Theme: Iluminate

Inspire, Educate, Engage and Entertain
17 inspiring thought leader Speakers talking on 17 different topics.

Taliesin Theatre, Swansea University
Sketty, Swansea
Swansea, Swansea, SA2 8PZ
United Kingdom

Aaron Willis

Director Vulcan Security

Aaron Willis is the Director of Vulcan Security and CEO of Stride Charity. Aaron born in Bolton Greater Manchester joined the Armed forces and served in the Royal Air Force serving in demanding landscapes of Afghanistan. After leaving the Armed Forces Aaron formed Vulcan Security. That led to the opportunity to feature as a candidate in the popular TV Show the Apprentice with Lord Alan Sugar in 2022. Aaron is also the CEO of Stride Charity which empowers underprivileged children in Greater Manchester. Aaron also holds Ambassador roles with a suicide Prevention Charity and a Foundation dedicated to supporting children whose parents grapple with Alcohol dependence. Aaron has since been invited to work with Manchester United Football Club working with the young footballers.

Alison Edgar MBE

Business Strategist

Alison Edgar MBE is an expert in improving performance inside organisations. Throughout Alison’s years advising entrepreneurial businesses, she has analysed the important factors that make them successful. She is known both for her practical tools that teams can implement immediately and for the ground-breaking and lasting impact she has. Alison was one of the few women to be awarded an MBE on the Queen’s Birthday Honours list in 2020 for her services to entrepreneurship and business. A dyslexic author of two international best-selling books, Alison has mastered the balance of how to enhance readers’ personal and professional development. Her debut book was not only a WHSmith Top Ten Business Book but named one of the top business books written by a woman in 2019 by The Independent newspaper. Alison is a sought-after media contributor, and recently became a boardroom advisor for a new business TV show that launched on Amazon Prime UK & US in spring 2023.

Am Golhar

Entrepreneur

Am Golhar is an Award Winning British Businesswoman, Media Voice and Influencer. Am Golhar is an empowering entrepreneur. A multifaceted individual with over 18 years of experience in the Creative Industry. Her Business journey went from being a graduate at the prestigious London’s Art school, Central Saint Martins to founding a Global Knitwear Consultancy Business. Manufacturing and supplying to blue chips such as Harrods and Burberry from the age of 22, as well as being one of the first manufacturers and suppliers during the Christmas jumper boom over ten years ago supplying over One Million units all across the UK. Today, she chooses to share her experiences to help ignite, educate and teach the next generation

Chris Gardner

Wealth Advisor Consultant

Chris Gardner is a dynamic philanthropic strategist who speaks on the transformative power of generosity. Raised in Peru during the tumultuous era of the Shining Path movement, he witnessed the daily struggle of poverty and the indomitable spirit of those facing it. Chris's unique life journey, living in three countries, gives him a profound perspective on the impact of generosity. He challenges audiences with a compelling question: "Have you ever seen a grumpy and generous person?" With a passion for empowering generosity, Chris inspires others to rethink their views on giving. He believes that altering one's perspective on generosity can fundamentally change one's outlook on life.

Cornelia Choe

Strategist

Cornelia is the CEO of The Leaders Alliance, a company that helps senior business and non-profit leaders create fulfilling careers and successful organisations. She has worked with a diversity of leaders in a variety of contexts throughout her career, ranging from private equity, law and government to non-profits. Cornelia earned her masters’ degree at the Harvard Kennedy School under the guidance of global authorities on leadership. Coupled with her degree in international relations from Georgetown University, her life experience has given her critical insights into how diverse people connect and complement each other, and how to facilitate discussions to create connection, trust and benefit for all. She has lived and worked in seven countries on three continents, speaks three languages fluently, and relishes immersing herself in new cultures and working with new people. Connecting people with diverse perspectives so that they can learn from each other gives her great joy.

