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Previous Speakers

Thomas Mazloum
President, New Experiences Portfolio and Disney Signature Experiences - Disney Parks, Experiences and Products
Thomas Mazloum is the president of New Experiences Portfolio and Disney Signature Experiences, leading several key growth businesses for the Disney Parks, Experiences and Products segment and inspiring teams around the world to deliver the company's unparalleled family vacations. Based in Celebration, Florida, Thomas oversees Disney Cruise Line, Disney Vacation Club, Adventures by Disney, National Geographic Expeditions, Golden Oak, Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, Disney Institute, National Geographic Live and Storyliving by Disney.
Before being named to his current role, Mazloum served as senior vice president of operations at the Walt Disney World Resort, overseeing 30 Disney resort hotels as well as premium services, security and transportation operations at one of the world's premier vacation destination.
At Disney Cruise Line, Thomas is responsible for the entire award-winning operation, including the Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy and Disney Wish cruise ships, as well as Castaway Cay (Disney's private island in the Bahamas) and Disney's Port Canaveral cruise terminal. He also oversees the much-anticipated expansion of Disney's cruise fleet, with three new ships on the horizon, all of them showcasing the immersive family entertainment, enchanting storytelling and world-class service for which Disney is well known.
Thomas also leads the team at Disney Vacation Club, the company's popular vacation-ownership program. The club offers a portfolio of 15 themed resorts, from its newest property, Disney's Riviera Resort, to Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Hawaii, to properties across Walt Disney World Resort, at Disneyland Resort and in Vero Beach, Florida and Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. His other responsibilities include Adventures by Disney and National Geographic Expeditions, the company's guided group travel businesses; Golden Oak, Disney's luxury whole-ownership community of custom homes at Walt Disney World Resort; and Disney Institute and National Geographic Live, which celebrate advancement and exploration through engaging and enriching programming.
In addition, Thomas is responsible for the development of a newly launched business, Storyliving by Disney. These master planned communities are intended to inspire residents to foster new friendships, pursue their interests and write the next exciting chapter in their lives – all while enjoying the attention to detail, unique amenities and special touches that are Disney hallmarks. The first Storyliving by Disney community, Cotino, is being built in Rancho Mirage, California. Additional locations in the U.S. are under exploration for future development.
Thomas began his Disney career in 1998 as a hotel director for Disney Cruise Line and was instrumental in launching the Disney Wonder, the second ship in the Disney fleet. He later served as general manager of Food & Beverage and Special Events at EPCOT. Before returning to Disney in 2017, Thomas served as the chief operating officer of Crystal Cruise Line, leading efforts to define “The Crystal Experience,” a concept that would set the bar for luxury vacations, with a focus on nurturing a positive employee culture.
Born in Austria, Thomas earned his degree in hotel management and administration in Innsbruck. A lifelong learner, he has also received several business certifications from institutions including Cornell University, the Hotel School of Lausanne and the Hotel School of Salzburg.
Presented:
- From Ear to Eternity: Using Data to Unlock Your Imagination

Shingai Manjengwa
Head of AI Education, ChainML
Shingai Manjengwa is the head of AI education at ChainML, a startup building an open-source platform for the rapid and responsible development of generative AI tools. She is also the founder of Fireside Analytics Inc., a data science education company that develops customized programs to teach digital and AI literacy, data science, bias and fairness in machine learning, and computer programming to various audiences.
A data scientist by profession, Shingai previously led Technical Education at the Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Toronto, where she translated advanced AI research into educational programming to drive AI adoption and innovation in industry and government.
Shingai’s online courses have over 500,000 registered learners on platforms like IBM’s CognitiveClass.ai and Coursera. Her book, "The Computer and the Cancelled Music Lessons," teaches data science to kids from ages 5 to 12.
She was one of the DMZ’s Women of the Year in 2022 and is the recipient of the 2023 Womxn in Data Science Guiding Light Award. You can find Shingai on LinkedIn and Twitter: @Tjido.
Presented:
- From Analytics to AI: Building Successful Teams in a Rapidly Changing World

