Meet the thought leaders, visionaries, and worldwide community changers who will share their ideas and expertise at the Columbus ICF Global Summit 26.

Dr. Caldwell serves as executive vice president focusing on community partnerships and revenue generation for DC.  As a member of the Tri River Alliance she works closely with the City of Defiance and others working in the Upper Maumee Watershed collecting water and soil samples, as well as, demonstration projects in wetlands restoration.

Agustín Argelich is the Founder, President, and Principal Consultant of Argelich Networks, an independent international consulting firm specializing in digital transformation, telecommunications, intelligent communities, and strategic technology advisory for governments and enterprises.

Alison Burgess is an accomplished public sector leader who serves as the Executive Director of Communications and Engagement for the Regional Municipality of Durham. She brings a highly unique, data-driven perspective to public policy and civic outreach, backed by an extensive background.

Ana Herrera González is an innovation and economic development leader with more than 15 years of experience advancing business digitalization and technology entrepreneurship across public- and private-sector organizations.

Bob is a social entrepreneur and community leader focused on rural economic development, sustainable agriculture, and regional food systems. As CEO of Applied Intelligence Coaching and Managing Partner of a family health products business (founded 1970), he combines consulting expertise with hands-on community leadership.

Brandon Brown is the Chief Innovation and Technology Officer for the City of Dublin, Ohio, where he leads the City’s efforts to harness technology to drive innovation, strengthen cybersecurity, improve public services, and advance Dublin’s vision of being one of the world’s most connected communities.

Chang Li-shan is the Magistrate of Yunlin County, Taiwan, where she leads one of the country's most ambitious programs for smart governance, sustainable development, agricultural innovation, and industrial transformation.

Chao-Chun Huang is a Technical Specialist with the Yunlin County Fire Department, working at the intersection of emergency medical services, technology and public safety innovation. His work includes advancing new approaches to prehospital emergency care and using technology to improve response capabilities across the community.

Chris Amorose Groomes was elected to serve as mayor of Dublin in 2020 and again in 2024. She previously served a two-year term as vice mayor from 2018 to 2020. A life-long Dublin resident and owner of Amorose Landscape Service, Amorose Groomes served eight years on the Dublin Planning and Zoning Commission.

Chris is a partner in Taft’s Public Affairs Strategies Group, advising private entities, public agencies, and individuals on energy, utilities, telecommunications (both wired and wireless), broadband, information technology, data center issues, and related regulatory matters.

Christine Coch is CEO of Brightlands Maastricht Health Campus, where she leads an innovation ecosystem bringing together research, entrepreneurship, healthcare, government and industry to accelerate breakthroughs in health and life sciences.

Cynthia Richmond is an economic development leader with more than 30 years of experience in local economic development, spanning business recruitment and retention, small-business assistance, real estate development, economic policy, strategic planning and economic sustainability.

Daniel Bicand Fernández is an entrepreneur and AI technology leader focused on helping organizations turn artificial intelligence into practical business solutions. As CEO and Co-Founder of Galileo Studio AI, he works at the intersection of AI, automation, software development and digital transformation.

David Staley is an associate professor in the Department of History--where he teaches courses in digital history and historical methods--and holds courtesy appointments in the departments of Design--where he has taught courses in Design History and Design Futures--and Educational Studies, where he has led the "Forum on the University."

David Meadows is the Economic Development Director for the City of Hilliard, Ohio, where he leads initiatives focused on business attraction, retention, entrepreneurship, and long-term economic growth.

Donna Gillespie is the Chief Executive Officer of the Kingston Economic Development Corporation (Kingston Economic Development) and a driving force behind Kingston's emergence as one of Canada's leading innovation and investment destinations.

Doug McCollough has established himself as an advocate for diversity in technology. With over 20 years in technical and leadership roles in State government, Smart Cities, and nonprofits, Doug now serves as CEO of coding bootcamp Color Coded Labs and Executive Director of The #BetaDistrict

Duane Powell is the Chief Information Officer for the City of Hilliard, Ohio, where he leads the city's technology strategy, cybersecurity, digital transformation, and smart city initiatives - with more than three decades of experience in telecommunications, enterprise infrastructure, and public sector technology

Dr. Emily Fehrman Cory is an entrepreneur, physicist and technology commercialization leader with more than two decades of experience spanning photonics, advanced manufacturing, defense innovation and entrepreneurship.

Francisco Javier Alonso de la Paz is a specialist in urban green infrastructure, landscape management, biodiversity and sustainable public spaces. At TECNIGRAL, he serves as Special Projects Manager, contributing expertise to projects focused on the planning, management and improvement of urban green environments.

Greg is an attorney and senior counsel at Taft with more than 40 years of experience advising public and private clients on telecommunications, public utility, and broadband matters.

Igor Oliveira serves as Secretary of Science, Technology, and Innovation for the Municipality of Assaí, Paraná, Brazil, where he has helped transform one of the country's smallest cities into a globally recognized model for innovation, digital transformation, and smart community development.

Jaime Santamarta Martinez is a Councilor for the City of Las Rozas de Madrid, Spain, where he leads the portfolios of Environment, Urban Services, Smart City, and Transportation. A civil engineer with specialized expertise in digital transformation, innovation, and smart cities, Jaime has been instrumental in advancing Las Rozas as one of Europe's leading intelligent communities.

