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Phillip Fernandez Top Leadership Mentor Empowering Success & Mindset Transformation – 2026 Phillip Fernandez: Shaping Leaders Through Purpose, Mindset, and Human-Centered Growth Phillip Fernandez’s professional journey is a story of reinvention, courage, and deep belief in human potential. After nearly two decades in senior leadership roles with a global FMCG multinational, his career path seemed secure and successful by every conventional measure. Yet beneath the surface, Fernandez sensed a growing disconnect between achievement and purpose. That inner conflict became the starting point of a bold transformation that would later define his life’s work. Today, as Founder and Director of Wizard Business Consulting, Fernandez is widely recognized as a leadership mentor and mindset strategist who helps business owners, executives, and emerging leaders unlock sustainable success. His work blends lived experience, structured leadership frameworks, and a strong focus on values and authenticity. The title “Top Leadership Mentor Empowering Success and Mindset Transformation – 2026” reflects not only his professional standing but also the depth of impact he continues to make across industries and communities. A Leadership Philosophy Rooted in Authenticity At the heart of Fernandez’s leadership philosophy is the belief that effective leadership begins with self-awareness. He maintains that technical skills and business knowledge can take leaders only so far. Real influence, he believes, comes from understanding values, beliefs, and behavior patterns that shape daily decisions. Fernandez approaches leadership as a responsibility rather than a position. He emphasizes transparency, accountability, and humility as essential traits for anyone leading others. In his view, earning respect matters more than being liked, and admitting mistakes builds trust rather than weakness. He often reinforces that leaders cannot switch their values on and off between work and personal life. Authentic leadership, he believes, shows up consistently in all settings. This people-first approach has shaped his work for years. Fernandez focuses on creating safe environments where leaders can reflect honestly on their strengths, blind spots, and impact on others. His goal is not to impose change, but to guide individuals toward clarity and conscious choice. Innovation Through Mindset and Values-Based Frameworks Wizard Business Consulting stands apart through its emphasis on mindset transformation and values alignment. Fernandez has developed leadership and development programs that go beyond surface-level training. One of his most distinctive contributions is his work on the seven levels of human values, a framework that helps leaders understand how beliefs, upbringing, and experiences influence behavior. By identifying where individuals and organizations operate within these value levels, Fernandez is able to tailor coaching that leads to meaningful behavior change. He believes that most leadership challenges stem not from lack of skill, but from unexamined assumptions and unconscious bias. His innovation also lies in how he delivers these ideas. Fernandez blends structure with storytelling, humor, and practical examples drawn from real business situations. This makes complex human concepts accessible and relevant. Over time, his approach has evolved to include online programs, digital content, and global conversations, allowing his message to reach a much wider audience. Challenges, Setbacks, and Defining Milestones Fernandez’s journey has not been without hardship. Shortly after leaving the corporate world to build his own business, he faced a life-threatening autoimmune illness that required extended hospitalization. The experience reshaped his perspective on risk, fear, and purpose. Rather than slowing him down, it strengthened his resolve. He emerged with a renewed sense of urgency and clarity about why his work mattered. The global financial crisis of 2009 tested his resilience once again. As a young business owner still building credibility, Fernandez faced uncertainty and financial pressure. He responded by deepening his focus on networking, writing, and thought leadership. Over time, his reputation as a people performance expert grew, largely through word of mouth and consistent results. Another major challenge came during the COVID-19 pandemic, when his business experienced a dramatic drop in revenue. Instead of retreating, Fernandez used the period to invest in learning and creation. He completed his Master of Leadership, advanced his studies in Neuro Linguistic Programming, and transitioned much of his work online. This phase marked a turning point that expanded both his reach and influence. A Vision for the Future Grounded in Ethics and Impact Looking ahead, Fernandez’s vision extends beyond business success. He is increasingly focused on helping leaders consider the ethical and human consequences of their decisions. For him, leadership in the coming years must balance performance with responsibility. He aims to work more closely with decision-makers whose choices affect not just organizations, but communities and society at large. Fernandez believes that mindful leadership, guided by strong values, can play a meaningful role in creating a more balanced and compassionate world. This long-term vision shapes how he selects projects, partnerships, and platforms for his work. Creating Human and Industry-Wide Impact The impact of Fernandez’s work is reflected in the growth of individuals he has mentored and the cultures transformed through his programs. Many of his former associates and clients have gone on to build successful businesses of their own, carrying forward the principles they learned under his guidance. Beyond the corporate environment, Fernandez encourages leaders to engage with their communities through service and kindness. He promotes simple but powerful practices, such as volunteering regularly, performing