Speakers

Wendy Gates Corbett, MS, CPTD, stands at the forefront of Belonging and Leadership, wielding her expertise with a vibrant energy that transforms workplaces and speaking stages alike. Her personal journey as a biracial individual has profoundly influenced her mission to cultivate spaces of unconditional acceptance, a mission that she brings to life as a top-tier organizational culture consultant, global training executive, belonging researcher, and Adjunct Professor of Leadership and Management in all of Duke University’s graduate engineering programs.

Wendy’s research, which has touched over 175,000 people worldwide, pinpoints the behaviors that foster a culture of belonging within organizations. Her thought leadership is highlighted in her role on the Board of Trustees of Guilford College, and an Association for Talent Development (ATD) leadership award that honors her contributions to community and leadership.

As an international keynote speaker, Wendy’s energizing presentations are more than just speeches — they are transformative experiences. They are a harmonious blend of insightful knowledge, engaging storytelling, and enlightening entertainment, leaving audiences inspired and equipped with practical tools they can use tomorrow. Her ability to connect, to make each person feel seen and heard, turns her keynotes into a communal journey toward a deeper understanding of human connection.

Wendy’s bestselling book, The Energy of Belonging: 75 Ideas to Spark Workplace Community, is eagerly awaited as a continuation of her vital discourse on the subject. Whether consulting in the boardroom, lecturing in the classroom, or captivating an audience on stage, Wendy Gates Corbett is a beacon of progress, hope, and action guiding a path toward a more inclusive, empowered, and thriving future. Her work sparks impactful change, encouraging everyone to claim their space, their voice, and their power to belong.

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Dr. Katherine Loflin — internationally recognized as “The City Doctor” — is a pioneer in place science, the study of how emotional connections to cities shape local economies, community vitality, and personal well-being. Her groundbreaking work has been credited with improving quality of life for millions of people worldwide.

Recipient of the international Place Marketing Award, Dr. Loflin has reached global audiences through her TEDx talks, published books, talk radio show, and numerous media appearances. A sought-after keynote speaker, she has addressed distinguished organizations and venues including Gallup World Headquarters, the United Nations, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, the National Association of Realtors, and the Asia-Pacific Cities Summit. Her speaking engagements span the globe, from Australia and Sweden to Canada, France, and across the United States.

Through her company, The City Doctor Productions, Dr. Loflin designs innovative tours, theatrical productions, and live events that bring history to life and foster meaningful connections between people and place. These initiatives have earned both national and statewide recognition for their impact and creativity. Her professional roots in the entertainment industry include roles as an award-winning executive producer for ABC, playwright, theater director and producer, professional actress, and live-event creator.

Previously, Dr. Loflin served as CEO of Television Production and Development for the Brian Hamilton Foundation, where she executive produced the ABC series Free Enterprise, drawing nearly 1 million weekly viewers. Earlier, as  program director at the Knight Foundation in Florida, she managed a $20 million annual grantmaking portfolio, directing major investments across the country.

Dr. Loflin currently serves as history ambassador for the Town of Cary and vice chair of Cary’s Historic Preservation Commission. She is also the author of two books — Place Match and Hidden History of Cary — and co-founder of the Cary Visitor Center, created through an innovative public-private partnership.

A proud North Carolina native based in Cary, Dr. Loflin holds both a master’s and Ph.D. in social work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with concentrations in journalism and community practice.

Manisha Khanna is a recognized thought leader and an established voice in artificial intelligence, leading global product marketing for SAS’s AI portfolio inclusive of Generative AI, Agentic AI, and Models. She drives market strategy and evangelizes cutting-edge AI technologies while championing responsible AI implementation across industries and regulatory landscapes.

Manisha’s unique academic foundation — a double master’s from India’s premier institutions, including an MBA from IIM and MS in computer science from IIT Madras, both specializing in AI — positions her as a rare voice bridging technical expertise with strategic business insight. This combination enables her to speak authoritatively to both engineering teams and boardrooms. At SAS, her exceptional contributions were recognized with the CEO Award of Excellence in 2023.

As a published author in IEEE, ACAMS, and Singapore Computer Society journals, she has contributed seminal research on predictive analytics and generative AI topics. Her thought leadership spans the global AI ecosystem through prominent speaking engagements at SAS Innovate, Big Data & AI Summit, Open Gov, Regulation Asia, and other leading industry platforms, where she addresses applied AI, trustworthy AI, algorithmic bias, and responsible AI governance.

Her transformational leadership in analytics was demonstrated at Standard Chartered Bank, where she spearheaded digital transformation across 30+ markets, establishing a Global Centre of Excellence for risk management. This initiative earned the bank the Best Data Analytics Initiative award at MEA Innovation Awards 2022.

Today, Manisha collaborates with analysts, customers, and industry stakeholders to solve complex business challenges while ensuring ethical AI deployment. She is passionate about talent development and advocates for pragmatic applications of AI to supplement human capabilities and responsible AI principles throughout the innovation lifecycle, making her an invaluable voice in shaping the future of sustainable AI adoption.

Deborah Holt Noel is a multifaceted content creator, producer, and esteemed on-air personality at the statewide public media network PBS North Carolina. As the captivating host of the popular and Emmy-nominated weekly travel series North Carolina Weekend she journeys across the state, unveiling its rich tapestry of historical sites, scenic landscapes, beloved iconic attractions, cultural treasures, and culinary delights.

In her role as executive producer of the enduring public affairs program Black Issues Forum, Deborah leverages her extensive expertise and previous experience as host and producer to steer the production team toward thought-provoking discussions. She collaborates with the team to craft engaging dialogues with experts and community members, spotlighting pivotal issues and amplifying voices that resonate with authenticity and impact. From exploring topics vital to everyday life, such as mental health, education, personal finance, and entrepreneurship, to providing insights on local and national politics, Deborah’s commitment to shedding light on crucial matters shapes meaningful conversations that are meaningful to viewers statewide.