SynergyXPO 2025

Thomas Wilson

Director of Data & Analytics
Bank of Montreal

With over 25 years in the world of Data, Tom has years of experience in the design, development and deployment of Data Analytics departments and projects delivering solutions in Data Warehousing, Business Intelligence, complex Data Integration, Migration and providing Business Insights as well as data leadership. In 2024, Tom completed the Certified AI Transformational Leader program at the US AI Institute and currently works at Bank of Montreal in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Arvin Bansal

CISO
Global CISO

Aylin Orial

CTO
Padgea

A dynamic and results-driven executive with a robust background in technology and innovation leadership. With over a decade of experience in FinTech, PropTech, Healthcare, Manufacturing, eCommerce, High Tech, Insurance, Real Estate and Energy sectors. Aylin has a proven track record of driving growth and innovation. Her expertise spans across various domains including AI, cybersecurity, solutions architecture, and digital transformation with Agile, where she has consistently delivered exceptional results by leveraging her strategic vision and leadership skills. Aylin's commitment to excellence and her ability to build and nurture strong relationships have been key factors in her successful career. Currently, Aylin serves as a pivotal figure at Padgea, where she spearheads initiatives that drive innovation which leads business expansion and enhanced customer engagement. Her adeptness at identifying market opportunities and implementing effective strategies has positioned her as a trusted advisor and leader within her industry. Aylin's passion for technology and her forward-thinking approach enables her to stay ahead of market trends, ensuring her company remains competitive and innovative. With a strong educational background and a relentless drive for success, Aylin Orial continues to make significant contributions to the growth and advancement of her field. As the Founder of Think Techmode, Aylin leads a forward-thinking company dedicated to transforming businesses through innovative technology solutions. Under her leadership, Think Techmode has become a trusted partner for organizations seeking to navigate the complexities of AI integration and digital transformation. Aylin's strategic insight and commitment to excellence have driven the company’s growth, enabling it to deliver cutting-edge services that enhance operational efficiency and drive sustainable success for clients. Her vision for Think Techmode focuses on leveraging emerging technologies to create bespoke solutions that address the unique challenges faced by each client, ensuring they achieve their business objectives in an increasingly digital world.

Brett Tucker

Technical Manager, Cyber Risk Management
Carnegie Mellon University

Brett Tucker is the Technical Manager of Cyber Risk Management in the CERT Program at Carnegie Mellon University’s (CMU) Software Engineering Institute (SEI). Brett is responsible for a research and development portfolio focused on improving the security and resilience of the nation’s critical infrastructure and assets with specific focus on risk and resilience. He also teaches executive and graduate level courses as a CERT adjunct professor at the Heinz College and serves as the Technical Sponsor for the Executive Chief Risk Officer training program.Brett has 20 years of experience in engineering, risk management, and technical management within the public and private sectors.

Jorge Litvin

Founder & CEO
Safe-U

Jorge Litvin, CEO of Safe-U, specializes in bridging the gap between technical teams and executive boards. He leads initiatives to build robust cybersecurity cultures through targeted awareness and training, adeptly managing cyber-risks associated with AI technologies. His expertise spans cybercrime law and cybersecurity, translating complex technical challenges into strategic business solutions. Jorge's impactful strategies enhance security awareness across various industries and regions.

Chloé Messdaghi

Founder & Principal Consultant
SustainCyber

Chloé Messdaghi is a recognized expert in Responsible AI and cybersecurity, focused on creating secure, ethical, and transparent AI systems. She collaborates with companies, governments, and NGOs to advocate for stronger cybersecurity and Responsible AI policies, and has advised on key legislation, including work with the White House. Named a Power Player by Business Insider and SC Media, Chloé is a respected speaker and thought leader dedicated to advancing technology and social progress.

Steve Wilson

Chief Product Officer
Exabeam

Steve Wilson is a pioneer in Generative AI and cybersecurity, driving advancements in AI-powered cyber defense and securing AI systems. As the Chief Product Officer at Exabeam, the leader in AI-driven security operations, Steve spearheaded the launch of a powerful Generative AI copilot for security analysts, significantly enhancing the speed and accuracy of cybersecurity incident investigations. Steve leads the charge on securing large language models as the founder and project leader of the OWASP Top 10 for Large Language Model Applications, where he guides a global team in developing the industry-standard guide to critical vulnerabilities in AI systems. The Top 10 List has become the go-to reference for developers, architects, and security professionals working to safeguard AI applications. As the author of O’Reilly Media’s The Developer’s Playbook for Large Language Model Security] Steve provides a comprehensive framework for building secure, responsible AI systems. The book won the Cutting Edge Cybersecurity Book award from Cyber Defense Magazine and it has quickly become an essential resource for professionals navigating the complexities of AI and security. He is an inventor on 11 U.S. and international patents in cybersecurity, networking, and IoT. In 2023, Steve was awarded Cybersecurity Innovation Leader of the Year by Enterprise Security Tech, and his 2024 RSA Conference talk was voted a Top Session.

