Available to speak
WANT ME TO SPEAK OR LEAD A WORKSHOP?
I work at the intersection of design, technology, and human systems.
For over 20 years, I’ve built brands, products, and experiences across digital and physical environments. My focus is not on tools or trends, but on how organizations make decisions under complexity, scale ideas without losing meaning, and preserve human value as automation accelerates.
I speak to international audiences of designers, technologists, founders, and executives who are building systems, not just shipping features.
My talks are designed to orient people, not hype them.
Most conferences focus on what is changing. I focus on what quietly shapes everything underneath.
I come from practice, not theory. I’ve worked inside creative studios, product teams, and leadership rooms where decisions have long-term consequences. That perspective allows me to speak fluently across design, technology, and business without flattening any of them.
For creative audiences, I reframe creativity as an operating condition, not an output or aesthetic layer.
For technology audiences, I position design as the discipline that governs incentives, tradeoffs, and long-term value, not just interfaces.
For leadership teams, I translate abstract concepts like identity, time, and culture into clear mental models they can actually use.
I’m invited when organizers want their audience to leave with sharper thinking, not just inspiration or tactics.
WHY HIRE ME?
Speaking engagements are scoped on a per-event basis and vary depending on format, audience, and level of preparation.
Travel and accommodation are typically covered by the organizer and include:
• Airfare (business or first class depending on travel length)
• Hotel accommodation with a gym on site or nearby
• Local ground transportation
Speaking fees are discussed after understanding the event context and proposed format.
For community-driven or non-commercial events, I am open to exploring alternative arrangements where the exchange is clear and mutually valuable.
ENGAGEMENT DETAILS
WHAT I SPEAK ABOUT?
TOPICS
Every talk is adapted to the audience and context. Common themes include:
Design as infrastructure
How design decisions quietly shape behavior, incentives, and outcomes at scale.
Human value in automated systems
What remains uniquely human as AI advances, and how to design technology that amplifies rather than erodes it.
The hidden cost of speed
How optimization culture creates fragmentation, burnout, and long-term inefficiency.
Creativity beyond output
Why creativity is not a department or skill, but a foundational human capability.
Time, presence, and modern work
Why productivity frameworks fail knowledge work, and what replaces them.
FORMATS
I work across multiple formats depending on the audience and setting:
Keynote talks and featured conference sessions
Fireside conversations and moderated panels
Private corporate retreats
Executive and leadership workshops
Founder and C-suite sessions
Most talks run 45 to 75 minutes, with optional Q&A.
Workshops and retreats are structured, interactive, and outcome driven.
AUDIENCE TAKEAWAY
People leave my sessions with:
• A clearer mental model for how design and technology decisions compound over time
• Shared language between creative, technical, and leadership teams
• A deeper understanding of human value in AI-driven systems
• Insight into why speed alone is not a strategy
• Frameworks they can apply across products, teams, and organizations
If you have questions or would like to explore additional topics or custom workshop curation please email me
Appearances:
C2 MONTREAL CONFERENCE MAY 20, 2025: Building Multisensory Brands
TECHBBQ, COPENHAGEN DENMARK SEPT 11 2024: One Giant Leap Keynote
HOTSAUCE CONFERENCE, NYC 2023: Leading With Empathy Workshop
THE HXOUSE - BLACK HXOUSE 2023: Entrepreneurs Workshop
THE WELL WORK 2023: Founders Wealth Workshop
CAPITOL FACTORY, AUSTIN 2023: How to Pitch Your Ideas
THE BRAND SHIFT, MONTREAL 2023: Turning Your Business Into a Brand
REVTHINK PODCAST ROUNDTABLE 2022: Roundtable discussion as to how we can overcome injustice with creativity
THE FUTUR PRO NETWORK 2022: Sharing success stories with Stanley Vaganov, founder of BeCurious studio and NoShetler.
DESIGN FOR PEACE 2022: Fundraiser conversation with Stanley & Dot Lung
CREATIVE AGENCY SUMMIT 2021: Talk with design experts in the field of Design, Marketing and Advertisement.
LAUNCHPAD, TORONTO 2021: How to setup portfolio that gets you noticed. Workshop for creatives.
LAUNCHPAD, TORONTO 2021: How to build an app workshop for creatives and entrepreneurs.
NYU TANDON, NYC 2021: School of Engineering presents: A conversation with Stanley Vaganov - How to run a successful agency.