Ozan Varol
Rocket Scientist Turned Professor, Bestselling Author & Expert on Creativity & Critical Thinking
Ozan is a rocket scientist turned award-winning professor, #1 bestselling author and internationally acclaimed speaker. He is one of the world’s foremost experts in creativity, innovation and critical thinking.
Ozan has been called a “true original” by Adam Grant and dubbed a “superhero” by Dan Pink. His work has been described as “must read” by Susan Cain and featured in the Wall Street Journal, Time, BBC, CNN, Fast Company, Washington Post and more. His books and articles have been read by millions around the globe.
He’s the author of two bestselling books, "Awaken Your Genius" and "Think Like a Rocket Scientist." The books have been translated into 25 foreign languages and received numerous accolades, including being selected as:
- One of Amazon's Top 20 business books of the year
- Adam Grant’s # 1 pick of his top 20 leadership books of the year
- One of Inc.com’s “6 Business Books You Need to Read This Year (according to Bill Gates, Satya Nadella, and Adam Grant)”
- One of 6 Groundbreaking Books of Spring 2020 (according to Malcolm Gladwell, Susan Cain, Dan Pink, and Adam Grant)
Presented:
- Reimagine the Status Quo with Moonshot Thinking

Andy Eyherabide
Sr. Vice President of Technology, Specialty in Data & AI, Globant
Results driven and passionate for innovation, Andy Eyherabide is Globant's senior vice president for
technology. Andy created his first data and analytics start-up, Datalytics, in 2007. He built a multi-national team throughout South America to help clients make better strategic decisions with the use of big data. In 2013, he chose Globant as a growth vehicle for his career. Andy currently leads Globant's global team in the key growth market of media and entertainment. Their ongoing work aims to apply artificial intelligence and data strategy so that companies adapt and stay relevant in an environment with multiple platforms and touchpoints.
Presented:
- Using Generative AI to Redefine the Analytics Experience

Aniruddha Ray
Vice President, Analytics, Factspan
With over 22 years of experience in leading data and AI driven digital transformation, Aniruddha specializes in designing, building and scaling cloud data and AI platforms for clients. His transformation journey includes experience in organizations like IBM, Accenture, GE, EMC etc.
He loves to architect data and AI solutions to maximize client value while infusing a data product mindset and adaptive governance. He is a passionate data-driven storyteller, strategic thinker and innovator.
Presented:
- Data in Motion: Empowering Business Agility with Dynamic Data Pipelines

Doug Traill
Director Solution Architecture and Engineering, NVIDIA
Doug leads the Solution Architecture team at NVIDIA for Enterprise Products. His team supports customers adopting the latest NVIDIA technology for Gen AI, Data Science, Professional Visualization and Virtual Reality. Doug joined NVIDIA in 2009 and has supported many key Industry verticals from Media & Entertainment to Public Sector.
Doug holds a Masters degree in Telecommunication Business management from Kings College London and a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Glasgow.
Presented:
- Transforming Experiences with Generative AI - For Both Customers and Employees

Frank Pacione
Partner Solutions Engineering Manager, Snowflake
Frank is a partner solutions engineering manager at Snowflake. He leads a global team of partner sales engineers who are focused on helping ISV and Powered by Snowflake partners, such as Habu and Hightouch, grow and build data intensive applications on Snowflake.
Presented:
- Turbocharging AI/ML and Building a CDP on the Snowflake Data Cloud

Goutham Belliappa
Managing Director, Deloitte Consulting
Goutham Belliappa is the managing director for AI in Deloitte Consulting's Telecom Media & Entertainment practice focused on advising, implementing and operating data and AI outcomes for clients. Goutham led AI / gen AI and data transformations, clean rooms, personalization and other data and AI projects within media, gaming, hospitality and telco clients. He has worked closely with partners, implemented solutions, and built data and AI teams with NVIDIA, AWS, Google, Azure, Snowflake, Databricks and Salesforce. Goutham holds a Master of Computer Information Systems & Engineering (CISE) from the University of Florida, and loves returning home to Florida for work and pleasure.
Presented:
- Transforming Experiences with Generative AI - For Both Customers and Employees

