Our speakers

---

Founder: LeoBella Inc and the World Orphanage Foundation

Sara Kazimi is a visionary who believes deeply in unity, art, and expression, a philosophy that resonates throughout all of her work and personal life. As the founder of LeoBella Inc. and the World Orphanage Foundation, she has fulfilled her dream of empowering others to share in this mission. Her passion as a creator and entrepreneur has connected with over 140,000 loyal customers who all share that same vision. Having been uprooted from a tumultuous, war-torn region and now building her life as a woman in the United States, the principles of expression, freedom of expression, art, and empowerment are synonymous with every project she undertakes.

Years prior, while on a journey of self-discovery, one of her most significant breakthroughs was the success she achieved in the banking industry. That experience taught her structure, business finance, and how to understand numbers, agreements, financial statements, and the venture capital investment process. This foundation provided her with the critical insight and knowledge to grasp the entrepreneurial spirit in her current work within design and fashion.

She excels at facilitating business relationships that enable a mutual understanding of varied market conditions and baseline commonality between diverse consumer populations. She builds collaborative initiatives that ignite blended business strategy and productivity without impeding cost or timeline of deliverables.

As the Creative Director for LeoBella, she oversees the design of premium luxury clutch purses and handbags. Each piece is designed and handcrafted to bring out the dazzling shine of the genuine Swarovski crystals that adorn its surface. She also leads the design of jewelry and private label goods, where every piece is created with exquisite workmanship and attention to detail. In this role, she is responsible for the creative strategy, from production to procurement, to maximize impact when entering a new market. She has been instrumental in establishing, developing, and maintaining the creative, conceptual, and design standards in line with the company's established brand identity.

Founder, CEO & CIO

With over 40 years of experience identifying and investing in innovation, Cathie founded ARK to focus solely on disruptive innovation while adding new dimensions to research. Through an open approach that cuts across sectors, market capitalizations, and geographies, Cathie believes that ARK can identify large-scale investment opportunities in the public markets resulting from technological innovations centered around multiomic sequencing, robotics, artificial intelligence, energy storage, and blockchain 

technology. 

Maggie Wu is a cryptocurrency pioneer, investor, and entrepreneur with over 20 years of global  experience across multiple industries.  In 2017, she founded Krypital Group, a global venture capital firm and incubator specializing in  crypto investments, trading, and mining. Krypital has supported over 100 successful projects,  including Animoca Brands, Injective, and TruBit, with many achieving 100x+ returns.  In 2020, Maggie founded Galactic Holdings to empower LATAM users through digital financial  products like TruBit Business, TruBit Wallet, a Mastercard prepaid card, and TruBit Pro for  trading. Initially a pioneer in compliant fiat on-and-off ramp services in Mexico, Argentina,  Colombia, Peru, Brazil, and Hong Kong, TruBit has since expanded its trading, remittance, and  payment services across Asia, LATAM, US and Europe.   Under Maggie’s leadership, TruBit has solidified its position in stablecoin-driven global  payments, transforming traditional bank transfers and driving crypto adoption worldwide. 

Founder/CEO: Global CSR Foundation

Advisory Committee Member: Chinese Culture Foundation

Member: Global Young Leaders Foundation (UN Consultative Status Organization)

Recipient of the Women’s Corporate Achievement Award from the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) and the Global Achievement Award from the Chinese Culture Foundation

Honorary Chairperson: Boao Forum for Global Women’s Cultural Brand Influence Development Conference

Ms. Jing Zhao Cesarone is an accomplished civic and business leader with over 30 years of experience in NGO management, business strategy, and cross-cultural communications. She has participated in nearly 100 cross-border projects in education, cultural exchange, and international business. Ms. Zhao started her career in 1993 as a business journalist at China Daily. In 1996, she joined Siemens (China) Ltd., where she led national branding efforts. From 1999 to 2001, she served as a Business Strategy Summit Producer for ICM Group in Chicago. In 2023, she successfully organized three forums addressing climate challenges at COP28’s Blue Zone with dozens of renowned scholars from home and abroad. In 2001, Ms. Zhao founded ChinaWise in Chicago, Illinois, actively promoting business and cultural exchanges between China and the U.S.

