Visionary Headliners, Rockstars &
Fab Facilitators
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Rockstar Insights
Lance Allen
Vice President, Products, Partners, & Ventures
SAIC
In his role, Lance manages the expansion of SAIC’s global strategic alliances with leading companies that will help SAIC innovate, scale, and drive partner-sourced and influenced deals. Prior to joining SAIC he served as the Head of Global Strategic Partnerships at Leidos, where he managed an expansive network of 82 international partners, significantly enhancing the company’s footprint across 112 countries. Lance credits partners who are willing to “do-different” as critical to the success of any growth strategy.
Sandeep Bose
Chief Executive Officer & Co Founder
Synapse Labs
Kimberly Hanes
Associate Director, Economic Development
Arizona State University
Kimberly works with community partners and municipalities to drive business relocation and expansion in Arizona. Prior to ASU, Kimberly managed operations, programs, and community partnerships for the University of Arizona’s Greater Phoenix satellite locations.
Jeffrey Joyce
Vice President for Research and Innovation
Nuvance Health
Jeffrey has led the development of strategic partnerships in healthcare and academic institutions for more than two decades. His understanding of how different enterprises see the importance of partnerships and collaborations through the prism of economic and non-economic motivators has allowed him to successfully navigate complex negotiations and build lasting relationships.
Adam Pierno
Managing Director of Brand Strategy
Arizona State University
Adam has been navigating multi-brand programs for more than a decade across verticals and geographies. His work in technology, consumer packaged goods and higher education have earned him the ability to navigate the complexities of a multi-brand world.
Emil Radulescu
R&D Head, Robotic Instruments
Johnson & Johnson
Emil is a global leader with over 20 years of experience developing state-of-the-art medical devices that prioritize the needs of patients and clinicians, helping people live healthier, longer, and happier lives. He currently leads the R&D teams for Johnson & Johnson MedTech Instruments & Accessories in surgical robotics, driving the development of innovative, complex solutions that advance patient care.
David Redfield
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
PetSmart
Nirit Rubenstein
Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder
Dovly
Nirit, Co-Founder and CEO of Dovly, an AI-powered credit care platform, brings 20+ years of experience leading high-growth organizations like Salesforce and Green Dot. She’s uniquely positioned to share how startups can seamlessly integrate with large enterprises to drive meaningful innovation.
Greg Rudisill
Senior Vice President, Strategic Partnerships and Head of Business Development
Careington International Corporation
Greg has more than 45 years of experience cultivating creative solutions within the employee benefits industry. His extensive expertise in developing client relationships and driving product expansion significantly contributes to Careington’s success as an innovative industry leader.
Diana Smirnova
Vice President, Research & Development
Avery Dennison
Diana has spent the last 4+ years in various regional and global R&D leadership roles in Avery Dennison’s Labels and Graphics Materials (LGM) division. Avery Dennison continues to bring industry-leading innovations enabling functionality and sustainability in part due to its evolving approach to innovation.
Ben Taylor
Vice President, Strategy Lead / Patents Team
Wells Fargo
Ben oversees patent program design including stakeholder engagement, growth strategy, portfolio insights, and performance measurement at Wells Fargo. He also leads efforts to integrate AI into invention development and enhance patent portfolio value. Previously, Ben managed early-stage innovation at Wells Fargo and co-founded a patent strategy consultancy, advising clients across industries such as financial services, consumer products, and heavy industries on diverse patent insights and development initiatives.
Master of Ceremonies
Brian Fitzpatrick
Partner, Events
Frost & Sullivan