Graham Allan
Managing Director, Deloitte Consulting
Graham has spent almost 30 years in digital media and entertainment technology, leading content operations, media supply chain metadata, rights and information architecture transformations for major film, animation & VFX, television, online media, theme parks, publishing and content aggregation organizations in the United States and Europe. As managing director at Deloitte Consulting, he drives a range of strategy and digital transformation initiatives across the media landscape.
Presented:
- Transforming Experiences with Generative AI - For Both Customers and Employees

Holly Stevens
Director of Product Marketing
Holly Stevens leads G2M strategy and content development for MicroStrategy's most innovative emerging products. As one of the team's most strategic storytellers, she works continuously to inspire creativity in the world of data analytics.
Prior to this role, Holly was a product manager for four years, integrating user testing and human-centric design into product development. Under her leadership, MicroStrategy introduced the Library application framework—enabling organizations to create personalized workspaces for users and shifted focus to machine learning.
Holly graduated from the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce, concentrating in Marketing and Management with a track in Business Analytics.
Presented:
- From Data to Action: Maximizing Value with Analytics and AI

Hugh Owen
Executive Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer, MicroStrategy
Hugh Owen has served as executive vice president and chief marketing officer since October 2020 and has previously served in various positions in support, product, marketing, and education since joining MicroStrategy in January 2000.
Mr. Owen received a Bachelor of Science Honours in Business from The University of Bath, England, in 1999.
Presented:
- From Data to Action: Maximizing Value with Analytics and AI

Luke Ambrosetti
Partner Solutions Engineer, Snowflake
Luke is a partner solutions engineer at Snowflake. He is passionate about data apps and martech, and works with both Snowflake customers and partners to build their applications on top of Snowflake. Prior to Snowflake, Luke implemented customer engagement and communication platforms for enterprise customers.
Presented:
- Turbocharging AI/ML and Building a CDP on the Snowflake Data Cloud

Melissa Yurash
Sr. Customer Success Engineer, Conviva
Melissa Yurash is an expert in streaming measurement with a decade of experience collaborating and consulting across global Tier 1 OTT streaming publishers and cable companies to optimize operations efficiency and customer experience. She has spoken at industry events and evolved her methodology to drive best practices in streaming measurement and is Six Sigma certified with a Bachelor of Statistics and Mathematics. Melissa is passionate about solving the challenge of delivering a consistent quality of experience for streaming and has worked to define KPIs and measure customer expectations in the industry.
Presented:
- Real-Time Decisioning and Data Freshness: Unleashing Your Data Superhero

Nick Winfrey
Director, Audience Modeling and Data Science, The Walt Disney Company
Nick Winfrey is a director, audience modeling and data science, Disney Advertising. In this role, Winfrey oversees groups responsible for data science and data strategy for advertising sales, covering Disney's portfolio of linear, streaming, digital, and social properties. The teams are responsible for creating and driving innovative solutions focused on audience segmentation, data activation, and clean room capabilities underscored by Disney's proprietary Audience Graph. Winfrey previously worked for the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Federal Reserve and graduated from the University of San Diego.
Presented:
- How Leading the Data Clean Room Revolution Landed Disney on 2023's List of Most Innovative Companies

Priya Raman
Corporate Data & Analytics Lead, Accenture
Priya Raman is the corporate data and analytics lead for Accenture. Prior to Accenture, Priya was chief data and analytics officer for Microsoft and Hub. She brings expertise in driving value for organizations by designing and establishing data and intelligence organizations for Microsoft, GE Aviation, GE Financial Services, Nielsen Retail, Coca Cola and Hub, leading to enterprise-wide transformation. Priya has created holistic transformation of enterprise data management, bridging insights and intelligence with automation and generative AI.
Priya strongly believes that “data is the new currency,” and uses her passion and experience to create transformational business value that sticks.
Presented:
- Implementing a Modern Data Strategy in the Age of AI

