Judging Panel
Amanda Brock
CEO
OpenUK
Amanda Brock, CEO of OpenUK, has built one of the most recognized and impactful organizations in open source. As Executive Producer of the State of Open Con (2023–2025), she is a globally sought-after keynote speaker. With 25 years of legal experience, including five as General Counsel at Canonical, Amanda has been instrumental in shaping open source legal frameworks, having been at the forefront of internet law in the early 2000s. She edited the acclaimed “Open Source: Law, Policy and Practice” (2022) and regularly contributes to leading tech publications. Amanda has received numerous accolades, including being named among Computer Weekly’s 50 Most Influential Women in UK Tech (2023, 2024) and Computing’s IT Leaders 100 (2023, 2024). She holds advisory roles with the UK Cabinet Office, UKRI, KDE, and multiple commercial boards, while also serving as a Distinguished Fellow of the Rust Foundation and European Representative for OIN.
Brad Loftus
Managing Director & Senior Partner
Boston Consulting Group (BCG)
Brad Loftus is a Managing Director and Senior Partner at Boston Consulting Group’s Denver office, specializing in the consumer practice. A key member of BCG’s global retail leadership team, he previously led North America’s retail division and has driven global initiatives in omni-channel and specialty retail strategies. Brad cofounded and leads BCG’s AccessAbility network globally and in North America and co-authored a report on workplace inclusion for individuals with disabilities. His advisory work spans sectors such as grocery, DIY, apparel, and private equity, with accomplishments including developing omnichannel strategies for three of the ten largest U.S. retailers, driving digital transformation for a global hotel chain, and crafting a growth strategy for a global grocer. Prior to BCG, Brad co-founded Suppliermarket.com, acquired by Ariba, and gained experience at Accenture. He holds a BBA in International Business and Finance from George Washington University and an MBA from Harvard, where he was a Baker Scholar.
Caroline Casey
Co-Founder
The Valuable 500
Caroline Casey is the businesswoman and activist behind The Valuable 500, the world’s largest CEO collective and business move for disability inclusion. Casey launched the movement at the World Economic Forum’s Davos Summit in 2019 and since then has signed up 500 multinational organizations with a combined revenue of over $8 trillion, employing 20 million people worldwide to radically transform the business system. The membership includes 36 of the FTSE 100 companies, 46 of the Fortune 500 and 28 of the Nikkei. As well as being President of the IAPB, Caroline sits on several diversity and inclusion boards to include L’Oréal, Sanofi and Sky and is a much sought-after speaker. Caroline has received an honorary doctorate as well as multiple awards and accolades for her work as a disability activist.
Caroline Frankum
Global CEO, Kantar Profiles
Kantar
As a Global CEO, and part of Kantar’s Executive Team and I&D Steering Committee, Caroline is committed to developing a culture and society that embraces all intersections of diversity. She holds herself accountable for increasing women representation and ensuring senior roles in Kantar achieve gender parity by 2025 by being an authentic ‘see it, be it’ role model, sponsor, and mentor to Kantar’s women. Caroline also serves as Global Executive Sponsor and Ally for Kantar’s Pride Employee Resource Group supporting LGBTQ+ employees across the globe and partnering with DIVA Media and Stonewall to drive better awareness and understanding of unique challenges LGBTQIA+ women, transgender women, and non-binary people face. She is also the Executive representative for Kantar’s partnership with The Unstereotype Alliance; the United Nations entity for Gender Equality, convened by UN Women.
KR Liu
Global Head of Disability Innovation, Brand Studio
KR is a trailblazer in disability inclusion and LGBTQ+ rights, with over 25 years of experience driving inclusive design and marketing. Diagnosed with severe hearing loss at three, she has dedicated her career to advocating for people with disabilities. As Head of Disability Innovation at Google Brand Studio, she pioneers representation and storytelling for diverse disabled audiences, a historically overlooked segment. KR successfully lobbied for the Over-The-Counter Hearing Aid Act of 2017, enabling hearing aids to be sold over the counter starting in 2022. Appointed by President Biden to the United States Access Board in 2022, she also serves on boards like Deaf Kids Code and the American Association of People with Disabilities. Her accolades include a U.S. Congressional Award, AdAge Leading Woman 2022, Fast Company Queer 50 2022, and Campaign’s 40 Over 40. Featured on ADWEEK’s March 2023 cover, she was a 2024 Cannes Lions Glass Lion juror.
Louis Vega
President, North America
Dow
Louis’ holistic approach to inclusion and diversity in the workplace is best illustrated through his involvement with Dow’s employee resource group for LGBTQ+ and ally employees, GLAD. As the group’s global advisor, he has worked with chapters globally to promote a more inclusive workplace and community for all employees. Louis is a member of Dow’s President’s Inclusion Council, Operations Team, and leads Dow’s Social Justice Council. A leader and pivotal voice on business strategy, people development, and growth matters for Dow around the globe, Louis brings his passion for inclusion to all his discussions and involvements — from engagements with government and industry leaders to serving on the board of directors for multiple civil society groups. In addition, through his service on the boards of numerous other inclusion-focused organizations, he leverages his relationships within the business community and shares his strategic business counsel to promote a more equal world for all.
Lule Demmissie
ex-CEO
eToro
Lule Demmissie is the former CEO of eToro U.S. She believes having visual representation at the operator’s level is a central premise of promoting DEI. During her time at eToro, Lule was also on the board of eToro USA & eToro Securities. In April 2023, Lule was featured in Forbes: “6 women changing the face of leadership in banking & finance”. She is also a member of New York’s The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center, known as “The Center”. Lule dedicates time on a weekly basis to mentor a diverse range of up-and-coming talent to ensure that eToro U.S. has a fair and strong pipeline of talent.
Suki Sandhu OBE
Founder & CEO
INvolve & Audeliss
Suki is one of the leading specialists in sourcing exceptional diverse talent and has been a game-changer within the diversity and executive search arenas for over 20 years. In 2013, INvolve, a global network and consultancy championing diversity and inclusion in business. Through INvolve, Suki also launched the Empower, Heroes, Outstanding, and Enable Role Model Lists, showcasing and celebrating global business leaders who are driving change in the workplace for people of color, women, LGBTQ+ employees, and employees with disabilities, mental health conditions and neurodiversity. Suki is also a Patron for The Albert Kennedy Trust and serves on the Board of Directors of OutRight Action International based in NYC. He is a Trustee for the Guild of HR Professionals and was awarded an OBE from the Queen in the 2019 New Year’s Honours for Services to Diversity in Business.