Award Nominee

Name: Barbara Vercruysse
Organization/Company: BV Empowerment & Kindness Institute
Job Title/Position: CEO & Founder
Country: Belgium
Website/LinkedIn Profile URL: Click
Thinkers360 Profile URL: Click
Short Bio/Description:
Barbara Vercruysse: Global Kindness Advocate, Thought Leader, Leadership Mentor, Business Consultant in Quality Management & Operational Excellence, Public Speaker and Bestselling Author.

Barbara Vercruysse is an inspiring figure in the realm of leadership, recognized for her dedication to fostering kindness in both individuals and organizations. Surviving stage 4 skin cancer and navigating a near-bankruptcy ignited her passion for making a lasting, positive impact. She champions a leadership style rooted in kindness, believing it is essential for creating balanced, humane workplaces and for addressing the global challenges we face today.

With over 30 years of professional experience, Barbara is a seasoned entrepreneur, consultant, and mentor, specializing in resilience and operational excellence. Currently, she works as the Quality Officer and Operational Excellence Lead at a BMW dealership group, where she enhances business processes, nurtures talent, and promotes an empowering work environment.

Through her "Empowerment & Kindness Institute," Barbara provides mentorship and consulting services to inspire leadership that balances efficiency with empathy. Her insights are informed by a deep understanding of human behavior and a genuine care for her clients' well-being.

As President of Professional Women International (PWI) in Brussels, part of the PWN Global network, Barbara plays a pivotal role in empowering women to achieve professional success and advocating for gender-balanced leadership. Guided by values of respect, courage, collaboration, excellence, and inclusiveness, she leads initiatives that equip women with the tools to thrive in business and society.

Barbara also serves as Head of Communication at the European-Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EUICCI), where she applies her expertise in communications to strengthen partnerships and foster international collaboration.

A prolific public speaker, Barbara has delivered talks worldwide, including for Girl Up, a United Nations Foundation initiative; Microsoft's Soft Skills Community; Harvard University; and the World Young Scientist Summit (WYSS). She passionately advocates for “Leading with Powerful Kindness,” a philosophy she views as vital to personal and professional success.

Barbara is the bestselling author of The Path of Powerful Kindness, a transformative book that has resonated with readers worldwide. In this inspiring work, she shares her vision of kindness as a powerful leadership tool and a transformative force for individuals and organizations. Drawing from her personal journey and professional expertise, the book offers actionable insights on fostering compassion, resilience, and purpose-driven leadership in today’s complex world. The Path of Powerful Kindness has been praised for its profound yet practical wisdom, empowering readers to lead with authenticity and grace.

Barbara’s passions include reading, painting, travel, the arts, and meaningful conversations. She sets a yearly goal of reading 50 books, reflecting her lifelong commitment to personal growth. She has shared her insights in major publications like the Huffington Post and Thrive Global and reaches millions through her weekly Inspirational Talks across social platforms.

Awards Category Selection

Major Category: Personal Excellence
Sub-Category: Thought Leader of the Year

Submission Content

Submission Title: Thought Leadership in Powerful Kindness: Advancing Compassionate Leadership and Women’s Impact.
Project/Contribution Description:
My contribution centers on developing and advancing Powerful Kindness as a modern leadership paradigm that integrates compassion, courage, and strategic influence to drive sustainable personal, organisational, and societal change.

Through my work as a Global Kindness Advocate, author, keynote speaker, and leadership mentor, I have translated kindness from a perceived “soft value” into a rigorous, actionable leadership practice. My thought leadership is expressed through multiple channels:
- the publication of my book The Path of Powerful Kindness,
- keynote speeches and panels at international leadership and academic forums,
- mentoring and leadership development programs for women and emerging leaders,
- and continuous content creation (articles, videos, podcasts) focused on ethical leadership, resilience, and women’s empowerment.

The purpose of this work is to support leaders—particularly women—in expanding their influence without compromising authenticity, humanity, or values, while contributing to a broader dialogue on peace, nonviolence, and inclusive leadership.

The scope of my contribution spans corporate environments, nonprofit leadership, academic dialogue, and public discourse, with a particular focus on empowering women leaders and fostering cultures rooted in empathy, responsibility, and impact.

Key deliverables include published intellectual property, global speaking engagements, structured mentoring trajectories, and an extensive body of educational and inspirational content reaching an international audience.

Key Achievements and Impact:
* Author of The Path of Powerful Kindness, the first book in a leadership trilogy, published and distributed internationally, positioning kindness as a strategic leadership competency rather than a personal trait.