Puneet Lakhanpal
Field CTO, Snowflake
Puneet is a Field CTO at Snowflake, who advises Snowflake customers on data science and ML strategy. He has a background in delivering business outcomes through MLOps, DevOps and working with distributed computing systems.
Presented:
- Turbocharging AI/ML and Building a CDP on the Snowflake Data Cloud

Sabina Schneider
Chief Solutions Officer, Specialty In Data & AI, Globant
Coming from a hard-skill career background in big data and backend scalable platforms, Sabina joined Globant when it was a startup of 20 people. In the studios, she worked with diverse teams to develop smart corporate products incorporating machine learning, artificial intelligence and image processing to provide long-term value. Sabina focuses on delivering transformation programs by breaking down big business challenges into actionable elements to achieve a shorter time to market with continuous delivery. She bridges the gap between technical skill and business acumen and helps companies become more competitive through data-driven, rapid, and dynamic technology solutions.
Presented:
- Using Generative AI to Redefine the Analytics Experience

Stuart Moncada
Product Leader, Google
Stuart Moncada is a product leader at Google working on the Google Cloud Data and AI Platform. Throughout his 20+ year career, Stuart has built and launched a variety of data products in industries including security, healthcare and digital advertising.
Prior to Google, Stuart was vice president of product at several technology companies including Canary Technologies, Thirty Madison, and DoubleVerify.
Stuart holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from University of California, Los Angeles, a Master of Science in Image and Speech Recognition from the University of Southern California, and a Master of Business Administration from University of California, Los Angeles.
Presented:
- Implementing a Modern Data Strategy in the Age of AI

Sushil Kumar Pandey
Director, Data & AI, Factspan
With over 13 years of experience in enabling customers to build and utilize data assets to drive value for end consumers, Sushil has primarily worked with entertainment, pharma and retail clients and deeply understands evolution of technology and its application in designing highly dynamic data solutions. In his role as director of data & AI, Sushil manages a portfolio of projects within enterprise data strategy, data platforms & services, data governance, advance AI/ML with a goal of delivering business insights from data assets.
Presented:
- Data in Motion: Empowering Business Agility with Dynamic Data Pipelines

Ted Flanagan
Chief Customer Officer, Habu
As Habu's chief customer officer, Ted oversees the company's customer engagements end-to-end, starting with solution design and continuing all the way through implementation and value delivery. Habu is redefining how companies work with data - building software that puts privacy first and delivers on business outcomes. Ted leads Habu's pre-sales solution engineering team, as well as its post-sale customer success and analytics functions. He brings over a decade of experience advising the world's leading brands on how they can better leverage data and technology. Based in New York City, Ted is always eager to brainstorm and problem solve with customers, partners and prospects.
Presented:
- How Leading the Data Clean Room Revolution Landed Disney on 2023's List of Most Innovative Companies

Todd Donzelli
Client Advisor, Infor
Todd Donzelli is a client advisor for Infor's technology and innovation sales organization. Prior to joining Infor, Todd was an advisory executive at Accenture, helping chief innovation officers and chief technology officers define and execute strategic programs. Before his time in consulting, he was the vice president of transformation at GE Healthcare where he built the company's SaaS business model in advance of their IPO. Todd's extended background is enterprise software where he held various leadership positions in sales, consulting and product management.
Presented:
- From Impossible to Possible: The Easy On-Ramp to AI & ML

Wenny Katzenstein
Managing Director, Deloitte Consulting
Wenny is a managing director in Deloitte's technology, media and entertainment practice with 20+ years of client-side experience at various entertainment companies. Focused on consumer strategy, she has extensive knowledge driving initiatives that yield growth through insights, technology, innovation and experiences.
Presented:
- Transforming Experiences with Generative AI - For Both Customers and Employees

