Announcing Our Full Speaker Line-up for UXCON '24!
Speakers announcement!
We are thrilled to unveil the full speaker line-up for UXCON '24! Our theme this year, "Inspire and Connect," promises an unforgettable experience with a diverse roster of experts who will share insights, strategies, and inspiration. Whether you're new to UX or looking to elevate your career, our speakers will provide invaluable knowledge and networking opportunities.
Meet our amazing speakers who will be gracing us at UXcon this October….
1. Joe Natoli: A True UX Legend
With over three decades of experience, Joe Natoli has advised, trained, and empowered UX, design, and product development teams at Fortune 100 companies, U.S. Government agencies, and startups. Joe has published ten books, taught over 300,000 students, and transformed the industry with his practical approach to UX, addressing systemic issues and improving team dynamics.
2. Dr. Wendy Zajack
With more than 20 years of experience in public relations, marketing, media relations, and internal communications, Dr. Wendy Zajack thrives on making complex topics easy to understand, exciting, and relevant to broad audiences. She now focuses on the intersection of education, communications, and technology, delivering tailored, impactful curriculum to adult learners.
Joining Georgetown in 2016 as a faculty director and professor for a master’s level Integrated Marketing Communications program, Dr. Zajack also leads the Design Management Communications program. She is an active blogger and speaker, covering topics like branding, salary negotiation, business marketing trends, online education, and technology.
Wendy holds a B.S. in Public Relations from the Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse University, an MBA from the New York University Stern School of Business, and a PhD in Education from George Mason University.
3. Cory Lebson
Author of "The UX Careers Handbook Second Edition" and a LinkedIn Learning Instructor, Cory Lebson has been a user experience researcher and consultant since 1994. He founded Lebsontech in 1997 and turned it into a full-time occupation in 2008. Cory enjoys teaching UX-related topics and regularly conducts talks and workshops. He has an MBA in marketing and technology management, an MA in sociology, and a BS in psychology. He is a former president of both the User Experience Professionals Association (UXPA) International and the Washington DC chapter of UXPA.
4. Jake DiBattista
Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at a retail giant like Sam's Club (Walmart)? Dive deep into the world of E-Commerce Innovation with Jake DiBattista, a research lead at Sam's Club focusing on retail innovation and digital transformation initiatives. In his free time, Jake volunteers at Charleston Hacks (NPO), holding hackathons and mentorship programs. He is passionate about new technology and its ability to enable human potential, recently founding Youni, a company focused on AI in continued education.
5. Amanda Gelb
Amanda brings over a decade of experience in product and strategic research with tech giants like Asana, Lyft, HUGE, and Google. She offers training, workshops, and fractional research services, leveraging data to deliver impactful insights.
Currently a consultant and professor of Design Research at NYU, Amanda empowers the next generation of innovators. She has led transformative projects in EdTech at Amplify, connected devices at Fuseproject, and AR/VR applications at Google. Her role at Lyft focused on strategic mapping and tech enablement for rideshare and micro-mobility sectors. Amanda holds an MPS from NYU's Interactive Telecommunications Program (ITP), a Certificate in Experiential Jewish Education from Yeshiva University, and a Bachelor of Commerce from McGill University.
Amanda speaks internationally about her process and the products she’s helped create. Outside of work, she is a devoted experimenter and maker, engaging in projects from crafting with a laser cutter to experimenting with new cookie recipes.
6. Julian Della Mattia
Julian started as a Product Manager in Argentina, became a UX Researcher in Berlin, and specialized in Research Ops in Barcelona. Through his agency, he helps tech companies across Europe establish and scale research practices. Currently, he works as a Senior UXR at Meisterlabs and is the founder of the180, which assists organizations in building scalable research practices.
7. Rajeev Subramanian
Over the last 20 years, Rajeev has worked in various roles spanning software engineering, sales, marketing, and user experience. Since changing careers to UX in 2013, he has helped organizations creatively solve complex digital problems. As an adjunct faculty at Georgetown University, Rajeev teaches UX Design and runs Shift UX, a company that helps new designers and researchers break into UX. He holds a B.S. in Computer Science from Georgetown University and an M.S. in Human Factors in Information Design from Bentley University.
8. Nikki Anderson: The User Research Resource Queen
Nikki Anderson, aka The User Research Resource Queen, is a blogger, podcaster, and founder of The User Research Academy. She helps researchers embrace impostor syndrome to lead impactful projects. Nikki has authored over 250 user research articles and spoken at 100+ events. She is known for her vulnerable, transparent, and actionable insights.
9. Lisa Twiss
For nearly three decades, Lisa has dedicated herself to creating equitable and engaging educational experiences. She began as an English teacher and transitioned to higher education, focusing on adult learning theory, instructional design, and digital divides. Now at the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins, Lisa develops curriculum for city governments worldwide.
10. Xi Rotmil
Xi Rotmil has been a design researcher at Sam’s Club for two years, conducting qualitative and quantitative research to guide product direction. She is part of Sam’s Club’s Accessibility Champion Program and helped establish the Member Advisory Board to capture valuable user insights.
Crystal Shamblee: Exceptional Host
We are delighted to announce Crystal Shamblee as our HOST for UXCon 2024! Crystal is a Senior Associate at FedTech with a stellar background in managing diverse client projects. With 15 years in academia, overseeing UX Design and Human-Centered Design programs, she’ll bring exceptional expertise and creativity to the event.
Don't miss this opportunity to learn from the best and connect with like-minded professionals. In-person tickets are $195, and virtual tickets are $50, with group discounts available for parties of four or more. Secure your spot now and be a part of the most inspiring UX event of the year!
Spread the word and help us make UXCon 2024 an unforgettable experience!
We look forward to seeing you there!
Best regards,
The RB Team