The AI Leadership Forum agenda has been shaped in close collaboration with a steering committee of experienced board members and executives, ensuring the program addresses the most critical and relevant topics for today’s leaders.
Former Head of AI & Machine Learning, Stripe
Angel Hsu led AI, Machine Learning and Compute Infrastructure at Stripe, where her team develops and optimizes ML models and scalable infrastructure to support high availability, real-time ML-based fraud detection and related horizontal initiatives across Stripe and global multi-currency payments including forex and crypto. Prior to Stripe, Angel led and worked on computation-based initiatives across financial payments companies including J.P. Morgan. Angel holds a Master of Science (S.M.) degree in Computational Information and Data Sciences from Harvard University and two Bachelors of Science (B.S.) degrees from the University of California, Berkeley.
1:45 – 2:45 pm
Cybersecurity 2030: Establishing Your AI Risk Posture
Board Member, Credit Suisse Funds; Chief Data Scientist, Numerati Partners
Samantha Kappagoda is an Independent Director and Nominating Chair of the Credit Suisse Funds (including NYSE: CIK & DHY).
Samantha has harnessed data and analytics to drive ROI and mitigate risk throughout her career, as a data scientist, economist, entrepreneur, investment and capital markets professional. She is a seasoned executive leader with over twenty-five years of global experience across digital transformation, data analytics, financial management, risk governance, and strategy.
Samantha has founded data analytics and emerging technology firms, as well as a journal on risk, established a research lab at New York University, and led analytics across diverse environments including the World Bank and global macro hedge fund Caxton Associates with $15 billion of assets under management.
Samantha has successfully navigated emerging opportunities, mitigated unanticipated risks, and addressed complex issues in highly regulated multidisciplinary settings.
Samantha was featured in Directors to Watch 2024, and she is frequently invited to speak on Artificial Intelligence and data governance, and non-financial risks. Recent panels include Inhuman Capital: AI, the Workplace and the Board at Character of the Corporation, and Blind Spots in the Boardroom at NACD Summit
3:30 – 4:15 pm
AI and Your Workforce: An Optimistic Vision
Board Member, Owens & Minor
Carissa Rollins is a retired global healthcare and technology executive with over 30 years of experience driving digital transformation, operational excellence, and inclusive leadership
across Fortune 500 organizations. Most recently, she served as Global Chief Information Officer
(CIO) at Illumina, a global leader in genomics and life sciences, where she led enterprise-wide
information systems strategy, infrastructure, cybersecurity, enterprise architecture, and
compliance.
Prior to Illumina, Carissa served as Chief Information Officer at UnitedHealthcare, the largest
U.S. health insurer, where she led enterprise IT strategy, digital health innovation, infrastructure modernization, and data platforms supporting over 50 million members. Earlier in her career, she held senior leadership roles at Gander Mountain, Kohl’s Corporation, ManpowerGroup, and MillerCoors, gaining deep expertise across IT, operations, and digital strategy.
Carissa is the recipient of the ORBIE Leadership Award, recognizing her outstanding impact as a technology leader. She is passionate about mentoring future leaders and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in technology and healthcare. She currently serves on the boards of Owens & Minor (OMI) and the Grand Canyon Conservancy. She holds an MBA from Marquette University and continues to contribute her strategic insights through board service
and thought leadership.
1:45 – 2:45 pm
Build, Buy or Backburner? A Strategic Framework for C-Suite Investment Decisions in the AI Era
Group Chief Technology Officer, Atos
Florin Rotar is the Group CTO for Atos, a global technology powerhouse which is supporting public and private organizations throughout their entire digital transformation journey, from strategy and architecture to operations and optimization. He has been awarded 2025 & 2024 “Best AI Consulting Service Provider” by AI Breakthrough Awards and “2024 Chief AI Officer of the Year” by HMG Global Leadership Institute. Recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine as one of the ‘Top 10 CTOs To Watch In 2023’. Florin is a published coauthor of the books “We the People: Human Purpose in a Digital Age: A Guide to Digital Ethics for Individuals, Organizations and Robots of All Kinds” and “The Handbook for Chief AI Officers: Leading the AI Revolution in Business”
He is a frequent keynote speaker at AI global conferences, the UN, and featured in BBC, Forbes, Entrepreneur, Chief Executive Magazine.
