LORI H. SCHWARTZ is a true technology catalyst (‘Tech Cat’). As a leading advisor and speaker in marketing and tech innovation, Lori collaborates with executives of multiple brands, tech, and content companies to ensure their understanding of emerging content models. Los Angeles-based, Lori is a CNN Technology contributor. Lori’s StoryTech initiative facilitates communication between storytellers and technology companies. Their trends briefings, curation, and tour products have become well known globally through the work @CES, @NAB, @NATPE, and @IBC. Previously Lori was a Governor for the Television Academy’s Interactive Media Peer Group, driving thought leadership for the future of interactive media. She was Chief Technology Catalyst for McCann Worldgroup, North America where she drove tech and content innovation and was the key principle to launching the highly regarded IPGLAB where she facilitated emerging media upfronts for Microsoft, Intel, General Motors, Nestlé, and Sony. She has been profiled as one of the “30 Executives Shaping the Evolution of Media and Technology” by Variety and “100 People to Have Lunch With” by MediaPost Publications. An active spokesperson, Lori launched Digital Hollywood’s ‘Women’s Entertainment and Technology Mentor Program’ and is a recipient of the Lucy Hood Digerati Award for her contributions to the Television Academy.

Verena Puhm is a Sundance-featured, award-winning AI filmmaker and creative technologist blending emotional storytelling with cutting-edge tools. With a background in producing series for CNN and BBC and writing for Leonine Studio's Wiedemann & Berg TV as well as Red Bull Media's Terra Mater Studios, she bridges traditional and AI-driven cinema. Her work has been honored by Forbes, The Hollywood Reporter, and top AI festivals. A frequent speaker and judge, she’s part of OpenAI’s Sora Creator Circle, Google veo 2 Beta, Adobe AI Community Leader Program, Luma, Kling, Hailou Minimax, LTX, Freepik, Pika and Showrunner AI's Creator programs and collaborates globally across studios, pushing the future of storytelling forward. In addition to her solo creative work, Verena has developed several hybrid and fully AI-driven production pipelines, combining cutting-edge tools and processes for cost-efficient, high-quality content creation. She commands a distributed team of global specialists across production, AI and 3D animation, editing, VFX, sound, and compositing—allowing fast iteration, flexibility, and stylistic precision while keeping production lean and scalable. Verena’s workflow merges traditional filmmaking with generative AI capabilities, ensuring both narrative strength and technical innovation.

Johannes Saam, Futurist/Creative Technologist, Framestore/atara.xyz: Senior Creative Technologist / Futurist Johannes Saam took an early interest in 3D, teaching himself critical skills at a young age. He started self-taught, then studied at ScanlineVFX in Munich, and after earning a Master's in Computer Animation from Bournemouth University, he worked in Visual Effects for 15 years. He has worked on feature films, including Mad Max 4, Thor, Captain America, and Prometheus. Since joining Framestore, Johannes has worked on many projects in emerging technology for high-profile partners, including Apple, Google, Time Inc, BMW, and Facebook. He holds a Technical Achievement Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for his many achievements and honors for developing, prototyping, and promoting technologies and workflows for deep compositing. As well as an Emmy Award for his contributions to the Free Solo 360 project, he was part of the Platinum Lion-winning team of the 'Long live the Prince' campaign in Cannes. Beyond his numerous awards, Johannes has spoken at various events, most recently SXSW, GDC, Siggraph, and NFT NYC. He is currently researching creative ways to tell stories in all transmedia contexts. He profoundly understands machine learning technologies and focuses on discovering new avenues to excite audiences globally. Johannes is also known under the artist pseudonym 'ATARA'; His first NFT collection used generative art rooted in the blockchain. It sold out, and he is continuously expanding his presence as a web3 Creative. Most recently, Atara created Jeff the artist, a virtual being in the web3 space. And made the Dalle-Punks a unique and AI-created NFT project. Johannes is also an advisor for Luxy.io and several NFT projects.

Peter Pinfold, CEO, Darabase Canada: As an award-winning marketing executive, I have helped build some of the world’s most coveted brands including Dove, Coca Cola, Starbucks, Cineplex, NBA, and RBC.  For each brand, I am passionate about every phase of their journey – from discovering data-driven insights – to crafting a strategic plan – to creative execution. In many cases, the transition from strategy to execution is where the ball gets dropped. This is my sweet spot. I am also an unrelenting advocate for understanding what surprises and delights people – translating insights into products, experiences and communications that drive increased brand affinity (love) and/or value creation.  My experience includes working for corporations, agencies and start-ups. Most recently I leveraged my extensive marketing experience to co-found Nelson Cannabis Collective. The vision was to launch the first craft cultivation, processing and retail cannabis facility in a North American city centre. Unfortunately, due to escalating turmoil and uncertainty in the Canadian cannabis landscape, my partners and I pivoted the business into a scalable commercial real estate development. As a result, I am now focused on leveraging my two decades of diverse experience to assist a wide range of clients. My goal is to tackle the marketing and sales challenges of start-ups, scale-ups or smaller established businesses seeking to launch or grow a brand. I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit and love the idea of leveraging my marketing experiences to build a new business, product or brand from the ground up. In the next phase of my career, I am seeking a full-time, interim or consulting role in an organization where everyone feels valued. If you would like to connect, please reach out to me on LinkedIn or by email at pinfold@rogers.com. Specialties: Fractional CMO, sales & marketing strategy, branding, lead generation, creative design, MarTech, consumer research and digital marketing automation.

Fabian Birgfeld is CEO and co-founder of W12, a TCS Interactive Design Studio, leading the TATA team of 1800 designers globally. He is a trusted partner in product strategy and service design for global brands. Fabian is a founding partner of W12 Studios. He and co-founder Michael Albers started the design studio in 2012 to create a practice around people, skills and passion. At the heart of W12 Studios is the belief that amazing people working together will create ground breaking designs that will make a better future. W12 Studios brings many disciplines and teams together to work on next generation products ranging from TV platforms to fashion campaigns. Beforehand Fabian worked at frog design, Method and the BBC where he led the design teams for iPlayer, News, Sport and 2012 Olympics. Fabian has taught design and theory at Princeton University, Syracuse University and NJIT. His art and designs have been frequently exhibited in the US and Europe and won numerous awards. Born and raised in Germany, Fabian holds a BA in Economics from Harvard University and a graduate degree in Architecture from Princeton University.