Leading Human Rights Experts

I am a nonprofit executive, human rights attorney, and cross-sector leader with more than 13 years of experience building and leading humanitarian, legal, and social-impact initiatives. My work has focused on nonprofit strategy, organizational growth, humanitarian response, global health equity, partnership development, and creating practical systems that allow mission-driven organizations to serve communities facing crisis and displacement. I founded and led Global Health Conscious, an international humanitarian nonprofit focused on expanding access to medical aid and health resources for refugee and underserved communities. In that role, I built the organization from the ground up, developing its mission, governance structure, operations, partnerships, fundraising strategy, volunteer engagement model, and program infrastructure. Under my leadership, the organization delivered millions of dollars in donated medical supplies and humanitarian aid to refugee communities, including communities served through UNRWA refugee camps. My leadership through Global Health Conscious required building partnerships across medical, academic, nonprofit, humanitarian, and community-based sectors. I worked with hospitals, universities, international relief actors, healthcare providers, volunteers, and local stakeholders to identify needs, coordinate resources, manage logistics, and deliver support in complex humanitarian settings. That experience shaped my leadership approach: mission-driven, operationally disciplined, partnership-focused, and grounded in the realities of serving communities with urgent and limited resources. My broader background combines nonprofit executive leadership with legal and humanitarian expertise. Across my career, I have worked on refugee protection, humanitarian response, access to services, coalition building, volunteer mobilization, program development, and organizational growth. I can provide commentary on nonprofit leadership, humanitarian response, global health equity, refugee and displaced communities, medical aid delivery, organizational strategy, cross-sector partnerships, volunteer engagement, coalition building, and the operational demands of mission-driven leadership. I am especially well positioned to speak about how nonprofit leaders build organizations from the ground up, develop partnerships across sectors, mobilize resources, and create systems that turn urgent humanitarian needs into coordinated action.

My passion is being the best at what I do as an HR extraordinaire. I am a dedicated and innovative human resources executive with close to 20 years of experience designing and executing human resources strategies with expertise in implementing personnel and industrial security programs in various industries including healthcare, the federal government, and non-for-profit.Whether it’s managing my company’s Human Resources department or leading administration, I put passion into everything I do. I consider myself a team player who always Gets The Job Done, is not afraid to ask questions, and is always ready to jump in and get my hands dirty.Specialties: Operations management, training and development, employee relations, compensation & benefits design, harassment and EEO compliance, policy design & administration, facility program related to national security

Sarah Federman's career has never followed a straight line, which makes her useful to reporters looking for a different kind of expert. She spent her thirties as an international advertising executive working across more than ten countries with brands like Google, Bloomberg, Discovery, and the NFL. Then she saw her name on a Holocaust memorial wall and started asking questions the industry couldn't answer: What happens when companies cause serious harm? How can they address and prevent complicity in genocide, slavery, ecocide and other mass atrocity? How do they reckon with that? What does accountability even look like generations later? Those questions took her back to school and to a career as one of the most distinctive voices in the U.S. on corporate accountability and historical justice. Today she is an Associate Professor at the University of San Diego's Kroc School of Peace Studies, where she studies how corporations become complicit in large-scale human rights violations and how they can atone. She is the author of three books, two award-winning. Corporate Reckoning: How Companies Can Atone for Historical Transgressions (MIT Press, 2026) offers a framework for what genuine accountability looks like for institutions that have caused deep historical harm. Last Train to Auschwitz traces the decades-long effort to hold the French national railway responsible for transporting Jewish deportees to Nazi death camps. Transformative Negotiation, written with her Baltimore students, reframes negotiation as a vehicle for equity and structural change. Federman has testified twice before Congress on whether American banks bear responsibility for their historical ties to slavery, engaging both the scholarly and policy dimensions of reparations. She writes for the Harvard Business Review, Forbes, and the BBC, and is a TEDx speaker, whose talk was selected by TED main stage for global distribution. She is available to comment on corporate accountability, reparations, Holocaust memory, transitional justice, negotiation, business ethics, ESG, and environmental justice in the Tijuana River watershed.