intentional acts of goodwill, and actively looking for strengths in others. These actions, he believes, reinforce humility and gratitude, which in turn strengthen leadership presence. During the pandemic, his desire to support others led to the creation of the Winning Mindset Academy and podcast. Through conversations with leaders and entrepreneurs, Fernandez highlighted real stories of struggle, resilience, and purpose. The focus was not on fame or wealth, but on belief, self-worth, and meaningful progress. This initiative resonated with a global audience seeking direction during uncertain times. His growing influence also led to his invitation as a guest speaker at an international peace summit, where leaders from dozens of countries gathered with a shared goal of global understanding. Moments like these underscore the broader relevance of his work beyond traditional business settings. A Legacy Built on Purpose

Avinash Sista Most Progressive AI & Technology Leader of the Year 2026 Avinash Sista: Building Scalable Impact at the Intersection of Technology, Partnerships, and Purpose Avinash Sista’s journey in technology did not begin in a boardroom or a strategy meeting. It started much earlier, shaped by hands-on problem solving and an environment where engineering was not an abstract idea but a practical way of life. Growing up around his father’s engineering ventures, from automating poultry farms to building specialized motors, Sista developed an early appreciation for how technology could solve real problems. That foundation of curiosity and experimentation would later define a career built on innovation, collaboration, and impact at scale. Today, as Principal Partner Specialist for Strategic Partnership and Ecosystem at MongoDB, Sista plays a critical role in shaping how modern data platforms enable businesses to grow, adapt, and innovate. His work sits at the intersection of advanced technology, partner ecosystems, and real-world applications. In recognition of this influence and leadership, he was named “Most Progressive AI and Technology Leader of the Year 2026,” an honor that reflects both his technical depth and his ability to translate innovation into meaningful outcomes. A Leadership Philosophy Rooted in Practical Innovation Sista’s leadership style is grounded in approachability, clarity, and purpose. Rather than viewing leadership as a top-down function, he sees it as a shared responsibility that thrives on trust and collaboration. His background in mechatronics and engineering research has shaped a mindset that values understanding problems deeply before proposing solutions. He believes that strong leadership begins with listening. By engaging closely with partners, customers, and internal teams, he ensures that decisions are informed by real needs rather than assumptions. “It’s not just about the technology itself,” he notes, “but about how it can be adapted to meet the needs of the industries and communities we serve.” This philosophy allows him to bridge technical complexity with business relevance, a skill that is increasingly essential in fast-moving technology environments. At MongoDB, this approach translates into building ecosystems where partners are empowered rather than managed. Sista focuses on enabling others to succeed, knowing that sustainable growth comes from shared value and long-term alignment. Driving Innovation Through Ecosystems and Accessibility Innovation, for Sista, is not limited to breakthrough ideas or cutting-edge research. It is equally about making technology accessible, flexible, and usable at scale. His academic contributions, including six scholarly articles in mechatronics and two patent applications, reflect a strong foundation in technical innovation. Yet his professional focus has increasingly shifted toward ensuring that innovation delivers practical and lasting value. In his current role, Sista works closely with strategic partners to help them harness MongoDB’s platform for modern applications, cloud-native systems, and AI-driven solutions. He emphasizes adaptability as a core principle. Technologies must evolve alongside business needs, regulatory demands, and societal expectations. “By making technology approachable and flexible, we can leave a lasting positive mark,” he explains. This belief shapes how he evaluates partnerships and solutions, prioritizing those that can scale responsibly and remain relevant over time. Navigating Challenges in a Rapidly Changing Landscape One of the defining challenges of Sista’s role is the speed of technological change. Data platforms, AI capabilities, and digital ecosystems evolve rapidly, often faster than organizations can adapt. Staying ahead requires not only technical awareness but also strategic foresight. Sista addresses this challenge by staying deeply engaged with emerging trends while remaining grounded in real-world application. He fosters strong collaborations across the ecosystem, ensuring that innovation is not developed in isolation. This collaborative approach allows MongoDB and its partners to respond proactively to change rather than reactively. Recognition through awards such as the Clario Awards and the Webby Awards has marked key milestones in his journey. These honors, he believes, are meaningful not just for what they represent personally but for what they signal about the broader impact of the work. They reflect the ability of well-designed technology to resonate beyond technical circles and create value that is widely recognized. Milestones That Reflect Purpose and Progress Throughout his career, Sista’s milestones have followed a consistent theme: innovation with intent. From academic research to industry recognition, each phase has reinforced his belief that technology should serve a clear purpose. Applying for patents and publishing research allowed him to explore the boundaries of engineering, while industry roles helped him translate those ideas into scalable solutions. At MongoDB, his progression into a leadership role within