Conference Highlights
Glenda Morgan
Market Analyst, Phil Hill & Associates, United States of America
Glenda Morgan is a Market Analyst at Phil Hill & Associates and the lead analyst at Morgan EdTech Strategies, helping higher education institutions, vendors and investors navigate the edtech landscape. She brings more than 30 years of experience in higher education, including roles as a faculty member, IT administrator and education analyst at Gartner and Director of Academic Technology Services at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Morgan holds a PhD in political science from the University of Minnesota.
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Tandem Talk
The Impact of Personal Learning Journeys on Resilience
Tandem Talk
The Impact of Personal Learning Journeys on Resilience
What inspires a lifelong commitment to learning? In this Tandem Talk, Kriti Thakur and Inge de Waard explore how unconventional learning paths, life’s turning points, and personal setbacks can lead to resilience and professional growth. Drawing from their own diverse careers - from researcher to activist to comedian - they reflect on the personal sparks, mentors, and challenges that shaped their journeys.
Through storytelling and audience interaction, this session invites participants to reflect on their own learning paths and discover the hidden drivers that have guided them through change and into education.
Ali Alam
Venture Partner, EarlyBird
Ali Alam — a founder-turned-venture-builder and investor on a mission to make innovation human-centric, impact-driven, and radically inclusive. With experience building award-winning university-based incubators, designing startup acceleration programs with 21st-century skills needed to thrive in volatility and advising venture funds deploying capital in human growth. Ali has worked across Africa, Europe, and emerging markets to create sustainable learning & innovation ecosystems.
Inge de Waard
Learning Strategist and Connector, EIT InnoEnergy, Belgium
Inge de Waard is the learning strategist at EIT InnoEnergy, she is a longtime researcher, activist, award-winning learning innovator and (e)Learning coordinator. She developed multiple online & hybrid courses, co-designed AI tools, and embedded learning innovations. Inge coaches and co-creates international, blended curricula with engineers and teachers, and explores innovative learning formats. Her expertise is recognized by peers, resulting in additional co-authored papers, invited talks and keynotes in both academic and professional conferences, workshops and seminars. She recently founded the Power Elders initiative to spotlight role models who changed their lives at any age beyond 50. Most of all, she likes to connect with people and share stories.
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Karen Vignare
Vice President, Association of Public Land-Grant Universities (APLU)
Karen Vignare, Ph.D., currently serves as Vice Provost, the Center for Innovation in Learning and Student Success at University of Maryland University College (UMUC) leading the search and evaluation for next generation learning models. The Center for Innovation in Learning serves as the research and development arm of UMUC’s academic organization. Dr. Vignare is responsible for identifying innovations and collaboratively implementing with core teams at UMUC. Areas of experimentation will include adaptive learning, onboarding, prior learning, course design, analytics, e-resources, open educational resources, instructional design changes, competency based models. She has been active in online learning for over 15 years. Karen has published research on online learning in areas such as business models, serving special populations, open education, blended learning, corporate training and data organization. She has a Ph.D. from Nova Southeastern University and a M.B.A from the University of Rochester’s William Simon School of Business.
Learning Café
Digital Wellbeing at University: Challenges, Opportunities, and Solutions
Learning Café
Digital Wellbeing at University: Challenges, Opportunities, and Solutions
This interactive learning cafe explores the intersection of wellbeing, mental health, and digitalisation within universities. Participants will rotate through themed tables, discussing the current challenges faced by students and staff, the dual impact of digitalisation, and practical strategies universities can implement based on insights and good practices. The aim is to collaboratively identify steps for promoting wellbeing and mental health in digital learning and working environments.
Channa van der Brug
Programme Manager, Hochschulforum Digitalisierung for Stifterverband, Germany
Channa van der Brug is programme manager international affairs at at Hochschulforum Digitalisierung (https://hochschulforumdigitalisierung.de/en, the German Forum for Higher Education in the Digital Age) for Stifterverband, where she is developing opportunities for international knowledge exchange on good practices for digital teaching and learning. She has more than 20 years’ of experience in the education sector and a passion for the role of technology in shaping the future of education, as well as for developing deeper understanding and connections between diverse people and institutions through engagement and dialogue.
