Gender: Male

Joan Clos

Dr. Joan Clos was the UN-Habitat executive director from 2010 to 2017, the United Nations agency responsible for urban planning based in Kenya (Nairobi), with the status of Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations. During his term he promoted the development of the Urban Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goal 11 (ODS11), the first development objective focused on sustainable urbanization. Its emphasis on urban planning and national urban policies has been widely used to plan and direct the cities of the world towards sustainability, economic and social progress and inclusion. Both successes were part of the strategic plan of Dr. Clos to increase the relevance of sustainable urban development in the international development agenda. Born in Barcelona on 29 June 1949, he is a medical doctor with a distinguished career in public service and diplomacy. He was twice elected Mayor of Barcelona, serving two terms from 1997 until 2006.

He was Minister of Industry, Tourism, and Trade of Spain between 2006 and 2008. Prior to joining the United Nations, he served as the Spanish Ambassador to Turkey and Azerbaijan. He is a medicine graduate from the Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona (UAB), and specialized in Public Health and Epidemiology at the University of Edinburgh (Scotland). Dr. Joan Clos then joined the Barcelona Municipal Government as the Director of Public Health in 1979.

As a city councillor between 1983 and 1987, he earned a reputation for improving municipal management and for urban renewal projects, notably managing the renovation of downtown Barcelona’s Ciutat Vella district. From 1990 to 1994, he was the Deputy Mayor in charge of finance and budgeting, playing a key role in preparations for the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona.

Dr. Joan Clos is also widely credited with inspiring far-reaching investment programmes for Barcelona. One of the most ambitious was the “Barcelona@22” programme, which gave the city’s dilapidated industrial zones a facelift. In 2004, one of these newly refurbished neighbourhoods near the old dockyards was chosen as the site for the second gathering of UN-Habitat’s World Urban Forum, the premier global conference on cities.

At the international level, in 1998 Dr. Clos was elected President of Metropolis, the international network of cities. Two years later, he was elected President of the World Association of Cities and Local Authorities (WACLAC). Between 2000 and 2007, he served as the Chairman of the United Nations Advisory Committee of Local Authorities (UNACLA). And between 1997 and 2003, he was member of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR).

Dr. Clos received a number of awards, including a gold medal from the Royal Institute of British Architects in 1999 for transforming Barcelona. In 2002, he won the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour Award for encouraging global cooperation between local authorities and the United Nations.

Aidan Gomez

Aidan Gomez is a British-Canadian computer scientist known for his work in artificial intelligence, particularly in natural language processing. As the co-founder and CEO of Cohere, a technology company, he has made significant contributions to the AI industry, including the development of the transformer deep learning architecture. Prior to Cohere, Aidan co-authored the paper “Attention is All You Need,” which introduced the groundbreaking Transformer architecture. He also collaborated with a number of AI luminaries, including Geoff Hinton and Jeff Dean, during his time at Google Brain, where the team focused their efforts on large-scale machine learning. Based in Toronto, Aidan holds a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Toronto, and is currently a doctoral student of Computer Science at the University of Oxford.

Mati Staniszewski

Mati Staniszewski is the co-founder and CEO of ElevenLabs, an innovative AI audio startup. Under his leadership, ElevenLabs has rapidly grown, achieving significant milestones in funding and technological advancements. Staniszewski's vision and strategic direction have positioned the company as a leader in the audio AI space.

With a powerful mission to make audio content accessible to all, Mati Staniszewski has emerged as a leading voice in the intersection of AI, accessibility, and ethical tech innovation. As the co-founder of ElevenLabs, Mati has not only built a globally recognized company but cultivated a thoughtful and high-performing social media presence that reflects his values: transparency, inclusion, and human-centric AI.

Before co-founding ElevenLabs, Mati Staniszewski had a diverse career that laid the foundation for his current role as CEO. His journey in the tech industry began with various entrepreneurial ventures, where he honed his skills in innovation and leadership. Staniszewski's vision for ElevenLabs was inspired by the subpar quality of movie voiceovers in Poland, driving him to create a company that could revolutionize audio AI. Under his leadership, ElevenLabs has not only raised significant funding but also expanded its team and opened new offices globally. His commitment to combating deepfakes and enhancing the positive applications of AI technology underscores his forward-thinking approach in the rapidly evolving audio AI landscape.

Mati Staniszewski's educational background is rooted in a strong foundation in mathematics, having studied at Imperial College London. This prestigious institution is renowned for its rigorous academic programs and emphasis on research and innovation. Staniszewski's time at Imperial College London equipped him with the analytical skills and problem-solving abilities that have been instrumental in his career. His academic experience in mathematics provided a solid groundwork for his subsequent ventures in the tech industry, where precision and analytical thinking are paramount.

