Personal Development

Annie Lush’s specialities Annie’s speciality areas cover teamwork under pressure, pressured decisions, risk analysis, performance and leadership. She also runs activity-based seminars and hosts events for awards and VIP hospitality. Annie is a former triple Match Racing World Champion and Olympic competitor. In 2014/15 she competed in the Volvo Ocean Race with Team SCA, becoming part of the first ever female team to win a leg of the race. At university Annie was part of the successful Cambridge University rowing crew who beat Oxford to the finish line of the Boat Race by the smallest recorded margin in the race’s history in 2001. This inspired her to pursue a career in competitive sport and she has been on the water every day since. Annie is currently competing on the World Match Racing Tour with Team Magenta 32, the first female team to be awarded a tour card in the 22 year history of the World Match Racing Tour. The team have also set up The Magenta project which aims to advance women in professional sailing and inspire and support developing female sailors. Annie Lush’s Achievements Leg Winner – Volvo Ocean Race, Team SCA. 2014/15 Olympic Competitor – Elliott 6m Class. London 2012 Match Racing World Champion. 2010, 2006 and 2005 Three times Rolex Women’s Keelboat Champion. Boat Race winner – Cambridge University. 2001 Global Tour – Peace Boat (Japanese NGO). 1999  

Anelia Uzunova: Transformation Architect, Inner Leadership Expert, Power Activator Anelia Uzunova brings 14+ years of leadership and real-world experience speaking in both corporate and public settings through live and virtual formats. She is now stepping more intentionally into the speaking space—with a strong, clear voice and a unique perspective on inner leadership and personal transformation, delivering talks that connect the personal with the professional, and the spiritual with the strategic. A coach, speaker and thought leader on inner leadership, personal transformation, and spiritual growth, Anelia champions a new paradigm of being and leading—one grounded in depth, authenticity, and personal agency. She draws on a dynamic career in the pharma and healthcare industries, with past roles spanning corporate strategy, commercial project management, and partnerships. Her leadership journey includes serving as Chief of Staff to the CEO at Galderma and as a Global Leadership Fellow at the World Economic Forum, where she founded the organization’s wellbeing initiative. She holds an Executive Masters in Global Leadership, an MBA, and executive coaching certification from INSEAD, and is also trained as a yoga and mindfulness teacher. This rare blend of corporate acumen, academic rigor and spiritual grounding shapes her distinctive voice in the leadership space. Anelia has appeared on several podcasts, spoken at personal development events, and lectured at INSEAD to an MBA audience on the topic of Leading for Wellbeing. During her time as a senior consultant, Anelia facilitated full-day workshops, pitched projects to clients, and has led numerous presentations in high-stakes environments. She also set up and led the Wellbeing community of the World Economic Forum, where she regularly spoke to large internal audiences and managed senior external stakeholders as part of her leadership role. Beyond the corporate world, Anelia is cultivating a consistent public presence through social media—where she shares thought leadership and connects through video content. She’s confident speaking on camera, in live rooms and across formats. Fluent in English and Bulgarian, Anelia is globally mobile and available for corporate events, workshops, conferences, personal development events, panels, fireside chats, and Q&As. Speaking Topics Anelia inspires and empowers leaders and change-makers to transform themselves in order to change the world. She talks on inner leadership, identity transformation, and the intersection of the personal and professional self. The objective is to cultivate depth, insight, and transformation. Anelia’s work is grounded in three core pillars: Inner Leadership & Authentic Power, Spiritual Wisdom & Leadership, and Transformation & Reinvention. What Makes Anelia Different Her work is deeply personal and embodied and comes from lived experience, rather than just theory. The ability to bridge a successful business and leadership background with the spiritual depth that she has acquired through her personal development journey is very rare. Her voice, story, presence, and energy are all unique to her and consistently resonate. Speaking Style Anelia doesn’t deliver “talks” or “presentations”—she gives her all to create bespoke experiences designed to shift perspectives and foster a space for transformation. No talk is the same; everything is bespoke, co-created, and tailored to resonate. Her speaking style is intuitive and dynamic, meaning that Anelia can adapt in real-time based on the energy of the audience. She leads with stories and emotion, aiming to be warm and engaging, and her tone is empowering and aspirational. This isn’t “work” for her—it’s her mission to spread her message using her voice and presence.