Daniel Biddle

Chief Executive Officer at The National Diversity Employment And Advisory Service Ltd

Daniel Biddle is the most seriously injured survivor of the 7/7 terrorist attacks on London 2005, he has gone on to try and fight for disability equality, diversity and inclusion. As a result of that day, Daniel suffered horrific life-changing injuries. These injuries include the loss of both legs, his left eye, his spleen and a catalogue of other life-threatening injuries. Standing 2 feet away from the suicide bomber, Daniel has a very clear recollection of everything that happened from the second the bomb was detonated to the horrific aftermath whilst trapped in the tunnel of Edgware Road. Since that horrific day, Daniel has battled severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder on a daily basis whilst striving to rebuild his life and becoming a successful Entrepreneur.

Dr.Detina Zalli

Senior Academic in Medical Education

Dr. Zalli, has worked at institutions like Harvard University, the University of Oxford, and at the University of Cambridge. She holds a PhD from the University of Leicester, conducted postdoctoral research at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, and completed the NASA STAR program focused on designing spaceflight experiments. At Harvard, Detina conducted research and, earning the Dean’s Research Award for two years. Inspired by Barack Obama, she engaged in Harvard Professional Government activities. Dr. Zalli's academic focus spans genomic medicine, AI, entrepreneurship, and space genomics. Committed to supporting disadvantaged individuals, she's organized STEM events through initiatives like Afer*Nova, We Speak Science, and Oxford Academy of Excellence for the past decade in collaboration with leading academics from leading institutions and industries such as MIT, Yale, Harvard, Oxford, Cambridge, Virgin Galactic, NASA, SpaceX etc.

Durdana Ansari OBE

Honorary Captain Royal Navy

Durdana was awarded the title as Hon Captain with the consent of Her Majesty the Queen, for the Royal Navy and works with other Naval Officers to help them achieve greater diversity within engagement and recruitment. Durdana is a BAME Community Engagement Officer, collaborating with different communities from all walks of life. She helps the Royal Navy to understand the sensitivities and cultural backgrounds of these communities. In 2006 Durdana directed a highly successful venture drawing in Muslim women from the margins of British society, developing their talents and equipping them with the language and practical skills needed to function as full-fledged contributors to the British economy. Durdana spent 22 years as a BBC current affairs producer and international journalist. In 2012, she was awarded an OBE in her Diamond Jubilee year by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for heading a charitable project which was initiated to educate Muslim women in England.

Georgios Dimitropoulos

Innovation incubator, Academic & Entrepreneur

Innovation incubator, academic & entrepreneur who founded & accelerated several technology transfer & regeneration business ventures. Worked for various start-up projects involving third sector NGOs, NPOs, CBOs, public and private sector organisations. Received 9 international awards of excellence for transformational leadership & innovative entrepreneurial activities. Currently lecturing, mentoring, researching in content verification technologies & leading the Media Suite Innovation Lab. at Swansea University. Donating his time contributing to regional engagement projects & leading not-for-profit community initiatives by promoting media literacy & the use of ethical technologies for the fight against inequality & online disinformation. Received 17 international awards from various Film Festivals for his documentary films.

Jessica Hickman

Workplace culture consultant

Jessica Hickman, a pioneering Workplace Culture Expert who is reshaping the narrative on workplace dynamics. As the visionary founder of Bullyology, Jessica is dedicated to cultivating a generation of Upstanders—individuals, workplaces and communities committed to fostering thriving, respectful environments by eliminating bullying, harassment, and bystander behaviour. Jessica shares invaluable tools and strategies empowering audiences to actively contribute to the creation of a positive work environment. A published author of "Bullyologist: Breaking the Silence on Bullying" and "The Upstander Leader: How to Develop a Speak-Up Culture," Jessica's insights are not just informative but transformative, offering a blueprint for a future where workplace culture is synonymous with respect and inclusivity.

Julianne Ponan MBE

Nutrition Entrepreneur CEO Creative Nature

Julianne was diagnosed with severe anaphylaxis at two years old, she has multiple allergies to all peanuts, treenuts, sesame, chickpeas and more. She is the founder and CEO of Creative Nature a Top 14 allergen free brand, through her own experiences and challenges living with allergies she focused on being at the forefront of ‘free from’ innovation, pushing the boundaries and launching a range of free from foods with good nutrition from baking to snacks! Julianne was awarded an MBE in the New Years Kings Honours in 2023 for Business, Export and helping people with allergies. Her brand Creative Nature is available from Sainsbury’s, Ocado, Co-op, Asda, Tesco exports to 16 countries including the UAE. Julianne is an allergy advocate fighting for change, making people with allergies lives easier and less stressful. Julianne has just been appointed as the first Medic Alert ambassador in 65 years. Medic Alert is a charity that saves lives through their medical id’s.

