Inspiring Speakers

Get ready to be inspired. At Confluence, we bring together bold visionaries, industry trailblazers, and transformative thinkers shaping what’s next. This year’s speaker lineup promises fresh perspectives, powerful ideas, and conversations that challenge convention. Stay tuned- because you won’t want to miss what’s coming.

Dr. Peggy Whitson

American Astronaut and Biochemist

Dr. Peggy Whitson is a former NASA astronaut and biochemist who began her career at NASA/Johnson Space Center as a Research Biochemist in the Biomedical Operations and Research Branch. During her time at NASA, she developed negotiation and leadership skills as a member of the U.S.-USSR Joint Working Group in Space Medicine and Biology. She continued developing these skills when she was named the Project Scientist of the Shuttle-Mir Program and served in this capacity until the conclusion of the Phase 1A Program in 1995. Dr. Whitson held the additional responsibilities of the Deputy Division Chief of the Medical Sciences Division at Johnson Space Center from 1995 to 1996 and served as Co-Chair of the U.S.-Russian Mission Science Working Group.

Selected from thousands of applicants, Dr. Whitson began her Astronaut training in 1996. Upon completing two years of training and evaluation, she was assigned technical duties in the Astronaut Operations Planning Branch and served as the lead for the Crew Test Support Team in Russia from 1998 to 1999. Soon after, Whitson was then selected to fly her first space mission to the International Space Station (ISS) Jun-Dec 2002, launching and landing on a Space Shuttle. During this 6-month mission, she became the first Science Officer of the ISS and conducted one spacewalk in the Russian Orlan spacesuit.

From November 2003 to March 2005, she served as Deputy Chief of the Astronaut Office. Also in 2003, she served as commander of the fifth NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations (NEEMO) mission in the underwater habitat, Aquarius. In 2005, Whitson began training for the 16th Expedition to the ISS. She launched in Nov 2007 on her second 6-month mission, and served as the first female Commander of the ISS, conducting 5 spacewalks as a part of the ISS assembly.

After returning from her second long duration mission, Whitson continued serving in a number of leadership roles, culminating in the Chief of the Astronaut Corps between October 2009 to July 2012. She was responsible for the mission preparation activities and on-orbit support of all International Space Station crews and their support personnel. She was also responsible for organizing the crew interface support for future commercially-provided cargo and crew transport vehicles. Whitson was the first female nonmilitary Chief of the Astronaut Office.

Whitson's third mission launched in November 2016. Originally planned as a 6-month mission, she was extended to a nine-and-a-half-month mission, returning in September 2017, accumulating the records noted above while accomplishing an enormous wealth of scientific research and 4 additional space walks.

Following her retirement from NASA in 2018, Whitson joined Axiom Space and announced her return to space in 2021. After serving as backup commander for Axiom Mission 1 (Ax-1), she commanded Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2) in 2023 and Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) in 2025. During Ax-4, she became the oldest woman to orbit Earth and extended her record to 695 cumulative days in space. She now serves as Vice President of Astronaut Operations at Axiom Space, helping lead the transition from government-led missions to the next generation of commercial space stations, as well as providing her insights into the development of the AxSuit that will be used on the lunar surface.

Whitson graduated from Mt. Ayr Community High School, Mt. Ayr, Iowa, in 1978; received a Bachelor of Science in Biology/Chemistry from Iowa Wesleyan College in 1981 and a Doctorate in Biochemistry from Rice University in 1985.

Michael Burton Brown

Head Coach, New York Knicks and five-time NBA champion coach

Mike Brown is the head coach of the New York Knicks and a two-time NBA Coach of the Year, including the only unanimous selection in league history. In his first season in New York, he led the franchise to its first NBA championship in 53 years, marking the fifth championship of his coaching career and his first as a head coach.

Entering his 12th season as an NBA head coach and nearly 30th year in the league, Brown has led the Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento Kings, and Knicks. He also spent six seasons as lead assistant with the Golden State Warriors, winning three NBA championships (2017, 2018, 2022), and began his coaching career with the Washington Wizards, San Antonio Spurs, and Indiana Pacers, earning his first title with San Antonio in 2003.