strategic partnerships represents a natural evolution. It allows him to combine technical understanding with ecosystem thinking, ensuring that innovation is supported by strong relationships and shared goals. “It’s incredibly rewarding when the solutions we build are recognized not just for their technical excellence but for their real societal value,” he says. This perspective continues to guide his decision-making and priorities. A Vision Focused on AI, Scale, and Lasting Impact Looking ahead, Sista’s vision centers on scaling impact through AI-driven capabilities and strong partner ecosystems. He sees MongoDB as a critical enabler for organizations seeking to build intelligent, data-driven applications that can adapt to change. His ambition is to empower partners and clients to use these tools responsibly and effectively, creating solutions that deliver long-term benefits. He is particularly focused on sustainability in innovation. Rather than chasing short-term trends, Sista advocates for building platforms and partnerships that can evolve over time. This long-term view aligns with his belief that technology leaders have a responsibility to consider the broader implications of their work. To those aspiring to leadership in technology, his advice is clear and grounded. “Stay curious, value real-world applications, and always anchor your innovations in the needs of those you serve,” he says. For Sista, curiosity fuels growth, but purpose gives it direction. Impact Beyond Technology Sista’s influence extends beyond products and platforms. By shaping how ecosystems collaborate and how innovation is approached, he contributes to a culture that values inclusion, accessibility, and shared success. His work demonstrates that leadership in technology is as much about people and partnerships as it is about code and infrastructure. The

John Atkinson-Abutridy Top AI Leadership Excellence in Research & Education – 2026 Top AI Leadership Excellence in Research & Education – 2026 John Atkinson-Abutridy: Building Responsible AI Through Research, Education, and Trust Dr. John Atkinson-Abutridy’s career reflects a rare balance between deep technical rigor and real-world relevance. From his early days as a computer science engineer in Chile to his work across leading global research institutions and policy bodies, his journey has been shaped by one consistent belief: artificial intelligence should serve people, support decisions, and strengthen institutions. As the founder of AI-Empowered and a respected researcher, educator, and advisor, he has spent decades ensuring that AI evolves as a responsible, explainable, and human-centered discipline. His professional path began in an environment where computing resources were limited and shortcuts were not an option. This formative experience required a strong understanding of fundamentals and systems thinking, an approach that continues to define his work today. Later, doctoral studies in Artificial Intelligence at the University of Edinburgh placed him at the center of advanced research in natural language processing and exposed him to global collaboration. Over time, partnerships with institutions such as the University of Cambridge, IBM T.J. Watson Research Center, and MIT further shaped his interdisciplinary outlook. Yet, Dr. Atkinson-Abutridy’s impact extends far beyond research labs. As a professor, department director, and founder of multiple AI laboratories and graduate programs, he has played a central role in building AI capacity in Chile and beyond, long before AI became a global trend. This sustained commitment to education, applied research, and policy has positioned him as a trusted voice in shaping how AI is developed, taught, and governed. A Leadership Philosophy Rooted in Foundations and People Dr. Atkinson-Abutridy’s leadership style is grounded in patience, clarity, and long-term thinking. Rather than chasing rapid technological cycles, he focuses on building strong foundations, both technical and institutional. His leadership emphasizes people development, shared understanding, and systems that can endure change. He believes leadership in AI is not defined by a single breakthrough, but by the ability to create environments where learning, collaboration, and responsibility coexist. “Leadership in AI means building institutions and talent pipelines that last, not reacting to hype,” he has often noted in academic and professional settings. This philosophy has guided his work in founding AI laboratories, supervising dozens of theses, and designing graduate programs that prioritize fundamentals over tools. By integrating research, education, and industry collaboration, his leadership approach bridges gaps that often limit AI adoption. Teams under his guidance are encouraged to understand not only how models work, but why they are used, how they affect people, and what risks they introduce. Innovation Through Integration, Not Isolation Innovation, in Dr. Atkinson-Abutridy’s view, is rarely about isolated algorithms. It is about integration. Throughout his career, he has focused on hybrid and explainable AI systems that combine data-driven models with domain knowledge, linguistic structure, and human oversight. His research background in natural language processing and text mining has consistently addressed one of AI’s most pressing issues: trust. High-performing systems often fail in real environments because they cannot explain their outputs. To address this, his work emphasizes interpretability and human-in-the-loop design, especially in high-stakes sectors such as energy, finance, health, and public services. This same thinking shapes AI-Empowered, the company he founded to help organizations adopt AI responsibly. Under his leadership, the firm evolved from a traditional consulting model into a strategic partner that supports AI strategy, deployment, governance, and internal capability building. Rather than delivering isolated proofs of concept, AI-Empowered focuses on embedding AI into real workflows