In April 2014, she received the Women’s Corporate Achievement Award from the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) and served as Director of Diversity for Chicago chapter. Ms. Zhao graduated from Beijing International Studies University in 1991 with a bachelor’s degree in International Business and obtained a second bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Renmin University of China in 1993. She earned her Master’s degree in Communications from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2000.

Founder and CEO

Alena Afanaseva, CEO and founder of Beincrypto.com, brings over a decade of traditional finance experience to the decentralized economy. Since 2018, she’s grown the platform into a global crypto news hub with 8M monthly visitors and a 200 member team from 60+ countries. Beincrypto.com covers news in 20 languages, ensuring a broad reach. Alena’s expertise spans macroeconomics, monetary policy, and financial asset analysis. She’s also a passionate advocate for women’s empowerment in web3. Committed to unbiased reporting, she drives digital finance evolution while promoting diversity.

Title: Vice President of Industry Relations / Executive Director of the Bitcoin Treasury Council

Company/Organizations: The Digital Chamber

Company Intro: The Digital Chamber is an organization dedicated to advancing the digital assets and blockchain industry.

Personal Intro: Merris Badcock is Vice President of Industry Relations at The Digital Chamber and Executive Director of the Bitcoin Treasury Council. A former award-winning investigative journalist, she brings over a decade of experience in uncovering truth and shaping narratives. Today, she helps companies and non-profits—especially in the digital assets and blockchain sector—cut through misinformation and tell their stories with clarity and impact. Her career highlights include a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award and two Suncoast Regional Emmy Awards. Beyond communications, Merris is passionate about conservation-driven development and consults with her family’s real estate ventures. With a unique mix of media expertise and strategic insight, she empowers organizations to build credibility, strengthen their voice, and lead in emerging industries.

Status: Active — continuing to lead industry relations at The Digital Chamber and the Bitcoin Treasury Council, shaping narratives in the blockchain sector and advising companies on communication, trust, and policy engagement.

Title: CMO / Investor Relations Partner

Company/Organizations: Creative AI-first Agency

Company Intro: A creative AI-first agency helping brands and startups harness emerging technology for narrative, growth, and behavior-driven strategy.

Personal Intro: Marina Solovyov is the CMO of a creative AI-first agency helping brands and startups harness emerging technology for narrative, growth, and behavior-driven strategy. She also works in investor relations with select partners, supporting capital raises and portfolio development across Web3, AI, and climate, with expertise in AI and education. Marina entered the digital assets space during the 2020 lockdowns in Morocco, where a global vantage point sparked her deep dive into blockchain and decentralized tools. Since returning to Boston, she has collaborated with founders, family offices, and creative infrastructure teams in New York and San Francisco. Earlier in her career, she launched and exited a wellness retreat in Tokyo in a $10M deal. Today, she is active in the Boston DAO and blockchain communities at Harvard and MIT, focusing on helping Web3 platforms bridge the gap between cutting-edge tech and compelling stories.

Status: Active — driving AI-first brand and investor strategies while expanding work across Web3, climate, and education; actively supporting startups, capital raises, and innovation in emerging technologies.

Title: CEO, Founder

Company/Organizations: Check Check Productions

Company Intro: Check Check Productions is a boutique production company specializing in high-end technical event design and execution. Known for its meticulous attention to detail, the company delivers immersive experiences through world-class lighting, sound, and visual production. Guided by the belief that every event should start with the “why,” the team ensures each project resonates with clients’ goals while creating memorable cultural and brand impact.

Personal Intro: Ana Foley is a dynamic entrepreneur and fine art dealer who works at the intersection of culture, capital, and influence. With roots in premium event production, she has produced experiences for leading global brands including Google, Toyota, Vogue, and Bentley. Her career reflects a blend of strategic business development, marketing expertise, and investor relations, combined with a strong aesthetic vision shaped by years in the creative industries. In addition to leading Check Check Productions with her co-founder, Devin Foley, Ana has built a growing presence in fine art and investment advisory, curating opportunities for high-net-worth clients and collectors.

Status: Active — Foley continues to expand her dual focus on event production and fine art investment, positioning herself as a connector between innovation, storytelling, and cultural value.

