Laura Brennan has worked as a pitching and networking consultant on hundreds of projects for television, film, start-ups, tech companies, nonprofits, and pitch fests. She has taught workshops to students and alums of colleges including Yale, Columbia, Boston University, UCLA, and USC. Most of all, she has helped everyone from producers to entrepreneurs, from CEOS to musicians and artists learn how to build, nurture, and tap into their own vibrant networks.

Laura believes your greatest strength is authenticity, connecting with others through what truly lights you up. Her book and podcast, both called "Hate Networking Less," are full of tips and strategies to make networking your superpower… or at least not your nemesis.

Barbara Lange is a global leader at the intersection of technology, sustainability, and media. As Founder and CEO of Kibo121, she advises organizations worldwide on integrating sustainability into technology strategies with a focus on measurable, real-world impact. She is co-founder of the Media Tech Sustainability Series (MTSS) and the driving force behind the Media Climate Accord, convening industry stakeholders to accelerate climate action. Barbara works closely with IEEE’s Technology for a Sustainable Climate initiative, elevating the role of engineers and emerging technologies. Former Executive Director of SMPTE and HPA, she brings deep experience in global leadership, storytelling, and collaboration. Credentialed as a Sustainability Excellence Associate (SEA), she is a frequent speaker on the intersection of technology, sustainability, and media.

Barbara has spent 30 years in the media & entertainment industry with organizations such as the BBC, Autodesk, Epic Games and HP Inc. As the Global M&E Industry Lead at HP, she oversees initiatives and industry partnerships that drive adoption of HP Z Workstations and Solutions in entertainment content creation. She has led marketing and PR teams both in-house and agency-side, consulted for several start-ups and was also technology editor with Broadcast Magazine in the UK. She has a strong commercial and analytical background, having started her career as a commodity analyst/trader after graduating with a BSc in Agricultural Economics from University of London.

Nicki Sun is an on-camera host, filmmaker, and video content partner helping brands and creators tell meaningful stories across media and technology. With over a decade in production, she works both in front of and behind the camera, collaborating with teams or independently producing content from concept to delivery. She is the creator and executive producer of "The Nicki Sun Show," where she amplifies diverse voices and culture-shifting creatives. A member of the NAB Creator Council and frequent NAB Show contributor, she helps shape initiatives supporting independent creators and champions representation—especially for women and creators of color—through speaking, education, and community leadership.

Amy Polvado is a recognized leader in technology-driven infrastructure innovation and digital transformation for mission-critical systems. She currently serves as Chairwoman of the US Proptech Council, guiding national discourse on technology adoption and infrastructure strategy across commercial and critical environments. 

As Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Facilimax, Amy leads the development of advanced digital twin and simulation platforms that empower data center and critical infrastructure teams to plan, train, and operate in risk-free virtual environments, improving decision-making through AI, predictive analytics, and state-of-the-art simulation.

Amy’s experience spans technology entrepreneurship, infrastructure strategy, and academic research. She is a doctoral student in technology at Purdue University, where her research centers on digital twin technologies and their application to complex infrastructure systems, including data centers and built environments. Her work bridges academic research with practical infrastructure impact, helping organizations and communities harness the power of technology to build resilient, scalable, and future-ready critical infrastructure.

Carla Prates is a product and marketing leader with 10+ years of experience in product strategy, content, and partnerships. At Digital Anarchy, she leads the development and marketing of intuitive post-production plugins that empower video editors and content creators. With roots in journalism, filmmaking, and accessibility, Carla prioritizes user-centered design and effective communication across the product life cycle. She actively advocates for diversity in media and improved access to mental health resources in the tech sector. Outside work, she enjoys hiking, yoga, cooking, and fostering community. Carla speaks on inclusion, equity, and building impactful tools for creative professionals. She is active in Rise and also serves on the Leadership Council for #GALSNGEAR.

Veronica Warner is a highly dedicated and solutions-based Producer, Creative Consultant, and Training Facilitator based in Los Angeles, CA.

With almost 20 years of industry experience, almost a decade in education, as well as an innate sense of cohesion on both sides of the camera, Veronica has honed her skills in structured organization, effective communication, interpersonal skills, and creative strategy. She's truly excited about new opportunities to utilize her creativity and technical sides to find new and innovative ways to connect with people, to people.

Veronica runs Key Code Education, a successful media industry education center that offers certified training in fields such as editing, production, and engineering. She recently taught a series of summer bootcamps for incoming high school freshmen to learn the art of filmmaking and has earned consecutive yearly awards for her leadership. In addition, Veronica offers consultation services for screenwriters, filmmakers, and other artists with a focus on structure, commitment to vision, and a psychological approach to storytelling.

Rachel is a creative with a lifelong passion for environmental conservation. She is thrilled to be able to work with Green Spark Group, a sustainability consultancy, to support the entertainment industry's movement to carbon neutrality and responsible resource management. She is currently the Producer of The Tie-In, a podcast that focuses on the intersection of sustainability and entertainment. Thanks to early education in earth sciences at The LBI Foundation for The Arts & Sciences Marine Biology day camp, she learned that science is cool, nature is awesome, and humans can wreak havoc on the ecosystem when they don't pay attention to their actions.

Rachel has worked in the arts from theater to film and TV. Her first feature screenplay Bear Spray and Cake was a 2021 BlueCat Screenplay Competition Finalist. Chicken Story, an experimental narrative short screened at The 2021 Athens International Film and Video Festival and received an honorable mention from The 2021 Experimental Forum. Rachel collaborated in the writing and development of the web series "Run For Your Life" which screened at TV/Web festivals worldwide and has over 7 million views. Rachel’s first short film, "Clutter" (a story that involves textile recycling) was selected for The New School's student film festival Fine Cuts; it received an award in creative screenwriting. In 2014, her screenplay Bearspray was selected for The New School's yearly live reading event. Rachel received the Sustainability Production in Entertainment Certification (SPEC) in 2024.