Elizabeth (Liz) Ngonzi is a human-centered AI leader, executive advisor, and educator who designs AI-powered decision environments that strengthen human judgment, leadership, and institutional accountability. She works with boards, executive teams, and global institutions to move AI from experimentation to disciplined, system-level adoption—improving decision quality, governance, and strategic clarity. Liz is the Originator, Editor-in-Chief, and Founding Platform Architect of AI for Humanity: Human-Centered Strategies for Innovation and Impact, an AI-powered platform and living anthology developed in collaboration with the American Society for Artificial Intelligence (ASFAI), where she also serves on the Board of Directors and as Founding Chair of the Ethics & Responsible AI Committee. Through this work, she convenes and synthesizes contributions from 40+ global authors, applying her 1+1+AI=10™ methodology and SHINE™ storytelling framework to translate complex AI discourse into clear, actionable insight for leaders responsible for governance, workforce transformation, and innovation. An Adjunct Assistant Professor at NYU’s Center for Global Affairs, Liz designs and teaches the AI for Impact professional learning series, equipping cross-sector leaders to build practical, ethical AI use cases and custom agents. Her teaching integrates real-world experimentation with tools including ChatGPT, Canva, AskHumans, NotebookLM, and Liz Ngonzi GPT ∞, demonstrating how AI can enhance, not replace, human judgment, accountability, and public communication. Since 2023, her AI leadership initiatives have reached more than 12,000 professionals across six continents. Her applied work includes collaborations with Cornell Tech, the Mensa Foundation, and global institutions advancing dialogue at the intersection of AI, democracy, and language. She is an inaugural member of the Gamma Gambassador Council and a member of the inaugural Perplexity AI Business Fellowship. At Davos 2026, she launched AI for Humanity @ Davos, delivering real-time synthesis of global conversations on AI, governance, and workforce transformation. With more than 25 years of cross-sector experience spanning technology, business, education, and social impact, Liz works selectively with organizations seeking clear, accountable, and human-centered approaches to AI leadership.

Erin Herman is a globally respected leadership strategist and keynote speaker whose work sits at the intersection of change, human-centered leadership, and performance at scale. Over the course of two decades, she has advised Fortune 500 executive teams and global institutions on how to lead through uncertainty with courage, empathy, and clarity—often in moments where the stakes could not be higher. Her leadership experience includes senior roles with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the United Nations, where she helped shape global corporate partnership strategies in service of the world’s most vulnerable populations. While working within the United Nations system through UNICEF, Erin co-created the Learning Passport in partnership with Microsoft and Cambridge University—an online and mobile education platform designed to deliver continuous access to quality learning for children affected by conflict, displacement, and crisis. The platform has since reached learners in more than 40 countries and was recognized by TIME Magazine as one of the 100 Best Inventions and ranked by the Project Management Institute as the third most influential project in the world. Erin also played a central role in securing one of the largest philanthropic commitments ever made to a children’s hospital: a $300 million, 10-year partnership that continues to drive life-saving impact at scale. Today, Erin is known for translating extraordinary global experience into clear, grounded insight for leaders navigating complexity in the modern workplace. She is the creator of the CEG Method™ (Courage, Empathy, Growth Mindset) and the 4Cs Methodology™ (Conviction, Courage, Clarity, Confidence), frameworks trusted by organizations seeking sustainable change without burnout or performative leadership. A sought-after voice on women’s leadership, organizational culture, and decision-making under pressure, Erin is recognized for her ability to cut through noise with intelligence, warmth, and precision—delivering perspective that is both deeply human and powerfully actionable.

