Speakers
Shane Battier
NBA Champion
“The Battier Effect: How the 98% Drives True Greatness”
True greatness doesn’t happen only in the spotlight—it’s also forged in the moments when no one is watching. It’s the quiet, unseen contributions that lift others up and create a lasting legacy of impact. By embracing the ‘98%’—the time we spend out of the spotlight—we discover the power to make our teams, families, and communities stronger and more successful.
Bio
Shane Battier, a two-time NBA Champion with the Miami Heat (2012, 2013) and NCAA Champion with Duke (2001), is celebrated as one of basketball's most successful, albeit atypical, players in history for using his leadership, lockdown defense and intellect to win championships at every level. Dubbed the "No-Stats All-Star" by Michael Lewis in The New York Times Magazine, Battier pioneered the use of analytics in basketball, earning accolades such as consensus National Player of the Year and Final Four MVP (2001), NBA All-Defensive Team honors (2008, 2009), and NBA Teammate of the Year (2014). Off the court, he served as the Miami Heat's VP of analytics and basketball development and sits on boards like YEXT, Garnett Station, and ARB. Battier now works as an advisor, speaker and investor, sharing insights on how data and analytics can identify strengths, address weaknesses and unlock potential to build high-performing cultures across industries.
Dr. Paul George
HistoryMiami
“MDC and the Renewal of Downtown Miami”
Miami historian, Paul S. George, Ph.D., takes us through the renewal process of downtown Miami via the college’s purposeful and active presence in the northern sector of this district. Though the transformation proceeded slowly at first, the college never lost track of its location and its role in reviving a decaying portion of the original core area of the city, with its many iconic buildings. From the school’s administrative heads to its classroom teachers--and even its students--viewed the effort as part of their mission. Today’s boom is largely the result of that commitment.
Bio
Dr. Paul George, a Miami native, is the resident historian at HistoryMiami Museum and a prominent figure in preserving South Florida's heritage. With advanced degrees from Florida State University, he has taught at institutions including Miami Dade College and the University of Miami. Dr. George has authored numerous historical works and is renowned for his dedication to education and community history tours, earning accolades for his contributions to historical preservation.
Joan Godoy
CEO Radical Partners
"Build bold, smart, and kind organizations"
Joan Marie Godoy dares us to rethink the traditional three-sector economic model—private, public, and third—and envision a new way forward. In this inspiring talk, she challenges us to build organizations and cultures that are bold, smart, and kind. With a fresh insight, Joan empowers us to take bold steps, think strategically, and lead with kindness as we work together to create thriving communities on a thriving planet.
Bio
Joan Godoy, a Clinical Psychologist with a Master's in International Non-Governmental Organizations, is a passionate connector and advocate for equity. With over 10 years of experience in social change across five countries, she co-founded the Miami chapter of F*up Nights to promote vulnerability through sharing failure stories. A proud Guatemalan, Godoy is also a dancer, runner, avid yogi, frequent traveler, and dedicated chocolate enthusiast.
Meg Daly
Founder Friends of The Underline
"You Too Can Build a Movement!"
Based on her experience in building The Underline in Miami, Meg Daly shows how each of us can build a movement if we have an idea and are willing to get it done. Meg will walk you through steps to take your idea from inception to reality. You will have to be entrepreneurial, lead with vision, dream big, be humble and bring the community with you while doing good along the way.
Bio
Meg Daly is the Founder and CEO of Friends of The Underline, a non-profit transforming Miami's underutilized Metrorail land into a 120-acre park and trail. A 30-year veteran in sales and marketing, she previously owned First Media Direct and held executive roles in public relations, advertising, technology, and real estate. Daly, a Vanderbilt University graduate, has served on numerous philanthropic boards and currently chairs The Underline Conservancy, ensuring the park's maintenance and programming.
Dr. Michael Mannino
Co-Founder and Co-CEO Syneurgy
“Wired to Connect: The Science of Team Synchrony"
Dives into the groundbreaking science behind human connection. The talk reveals how subtle, often subconscious interpersonal synchrony—where our brainwaves, heart rates, and even body language align—acts as the secret foundation for effective teamwork and collective performance. Drawing on neuroscience, real-world examples, and the latest in AI technology, the talk illuminates how synchrony creates trust, fuels collaboration, and unlocks team potential. With actionable insights on fostering connection and a thought-provoking look at human-AI collaboration, this talk challenges us to rethink what it means to truly connect and thrive together.
Bio
Michael Mannino, with a Master’s in Philosophy from California State University and a Ph.D. in Complex Systems and Brain Sciences from Florida Atlantic University, co-founded Syneurgy to enhance human collaboration through AI. As former Director of the AI Centers at Miami Dade College, he spearheaded AI initiatives and taught critical thinking and AI Ethics. Mannino is also the Chief Science Officer at Flow Research Collective, optimizing human performance and well-being through neuroscience.
Natasha Tsakos
Showmaker, Microgravity Adventures
"The Inevitable Evolution of the Arts in Space"
In 2024, Natasha launched Microgravity Adventures, the first-ever venture dedicated to the exploration and development of theatrical performances in microgravity. Beyond the substance of her work is an insatiable drive to evolve the performing art form and stretch the confines of what is possible. Natasha's mission is to create extraordinary experiences on this Planet and beyond that inspire wits, wonder, and wake.
Bio
Natasha Tsakos is a show maker blending Theatrical Adventures, Technology, and Impact. She has created and performed for the G20 Summit, Discovery Channel, Tribeca Film Festival, the Super Bowl with Cirque du Soleil, and speaks at events like TED, Google, and the United Nations General Assembly, about the convergence of the arts and tech to drive transformative change. Recent works include CARABOOM, voted Best Attraction of Miami, and OPUS 9, performed at the Frontiers Planet Awards. She holds NASA Certificate of Training, a New Space Economy certification from MIT, is a ground school graduate from the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences and part of NASA L'SPACE Accelerator. Natasha is on a mission to pioneer performances in microgravity.