarisse Pamies, based in Paris, FR, is currently a Chief Executive Officer at Omind Neurotechnologies. Clarisse Pamies brings experience from previous roles at Omind Neurotechnologies and The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson. Clarisse Pamies holds a 2008 - 2009 MPA in Public Management @ Columbia | SIPA.

Founder & Managing Director, 7 Paths Forward, LLC

David is a pioneering leader in executive coaching, with over 30 years of experience shaping the field. A founder of both the International Coaching Federation and the Institute of Coaching at Harvard Medical School, he has coached hundreds of senior leaders at companies like Google, Meta, and Atlassian. Insightful and incisive, David is known for quickly identifying opportunities and delivering measurable impact.

As founder and CEO of 7 Paths Forward, he continues to innovate in leadership development and coach training. Through the Accelerating Coaching Excellence (ACE) program, he has built a global community of over 3,000 certified professional coaches. Recently named one of the world’s top 50 coaches by Thinkers50, David is a sought-after speaker and thought leader, shaping the future of leadership development worldwide. 

Executive Director, National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching

Mrs. Deanna Fournier is Executive Director of the National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching (NBHWC) and an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach. With more than a decade of leadership in nonprofit strategy, education, innovation, and mission-driven work across the health and wellness sector, Deanna brings a unique blend of systems-level thinking and deeply personal insight. At NBHWC, Deanna oversees national efforts to strengthen evidence-informed standards, expand the reach and recognition of board-certified coaches, and advance the profession of health and wellbeing coaching in ways that meaningfully improve lives and health outcomes. She is passionate about the evolving future of the coaching profession and the critical role that education, technology, certification, and workforce alignment play in preparing the next generation of coaches.

Global Senior Trainer and Coach, Amazon Web Services

Founder, Veterans in Pursuit of Prosperity

After 30 years of service, Sergeant Major Fenton Reese retired from the United States Marine Corps in 2011 with expertise in operations management, team leadership, needs assessment, and global logistics. Wanting to explore new career paths, he then earned an MBA from NYU Stern, as well as an MS in Executive Coaching and Organizational Consulting (ECOC) from NYU SPS.

So when Reese noticed an alarming “gap” in the ability of fellow veterans to transition into civilian work roles, he was about as well prepared to find a solution as anyone could be.

With that goal in place, Reese took the work being done through Veterans in Pursuit of Prosperity, a non-profit he founded, and partnered with NYU SPS and the Jersey City Department of Health and Human Services to create the Veterans Coaching Project (VCP). The program, which included 11 veteran client participants and 11 coaches during its launch in Summer 2021, offers coaching and consulting guidance from NYU SPS students and alumni who help veterans develop and hone their career focus and skills.

CEO and Co-founder, Healthee

Guy Benjamin is an accomplished speaker and entrepreneur with a diverse background that blends military service, academic achievements, and business expertise. Born and raised in Israel, Guy spent 12 years as an F-16 Fighter Pilot in the IAF. Alongside his military duties, he earned a BA in Information Technologies and Physics. After leaving the Air Force, Guy attended the Yale School of Management, then joined McKinsey & Co. as an Associate Partner, focusing on digital and analytics transformations for tech companies. Motivated by a passion for improving healthcare, Guy co-founded Healthee, a company dedicated to transforming the healthcare experience in America and empowering people to take control of their health benefits.

CEO and Co-founder, Wiser, by Hudson Institute of Coaching

Jake Calhoun is the CEO of Wiser, a leadership coaching platform built in partnership with the Hudson Institute of Coaching. Wiser combines world-class coaches and cutting-edge technology to help organizations scale coaching in all its forms, bringing it to every part of an organization. Before Wiser, Calhoun spent a decade as CFO and COO of One Acre Fund, an award-winning social enterprise. During his tenure, he managed the organization through 50x growth, supporting 8,000 staff in providing life-changing services to 1.5 million smallholder farmers across Africa. Calhoun also founded Yum Deliveries, which grew into the leading restaurant delivery app in Kenya.