Jacqueline Twillie is a leadership strategist and negotiation expert who empowers underrepresented leaders, including women, to command their worth, lead authentically, and achieve results. Born near Louisiana’s bayou and now based in Brooklyn, she blends Southern warmth with urban grit, guiding professionals through complex corporate landscapes. Her philosophy: leaders should shape their environments rather than simply adapt. Through her consultancy, ZeroGap, Jacqueline conducts masterclasses, workshops, and coaching sessions that transform hesitant conversations into strategic opportunities. Her proven negotiation frameworks enable clients to speak up confidently, secure fair value, and step into roles that once seemed out of reach. Drawing on research and real-world application, her guidance resonates with emerging professionals and seasoned executives alike. Addressing the challenges historically excluded leaders face, Jacqueline encourages authenticity and fosters inclusive workplace cultures. Media outlets and publishers find her insights authoritative yet accessible—complete with data, examples, and practical strategies. She’s an ideal source on topics like pay equity, closing leadership gaps, and building resilient, people-centered organizations. Influenced by her own journey, Jacqueline learned perseverance in Louisiana and honed strategic skills in Brooklyn’s competitive climate. She helps others transcend obstacles, discover strengths, and redefine what it means to have a seat at the table. For professionals eager to level up, publishers seeking expert content, and media needing credible thought leadership on equity, negotiation, and inclusive leadership, Jacqueline Twillie stands ready. She equips leaders to embrace their power, negotiate what they deserve, and shape organizations for a more equitable future. Working with Jacqueline means tapping into expertise that yields lasting impact.

I am a trailblazing people and culture executive with experience building high-performing organizations in the life sciences, biotech, pharma, manufacturing, tech, telecommunications, logistics, fashion, travel and aviation sectors. I combine strategic vision with deep empathy and cross-functional relationship building to unlock both individual and business potential, specializing in scaling people operations for high-growth companies. My approach centers on authentic leadership and harnessing data-driven decision-making to consistently deliver demonstrated success. Throughout my career, I've driven significant organizational transformations, including growing companies 588% in headcount, reducing new hire turnover by 35%, and delivering $3.5M+ in cost savings through innovative talent management solutions. As a trusted C-suite advisor and board partner, I've led 7+ successful M&A integrations with up to $1.1B in value, built elite P&C functions from the ground up, and championed initiatives that resulted in recognition as an employer of choice. I am a passionate people leader who thrives in fostering cultures where employees thrive and businesses excel. I am an impeccable relationship builder with expansive industry experience & expertise with a relentless dedication to creating transformational people experience teams that drive employee engagement, disrupt the status quo, and position the company for maximum performance, competitive advantage, and bottom-line growth.

I serve as Chief Human Resources Officer at National Search Group, where I focus on aligning people strategy with long-term business performance. My work centers on building accountable, resilient cultures that support growth while maintaining clarity in structure, leadership expectations, and talent development. Over the years, I’ve worked closely with executive teams to strengthen performance management systems, improve workforce planning, and develop leadership capability across distributed and multicultural teams. I believe HR’s role extends beyond policies and processes. It is about designing systems that allow people to perform at their best while keeping organizations adaptable in fast-moving environments. Much of my focus is on translating strategy into practical execution. That includes refining hiring standards, strengthening retention frameworks, developing succession planning structures, and ensuring managers are equipped to lead with consistency and transparency. I’m particularly interested in how organizational clarity, accountability, and communication influence morale and long-term talent stability. I bring an operations-informed perspective to people leadership. Having worked across diverse industries and complex environments, I understand the balance between structure and flexibility, performance and culture, speed and sustainability. At its core, my work is about helping organizations build strong internal foundations because when people systems are intentional and aligned, performance follows.