David Marquet: Inspiration Strikes David was a teenager when he first discovered his passion for leadership. He was spending the summer with his grandparents in Pittsburgh. One day, he wandered down the street to the local library. He discovered a series of books—History of United States Naval Operations in World War II by Samuel Eliot Morison. He returned to the library each day until he had devoured each of the 15 volumes—more than 6,500 pages in total. David’s dream came alive; he set his sights on one day becoming captain of a Navy vessel on which people thrived. Embarking on the Journey In 1981, David graduated top of his class from the U.S. Naval Academy—an institute renowned for developing “leaders to serve the nation.” Thereafter, he joined the submarine force. Along his journey, one thing bothered him: the traditional leader-follower model. Used by the Navy and most companies around the world, the goal of leader-follower is to influence people to comply, not think. David experienced first-hand how this practice makes people feel marginalized. He knew in his gut that there had to be a better way. He’d soon discover that to prove his theory he’d have to break some rules. As engineer officer aboard the USS Will Rogers (SSBN-659), a nuclear powered ballistic missile submarine, David tried empowering his team. He provided broad guidance, giving the team intent rather than orders. It was … a disaster. His team made poor decisions that led to errors. He had to stop and revert to the traditional leader-follower method. Taking Command Ultimately, David was selected to captain the USS Olympia (SSN-717), a nuclear powered attack submarine. He studied for over a year to take command, understanding on a deep level every detail of how that submarine operated. Unexpectedly, David was diverted to take command of the USS Santa Fe (SSN-763) when its captain quit. Santa Fe was the worst performing submarine in the fleet and a different type of submarine that he knew little about. Troubled Waters Less than a month later the Santa Fe was running a simple drill to simulate a fault with the reactor. In this scenario, propulsion is shifted from the main engines to a smaller, electric propulsion motor. The captain ordered, “ahead two-thirds.” The officer on deck repeated the order, “ahead two-thirds.” Nothing happened. Captain Marquet noticed the helmsman who was to execute the order looked unsettled. When asked what the problem was, the helmsman pointed out that there was no two-thirds in the electric propulsion mode unlike all his previous submarines. When asked, the officer on deck said he repeated the command knowing it was wrong. David realized that the leader-follower environment meant his crew would do anything he said—even if it was wrong. That could be catastrophic. He decided to try Intent-Based Leadership again. Turning the Ship Around Captain Marquet began treating his crew as leaders, not followers, and giving control, not taking control. It wasn’t long before operations took a dramatic turn. Santa Fe went from “worst to first,” achieving the highest retention and operational standings in the Navy. When Stephen R. Covey spent time aboard the Santa Fe, he referred to it as the most empowering organization he’d ever seen. He wrote about Captain Marquet’s leadership practices in his book, The 8th Habit. After Captain Marquet’s departure from the USS Santa Fe, it continued to win awards and promote more officers and enlisted men to positions of increased responsibility than any other submarine—including ten subsequent submarine captains. A Time for Change Captain Marquet retired from the Navy in 2009 and is now the author of Turn the Ship Around! A True Story of Turning Followers Into Leaders. Fortune magazine called the book the “best how-to manual anywhere for managers on delegating, training, and driving flawless execution.” Captain Marquet’s Intent-Based Leadership model is turning around all types of organizations—from big manufacturers to start-ups and sport teams to government. He helps leaders build environments where people contribute and feel valued—where everyone is a leader.

The Tamer Hassan Journey: Versatility, Vision, and Success Having grown up in the Southeast of London, practicing his streetwise skills in boxing and football, Tamer showed his versatility from a very young age as an aspiring entrepreneur, turning his hand to sports clubs, restaurants and nightclubs after sustaining an injury boxing. Tamer became an actor and starred in modern British classics, The Football Factory, Layer Cake and his eye-opening and laugh-out-loud lead as, want-to-do-good gangster, Charlie, in Nick Love’s cult movie, The Business, and such epic TV shows as Game of Thrones. He is now one of the owners of the Soho sanctum hotel collaborating with DJ Paul Okenfold, creating an amazing space for the independent British film and TV industry and the music industry with a school of music. A rags to riches story and a larger-than-life character, Tamer has been through the school of hard knocks making his way to the top in both acting and business. Tamer brings his ever charming Southeast London swagger to an event. Tamer is also a philanthropist who has helped raise money for people in need and organized a fundraiser to help people affected by an earthquake in Turkey. He worked with volunteers to gather supplies and send them to the most affected areas. During Covid 19, Tamer created ‘Mask our Heroes”, where he was funding PPE supplies and giving to all emergency and key workers throughout the country. He was called “The Robin Hood of PPE”.