Brown guided Cleveland to its first NBA Finals appearance in 2007 and was named NBA Coach of the Year in 2009 after leading the Cavaliers to a franchise-record 66 wins. Beyond the NBA, he served as head coach of Nigeria's men's national team from 2020 to 2022, leading the program at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

A University of San Diego graduate and former Toreros basketball player, Brown has spent nearly three decades leading teams at the highest levels of professional basketball. He has built a reputation as one of the NBA's most respected coaches, with sustained success across multiple organizations.

Dan Schulman

CEO of Verizon; Former President & CEO of Paypal

Dan Schulman is focused on democratizing the global financial services system and improving the financial health of people, families, and businesses around the world. As the CEO of Verizon, Dan is steering the company toward the future of connectivity, expanding its reach and impact worldwide. As the former CEO of PayPal (2015-2023), Dan led PayPal to empower people in their financial lives and reimagine how merchants can continually strengthen their businesses. Under Dan’s leadership, PayPal was named as one of the top companies on JUST Capital and Forbes’ JUST 100 list, featuring “companies doing right by America.” PayPal has also been recognized as a Fortune Change the World company for its work to tackle the biggest challenges facing society today and named to Morning Consult's "Most Trusted Brands" list. He

Dan’s leadership and impact have been recognized by several notable organizations. The New York Urban League presented Dan with the 2021 Frederick Douglass Award, in recognition of his commitment, dedication, and influence to advance the rights of generations of underserved Black Americans. In 2020, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights honored him with the Ripple of Hope Award, which recognizes those who have demonstrated a commitment to social change and a passion for equality, justice and basic human rights.

In 2019, Dan was recognized by Endeavor Global with the High-Impact Leader of the Year Award for his work to support entrepreneurs around the globe. He was also honored with the Financial Health Network’s inaugural Visionary Award in 2018 for his commitment to improving the financial lives of people around the world. Dan received the 2017 Brennan Legacy Award, established to honor the late Supreme Court justice and his career-long commitment to social justice and “common human dignity”. The Council for Economic Education named Dan as its 2017 Visionary for promoting economic and financial literacy to create a better-informed society. Rutgers University bestowed upon Dan an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree, and he also delivered the University’s 252nd anniversary commencement speech.

Dan has frequently been recognized by Fortune as one of the "Top 20 Businesspersons of the Year" and in 2021, named to Fortune's 50 World's Greatest Leaders list. He has also been named one of the top 100 Most Creative People by Fast Company and, in 2019, he was named one of Glassdoor's Top 50 CEOs. In addition, he has been recognized as one of the top 10 Most Innovative CEOs in Banking.

Dan previously served as Group President at American Express. Prior to joining American Express, Dan was President of the Prepaid Group at Sprint Nextel Corporation following its acquisition of Virgin Mobile USA, Inc., where he led the company as its founding CEO for eight years. Earlier in his career, Dan was President and CEO of Priceline Group, Inc., where he led the company through a period of rapid growth and expansion. He also spent 18 years at AT&T, where he held a series of positions, including President of the Consumer Markets Division.

Dan is actively involved in the World Economic Forum, as a member of the International Business Council, and the Board of Governors and Board of Stewards for the Future of Financial & Monetary Systems platform. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Business Roundtable. In addition, Dan is a life member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and an International Advisory Council member of the Singapore Economic Development Board. Dan is a Director of Verizon Communications, Inc., and previously served as Non-Executive Chairman of NortonLifeLock (formerly Symantec Corporation). He also serves on the boards of The Economic Club of New York and Autism Speaks. Dan earned a BA from Middlebury College and an MBA from New York University’s Leonard N. Stern School of Business. He is an avid mixed martial arts practitioner.

Beau Lotto

Neuroscientist & founder and CEO of the Lab of Misfits, a neuroperception creative studio; visiting scholar, NYU

The only constant in life is change. And the only way to thrive in a rapidly changing world is to evolve because of it. The biggest barrier and solution is in our heads. Neuroscientist and entrepreneur BEAU LOTTO shows why becoming evolvable by moving from A to NotA means letting go of the assumptions and beliefs that keep us from seeing the world differently. A world-renowned expert in the neuroscience of perception, Beau reveals why trading certainty for doubt increases our capacity to adapt, lead, innovate, and thrive in the darkness of “I don’t know.”

