Future Forward Summit: Washington D.C.

Future Forward: Washington D.C.

Theme: Driving Leadership, Innovation & Global Impact

Location: The Washington Times Building, Washington D.C.

Date: Tuesday, September 30, 2025

Time: 12:30 PM – 5:30 PM ET

6:00 PM ET VIP Cocktail Reception Hosted by Global Political Solutions

Hosted by: Wonder Women Tech in collaboration with Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP)

ABOUT THE EVENT:Welcome to Future Forward: Washington D.C., a powerful summit that brings together innovators, policymakers, diplomats, technologists, and thought leaders to explore how leadership, policy, and technology are shaping a more connected and impactful global future.

Hosted by Wonder Women Tech and in partnership with the Women's Federation for World Peace (WFWP), this one-of-a-kind experience is designed to inspire bold thinking, foster collaborative leadership, and spotlight the real-world innovation driving systemic change.

Whether you're in public service, tech, entrepreneurship, or mission-driven work, this event invites you to step into the future of global influence, diplomacy, and transformative leadership.

WHY YOU SHOULD ATTEND:• Hear from trailblazers across tech, government, and innovation• Dive into conversations about AI, cybersecurity, diplomacy, and sustainability• Participate in symbolic activations like the Bridge of Peace• Share your vision at the interactive Future Wall• Join curated group experiences and connect meaningfully with other change-makers• Enjoy coffee, light bites, and thoughtful programming—all in the heart of D.C.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:• Public sector leaders and policymakers• Entrepreneurs and founders• Tech professionals and engineers• Sustainability and innovation strategists• Diplomats and global visionaries• Curious, purpose-driven professionals across all sectors

🎟️ TICKETS ARE LIMITED – RSVP TODAY!

Be part of the movement to lead, innovate, and shape the future.Let’s build the next era—together.

Summit Program & Run of Show

12:30 PM – 1:00 PM

Registration + Light Bites & Networking

• Guest arrival, check-in, and casual networking
• Coffee, tea, and light refreshments
• Future Wall Activation - interactive Future Wall—where guests contribute bold ideas, visions, or commitments for shaping the future.

Master of Ceremonies:

Andromeda Peters, Miss United States 2018

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

1:00 PM – 1:15 PM - Opening Remarks

Speaker: Aaron Manaigo, Managing Partner, Global Political Solutions, LLC.

Speaker: Kaeligh Moffit, President, Women's Federation for World Peace USA

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaeleigh-moffitt-714056237/

Speaker: Lisa Mae Brunson, Founder & CEO, Wonder Women Tech https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisamae/

1:15 PM – 1:25 PM - MC Welcome

Master of Ceremonies: Andromeda Peters, Miss United States 2018

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

1:25 PM – 1:40 PM - Ignite Talk: “The Future Is Calling: Meeting the Moment with Vision and Action”

Speaker: Pradnya Haldipur, NGO and Civil Society Executive, Founder of Strategy.Creativity.Mentorship, and Founding Member, CHIEF https://www.linkedin.com/in/pradnya-haldipur/

1:45 PM – 1:55 PM - Ignite Talk: The Human Side of Artificial Intelligence: Ethics, Empathy and What is Good for Civilization

Speaker: Karen Maria Alston, AI Forward Fractional Marketing Executive

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

Description:

As AI quietly reshapes our world, one urgent question remains: Is it serving the future of humanity or just the corporate bottom line?

In this powerful 10-minute talk, Karen Maria Alston pulls back the curtain on artificial intelligence to explore its ethical implications from a human-centered lens. With warmth, clarity, and conviction, she reframes AI ethics not as a tech issue—but a civilization one. From biased hiring tools to algorithmic decision-making in healthcare and justice, Karen connects the dots between invisible code and everyday life. More importantly, she offers a vision for ethical AI that uplifts people, protects dignity, and reflects values not just venture capital goals.

2:00 PM – 2:45 PM - Interactive Panel Discussion: Tech, Diplomacy, & the New Rules of Global Innovation

A provocative conversation on how public/private leaders are navigating innovation, policy, and global influence across sectors like AI, cybersecurity, and sustainability. Q&A

Description:

In a world where innovation outpaces regulation, tech is no longer just a product—it's a source of power, diplomacy, and influence. This conversation brings together cross-sector leaders at the forefront of AI, cybersecurity, sustainability, and emerging tech to explore how governments, companies, and global actors are shaping (and being shaped by) the new rules of engagement. How do we balance competition with collaboration? What does responsible tech leadership look like on the world stage? Join us for a provocative exchange that bridges policy, innovation, and global strategy.