Neisha Christine Himes is an award-winning activist and motivational speaker dedicated to ending domestic violence. A survivor of a five-year abusive relationship, she turned her pain into purpose, using spoken word poetry to raise awareness and empower others. In 2016, she founded the G.R.O.W. (Girls Recognizing Our Worth) Foundation, a nonprofit committed to supporting survivors as they heal and rebuild their lives. Her advocacy led her to roles as a Victim Advocate for the Norfolk Commonwealth Attorney’s Office and Domestic Violence Outreach Liaison for the Newport News Police Department, where she played a pivotal role in inspiring and establishing the department’s first Domestic Violence Unit. Now, Neisha continues her work as a Trauma Liaison Educator within a prominent healthcare system, helping to reshape how medical professionals provide trauma-informed care to victims of violence. Through Neisha Christine Consulting, LLC, she develops and facilitates educational workshops, professional training programs, and public awareness initiatives, partnering with organizations to improve violence prevention efforts and survivor support services. Known for her innovative advocacy, she creates strategic campaigns, community initiatives, and collaborations that challenge perceptions and inspire change. Her dedication has earned widespread recognition, including the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence’s “Voices in Action - Survivor Activist” Award, DomesticShelters.Org’s “Survivor of the Year” Award, and a feature in a national awareness PSA by The Allstate Foundation. Neisha’s unwavering commitment to amplifying survivor voices and transforming systems is embodied in her motto: “I will not shut up!”

Business Leader, Global Policy Expert, Media Personality, Author, Philanthropist, Founder at GCBR and TCSL Campaign Also Shinespot Light Cultivating Awareness Podcast, Fridays For Future Richmond (Richmond Park) and number of projects. Aquayemi-Claude Garnett Akinsanya is a multifaceted social entrepreneur, media strategist and sustainability advocate with over 7 years of experience in building impactful brands and campaigns. As CEO and founder of Garnetts Clothing Brand & Range and The Claudes SEN Law Campaign, he merges fashion, social justice and environmental advocacy to drive meaningful change. He is also a recognized public speaker and thought leader, featured by Forbes for his expertise in marketing and business growth strategies. Aquayemi-Claude has won the 2024 Global Recognition Award for his contributions to sustainable fashion, social justice and environmental causes. With a strong background in media, communications and nonprofit leadership, he actively mentors startup founders, influences policy on disability rights and promotes diversity and inclusion through board-level advisory roles.

Founder of Fearless Abroad, a mentorship and relocation brand that helps U.S. remote workers move to Europe with more clarity, structure, and confidence. I am an American expat currently living in France and have also lived in Spain, Germany, Brazil, and Argentina. Over the last decade, I have relocated internationally multiple times and visited more than 34 countries. My expertise focuses on helping Americans move to Europe, especially Spain, Portugal, France, and Italy. I regularly speak about relocation planning, visas, expat life, digital nomad living, cost of living, work-life balance, housing, culture shock, and the realities of building a life abroad. I help people understand how to move beyond endless research and actually execute a move correctly, efficiently, and with confidence. My perspective is especially relevant for remote workers, freelancers, entrepreneurs, and professionals who want to continue earning U.S.-based income while living abroad. Topics I can speak on include: Moving abroad and relocation planning Expat life in Europe Spain, France, Portugal, Italy, Germany, Brazil, and Argentina Digital nomad living and remote work Visas and residency options Cost of living and lifestyle differences Culture shock and adapting abroad Housing, banking, healthcare, and logistics Why more Americans are considering leaving the U.S. Work-life balance and quality of life abroad Long-term travel and global mobility I combine personal experience with practical relocation knowledge, making me a strong source for quotes, commentary, podcast interviews, expert insights, and feature stories related to moving abroad and expat life.