A professor with deep academic credentials and critical scholarly works on the subject, Beau is also founder and CEO of three companies – Lab of Misfits, the world’s first neuro-design studio, Ripple, which holds several highly influential patents in Augmented Reality (AR) and Evolvable.Me, a brain-based AI engine that empowers private individuals, Corporate Leaders and Teams take agency in their own evolutionary process by creating insight and implementation. A three-time mainstage TED speaker with over 10,000,000 views, Beau has spoken around the world, delivering totally unique, visually stunning, interactive, and fun presentations that help people see and act differently in the face of change. His message is an ideal conference kick-off – providing powerful, positive, creative context that sets a tone for the content and collaboration that follow. Beau’s latest book is Deviate: The Science of Seeing Differently.

Born in Seattle, Beau Lotto earned his bachelor's degree at the University of California, Berkeley in 1991. He then moved to Scotland, where he earned his PhD in Neuroscience from University Medical School, Edinburgh in 1994. He remained in Edinburgh for his first postdoctoral fellowship (with Professor David Price), and then moved to Duke University for his second fellowship, where he was mentored by Professor Dale Purves.

Beau was a professor at University College London for 20 years, and is now a professor at University of London, as well as a visiting scholar at New York University. He has mentored over 30 undergraduate, masters, and PhD students, as well as postdoctoral fellows.

In 2001, Beau Lotto founded the Lab of Misfits Studio, the world’s only Neuro-Creative Studio that is also a real Neuroscience Lab. The Lab Studio’s goal is to foster discovery, understanding and invention. Their unique process of Immersive Experiments unites neuroscience expertise and measurement with digital technology and immersive design. They study humans “in the wild” - in theaters, public spaces, even across entire cities - using a combination of digital, virtual, and physical techniques and neuroscientific methodologies. By unveiling the essential truths of Human Nature that empower us to thrive in a constantly changing world, their work deepens connections, empowers personal wellbeing and enables unique innovation. Pragmatically, their insights are scientifically unique and quantified, commercially valuable to the stakeholders, and emotional and actionable to public audiences. They have since created public experiences around the world, including London’s Science Museum, Hayward Gallery on London’s South Bank, and a public art installation in London’s famous Silicon Roundabout. Their past clients include Cirque du Soleil, L’Oreal, Asurion, Microsoft, Edelman, The UAE’s Crown Prince’s Court, and others. Lab of Misfits currently powers the Neuroscience offering at Burson Cohn & Wolfe (BCW), the world's second largest public relations and communications firm.

Beau and his Lab have published over 70 peer-reviewed articles across multiple disciplines, including augmented and virtual reality (indeed, their involvement in the EU consortium of labs defined “presence” in the VR space), human perception, physiology, molecular and cellular development, animal (including human) behavior, music, graph theory, complex systems theory, computational evolution, artificial intelligence, architecture, theatre, art and design. His science lab received funding from a wide range of institutions including the Wellcome Trust, the Leverhulme Trust, and other scientific research funders.

Beau is CEO and founder of the Lab of Misfits, as well as the founder and CEO of Ripple Inc, which holds highly influential patents in Augmented Reality (AR). Using its technology and exclusive patented IP, the Lab creates digital platforms and custom, proprietary digital interactions that layer the world with immersive digital content. Examples include the GPS-based AR apps Traces, Acoustigram, and W_nder, all of which focus on location-tied storytelling, adding a layer of meaning to the world that has hitherto been impossible. He is also the Founder and CEO of Evolvable.me, an AI Engine that empowers individuals, leaders and teams to evolve their perceptions and practices in order to take agency in their personal and professional lives.