Moderator: Sabrina Garba, Founder, CEO, Glass Ladder Group https://www.linkedin.com/in/skgarba/

Panelist: Colonel Jen Warren, USAF (RET.) DOD Innovation Strategist & Former Division Chief at AFWERX https://www.linkedin.com/in/jen-warren-88827b247/

Panelist: Alex Grant:Advocacy, Engagement, and Coalition Building Leader https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexgrant5/

Panelist: Dr. Karen Hathaway Viani, Visionary Chief Innovation Officer & Technology Strategist https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenhathawayviani/

Panelist: Ambassador Denis G. Antoine, Former Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China and https://www.linkedin.com/in/amb-denis-g-antoine-51320618/

2:45 PM - 3:00 PM - Networking Break

Time to recharge, connect, and continue adding to the Future Wall. Light refreshments and a soft transition into the next experience.

3:00 PM – 3:45 PM - Bridge of Peace Activation with the Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP)

A curated, symbolic moment of unity and collaboration. Includes storytelling, a bridge exchange between participants, and reflections framed around collaboration beyond borders, ideologies, and identities.

Breakdown of Peace Building Program:

• Introduction Video
• Speaker: The Missing Piece in Peacebuilding: Kaeligh Moffit, President, Women's Federation for World Peace USA
• Bridge Crossing #1: Lisa Mae Brunson, Founder & CEO, Wonder Women Tech & Desiree Cuevas-Contreras, Student (Intergenerational)
• Bridging Crossing #2: Anna Libkhen, Cybersecurity Specialist & Kellen Felix, Director of International Policy & Government Relations, Wonder Women Tech (Interreligious and Interracial)
• Bridge Crossing #3: Bridge Crossings in the Audience

3:45 PM – 4:00 PM - Break and Reflection

4:00 PM – 4:30 PM - Fireside Chat: “The Future Gets Built Here”

In this intimate conversation, we’ll sit down with trailblazing public leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers to explore how bold ideas get translated into lasting impact.

From navigating complexity and building trust, to shaping global policy, cultural movements, or game-changing technology—this dialogue offers a rare inside look into the mindset, mission, and moments that define transformative leadership.

What does it take to lead through uncertainty? To build systems that outlast trends? To hold both vision and humanity in the same hand?

Join us for a fireside-style conversation on how the future doesn’t arrive fully formed—it gets built. One decision, one voice, one step at a time.

Moderator: Lisa Mae Brunson, Founder, Wonder Women Tech https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisamae/

Featured Guest: Caleb Max, Co-Chair of the National Artificial Intelligence Association https://www.linkedin.com/in/caleb-max-7137b2202/

Featured Guest: Merry Walker, U.S. Diplomat, Co-Founder & CEO, Symphony Space, Former International Science and Technology Senior Policy Advisor https://www.linkedin.com/in/merrymwalker/

Featured Guest: Brahm Rhodes, Ph.D., Director of Investment and Fund Innovation, Resource Catalyst, Village Capital https://www.linkedin.com/in/brhodes0/

4:30 PM – 5:15 PM - Interactive Panel: “Leading Through Transformation: Innovation, AI & the Future Workforce”

A future-forward conversation exploring how emerging technologies—especially AI—are reshaping work, education, leadership, and economic inclusion.

Description:

As AI and emerging technologies accelerate change across every industry, we stand at a pivotal moment: will the future of work deepen inequality, or become a driver of shared prosperity? From the C-suite to the classroom, leaders are being asked to navigate disruption while building systems that are more inclusive, ethical, and resilient.

This conversation brings together voices from industry, government, education, and civil society to grapple with the hard questions: How do we equip people not just with new skills, but with real agency in an AI-driven world? What policies and partnerships can ensure transitions are just? And how do we lead through complexity without losing our humanity? Join us for an unflinching, forward-looking dialogue on what it will truly take to build a future-ready workforce that works for everyone.

Moderator: Kanika Tolver, Senior AI Product Manager, Career Rehab LLC https://www.linkedin.com/in/kanikatolver/

Panelist: Dr. Jennifer Blum, Director of AI and Analytics, HII https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-blum-phd/

Panelist: Angel Johnson, Head of Tech Cyber & GenAI Programs, Walmart Global Tech, https://www.linkedin.com/in/angellabell/

Panelist: Craig Starcher, Senior Local Government Change Management Program Manager, Front Line Advisory Group, LLC: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigstarcher/

Panelist: Eric Brown Jr. Generative AI, Senior Solutions Engineer, Microsoft https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericbrownjr/

5:15 PM – 5:30 PM - Closing Keynote: “Leadership In Action: Transforming Challenges Into Meaningful Impact”

Speaker: Jason Armstrong, Retired Police Chief, CEO, Armstrong Consulting LLC

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-p-armstrong-51b228143/

5:30 PM - Closing Remarks:

Speaker: Kellen Felix, Director of International Policy & Government Relations, Wonder Women Tech https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellen-f-a9748670/

Speaker: Lisa Mae Brunson, Founder, Wonder Women Tech

6:00 PM - VIP COCKTAIL RECEPTION Hosted by Global Political Solutions