Senior Partner, Chief Commercial Officer, RHR International

Joanna Starek, Ph.D. is senior partner and chief commercial officer at RHR International, where she leads the firm’s global strategy across products, services, marketing, and sales. A trusted advisor to Fortune 100 CEOs, boards, and executive teams, Joanna is known for her ability to help leaders thrive in high-stakes transitions and scale effectively. Her expertise draws from her roots as a performance psychologist and award-winning researcher, as well as her hands-on experience expanding RHR’s presence in Silicon Valley to serve hypergrowth companies. Joanna is passionate about the intersection of innovation, leadership, and human potential, and she continues to shape the leadership development landscape through both client work and firmwide thought leadership. She holds degrees from Colgate University, the University of Colorado Boulder, and Colorado State University. Outside of work, she’s an avid open-water swimmer, hiker, and advocate for inclusive workplaces.

ICN Manager, Hogan Assessments

John Horton is the Practice Manager for the Independent Consultants Network at Hogan Assessments. He provides consulting on assessment solutions, conducts training and education programs for coaches, and supports the delivery of Hogan’s high-quality solutions. He also conducts certification workshops and facilitates client delivery services. John contributes his thought leadership through journal articles and presentations.

Head of Provider Network & Health Coaching, Pillar

Kasia Smith has a wealth of work experience, beginning in 2008 as a Clinical Research Assistant at the Olin Neuropsychiatry Research Center - Yale University and Research Assistant at the University of Connecticut Health Center. In 2010, they joined S.H. Smith & Company Inc. as a Professional Liability Broker, which was later acquired. In 2015, Kasia became a Professional Liability Lead Underwriter at RT Specialty. In 2017, they Co-founded H Baby Co, developing and managing an environmentally friendly e-commerce brand featuring organic cotton children's apparel handcrafted in the U.S. In 2020, they founded and served as an Executive Wellness Coach at Copilot Wellness. In 2021, Kasia joined The Upside as a Consulting Member and Pillar (YC S21) as Head of Health Coaching - Founding Team, providing companies with the workforce and technology to launch or scale a coaching program in-house.

Senior Program Manager, Well-being and Health Coaching, TimelyCare

Kristen Buglione earned a Masters of Public Health with a concentration in Community Health and Prevention from Drexel University, a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from Springfield College, is a Certified Health Education Specialist and National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach. Kristen has over fifteen years of experience leading strategic initiatives to enhance college student health and well-being. While working in the college setting, Kristen served as Director of Health Education at Johnson & Wales University and Prevention Specialist in the Alcohol and Other Drug Education Center at La Salle University. Kristen is currently the Senior Program Manager for Well-being and Health Coaching at TimelyCare, a virtual care provider that partners with colleges and universities to foster student success and improve the health and well-being of campus communities.

Coaching Psychologist, GlideForward Consulting

Laura Rees-Davies is an experienced Coaching Psychologist, Researcher, and Consultant with over 20 years of experience in higher education, coaching, and psychological research. Holding a PhD in Applied Psychology, she has developed expertise in qualitative and quantitative research, intervention development and evaluation. As a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Cardiff Metropolitan University, Laura Rees-Davies has led research projects exploring the impact of coaching in education, teacher retention and recruitment, and the well-being of professionals. She has worked extensively with schools, universities, policymakers, and external organisations about evidence-based coaching interventions, particularly in primary and secondary education.

VP of Talent Development and Learning, Hearst

CEO, International Coaching Federation

Magdalena Nowicka Mook - CEO of the International Coaching Federation (ICF) brings a wealth of experience in consulting, coaching, association management, and fundraising. Through her leadership, the organization has become the leading voice for the global coaching community with more than 63,000 members and almost 60,000 ICF-credential holders worldwide.

Ms. Mook received her M.S. in Economics and International Trade from the Warsaw School of Economics, Poland. In 2019, Magda was recognized as #1 Coach: Global Influence and a finalist in the Thinkers50 Distinguished Award in Coaching and Mentoring. In 2023, 2024 and in 2025 she was recognized as #10 of Top30 Global Gurus in Organizational Culture. Thinkers50 also recognized Magda in 2024 as one of Coaches50 Top Coach in the world. She is a trained professional coach and systems facilitator. 

CEO, Talking Talent

A passionate and engaging psychologist and coach with a 20-year track record of helping people thrive at work.

