Theme: Piece By Piece

"Piece by Piece" explores how small, intentional actions build a meaningful journey. It reflects the idea that every belief, decision, and action collaborate together to contribute to a greater whole. While the journey may seem incomplete or uncertain at times, each piece adds clarity and purpose, gradually bringing a larger vision into focus. From the resilience of personal journeys to the creation of policies that shape entire nations, the theme reveals how progress unfolds in countless intertwined ways; fitting together like pieces of an intricate puzzle. Just as each puzzle piece finds its place, the steady accumulation of efforts across diverse fields builds something monumental. It captures the essence of building bridges between vast disciplines, individuals, and ideas, demonstrating that no matter the field or focus, impactful change and groundbreaking innovation are born through carefully designed steps. “Piece by Piece” invites us to view challenges as opportunities, to embrace the journey as much as the destination, and to trust that these combined efforts have the power to shape something remarkable.

Connelly Auditorium
1001 Locust St
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19107
United States

David Priemer

Scientist, Founder, Author

David Priemer started his career as an award-winning research scientist before spending two decades leading top-performing technology sales teams. Today, as the Founder of Cerebral Selling, David's unique science and empathy-based sales strategies have been published in the Harvard Business Review as well as Forbes, Entrepreneur, and Inc. magazines. He is the author of two bestselling sales books available in 6 languages, and in his TEDx talk, David will help you supercharge your persuasive power by revealing the secret storytelling formula behind one of the most compelling and nostalgic forms of marketing: infomercials.

Gabrielle Pelicci

Professor of Integrative and Holistic Medicine

Gabrielle Pelicci, Ph.D., is a professor of Integrative and Holistic Medicine, bestselling author, and expert in transformational storytelling. She earned her doctorate at CIIS with a dissertation on women healers and has spent over two decades teaching and speaking globally. Named one of the Top 100 Women of the Future, Dr. Gabby helps individuals turn lived experience into powerful narratives—blending science, spirituality, and story to ignite personal growth and cultural change.

Ken Williams

Career Coach

Ken Williams is a Career Clarity Coach, a Get Unstuck expert, and the creator of the Leader Success Accelerator. As someone who has felt trapped by the office politics of Corporate America and who realized that his dream would never be fulfilled by climbing the corporate ladder, he peeled away from the idea of the traditional career and created Ken Williams Coaching. Now, he teaches mid-career professionals who are stalled in their professional growth plan how to find clarity and direction as they identify and follow what truly lights them up. Ken is the author of several books on goal setting and business development, and he started a family tradition that is growing into a movement by giving away chocolate cakes every week--over 9,000 cakes so far! He's convinced that you, too, live and work on your own terms.

Khushi Khurana

Founder of Youth Coding Camp

Khushi Khurana, a freshman at Moorestown High School, is passionate about science, technology, and community service. She has led three coding camps for 50 underserved kids, presented award-winning research at major science fairs, and spoke at SIGCSE 2025. A dedicated coxswain, she raced at Youth Nationals and Head of the Charles. Khushi also volunteers at HindiUSA and plays piano at Carnegie Hall. She hopes to inspire girls in tech while pursuing science and rowing in college.

Kim Rittberg

Entrepreneur+ Podcast Host

Kim Rittberg spent 15 years as a media executive at Netflix, PEOPLE Magazine, in TV News and launched the first-ever video unit for Us Weekly magazine and was integral in its $100 million sale. She’s a 6x-award-winning digital marketer and video expert. Kim has been featured in Business Insider and Forbes and contributes to Fast Company, is a speaker across the country including at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Convention, Inman Connect, Fast Company Innovation Festival and she guest lectures at Syracuse University. She is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Annenberg School. She also hosts the top 1% podcast The Exit Interview with Kim Rittberg and is a judge for the Emmys, Webbys and Anthem Awards. Kim’s podcast was spurred by her decision to quit corporate and launch her own business after working in the hospital while giving birth to her second child.

Laura Huang

Professor at Northeastern University

Laura Huang is a professor at Northeastern University and a leading expert on how perception and interpersonal dynamics shape success in entrepreneurship and leadership. Her research explores how individuals can create an edge—even in the face of disadvantage—by turning adversity into advantage and shaping how others see their value.

Nina Blackshear

Executive Coaching and Consulting

Nina Blackshear is an engaging speaker and executive coach who leverages her wide-ranging background to spark innovative thinking and cultivate growth-oriented mindsets. With warmth and directness, she empowers individuals and organizations to identify "What's Next," embrace change, and achieve authentic success through fresh perspectives. Nina's dynamic keynotes blend expertise, humor, and actionable insights to drive forward-thinking solutions and lasting transformation.

Risa August

Author

Risa August is an award-winning author, speaker, and transformational coach who turned a brain tumor diagnosis, a cross-country bike journey, and the unraveling of a former life into a story of radical reinvention. With a foundation in the modality of Gestalt and an inherent calling for patient advocacy, Risa is redefining the doctor-patient dynamic and reframing the language we use around healing. In her talk, Risa declares that sometimes the most life-changing shifts begin with one small word and the courage to believe in it. Through her creative and coaching work, she empowers others to transform adversity into purpose, and reminds us that thriving is always possible.