Riaz Shah: Pioneering Business Transformation With a distinguished career spanning over three decades, Riaz Shah has established himself as a leading authority in business growth and transformation. His extensive experience encompasses leadership coaching, navigating digital disruption, and interpreting global megatrends, positioning him as a trusted advisor for organizations aiming to excel in today’s rapidly evolving business environment. Professional Trajectory During his 27-year tenure as a partner at EY, Riaz held pivotal roles, including Global Learning Leader and Managing Partner of London Assurance. His strategic contributions in quality assurance and technology consulting were instrumental in shaping EY’s global operations. Notably, Riaz spearheaded educational initiatives that impacted more than 400,000 employees, equipping them with the skills necessary for the future of work. Academic Contributions In his current role as Professor of Practice for Innovation & Leadership at Hult International Business School, Riaz mentors senior executives on navigating complex global trends such as digital disruption and megatrends. His commitment to fostering innovation and leadership prepares leaders to approach the future with confidence and agility. Key Achievements Order of the British Empire (OBE): In 2023, Riaz was honored with an OBE by King Charles III for his significant contributions to education. Educational Transformation at EY: He led the development of the EY Tech MBA, a groundbreaking program designed to equip professionals with advanced technology and leadership skills, thereby future-proofing the workforce. Leadership Philosophy Riaz’s approach to leadership is characterized by the integration of data-driven insights with personalized case studies. He delivers interactive presentations that not only inform but also inspire action, encouraging leaders to cultivate creativity and drive innovation within their teams. Areas of Expertise Emerging Technologies: Analyzing global trends with a focus on digital transformation and demographic shifts to help businesses stay competitive. Business Innovation & Creativity: Assisting companies in fostering environments where creativity leads to sustainable growth. Leadership in a Changing World: Empowering leaders to develop resilience and adaptability in the face of uncertainty. Future of Work: Providing insights on adopting flexible work structures and leveraging automation in the digital age. Growth Mindset Development: Promoting continuous learning and adaptability as cornerstones of leadership. Managing Generational Diversity: Offering strategies to create inclusive workplaces that value diverse perspectives. Commitment to Social Impact Beyond his corporate and academic endeavors, Riaz is dedicated to social impact through education. As the Founder and Chair of One Degree Academy, he strives to deliver high-quality education to children in underserved areas of London, reflecting his belief in education as a catalyst for societal change. Riaz Shah’s multifaceted career as a business leader, educator, and innovator underscores his commitment to empowering organizations and individuals to navigate and thrive amidst change.

Meet Devon Harris From the sun-baked streets of Kingston, Jamaica, to the freezing tracks of four Winter Olympics, Devon Harris’s extraordinary journey embodies the power of perseverance and unwavering determination. As a founding member of the legendary Jamaican Bobsled Team, Devon didn’t just inspire the beloved Disney classic “Cool Runnings” – he redefined what’s possible when you dare to dream beyond boundaries. A graduate of the prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Devon combines the mental fortitude of an elite military officer with the resilience of an Olympic athlete. His remarkable transformation from a young man in Kingston’s tough inner city to an internationally acclaimed speaker demonstrates the very principles he shares with audiences worldwide: vision, bold action and the courage to push beyond perceived limitations. Drawing from his unique experiences, Devon electrifies audiences with a compelling message that resonates across cultures and industries. His signature keynote, “Keep On Pushing”, masterfully weaves powerful storytelling with practical strategies for peak performance, leaving audiences both inspired and equipped with actionable tools for success. Fortune 500 companies consistently choose Devon for his rare ability to connect Olympic-level mindset training with everyday business challenges. His presentations don’t just motivate – they transform. Whether addressing a small leadership team or commanding an arena of thousands, Devon’s message catalyzes breakthrough performance and lasting change. Beyond his speaking engagements, Devon is a published author and dedicated philanthropist. His “Keep On Pushing Foundation” supports education initiatives in disadvantaged communities, reflecting his commitment to creating opportunities for the next generation of dreamers and achievers. Notable Achievements: Three-time Olympian Royal Military Academy Sandhurst graduate Author of “Keep On Pushing: Hot Lesson from Cool Runnings” Featured TEDx speaker Contributor to CNN, BBC, NBC and MSNBC on peak performance topics Devon’s presentations are more than motivational speeches – they’re transformational experiences that ignite the Olympic spirit within every individual. His message resonates because it comes from lived experience: with the right mindset, there are no limits to what we can achieve. Book Devon Harris today and inspire your team to Keep On Pushing!