Mary-Clare (“MC”) has spent nearly 20 years coaching individuals and advising businesses on how to create environments where people can thrive. With a career spanning several continents, she has led businesses through rapid growth in both the UK and the US. Her passion is finding innovative ways to apply insights from psychology to the challenges people face at work. She believes that with the right tools and mindset anyone can succeed in their career and in their lives.

A recognized expert in her field, Mary-Clare’s research has been published in leading journals such as Frontiers in Psychology, Mental Illness at Work, and People & Strategy, alongside industry publications such as The Harvard Business Review, People Management, and The Financial Times.

Global Head of Human Capital, Apollo Global Management

Matt Breitfelder is partner and global head of human capital at Apollo Global Management, a high-growth, alternative asset management and retirement services firm. He serves as a member of the firm’s management committee. Breitfelder is responsible for Apollo’s talent management, leadership development, diversity and inclusion, learning, performance management, citizenship, compensation and benefits, and recruiting.

Before joining Apollo, Breitfelder was managing director and chief talent officer for BlackRock, where he also served as a member of the operating committee. Previously, he held talent and strategy roles at MasterCard, PwC, and the Corporate Executive Board. Matt began his career at the US Department of Commerce, where he focused on international trade and economic policy.

Mastercard Fellow & Former Chief People Officer, Mastercard

Michael Fraccaro is a Mastercard Fellow, responsible for advocating for advancements in human capital; deepening industry partnerships to drive our collective commitments to culture and people; and strengthening Mastercard’s position as an employer of choice. Previously, Michael served as the chief people officer at Mastercard for nine years, a period of transformational growth that saw the company more than double its workforce. Michael will formally retire from Mastercard at the end of 2025.

During Michael’s tenure as chief people officer, he was responsible for all human resources functions globally. His dynamic team oversaw cultural transformation, including the launch of The Mastercard Way values, the integration of more than a dozen acquisitions, and the global launch of an AI-driven growth and development platform. He built a leadership system to ensure breadth and depth of talent for short and long-term succession planning and was integral to the Mastercard CEO transition in 2021. He oversaw a comprehensive location strategy with the launch of Tech Hubs in high-growth markets such as India, Ireland and Canada. His leadership has helped forge numerous recognitions for the brand, including “most valued to work for.” In this role, he was a member of the company’s executive leadership team and management committee, and an active participant with the Mastercard Board of Directors.

Co-Founder & CEO, Colleva

Michael Patchen is a Co-Founder and CEO of Colleva, which has pioneered a Talent Copilot that transforms how companies hire, develop, and retain their people. A former Partner at AQR Capital, Michael began his career at Goldman Sachs and spent over a decade in high-performance, high-growth environments. Along the way, he saw how hard it is for even the best organizations to deliver consistent, personalized support across the employee journey. That gap inspired the creation of Colleva: an AI-powered platform that uses life-like, face-to-face conversations to conduct behavioral interviews, surface workforce insights, and drive skill development at scale. From identifying top talent to enabling smarter coaching and leadership decisions, Colleva gives HR teams one seamless, engaging solution across the entire talent lifecycle. Michael holds a degree from the University of Pennsylvania and lives with his wife, three children, and two extremely spoiled French bulldogs.

CEO, CDR Companies

Nancy Parsons is one of today’s foremost experts in combining the science of assessments with the art of developing people. As CEO & President of CDR Companies, LLC, she sheds new light on personality strengths, inherent risks and motivation and change performance, careers and lives. Esteemed author of the Amazon best-seller, Women Are Creating the Glass Ceiling and Have the Power to End It, Nancy is the 2019 MEECO International Thought Leader of Distinction in Executive Coaching and continues to break barriers in her field. 

In 1998, Nancy co-authored the breakthrough CDR 3-D Assessment Suite®. Combining this scientifically-validated assessment suite with cutting-edge technology, Nancy and her team launched CDR-U Coach in July of 2020.

Nancy provides executive coaching services for the C-Suite and leaders across all sectors, facilitates strategic executive team development sessions, and instructs custom “Authentic Leadership” and “Women in Leadership” workshops. Additionally, she instructs and leads CDR Executive Coaches’ Certification Workshops and teaches advanced coaches’ programs.

