Being Human in the Age of AI

Debbie Millin is renowned for her ability to rapidly scale companies. She has led two separate companies to achieve the distinction of being the #1 fastest-growing company in Massachusetts, including Globalization Partners (G-P), growing from a three-person startup to a remarkable $4.2 billion valuation in under six years. Deeply embedded in the Boston AI community, Millin is passionate about fostering innovation and advises numerous startups and mid-market companies through venture capital firms and her involvement in university programs supporting entrepreneurs.

She serves on multiple technology company boards as an independent director and is a board member at several non-profit organizations including the Museum of Science, the Harvard Club of Boston, the Bentley University Entrepreneurship Hub, and the Harvard Business School Alumni Board.
 

Stellix is a company whose mission is to unite people, science, and technology and deliver transformative solutions for a more sustainable future. The Stellix Group of companies includes NECI, ZAETHER, KYNOTA, and Stellix Global Services. Together, these companies have a shared mission of partnering with customers in life sciences, energy, and industrial manufacturing to enable innovation, scaling, and speed to market. Azar serves as the president of NECI and as a board member for ZAETHER, KYNOTA, and Stellix Global Services.

She previously served as NECI’s executive vice president of systems and software. During her time in the role, she grew her business unit into the largest and most profitable of the organization.

She is passionate about the future and advancing science to change lives for the better. Her vision is to leverage the power of digital and the promise of new science and Industry 5.0 to deliver business impact and a great experience for life sciences, energy, and manufacturing customers across the Stellix Group of companies. Most recently, she joined the Advisory Board at the Museum of Science—a role she’s deeply enthusiastic about, as it allows her to support the Museum’s mission and help shape the future of STEM education and innovation.

Christine Luconi specializes in creating cutting-edge culture and people strategies for startups and high-growth companies. Formerly the chief people officer at Rapid7, she was responsible for the entire employee lifecycle, with a particular focus on recruiting top talent, shaping and inspiring corporate culture, advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, and “scaling with soul.” Luconi has also held senior leadership roles at @stake and Sapient, where she drove growth from start up through post-IPO growth by aligning business and people strategies. 

She mentors at MIT's Martin Trust Center for Entrepreneurship and sits on multiple boards. Christina holds a BA in psychology from George Washington University and an MS in organizational administration from Boston University.

Kris Pennella is a renowned for her insights on the evolving relationship between AI and human-computer interaction. As a trusted advisor to both venture capital firms and global enterprises, she specializes in bridging AI-driven innovation with impactful business transformation.

Pennella has spearheaded and managed large-scale transformation initiatives for Global 2000 organizations, including Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), RedHat (NYSE: IBM), and Thomson Reuters (NASDAQ: TRI). Her expertise extends to board leadership, serving as both a board advisor and independent board member for private companies, where she guides strategic growth and innovation. Her work continues to influence the direction of AI adoption and digital strategy across industries, making her a sought-after voice at the intersection of technology and business leadership.

Rana el Kaliouby is an Egyptian-American AI scientist, entrepreneur, and investor, recognized as a pioneer of human-centric AI. She is the co-founder and Managing Partner of Blue Tulip Ventures, an early-stage venture firm investing in AI at the intersection of health and wellness, the future of work, and sustainable living. She also hosts Pioneers of AI, a WaitWhat production that explores the relationship between humanity and artificial intelligence.

Previously, she co-founded Affectiva, an MIT spin-out, and served as CEO until its acquisition by the publicly traded Swedish company Smart Eye in 2021. Alongside her entrepreneurial leadership, she is an executive fellow at Harvard Business School and co-chairs the Fortune Brainstorm AI conferences.

El Kaliouby is the author of Girl Decoded: A Scientist’s Quest to Reclaim Our Humanity by Bringing Emotional Intelligence to Technology (Penguin Random House, 2020). She serves as a Trustee of the Museum of Science, Boston, and is an Eisenhower Fellow, a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, and a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO). Her work has earned recognition on Fortune’s 40 Under 40, Forbes’ Top 50 Women in Tech, and the Boston Globe’s Top 50 Tech Power Players. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge and a postdoctoral degree from MIT.