Speakers.
Seize new possibilities.
Hear from industry-leading marketers and technologists who are innovating with WordPress to deliver breakthrough digital experiences. Here are some of our highlighted speakers this year:
WP Engine
Fabio Torlini
Fabio Torlini leads WP Engine’s strategy, revenue growth and operations in the EMEA region. With nearly 20 years experience in the hosting and cloud industries, Fabio has a thorough understanding of all aspects of IT B2B sales, marketing, scaling operations in Europe and management. He held business leadership roles at Cinven, Rackspace, XO Communications and GX Networks.
Edelman
Sat Dayal
Sat Dayal runs a portfolio of established and fast emerging brands housed in Edelman’s market-leading UK technology practice. His current assignments include product positioning and thought leadership campaigns for WP Engine, Box and Zendesk. As a technology specialist with a particular focus on deep tech issues, Sat is responsible for defining the wider strategy for Edelman’s services and IP, guiding the team and clients on key communication priorities.
Scott Friesen
Scott Friesen works at Google working with strategic partners on emerging web technologies. Prior to that he spent 5 years on the sales team at Google covering the travel and retail sectors. He is originally from Calgary, Canada, but now lives in London, and is passionate about the open web.
Oliver Franklin-Wallis
Oliver Franklin-Wallis is an award-winning science and technology journalist. His reporting for WIRED has taken him from West Africa to Silicon Valley, and inside some of the world’s most innovative companies. In 2017, he was named ‘Print Writer Of The Year’ by the British Society Of Magazine Editors. He is also a contributor to the Guardian, British GQ, the Sunday Times Magazine.
The Webby Awards
Gianfranco Chicco
Gianfranco Chicco is passionate about innovative technology that brings people together, bridging the gap between the physical and digital worlds. An industrial engineer by training, he has spent the last 18 years building human-centered experiences including conferences such as the World Business Forum, Social Media Week, the Picnic Festival, and Frontiers of Interaction.
WP Engine
Mary Ellen Dugan
An accomplished senior marketing executive with 20 years of experience, CMO Mary Ellen Dugan leads all WP Engine global marketing activities, ranging from product marketing, partner enablement and demand generation, brand building, advertising and integrated marketing.
Haugli & Hollekim
Karina Hollekim
Karina Hollekim was one of the world's best extreme sports athletes. In 2006, she miraculously cheated death in a near fatal accident and was predicted a life in wheelchair, but came back a winner. Karina shares her story about moments that change our lives forever, raw willpower, and passion. By raising awareness of our choices, she challenges our willingness to change. She shows the importance of stretching your comfort zone to achieve your goals.
WP Engine
Jason Cohen
Jason Cohen is the founder and CTO of WP Engine. As a successful, repeat entrepreneur (founded Smart Bear; sold 2008 and IT WatchDogs; sold 2004), Jason became a founding mentor of Austin's top incubator, Capital Factory.
Zest The Agency
David Gyertson
David Gyertson is one on the early pioneers of using Open Source tech, heading up the first dedicated Open Source division within an agency 12 years ago. With experience from both an editorial and development perspective, David heads up the digital side of the business at integrated marketing agency Zest.
WP Engine
Monica Cravotta
Monica Cravotta is a B2B tech marketing veteran, with 20+ years experience in marketing leadership roles for enterprise and SaaS companies. Now the senior marketing director at WP Engine, Monica oversees the product go-to-market strategy for the WordPress digital experience platform. Prior to WP Engine, Monica led product marketing at Spredfast and Mass Relevance, and held marketing and PR leadership roles at Bazaarvoice, Whole Foods Market, and i2 Technologies (now JDA Software).
Cloudflare
Alex Cruz Farmer
Alex Cruz Farmer has spent the last 8 years designing and building products focused on Network and Application Security, specifically, threats against SaaS and Cloud operators. At Cloudflare, Alex is responsible for the Cyber Security portfolio of products, which includes the Web Application Firewall and DDoS Mitigation.
10up
Ryan Marsh
Gabe Karp is responsible for the growth of the company across the region as well as working closely with clients in Europe to develop and execute effective digital strategies. Gabe has more than 10 years of experience working with NGOs, major political campaigns and large corporate clients to design and develop digital platforms. He’s worked with the likes of AOL, American Express, the Human Rights Campaign and Malaria No More.
WP Engine
David Vogelpohl
Since 1996, David Vogelpohl has been building teams which create and market digital experiences for the web, mobile, and beyond. David’s teams at WP Engine focus on WordPress development, WordPress core contributions, and performance marketing. David’s speaking style is focused on actionable-insights inspired by the most recent advancements in digital, seasoned with over 20 years of know-how, and backed by relatable and relevant real-world examples.
Goldsmiths, University of London
Dr. Chris Brauer
Dr Chris Brauer leads high-impact research studies on the intersections of emerging technologies and human behaviour. His work has been featured in over 400 media outlets worldwide including the Financial Times, BBC, CNN, CNBC, Wall Street Journal, and China Central TV (CCTV).
Candyspace
Al Cattell
Al Cattell has over 12 years experience delivering open source CMS solutions to enterprises in the UK and Europe. He currently leads the platforms team at Candyspace and is passionate about helping organisations deliver world-class digital customer experiences.
Johnston Press Plc / the i paper
Jack Harper
Jack Harper is a part time troubleshooter, part time trouble maker, part time martial artist, and full time geek. He is always chasing the Mediterranean sun and the simplest, most elegant solutions. He is passionate about digital transformation and creating streamlined digital environments.
WP Engine
James Dowell
James Dowell specialises in market development for high growth technology companies. With 13+ years of experience in the technology services industry he spent a decade contributing to the growth of Rackspace EMEA from 10 to over 1,000 people. Currently he leads Enterprise Sales for WP Engine in EMEA.
Poke
Andrew Dobson
Andrew Dobson is a creative digital technologist who has been working for 20 years to deliver human-centric digital experiences. Prior to taking up the Head of Tech role at Poke, he was TD at Wolff Olins and Grand Union and set up BSkyB’s first creative technology function. Clients have included Apple, Axa, Virgin, Burgess Group, Sainsbury’s, and Riot Games.