Florin holds CERT Certification in Cybersecurity Oversight (Carnegie Mellon/NACD) and the Director Qualified credential (ACCD). Actively bridges the gap between academia and industry innovation as a Founding Board Member of the University of Washington Information School and as advisor to AI startups such as Bullfrog AI, Pay-I.
3:00 – 3:30 pm
A Regulatory Check-in: What Does the Future Hold Here and Abroad?
CEO & Founder, Cantellus Group
Karen advises Fortune 50 companies, global consortia, startups, and public sector organizations on AI governance, innovation strategy, and risk. She also serves on the World Economic Forum’s Global AI Council, helping shape board-level frameworks for responsible adoption of advanced technologies.
3:00 – 3:30 pm
A Regulatory Check-in: What Does the Future Hold Here and Abroad?
President, Cantellus Group; Former Chief Data and AI Officer, Mastercard
JoAnn C. Stonier is EVP/chief information governance & privacy officer for MasterCard. In this role, she is responsible for worldwide privacy compliance and information governance for the enterprise. Ms. Stonier is responsible for identifying MasterCard’s data strategy as an element of the company’s product and business strategy, as well as for the management of privacy and data protection compliance and regulatory engagement on a global basis. Ms. Stonier and her team of global professionals help business colleagues understand the opportunities associated with MasterCard’s information assets as well as understand the risks and relevant legal requirements that need to be addressed related to the collection, use and disclosure of personal data.
Prior to joining MasterCard in 2008, Ms. Stonier was the chief privacy officer for American Express Company. She also held various roles of increasing responsibility at American Express, including chief operating officer, American Express Tax & Business Services; vice president, Acquisition Integration; and vice president & assistant to the chairman. Ms. Stonier has worked at Waldenbooks, Inc., PepsiCo and started her career as an auditor for PriceWaterhouse Coopers.
In addition to her work at MasterCard, Ms. Stonier is an adjunct professor at Pratt Institute where she teaches business strategy and international business, in the Design Management Master’s program.
Ms. Stonier received her Juris Doctorate from St. John’s University in Queens, and her Bachelor of Science degree from St. Francis College. She holds memberships in the Bar of the State of New York and the Bar of the State of New Jersey. Ms. Stonier has been recognized as an expert in the field of financial privacy, and was named as a fellow to The Aspen Institute’s First Mover Fellowship program. She is a well-regarded speaker at industry events and often addresses the need for balancing information innovation and privacy. Events have included: Amplify Festival 2013 Keynote Speaker, the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP); the Practicing Law Institute (PLI) and the Dow Jones Global Compliance Symposium.
3:00 – 3:30 pm
A Regulatory Check-in: What Does the Future Hold Here and Abroad?
CEO, TGN Consulting
Kari Zeller (FKA Granger) is an authentic leader and combat veteran known for her ability to seamlessly transition her expertise from the battlefield to the boardroom.
As the Founder and CEO of TGN Consulting, she has spent over two decades guiding companies—including Fortune 100 firms, healthcare systems, and governmental organizations—through pivotal transformations. Kari is renowned for her ability to mobilize workforces by reducing friction and gaining traction in order to execute in new strategic directions, while aligning leadership behaviors with enterprise priorities to ensure sustained value creation. Her hallmark is uncovering and addressing underlying conditions that impede progress, enabling executives and boards to drive breakthrough results.
Kari’s expertise extends across strategy, culture, and leadership, making her a trusted advisor in navigating today’s multifaceted challenges such as large-scale turnarounds, M&A integration, technology adoption, re-structuring, and more. A Master Certified Coach with over 5,000 hours of coaching experience, she partners with CEOs and directors to anticipate emerging trends, resolve stakeholder tradeoffs, and embed resilience into organizational cultures. Recognized for her candor and strategic acumen, Kari equips leaders and boards with tools to unlock systemic value. A decorated Air Force officer, Kari led operations for an aircraft fleet valued at over $1.2 billion and spearheaded logistics for critical missions, including hurricane evacuations and combat deployments in Iraq. Her deep commitment to ethical and stakeholder-centric leadership underpins her vision of empowering organizations to embed the conditions for enduring success. As a sought-after advisor, speaker, and author, Kari inspires directors and executives to harness the transformative power of workforce mobilization, fostering resilience, agility, and readiness for the challenges ahead.
3:00 – 3:30 pm
A Regulatory Check-in: What Does the Future Hold Here and Abroad?
Sonita Lontoh is a public company board director, strategic advisor and former Fortune 100 senior executive who focuses on digital innovation, artificial intelligence and sustainability. She has extensive global experience in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. She serves on the NACD’s Blue Ribbon Commission on board culture and on the NACD/World Economic Forum/CGI’s Climate Advisory Council.