Meet Rachel Rodgers Rachel Rodgers is the CEO/Founder of Hello Seven, a company that teaches women, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA people how to build a seven figure business and create generational wealth. She’s the author of We Should All Be Millionaires: A Woman’s Guide to Earning More, Building Wealth, and Gaining Economic Power, a Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Amazon Bestseller, named one of Audible’s top Audiobooks of the Year, with more than 200,000 copies sold. Other books include We Should All Be Millionaires: The Workbook (February 2024) and Plan Your Year Like a Millionaire, Million Dollar Habits, and Six Figure Side Hustle (Audible Originals). You’ve seen Rachel spilling the tea on business, money, and mindset on Good Morning America, The Drew Barrymore Show, and in The New York Times, Forbes, Entrepreneur, Inc, Cheddar, PopSugar, and Women’s Health. Her mission is to help you end the cycle of over-working, under-earning, and financial stress—once and for all. An attorney-turned-entrepreneur, Black woman, working mother, and self-made millionaire, Rodgers brings powerful insights combined with personal stories from her climb to the top. She’s known for her blunt advice and for calling out the elephant in the room—whether it’s racism, misogyny, or centuries of unfair legal practices that stripped financial power away from women and people of color. Rodgers teaches her clients how to make millions in spite of the very real obstacles in their path. She’s the founder of We Should All Be Millionaires: The Club, an online network for ambitious professionals. The Club has helped thousands of people to launch successful businesses, build new income streams, and attain financial freedom. Rodgers’ annual conference, ROI: The Millionaire Summit, is a star-studded event featuring the world’s top voices on freedom, including Pinky Cole, Rachel Cargle, Farnoosh Torabi and visionary entrepreneurs like Tabitha Brown and Arlan Hamilton, and 1,000 attendees from around the world. Rodgers runs The Hello Seven Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Black women are 3 to 5 more likely to die from pregnancy complications compared to white women—and The Foundation exists to change these unacceptable statistics. The Foundation provides funding to families in need, helping parents get access to high-quality prenatal care and postpartum support, including doulas and midwives.

Meet Madison Butler Madison Butler is an unapologetic advocate for authenticity, vulnerability, and creating workplaces where people feel safe to show up as their true selves. A New Englander turned Austinite since 2017, Madison is passionate about helping organizations embrace the power of human connection and psychological safety as the cornerstones of a thriving culture. As the founder of Blue Haired Unicorn, she focuses on designing spaces and crafting scalable strategies with this intention in mind. Known for building bold, ethical and authentic brands through storytelling, tough empathy and data, Madison facilitates conversations that many shy away from—conversations about mental health, trauma, and the courage it takes to be vulnerable at work. She believes that embracing humanity in leadership isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a business tenet. Humanity is the key to building resilient teams and sustainable organizations that empower people to show up fully. Madison partners with companies to break free from outdated norms and build environments rooted in trust, transparency, and authenticity. Her mission is to help individuals and teams unlock their potential by creating spaces where they can live, work, and exist out loud. Her work and thought leadership have been featured in prominent outlets including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Business Insider, Yahoo, Rolling Stone, and many others. She has been recognized by Linkedin as a top Black voice to follow and also as Austin’s rising star by DivInc in 2021. Her first book, “Let Them See You: Empowering Change Through Authenticity,” will be released in Summer 2025, offering a powerful guide to fostering change and creating space for people to show up fully. As a start-up enthusiast, Madison thrives on building intentional cultures from the ground up. She is committed to redefining what it means to be “human at work,” challenging the status quo, and empowering leaders to lead with compassion, authenticity and truth.

Meet Kanika Chadda Gupta Kanika Chadda Gupta is a seasoned CNN television journalist turned podcaster and mother of three (including twins). She aims to give credit where it’s often overlooked – the lasting impact of living your purpose and modeling that for the next generation. As a television personality and seasoned journalist, Kanika knows how to deliver as a live speaker, moderator, and emcee. She speaks on topics including modern motherhood, women’s empowerment, DEI, guiding corporations to better serve their employees who are parents (parental leave, benefits, etc), living a life of purpose (discovering your dharma), AAPI & South Asian heritage, lifestyle and entertainment. She hosts the popular podcast That’s Total Mom Sense, where she interviews public figures on their life lessons, parenting journey, and legacy. Guests include Chelsea Clinton, Kelly Rowland, America Ferrera, and Kareena Kapoor Khan. She has worked in partnership with Mom 2.0, Meta, and The White House. Her show has been ranked #1 on Goodpods for the parenting vertical and Kanika has been featured in Forbes and on ABC, NBC, Fox, Cheddar, and CBS. In 2023, Kanika was recognized by J.P. Morgan Chase, Industrious, and KNOW Women as a winner of 100 Women to Know in America. In 2024, she was appointed by Meta to attend the National Governors Association summit and work with New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy’s chief of staff. She is the Official Podcast Partner of Mom 2.0, operated by Everyday Health and BabyCenter. She currently serves as the Director for Women in Media for HeyMama. Kanika is a former Miss India Maryland and Miss India East Coast pageant winner. She is a trained Indian classical vocalist and Kuchipudi dancer, a tradition she is passing on to her daughter.