Lashai Ben Salmi

Author/Publisher

Lashai Ben Salmi is a Multi Award Winning, Author, Publisher, International Relations & Cultural Connectivity Advocate and Youth Advocate, UN Women UK Delegate & Distinguished Korean Wave Representative (a title and award presented to her by the Director of the Korean Cultural Centre UK due to her extensive work and contributions to the promotion of the Korean Wave). Lashai launched her career as an Author and Creator at the age of 11. She is one of the most prominent and influential names in the Hallyu, Entertainment and Personal Development Industry today with over 11,000,00 views. Lashai is incredibly driven to pave the way for the next generation and is very passionate about philanthropy alongside her family, who are making waves in the education industry - promoting the idea and notion that there needs to be adequate opportunity and equity in education and advocacy for those who cannot self advocate.

Neil Pinder

Arcitecture

Neil Pinder has taught in several inner-city schools for over 25 years. He is Head of Architecture at Graveney School in South London, where he introduced architecture to the curriculum and has inspired many pupils to take an interest in design subjects. He has worked with London Open House for much of this time, winning Open House competitions and was awarded ‘Open House Teacher of the Year’. He has started a number of initiatives to improve access to architecture and the creative industries for people from marginalised backgrounds, which have received national recognition, including Celebrating Architecture, HomeGrown Plus and GLAM (GUCCI, LOUIS VUITTON, ARCHITECTURE & ME).

Shazia Hussain

Neurodiversity Advocate

Shazia is a child of Pakistani Immigrants from humble beginnings Shazia is one of 4 siblings growing up in an underprivileged area of Yorkshire. Shazia struggled to read and write in school and was labelled as “not very bright” by teachers in school. Despite the un diagnosed neuro diverse conditions until the age of 34. Shazia was educated at Goldsmith College London with a degree in media and communication. Shazia's career is predominantly in the technology recruitment industry and corporate banking. Having discovered her condition later on in life. Shazia is a advocate for educating and training teachers to spot Nero diverse conditions in children at an early stage so that children can be given the correct support to maximise on their potential in life. Shazia is currently lobbying parliament on this matter.In 2023

Suzanne Smart

Narcissism Expert

Suzanne Smart is a Trauma Transformation Practitioner & founder of Suzanne Smart POSITIVE IMPRINT. In her capacity as a Practitioner, she works with survivors of toxic relationships, specialising in narcissism and physical abuse, incorporating her unique methodology, As a trainer, she facilitates workshops and training for companies who want to tackle unconscious bias & racial micro aggressions, encouraging them to recruit staff for culture add - not culture fit – ensuring a creative, dynamic and diverse workforce. Suzanne uses a wealth of skills as a Speaker, NLP Practitioner, Teacher and aspiring author, including therapeutic methods, to achieve life changing results for her clients. Her expertise empowers individuals to free themselves from their mental prisons by harnessing their subconscious power. Poetry is also a passion and Suzanne has authored some interesting, sought after works.

Tjibaria Pijloo

Author, Founder Freedom Lifestyle Movement

Tjibaria is a Forbes published Two Comma Club Award Winning Author of "The Freedom Lifestyle", Serial Entrepreneur but most of all an Empowerer. She created the Freedom Lifestyle Movement with a vision to help business owners and entrepreneurs to create freedom lifestyle and create more wealth by taking them through a step-by-step process to scale their business with systems and automation. After creating multiple 7 figure businesses of her own, she formed the most powerful team of heart centred entrepreneurs, with whom she developed the reputation for helping entrepreneurs and businesses around the world scale with the Freedom Lifestyle Agency. "I never thought that growing an automated business empire was as ‘easy' as it turned out to be, and I want everyone to experience that. That's what our Freedom Lifestyle Movement is about." – Tjibaria