Jenn Fowler Howard is an accomplished nonprofit executive and workforce development leader dedicated to expanding access to technology education, creating economic opportunities, and building inclusive workforce ecosystems.

John originated the Intelligent Community concept and continues to serve as the Forum's leading visionary. Formerly President and CEO of the Greater Toronto Marketing Alliance and Calgary Economic Development Authority, he is a registered professional urban planner, urban designer and economic developer.

Since first elected to the Franklin County Board of Commissioners in November 2008, John O'Grady has worked to make Franklin County one of the best communities in the nation for living, visiting and doing business.

Julia Dewey is Chief Partnerships Officer at Rev1 Ventures, where she leads strategic partnerships with corporations, research institutions, economic development organizations, and public- and private-sector funding partners.

Kelly Rowe is the creator of City Action Lab and brings two decades of experience working with the public sector as a researcher, senior advisor, and management consultant. With a rare blend of policy expertise, political insight, and management consulting experience, she is a trusted partner to senior officials at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels.

Kenneth N. Wilson was appointed County Administrator in January 2015. As County Administrator, the highest unelected post in county government, Mr. Wilson leads 15 county agencies with more than 1,400 employees and oversees the county’s annual $2.2 billion budgeting process.

Lindsay Miller is the Founder and Principal of Connected Future Consultancy, LLC, where she helps communities, governments, and private-sector partners develop broadband and digital infrastructure strategies that expand connectivity and create long-term economic opportunity.

Dr. Lindsay Beyger is Manager of Community Relations for Durham Region, Ontario, where she supports initiatives that strengthen community engagement, partnerships, innovation and the Region’s international profile.

Louis helped found the Intelligent Community movement. He is the developer of the Intelligent Community of the Year Awards programs. He helps ICF communicate the importance of developing viable and innovative communities to audiences and oversees the Institutes of the Intelligent Community Forum around the world.

Marc C. Sanderson is Director of International Economic Development for the City of Málaga, where he works to position the city as an international destination for technology, innovation, investment and business growth.

Matt joined ICF in 2012 to manage the Forum’s events, video and audio production and online communications. In the years since then, he has steadily advanced in his competencies and responsibilities.

Maurice Olivers is the Public Relations and Communications Director for Brightlands Circular Space in the Netherlands, where he leads international positioning, stakeholder engagement and strategic communications for one of Europe’s leading circular-economy initiatives.

Businessman in the metalworking industry, Mayor Bomtempo serves as the mayor of 2025 Top7 Community Assaí, Paraná, Brazil.

Mayor Mike McCann is a lifelong Defiance, Ohio, resident who was first elected Mayor in November 2015 and has continued serving the community through subsequent terms. A 1975 graduate of Defiance High School, he attended the University of Toledo before returning to his hometown.

Moez Chaabouni is the Founder, President, and CEO of Summit, a Salesforce-exclusive consulting partner. Moez helps organizations drive transformational automation through the Salesforce platform. He supports the nonprofit community through Summit’s donated Salesforce expertise and his public service initiatives.

Nahom Abegaze is Director of Continuous Improvement at Maharishi International University (MIU), where he works in operational excellence, organizational improvement, and strategic initiatives.

Rob McCann is the President of the Hamilton Technology Centre (HTC), one of Canada's leading innovation hubs, where he is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs, startups, and technology companies grow through collaboration, mentorship, and community.

Rob Tamblyn is a seasoned economic development professional with more than 25 years of experience supporting business growth, community development and strategic initiatives across Eastern Ontario.

Robbert Koldenhof is the Managing Director of LIOF, the regional development agency for the Dutch province of Limburg, where he leads efforts to strengthen the region’s economy through innovation, investment, internationalization, and sustainable entrepreneurship.

Robert heads ICF’s research, analysis and content development activities. He directs the multi-stage analysis of communities for Intelligent Community Certification, Community Assessments and the annual Intelligent Community Awards program.

Dr. Wilson is a behavioral decision scientist studying individual decisions under risk. She is also interested in the development of strategic communication efforts, as well as the design of decision support tools that assist individuals in making more informed choices.

Ronald Otten is an independent consultant affiliated with Ami Consultancy, where he helps organizations navigate complex societal and technological change and translate emerging opportunities into clear strategies and meaningful action.

Sherry Kish, J.D. is a National Practice Consultant and Advanced Mobility Advisor at HNTB, where she helps transportation agencies and communities navigate emerging mobility technologies, data and privacy, policy, infrastructure planning, and stakeholder engagement.

Stu Davis is a Vice President and Consulting Expert at CGI, where he advises state and local governments on digital transformation, technology modernization, cybersecurity, AI, and organizational change.

Tamlyn Shimizu is a global urban innovation and communications leader at BABLE Smart Cities, where she connects cities, companies and changemakers to accelerate smart, sustainable and people-centered urban transformation.

Wendy Dupley is an award-winning economic development leader with more than 25 years of international experience across three continents and all three levels of government. She currently serves as Economic Development Advisor to the City of Langley, British Columbia.

Dr. Yael Vodovotz is a professor in the Department of Food Science and Technology at The Ohio State University and serves as Faculty Research Lead for Circular Economy within Ohio State’s Sustainability Institute. Her research spans functional foods, bio-based materials, sustainable packaging and circular-economy innovation.