Events

Josiah Koons is a distinguished creative operations leader renowned for his ability to tackle and resolve complex creative challenges. With over 15 years of experience in enhancing creativity and operational efficiency in roles such as Creative Director for Bandai Namco, Josiah has consistently demonstrated an exceptional aptitude for fostering environments where innovation and productivity can thrive.

As the Senior Director of Studios at Quad, Devin represents 12 global content studios, transforming high-volume operations into well-oiled machines that drive creativity and collaboration. With over 25 years in creative services, Devin is a master at building supportive studio cultures, streamlining workflows, and leveraging technology to maximize efficiency and innovation.

Dave has spent two decades in publishing, creative and technology companies developing operating models. Recently, he has been working with Canva, the design technology unicorn, where he is the creative and production operations partner responsible for developing the in-house agency, the agency partner network and assisting with the rollout of international creative development.

Previous to this, he worked with agencies, governments and brands to develop their own creative processes that focussed on each businesses unique operating environment and offering to the market.

Stephen Deshong is a Senior Sales Manager at Acquia, specializing in Digital Asset Management (DAM) and Product Information Management (PIM). With a wealth of experience from Widen, now part of Acquia, Stephen excels in addressing clients’ DAM needs and guiding them through the adoption of Acquia’s industry-leading content solutions, enhancing marketing workflows and ROI.

Karen Sobel is a Professor and a Teaching & Learning Librarian at the University of Colorado Denver (US). She also directs her university’s Center for Faculty Development & Advancement. She holds a Doctor of Education (University of Colorado Denver), a Master of Science in Library Science and a Master of Arts in English (both from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), and a Bachelor of Arts in English (Penn State University).

Melissa Bowles-Terry is a professor and library liaison to the College of Sciences at University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Melissa is the former Director of the Faculty Center at UNLV, where she coordinated programming to support faculty teaching, research, and career development. She also previously served as Head of Educational Initiatives at UNLV Libraries. Melissa earned a Master's degree in Library and Information Science at University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and a Master of Arts in English at Utah State University.

Lisa Christensen is the Director of Learning Design and Innovation at McKinsey & Company, leading a global team to innovate exceptional learning and leadership development offerings. She founded and heads McKinsey’s Learning Research and Innovation lab, translating academic research into cutting-edge learning practices. A recognized thought leader, Lisa has authored influential articles on intentional learning, modern apprenticeship, and feedback culture, showcasing her commitment to science-backed innovation.

Shambhavi Gupta brings nearly 15 years of customer experience and innovation expertise, boasting a distinguished track record of delivering exceptional results for global industry leaders. Her specialisation in storytelling, conceptualisation, service and system thinking, and digital innovation sets her apart as a visionary in her field. Currently heading the Experience Design and Innovation team at Incedo Inc. in India, Shambhavi oversees some of the company's largest and most critical clients.

Grace Brumley is an LA-based art and creative director known for her expertise in photography and design direction. Over her decade-long career, she has blended strategic thinking with creative storytelling to bring brands to life across digital, social, print, and experiential. Grace has partnered with a diverse range of clients, from innovative Bay Area startups like Everlane, True Botanicals, and Thirdlove, to some of the world's largest retail giants.