Adam is a career coach, data science consultant, and frequently published author. As a career coach he helps others enter and level up in data related professions. As a data science consultant he provides research, data science, machine learning, and data governance services. He holds a PhD from The University of Wisconsin - Madison in Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis. Adam is also formerly an attorney with a history of working in higher education, teaching all ages, and working as an educational administrator. Adam sees it as important for him to focus time, energy, and attention on projects that may promote access, equity, and integrity in the field of data science. This commitment means he strives to find ways for his work to challenge system oppression, injustice, and inequity. He is passionate about connecting with other data professionals in person and online. If you are looking to enter or level-up in data science one of the best places to get started is to visit coaching.adamrossnelson.com.

Ms. Phillips, a dynamic entrepreneur and a dedicated PhD candidate in Business Administration focusing on business intelligence, embodies a unique blend of academic rigor and pragmatic expertise, particularly in the realm of pricing optimization utilizing artificial intelligence. Her executive leadership at Inner Works Pro, steering it towards intelligent automation projects, and her advisory role in the Digital Marketing Certificate Program at The George Washington University School of Business, portray a seasoned professional adept at bridging theory with real-world application.

A commendable facet of Ms. Phillips’ profile is her military background as a combat veteran, which has imbued her with a disciplined approach to her ventures. This disciplined ethos extends to her philanthropic endeavors, most notably with SAVI - Strategic Alliance Veteran Integration, a nonprofit committed to facilitating a smooth transition for military members into civilian sectors. Under her guidance, SAVI launched the Tech Program, opening doors for military veterans to modern-day tech opportunities, resonating with her professional and academic trajectory focused on tech-driven solutions.

As an advisor for the Data Universe event, Ms. Phillips’ diverse background converges to offer a rich, multifaceted perspective. Her engagement in intelligent automation, coupled with her research in AI-driven pricing optimization, aligns with the event's mission to foster a robust dialogue on data, analytics, and AI. Her military discipline, combined with her passion for tech-centric social impact, brings a distinctive depth to the advisory board.

Ms. Phillips' role at the Data Universe event is a synergic platform, poised to enrich the dialogues on data and AI innovations with her seasoned insights, while also reflecting her continual commitment to leveraging tech for societal advancement. Her presence on the advisory board not only augments the quality of discourse but also epitomizes the blend of tech-savvy entrepreneurship and socially conscious engagement that the Data Universe event aspires to promote.

David Savlowitz is CEO & Founder of Competitive Analytics located in Newport Beach, California USA, a professor at the University of California Irvine teaching Predictive Analytics for the Master of Science in Business Analytics program, and visiting professor for Swiss Education Group teaching Business Strategy, Data-Driven Decision Making, and Data Visualization in Leysin and Brig Switzerland. David is also a sought-after speaker on economics, business strategy, predictive analytics, machine learning, AI, consumer trends, and data visualization.

Perpetually at the forefront of data science, economics, and analytics, David has over 30 years of experience delivering both strategic and tactical solutions to the world’s most successful organizations. And celebrating his 23rd year in business, Competitive Analytics is an innovative, full-service, multi-industry analytics organization that helps the world’s most successful organizations analyze their data and the competitive forces affecting them . . . with a customized business intelligence approach that addresses the challenges unique to each organization. With deep expertise in advanced mathematics, data science, applied statistics, predictive analytics, and machine learning coupled with best-in-class analytics application programming, clients span all sectors and industries . . . from Fortune 1000 companies such as Boeing, Honda, Toyota, Yamaha, Macy’s/Bloomingdales, Amgen, Extended Stay America, Cetera Financial, Parker Hannifin, Quest Diagnostics, Eaton, Southern California Edison, and Bank of America to the smallest SMBs and niche firms to municipalities such the cities of Anaheim, Riverside, and Ontario, David built a career solving extremely complex problems, creating innovative data and analytics methodologies, synthesizing labyrinthine concepts . . . and breaking many outdated rules in the process.

Prior experience includes Director of Market Research at Irvine Company and Senior Analyst at Ernst & Young. David earned a B.S. and M.B.A. from Arizona State University while studying Computer Science, Classical Music, and Jazz Composition. When he has spare time, David reads psychology and philosophy and writes and records original music in his state-of-the-art recording studio. David is married to Erika Savlowitz who is an accomplished investment banker and lawyer specializing in foreign emerging markets . . . and currently “unschooling” their son August and daughter London!

Justin Borgman is a subject matter expert on all things big data & analytics. Prior to founding Starburst, he was Vice President & GM at Teradata (NYSE: TDC), where he was responsible for the company’s portfolio of Hadoop products. Justin joined Teradata in 2014 via the acquisition of his company Hadapt where he was co-founder and CEO. Hadapt created “SQL on Hadoop” turning Hadoop from a file system to an analytic database accessible by any BI tool. He founded Starburst in 2017, seeking to give analysts the freedom to analyze diverse data sets wherever their location, without compromising on performance. Recently, Justin was named one of the most Exceptional Entrepreneurs of 2022 by Goldman Sachs and received the 2022 BIG Awards for Business Entrepreneur Award.

