As the cofounder and creative director of Figure8, Maryellis Bunn has masterfully cultivated the transient installation pop-up into a nationwide name, a feat that catapulted her to be included in Forbes’ esteemed 30 Under 30 list and Ad Age’s distinguished compilation of the 50 most influential creative figures. With degrees in both business and design conferred by New York University and Parsons School of Design, Maryellis elevated her prowess during her work as the Head of Innovation at Time Inc., and embraced roles as a distinguished creative consultant and design strategist for industry titans such as Facebook, Instagram, and Staples. Presently, Maryellis presides over Museum of Ice Cream, where her indomitable spirit for innovation continues to flourish, all from her residence in the vibrant heart of Mexico City.

Neuroscientist and entrepreneur Beau Lotto shows why adapting—moving from A to B—means letting go of the assumptions and beliefs that keep people from seeing the world differently. An expert in the neuroscience of perception, Lotto reveals why trading certainty for doubt increases our capacity to adapt, lead, innovate, and thrive in the darkness of “I don’t know.”

Seattle-born Lotto earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of California, Berkeley, and his Ph.D. in neuroscience from University Medical School, Edinburgh in 1994. He remained in Edinburgh for his first postdoctoral fellowship and relocated to Duke University for his second fellowship. He was a professor at University College London for 20 years, and is now a professor at University of London, as well as a visiting scholar at New York University.

Lotto is founder and CEO of Lab of Misfits, the world’s first neuro-design studio, and Ripple, which holds several patents in Augmented Reality (AR). A three-time mainstage TED speaker with over 10 million video views, he also speaks worldwide to help people act differently in the face of change.

Founded in 2001, Lotto’s Lab of Misfits serves as the world’s only neuroperception creative studio that is also a neuroscience lab. The lab’s goal is to foster adaptability and creativity. They have since created public experiences around the world, at locations including London’s Science Museum, Hayward Gallery on London’s South Bank, and a public art installation in London’s famous Silicon Roundabout. Past clients include Cirque du Soleil, L’Oreal, Asurion, Microsoft, Edelman, and more.

Lotto and Lab of Misfits have published over 70 peer-reviewed articles across multiple disciplines, including augmented and virtual reality, human perception, physiology, molecular and cellular development, animal (including human) behavior, digital music, graph theory, complex systems theory, computational evolution, artificial intelligence, architecture, theatre and design. He has also contributed to programs via BBC, National Geographic, HBO, Wharton on Business Radio, and PBS, and has authored three books: Why We See What We Do, Why We See What We Do Redux, and Deviate: The Science of Seeing Differently.

Ken E. Nwadike, Jr. is a peace activist, motivational speaker, and video journalist known as the Free Hugs Guy online. Nwadike is the founder of the Free Hugs Project, which produces motivational videos to spread love, inspire change, and raise awareness of social issues. His ‘Free Hugs’ videos have reached hundreds of millions of views on Facebook and YouTube.

Once a homeless athlete, Nwadike is a leader who exemplifies resiliency and the power to pivot, creating a personal protective equipment (PPE) company during the pandemic to protect his loved ones and those at risk who could not find PPE. He began the Black and Blue Podcast in 2020 ​with Sherriff Chris Swanson to make Unity cool and engage students in the civil discourse necessary for us all to move forward. With so many people feeling alone due to the impact of COVID-19, Nwadike harnessed the ability to create truly important connections and positive human interaction.

In 2014, Nwadike launched the Free Hugs Project to spread love in response to the bombing of the Boston Marathon. The Free Hugs Project gained popularity in 2016 as Nwadike made headlines for his peacekeeping efforts and in de-escalating violence during protests, riots, and political rallies. Nwadike was featured in Google’s 2016 Year in Search video as a highlight of some of the year’s most defining moments.

Nwadike has made many appearances on news programs and radio broadcasts worldwide including CNN, USA Today, Good Morning Britain, and BBC News. He has taken his message to hundreds of colleges and universities, high schools and corporations. He was honored as the 2017 keynote speaker at National Association for Campus Activities National Convention.