Maureen Rosado

Founder
Pink Falcon Consulting Group

Alina Rivilis

Director Data ScienceHome Trust

Alina Rivilis is a distinguished leader in AI and data science, with over 20 years of experience in Machine Learning and Big Data. Alina leads teams of data scientists and ML engineers to deliver groundbreaking analytic and generative AI solutions, while crafting AI strategies that propel enterprises forward. Her expertise spans AI strategy, governance, and development, creating and deploying cutting-edge Machine Learning and AI products that drive significant business value across the enterprise. Alina holds a Master's in Statistics from York University and an MBA in Information Systems Management from the University of Phoenix, Arizona, reflecting her strong academic foundation. A passionate advocate for responsible and ethical AI, Alina Rivilis also serves as an Informatics professor at Northeastern University, where she shares her insights and nurtures the next generation of AI leaders. In 2023, she joined Home Trust Company, now Fairstone Bank of Canada, as Director of Data Science. In this pivotal role, she spearheads data science and AI initiatives, advancing analytics and fostering innovation throughout the company.

Dalia Shanshal

Founder & Principal Data & AI Consultant
Shanshal Consulting

Dalia is the founder of Shanshal Consulting. She has over 7 years of experience leading and developing data-driven solutions for organizations across several industries. Her passion, curiosity and avid desire for continuous learning shapes her interest in the world of data, where she focuses on knowledge discovery, data mining and insight extraction to help shape decision making. She is the recipient of 3 Bell Excellence and Innovation Awards, as well as the TMU Graduate Award. She is also an active educator, mentor, an speaker in the data science and AI community, teaching at the master's and undergraduate levels and participating in various events and platforms. Dalia’s experience includes competency at identifying research problems, designing frameworks, prioritizing goals, defining deliverables and presenting findings to a variety of audience ranging from conference audience, classroom, middle and senior management, executive level presentations as well as live broadcast experience. Dalia is also multilingual in English, French, Arabic and Spanish.

Sachin Shah

OT/ICS Cyber Security Architect
Applied Materials

Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Chief Cybersecurity Strategist | OT/ICS Security Architect | Proficient Semi-Conductor Cyber Security | Industry 4.0 Innovator | Public Speaker & Trusted Advisor Sachin is a seasoned Cyber Security leader with over 22 years of experience in the Global Semiconductor and Automotive Industries. His expertise includes Operational Technology Cyber Security, Digital Twin technology, Smart Factory solutions, Industrial 4.0, Edge Artificial Intelligence, Zero Trust frameworks, Risk Management, and strategic planning. He is known for developing comprehensive defense-in-depth strategies for Industrial Control Systems (ICS) and various Internet of Things (IoT) applications. Sachin has held key roles such as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Head of Operational Technology at Armis and has served on advisory boards at Acalvio and the University of California, Santa Barbara. He focuses on mentoring technical teams, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and delivering effective security projects. A visionary speaker, Sachin is frequently sought for his expertise in cyber challenges related to ICS and SCADA ecosystems. His diverse background spans Information Technology, Manufacturing, and Physical Security, solidifying his authority in cyber-related issues within these domains.

Iris Wang

President, Founder
UniCloud Institute

Iris Wang is an AI strategist and educator who brings information science and cognitive science to drive AI advancements. Drawing from her research background and experiences in technology consulting, banking, and transportation, she guides organizations to architect knowledge-enhanced AI ecosystems to adapt to a rapidly evolving landscape. Iris also speaks internationally and leads workshops on AI strategy and governance, knowledge systems, and pragmatic democratization of AI.

Felix Kues

Managing Partner & Founder
Aurelia Ventures

Felix Kues is the GP and Managing Partner of Aurelia Ventures, a pre-seed fund that invests in B2B Enterprise AI startups in the US. Aurelia Ventures guides founders for the first 2 years of their company lifecycle from the Inception to the Seed stage and invests along the way. Felix is also a participant in Harvard Business School's OPM program and graduated with a Master of Science in Entrepreneurship and Innovation from ESADE Business School.