and decision processes. When large language models began reshaping the AI landscape, Dr. Atkinson-Abutridy took a measured approach. Instead of treating them as replacements for prior methods, he integrated them into existing decision-support systems, ensuring continuity, reliability, and accountability. “AI value comes from how systems fit into decisions, not from models alone,” he has emphasized. Challenges, Milestones, and the Choice to Persist The challenges Dr. Atkinson-Abutridy has faced reflect the broader challenges of the AI field itself. One persistent issue has been bridging the gap between academic research and real-world deployment. Many promising ideas fail when confronted with messy data, organizational constraints, or social consequences. His response has been to ground research in reality from the start. By leading applied R&D projects, working closely with industry and government, and delivering solutions that resulted in technology transfer and registered intellectual property, he has ensured that innovation remains practical and sustainable. Another major challenge has been skepticism toward early investment in AI education. In 2017, when he proposed and led the creation of one of Chile’s first structured AI diplomas and Master’s programs, such initiatives were seen by many as premature. Persisting despite doubts proved to be a defining milestone. Today, these programs have helped shape a generation of professionals equipped to understand AI deeply, not just use it superficially. Among his many recognitions, including the ACM Senior Member Award and being named among “The Future of AI: 10 Leaders to Watch,” the most meaningful milestones are rooted in trust. His role as a scientific advisor to the Chilean Senate and his contributions to Chile’s first national AI policy marked a shift from individual achievement to societal impact. A Clear Vision for the Future of AI Looking ahead, Dr. Atkinson-Abutridy’s vision centers on responsible growth. He aims to advance explainable and trustworthy AI in the era of large language models, ensuring that power does not come at the cost of transparency or accountability. Through AI-Empowered, he plans to expand advisory work that helps organizations move from experimentation to mature AI adoption. This includes guiding leaders through governance, evaluation, and organizational readiness, especially as global AI regulations evolve. He is also committed to deeper engagement with policy, public understanding, and AI governance. Drawing on years of advisory experience, he seeks to help shape frameworks that balance innovation with protection, ensuring AI systems serve public interest as well as economic goals. At the core of this vision is a shift

James Stephen Chief Executive Officer of Krown Technologies James Stephens: Building Trust at the Edge of the Quantum Frontier James Stephens does not speak about security as an abstract concept. For him, it is personal, hard-earned, and inseparable from lived experience. As Founder and CEO of Krown Technologies Inc., Stephens has positioned himself at one of the most demanding intersections in modern technology: blockchain, digital forensics, and the coming quantum era. His work is driven not by hype or speculation, but by a clear conviction that trust, once broken, must be rebuilt with architecture, values, and accountability. Krown Technologies was not born from convenience or trend-following. It emerged from moments of betrayal, loss, and a profound reckoning with the fragility of digital systems when transparency is absent. Those defining experiences, combined with Stephens’ technical expertise and faith-driven sense of purpose, have shaped a company that aims to protect users at a level the blockchain industry has rarely attempted. Today, under his leadership, Krown Technologies is developing a quantum-secured ecosystem designed to withstand threats that many organizations still consider distant. With products like the Qastle Wallet already demonstrating market demand for security-first solutions, Stephens is building not just tools, but confidence in a space often marked by skepticism. Leadership Rooted in Conviction and Accountability James Stephens’ leadership philosophy is inseparable from his personal journey. Before founding Krown Technologies, he experienced fraud and deception from individuals who exploited trust. Rather than retreating from the digital world, he chose to confront its weaknesses head-on. These experiences shaped a leadership style grounded in empathy for users and intolerance for opacity. Stephens leads with a strong emphasis on values. Honesty, integrity, transparency, and accountability are not marketing language within Krown Technologies; they are operating principles. He believes systems should earn trust rather than demand it, a belief that influences everything from product architecture to internal decision-making. Faith also plays a central role in how Stephens approaches leadership. He views his work not merely as a commercial endeavor, but as a mission. He has often described Krown as a company built from purpose, shaped by conviction, and guided by service. This perspective informs a leadership approach that prioritizes long-term responsibility over short-term gain. Rather than positioning himself as a distant executive, Stephens maintains a close connection to Krown’s global community through direct and meaningful engagement. He regularly hosts video calls, leads KrownMEETs, and conducts podcasts whenever possible, creating open channels for dialogue and feedback. Listening, he believes, is central to leadership. Stephens often emphasizes that Krown’s growth is inseparable from its community, acknowledging that the company would not be where it is today without the people who believe in it and actively shape its direction. This continuous exchange reinforces his conviction that trust is built through presence, transparency, and shared ownership of the mission. Innovation That Anticipates, Not Reacts Innovation at