Oleksandra Mykoliuk is a Ukrainian political analyst and international relations expert specializing in diplomacy, conflict studies, and strategic political communication. She holds a BA in Government with a focus on International Relations and European Studies from Metropolitan University Prague and an MA in Government with a specialization in Diplomacy & Conflict Studies from Reichman University (Israel). She is the founder of the NGO “Soft Power”, a civil society organization focused on combating human trafficking, preventing violence against women and children, and promoting women’s leadership and empowerment. Through her work in the NGO sector, Oleksandra actively combines political expertise with humanitarian advocacy and social impact. Oleksandra has extensive experience in political analysis, public diplomacy, and international communication. She has worked with independent political consulting projects, international NGOs, and the Ukrainian Embassy in Israel, where she supported public diplomacy initiatives and cross-cultural engagement. Her areas of expertise include geopolitical analysis, post-Soviet regional studies, political strategy development, and translating complex political processes into accessible insights for public audiences and media.

Dr. Lillian Glass is a world-renowned, well-respected communication, body language, and human behavior expert. She has written numerous best-selling books, including "Toxic People," where she coined the term, as well as The Body Language of Liars. She is not only a media commentator where she disucsses newsmakers but also uses her expertise as an expert witness in both state and federal courts. She is alsoan award winning fimmaker with her film Reinventing Rosalee, which debuted at Cannes receiving 57 awards worldwide.

Dynamic HR Strategist with 19+ years in driving employee success, perfecting talent management, and pioneering DE&I initiatives. Deep expertise in employee relations, executive coaching, talent acquisition, performance optimization, and change orchestration. Renowned for cultivating engagement, boosting retention, and fostering meaningful connections across organizational tiers. Bilingual & DEI Certified Elevated engagement & retention in diverse organizational settings Adept at sculpting exemplary cultures & enhancing the employee journey At the core, I am passionate about people. I believe in curating experiences that empower individuals to thrive because when employees succeed, organizations flourish. My track record stands as a testament to my commitment to building teams, honing leadership potential, and orchestrating seamless change. Let's partner to redefine HR strategy, ignite corporate cultures, and achieve unparalleled employee success. Seeking senior and executive HR roles to further my mission of driving organizational excellence through people.

I am a publicist, coder, music industry executive and TV Producer with a track record of securing premier media placements and managing high-stakes narratives. At Popularity PR, I help high-profile individuals and corporations across the entertainment, legal, and political sectors navigate the modern media landscape. With an entrepreneurial background that includes building AI-driven intellectual property tools and navigating complex civil litigation, I offer a multifaceted perspective on how business, law, and culture collide. Available for expert commentary on: Public Relations (crisis comms, brand strategy), Entertainment (industry, celebrity narratives), Law (litigation strategy, IP protection), and Entrepreneurship (tech development, startups). Personal Interests: Music, binge-watching Netflix, and diving into complex legal strategy.

Hayden Koch is a leading Online Reputation Management (ORM) specialist, SEO strategist, and the founder and president of HLK Marketing, a premier digital marketing agency focused on brand protection, search result suppression, and AI-powered reputation management. Recognized for his technical expertise and strategic precision, Hayden has helped hundreds of executives, entrepreneurs, public figures, and organizations take control of their digital narratives and protect their long-term online legacy. With over a decade of experience in online reputation management, search engine optimization, and digital strategy, Hayden has built a reputation as a trusted advisor who combines deep technical knowledge with forward-thinking marketing solutions. His client portfolio includes Fortune 500 executives, global brands, influencers, and industry leaders who depend on his ability to ensure their online presence accurately reflects their credibility and achievements. Early Career & Vision Hayden’s path into digital marketing began with a fascination for how information spreads online and how search engines shape public perception. Early in his career, he saw firsthand how a single negative article, outdated review, or misleading post could significantly impact an individual or company’s reputation. This realization fueled his commitment to developing systems that suppress harmful content, strengthen search visibility, and build durable digital brand protection. Driven to go beyond traditional SEO tactics, Hayden founded HLK Marketing in Orange County, California. His vision was clear: merge data analytics, strategic storytelling, and advanced SEO methodologies to deliver measurable, sustainable reputation management solutions on a global scale. Building HLK Marketing Under Hayden’s leadership, HLK Marketing has grown into a trusted partner for individuals and organizations seeking expert search result suppression, review management, and knowledge panel optimization. He leads a team of SEO specialists, developers, content strategists, and digital PR professionals who share a commitment to ethical, effective reputation management. The firm’s continued success is rooted in adaptability and innovation. Hayden frequently emphasizes the importance of evolution in a constantly shifting digital landscape: staying ahead of search engine updates and emerging technologies is essential to delivering lasting results.

