Dan Be Kim is a startup founder turned educational technologist focused on reimagining teaching and learning in the age of AI. A startup enthusiast with an extensive background in product management, she has conceptualized and launched several marketplaces, including a venture-backed PropTech startup in the Bay Area. After arriving at Harvard determined to build evidence-based, AI-powered tools for education, she quickly discovered how overwhelmed and under-supported many educators and learners felt when engaging with this rapidly advancing technology.

Today, Dan Be’s work explores how AI can truly enhance and augment — not replace — human intelligence. Through PromptED, she helps educators and learners develop the intuition, fluency, confidence, and critical judgment needed to collaborate with AI in thoughtful, creative, and human-centered ways.

She currently contributes to research on Inspiring Moral AI Guidance in Education (IMAGINE) at the Harvard Center for Digital Thriving. In her role as an AI Fellow at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, she is helping to onboard ~700 incoming students by equipping them with the skills needed to leverage AI responsibly in their academic work and professional pursuits. As a Learning Design Fellow, she co-designed an AI literacy tutorial for all incoming students, a mandatory requirement before starting any coursework. The module introduces what responsible and effective AI use looks like in higher education, explores the nuance between school-wide and course-specific AI policies, and features diverse faculty perspectives to highlight how expectations vary across disciplines.

As an educational technologist, she is an active member of both the UNESCO Global Science of Learning Alliance and the Global Science of Learning Education Network (GSoLEN) hosted at UC San Diego, where she advocates for the conscious design of educational technologies grounded in evidence-based Science of Learning principles.

Andreas is member of the presidium of Bundesverband Fernstudienanbieter eV Berlin. With more than 100 experts for media-supported and tutored learning, we are now the leading specialist association for digital (further) education including tutoring in German-speaking countries. Through our scientific and educational policy campaigns, we stimulate public discussion and strengthen the acceptance of digital, quality-assured learning methods. We provide impetus for innovative learning concepts that meet the requirements of today's society, the labor market and the demands of learning adults.

Media-supported and tutored learning is the unifying element of our members - they are all experienced experts in life- and work-related forms of learning. Thanks to our modern association structure, we are a powerful action platform with great design options for our members.

Andreas also Managing Director of Klett Corporate Education Services, part of the Stuttgart based Klett Group. He focuses on adult education and cooperation with employment agencies and job centers in the education voucher business.

Oliver Nahm leads the project “Learning Analytics – Distance Learning” at the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB), which aims to assess the importance of Learning Analytics for vocational distance learning courses, as well as further its implementation.

He has worked as a teacher and trainer for many years, designing and teaching courses both on- and offline. His focus is on a holistic and flexible approach to education, utilizing data, while keeping the focus on the human element.

Ellen Gunning created Irish Academy of Public Relations in 1992. The college provides internationally recognised online professional diploma courses, modular self-learning CPD courses and corporate training in communications disciplines. Ellen is author of three books, including the global third-level core text “Public Relations – A Practical Approach”. She specialises in Crisis PR training and consultancy. Her other business, Mettacomms, is an AI powered platform offering sight of future trends in multiple disciplines. A member of the board of EADL, the European Association for Distance Learning, Ellen’s panel contribution spans both communications and future-vision inputs.

Andrea Feddersen is Head of the APOLLON Akademie in Bremen, a distance learning institute focused on professional development in health and social sectors. With a career dedicated to e-learning and digital education, she emphasizes enhancing learners' experiences through advanced media solutions and online learning environments. Currently, she is exploring the integration of artificial intelligence into the learning process, particularly in relation to exams and assessments. Her current approach aims to optimize educational outcomes, supporting students throughout their learning journey.

Ms Olstad has over 25 years of experience in education and technology. In the organisation Flexible Education Norway, she is responsible for the committee on quality in flexible education, and advises on innovation and digital learning design. She has contributed to several international projects, and promotes openness and sharing in flexible and distance education.

Jens Greefe is the Director of Studies at Klett OWB, Klett Online Weiterbildung GmbH & Co. KG in Hamburg. Klett OWB, together with its subsidiaries ILS, SGD, Fernakademie für Erwachsenenbildung, and Schule des Schreibens, teaches approximately 90,000 participants annually in more than 300 distance learning courses. He holds a diploma in Economics and is responsible for the development, organization, and quality management of the course programs.
From 2012 to 2020, Jens Greefe served as Vice President, and from 2022 to 2025 he was a member of the board of the German Association for Distance Learning (“Bundesverband der Fernstudienanbieter,” formerly “Forum Distance Learning”).
Since 2021, he has been a member of the Global Advisory Board of OEB Online Educa Berlin.
Jens Greefe has chaired the Research & Development Committee since 2014 and has been a member of the board of EADL since 2025.

