OpenAI CEO Sam Altman waxes poetic about how artificial intelligence will allow people to complete tasks three times faster so they can focus on more creative endeavors. If you need a speaker who can predict the future with as much certainty, the following innovation advocates may be worth a look.

Chitra Anand wearing black suitDr. Chitra Anand

Topics: Intrapreneurship, Green House Thinking, Innovation, Leadership, Creativity, Trust

An award-winning technology, communications and marketing executive with over 20 years in the technology industry, Dr. Anand has spent time as chief brand and communications officer for Microsoft Canada, Director of Marketing at TELUS Corporation and director of operations at Open Text.

Projects she guided at Microsoft and TELUS have been awarded IABC Gold Quill Awards, Canadian Public Relations Society Awards of Excellence, the Corporate IT Hero award by the Information Technology Association of Canada and the Business for the Arts Awards. Anand is at the forefront of an important movement in the workplace:  intrapreneurship, people within organizations who possess an entrepreneurial spirit, challenging conventional thinking in order to drive innovation, creative thinking.

Agencies: National Speakers Bureau, Leading Authorities, Talent Bureau

Proudest Moment: The birth of my children.

Take Aways: The way they think about how they approach work and how they think—from a critical lens.

Need to Know: I am deeply passionate about the work that I do. It is a combination of theory that meets practice which makes for an ideal approach for audiences.

Katie McMahon holding up hands and talkingKatie McMahon

Topics: Demystifying AI: Navigating the Hype, Assessing the Risks, and Unlocking the Potential; The Entrepreneurial Odyssey: Navigating the Journey from Idea to Exit; Generation Voice: How Voice AI is Reshaping the Future of Human-Machine Interaction

A pioneering global tech executive and entrepreneur known for breakthrough contributions to sound recognition and natural language understanding technologies. With over 20 years of experience, I’ve played a key role in shaping the mobile tech industry, especially during the rise of touch-screen smartphones. I guided early-stage tech companies like SoundHound and Shazam to significant success. Currently, I’m an advisor helping startups achieve product-market fit and mass-market adoption. I’m also committed to the safe, secure, and ethical development of AI technologies as a member of the Berryville Institute of Machine Learning.

Agency: Speak About AI

Proudest Moment: In hindsight, my proudest public speaking moment was during the Rose of Tralee festival in Ireland. While representing New York, I read an excerpt of a short story about my great-grandmother’s near miss with fate and the Titanic. I entered a ‘flow state,’ and when I finished, I was lucky enough to share the moment with the audience where we could all relive our cherished childhood memories with our loved ones together.

Take Aways: I hope attendees leave feeling motivated both personally and professionally. My content provides insights and deep technical knowledge transfer, demystifying complex topics and making them accessible. I want individuals to come away emotionally moved and more thoughtful about the topic and their own lives.

Need to Know: When working with me, meeting planners can expect positive energy and enthusiasm. I’m excited to engage with them to understand the overall event goals, the specific objectives for my session, and potential ‘customized value-add’ options like overflow sessions or executive Q&A. I’m also keen to learn how success is measured to ensure my involvement aligns with the event’s goals and creates a win-win-win scenario for all involved.

Mohit Rajhans fixing suitMohit Rajhans

Topics: Emerging Technology, Innovation, Leadership, Parenting, Personal Development

Drawing from over 20 years in media, Rajhans makes emerging technologies accessible for professionals, students and parents. His talks fuse hands-on experience with actionable strategies, providing audiences with the tools needed to thrive in the digital age. Whether you’re a seasoned professional staying ahead of the curve or a student preparing for the future,  his presentations offer a unique blend of insights and practical guidance to empower audiences to navigate and succeed in the ever-evolving technological landscape by making cutting-edge innovations relatable and usable in real-world contexts.

Agencies: National Speakers Bureau Canada, SITAA Speakers

Proudest Moment: I’m proud to say that I have had the opportunity to interview hundreds of people and have also been interviewed hundreds of times based on my career, life and expertise. It’s quite rare to have such a privilege in a career that doesn’t really have a predetermined path.

Take Aways: I deliver insights that are informative, not performative.

Need to Know: All of my work is adaptable across a diverse set of both experiences and industries.

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