* Recognised thought leader, named twice on the List of 250+ Rising Stars & Upcoming Influencers of LinkedIn to Watch (2023-2024-2025), reflecting consistent impact and resonance of my ideas within professional leadership communities.

* Global speaking and thought leadership presence, including keynote talks, panels, and academic forums addressing leadership, women’s empowerment, resilience, and ethical influence across Europe and internationally.

* Leadership mentoring and development: Designed and delivered structured mentoring programs supporting women leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers in expanding visibility, confidence, and strategic positioning. Many mentees have gone on to speak at conferences, step into leadership roles, or redefine their professional direction with clarity and purpose.

* Extensive content creation and reach:
- Over 100 original video reflections on leadership, kindness, and resilience published over several years.
- A weekly thought leadership article and newsletter focused on positivity, leadership, and inner strength, with consistent engagement from a professional international audience.
* Community and institutional impact:
- President of a leading international women’s network chapter, contributing to leadership development, mentorship, and high-level events connecting corporate, academic, and nonprofit leaders.
- Active contributor to conversations on women’s leadership, peacebuilding, and nonviolence, aligning professional leadership with broader societal impact.
- Personal resilience as lived leadership: Drawing from lived experience, including overcoming a life-threatening illness at a young age, my work embodies resilience and ethical leadership, offering a deeply authentic and credible foundation for my thought leadership.

Collectively, this work has helped shift narratives around leadership—from dominance and performance alone toward courage, compassion, and responsibility—while equipping leaders with practical frameworks to lead with both strength and humanity.

Supporting URLs/Links:
- https://www.amazon.com/Path-Powerful-Kindness-Return-Humanness/dp/B0CM18MG4M/
- https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/positivity-kindness-insights-6922511150081298434/
- https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7403346281575718912/
- https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7390668212868239360/
- https://www.barbaravercruysse.com/blog
- https://www.pwnglobal.net/c/pwi-brussels/content/our-local-board

Award Nominee

Name: Anthony Berryhill, FRSA
Organization/Company: Elite College Hacker
Job Title/Position: Founder & CEO
Country: United States
Website/LinkedIn Profile URL: Click
Thinkers360 Profile URL: Click
Short Bio/Description:
Non-Executive Director (NED) | High-Stakes Education & Talent Advisor | Former VP, PIMCO | Fellow, FRSA, FRGS | 3x National Champion Debate Coach | PMP | Board Member, Women’s Foundation of NC

Awards Category Selection

Major Category: Personal Excellence
Sub-Category: Thought Leader of the Year

Submission Content

Submission Title: Thought Leaders of the Year in Technology
Project/Contribution Description:
Best known as the originator of the 4th Industrial Revolution and the digital themes of today. For the past two decades, he has set the global agenda for nations and leading organizations via the World Economic Forum, serving as co-founder of Strategic Intelligence. Named "the most influential futurist of the century" by CNBC.

Key Achievements and Impact:
Named "the most influential futurist of the century" by CNBC. Awarded “Manufacturing Champion 2025” by MEPCA magazine as the most influential thought leader in manufacturing.

Supporting URLs/Links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/vonscheel/

Supporting File (1): Click

Award Nominee

Name: Sudhakar Reddy Gade
Organization/Company: Nirvedha Executive Coaching Solutions Pvt Ltd
Job Title/Position: Founder - Executive Director
Country: India
Website/LinkedIn Profile URL: Click
Thinkers360 Profile URL: Click
Short Bio/Description:
I am an Executive Coach and a consistent top-ranked thought leader on the Thinkers360 platform. Over the past three years, I have maintained a position in the Top 50 Coaches and Top 25 Career Coaches globally, demonstrating sustained influence and engagement in the industry. My work focuses on empowering leaders through [mention one unique method, e.g., strategic career transitions or leadership resilience] to bridge the gap between potential and performance. This nomination recognises my ongoing contributions to the coaching community and my verified track record of thought leadership from 2023 through 2025.

Awards Category Selection

Major Category: Personal Excellence
Sub-Category: Thought Leader of the Year

Submission Content

Submission Title: Thought leader in the social sciences and the philosophy of science
Project/Contribution Description:
He has published over one hundred core research publications and ten books. All his publications have been republished in Social Science Research Network, or SSRN and through other publishers. He is the Founder-Director of the Institute for the Study of the Globalization of Science (Registered as the Globalization of Science Trust) which is has already started empaneling a group of researchers and scientists to plan its next course of action. He strongly believes that the ‘Globalization of Science’, with a particular emphasis on the social sciences, must become one of the major movements of the Twenty-first century as we move away from colonialism and imperialism. He has also founded a think tank called “Scholars and intellectuals for mankind” (SCHIMA), another think tank called the “Open, transparent, high-quality, and ideology-free science movement” riding piggyback on his large number of publications on scientific method, and a blog called “Abhilasha: This is not utopia”. Among his other missions, are revitalizing pedagogy for the twenty-first century, and reexamining the role of religion in the twenty-first century for which strategies have been devised. He has also launched a youtube channel in furtherance of these goals.