Learn more about Justin:
Article: Boston Data Firm Nearly Triples Valuation After Raising $250 Million
Podcast: Accessing Data at Scale with Justin Borgman on Software Engineering Daily
Blog: The Seeds of Revolution

Lauren Burke is a Data Scientist at CoverMyMeds, where she builds models and systems that improve understanding of user needs, enhance products, and discover opportunities. She began her data science career in the retail space, developing solutions across several areas including supply chain, inventory management, and enterprise business.

Outside of work, Lauren is an active member of both local and larger tech communities. As the Director of Operations of Women in Analytics, a global community that promotes visibility to women making an impact in the analytics space, her primary focus lies in strategy and community growth. She hosts the WIA After Hours podcast and is an Instructor of Business Analytics at Denison University's Denison Edge.

Lauren is an avid supporter of initiatives that foster enthusiasm for STEM and encourage the development of creative problem-solving skills. She serves as a Core Advisor on the Midwest Big Data Hub's Community Advisory Panel, a member of TECH CORPS' Regional Steering Committee, Chair of COSI's KINETIC Board, and a member of the scikit-learn Communication Team. She is the recipient of the inaugural Ohio Trailblazers Award, celebrating women transforming Ohio tech.

Dr. Raul Villamarin Rodriguez is the Vice President, Woxsen University. Dr. Rodríguez is an Adjunct Professor at Universidad del Externado, Colombia and member of the International Advisory Board at IBS Ranepa, Russian Federation, and a member of the IAB, University of Pécs Faculty of Business and Economics. He is also a member of the Advisory Board at PUCPR, Johannesburg Business School, SA, and Milpark Business School, South Africa along with PetThinQ Inc, and SpaceBasic, Inc. He is a visiting professor at Uni. del Rosario, and Expert at UNESCO.

Additionally, he is also a Steering Committee Member for the Annual Conference at EFMD Global.

Dr. Raul has a scholarship named after him in ZIBS, China.

He is also part of the PRME i5 Expert Pedagogy Group - India representative. 

He holds two honorary titles as Steven Pinker Professor of Cognitive Psychology and Classavo Chair Professorship in Integrative Research and Digital Learning.

Dr. Rodriguez's specific areas of expertise and interest are in the intersection of cognitive psychology with Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Natural Language Processing, Computer Vision, Robotic Process Automation, Multi-agent Systems, Knowledge Engineering, and Quantum Artificial Intelligence. 

He is a registered expert in Artificial intelligence, Intelligent Systems, and Multi-agent Systems at the European Commission, a nominee for the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe 2020 list, and an awardee in the Europe India 40 under 40 Leaders. Alongside this, he is a member of the GRLI Deans and Directors cohort. He is a regular keynote speaker and panel moderator at various national and international conferences or summits such as ML Conference (Singapore). Additionally, he is a member of the ETS Business School Advisory Council (BSAC) in India, and the Institute for Robotics Process Automation & Artificial Intelligence. He is engaged in responsible research throughout his career and especially through RRBM, GRLI, and PRME

Rob Thomas is Senior Vice President Software and Chief Commercial Officer, IBM. He leads IBM’s software business, including product design, product development, and business development. In addition, Rob has global responsibility for IBM revenue and profit, including worldwide sales, strategic partnerships and ecosystem. 

Rob has held several leadership roles across IBM, most recently as Senior Vice President of IBM Global Markets where he was responsible for IBM’s revenue, profit, business development and client success worldwide and prior to that as Senior Vice President, Cloud and Data Platform in IBM Software.  Rob has overseen numerous acquisitions by the firm, representing approximately $7 billion in transaction value.

In his over 20 years in IBM, Rob has held roles in IBM Consulting, IBM Microelectronics, and IBM Software, including two years living in Tokyo, Japan.  In 2007, Rob joined IBM’s software business, focused on data and analytics. He held a variety of roles, leading IBM’s transition from core databases to delivering broader analytical capabilities, investing in open source, and eventually artificial intelligence.

In 2015, John Wiley & Sons published Rob’s first book, titled “Big Data Revolution: What farmers, doctors, and insurance agents can teach us about patterns in big data”. The Financial Times called the book, “interesting as a case study of the philosophical assumptions that underpin the growing obsession with data.” In December 2016, Rob published his second book, “The End of Tech Companies,” educating business leaders on how to navigate digital disruption in every industry. In April 2020, O’Reilly published Rob’s latest book, “The AI Ladder: Accelerate Your Journey to AI.” The book serves as a practical guide for business leaders to discover where they are in their AI journey and learn the steps necessary to successfully scale AI throughout their organization. Today, he writes extensively on his blog robdthomas.com.

Born in Florida, Rob studied at Vanderbilt University, earning his BA in Economics. During his MBA from the University of Florida, Rob worked in equity research, learning applied economics, finance, and financial analysis. Rob serves on the board of Domus (Stamford, CT), which assists underprivileged children in Fairfield County. He is an active volunteer at Filling in the Blanks, an organization focused on fighting childhood hunger in local communities. He lives in New Canaan, CT with his wife and three children.