James Swift is Director of Talent Development at Leyton, a global consultancy firm accredited as an exceptional learning organization. Twice a finalist for Learning Leader of year, he leads the strategy that creates an environment that empowers performance across all levels of the organization. James is passionate about AI, skills, and data, and has been published as a leading case study for his work with AI. He is a proponent of using AI to support human capability, and has created the "swift Model" of organizational performance.

Donald H Taylor has worked in learning and technology since the mid-1980s.

He has chaired the Learning Technologies Conference in London since 2000 and writes and speaks world-wide. His annual L&D Global Sentiment Survey, started in 2014, provides a unique perspective on L&D trends from over 100 countries. From 2010 to 2021, he chaired the Learning and Performance Institute.

He chairs the Workforce Development board for VC firm Emerge Education, and advises several EdTech start-ups.

The author of Learning Technologies in the Workplace, Donald is a graduate of Oxford University and the recipience of an honorary doctorate from London’s Middlesex University.

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Amy has been named a 2025 HR Most Influential Thinker and is the founder of Synaptic Potential, a consultancy that supports sustainable high performance enabling people to contribute more to their organisation by working smarter not harder. She is an author and a global speaker who’s ‘Fact not Fluff’ approach is a welcome authority in a world awash with questionable theories. She passionately believes that a great way to achieve your full potential in life and work is by knowing more about how your brain works so you can work with it. Her combination of scientific expertise and practical real-world experience give audiences easy-to-implement frameworks that uplift brain performance.

Lori is a senior learning strategist with over 20 years of L&D experience across many industries, including international banking, management consulting, and marketing. She specialises in large-scale digital learning transformations and is passionate about helping companies navigate through the ambiguity of change.
After leading and completing numerous EdTech implementations, Lori has developed data-based methodologies and frameworks to empower L&D teams to move from business support function to strategic business driver.
Lori serves on several EdTech and HRTech boards and has published two courses on LinkedIn Learning with 100K completions. She is also the author of the recently released book "The Eight Levers of EdTech Transformation".

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Armin Hopp is co-founder and president of Speexx, the world’s leading digital language skills testing and learning platform. He is also president of the International Council on Badges and Credentials (ICoBC) He´s passionate about family, digital learning, EdTech, HR tech, learning transformation, guitars – and Speexx.

Empowering People in large organizations worldwide through Speexx Coaching™, digital language training, and skills assessment for all team members.

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Jo Cook is Director of her company Lightbulb Moment, which specialises in developing, facilitating and training others to deliver great live online training sessions, virtual classrooms, webinars and blended, digital programmes. Jo has a background in teaching, technology and journalism. She facilitates, speaks, writes, blogs and tweets on L&D topics and part-time is the Deputy Editor of Training Journal magazine and website. Jo’s background includes further and higher education, the charity sector, small and large organisations, including CNN News and Bupa International.

I am an experienced international speaker, author and facilitator with a passion for exploring, challenging and sharing. I believe that the role of learning leaders in the changing workplace is to unlock the potential of business and people. My goal has always been to help learning leaders ensure that their organisations are equipped and ready through outcome-led and evidence informed practice.

Together we will co-create the future of learning - one where learning leaders will become business critical as they uncover new ways to add value. As the founder of Towards Maturity- I led a global research programme for 15 years, bringing a community of practitioners, policy makers, experts and suppliers together to investigate how learning innovation delivers business value.
I continue to investigate, to explore , to communicate insights and facilitate collaborative change in the industry through workshops, coaching and sounding board work via #LearningChangemakers and as co-founder of Emerging Stronger.

Tracking the L&D learning innovation journey since 2003, I have authored/ co-authored of over 70 major research reports and, as a regular contributor to industry publications I have written over 300 articles. I continue to play an active role in research working with the CIPD and other significant industry bodies.

As an industry change maker, I regularly share good practice findings as a keynote presenter at conferences around the globe and through masterclasses, webinars and seminars. I have served on several advisory boards including the original LPI Capability Map, the CIPD Professional Map and Learning boards, the Online Educa Global Council and the original Distributed Electronic Learning Group for the UK government.

I am an academic fellow of the CIPD, a fellow of the RSA and the first female recipient of the Learning and Performance Institute’s Colin Corder Award for outstanding achievement. I was also the first recipient of the Learning Technology award for outstanding achievement and regularly appear in the top influencer lists for our industry.

I am always willing to work with LearningChangemakers across the industry so please contact me if you would like to find out more about my writing, facilitation, coaching or soundingboard work.

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Jef Staes (1956, Belgium) is an authority on learning processes, innovation and culture change. With decennia of professional experience (Engineering Digital Telephony, Training Manager & Corporate Learning Officer), he currently assists CEO’s and Managers to find a comprehensive answer to the changing dynamics of today’s world. He is a passionate & inspirational author, keynote speaker & concept creator. His striking metaphors and stories are guaranteed eye-openers and his thoughts on the future of business and education inspire many. Google 'Jef Staes' or 'Red Monkey' and you know where he stands for.

