Conference Schedule

8:00 AM | Registration & Coffee

8:30 AM | Opening Keynote: The Human-AI Loop & The Future of Work | Ahmed Flex Omar

8:45 AM | The State of Cyber: Threats, Trends, and the Global Stage | Bashir Muhammad (Moderator), Paul Vabakos, Amadou Diaw, Payal Patel

9:45 AM | Quantum Leap: A Panel Chat on Quantum Computing's Tech and Business Frontiers | Stuart Pino (Moderator), Ryan Lafler, Jeff Cohn, Nick Farina

10:45 AM | Coffee Break

11:00 AM | Algorithmic Accountability: Ethical Governance & Explainability in Financial AI | Temitayo Ade-Oshifogun (Moderator), Emil Aldaddah, Aliyah Kizilbash

11:45 AM | Lunch & Networking

12:45 PM | Workforce for Tomorrow: Building Talent and Opportunity in the Digital Age | Tess Katula (Moderator), Stephanie Yousif, Kevin Davenport

1:30 PM | Evolutions in Ed. Tech: Driving Future-Ready Learning Solutions | Candice Smith (Moderator), Ishani Patel, Dr. Fouad Bousetouane, Bevon Joseph

2:15 PM | Coffee Break

2:30 PM | WORKSHOP | Connected Intelligence: Amplifying Human Connection with AI | Temitayo Ade-Oshifogun (Facilitator)

2:30 PM | The Human Touch: Workforce and Customer Journeys in Hospitality | Martina Matthews (Moderator), Ryan Marks, Michael Foster, Sommy Irani

3:15 PM | Creative Economies: Leveraging New Tech and Opportunity in Gaming & Media | Ahmed Flex Omar (Moderator), April Welch, Stuart Pino

4:00 PM | Closing Remarks & Dismissal | Ahmed Flex Omar

Speaker and presenter opportunities at UPWARD 2025 are limited and very competitive, however we would be happy to review your credentials and see if you are a good fit.

Logo© 2025 Upward

Contact

Polsky Exchange North
1452 E. 53rd St.
2nd Floor
Chicago, IL 60615
United States

Social Media