In addition to her role on the boards of Sunrun and TrueBlue, she serves on the advisory board of UC Berkeley Engineering’s Jacobs Institute of Design Innovation and as a advisor to Sway Ventures, a VC firm investing in early to mid-stage category-creating enterprise or consumer companies.
10:35 – 11:25 am
Beyond Productivity and Cost-Cutting: How AI is Solving Big Problems and Creating New Business Models
Sonita Lontoh is a public company board director, strategic advisor and former Fortune 100 senior executive who focuses on digital innovation, artificial intelligence and sustainability. She has extensive global experience in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. She serves on the NACD’s Blue Ribbon Commission on board culture and on the NACD/World Economic Forum/CGI’s Climate Advisory Council.
In addition to her role on the boards of Sunrun and TrueBlue, she serves on the advisory board of UC Berkeley Engineering’s Jacobs Institute of Design Innovation and as a advisor to Sway Ventures, a VC firm investing in early to mid-stage category-creating enterprise or consumer companies.
10:35 – 11:25 am
Beyond Productivity and Cost-Cutting: How AI is Solving Big Problems and Creating New Business Models
President & Chief Legal Officer, Salesforce
Sabastian Niles is President and Chief Legal Officer at Salesforce, where he oversees Salesforce’s global legal and corporate affairs organizations, including government affairs, public policy, the office of ethical and humane use of technology and responsible AI, and global legal affairs.
In his role, Sabastian serves as a trusted advisor and leader to stakeholders, helping customers, partners, policymakers, and industry leaders prioritize trust, impact, and responsibility in an AI-first world, particularly in the era of AI agents. He oversees Salesforce’s commitment to responsible and ethical AI innovation, crafting and implementing policies that put trust at the forefront. Through collaborative efforts with stakeholders, he oversees how we navigate evolving opportunities, risks and regulations, ensuring responsible and sustainable practices.
Before joining Salesforce in 2023, Sabastian was a partner at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, where specialized in advising global companies on corporate governance, enterprise risk oversight, stakeholder and shareholder affairs, strategic investments, and mergers and acquisitions. His expertise also includes championing sustainability initiatives and fostering strong stakeholder relationships.
Recognized as one of the highest-ranked attorneys in the country, Sabastian is actively involved in several advisory and nonprofit roles, including serving on the Aspen Institute’s Business & Society Board of Advisors and as a director of Literacy Partners, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering families and individuals through education.
Sabastian earned his law degree from Harvard Law School, where he co-founded the Harvard Association of Law and Business, and holds undergraduate degrees in Economics, Finance, and Decision and Information Sciences from the University of Maryland.
3:30 – 4:15 pm
AI and Your Workforce: An Optimistic Vision
Sean is counsel in the strategic risk and crisis management practice based in Washington, DC. Sean’s practice is cross-disciplinary, focusing on both high-stakes investigations in Congress and before federal agencies, as well as regulatory strategy and controversies in complex, highly regulated industries. He also consults on product design, compliance, and commercial matters, especially related to internet platform services, content moderation, machine learning artificial intelligence, and big data.
Prior to joining Freshfields, Sean was investigative counsel for the US House of Representatives. In that role, he conducted dozens of depositions of key witnesses, including members of Congress, and led inquiries as lead attorney investigating criminal allegations including corruption and fraud, conflicts of interest, campaign finance issues, and ethics violations under House rules.
Earlier in his career, Sean was an associate at Williams & Connolly LLP, where he specialized in complex litigation and white-collar defense. He is now also an adjunct Professor at the Georgetown University Law Center teaching a seminar on ethics, professional responsibility, and career development.
3:00 – 3:30 pm
A Regulatory Check-in: What Does the Future Hold Here and Abroad?
Fmr. Chief AI Officer, Avanade; Author, The Handbook for Chief AI Officers and We the People: Human Purpose in a Digital Age
As Avanade’s Chief AI Officer, Florin Rotar drives the global AI strategy and execution across all parts of the business, spanning leadership, sales, solutioning, delivery, capability and partner ecosystem. He also accelerates Avanade’s internal transformation, identifying new ways AI can disrupt—and improve—how we work, operate and deliver for our clients.