Professor Salmon is the founder and CEO of Education Alchemists Ltd - formed around her life's work including Carpe Diem learning design, pedagogical transformation, online education, technology-enhanced teaching, the 5 stage model, e-tivities, and Education 4.0. Until recently, Professor of Learning Transformation and pro-vice-chancellor at universities in the UK and Australia, she is now based in London with all workshops offered fully digitally and worldwide. She is a well-known keynote speaker and workshop leader. Her books E-moderating and E-tivities are considered seminal texts. https://www.linkedin.com/in/gillysalmon/

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Rod Angood, BA, MBA. is MD & Principal Visioning Director at Educational Alchemists (UK). Previously he held senior roles as Executive Director of Information Technology & Information Systems at two UK universities. His first career was as a Royal Naval Officer in the Submarine Service. He brings extensive experience of leadership development, strategy & organisation.

Rod is now an established Graphic Artist providing ‘Artist in Residence’ services to Carpe Diem & Futuring workshops, supporting keynote speeches with real time artistic images,and educators with pictures & diagrams that explore concepts, ideas & models.

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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I have extensive experience in digital learning and education, particularly within the healthcare sector. I currently serve as Medewerker Centrum Digitaal Leren (Digital Learning Center Employee) at Hogeschool PXL, a role I've held since September 2021. I am also involved in the "e-Hospital4Future" project, which aims to enhance the education of healthcare professionals by integrating training modules covering social, technical, and digital competencies. For over 15 years, I have been the ICT Verantwoordelijke Opleiding Verpleegkunde (ICT Manager for Nursing Education) at Hogeschool PXL. In this capacity, I have been involved in the development of E-Learning within the nursing program. My expertise includes Nursing Education and Lecturing. I also have a long history as an Instructional Designer, developing practice-oriented digital didactic materials for hospitals and home care from November 2007 to November 2021. I am also a seasoned trainer, providing training for Office 365, Onenote, Prezi, Moovly and Canva for both beginners and advanced users, a role I've had since November 2009.

Abboy Verkuilen is a senior lecturer and educational innovator at The Hague University of Applied Sciences. He specializes in the integration of technology in education and the design of meaningful, future-oriented learning experiences. Abboy is actively involved in projects related to generative AI, student-centered learning, and digital transformation in higher education. His work bridges pedagogy and innovation, supporting both students and educators in navigating a rapidly changing educational landscape.

A well-known and recognized e-Learning expert, Prof. Richard Powers is currently a Professor, Trainer and Learning Designer with the Professional School of Education Stuttgart Ludwigsburg in Germany, where he designs blended learning courses to develop competences in digitalization and diversity for pre-service teachers across five universities. He is a German eTwinning Ambassador, training other teacher trainers in Germany. He teaches Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Project-Based Learning with eTwinning & Erasmus+ for Interculturality, and Instructional Design for Digital Accessibility. Prof. Powers won the 2022 Teaching Award for Excellence at Stuttgart University, and the 2023 European Union Award for best Teacher Training Institute for eTwinning Virtual Exchanges. He routinely teaches and trains faculty in Stuttgart and remotely at City Colleges of Chicago how to teach online with Moodle, ILIAS and Brightspace in webinars via Webex and Zoom. In 2025, Prof. Powers co-facilitated UDL training with universities in Ukraine, Malta, Lebanon and Namibia.

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Margreeth Themmen (MEd) has worked for 25 years in different roles in higher education, she is now project leader of the Centre for Teaching & Learning. She has al lot of experience in education because of her work as an educational developer and consultant for faculty at NHL Stenden University. Her goal is to design inspiring, high-quality education.

She has a master’s degree in educational renewal and innovation and the last 10 years she has her focus on Blended Learning.

Patrick van Aalst (Mped) has worked at a university of applied science for the past 13 years; first teaching interaction design in a multimedia design bachelor’s program, later as an educational innovation trainer and consultant. He has a master’s degree in pedagogy and specialized in educational innovation and design thinking.

Ellen Wagner is an accomplished learning technology professional with career experiences in academic, commercial, and non-profit organizations. She has worked as a tenured professor and university administrator, was a founding ed tech entrepreneur, a senior executive of publicly traded software companies, a journal editor, and a board member of a number of start-up ed tech companies. Her areas of expertise include ed tech, emerging tech, change management, instructional systems design and learning engineering, and digital learning (online and eLearning).

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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.

