Our speakers

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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: 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: 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: MD, Mch, Orth

Neel Anand, MD, serves as Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and Director of the Cedars-Sinai Spine Center at the renowned Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. He also serves as Chairman of the Department of Orthopaedics and Spine and Director of Education, Research and Spine Fellowship at DOCS Surgical Hospital in Los Angeles. Dr. Anand's primary area of research interest involves minimally invasive surgical techniques for spinal disorders and trauma, which result in smaller incisions, faster recovery and better patient outcomes for both adults and children. Dr. Anand is certified by the Royal College of Surgeons in England and the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery, and he is licensed in California, New York, Nevada, England and India.

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.