Co-founder and Head of Science & Innovation, Omind Neurotechnologies

An organizational psychologist by training, Nicolas designs neuroscientific tools that help coaches translate brain science into everyday practice. He spearheaded the creation of Omind’s assessment and development platform, weaving neuroscientific grade stress and cognition metrics into real-time insights on how people learn, create, and perform. Nicolas also conducts research at the French Armed Forces Biomedical Research Institute (IRBA), where he explores stress neurophysiology, human performance, and mindfulness-based interventions. His study on creative cognition earned first prize at the European Conference on Positive Psychology, and he regularly shares his expertise as a certified mindfulness instructor for leaders and teams. Committed to the flourishing of individuals and organizations, he turns cutting-edge neuroscience into practical, high-impact habits that elevate well-being and collective performance.

Director, MA in Organization Development & Leadership and Director, Evidence Based Coaching, Fielding Graduate University

Udo is the Program Director of Fielding's Evidence Based Coaching program and Fielding's Masters of Organization Development and Leadership program. He is also the founder and CEO of Soul Engineering, LLC. Udo is committed to creating the right conditions for leaders to discover or rediscover their true selves and bring that to bear in their work, delivering value for themselves and their organizations. Okokon Udo is an international change management, leadership and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion consultant. He has served as assistant professor and chair, program in Integrative Health and Wellness at Northwestern Health Sciences University, assistant professor in the MA program in Organizational Leadership at St. Mary’s University, faculty member in the Executive Coaching program of the University of St. Thomas and the Co-Active Training Institute — delivering their ten-month transformational leadership program in North America, South America, Europe and Asia. Okokon is a Certified Management Consultant (CMC), Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) from the Co-Active Training Institute, a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) from the International Coach Federation (ICF), a Certified Management Specialist (CMS), a trained Reflective Supervisor and a Certified Spiritual Director. Okokon holds a PhD in Pastoral Care and Counseling from Luther Seminary, MA in Process Oriented Psychology (focused on conflict facilitation and organizational change) from the Process Work Institute (PWI) and a BD (Bachelor of Divinity) from the Theological College of Northern Nigeria.

Founder & CEO, Valence

Parker Mitchell is an award-winning entrepreneur who deeply understands how to build high performing teams and winning organizational cultures.

Over the past decade, Parker has been named Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst and Young, was selected as one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40, has received two Honorary Doctorates of Engineering, and was awarded the Meritorious Service Cross from the Government of Canada.

As a McKinsey consultant, and later as Deputy to the co-CEO of Bridgewater Associates, the world’s largest hedge fund, Parker systematized management and culture to build more effective organizations. Most notably, Parker founded and led Engineers Without Borders. During his 10 year tenure, EWB grew into an award-winning social-mission organization whose work was highlighted by the Harvard Business Review, NY Times, Financial Times and many others.

Founder, Viva la Coaching

Rebecca Rutschmann is a pioneer in the convergence of coaching technology and artificial intelligence. She is the co-founder of Viva la Coaching, the world's first AI literacy movement bringing AI literacy specifically to coaching and corporate learning. She has also co-founded the AI coaching companion startup evoach in 2019, being responsible for all product development and acting as Co-CEO overseeing product development and marketing. She is the creator of the AI Coach Alpina that was officially launched early March 2023 as one of the first AI Coaches completely integrating generative AI (ChatGPT). As a tech entrepreneur, communications specialist and certified business coach, her expertise shines in crafting outstanding user experiences, a testament to her deep understanding of both technology and human interaction. Rebecca's mission is bold and transformative: she aims to make coaching accessible through designing and developing innovative AI coaching and learning experiences. This groundbreaking work is designed to empower coaches and their clients, unlocking their utmost potential in an ever-evolving digital landscape. Her focus extends beyond theoretical frameworks to practical applications, particularly in coach enablement. She dedicates herself to making AI an accessible and integral tool for coaches, fostering a deeper understanding and practical navigation of AI in coaching. She is an accredited coach with both the International Coaching Federation where she holds a PCC level accreditation and the European Mentoring & Coaching Council where she holds a Senior Practitioner accreditation. Rebecca is not only an EMCC Global trained Assessor but also actively involved as VP Accreditation for EMCC Germany working on ensuring high quality level coaching competencies, while leading a global workgroup on upskilling coaches in AI literacy as part of the Digital and AI Community for practice. She is also member of the ICF AI Task Force and an advisor to the NYU Coaching & Technology Summit.

