Dave Adelstein is the North America Director of Talent and Learning Development at VML, bringing over 25 years of experience across corporate learning, K-12, and higher education. He previously managed global leadership curriculum development at Tiffany & Co. and led educational technology initiatives worldwide. Holding a Ph.D. in Instructional Technology, Dave has published widely and presented his research on international online course design standards at national and international conferences.

Courtney Cox, Associate Director of Creative Operations at Blavity Inc., leading a design team that delivers high-impact digital content. With experience at Condé Nast (Teen Vogue & Pitchfork), she specializes in streamlining creative workflows and bridging creativity with business objectives. Courtney has implemented scalable processes that enhance team collaboration and drive measurable results. She’s passionate about empowering creative teams to innovate within strategic constraints.

With over eight years in advertising, Daniela Rosario has worked with brands including Colgate, Ford, Coca-Cola, and Pfizer. As an Associate Creative Director at VML, she is committed to creating authentic, inclusive cultural moments. Beyond advertising, her work with El Teatro Rodante Hispanico and mentorship of emerging creatives reflects her dedication to empowering youth and ensuring the authenticity of cultural expression.

Wendi Dunlap is a trailblazer in global retail media, analytics, and connected commerce, with over 25 years driving data-led strategies for some of the world’s most recognized brands including Volkswagen, Best Buy, Ulta Beauty, and Paramount. Her expertise in building scalable analytics solutions, privacy-first audience strategies, and omnichannel measurement ensures that brands can navigate the evolving media landscape with precision and agility. She brings a fresh perspective to outcome-based marketing, building new approaches for capturing advertising’s impact on business outcomes as well as  culture, brand loyalty, and  lifetime value.

Wendi has held senior leadership roles in Strategy, Planning, and Analytics at top global media agencies.  She is currently an EVP of Growth Analytics at Mediabrands, spearheading the development of unified analytics and data solutions for Retail and Entertainment clients. A passionate advocate for ethical data use in marketing, you can find her speaking at industry events on AI & Ethics, Data & Equity, and Brand Safety.

Wendi is a Cornell University graduate and has been honored with multiple industry accolades, including MEDIA magazine’s 20 Rising Stars in Interactive Advertising, The Stable’s 40OverForty list, and SheRunsIt’s 2024 Working Mom of the Year. In 2023, she served as a juror for the 70th Annual Cannes Lions Awards. She is also an active member of ARF Women in Analytics.

Josh Ott is an award-winning marketer and revenue strategist with over 15 years of experience driving business growth across Digital, Linear, and Radio. Throughout his career at ABC, BET, Scripps, MTV, and Pivot, Josh has been at the forefront of media innovation, seamlessly navigating the evolving landscape to create impactful outcomes for brands.

Currently, as the Head of Revenue & Marketing at The Shade Room, one of the most influential voices in modern culture, Josh leads a high-performing sales and marketing team at the digital media powerhouse that has redefined how millions engage with entertainment, politics, and social issues. Under his leadership, he drives new revenue streams, strategic partnerships, and groundbreaking content solutions that leverage TSR’s unparalleled cultural influence and reach. His work positions brands at the center of cultural conversations, connecting them authentically with audiences who look to The Shade Room as a trusted source for what matters most in contemporary culture.

His diverse experience, from traditional media giants to cultural tastemakers, gives Josh a unique perspective on building meaningful connections between brands and communities, complemented by his entrepreneurial background in brand building.

A collaborative and driven leader, as well as a dedicated mentor and board member, Josh is passionate about shaping the future of media, innovation, and brand storytelling while fostering the next generation of media and marketing leaders.

Josh is passionate about shaping the future of media, innovation, and brand storytelling while fostering the next generation of media and marketing leaders.

Julee Wilson is an award-winning journalist, brand strategist, and the Beauty Editor-at-Large at Cosmopolitan. Previously, she served as Beauty Director at Cosmo, Global Beauty Director at ESSENCE, and held a three-year tenure as ESSENCE’s Fashion & Beauty Director. Wilson also served as the Executive Director of BeautyUnited, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing equity and leadership in the beauty industry. Before that, she spent several years at The Huffington Post, ultimately rising to Senior Fashion & Beauty Editor. Wilson began her career at Real Simple magazine, working her way from assistant to the Editor-in-Chief to Staff Fashion Editor. Her writing has appeared in InStyle, Condé Nast Traveler, The Business of Fashion, and The International Journal of Fashion Studies, among others. Wilson is also the lively host of “Top Beauty Drops” during the Jenna & Friends hour on The Today Show, and has made appearances on CNN, Good Morning America, and the CBS Early Show. She earned her B.A. in Leadership Studies from the University of Richmond and is an alumna of Stanford University’s former Professional Publishing Course. Wilson currently sits on the advisory board of Harlem’s Fashion Row and is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She lives in Harlem, NYC with her brilliant husband, two dope sons, and a massive perfume collection.