Florin previously served as Chief Technology Officer at Avanade, where he led the strategic development of a portfolio of solutions and services centered on emerging technologies and innovation. He is a member of the Forbes Technology Council and was recognized by Entrepreneur magazine as one of the Top 10 CTOs to Watch in 2023. Florin is passionate about people-first AI innovation and co-authored the book, We the People: Human Purpose in a Digital Age: A Guide to Digital Ethics for Individuals, Organisations and Robots of All Kinds.
10:35 – 11:25 am
Beyond Productivity and Cost-Cutting: How AI is Solving Big Problems and Creating New Business Models
Lutz is a partner in our offices in Vienna and Düsseldorf focusing on IP and new technologies. Lutz advises clients worldwide, in particular in the tech and consumer sector, on platform and digital regulation, intellectual property and new business models and technologies, including AI.
Lutz has long-standing experience with e-commerce business models, on the contractual as well as on the contentious side, where he has represented clients in consumer protection issues in court, including before the European Court of Justice.
Lutz is publishing regularly on IP and tech issues and is teaching international copyright law at Vienna University.
Lutz’s experience includes advising:
3:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Angie Ruan is the Chief Technology Officer, Capital Access Platform at NASDAQ. An award-winning industry leader, Ms. Ruan holds four technical patents and has been instrumental in driving digital transformation across many industries, including enterprise application, e-commerce, payment, and capital markets. She most recently served as Vice President of Engineering at Chime before returning to NASDAQ where she was the Senior Vice President of Global Technology, responsible for overseeing the development of Key Market Technology Products and Corporate Platforms. Prior to joining Nasdaq, Ms. Ruan served as the Global Group Technology Vice President of consumer experiences and platform for American Express, where she was responsible for the digital transformation of American Express web and mobile technology. Before then, she was the Unit CIO for U.S. Consumer and U.S. Small Business, and was also Head of Engineering for Global PayPal Retail and Merchant product lines. As well, she held various executive engineering leadership roles at eBay including building the eBay messaging system, creating the eBay mobile platform, and transforming the DevOps organization.
Recognized as one of Silicon Valley’s Women of Influence, Ms. Ruan holds an M.S. in Computer Science from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and studied undergraduate in Computer Science at Tsinghua University of China.
11:25 am – 12:15 pm
What Creates Value?
As AWS Head of AI and Modern Data Strategy, Ben Schreiner is a trusted advisor helping customers unlock transformative growth. With 25+ years of global experience spanning enterprise tech, startups, and financial services, Ben provides a unique perspective on driving innovation through emerging technologies like generative AI.
11:25 am – 12:15 pm
What Creates Value?
Dominique Shelton Leipzig founded the Global Data Innovation Teams at two successful international law firms where she provided strategic guidance to companies with a cumulative market capitalization of more than $3 trillion. Dominique has trained and coached over 50,000 professionals on AI privacy and security, including Fortune 100 executives, board members and leaders at major companies and universities, and judges on privacy, AI, and cybersecurity to keep your business ahead of the curve. She is also a trusted advisor to policymakers in Washington, where she is working closely with lawmakers charged with crafting the nation’s first legislative and regulatory framework on artificial intelligence.
She has authored three books on data leadership, with a fourth forthcoming from Forbes. She serves on the Advisory Board of the AI Governance Center and the Board of Directors of the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP).
1:00 – 1:45 pm
TRUST: Establishing an Intentional Approach to AI and Data Governance
JoAnn Stonier serves as a Mastercard Fellow focusing on Data, AI and Privacy, having previously served as their Chief Data Officer and Chief Privacy Officer. She is a recognized global data strategist with extensive experience in artificial intelligence, data governance, science, platforms with an emphasis on responsible data design. She has advised industry executives, governments and NGOs on both commercial and non-profit solutions.
Currently, she serves as the co-chair of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Data Equity, is a member of the United Nations Expert Group on Governance and Artificial Intelligence and is a member of OmniCon Group’s AI Advisory Board.
11:25 am – 12:15 pm
What Creates Value?
Board Member, Ossia Inc.; Former Assistant Director for Cybersecurity, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy
Ms. Van Wazer is a global executive with deep fluency in technology coupled with strategic expertise in assessing and leveraging regulatory landscapes for bottom line results. An engineer, lawyer, and White House veteran, she has been involved in policymaking to facilitate many of the major technological transformations of the last 25 years, from cellular and Wi-Fi, to smart grids, the cloud, and AI. She has deep substantive expertise in disruptive innovation, cybersecurity, and privacy.