Key Achievements and Impact:
He has published over one hundred core research publications and ten books. All his publications have been republished in Social Science Research Network, or SSRN and through other publishers. He is the Founder-Director of the Institute for the Study of the Globalization of Science (Registered as the Globalization of Science Trust) which is has already started empaneling a group of researchers and scientists to plan its next course of action. He strongly believes that the ‘Globalization of Science’, with a particular emphasis on the social sciences, must become one of the major movements of the Twenty-first century as we move away from colonialism and imperialism. He has also founded a think tank called “Scholars and intellectuals for mankind” (SCHIMA), another think tank called the “Open, transparent, high-quality, and ideology-free science movement” riding piggyback on his large number of publications on scientific method, and a blog called “Abhilasha: This is not utopia”. Among his other missions, are revitalizing pedagogy for the twenty-first century, and reexamining the role of religion in the twenty-first century for which strategies have been devised. He has also launched a youtube channel in furtherance of these goals.

Supporting URLs/Links:
My work is widely available in the internet

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Award Nominee

Name: Zhanna Zhuravleva, Chartered FCIPD
Organization/Company: Tealsen
Job Title/Position: CEO
Country: United Kingdom
Website/LinkedIn Profile URL: Click
Thinkers360 Profile URL: Click
Short Bio/Description:
I’m a Chartered FCIPD HR transformation strategist, HR consultant, and Executive & Generative Coach with 3,500+ hours of executive, team coaching and mentoring.
I help founders and senior teams build values- and product-oriented HR operating models that connect culture, behaviours and delivery.
As author of HR Archetypes Dynamics™ (the 13-level Game–Shadow–Value Matrix) and the 4D Compass™ (SELF–SOFT–SOUL–SPIRIT ), I convert the organisation’s unconscious patterns into a practical lever for transformation, helping businesses optimise costs by eliminating inefficiencies.
My background spans HRD/CHRO roles and advisory across 30+ countries, redesigning talent, performance, learning and wellbeing to raise psychological safety and measurable outcomes.
I blend deep psychology with modern AI HR/HRIS and disciplined operating-model design.

UK-based, working globally.

Awards Category Selection

Major Category: Personal Excellence
Sub-Category: Thought Leader of the Year

Submission Content

Submission Title: Thought Leadership in Transformation
Project/Contribution Description:
I created two frameworks that are already successfully used in practice and have gained popularity.

HR Archetype Dynamics is a new way of understanding why transformations fail. I use psychology and an evolutionary approach to identify the “level of the game” an organization is playing. Based on that, we can forecast upcoming risks and challenges and design the HR model that fits this specific evolutionary level. The methodology is innovative, has received wide attention, and I apply it in my work with companies.

The second framework, Compass, fully replaces traditional HR approaches, including performance reviews. It enables companies to move to transparent, continuous feedback and to manage value creation in real time.

Key Achievements and Impact:
I sparked a trend around the idea that transformation should begin with working with the unconscious. I created a methodology that continues to evolve, and a training program based on it has been launched.

Supporting URLs/Links:
https://hrzone.com/the-compass-a-dynamic-tool-to-help-end-tick-box-hr/
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-hrbps-still-dont-move-needle-metabolic-alignment-zhanna-dfpie/?trackingId=7hZ%2Bp6W5QNaIPEquLcgqEA%3D%3D
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/energy-love-multidimensional-future-human-zhanna-0nlvf/
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/hidden-games-value-how-stop-creating-anti-value-start-zhanna-dz7we/

Award Nominee

Name: Goutama Bachtiar
Organization/Company: EC-Council University
Job Title/Position: Industry Advisory Board
Country: Indonesia
Website/LinkedIn Profile URL: Click
Thinkers360 Profile URL: Click
Short Bio/Description:
Board Member, Global Advisory Board, Multi-Fellow, Subject Matter Expert.

An accomplished technology advisory leader with over two decades of experience in Governance, Risk and Compliance on IT, Cybersecurity, and Artificial Intelligence.