Krown Technologies is defined by foresight. Stephens recognized early that the blockchain industry was approaching what he describes as a quantum-threat horizon. While much of the market focused on scaling and speed, he began preparing for a future where quantum computing could compromise traditional cryptographic protections. This forward-looking mindset led to the creation of a quantum-secured blockchain ecosystem, long before the concept gained mainstream attention. Stephens’ background in blockchain, crypto, and digital forensics enabled him to see beyond current threat models and design systems capable of adapting to new ones. The launch of the Qastle Wallet stands as a defining example of this philosophy. Designed to be secure, intuitive, and transparent, Qastle addressed vulnerabilities that Stephens himself once experienced. Its success was not accidental. It was the result of a layered security architecture that includes quantum-grade encryption, advanced authentication, and forensic-level auditing, all built around a user-first design. Stephens emphasizes that innovation should never come at the expense of clarity. One of the industry’s greatest problems, in his view, is misinformation that overwhelms everyday users. Krown’s products aim to simplify complex security without compromising robustness, making advanced protection accessible rather than intimidating. This approach reflects Stephens’ belief that true innovation is not about reacting to breaches after they occur, but about preventing them through thoughtful design and ethical responsibility. Navigating Challenges in a Rapidly Shifting Landscape The challenges facing the blockchain industry are both technical and cultural. According to Stephens, the rapid evolution of digital threats is only part of the problem. Equally concerning is the lack of transparency that continues to undermine trust across the ecosystem. Quantum computing represents another looming challenge. While its potential benefits are widely discussed, its implications for encryption and digital security are often underestimated. Stephens views this gap in preparedness as a serious risk, particularly for users who assume existing protections are sufficient. To address these challenges, Krown Technologies employs a layered approach to security. This includes quantum-grade encryption, advanced authentication mechanisms, and continuous forensic auditing. However, Stephens is clear that technology alone is not enough. Systems must be built with ethical intent and maintained with accountability. He also confronts the issue of misinformation directly. By focusing on clear communication and education, Krown seeks to empower users rather than overwhelm them. Stephens believes that when people understand how and why systems protect them, trust becomes a natural outcome rather than a forced assumption. While acknowledging that threats will never fully disappear, he maintains that the right combination of values and architecture can significantly reduce risk. For Stephens, resilience is not about claiming invulnerability, but about preparing responsibly for what lies ahead. Milestones That Validate Purpose Among the many milestones in Stephens’ career, two stand out as particularly meaningful. The first is the overwhelming success of the Qastle Wallet. Its adoption confirmed what Stephens had long believed: users are actively seeking safer, more transparent blockchain tools. The response demonstrated that security-first design is not a niche preference, but a growing expectation. The second milestone is Krown Technologies’ selection as the premier sponsor of BITCOIN 2026, in partnership with BTC Inc. and Bitcoin Magazine. This recognition places Krown on a

Shannon Kacherovich Founder, & CEO of Lorem Springs Shannon Kacherovich: Rewriting the Language of Risk, Reason, and Human Understanding Shannon Kacherovich does not fit neatly into a single professional archetype. An actuary by training, a founder by conviction, and a chief executive by necessity, she operates at the intersection of mathematics, systems thinking, and human behavior. As Founder and CEO of Lorem Springs, Kacherovich has built a company that began almost as a personal intellectual exercise and evolved into a serious platform for questioning assumptions, improving processes, and encouraging people to think differently about how they engage with opposing ideas. Her work reflects a rare combination of analytical rigor and emotional intelligence, shaped as much by spreadsheets and models as by parenthood, travel, and lived experience. At its core, Kacherovich’s story is not about disruption for its own sake. It is about dissatisfaction with complacency and the belief that better outcomes are possible when people are willing to challenge the status quo thoughtfully and constructively. Through Lorem Springs, she has created a space where logic meets empathy, and where progress is driven not by noise but by clarity. Leadership Rooted in Perspective and Responsibility Kacherovich’s leadership philosophy is deeply personal. She often points to the defining moment in her life not as a professional milestone, but as the birth of her children. Becoming a parent reshaped her understanding of responsibility, patience, and purpose. While she anticipated that her priorities might change, the depth of that shift only became clear with experience. Her life, by her own account, now centers around her children, and that grounding has influenced how she leads. Rather than adopting a top-down or performative leadership style, Kacherovich favors small, focused teams built around trust and subject matter expertise. Throughout her career, she has consistently chosen to work in close collaboration with individuals who understand their domains deeply. In these environments, hierarchy matters less than contribution. Each voice is expected to add value, and leadership becomes a shared responsibility rather than a fixed title. This approach reflects her belief that meaningful progress happens