Abhijit Shriyan

Global Head, Talent Acquisition
Global Investment Bank

Yelena Shtykel

Head of Cloud Data
Global Financial Institution

Ash Geria

CEO
Employvision

Matt Fok

CEO & Founder & CAIO
AIX Network

Howard Israel

Advisory Board Member
The Cybersphere Group

Diana Kelley

CISO
Protect AI

Diana Kelley is the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for Protect AI. She also serves on the boards of WiCyS, The Executive Women’s Forum (EWF), InfoSec World, CyberFuture Foundation, TechTarget Security Editorial, and DevNet AI/ML. Diana was Cybersecurity Field CTO for Microsoft, Global Executive Security Advisor at IBM Security, GM at Symantec, VP at Burton Group (now Gartner), a Manager at KPMG, CTO and co-founder of SecurityCurve, and Chief vCISO at SaltCybersecurity. Her extensive volunteer work has included serving on the ACM Ethics & Plagiarism Committee, Cybersecurity Committee Advisor at CompTIA, CTO and Board Member at Sightline Security, Advisory Board Chair at WOPLLI Technologies, Advisory Council member Bartlett College of Science and Mathematics, Bridgewater State University, and RSAC US Program Committee. She is a sought-after keynote speaker, the host of BrightTALK’s The (Security) Balancing Act, co-author of the books Practical Cybersecurity Architecture and Cryptographic Libraries for Developers, instructor for the LinkedIn Learning classes Security in AI and ML and Introduction to MLSecOps, has been a lecturer at Boston College's Masters program in cybersecurity, one of AuditBoard's Top 25 Resilient CISOs in 2024, a 2023 Global Cyber Security Hall of Fame Inductee, the EWF 2020 Executive of the Year and EWF Conference Chair 2021-Present, an SCMedia Power Player, and one of Cybersecurity Ventures 100 Fascinating Females Fighting Cybercrime.

John Schimanski

Chief Information Security Officer
Trivigil

Amyn Sarif

CISO Global Cybersecurity Advisor
CyberRisk Solutions Inc

Ron Zinnerman

Managing Partner
Z5 Professional Services

Ron Zinnerman is a managing partner at Z5 Professional Services, specializing in fractional CHRO and strategic advisor services, focusing on designing and implementing HR strategies, headcount planning, and talent attainment and retention strategies. With over 25 years of experience in the financial and professional services industry, he has a proven track record of aligning HR practices with business objectives to ensure sustainable success and growth. His ability to build and scale innovative technology solutions has improved engagement and productivity.

Ron has led global talent acquisition teams at Aon and Marsh McClennan and launched the Business Banking recruiting team at JPMorgan Chase.  Additionally, he is the co-creator of State Farm's Diversity Office and recently launched the DE&I Center of Excellence at Kemper Corporation in 2020.

Beyond his professional achievements, Ron is passionate about transforming underserved communities and positively impacting youth. He has partnered with community organizations to develop workforce development and re-skilling programs for individuals facing employment barriers, resulting in over 2,000 participants receiving workforce training and job placements.

A graduate of Eastern Illinois University with a degree in Finance, Ron is a past board member of CARA Collective, a non-profit organization that provides jobs and training for formerly homeless individuals. He currently serves as the Board Secretary for Homewood School District 153. Ron resides in the Chicago area with his wife and three daughters. 

Ken Rauch

Global Ambassador
MIT Sloan CIO Symposium

Brian Keil

Managing Partner
Alumni Ventures

Varun Gautam

Head - Talent Supply Chain
Persistent Systems

Anis Maniar

Technology Leader

Maggie Remynse

Vice President of Curriculum @ Data Camp

Data and Artificial Intelligence professional with over 10 years of experience in EdTech, upskilling both individuals and corporations world-wide.

Marcus McGehee

Founder The AI Consulting Lab

I help people do more with less effort, using AI. It is my mission to help as many people as I can to take part of the once in a generation wealth transfer that AI will bring.

Andy Ellis

Partner
YL Ventures

Elisa Valente

Data Scientist
Bandora

Elisa Valente is a Data Scientist with a background in Computer Science and Engineering. At BANDORA, a fast-growing Portuguese startup, Elisa leads the development of an advanced HVAC consumption optimization system. Her role involves creating adaptive solutions that integrate seamlessly with multiple building infrastructures. Previously, she conducted research at University College London, where she focused on detecting network attacks using adversarial deep learning. Her interests include heuristic algorithms, greener AI, athletics, and nature activities.

Andrew Grill

AI Expert, Former Global Managing Partner
IBM

Andrew Grill is a globally recognised AI expert, futurist, and tech industry leader with over 30 years of experience driving innovation and success within technology companies. Ranked among the world’s top 10 futurist speakers and a finalist for AI Expert of the Year, Andrew is renowned for delivering insightful, action-oriented keynotes that resonate with audiences worldwide. As a former Global Managing Partner at IBM, Andrew has worked closely with senior executives from Vodafone, Adobe, DHL, Nike, Nestle, Bupa, Mars, Sanofi, Dell Technologies, and the NHS. His expertise spans critical topics such as Generative AI, Agentic AI, quantum computing, edge computing, digital transformation, and workplace innovation, making him a trusted advisor to organisations navigating rapid technological change across multiple industries. Andrew has delivered 600 keynotes in 50 countries, captivating corporate audiences with clear strategies for leveraging AI and digital disruption. He has appeared regularly on BBC Television and Radio, as well as Sky News and LBC Radio. His bestselling book Digitally Curious and popular podcast of the same name explore how technology is reshaping society and business, offering tools to stay ahead of change.