Mati Staniszewski co-founded ElevenLabs on January 1, 2022. As the co-founder, he has been with the company since its inception. Staniszewski has held the position of CEO from the beginning, guiding the company through its rapid growth and technological advancements. Having been with ElevenLabs for over a year, his leadership continues to drive the company's mission to revolutionize audio AI.

Kaihan Krippendorff

Kaihan Krippendorff is the founder of Outthinker, a global think-tank of chief strategy, innovation, growth, and transformation officers and executives from large public, private, and Fortune 500 companies.

A former McKinsey consultant and author of 6 books including bestsellers Outthink the Competition, Driving Innovation from Within, and Proximity, Kaihan is recognized by Thinkers50 and Global Gurus as one of the top 20 global management thinkers in strategy and innovation.

Known for rigorously researched tools and engaging programs, Kaihan is an innovation catalyst and sought-after strategic advisor for some of the world’s most recognizable companies including Aetna-CVS, JP Morgan, Lockheed Martin, Bank of America, Procter & Gamble, IBM, and Yahoo!. His work has created in excess of $3.0 billion in new annual recurring revenue.

Kaihan is host of the Outthinkers podcast, The Chief Strategy Officer Podcast, and Strategy at Scale podcast. His ideas are frequently published in Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, and other leading media outlets. He is a Senior Fellow at Wharton Business School and teaches strategy and innovation at NYU, Florida International University and other programs across the globe. He is an advisory board member of two tech startups.

Kaihan holds a doctorate in economics and business and engineering degrees from the University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering, Wharton, Columbia Business School, and London Business School. With a mother from Bangladesh, father from Germany, and wife from Latin America, Kaihan is a global citizen who brings a holistic, diverse, and worldly perspective to everything he does. He is a passionate cook and lives in Miami, Florida, with his wife, three teenage kids, two cats, and a dog.

Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus has said, "Kaihan shows that with a compelling idea anyone can change the world" and that message has made Kaihan one of the most sought-after business speakers in the world.

Cam F. Awesome

Cam F. Awesome is a dynamic keynote speaker with a captivating story of resilience, reinvention, and success, both in and out of the boxing ring. Known as "the Vegan Boxer," he has carved out a unique niche for himself, inspiring audiences across the globe with his journey from athletic champion to motivational powerhouse. His story begins with a simple mission: to become the best boxer in America. Over the years, Cam's dedication and tenacity saw him rise to national prominence, earning multiple national championships and acclaim as one of the finest amateur boxers in the U.S.

Born Lennox Allen, Jr., in Uniondale, New York, Cam's passion for boxing was ignited at a young age. However, his path was not without challenges. Facing several setbacks, including an unexpected suspension just before the 2012 Olympics, Cam chose to redefine himself. He embraced a vegan lifestyle and used the experience to pivot his focus beyond just boxing. This transformation marked the beginning of his journey as a speaker and advocate, placing an emphasis on wellness, discipline, and mental fortitude.

Cam's keynote speeches are a testament to his diverse experiences and the lessons learned throughout his distinguished career. With a blend of humor and authenticity, he addresses topics such as overcoming adversity, building resilience, and finding purpose beyond one's original goals. A firm believer in living life without limitations, Cam challenges his audiences to rethink their perceptions and expand their horizons. His ability to connect with people from all walks of life has made him a sought-after speaker at corporate events, educational institutions, and conferences.

Beyond his achievements in boxing and speaking, Cam has earned recognition for his advocacy work. Promoting the benefits of a plant-based diet, he uses his platform to discuss broader health and environmental issues. Cam's genuine commitment to healthy living and personal growth shines through in every talk, leaving a lasting impression on his audiences.

Today, Cam F. Awesome continues to share his message of empowerment and positive change. His journey is a powerful reminder of the strength of the human spirit and the endless possibilities that await those who dare to reinvent themselves. Whether in the ring or on stage, Cam's engaging presence and uplifting narrative inspire others to pursue their own paths to greatness.

Anton Gunn

Anton Gunn elevates organizations through his innovative insights on leadership and workplace culture.

With a distinguished career spanning college sports, healthcare, public service, and executive leadership, Anton is highly sought-after as a strategic advisor. As a former senior advisor to President Barack Obama and C-level healthcare executive, he delivers game-changing strategies that help audiences and organizations build exceptional leaders and unstoppable teams.

A trailblazer from the start, Anton made history as the first African American elected to the South Carolina Legislature from his district. He also became the youngest CEO of a statewide nonprofit advocacy organization.

His meteoric rise in healthcare leadership earned him recognition as one of the Ten Most Influential Minority Executives in Healthcare. His 25 years of service as Board Director and the current Chairman of the Columbia Metropolitan Airport Commission underscores his strategic leadership and corporate governance expertise.