Title: Film Producer

Company/Organizations: Independent Productions / “Absolutely Amazing”

Company Intro: Ying Zhao is an award-winning film producer whose work bridges cinema, emerging technologies, and global culture. Her documentary, Absolutely Amazing, centered on Web3.0, AI, blockchain, NFTs, and the impact of these technologies on industries and daily life, has earned international acclaim. The film has won eight awards across different film festivals and was recognized with the Rising Star Award at the 78th Cannes Film Festival. The project was released theatrically and highlighted through an RSVP cinema screening, establishing Zhao as a producer with both creative vision and cultural foresight.

Personal Intro: With a background that blends media innovation and cross-cultural collaboration, Ying Zhao is dedicated to producing films that both entertain and provoke dialogue about the future. She specializes in weaving together complex subjects—such as digital transformation and new economies—into stories accessible to global audiences. Beyond her film achievements, Zhao actively explores the intersections of Web3, AI, and creative industries, positioning herself as a thought leader at the frontier of technology and storytelling.

Status: Active — Zhao continues to expand her work in film production and innovation, shaping conversations about the cultural and economic impact of emerging technologies.

Title: Co-Founder

Company/Organizations: BitBasel (Digital Art Basel)

Company Intro: BitBasel is a pioneering digital‑art‑meets‑Web3 platform that bridges the worlds of art, technology, and blockchain. Since its launch in December 2020, it has become a global leader in curating immersive exhibitions, educational experiences, and digital asset activations—most notably during Miami Art Week at the iconic Sagamore Hotel—redefining modern artistic expression and engagement.

Personal Intro: A Miami native trained in architecture and geospatial science, Scarlett Arana brings a unique interdisciplinary lens as co‑founder of BitBasel. Over the past decade, she has spearheaded community initiatives across blockchain, the metaverse, spacetech, oceantech, and other emerging ecosystems—alongside serving as a UN SDG 14 ambassador—demonstrating her passion for using technology for social and environmental impact. She is especially dedicated to empowering and educating young women about emerging technologies.

Status: Active — Scarlett continues to drive BitBasel’s innovative programming and community-building efforts, positioning herself at the forefront of art-tech culture, and fostering inclusivity, education, and impact within the emerging Web3 and creative tech landscape.

Title: Co-Founder

Company/Organizations: NYC Fintech Women, GTM Guild

Company Intro: NYC Fintech Women is a leading network founded to empower, connect, and advance women in the financial technology sector. With thousands of members, the organization fosters professional growth through mentorship, education, and community events, creating visibility and opportunities for women leaders in fintech. GTM Guild, co-founded by Sasha, is a strategic network for go-to-market executives, designed to exchange insights, accelerate growth, and support founders and operators scaling innovative companies.

Personal Intro: Sasha Pilch is a fintech leader, connector, and strategic advisor with a proven record of building communities and supporting high-growth companies. She serves as a board member and advisor to various startups, offering expertise across business development, fundraising, and go-to-market strategy. Her career reflects a consistent commitment to championing women in fintech and amplifying underrepresented voices in technology. Beyond organizational leadership, Sasha curates influential networks such as her list of the “Top 27 Women in Fintech,” providing visibility to female leaders shaping the industry.

Status: Active — Sasha is currently expanding her advisory portfolio while co-leading initiatives that intersect fintech, innovation, and inclusive leadership. She is also a sought-after speaker at industry gatherings and conferences.

Title: Chief Executive Officer

Company/Organizations: SiriusXM

Company Intro: SiriusXM is the leading audio entertainment company in North America, reaching tens of millions of listeners through satellite radio, streaming platforms, and premium content partnerships. The company offers curated music channels, live sports, news, comedy, and exclusive talk programming, including collaborations with some of the most recognizable voices in media. With a mission to connect audiences through the power of sound, SiriusXM continues to innovate at the intersection of entertainment and technology.

Personal Intro: Jennifer Witz is an accomplished media executive and the current CEO of SiriusXM. She has played a central role in steering the company’s transformation from satellite radio provider to a diversified audio platform that includes Pandora and Stitcher. Known for her strategic vision and ability to scale consumer brands, Witz has overseen growth in digital subscriptions, expanded partnerships across automotive and tech sectors, and led investments in podcasting and emerging audio formats. Her leadership is defined by a balance of operational rigor and creative innovation, ensuring SiriusXM remains a leader in a highly competitive entertainment landscape.

Status: Active — Witz continues to lead SiriusXM’s expansion in digital streaming, podcasts, and next-generation in-car entertainment.

