Speakers & Panelists

Dr. Adil Najam is a global public policy scholar specializing in climate change, global governance, and human development. He was a lead author for the IPCC and has published over 100 scholarly works. He served as the inaugural dean of Boston University’s Pardee School of Global Studies (2014–2022) and is now Dean Emeritus. Previously, he was Vice Chancellor of LUMS and taught at Tufts University. He holds a PhD and two master’s degrees from MIT and a specialization in negotiation from Harvard Law School. Najam has served on the board of WWF International and chaired the Luc Hoffmann Institute.

Adil Najam

Vilas Dhar is an entrepreneur, technologist, human rights advocate, and a leading global voice on equity in a tech-enabled world. As President and Trustee of the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, Vilas champions a new social compact for the digital age that prioritizes individuals and communities in the development of new products, inspires economic and social opportunity, and empowers the most vulnerable.

Vilas Dhar

Wesley Spindler is a catalyst for change, working with organizations around the world to reimagine the global economy into a circular, regenerative and equitable one. As Managing Director and member of the Global Sustainability Leadership Team at Accenture, she runs the firm’s global Circular Economy and Nature & Biodiversity agendas. Her focus in all her work is to drive genuine sustainability transformation – from strategy to delivery – with partners and companies across industries to achieve outcomes at the intersection of growth and sustainable innovation. She also acts as People Experience Lead for the entire Global Sustainability Group. She is a frequent public speaker, lead co-author of The Circular Economy Handbook (Palgrave, 2020), Program Director of The Circulars, and Expert Advisor to the Earthshot Prize. Finally, Wesley is active in her regional community, supporting critical environmental initiatives on the livelihoods and well-being of individuals and positive outcomes for nature.

Wesley Spindler

Since 2009, Michael Schlein has been President and CEO of Accion, a global nonprofit dedicated to building a fair and inclusive economy through microfinance and fintech impact investing. Previously, he held senior roles at Citigroup, including President of International Franchise Management, and served as Chief of Staff at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and in New York’s City Hall. Michael holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from MIT, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa.

Michael Schlein

Tracy Palandjian is CEO and Co-Founder of Social Finance, a national nonprofit and registered investment advisor. In 2011, Tracy co-founded Social Finance with Sir Ronald Cohen and David Blood to seed the Pay For Success field in the United States, sparking a national conversation about new funding models to tackle systemic challenges and drive measurable impact. Since then, Social Finance has mobilized over $400 million in new investments designed to achieve improved outcomes across a range of issue areas, including economic mobility, health, and housing. In 2024, the organization launched the Social Finance Institute to advance the field through actionable research and educational outreach.

Tracy Palandjian

Stephan Nicoleau is a seasoned investor with over 20 years of experience in social and environmental impact. As a General Partner at FullCycle, he drives investments in climate-critical infrastructure. A recognized global leader in climate change, equitable finance, and sustainable development, Stephan has dedicated his career to investments that generate both impact and economic growth. He serves as Chairman of the Board for Project Drawdown, Treasurer of the Board for Monument Lab, and mentors emerging leaders in climate and finance.

Stephan Nicoleau

Avery Cohn sees AI-powered digital products as a key tool for advancing climate, nature, and food solutions. As a Senior Partner at Ode Partners, he helps build and deploy digital technology globally. He also leads Clay, a nonprofit advancing Earth data through AI, and is a founding team member of LGND AI, a geospatial AI startup. Avery holds a Ph.D. from UC Berkeley and is an affiliate at Tufts University’s Friedman School. He previously worked on food and agriculture at ClimateWorks Foundation and the National Center for Atmospheric Research.

Avery Cohn

Ryan Rapp is an Operating Partner at Flagship Pioneering, bringing deep expertise in Ag-Biotech and bridging research with commercial applications. Previously, he was Chief Technology Officer at Pairwise, leading R&D strategy for biotech-driven consumer food products. He also served as Associate Director of Agricultural Genomics at Illumina, overseeing R&D, product marketing, and market development. Ryan began his career at Monsanto in various roles. He holds a Ph.D. in Genetics from Iowa State University and a B.S. in Plant Science from Cornell University and is the author of several patents and scientific papers.