when people feel ownership over both the problem and the solution. As a leader, she does not position herself as the sole source of answers. Instead, she acts as a facilitator who brings structure, discipline, and clarity to complex discussions. Her role is to ask the right questions, frame the challenge accurately, and ensure that decisions are informed by both data and context. Innovation Through Mathematical Thinking and Process Improvement Innovation at Lorem Springs does not follow trends or buzzwords. It is rooted in Kacherovich’s background as an actuary and her long-standing interest in combining mathematical concepts with practical process improvement. Over the years, she has built and refined models designed to simplify complexity, identify inefficiencies, and help organizations make better decisions under uncertainty. These models are not abstract exercises. They are designed to be used by real people facing real constraints. Kacherovich is keenly aware that even the most elegant solution fails if it cannot be understood or adopted. As a result, her innovation strategy emphasizes usability, transparency, and adaptability. Every model must serve a purpose, and every process must justify its existence. One initiative that best reflects her leadership and vision is her consistent choice to design solutions collaboratively. By working with small groups of experts who understand the nuances of their fields, she ensures that innovation is informed by reality rather than assumption. Each participant contributes meaningfully to the design and outcome, creating solutions that are both technically sound and operationally viable. This collaborative innovation model also reinforces her broader philosophy. Progress does not come from imposing ideas, but from building them together. Challenging the Comfort of the Status Quo If there is one challenge that defines Kacherovich’s field, it is resistance to change. Convincing people to be dissatisfied with the status quo, she notes, is often harder than solving the problem itself. Familiar systems, even flawed ones, provide a sense of comfort and predictability. Questioning them requires effort, humility, and a willingness to accept uncertainty. Kacherovich approaches this challenge with patience rather than confrontation. She understands that people rarely change their minds when they feel attacked or dismissed. Instead, she focuses on creating space for curiosity. By framing alternative ideas as opportunities rather than criticisms, she encourages stakeholders to explore new perspectives without feeling defensive. Her work through Lorem Springs often involves helping individuals and organizations articulate what is not working and why. Once dissatisfaction is acknowledged, the path to improvement becomes clearer. This process requires not only technical skill but also emotional awareness. It is about listening carefully, understanding motivations, and guiding conversations toward shared goals. Milestones, Humor, and the Seriousness of a “Joke” Among Kacherovich’s many milestones, the one she finds most meaningful is also the most ironic. Lorem Springs began, in her mind, almost as a joke. The name itself reflects a sense of humor and a willingness to question convention. Initially, she did not take the idea of building a company too seriously. It was an intellectual exercise, a way to explore ideas and critique existing systems. Over time, however, something unexpected happened. The joke started to take on substance. Lorem Springs began to resonate with others. What was once a personal experiment became a functioning entity with a clear purpose. The realization that the company was becoming real was both surprising and amusing to her. As she puts it, the joke was on her this time. This moment stands out not just because it marked the formal establishment of Lorem Springs, but because it underscored a deeper principle she values. Creating a company is, in her view, a practical expression of the First Amendment. It is the right to criticize existing structures and attempt to do better, not just in theory but in practice. By making an idea available to others, it becomes accountable, testable, and open to improvement. A Vision Focused on Understanding and Common Ground Looking ahead, Kacherovich’s ambitions extend beyond traditional measures

Hitesh Patel  Founder & CEO of Blu3Aero Architecting Resilience: Dr. Hitesh Patel’s Vision for a Future-Proof Aviation Industry A Visionary at the Intersection of Strategy and Operations The global aviation industry stands at a critical juncture in late 2025, characterized by a rapid post-pandemic recovery and an urgent need for sustainable operational models. Few leaders navigate this complex landscape with the dexterity and foresight of Dr. Hitesh Patel. As the Founder and Principal of Blu3Aero LLC, Dr. Patel has cemented his reputation not merely as an executive but as an architect of resilience. His career spans more than three decades and encompasses every facet of the aviation ecosystem, from technical operations and fleet management to high-stakes financial leasing and startup incubation. Dr. Patel is recognized by peers and industry observers as a “start-up specialist” who possesses the rare ability to translate high-level strategic vision into granular operational reality. His recent accolade as one of the “Top Entrepreneurs You Need to Know in 2025” underscores his enduring influence. Whether establishing the technical backbone of a low-cost carrier in the United States or managing the explosive growth of a premium airline in India, his professional journey reflects a consistent theme: the pursuit of efficiency without compromising safety or quality. The JetBlue Foundation: Redefining Technical Excellence To understand Dr. Patel’s current philosophy, one must look to his foundational role at JetBlue Airways. As a member of the founding team in the late 1990s and early 2000s, he helped script one of the most successful aviation stories in North American