With his unique ability to combine academic rigor with real-world experience, global organizations like Pfizer, KPMG, Microsoft, T-Mobile, SHRM, HCA Healthcare, and Mercedes-Benz Vans turn to Anton for his motivating insights on leadership, organizational culture, and inclusion strategy.

His presentations combine magnetic stage presence with profound wisdom and unforgettable storytelling, leaving audiences both inspired and equipped with actionable solutions that drive measurable results.

As a member of the prestigious Aspen Global Leadership Network and former Harvard University Resident Fellow, Anton’s thought leadership reaches millions through his bestselling books, proprietary research, and features in major media outlets such as Forbes, Inc., TIME, The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, NPR, CNN, and Good Morning America.

When he’s not transforming workplace cultures, Anton Gunn moonlights as an 80s and 90s hip-hop historian with a music and memorabilia collection that would make DJ Jazzy Jeff jealous.

Sangeet Paul Choudary

Sangeet Paul Choudary is the founder of Platformation Labs and the best-selling author of Platform Revolution and Platform Scale (250,000+ copies). He has advised the leadership of more than 3 5 of the Fortune 500 firms and has been selected as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum.

Sangeet's work on platforms has been selected by Harvard Business Review as one of the top 10 ideas in strategy, alongside Michael Porter, Clayton Christensen and others, and is one of the rare articles to have been featured thrice in the HBR Top 10 Must Reads compilations.

Sangeet is a member of the WEF's Global Future Council, an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at INSEAD Business School, the co-chair of the MIT Platform Strategy Summit, and the youngest ever recipient of the IIMB Distinguished Alumnus Award. Sangeet is a frequent keynote speaker at leading global forums including the G20 Summit, the World50 Summit, the United Nations, and the World Economic Forum. Sangeet's board and committee appointments include the Global Innovation Council of ING Bank, the Statutory Committee of Grupo Pao De Acucar, the Board of Directors of the AFIN, backed by the World Bank and MAS Singapore, and the Advisory Committee to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Govt. of India.

Klisman Murati

The most underrated skill in the world today is the ability to ask good questions. This is what truly separates average leaders from great ones.

Combining systems thinking, first principles analysis and data, Murati trains leaders in how to ask better questions about the future of technology, world affairs, business growth and nation building, thus empowering them to make smarter business, investing and policy making decisions.

As founder of Pareto Economics and the creator of the Global Power Index, he takes geoeconomic analysis to another level. His work combines data, geopolitics, economics, technology, demographics, and capital flows to reveal the deeper forces reshaping the global economy and what these changes mean for markets, investments, and sustainable policy.

He has coined the term "geo-risk" to describe the multifactor trends impacting our world and has pioneered the study of "segmented polarity" and the impact it is having globally. As a result, his insights have informed the decisions of policy makers, capital allocators and corporate leaders the world over on growth, risk, competitiveness, and long-term strategy.

Every keynote is customised using data from his Global Power Index, covering any of the 194 countries measured, enabling Murati to deliver highly relevant, data-backed insights tailored to the specific countries, sectors, markets, and strategic priorities of each audience.

His stage presence is unforgettable and he is known for merging data science, original thinking, storytelling and practical takeaways that help leaders make better decisions in an increasingly uncertain world.

Tal Ben-Shahar

Tal Ben-Shahar, Ph.D., is an author and lecturer who taught the most popular course at Harvard University on "Positive Psychology," and the university's third most popular course on "The Psychology of Leadership"—with a total of more than 1,400 students.

In 2022, he designed and launched the world's first Master's Degree in Happiness Studies, and in 2025 created the world's first Ph.D. degree in the same field, both fully online, and in collaboration with Centenary University.

Ben-Shahar consults and lectures around the world to executives in multi-national corporations, the general public, and at-risk populations. Topics include leadership, ethics, happiness, self-esteem, resilience, goal setting, and mindfulness.

He is the author of eight books including the recently released Happy Habits: A Happier, Healthier Life One Minute at a Time, The Joy of Leadership: How Positive Psychology Can Maximize Your Impact (and Make You Happier) in a Challenging World, and The New York Times bestseller Happier: Learn the Secrets to Daily Joy and Lasting Fulfillment.

Ben-Shahar is a serial entrepreneur and is the co-founder and chief learning officer of the Happiness Studies Academy (HSA), Potentialife, VIVID, Maytiv, and Happier.TV.

An avid sportsman, Ben-Shahar won the U.S. Intercollegiate and Israeli National squash championships. He earned his Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior and B.A. in Philosophy and Psychology from Harvard.