Ryan Rapp

Thom is a seasoned technology entrepreneur, U.S. Army Reserve Lieutenant Colonel, and AI thought leader dedicated to driving meaningful change. With over 30 years of experience building and scaling software companies, he has led multiple startups to successful exits. In the military, he has commanded airborne battalions and supported the Joint Staff at the Pentagon, with deployments to Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa. A member of the Defense Science Board and Generative AI Task Force, he also served as Chief Data Officer and Head of AI for U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) and is an MIT affiliate in AI and decision systems.

Thom Kenney

Douglas Hamilton heads AI research and engineering at Nasdaq. He joined Nasdaq in 2017 as a data scientist and has developed solutions leveraging rapid adaptation, reinforcement learning, and efficient market principles as solutions to predictive control problems. Hamilton’s notable achievements at Nasdaq include establishing the first AI-powered strike listing system, bringing generative AI to board governance, publishing over a dozen patents, and launching the first AI-powered order type approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Previously, Hamilton was the lead data scientist for an advanced manufacturing analytics group at Boeing Commercial Airplanes and built customer relationship management systems at Fast Enterprises. He is a U.S. Air Force veteran and sits on the advisory board of The Data Science Conference.

Douglas has a Master of Science in Systems Engineering from MIT and a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics from the University of Illinois at Springfield.

Douglas Hamilton

Ben Brockman is currently a Data Science leader working in the GenAI for Health space.
He was previously a Sr. Product Manager for A.I. Transformation at the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) where he helped develop approaches and tools for organizations using Artificial Intelligence to drive impact.
Before BCG, Ben spent nearly a decade at IDinsight (a non-profit consulting organization started by HKS and HBS alums). First joining in 2012 as one of the organization’s first employees he ran impact evaluations in Cambodia, Zambia, and India. In 2017, Ben returned to IDinsight to start the org’s data science effort, eventually building a 25 person data science and engineering consulting team. He now serves on IDinsight's advisory board and helps other non-profits with their AI and tech strategy in his free time.

Ben Brockman

Leisel Bogan is a technology, international, and national security leader with extensive experience in the private, public, and academic sectors. Most recently Bogan political appointee as a Senior Technical Advisor at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), focused on safeguarding critical infrastructure, combating nation-state cyber threats, and ensuring the security of emerging technologies. Prior to CISA, Bogan was a Research Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs under the advisement of former Secretary of Defense Ash Carter, a Director at TechCongress, and she led the first Congressional Digital Service pilot fellowship on the House Select Committee on Modernization. Before that effort, she served as a Senior Fellow for Cybersecurity, Technology, and National Security for Senator Mark Warner.

Leisel Bogan

Rem Koning is the Mary V. and Mark A. Stevens Associate Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School, where he researches how to expand access to entrepreneurship and innovation. His work spans industries and regions, from Indian tech ventures to U.S. health startups. He co-directs the Tech for All lab at Harvard’s Digital, Data, and Design (D^3) Institute, exploring how entrepreneurs can drive advances in science, technology, and AI. A leader in field experiments on entrepreneurial strategy, he co-leads the Conference on Field Experiments in Strategy and teaches Strategy for Entrepreneurs at HBS.

Rembrand Koning

Jen Magaziner, MBA, MPH, is the Vice President for Digital Health at Boston Children’s Hospital, leading enterprise-wide digital strategy and transformation. She co-leads the Innovation & Digital Health Accelerator (IDHA) with Chief Innovation Officer John Brownstein, overseeing a growing portfolio of digital health solutions for patients and care teams. Previously, she was Director of National Strategy at Boston Children’s and worked in healthcare consulting at PwC. She began her career in global health at the Clinton Health Access Initiative. Jen holds an MBA and MPH from Columbia University and a BA in International Relations and French from Brown University.

Jennifer Magaziner

Ryan Kennedy is the Chief Strategy Officer at Overjet, a leading dental AI company. In this role, he leverages his extensive experience in strategic planning, business development, and risk management to drive the company's growth and innovation. Prior to joining Overjet, Ryan held positions such as Principal Product Manager at LendingHome and Special Advisor to the Director at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. He is also the Founder of Cranberry, further showcasing his entrepreneurial spirit. Ryan's educational background includes degrees from Harvard Business School and Harvard Kennedy School.