history. The early 2000s were a tumultuous period for US airlines, yet JetBlue emerged as a beacon of reliability and customer satisfaction. Dr. Patel was instrumental in building the framework for the airline’s technical operations, a critical component that often determines a carrier’s profitability. During his tenure, he worked under new Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidelines to certify the airline, a rigorous process that required absolute precision. His leadership of the Technical Operations team resulted in JetBlue achieving the best delay and cancellation operational performance on the A-320 fleet in North America between 2001 and 2003. This achievement was not a matter of luck but the result of a meticulously designed system that prioritized preventive maintenance and data-driven decision-making. This period instilled in him a belief that operational excellence is the bedrock of brand reputation, a principle he continues to champion today. Scaling Ambition with Kingfisher Airlines Following his success in the United States, Dr. Patel took his expertise to the rapidly expanding Indian aviation market. As Executive Vice President and a member of the founding team at Kingfisher Airlines, he stepped into a role that demanded management at a massive scale. Kingfisher was not just an airline; it was a statement of luxury and ambition that sought to redefine air travel in India. Dr. Patel oversaw a fleet of 71 aircraft and an operation that ran 395 daily flights across the subcontinent. His responsibilities at Kingfisher were vast, covering engineering, flight operations, network planning, and corporate affairs. He managed seven direct reports and over 3,500 indirect reports, serving as a linchpin for the organization’s strategic direction. This role required navigating the complex regulatory environment of Indian aviation while maintaining the high standards of service for which the airline was known. He played a key role in the merger and acquisition of Air Deccan, a move that consolidated the market and tested his skills in organizational integration. His time at Kingfisher demonstrated his capacity to handle high-pressure environments and manage substantial budgets, with overall responsibility exceeding hundreds of millions of dollars. The Strategic Shift to Leasing and Finance The aviation industry is as much about financial engineering as it is about aeronautical engineering. Recognizing this, Dr. Patel transitioned into the world of aircraft leasing, a sector that serves as the lifeblood for capital-intensive airlines. His tenure as CEO of Veling Aviation in Mauritius marked a shift from operational management to asset management. Over six successful years, he navigated the company through challenging market conditions, eventually moving into an advisory role to support strategic growth. This experience provided him with a holistic view of the industry’s financial underpinnings. He learned that leasing is not merely a transaction but a strategic lever for risk management. He advocates for the philosophy that “risk belongs with the lessor,” emphasizing that airlines should focus on their core competency of flying passengers while leasing firms handle asset complexity. At Veling, and later at his own firm, he structured leases, sourced funding, and managed redeliveries, gaining deep insight into how asset values fluctuate with maintenance cycles and regulatory shifts. This financial acumen complements his operational background, allowing him to speak the language of both engineers and investors. Blu3Aero: A Boutique Approach to Global Challenges In March 2020, amidst the onset of a global crisis that grounded fleets worldwide, Dr. Patel founded Blu3Aero LLC. His vision was to create a boutique consultancy anchored in integrity, agility, and real-world insight. He recognized that the post-pandemic world would require airlines to be more flexible than ever before. Blu3Aero was designed to help carriers navigate this uncertainty by offering “high-touch, high-integrity” partnerships. Under his leadership, Blu3Aero has brought billions of dollars in assets under advisory, assisting airlines in North America, Europe, Asia, and the MENA region. The firm’s value proposition lies in its independence and deep domain expertise. Unlike larger, impersonal consultancies, Blu3Aero offers hands-on collaboration across commercial, financial, and technical disciplines. Dr. Patel’s team helps airlines uncover hidden cost drivers and redesign operational models to improve cash flow without cutting corners. His mantra, “Flexibility is king,” reflects the reality of modern aviation, where carriers must adapt to seasonal demand and shifting route maps with speed and precision. Pioneering Low-Cost Long-Haul with flypop Dr. Patel’s entrepreneurial spirit is perhaps best exemplified by his current role as Chief Operating Officer of flypop. Based in the United Kingdom, flypop aims to disrupt the market with a low-cost long-haul (LCLH) model, targeting the Visiting Friends and

Joan Gillman Science Teacher at The Browning School Innovating Science Education: A Forty-Four-Year Journey of Hands-On Discovery Joan Gillman’s enduring commitment to student-centered learning continues to shape the minds of future scientists and engineers through rigorous, interdisciplinary curriculum design. Teaching is frequently described as a profession, yet for some educators, it transcends professional obligations to become a lifelong calling. Joan Gillman, currently serving in her forty-fourth consecutive year in the field, exemplifies this dedication. Her career is defined not merely by its longevity but by a consistent evolution of pedagogical strategies that prioritize student engagement, inclusivity, and the practical application of scientific principles. From her early days volunteering in high school to her current role at The Browning School in Manhattan, Gillman has developed a teaching philosophy that integrates hands-on engineering, environmental stewardship, and