Title: Founding Partner; Blockchain & Healthcare Expert

Company/Organizations: ImpactRooms; UN/CEFACT; AdanianLabs Africa; Americas Continental Health Alliance; Global Blockchain Ventures; Limitless Ventures; Aquarium Ventures; Equideum Health

Company Intro: Dr. Alex Cahana is a seasoned physician and pioneering figure in Web 3.0 transformation, particularly within emerging and developing economies. He is a founding partner at ImpactRooms, an enterprise accelerator empowering early-stage startups to scale sustainably using blockchain-powered innovation. As a recognized Blockchain and Healthcare Expert, he contributes at the UN/CEFACT, while also serving on the boards of AdanianLabs Africa and the Americas Continental Health Alliance, and acting as a venture partner at Global Blockchain Ventures, Limitless Ventures, and Aquarium Ventures.

Personal Intro: With over 25 years of clinical and academic experience—including roles at the Department of Defense, Veterans Health Administration, and the University of Washington—Dr. Cahana bridges medicine, science, technology, and finance to reshape healthcare through digital transformation. He envisions shifting citizens from passive healthcare consumers to active “health and wealth producers,” pioneering concepts like Universal Health Income. A decorated officer in the Israeli Defense Forces, he has received multiple honors, such as the American Pain Society’s Center of Excellence, JCAHO Best Practice, the AAMC Innovation Healthcare Award, and the University of Washington President’s Medal for leadership and social impact.

Status: Active — Dr. Cahana remains at the forefront of integrating Web3 with healthcare, advising global organizations and fostering technological advancement across continents.

Title: Founder & CEO

Company/Organizations: Tapango Technologies Inc. (ATHLETICA Rewards™ / ATHLETICA Protect™)

Company Intro: Tapango Technologies Inc. is an innovative Canadian technology company focused on the intersection of sports, wellness, and financial technology. Through its flagship products, ATHLETICA Rewards™ and ATHLETICA Protect™, the company builds platforms that incentivize healthy living, protect athlete interests, and drive community engagement. By leveraging data, rewards, and digital experiences, Tapango creates tools that empower individuals and organizations to connect performance with measurable value.

Personal Intro: Angella Goran is a dynamic entrepreneur, athlete, and team leader with a vision for merging sports culture and technology. As Founder & CEO of Tapango Technologies, she has championed solutions that enhance how athletes, fans, and organizations engage with wellness and protection programs. With a background in leadership and community building, Goran has consistently focused on driving impact through innovation and collaboration. Beyond her executive role, she actively contributes to Canada’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, drawing on her experiences in business, technology, and athletics.

Status: Active — Goran continues to lead Tapango Technologies’ growth, positioning ATHLETICA platforms as trusted solutions in sports tech, health, and rewards innovation.

Title: CEO & Founder

Company/Organizations: HVM Communications

Company Intro: HVM Communications is a strategic branding and communications firm based in New York. The company partners with founders, executives, and organizations to craft clear, authentic narratives that resonate with audiences and drive measurable impact. Through storytelling, messaging, and brand strategy, HVM helps leaders communicate their vision with confidence and credibility, building lasting trust in competitive markets.

Personal Intro: Laura Henson is an accomplished communications leader, entrepreneur, and investor with deep expertise in branding and storytelling. As CEO and Founder of HVM Communications, she has worked with clients across industries to articulate their identity and amplify their influence. Recognized as one of the 100 Women to KNOW in America 2025, she also serves as a Global Advisor for Women Leaders of the World, a board member of How Women Lead, and a member of the Goodnation Board of Directors. Her career is defined by a passion for helping leaders find the words that reflect who they are and what they stand for—delivered with clarity, honesty, and impact. In addition to her professional achievements, Henson is a sought-after speaker and mentor, championing women’s leadership and entrepreneurship globally.

Status: Active — continuing to grow HVM Communications while advising, investing, and speaking on leadership and branding worldwide.

Title: Wealth Management Advisor

Company/Organization: Morgan Stanley

Company Intro: Morgan Stanley is a global leader in investment banking, securities, and wealth management, serving corporations, governments, institutions, and high-net-worth individuals worldwide. Its Wealth Management division provides customized strategies designed to preserve and grow client assets across generations and geographies.