Ryan Kennedy

Hann Yew is dedicated to accelerating access to life science innovations for patients worldwide. With extensive experience advising biopharmaceutical companies, hospitals, health systems, digital health startups, and VC/PE investors across Asia, the U.S., and other geographies, she brings deep expertise in healthcare strategy and innovation. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Molecular Cell Biology from Harvard University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Hann Yew

Marta McAlister is a former teacher turned Googler, amplifying educators' voices in product and program development. With over 13 years at Google, she leads teams building and launching Google’s teaching and learning products, including Google Classroom. She also drives sales enablement for Education and Enterprise go-to-market teams. Outside of work, Marta serves on the Boston Chamber of Commerce, the UP Academy Tech Advisory Board, and the Emerging Leaders Board for the Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education. She holds a degree from Brown University and an M.Ed. from Hunter College. Marta loves travel, running, and global cultural exploration.

Marta McAlister

Drew Bent is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Schoolhouse.world, a nonprofit platform offering free, peer-to-peer tutoring. In 2023, he joined Anthropic to lead their higher education initiatives, focusing on integrating artificial intelligence into educational settings. Prior to these roles, Drew contributed to software engineering at Khan Academy and taught high school mathematics. He holds degrees in physics and computer science from MIT and a master's in education from Stanford University.

Drew Bent

Ethan Brown is the Founder, President, and CEO of Beyond Meat, leading the company since its inception in 2009. Under his leadership, Beyond Meat has revolutionized plant-based protein and earned global recognition, including the UN’s Champion of the Earth award. Previously, Brown worked in clean energy, serving as an energy analyst and holding leadership roles at Ballard Power Systems. He has also contributed to hydrogen fuel advancements as Vice Chairman of the National Hydrogen Association. A Henry Crown Fellow, he holds an MBA from Columbia, an MPP from the University of Maryland, and a BA from Connecticut College.

Ethan Brown

James Arbib (Co-Founder RethinkX) is a London-based investor in technology. He is the founder of Tellus Mater, an independent philanthropic foundation dedicated to exploring the impacts of disruptive technology, and its potential for solving some of the world’s most challenging problems. In addition, Jamie oversees a London-based family office with a diversified portfolio, across all asset classes and a focus on the risks and opportunities of technology disruption. A graduate in history from Trinity College, Cambridge, he has a Masters in Sustainability Leadership, also from Cambridge. He is a qualified chartered accountant and worked as an investment analyst covering utilities.

Jamie Arbib

Bhumi Pednekar is a versatile actor and a leading advocate for sustainability and social change. Known as India’s Queen of Heartland Cinema, she has championed impactful projects that challenge societal norms. Passionate about environmental conservation, she actively promotes biodiversity and eco-friendly practices. Bhumi uses her platform to drive positive change, advocating for sustainability, health, and social causes.

Bhumi Pednekar

Hector Mujica leads Google’s philanthropic efforts across the Americas, overseeing a $150M+ investment portfolio focused on education, economic opportunity, and equitable AI benefits. He serves on Google’s Latino Leadership Council, shaping social impact initiatives. Previously, he worked in investment banking, U.S. congressional policy, and international development. Hector holds degrees from Florida International University, Stanford GSB, and UC Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy. A World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, he serves on multiple nonprofit boards, including Hispanics in Philanthropy and the Latino Community Foundation. He resides in South Florida.

Hector Mujica

Nino Enukidze is the Rector of Business and Technology University in Tbilisi, Georgia, and a leading advocate for digital and AI literacy. She founded the country’s largest Coding School for Women and the AI4Globe platform. She launched the iamtheCODE Foundation’s 88th Chapter in Georgia, aiming to upskill 250,000 women and girls in tech. Nino serves on multiple advisory boards, including UNICEF Georgia and UN Global Compact Georgia. A World Economic Forum Young Global Leader (2024), she holds a PhD in Business Administration and is dedicated to advancing tech education for women, youth, and vulnerable groups.

Nino Enukidze

Professor Kate Fitz-Gibbon is a global expert in preventing violence against women and children. She is a Professor (Practice) at Monash University and an Honorary Professorial Fellow at Melbourne Law School. In 2024, she founded Sequre Consulting, advising governments and organizations on violence prevention and gender equality. A World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, Kate has influenced over 30 policy reforms and has been cited by the High Court of Australia. She has authored eight books and 50+ journal articles and frequently speaks at international forums on gender equality, violence prevention, and justice reform.