Tina Basner
Project Manager, CHE Centrum für Hochschulentwicklung, Germany
Tina Basner works at the CHE Centre for Higher Education Development as a project manager at the "Hochschulforum Digitalisierung" in Germany. Since 2021, the sociologist has led various think tanks, focusing particularly on issues of equity & participation and more recently on well-being and mental health in digital learning environments. Additionally, she works in the area of internationalization and regularly reports on digital teaching and learning innovations at international universities. Tina Basner is a trained agile coach and team trainer. She studied adult education at the Humboldt University in Berlin and education & sociology at the University of Kiel.
How To
The Horror House of AI - What Makes AI So Scary?
How To
The Horror House of AI - What Makes AI So Scary?
Step into the "Horror House of AI" for a playful yet insightful look at why AI sparks fear - especially in education.
From job loss to ethical concerns, we’ll explore exaggerated headlines and real worries through short case studies. What fuels our anxiety: loss of control, misinformation, or uncertainty? This session invites laughter, reflection, and debate to unpack the FUDD (Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt, Disinformation) around AI, and aims to equip educators and decision-makers to face these fears with greater clarity and confidence.
Bert De Coutere
IP & Innovation Lead, Center for Creative Leadership , Belgium
Bert’s professional life is all about competent people. He thinks, publishes, consults, designs and sets up learning and development projects for corporations. His areas of expertise include technology enhanced learning, leadership development and innovation.
Bert has been active in the field of corporate learning and e-learning for the last 25 years, first as instructor and course designer, later as project manager, consultant and business development manager. He worked at IBM Learning Development Europe where he was responsible for commercial e-learning development projects across Europe, and the management of the learning innovation initiatives. Thirteen years ago he joined the Center for Creative Leadership where he is now part of the global innovation team.
Cleopatra Hammad
Global Product Training Manager, ABB
Cleopatra Hammad is a Global Product Training Manager at ABB, where she designs and delivers learning experiences for the global sales audience. She has previously worked as an instructional designer for universities across the UK, Europe, and Australia, developing online courses in areas such as digital marketing and programming. Cleopatra is currently pursuing a PhD in Educational Sciences at the University of Oulu in Finland, with a research focus on how collaboration is triggered in maker education environments. Her passion lies in connecting academic and corporate learning to make training more meaningful, collaborative, and relevant across sectors.
Mélissa Lemaire
Consultant in Competencies Evaluation, Université de Montréal
Dr. Mélissa Lemaire holds a PhD in Educational Measurement and Evaluation from the Université de Montréal, completed in collaboration with HEC Montréal. She also holds an MBA from Université Laval and a Master’s degree in Educational Measurement and Evaluation from the Université de Montréal. Her research focuses on the impact of informal learning on the maintenance of professional competencies. She has extensive experience in program evaluation, impact studies, and the development of competency assessment tools. Dr. Lemaire also collaborates on multiple projects with various professional regulatory bodies across Quebec and Canada.
Learning Café
From Classroom to Cosmos: XR You Can Use
Learning Café
From Classroom to Cosmos: XR You Can Use
Drop in, explore, and be inspired! This interactive Learning Café invites participants to discover and discuss real-world applications of Augmented and Virtual Reality in education, training, and professional development, in action. In a relaxed, World Café-style setting, You will:
Move between themed tables hosted by practitioners and developers. Try out immersive tools, hear what works and what doesn’t, and share your own ideas.
Whether you are new to XR or already experimenting, this is a practical, informal space for peer-to-peer exchange, hands-on demos, and future-facing conversation.
With topics ranging from training astronauts to hotel staff, the hosts of this Learning Café have a wealth of experience across multiple industries.
Matthew Day
Instructional Systems Designer, European Astronaut Centre, Germany
Matt has over 25 years experience in the training field across a range of industries, designing, developing and implementing Instructor Led, E-Learning and blended courses. Since 2012 Matt has been employed by Telespazio Germany as an Instructional Systems Designer, working at the European Astronaut Centre (EAC) in Cologne, Germany. Matt works in the Space Training Team, helping to train Astronauts in preparation for missions to the International Space Station (ISS), and also the ground crew who support their operations. He was instrumental in setting up a video production team at EAC and regularly produces instructional videos for use on ground and in space. Matt is also one of the trainers for the EAC Instructional Techniques Course, which is part of the certification process for Astronaut Instructors at EAC.