Awarded as a fellow of multiple global institutes (Royal Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, FINSIA and OneTrust, among others), and recently Cloud Security Alliance Research Fellow, he has over thirty global credentials, is a Global Awards Judge, and an Industry Advisory Board at EC-Council University, International Advisory Board Member at EC-Council, AI CERTs Advisory Board, and Packt Publishing Technology Advisory Board, as well as a Global Blockchain Business Council Regional Ambassador and Accredited Member of Australian Institute of Company Directors. Additionally, he serves as a Subject Matter Expert for ISACA, CompTIA, ISC2, the Open Compliance and Ethics Group, and the Project Management Institute.

In his IT auditing and consulting practices, he's steered 135+ organisations including Fortune 50, 500, Global 500, India 500 & Indonesia 100 companies. He has co-managed multi-million-dollar enterprise IT projects - 20,000 portfolio, program and project hours.

He has been delivering 320+ sessions to a total audience of 13,500+ people, racking up 6,800+ hours as a chairperson, moderator, jury, (keynote) speaker, panellist, trainer, and lecturer, in-person and online, notably for World CIO 200 Summit, Asia Finance Forum, ASEAN-JIF, BIG Awards and ACFE International Fraud Awareness Week.

As a co-author of three books, one Body of Knowledge (ITABoK), inventor of two pending patents, reviewer of major book publishers and Scopus Q1 + WOS journal manuscripts, creator of 55 courseware, notably for O'Reilly, Springer, Wiley, Elsevier, IASA, BJET, Packt, and Manning.

With a portfolio of 350+ articles, white papers, and manuscripts for 30+ media and organisations, he has written and reviewed for ISACA, COBIT, PMI, PMBOK, CSA, TAISE, CCSK, SSRM, OCEG, AECT, ICEM, ZDNet Asia, and e27.co.

Been featured and quoted by O'Reilly, Cloud Security Alliance, CoinTelegraph, FutureCIO, OrtusClub, BusinessWeek ID, CNBC ID, CNN ID, and Routledge.

Awards Category Selection

Major Category: Personal Excellence
Sub-Category: Thought Leader of the Year

Submission Content

Submission Title: Thought Leadership in Ethical AI Governance
Project/Contribution Description:
My contribution centres on advancing Ethical AI Governance as an applied, policy-ready discipline that bridges AI Ethics, AI Governance, and enterprise-level GRC.

Through sustained thought leadership, white papers, and executive-level courseware, I focus on translating ethical principles and global AI governance frameworks into practical models that boards, regulators, and senior leaders can operationalise.

Rather than treating AI ethics as a theoretical exercise, my work emphasises accountability, transparency, risk ownership, and institutional oversight, enabling organisations to adopt AI responsibly while preserving public trust and societal legitimacy.

Key Achievements and Impact:
• Consistently recognised among the top Thought Leaders in AI Governance, AI Ethics, and GRC on Thinkers360, reflecting sustained influence rather than isolated contributions
• Developed and published high-impact thought leadership on Ethical AI Governance that informs board-level discussions, regulatory perspectives, and executive decision-making
• Designed policy-grade white papers and executive courseware that translate complex AI risks into decision-ready governance frameworks for senior stakeholders
• Contributed to shaping cross-sector dialogue at the intersection of corporate governance, academia, and public policy, strengthening trust-based and responsible AI adoption

Supporting URLs/Links:
- LinkedIn; https://www.linkedin.com/in/goutama
- Thinkers360: https://www.thinkers360.com/tl/goutama
- Scholarly Work: https://orcid.org/my-orcid?orcid=0009-0001-1206-981X
- Journal Paper on Ethical AI (Best Paper)
https://doi.org/10.35166/jipm.v8i2.123
- Patent Pending titled Quick Ethical Risk Assessment Method for AI Outputs
https://pdki-indonesia.dgip.go.id/detail/e3b0c44298fc1c149afbf4c8996fb92427ae41e4649b934ca495991b7852b855
- CSA TAISE Contributor: https://www.credly.com/earner/earned/badge/43b6b663-8bd3-4de8-ad73-3e98b4cf7745
- CSA TAISE Certificate: https://www.credly.com/earner/earned/badge/1f4a910c-08b0-4035-850a-760a57c3f91d
- CSA Research Fellow https://www.credly.com/earner/earned/badge/850a408a-2228-4071-8222-88149b29a080
- AICT Advisory Board at AI CERTs https://www.aicerts.ai/aict-advisory-board/
- Media Interview by FutureCIO: https://futurecio.tech/execopinion-translating-governance-into-workable-frameworks/

Supporting File (1): Click

Submission Title: Thought Leadership in Leadership Clarity and Sustainable Performance
Project/Contribution Description:
My work focuses on strategic leadership clarity in complex, high-pressure environments. Through Strategic Edge Partners and my Strategy Rebel platform, I develop practical leadership frameworks that help senior leaders think clearly, communicate with authority, and sustain performance during transformation.

