[e-spres-oh] Tech Talks

Coach Kathy Kemper is the Founder and CEO of the Institute for Education, a Washington DC-based nonprofit committed to engaging the global community to harness the power of soft diplomacy, data, and innovation. Coach Kemper talks about why pivoting to technology was a game-changing decision for IFE's programs.

In 2019, Kemper was recognized, alongside Jeff Bezos, as one of Washington Life Magazine's "Tech 25", a prestigious honor reserved for top technology innovators and disruptors. Extolled as "DC's Networker-in-Chief" by US News and World Report, Kemper convenes timely salons that draw White House and Congressional leaders, diplomats, business executives, journalists, and tech innovators for debate and discussion. Known as "Coach" to many, Kathy Kemper has spent more than 40 years coaching tennis for Washington's power brokers — hitting the courts with Supreme Court Justices, kings, queens, and US Secretaries of State through six administrations.

Davar Ardalan, Founder and Storyteller in Chief of IVOW AI, talks about how chatbots can become culturally fluent through Machine Learning. She also interviews Seena, IVOW AI’s chatbot.

Davar Ardalan is the Founder and Storyteller in Chief of IVOW AI, a startup on a mission to provide cultural intelligence training in B2C chatbot contexts like customer support, e-commerce, travel, and tourism.

Before IVOW AI, Davar was the Deputy Director of the Presidential Innovation Fellowship Program in Washington D.C. and a veteran journalist at NPR News. At NPR, Davar was the Senior Producer of the Identity and Culture Unit. Realizing the gap in AI algorithms that define our future, she created IVOW, bringing together a team of journalists and technologists to design Cultural-IQ in AI. Ardalan, who has also served as the Managing Editor at Hanson Robotics, has been recognized with a 2017 NASA Team Leadership award for Space Apps and a Gracie Award from the American Women in Radio and Television.

Kim Schaefer, the President of Two Bit Circus, an experiential entertainment company based in LA, California, talks about how technology leads to immersive, social fun through unique VR experiences and next-generation games.

Kimberly Schaefer is the President of Two Bit Circus, an experiential entertainment company based in LA, California, and the former CEO of North America’s Largest Chain of Indoor Waterpark Resorts - the Great Wolf Lodge. In her role at Two Bit Circus, Kim is leading the next-generation micro-amusement park that combines VR, escape rooms, and carnival games to create a grand, playable adventure. Kim brings nearly 18 years of real estate entertainment experience as CEO of Great Wolf Lodge. She was instrumental in expanding the company, growing it from one cabin to 15-mega indoor waterpark resorts. Schaefer also played an integral role in the company’s transition from a public organization to a private one. A CPA by education, Kim is a graduate of Edgewood College.

Sammi Leibovitz DeChiaro, former Vice President and Creative Director at AOL, talks about why technology is critical for brand advancement and how tech trends influence marketing strategies.

Sammi Leibovitz DeChiaro has spent the past ten years building brands in the tech/media space, specializing in creative, strategy, and user experience both on and offline. Sammi served as Vice President and Creative Director at AOL, successfully launching and running several brands in the AOL portfolio. At AOL, Sammi was a founding member and head of MAKERS, the most extensive collection of women’s stories ever assembled and named by Forbes as one of the "best websites for women." Sammi now runs her brand consultancy and has launched new platforms and experiences for various companies and individuals.

Welcome to [e-spres-oh] Tech Talks, a podcast series meant to explore how technology is impacting the future of business as seen through the eyes of forward-thinking executives and visionaries.

This podcast will describe how digital leaders drive innovation inside their organizations, the challenges they’ve faced along the way, and the strategies that helped them stay ahead of the curve.