Julian Golfarini is the Director of Multicultural at Cadent, where he oversees the development of culturally resonant advertising solutions, approaches, and partnerships that elevate underrepresented audiences through data-driven insight and creative nuance. As a rising star in multicultural advertising with more than a decade of experience in media, Julian brings equity-centered marketing expertise to every conversation, elevating strategies and driving innovation.

Under his leadership, Cadent Multicultural Predictive Audiences solution earned the Culturally Responsive Ad-Tech of the Year award at the 2024 Portada Awards.

He is a first-generation American and native New Yorker with Venezuelan and Uruguayan heritage, incorporating his Latino upbringing into everything he does. He is on the board with Street Service, a 501c3 that regularly does mutual aid distribution across NYC. He earned his BS from the University of Vermont and his MS in international management from Franklin University Switzerland and lives in NYC.

T.D. Jakes is a global thought leader, visionary entrepreneur, and one of the most influential voices of our time. For nearly five decades, he has inspired millions around the globe through faith, media, entertainment, and transformative leadership. A New York Times bestselling author, filmmaker, entrepreneur, spiritual advisor to U.S. Presidents and cultural commentator, Jakes leads the T.D. Jakes Group and T.D. Jakes Enterprises, as Chairman & CEO advancing work that spans business, entertainment, global philanthropy, real estate, and social impact. His commitment to equity, innovation, and purpose has shaped movements, built communities, and transformed lives worldwide cementing his legacy as a bridge-builder who turns vision into lasting impact.

Omar Goff is the President of Mielle – the fastest growing, beauty brand offering quality, natural products for textured hair consumers. In this role, Omar is responsible for delivering top- and bottom-line growth through innovation (R&D), a synchronized supply chain, brand-building and sales. A passionate brand builder and intuitive, strategic business leader, Omar was hand-selected to lead the next chapter for Mielle with Procter & Gamble and expected to lead the brand to new heights unlocking the power of possibilities that exist by bringing the best of both worlds to life. His impact has already yielded breakthrough for Mielle as the brand launched its very first television commercial, signed a historic partnership with the WNBA, and transformed the approach for Mielle’s media planning and buying.

Omar has a long and proven track-record of transforming opportunities into inspiring results and competitive advantage for P&G. Omar began his career at Procter & Gamble in 2004 after receiving his MBA at Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University. During Omar’s 20+years with P&G, he has worked in Product Supply-Purchasing for 13 years delivering over $500 Million in Cost Savings and $100 million in cash improvement by developing strategic sourcing strategies that enabled business growth, product innovation/superiority, and capability for P&G spanning every business unit, worldwide. He then moved into Brand Management where he delivered ground-breaking results on the Old Spice brand year-over-year. His passion for winning with multi-cultural consumers has delivered an S-curve for the Old Spice brand as they have joined the Billion Dollar Brand Club at Procter & Gamble fueled by the intentionality and commitment to resonate with Black men. Omar is the brand leader behind Old Spice’s longest running and award-winning campaign, Men Have Skin Too starring Deon Cole, a dynamic partnership with Kevin Hart and his LOL network and the Force for Growth, Force for Good community impact program School of Swagger boldly focused on increasing high school graduation rates in America.

Committed to empowering people to deliver sustained results, Omar follows brings his alma-mater motto to life into every leadership role he tackles “No excuse is acceptable. No amount of effort is adequate unless it is effective.” Omar has won several awards for his craft including but not limited to Effie, D&AD, Clio, and ANA Multicultural Awards of Excellence.

Abena Boamah is the founder and CEO of Hanahana Beauty, a clean skincare and wellness brand rooted in sustainability, accessibility, and community. Before stepping into entrepreneurship, she was a 7th-grade algebra teacher and trained therapist, experiences that continue to shape her passion for education and intentional leadership.

Since 2017, Abena has grown Hanahana from a self-funded idea into a multimillion-dollar brand carried by national retailers. Hanahana stands out by paying twice the standard price for shea butter sourced directly from the Katariga Women’s Shea Cooperative in Ghana, creating a transparent supply chain that prioritizes equity and impact.

In 2024, she launched FNDR FWRD LAB, a 4-week immersive program designed to equip early-stage founders with strategy, clarity, and community as they launch, pivot, or scale their businesses. Abena’s work has been featured in Forbes, Vogue, Essence, and more.