Amy Sardeshmukh
Sr. Manager, Industrial Engineering, The Walt Disney Company
Amy Sardeshmukh is a senior manager, industrial engineering for The Walt Disney Company. In this role, she leads a team of internal consultants who translate data via analytics into key insights for business leaders, in order to drive continuous improvement and operations strategy. In her 15 years in the Industrial Engineering department, she has supported operations that serve Walt Disney World® Resort Guests at every stage of their visit, including attractions, transportation, food & beverage, merchandise, resorts,
pre-arrival, and back-of-house operations. She has also contributed to several theme park land designs including Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, Toy Story Land, and Fantasyland®. Amy holds Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University and University of Central Florida.
Presented:
- Modeling the Magic: Attraction Optimization Through Simulation

Ari Silva
Sr. Manager, Marketing Analytics & Insights, The Walt Disney Company
Ari is the senior manager of marketing analytics as a part of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products analytics group (CIMA) and has built and executed social media measurement concepts across companies within the media & entertainment, ad tech and travel industries. Ari currently oversees the Disneyland Marketing Analytics team where she's focused on driving media measurement, analytics, and providing strategic insights to leaders in order to make data-driven marketing investment decisions.
Presented:
- From Influencers to Influencing Purchase: How to Leverage Organic Social to Amplify Media Investment

Ashley Gough
Data Engineer, The Walt Disney Company
Ashley joined the Disney Decision Science and Integration team as a data engineer in May 2022. She is passionate about building secure data solutions to support and optimize the business. She enjoys the challenges that accompany data pipeline builds, such as security, volume, and transformation requirements.
Prior to joining the Disney Decision Science and Integration team, Ashley worked as a data engineer at both Procter & Gamble and General Electric Aviation. Her focus was on building data ingestions using a combination of on-premises technologies and cloud technologies. She has a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems from Miami University (OH).
Presented:
- Embrace the Unknown: Journeys of Discovery and Reinvention

Billie Inbal Nahum-Shani
Professor, University of Michigan
Billie Inbal Nahum-Shani is a professor at the Institute for Social Research and the director of the Data Science for Dynamic Intervention Decision-Making Center at the University of Michigan. Her primary research interest is harnessing adaptive interventions to transform health care. Adaptive interventions address the changing needs of individuals by modifying their treatment based on dynamic information about their state and progress. An important focus of her work is the Just-In-Time Adaptive Intervention, a special type of adaptive intervention that leverages powerful mobile and sensing technologies to adapt the delivery of support in real-world settings—in near real time. Her work is highly multidisciplinary, spanning behavioral health and applied psychology, while also being tightly integrated with advanced research methodology. She developed the Hybrid Experimental Design to help scientists optimize the integration of human-delivered (e.g., coaching session) components with digital (e.g., mobile-based) components, which necessitates adaptation on multiple timescales.
Presented:
- Leveraging Digital Technology to Improve Employee Health and Well-Being: New Directions in Intervention Design and Experimentation

Caitlin Cassidy
Sr. Manager, Digital Analytics, The Walt Disney Company
Caitlin Cassidy is an Orlando native, self-dubbed “data storyteller,” and Senior Manager at The Walt Disney Company within the Consumer Insights, Measurement and Analytics. After earning her fully employed Master of Business Administration from University of California, Anderson specializing in Leadership, Technology and Globalization, Caitlin returned to Orlando, Florida to pursue “adventures in management.” She now serves a team of leaders and analysts responsible for performance, health and demand measurement of resort and ticket purchases at Walt Disney World® Resort.
Presented:
- Hiring Tactics for a "Practically Perfect" Magical Team