Kate Fitz-Gibbon

Maren Costa is a climate justice leader, workers’ rights advocate, and tech organizer known for challenging corporate power. Featured in Buy Now: The Shopping Conspiracy on Netflix, she co-founded Amazon Employees for Climate Justice, pushing Amazon toward net-zero emissions and influencing Jeff Bezos’s $10 billion Earth Fund. Now Board President of AECJ and a leader at WorkForClimate.org, she mobilizes tech workers for bold climate action. A former Principal Designer at Amazon with 20+ years in Big Tech, Maren is a sought-after speaker on systems change, corporate responsibility, and organizing workers to drive impact.

Maren Costa

Pitch Competition Final Judges

David Greenfeld is the Founder & CEO of Dream Pops, a better-for-you snackable ice cream brand sold across the U.S. and Canada. Dream Pops is redefining classic frozen desserts with clean ingredients and innovative design, challenging industry giants like Unilever and Mars. Named to Forbes 30 Under 30 (Food & Drink, 2020), David has scaled a vertically integrated factory and supply chain serving 6,500+ retailers. He won the Albertsons Innovation Launchpad in 2023 and was part of Mondelez SnackFutures. He is also an active investor in CPG, health & wellness, and consumer-tech businesses.

David Greenfeld

Stephan Nicholeau

Tuan Ho is a serial entrepreneur and Partner at Xfund. He co-founded Philo, pioneering live-streaming TV and securing Xfund’s first investment. He played a key role in launching the Harvard Innovation Lab and later co-founded Raydiant, an AI-driven in-store experience platform. At Atomic Labs, he helped establish the Founder-in-Residence program. Tuan holds an A.B. in Chemistry & Physics from Harvard College and an M.P.A. from Harvard Kennedy School. He actively advises and invests in startups across telemedicine, robotics, and blockchain and serves on the Governor of Virginia’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Board for Education & Workforce.

Tuan Ho

Gina Lucarelli leads the world’s largest social innovation network on sustainable development—the UNDP Accelerator Labs—spanning 113 countries. With over 20 years at the UN, she explores collective intelligence to address global challenges. This spring, she is teaching Innovation in Global Problem-Solving at Harvard’s Master of Design Engineering program. She has spoken at Oxford Rhodes Forum, MIT, and others. Her work has been featured in MIT Sloan Management Review, analyzed as a Harvard Business School case study, and showcased in For Tomorrow, a documentary on grassroots innovation available on Amazon Prime.

Gina Lucarelli

Thank you to our Pitch Competition Semifinal Judges!

Hari Balasubramanian

Managing Partner, EcoAdvisors

Aramide Abe

Global Program Lead, Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program

Ben Hokenson

Entrepreneur and Consultant, Brown University

Nicola La Rocca

Wealth Manager, UBS

Mario Emmanuel Rodriguez Trejo

CTO, Arivey

Ayub Ansari

Principal, Anthesis

Dan Gaynor

SVP of Strategy, SignalAI

Francesco Tronci

Managing Partner, FT Investments

Geoffrey Mosoti

G Architect, MIT

Chaudhary Adeel Rasheed

CEO, Resourcelinked and Snappretail

Alex Zapesochny

CEO, Clerio Vision, Inc.

Fatima Asghar

Dr, Brandeis University

Anukriti Jain

Product Development, Titan AI

Adity Dokania

Director of Cloud Infrastructure and Security at Kensho Technologies

Eran Bechor

Mirva Anttila

Investor, Board Member at HBS

Kai Lim

Founder, Reprise Health

Christiana Chen

VP of Product, Pluralsight

Manar Alazma

VP of Product Management, Independent

Hunter Goodson

Strategic Advisor

Anna Yang

Founder & CEO, Art Academy Plus

Farnold Degand

National Spokesperson & Player, Haitian National Basketball Team

David Yu

Professor of Finance, NYU Stern

Ishika Bansal

International Strategy and Partnerships Lead, Cambridge University

Fahim Shahriar

CEO & Co-Founder, SustainLaunch Labs

David Kay

Student, Harvard Business School

Marisa Krummrich

Investment Manager