Erin Czerwinski, is the Manager, Learning Engineering and Technology Enhanced Learning Product, for The Simon Initiative and The Open Learning Initiative at Carnegie Mellon University. Erin also serves on the steering committee of the International Consortium for Innovation and Collaboration in Learning Engineering (ICICLE), has authored several chapters in The Learning Engineering Toolkit (Goodell & Kolodner 2023), and was the Chair for the 2023 ICICLE Conference. Erin has deep expertise defining and using learning science methodologies, best practices, and product quality guidelines to deliver impactful learning experiences. She has over twenty years of experience effectively designing, implementing, evaluating, and improving online courses, curricula, and platforms. Erin has provided curriculum leadership at Western Governors University, and was the Director of Learning Engineering at Acrobatiq, Inc. after serving in a Learning Engineering position with CMU’s OLI. She holds an MS in Education from Duquesne University, specializing in instructional technologies.

Laura Geringer helps leaders make ideas visible, collaboration engaging, and learning fun. As a multi-passionate creative, she combines visual thinking, experiential learning, and community engagement to create unique experiences that change makers want to be part of. She's known for her combination of ingenuity and organization: designing highly creative solutions and the processes to make them reality. With her M.Ed. in International Higher Education and 13+ years combining value-centric project design with visual media, Laura partners with learning & development leaders to engage communities, facilitate innovation, and produce resources that move the needle. At the heart of her work is the belief that we can create better, more human futures through collaboration, learning, and value-centric leadership. With this priority in mind, Laura founded PumpkinBerry Consulting, a creative design studio specializing in learning experience design and graphic facilitation.

For over 15 years, Madeline has centered her work around learning and development. She's known for her dedication to inventive and impactful community engagement approaches, personalized learning pathways, experiential learning, and globally informed models for both leadership development and relationship management. And she deeply believes that learning can be fun. Madeline's expertise spans learning theory and experience design, online learning theory, design thinking, and universal design for learning theory. Her doctoral work explored "The Rhetorics of Asynchronous Digital Learning Environments," with her dissertation itself designed as an educator professional development experience. She combines this deep understanding of learning theory, practice, and narrative to create unique learning experiences that are both effective and human. Madeline serves as Director of Outreach and Development at Online Learning Consortium.

Laurie Forcier is a senior education strategist, writer, and connector working at the intersection of learning, technology, and systems change. She is Vice President for Strategy at EDT&Partners, a global education consultancy that helps governments, companies, and institutions design and scale solutions that improve learning outcomes and ecosystems. Laurie specialises in helping innovative education organisations articulate their purpose, translate complex ideas into accessible narratives, and build relationships that drive meaningful collaboration. She is a co-author of Intelligence Unleashed: An Argument for AI in Education and has held leadership roles at Harvard University, Pearson, and the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). Her work spans go-to-market strategy, digital transformation, and event-led engagement, with a focus on creating the conditions for partnerships and progress across diverse education systems.

Pablo is the Founder & Managing Partner of EDT&Partners, a global consulting firm dedicated to advancing education through innovation and the effective use of technology. When not traveling, Pablo is based in Valencia, where he enjoys learning from his 40+ teammates and consultants, who are spread across 16 countries. He is passionate about scaling established business operations and launching new initiatives, especially projects related to education technology that impact individuals, communities, and organizations. As one of Blackboard’s early international hires, Pablo led the Mobile Learning division globally. More recently, as Vice President of Business Development at The Financial Times & IE Business School Corporate Learning Alliance (Headspring), he was responsible for building long-term value through strategic relationships, new market development, and customer success. Pablo brings a unique blend of experience working with well-established education leaders and early-stage ventures. He has also founded and helped grow impactful platforms such as ZeroAcoso.org, the first dedicated technology solution for bullying prevention and support.

Juan Pablo is a seasoned Product Manager with over 15 years of experience at the intersection of technology, design, and strategy. With an engineering background and a strong track record in building and scaling SaaS products, he has led cross-functional teams in both startup and enterprise settings across Europe and the U.S.
Currently, at EDT&Partners, he leads product development for Lecture, the first open-source GenAI framework designed specifically for education. Passionate about user-centered design and digital transformation, he thrives in remote-first, collaborative environments where complex challenges are translated into intuitive, impactful solutions.

Responsible for all Technology related initiatives, agile program management and vendor relationships

Oversees all technically biased initiatives, including EdOps, custom development and other technically focused activities.
Leads the spnsors relationship, its growth and compliance with requirements. Also responsible for third-party tech providers to the firm.
Oversees all agile program management activities, including best practices, effective methodology deployment and project/program management activity.

Jaime Cará Junior, PhD, has been a post-graduation professor of Didactics & Methodology, a member of the research council in the major university in Latin America (USP), a digital product designer and manager, and Training & Development manager, responsible for over 2 thousand trainees a year, an (co-)author of books, papers, coursebooks and educational applications, and a speaker in international events. Jaime is currently responsible for the e-learning project for the European Space Agency Academy, developing online programmes for university students, from BS to PhD.