Cara Dienes
Vice President, Decision Science Application Development & Operations, The Walt Disney Company
During her tenure at Disney, Cara has provided decision science leadership for the development of end-to-end analytical solutions that deliver advanced pricing, inventory control, forecasting and marketing capabilities to business segments across The Walt Disney Company. These solutions empower decision makers with scalable decision support features, leveraging techniques from statistics, optimization, simulation and machine learning. Prior to joining Disney in 2010, Cara worked as a systems engineer in the defense industry. She holds a Master of Science in Operations Research from Georgia Institute of Technology and a doctorate in Industrial Engineering from Iowa State University.
Presented:
- X Marks the Spot: A Treasure Map to Find Analytics-Driven Business Value

Chad Cooper
Sr. Manager, Digital Analytics, The Walt Disney Company
Chad Cooper is very curious. With over 20 years of experience in digital analytics and
optimization, he now leads a team of brilliant analysts as the senior manager of digital
analytics supporting Disney Signature
Experiences. His career experience includes working for The E.W. Scripps Company, Gannett, and globally recognized hotel and entertainment companies. Chad earned a doctorate in Business Administration from Rollins College, a Master of Business Administration from Stetson University, and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of
Tennessee.
Presented:
- The Fast and the Curious: Discovering the Power of Curiosity to Create, Collaborate and Innovate

Clare Tuyn
Product Manager I, The Walt Disney Company
Clare Tuyn is a product manager working on the National Geographic app. Last year, she transitioned to product management from her old role as a financial systems analyst via the CODE:Rosie program. Clare holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, a Bachelor of Arts in French, and a Master of Science in Econometrics and Quantitative Economics from the University at Buffalo. She loves reading fantasy novels, drinking tea, and hiking with her dog, Felicity.
Presented:
- Embrace the Unknown: Journeys of Discovery and Reinvention

Cynthia Rudin
Professor, Duke University
Cynthia Rudin is Earl D. McLean, Jr. Professor of Computer Science and Engineering at Duke University. She directs the Interpretable Machine Learning Lab. She is the recipient of the 2022 Squirrel AI Award for Artificial Intelligence for the Benefit of Humanity from AAAI (the “Nobel Prize of AI”). She is also a three-time winner of the INFORMS Innovative Applications in Analytics Award, and a 2022 Guggenheim Fellow. She is a fellow of the American Statistical Association, the Institute of Mathematical Statistics, and AAAI. Her goal is to design predictive models that people can understand.
Presented:
- Do Simpler Machine Learning Models Exist?

James Keenan
Engagement Manager, Disney Institute
In his role as an engagement manager, James is responsible for building and maintaining the client relationship throughout the multiple phases of an engagement. He leads and manages concept creation, content development, as well as training for the client's facilitation delivery team. Prior to joining Disney Institute, he worked as a training manager for Magic Kingdom® Park and Walt Disney World® Transportation. James led a team that strategized and delivered multiple levels and types of training for more than 4,000 cast members. James earned a Bachelor of Organizational Communication from Northeastern University.
Presented:
- Disney's Foundations of Leadership Excellence

Jay Riola
Executive Vice President of Strategy & Innovation, Orlando Magic
Jay Riola is the Orlando Magic's executive vice president of strategy and innovation. Riola oversees the Magic's business strategy and innovation efforts including data engineering, strategy and analytics, customer relationship management, digital marketing and marketing technology, as well as other strategic initiatives.
In addition to his role with the Magic, Riola also adjunct teaches sports analytics at the University of Central Florida and Linfield University. Riola received his bachelor's degree from Trinity University, and his Master of Business Administration from the University of Florida.
Presented:
- How the Orlando Magic Built a Winning Business Analytics and Innovation Program

Jeff Wiley
Staff Systems Engineer, The Walt Disney Company
Jeff Wiley is a staff systems engineer on the Modeling, Simulation and Training Tools team within The Walt Disney Company's Global Engineering and Technology Department. In this role, he oversees the building and utilization of computer models of attractions which are employed both to ensure that new Disney Parks attractions meet creative and capacity goals and to find ways to improve the efficiency of existing attractions. Over his 15-year career on the Modeling, Simulation and Training Tools team, Jeff has been heavily involved in the design of Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, TRON Lightcycle / Run, Slinky Dog Dash, Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway, and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and he has performed studies of efficiency improvements at many other popular attractions. Jeff holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Ohio Northern University and Master of Business Administration from Stetson University.
Presented:
- Modeling the Magic: Attraction Optimization Through Simulation