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Francesco Giacalone
Learning Innovation Technology Manager, IESE Business School
Francesco Giacalone drives innovation in executive education at IESE Business School, where he leads the design and implementation of next-generation learning experiences. His work focuses on applying AI and immersive technologies to enhance how leaders learn, collaborate, and make decisions in a rapidly evolving world. At the intersection of technology, and pedagogy, Francesco explores how AI can elevate—not replace—human judgment in learning.
Learning Café
Data-Informed, Not Data-Driven: Reframing L&D Metrics for Human and Business Impact
Learning Café
Data-Informed, Not Data-Driven: Reframing L&D Metrics for Human and Business Impact
As AI and analytics reshape the learning landscape, L&D teams face increasing pressure to demonstrate impact, often with metrics that fall short. In this interactive roundtable, we’ll challenge the “data-driven” mindset and explore a more balanced approach that blends analytics with judgment, centering on both business outcomes and learner agency.
Through small-group discussion and real-world case examples, we’ll unpack what it means to be data-informed, using metrics as tools for insight, not just accountability. Walk away with a practical impact model, fresh language to influence stakeholders, and strategies to measure what truly matters.
Tracie Cantu
Chief Learning Strategist, Your CLO
Tracie Cantu is Chief Learning Strategist at Your CLO and a recognized authority in learning operations and technology. With two decades of experience leading L&D transformation at organizations such as Meta, Atlassian, and Whole Foods Market, she helps companies modernize their learning functions, scale their impact, and align with business priorities. Tracie brings a sharp focus on strategy, systems, and execution. She helps L&D teams scale their impact, deliver business value, and operate like a strategic business function.
Margarita Ghulam
HR Development Expert, Urban Brussels, Belgium
As an HR Development Expert at urban.brussels, I lead key HR initiatives: Training, Competence Management, Integration, Performance Management, and HR Digitalisation; within the public service that is shaping the territorial development of the Brussels capital region. With a background in labour sociology, Belgian social law, and sustainable AI, I am passionate to shape the future of work by integrating human-centered innovation (XAI) into public sector transformation, building dynamic learning ecosystems that empower both people and cities. My mission is to enhance AI literacy, promote responsible innovation, and align HR practices with technological change; while also strengthening overall workforce capabilities, including managerial and strategic competences.
Boardroom
From Learners to Leaders: Building Sustainable Learning & Work Ecosystems with Youth and Tech
Boardroom
From Learners to Leaders: Building Sustainable Learning & Work Ecosystems with Youth and Tech
The future belongs to youth—but only if we equip them with the right tools to lead.
As AI and automation reshape global economies, the need for sustainable, inclusive, and human-centred learning
ecosystems has never been more urgent. Youth—representing over 1.2 billion people aged 15–24 globally—stand
at the forefront of this transformation. Yet nearly one in five young people worldwide are not in education,
employment, or training (NEET), and many of those who are employed remain underpaid or under-skilled for
the demands of the intelligent age.
Meanwhile, demand for roles in AI, green energy, and advanced manufacturing is surging. Yet millions of young
people lack access to the training, networks, and ecosystems that would allow them to thrive. If the future belongs to
the youth of today, they must be involved in building it. That means co-creating inclusive digital innovation hubs
and sustainable work ecosystems, not just participating in outdated education-to-employment pipelines.
This session explores how to design sustainable, tech-enabled systems that empower youth not only to adapt—but
to lead—in a world where human and machine intelligence must co-exist.
Participants will explore the future of work and learning through the lens of sustainability, youth agency, and
systems thinking. What does it mean to build ecosystems where digital innovation empowers rather than excludes?
Where learning is continuous, meaningful, and deeply human? Where young people aren't just recipients, but co-
creators of a just and regenerative future?
Ali Alam
Venture Partner, EarlyBird
Ali Alam — a founder-turned-venture-builder and investor on a mission to make innovation human-centric, impact-driven, and radically inclusive. With experience building award-winning university-based incubators, designing startup acceleration programs with 21st-century skills needed to thrive in volatility and advising venture funds deploying capital in human growth. Ali has worked across Africa, Europe, and emerging markets to create sustainable learning & innovation ecosystems.