Personal Intro: Sana Bao is a Wealth Management Advisor at Morgan Stanley, specializing in cross-border wealth and customized financial strategies for high-net-worth families, entrepreneurs, and corporate executives. She earned a Master’s degree in Advanced Management and Finance from Columbia University, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Accounting from Xi’an University of Finance and Economics. Sana focuses on tailoring solutions that align with each client’s goals and risk preferences, offering bespoke wealth strategies for complex financial situations. Leveraging her unique international perspective, she helps clients manage significant wealth portfolios with a global outlook. In addition, Sana is committed to designing highly personalized solutions that address the multifaceted challenges her clients face in wealth preservation and growth.

Status: Active — continuing to advise global clients on wealth management while shaping innovative, cross-border financial strategies.

Title: Crypto Lead

Company/Organizations: Silicon Valley Bank (SVB)

Company Intro: Silicon Valley Bank is a financial partner to the world’s most innovative companies and investors, offering banking solutions across technology, life sciences, venture capital, and fintech. With a strong focus on emerging sectors like blockchain and digital assets, SVB supports startups and enterprises navigating the evolving innovation economy.

Personal Intro: Anthony Vassallo is a finance and crypto professional based in Austin, Texas, specializing in digital assets, blockchain, and emerging financial technologies. At Silicon Valley Bank, he focuses on building relationships with crypto and Web3 companies, providing tailored banking solutions and strategic guidance to help them scale. A graduate of the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business, Anthony combines a strong foundation in business with deep expertise in digital innovation. His career reflects a commitment to supporting founders and investors operating at the frontier of finance, bridging traditional banking with the rapidly expanding world of crypto.

Status: Active — Anthony continues to play a role in shaping SVB’s crypto strategy while engaging with startups, venture firms, and innovators redefining the future of financial services.

Title: AI Strategist, Investor, UN Advisor

Company/Organizations: Mayfield; Going Global Ventures; International Data Center Authority (IDCA); Franklin Templeton AI

Company Intro: Mark Minevich is a globally recognized thought leader in artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and innovation strategy. As a Strategic Partner at Mayfield, one of Silicon Valley’s leading venture capital firms, and President of Going Global Ventures in New York, he works at the nexus of venture capital, policy, and emerging technologies. His mission is to accelerate AI-first innovation, helping enterprises, institutions, and governments harness the power of advanced technology to transform industries.

Personal Intro: With decades of experience advising sovereign innovation bodies, public institutions, and Fortune 500 companies, Mark Minevich is a trusted advisor to global leaders navigating the digital economy. He serves on the board of the International Data Center Authority (IDCA) and as an advisory board member of Franklin Templeton AI. Recognized internationally as an AI strategist, he has collaborated with the United Nations to shape policies advancing sustainable and inclusive technology adoption. In addition, Mark is a shareholder and advisor to scale-ups and startups across Silicon Valley, combining investment expertise with visionary leadership.

Status: Active — continuing to drive AI innovation, guide global digital transformation strategies, and mentor the next generation of technology leaders.

Title: Co-Founder, Onboard Creative Inc.; Director, Alisan Fine Arts (New York)

Company/Organizations: Onboard Creative Inc.; Alisan Fine Arts

Company Intro: Onboard Creative Inc. is a Web3 curatorial and strategy platform co-founded by Daniel Chen. The company advises artists and creators on digital art, blockchain adoption, and NFT strategies, while also building ONBD.XYZ — a blockchain-enabled audience management platform that helps digital creators engage with and track their fanbase.

Personal Intro: Daniel Chen is a curator, technologist, and entrepreneur working at the intersection of contemporary art and Web3 innovation. As Co-Founder of Onboard Creative, he develops strategies that empower artists to adopt blockchain tools and reach global audiences in new ways. He also completed Springboard’s Web Developer Bootcamp, gaining full-stack expertise in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python, SQL, ReactJS, and NodeJS — skills that strengthen his ability to bridge creative vision with technical execution. Alongside his Web3 ventures, Daniel directs Alisan Fine Arts in New York, focusing on Chinese Diasporic and Asian American artists. His career includes leading public art projects in the U.S., China, and Hong Kong, and placing works in major museum collections worldwide. A former touring musician, Daniel brings a multidisciplinary perspective that unites art, music, and technology to shape the future of creative industries.

Status: Active — building new Web3 infrastructure for the arts while leading cross-disciplinary projects that merge culture and technology.