Joni Ferguson
Director, Learning & Development, The Walt Disney Company
Born into a family of educators, Joni has often found curiosity where others found obstacles. As a 20-year Disney veteran who has led teams in learning, business, analytics & strategy, and finance across multiple Disney segments, she finds opportunities to solve challenging business problems.
With a passion to help others succeed, her career and professional endeavors are dedicated to making career advancement faster and less stressful. She is a champion of diversity and believes that diverging thoughts create innovation.
A Florida native, she graduated from Florida State University in Accounting and Finance and later received her Master of Business Administration from Rollins College in Orlando, Florida.
Presented:
- Embrace the Unknown: Journeys of Discovery and Reinvention

Julie Wellons
Decision Science Manager, The Walt Disney Company
Julie Wellons is a decision science manager within the Disney Decision Science and Integration team. Using her love for optimization and problem solving, she has contributed to the resort inventory optimization engine managing rooms at Walt Disney World® Resort. She is passionate about making data analytics more accessible by teaching others about optimization. Her current responsibilities also include assessing and developing a suite of technical services to enable the advancement of data science capabilities across the enterprise. Julie has a Master of Industrial Engineering from North Carolina State University and is in her seventh year with Disney.
Presented:
- Embrace the Unknown: Journeys of Discovery and Reinvention

Lisa Meyer
Sr. Manager, Social Media Strategy & Activation, The Walt Disney Company
Lisa has been with Disney for 10 years and oversees the Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products' in-house Paid and Organic Social Media Marketing teams, as well as the Affiliate and Influencer Marketing team. Businesses include Walt Disney World® Resort, Disneyland® Resort, Disney Cruise Line, shopDisney, Disney Consumer Products, Disney Publishing, Adventures by Disney, and so much more.
Presented:
- From Influencers to Influencing Purchase: How to Leverage Organic Social to Amplify Media Investment

McKay Curtis
Director, Decision Science Transformation, The Walt Disney Company
McKay Curtis is director of decision science transformation where he leads teams to develop analytical methods and tools that drive better decision making across the Disney enterprise. His teams' solutions have helped diverse businesses such as Disney Cruise Line, The Walt Disney Studios, Disney Parks and Resorts, ESPN and Disney Theatrical Group among others. McKay's background in causal inference, Bayesian statistics, machine learning and experimental design have helped drive analytical solutions in the areas of marketing, revenue management and finance.
Presented:
- Using Machine Learning to Help You Not Be Annoying

Paloma Sierra Rivera
Production Manager I, The Walt Disney Company
Paloma Sierra Rivera is a product manager with Sports Product Operations working on the ESPN+ app. She started out as a sales and solutions specialist at Disney Central and transitioned to product management after completing the CODE:Rosie program. Her love of sports led her to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Therapy from Universidad de Puerto Rico en Ponce and subsequently received a certificate in Global Strategic Communication at the University of Florida. She spends her leisure time solving escape room puzzles or learning a new skill.
Presented:
- Embrace the Unknown: Journeys of Discovery and Reinvention

Tara Wilson
Sr. Manager, Decision Science, The Walt Disney Company
Tara Wilson is a senior manager, decision science at The Walt Disney Company. Using her skills and love of mathematics and software engineering, she has contributed to the development, delivery, and sustainment of novel and innovative decision support tools for multiple clients across the enterprise. Today, she splits her time between product delivery and developing and implementing processes and tools that streamline delivery and sustainment of decision science applications. Prior to joining Disney, Tara was a visiting assistant professor at Clemson University where she earned a doctorate in Mathematical Sciences.
Presented:
- Teaching Dogs New Tricks: Level Up Your Python