In addition to TED, Beau has spoken at the G8, Google’s Zeitgeist, Wired, World Economic Forum, Cannes Lions Creativity Festival, Burning Man, and the Oslo Freedom Forum, among many others. He has contributed to television, radio and podcast programs by the BBC, National Geographic, HBO, Wharton on Business Radio, and PBS. He is a frequent keynote speaker at major corporations including J&J, Warner Music, Universal, Viacom, Sainsburys, Microsoft, Google, Apple, and the UAE’s Crown Court, where he speaks about the fundamental barriers to thriving in uncertainty and how to overcome them.

“Once you understand how perception works, you can't help but see yourself in the world in a different way and engage in it in a different way,” says Lotto, who is author of three books: Why We See What We Do, Why We See What We Do Redux, and Deviate: The Science of Seeing Differently. He was nominated for the MacArthur Genius Award, received the Josef Albers Prize for Disruptive Innovation at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York, and was the first Creator in Residence at Viacom.

Ethan Mollick

Innovation Expert & Artificial Intelligence Thought Leader; Professor of Entrepreneurship, The Wharton School

Prof. Ethan Mollick is the bestselling author of Co-Intelligence, a New York Times bestseller and a best book of the year from The Economist and Financial Times, and the forthcoming Co-Existence (on sale in October). He is the Ralph J. Roberts Distinguished Faculty Scholar, Rowan Fellow, and Associate Professor at the Wharton School, where he directs the Generative AI Lab and studies the effects of AI on work, entrepreneurship, and education. He was named one of TIME Magazine's Most Influential People in Artificial Intelligence. In addition to his research and teaching, Ethan is the Co-Director of the Generative AI Labs at Wharton, which build prototypes and conduct research to discover how AI can help humans thrive while mitigating risks. Prior to his time in academia, Ethan co-founded a startup company, and he advises numerous organizations. Mollick received his PhD and MBA from MIT’s Sloan School of Management and his bachelor’s degree from Harvard University.

Salil Parekh

CEO & MD, Infosys

Salil Parekh, as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, sets and evolves the strategic direction for the company and its portfolio of offerings, while nurturing a strong leadership team to drive its execution. Salil has nearly three decades of global experience in the IT services industry with a strong track record of driving digital transformation for enterprises, executing business turnarounds and managing successful acquisitions. He is a member of the National Council of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). Salil topped the IT services ranking in Brand Finance's Brand Guardianship Index (BGI) 2024 for the role of CEO as brand custodian and steward of long-term shareholder value.

Anant Adya

EVP, Service Offering Head, CIS & Head - Americas Delivery, Infosys

Anant Adya is the Executive Vice President and Service Offering Head - Cloud, Infrastructure, and Security Services and Head – Americas Delivery. With a strong commitment to advancing cloud solutions, Anant leads a dynamic team dedicated to empowering customer journeys. Anant also oversees Infosys Cobalt, an innovative suite of solutions, platforms, and services to guide enterprises through AI-powered digital transformation. He focuses on revolutionizing industry-specific cloud solutions and pioneering cutting-edge applications for pivotal technologies, including cloud computing, AI, data analytics, edge computing, IoT, and 5G. Anant collaborates closely with enterprises to help them achieve their desired business outcomes.

Rafee Tarafdar

EVP & CTO, Infosys

Rafee is a Unit Technology Officer and heads the Strategic Technology Group at Infosys that focuses on building next generation platforms, capabilities and solutions. The Strategic Technology Group comprises of Technology Strategists defining and driving large transformational programs and platforms, Power Programmers who work as full stack developers on complex engineering projects for clients and Expert Trackers who bring in deep technical expertise in emerging technology areas and are involved in building platforms and solution for Infosys.

He has over twenty years of IT experience and the first phase of his career focused on coding and developing products for the Manufacturing and Banking industry. In the second phase, he concentrated on consulting, architecting and delivering transformational solutions for the Retail, Consumer Goods and Logistics industries. Now, in the third phase, he is directed towards building deeper architecture, technology and programming capabilities within Infosys, developing new Go-To Market solutions and building platforms for Infosys and their clients. His current research interests include operating models for sustainability and skills development, published in The Live Enterprise: Create a Continuously Learning and Evolving Organization (McGraw-Hill).

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