Stephanie Lemek, SPHR, MBA | Founder & CEO, The Wounded Workforce® | Executive Director, Center for Construction Mental Health™ Stephanie Lemek is a trauma-informed workplace expert, speaker, and organizational mental health strategist with more than 20 years of HR leadership experience across high-risk, high-stakes industries. She is the founder of The Wounded Workforce®, a consulting and education practice built on a foundational belief that resilience is a systems outcome, not an individual trait, and the Executive Director of the Center for Construction Mental Health™, the first organization dedicated exclusively to advancing mental health infrastructure in the construction industry. Stephanie developed the 7 Principles of Trauma-Informed Workplaces, a proprietary framework that translates clinical trauma-informed care principles into practical, scalable organizational culture change. She is the creator of the Building Resilience Construction Mental Health Certification®, a workforce training program that equips leaders and practitioners to build psychologically safe environments from the ground up. Her practitioner background includes senior HR leadership roles at some of the most recognized contractors in the country, giving her a credibility that is rare in the consulting space: she has held the seats her clients now occupy. That grounded perspective shapes every keynote, training, and organizational engagement she delivers. Stephanie holds credentials as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), an MBA, and certifications in trauma-informed workplace practices. She is currently at work on her first book, The Resilience Myth: Why Pushing Through Is Failing Everyone at Work, which challenges the cultural assumption that individual grit is the solution to systemic dysfunction. She is a sought-after speaker on employment trauma, psychological safety, burnout, and the organizational conditions that either protect or erode workforce mental health.

Mike Podesto is a Career and Job Search Expert and the Founder & CEO of Find My Profession, a leading reverse recruiting firm that manages full job searches for professionals and executives. As a pioneer of reverse recruiting, Mike has helped thousands of candidates navigate competitive hiring markets by combining targeted job sourcing, direct outreach to decision-makers, and data-driven job search strategies. His team works across industries including technology, engineering, marketing, and executive leadership, supporting clients from mid-level professionals to C-suite executives. Mike’s expertise spans job search strategy, resume and LinkedIn optimization, networking, recruiting, and hiring trends. He is known for his practical, results-oriented approach to the job search process, with a focus on helping candidates stand out in crowded applicant pools and secure interviews faster. Under his leadership, Find My Profession has earned over 1,000 five-star reviews and has been recognized for its innovative approach to job search management. The company’s model is built on real-world recruiting experience and has helped place candidates in roles ranging from $100K to $1M+ compensation packages. Mike regularly advises on topics including job market trends, hiring practices, interview strategy, and how candidates can position themselves effectively in today’s evolving employment landscape. His insights are especially relevant for professionals navigating career transitions, layoffs, or competitive executive-level searches.

As a professional with several years of experience working as an HR manager, including working in the financial services sector as a Quality Control Specialist and Accounts Receivable, I am now researching effective ways to reach a global audience through my writing. Working for American, European, and Asian organizations, as well as speaking three languages has allowed me to be highly adaptable while gaining valuable insights into life in an international workplace.

Based in Los Angeles, Tiana Pongs is an international model and actress with 20+ years of industry experience. The author of the #1 Amazon bestseller Ready for Your Close-Up, Tiana is now expanding her reach as the producer of the upcoming documentary LA Rising. A dedicated humanitarian, she serves as a German Ambassador for World Vision. Tiana offers expert insights on navigating the entertainment industry, building a business as a woman, and the personal journey of relocating her career from Germany to the U.S.