Meet Harold Hughes Harold Hughes is a serial entrepreneur, CEO and founder of NFNTE Capital, an Entrepreneur Support Organization helping startup founders leverage social capital. His entrepreneurial curriculum has been adopted by institutions including Benedict College, the University of Texas, and Furman University to further students’ entrepreneurial mindset in their communities. As a first-generation American who prioritizes 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.

Meet Cheryl Campos Cheryl Campos is a serial maverick, aligning her passions to achieve success across multiple arenas. As the CEO of a leading financial nonprofit and a professional model and actress, Cheryl possesses a unique and powerful dual perspective that bridges the analytical and creative worlds. Her dynamic career embodies innovation, resilience, and the limitless potential of following one’s diverse passions. She is the cofounder and CEO of LaFamilia Foundation, a 501c3 closing the capital gap for Latine founders and funders through its communities VCFamilia & FounderFamilia. Through VCFamilia, the largest global community of Latine VCs, it has facilitated over $10M of LP funding and also helped pioneer the first operational capital grant program for Latine emerging fund managers. Through FounderFamilia with 500+ Latine venture backed founders, it has funneled $1M to promising startups with a renowned national pitch competition and partnerships. LFF is backed by leading corporations such as J.P. Morgan, AWS, Comcast, Gunderson and more. She is signed to top international agencies in NY and LA, working with fashion brands such as Tom Ford, Louboutin, Macys, Nordstrom, as well as appearing in commercials for major companies like Chevrolet and Amazon. She is now a signed actress (SAG-Eligible), featuring in the trailer for Mrs. Fletcher (HBO) and has honed her craft at the prestigious Stella Adler Studio in Hollywood. Previously, she was the Head of Venture Growth and Partnerships at Republic, an investment platform for founders to raise capital from both accredited and non-accredited investors. She joined as employee #10 in 2018 and was instrumental in its growth to unicorn status ($1BN valuation). In other direct investing roles, she is a scout for Lightspeed and an investment partner at The Community Fund, writing checks to 20+ companies in community centric startups, particularly healthcare. She started her career in Investment Banking at Barclays, working in the Financial Institutions Group and Structured Finance. She holds a BA in Economics with honors from Harvard University and graduated with her MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business in 2024.

Meet Allister Frost Allister Frost is a business growth expert and keynote speaker, who inspires audiences to transform ever-accelerating change into collective growth and a brighter tomorrow. During a two-decade corporate career, he jumped from the relative stability of a leadership role in a global consumer goods company (Andrex, Kleenex, Huggies) into the wild seas of change at Microsoft. In the emergent technology sector, he developed strategies to help him and his teams thrive in uncertainty through continuous reinvention. He developed and codified a new mindset for growth that he now shares in his talks. He became Microsoft’s first ever Head of Digital Marketing Strategy, pioneering revolutionary new communication channels and launching iconic global brand campaigns including “I’M A PC”. Since 2012, Allister has worked as a motivational speaker and coach to leading organisations including Cisco, the NHS, Hyundai, 3M, Team GB, Vodafone, and the BBC. Through hundreds of client projects, he has demonstrated how anyone, regardless of the state of the economy or the nature of their business, can develop a Future Ready Mindset to help them keep up and thrive. He specialises in helping leaders and teams rethink their relationship with change, so they stretch their comfort zones and realise their full potential. He believes everyone can enjoy a lifetime of personal growth and career success when they have the right attitude to change and a passion for working in the service of others (their “personal mission”). Allister now shares the secrets of his ReadyAlready growth cycle at company conferences and industry events. He helps busy professionals develop a more optimistic relationship with change, so they courageously seize new opportunities for personal and business growth. He believes there are opportunities for improvements everywhere when you employ more human curiosity, creativity, and better communication. His mission each day is to help organisations change faster and better with the positive mindset needed to become—and remain—future-ready for life.