Some partial background imagery generated by Photoshop Generative AI, October 8, 2025
Sinead Bovell
Sinead Bovell, Founder, WAYE
Sinead Bovell is a futurist and the founder of tech education company, WAYE, an organization that prepares businesses and the next generation of leaders for a future shaped by advanced technologies.
Sinead advises C- suite executives and senior leadership across governments, global corporations, and startups alike, with a core focus on emerging and exponential technologies and their implications for economic and national security, as well as long- term business strategy and model adaptation. She is an 11- time United Nations speaker and has delivered formal addresses to presidents, royalty, and Fortune 500 leaders on topics ranging from synthetic biology to artificial intelligence. She currently serves as an expert advisor to the United Nations AI Advisory Body, focusing on the future of work and AI’s long-term trajectory.
Sinead is one of the most sought-after voices on artificial intelligence and the future of education. She has advised over 17,000 educators, government officials, and policymakers worldwide on redesigning education for the age of AI and emerging technologies. Her recent talk at SXSW on AI and the Future of Education was accredited by the Association of Texas Professional Educators for a CPE credit.
Sinead is a member of the Bretton Woods Committee, where she contributes to strengthening multilateral systems to address 21st-century global challenges. She is also a regular tech commentator for platforms such as CNN, NBC, and CTV, where she discusses the societal impact of emerging technologies.
Sinead was named one of the top 50 voices shaping the future by Afrotech, received the Mozilla Rise 25 award for her work in championing the development of open and responsible AI ecosystems, and was dubbed the AI educator for the non-nerds by Vogue magazine.
Dan Shipper
Dan Shipper, CEO and Co-founder, Every
Dan Shipper is the CEO and co-founder of Every, a daily newsletter on business, AI, and personal development read by almost 75,000 founders, operators, and investors. He also hosts the show 'AI & I' where he interviews founders, executives, investors, artists, filmmakers and more about how they use AI in their work and in their lives.
Previously he was the CEO and co-founder of Firefly, an enterprise software company that he sold to Pegasystems. He writes a weekly column at Every called Chain of Thought where he covers AI, tools for thought, and the psychology of work.
Dave Treat
Dave Treat, Chief Technology Officer, Pearson
Dave Treat is Pearson's Chief Technology Officer responsible for its Digital & Technology organisation as well as Innovation, Ventures, and AI Center of Excellence. He has nearly 30 years of experience in tech spanning generative AI, spatial computing, Web 3, and quantum computing. He is an active member of CNBC's Technology Executive Council, and the World Economic Forum's Global Futures Council on Financial Education. He is the Board Chair of the Global Blockchain Business Council and a member of the transitional board of Arya.
Before joining Pearson, he held senior technology and strategy roles at Accenture, UBS Investment Bank, and Deloitte.
Dave holds over 100 patents in areas like distributed ledger technology, digital identity, and confidential computing. He has also been involved in several tech and industry boards, such as the Linux Hyperledger Foundation, Linux Open Wallet Foundation, and Digital Dollar Project.
He has a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of Michigan and a degree in Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania.
Jessica Bernards
Jessica Bernards, Curriculum consultant, Author, University of Oregon
Jessica Bernards is an award-winning mathematics educator and consultant with nearly two decades of experience. She teaches at the University of Oregon and Portland Community College and is the founder of Jessica Bernards Consulting, where she partners with institutions and organizations on equitable grading, leadership, and AI in education. Jessica serves as Northwest Vice President of AMATYC, keynotes at national conferences, and leads faculty workshops. A curriculum consultant, textbook author, and creator of a math study skills series, she champions active, inclusive learning.
Muireann Hendricksen
Dr. Muireann Hendriksen, Principal Research Scientist, Pearson
Dr. Muireann Hendriksen is a Principal Research Scientist on the R&D and Thought Leadership team at Pearson, where she leads cross-functional qualitative research to understand and improve learner outcomes. With a background spanning academia and the public health sector, Muireann specializes in impact evaluation and behaviour change, bringing deep expertise in qualitative methodologies and data storytelling to drive better product and business decisions.
Abby Holm
Dr. Abby Holm, Quantitative research scientist, Pearson
Dr. Abby Holm holds a PhD in Applied Social and Health Psychology and a background K–12 and higher education. She is currently a quantitative research scientist on the Research & Development Thought Leadership team at Pearson, where she leverages data-driven insights to inform educational innovation. Her recent work focuses on the future of education and work in the age of generative AI, exploring how emerging technologies can transform learning, evaluation, and the design of educational experiences.
Omar Abbosh
Omar Abbosh, Chief Executive, Pearson
Omar has a career spanning more than 30 years driving growth and transformation for leading multinational companies. He joined Pearson with a background steeped in technology and innovation, and with a deep understanding of how to shape and execute successful strategies in a world of disruption.
Most recently, Omar was the President of Microsoft Industry Solutions with responsibility for driving sales, service and solutions across Microsoft’s largest customers. While there he led industry and technical business units, including strategy, engineering, partnering and sales teams that shaped product roadmaps and strategic campaigns. Prior to Microsoft, Omar spent three decades at Accenture where he helped to orchestrate the company’s digital transformation, and led a large and highly successful business unit. He served in numerous senior leadership roles at Accenture, including Chief Strategy Officer and ultimately as Chief Executive of the global Communications, Technology and Media business.
Omar was previously a Non-Executive Director of Zuora, Inc., an enterprise SaaS company. He holds a degree in electronic engineering and information sciences from the University of Cambridge and a Master’s degree in business administration from INSEAD.
Rachel Wortman Morris
Dr. Rachel Wortman Morris, Director of NextGen-Higher Ed, Microsoft
Dr. Rachel Wortman Morris is a distinguished leader in the tech industry, currently serving as the Director of Microsoft’s NextGen-Higher Ed team. She was the co-creator of both the Microsoft Learn for Educators program and the Microsoft AI Business School. In addition to her work at Microsoft, Dr. Wortman Morris is a Clinical Associate Professor in the School of Public Health at the University of Washington and was appointed to the National AI Business Industry Leadership Team of the National Applied AI Consortium.
Matt Sanders
Matt Sanders, Director of Wearables, Meta
Matthew Sanders is Director of Wearables at Meta, where he leads the company’s efforts to advance innovative, responsible use of emerging technologies in education and beyond. Previously, he served as Director of XR Education, overseeing Meta’s global education policy strategy and partnerships to support the adoption of immersive learning. Before joining Meta in 2020, Matthew was Policy Director and Chief Adviser to New Zealand’s Minister of Education and Special Adviser to the UK Deputy Prime Minister. Across both countries, he led major reforms aimed at raising standards and narrowing socio-economic achievement gaps in education.
Dr. Derek Weber
Dr. Derek Weber, Professor, Raritan Valley Community College
Dr. Derek Weber is a Professor of Biology and Microbiology at Raritan Valley Community College, with over 20 years of experience in higher education. He earned his Ph.D. in Biomolecular Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is a co-author of Microbiology: An Introduction, 14th edition. A recipient of several awards for innovative teaching, Dr. Weber is passionate about integrating instructional technology to create learning environments where all students, regardless of their backgrounds, identities, or abilities, have equal opportunities to succeed.