A central contribution is the ALIGN Framework, a five-step structure designed to stabilize leadership presence under pressure. It is used in executive advisory work, facilitation sessions, and thought leadership content to support clearer decision-making, stronger communication, and steadier leadership behavior during change.

The scope of my work includes executive advisory, leadership facilitation, published writing, and public speaking. Key deliverables include leadership frameworks, applied thought leadership articles, keynote presentations, and advisory engagements that translate clarity and presence into measurable organizational outcomes.

Key Achievements and Impact:
• Led and advised large-scale technology and transformation programs across healthcare and enterprise environments over two decades
• Advanced to Director of Strategic Partnerships & Delivery, responsible for guiding senior teams and complex delivery portfolios
• Developed and published the ALIGN Framework, now used as a practical leadership tool across advisory, speaking, and content platforms
• Recognized with Best Leadership Excellence in Transformation and Delivery in North America (2025)
• Selected as a speaker for the Euro Global She Leads – She Empowers Conclave, presenting on leadership clarity and performance
• Published thought leadership focused on sustainable performance, leadership presence, and decision-making under pressure
• Built a growing leadership audience through LinkedIn, podcast appearances, and upcoming video content focused on clarity over burnout

Supporting URLs/Links:
https://www.lorilynnsmith.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorilynnsmith

https://bestofbestreview.com/awards/lori-lynn-smith-best-leadership-excellence-in-transformation-and-delivery-in-north-america-of-2025
https://usanews.com/newsroom/lori-lynn-smith-redefining-leadership-and-clarity-in-high-stakes-environments
https://ceotimes.com/lori-lynn-smith-leading-with-clarity-and-strength-in-high-pressure-leadership
https://bestofbestreview.com/awards/lori-lynn-smith-best-leadership-excellence-in-transformation-and-delivery-in-north-america-of-2025
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/top-10-selfmade-women-to-watch-in-2026/ar-AA1UW4bQ
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/careersandeducation/top-10-inspiring-women-leaders-in-2026/ar-AA1UXfxT

https://womenthrivemagazine.com

Supporting File (1): Click
Supporting File (2): Click

Submission Title: Advancing Human-Centered AI and Transformational Leadership in Technology
Project/Contribution Description:
Svitlana Samko is a global technology executive, TEDx speaker, and strategic advocate for human-centered digital transformation. Her thought leadership focuses on the intersection of artificial intelligence, leadership psychology, project governance, and inclusive innovation.

Through conference keynotes, executive forums, professional publications, mentoring initiatives, and global community engagement, she translates complex technological evolution into actionable leadership frameworks. Her work equips technology leaders to implement AI responsibly, manage large-scale transformation programs, and cultivate resilient, emotionally intelligent teams.

Her thought leadership contributions center on:

Responsible and human-centric AI adoption

Strategic digital transformation governance

Leadership psychology in high-performance tech environments

Women’s advancement and inclusive leadership in STEM

Sustainable innovation through cross-functional collaboration

By integrating enterprise delivery experience with public thought leadership, she provides both conceptual clarity and operational practicality. Her insights are grounded in real-world execution within global technical environments, strengthening their relevance and credibility.

Key Achievements and Impact:
1. Recognized Industry Authority

2025 Tech Leader Award recipient

TEDx Speaker addressing leadership and transformation themes

President of Toastmasters, shaping next-generation communicators and leaders

2. Intellectual Contribution & Influence

Regular conference speaker and panel expert on AI, transformation, and leadership

Contributor to professional communities focused on digital innovation

Recognized mentor and advisor within global tech ecosystems

3. Strategic Ecosystem Impact

Influenced technology professionals and executives to adopt structured, ethical AI governance

Advanced frameworks for integrating emotional intelligence into digital transformation programs

Actively supported diversity and inclusion initiatives within technology sectors

4. Community Leadership & Mentorship

Mentor to emerging technology leaders and women in tech

Builder of professional communities focused on innovation and growth

Advocate for responsible technology adoption and leadership accountability

Impact Statement

Svitlana’s thought leadership drives measurable change by aligning technological innovation with human capability. Her frameworks empower organizations not only to implement emerging technologies, but to do so with strategic clarity, ethical responsibility, and leadership maturity.

Her influence extends beyond individual events - shaping professional mindsets, strengthening leadership pipelines, and contributing to a more inclusive and sustainable global technology ecosystem.

Supporting URLs/Links:
https://sessionize.com/svitlanasamko/

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