Co-Founder & COO, Blue Ridge Capital

CEO, Arootah Advisory & Coaching

Rich Bello is the CEO of Arootah Advisory & Coaching and the Co-Founder and COO of Blue Ridge Capital, a leading hedge fund he built with John Griffin. Over 25 years, they scaled Blue Ridge Capital to over $10 billion AUM, with Rich overseeing operations, finance, and talent. At Tiger Management, Morgan Stanley, and Ernst & Young, he built high-performing teams for top-tier firms. Rich has spoken at Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, Citibank, UBS, and firms from hundreds of millions in AUM to multibillion dollar firms. 

As the CEO of Arootah, the premier talent platform for the alternative investment industry, Rich empowers clients through acquisition, development, and outsourcing that integrates purpose-built technology. Our network of over 1,000 elite coaches and advisors create accountability, enhance decision-making, and drive meaningful results. Rich is the author of sixteen books and counting, including The Goal Principles and The Talent Principles Volume I: Acquisition.

CEO, Bravely

Sarah began her career in HR at companies like SiriusXM, Coach, and the Gilt Groupe. At Gilt, she pivoted into a sales executive role at Gilt City, the company's luxury experiences platform, where she led a 65-person team and was responsible for $60M in revenue. It was there that she identified the direct correlation between culture and the bottom line—when employees failed to have a pathway to address issues or work on their individual development colleagues and managers, performance suffered. Sarah’s experience in HR, team management, and tech—combined with an ongoing obsession with helping people, especially women and underrepresented minorities, gain the confidence they need to find meaning in their work—inspired her to co-found Bravely in 2017.

Executive Director of Pharmacy and Consumer Wellness Talent Innovation & Strategy, CVS

Founder and CEO, EPOG Academy

Tim Harrison is on a mission to help individuals and organizations achieve beyond what they believe possible. Recognized as a leading voice bridging coaching and AI innovation, Tim offers a distinctive blend of coaching expertise, technological savvy, and visionary leadership. He is the Founder and CEO of EPOG Academy, an educational non-profit utilizing AI to empower students, addressing the critical 400:1 student-to-guidance-counselor gap in the U.S.

Additionally, Tim founded ONUS Leadership, a coaching and consulting firm known for pioneering initiatives such as Project BEACON—a groundbreaking study on coaching's impact for STEM PhDs—and the Coaching Innovation Lab, a dynamic hub providing coaches and organizations with cutting-edge AI tools and strategies to increase thier profits and impact.

Tim also notably served as one of eight global members of the ICF Taskforce for AI, significantly shaping how the coaching industry responsibly integrates artificial intelligence. 

Chief Coaching Officer, BetterUp

Michael “Woody” Woodward, PhD, PCC is BetterUp’s Chief Coaching Officer. In this role, he leads BetterUp’s efforts to enhance coaching excellence and drive innovation across the human transformation platform. Woody is dedicated to continuing to set the global standard for coaching quality, ensuring transformative growth for individuals and organizations worldwide.

A visionary in the field of coaching for more than 15 years, Woody's career blends deep academic expertise with practical impact. Woody contributed to this specialized industry of coaching as a coach, educator, and author. During his time at New York University, Woody is credited with founding the first Master of Science degree program in Executive Coaching in the U.S. accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF). This program focused on putting principles into practice by blending coaching and organizational consulting to harness coaching for workforce transformation. He recently co-authored The Digital Coaching Revolution, a groundbreaking book that explores the integration of technology and coaching to drive personal and organizational transformation. He holds a PhD in industrial and organizational psychology from Florida International University and has worked with global Fortune 500 organizations to enhance leadership capacity and performance. His thought leadership has been featured on platforms like The TODAY Show, The Wall Street Journal and Forbes, and his innovative work continues to shape the future of coaching.