Van Wazer is Vice President, Global Public Policy and Regulatory Affairs, for Akamai Technologies, a $4B cloud computing and cybersecurity services company operating in over 140 countries. Before joining Akamai, she was the lead for cybersecurity in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, handling cybersecurity policy, cyber incident response, and serving as White House lead for the Financial Services Sector Coordinating Council, a public-private partnership to increase the cyber resiliency of the financial services sector. Her White House service includes a stint as Assistant General Counsel for OMB.
She is a member of the Board of Ossia Inc., a Redmond, WA-based technology company whose pioneering products transmit power wirelessly, eliminating the need for cords and batteries. At Ossia, she is Chair of the Regulatory Committee and a member of the Audit and Compensation Committees. She is on the boards of Georgetown University Law Center, Helen Keller International, and a past Chair of the Board of the Information Technology Industry Council, the largest technology trade association. She is a member of the North America Regional Advisory Council for ISC2, the global cybersecurity certifying organization.
1:45 – 2:45 pm
Cybersecurity 2030: Establishing Your AI Risk Posture
CEO Ignitetech, GFI Software, Khoros
Eric Vaughan is an experienced technology and M&A executive recognized for his innovation in the enterprise technology space. As IgniteTech’s CEO, Eric is responsible for setting and executing the company’s vision, leading and motivating the global, remote-based IgniteTech team to continue to drive the company’s business to success in the eyes of its customers.
As the previous founder and CEO of 3 software and services companies, Eric is well known throughout the industry as an innovator, architect, and developer of a number of software, hardware, and integration solutions. With extensive technology-M&A experience on both the buy and sell sides, Eric has led teams through the full cycle of activities for over 60 M&A transactions including public-company buyouts, private equity/venture capital sales, and several divestiture transactions from IBM, with direct integration and CxO accountabilities for the acquired businesses post-close.
10:35 – 11:25 am
Beyond Productivity and Cost-Cutting: How AI is Solving Big Problems and Creating New Business Models
Board Member, Hitachi Ltd. and Humanetics Group; Former Global CIO, Siemens
Dr. Helmuth Ludwig is a Professor of Practice for Strategy and Entrepreneurship at SMU’s Cox School of Business in Dallas, where he teaches MBA courses, e.g., on Technology and AI Strategy. He serves on the Boards of Directors of Hitachi Ltd and Humanetics Group. He is also a senior advisor to Bridgepoint LLC and Zscaler, Inc.
From 1990 until 2019, he worked at Siemens in different functions and regions: global CIO (until 2019), CEO of Siemens Industry Sector North America (until 2014), and President of Siemens PLM Software (until 2010). Earlier in his career, Helmuth had several international assignments at Siemens in Europe, Latin America, and Asia.
Board Member, Ossia Inc.; Former Assistant Director for Cybersecurity, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy
Ms. Van Wazer is a global executive with deep fluency in technology coupled with strategic expertise in assessing and leveraging regulatory landscapes for bottom line results. An engineer, lawyer, and White House veteran, she has been involved in policymaking to facilitate many of the major technological transformations of the last 25 years, from cellular and Wi-Fi, to smart grids, the cloud, and AI. She has deep substantive expertise in disruptive innovation, cybersecurity, and privacy.
Van Wazer is Vice President, Global Public Policy and Regulatory Affairs, for Akamai Technologies, a $4B cloud computing and cybersecurity services company operating in over 140 countries. Before joining Akamai, she was the lead for cybersecurity in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, handling cybersecurity policy, cyber incident response, and serving as White House lead for the Financial Services Sector Coordinating Council, a public-private partnership to increase the cyber resiliency of the financial services sector. Her White House service includes a stint as Assistant General Counsel for OMB.
She is a member of the Board of Ossia Inc., a Redmond, WA-based technology company whose pioneering products transmit power wirelessly, eliminating the need for cords and batteries. At Ossia, she is Chair of the Regulatory Committee and a member of the Audit and Compensation Committees. She is on the boards of Georgetown University Law Center, Helen Keller International, and a past Chair of the Board of the Information Technology Industry Council, the largest technology trade association. She is a member of the North America Regional Advisory Council for ISC2, the global cybersecurity certifying organization.
1:45 – 2:45 pm
Cybersecurity 2030: Establishing Your AI Risk Posture
The AI Leadership Forum agenda has been shaped in close collaboration with a committee of experienced board members and executives, ensuring the program addresses the most critical and relevant topics for today’s leaders.