interdisciplinary study. Early Inspirations and a Foundation of Inclusivity Gillman’s interest in education began long before she entered a formal classroom as a certified teacher. During her high school years, a mandatory community service program became the catalyst for her future career. She chose to fulfill her graduation requirements by volunteering in a lower school setting, where she engaged in a variety of educational activities. These included teaching elementary students to play the recorder, tutoring small groups in mathematics, and organizing recreational games on the playground. Her early work drew praise from school administrators, particularly for her natural ability to foster inclusivity. The head of the school noted Gillman’s specific talent for ensuring every child participated in playground games, regardless of their athletic prowess. This formative experience established a core tenet of her teaching philosophy: the importance of giving every student an opportunity to shine. Simultaneously, Gillman expanded her teaching repertoire outside the school environment. She taught swimming at a local Jewish Community Center, working with children of various abilities, including those with special needs. She also served as a substitute ballet teacher. These experiences taught her the joy of helping children overcome fears, such as a fear of water, and the satisfaction of watching them gain confidence through movement and skill acquisition. The Formative Years: Learning from Special Education The trajectory of Gillman’s teaching style was significantly influenced during her pursuit of a Master’s Degree in Education. Her student teaching placement took her to P.S. 47, a Junior High School for the Deaf, where she worked with profoundly deaf science students in grades seven, eight, and nine. It was here that she encountered a cooperating teacher who would fundamentally shape her approach to science instruction. This mentor understood that abstract scientific principles could be difficult to convey without tangible, physical examples, especially for students with hearing impairments. During an electronics unit, the class constructed a miniature amusement park complete with working rides. Witnessing students apply theoretical knowledge to build functional mechanical structures demonstrated the immense power of hands-on learning. This experience solidified Gillman’s resolve to prioritize experiential learning in her own future classrooms, a practice she continues to employ decades later. Lifelong Learning and Professional Certification A commitment to education requires a commitment to one’s own continuous learning. Gillman models this behavior for her students by consistently engaging in professional development. In the fall of 2018, she undertook a rigorous process to become a National Geographic Certified Educator. This certification identifies teachers who have completed specialized training to incorporate storytelling, exploration, and science into their instruction. The certification process required Gillman to prepare a Capstone video showcasing her classroom practices. She chose to highlight her oil spill curriculum, a unit designed to foster environmental awareness through simulation. In this lesson, students are tasked with cleaning up a simulated oil spill in the science lab using vegetable oil. They must remove oil from three distinct objects: a seashell, representing marine animals; a feather, representing bird life; and a container of sand. This exercise forces students to confront the difficulty of environmental remediation. By struggling to clean these items, students gain a visceral understanding of the ecological damage caused by real petroleum spills. The difficulty of the task serves a dual purpose. It teaches scientific concepts regarding density and mixtures while simultaneously encouraging students to reflect on their carbon footprints and environmental responsibilities. Interdisciplinary Teaching and Global Impact Gillman advocates strongly for an interdisciplinary curriculum where learning does not occur in isolation. In her science classes, she deliberately incorporates elements from other academic subjects to demonstrate how disciplines connect in the real world. This approach often leads to projects that extend beyond the classroom walls and into the realm of community service and global citizenship. A prime example of this methodology occurred during a lesson on water shortages with her sixth-grade students. The class discussed the global disparities in access to clean water. One student, deeply moved by the lesson, was inspired to take action and joined the school’s Green Team, a conservation club led by Gillman. The group researched various organizations dedicated to water access and selected water.org as their partner. The students organized a fundraiser that mobilized the entire school community. They collected donations, created informational posters, and raised over one thousand dollars. This initiative demonstrated that when students are provided with relevant scientific knowledge, they can be empowered to effect tangible positive change. Fostering Inquiry with the Straw Rocket Unit To capture the natural curiosity of younger students, Gillman utilizes projects that blend scientific inquiry with mathematical precision. Her Fourth Grade Straw Rocket unit challenges students to design a rocket capable of achieving maximum flight distance. This project introduces students to the concept of variables in scientific experimentation. Students manipulate several factors of their rocket design, including the length of the straw, the number and style of fins, the size of the clay nose cone, and the angle of launch. The project requires the application of math and measurement skills alongside scientific reasoning. Students must record the characteristics of their rockets, including mass, before conducting test launches. During the outdoor launch phase, they measure the length of each flight. The analysis continues back