George Cork is an esports education specialist based in the U.K. With over a decade of experience in coaching, teaching, and operations, George designs innovative, standards-aligned curricula that use video games to re-engage students in education. He has delivered esports qualifications at both university and collegiate levels and is passionate about transforming traditional learning through industry-relevant content in areas like business, tech, and athlete care. A global leader in the field, George has launched pilot programs in the UK, Iceland, and North America. He also uses mindfulness to help players and students develop emotional resilience and maintain focus under pressure.

I would say mindfulness helps me a lot in terms of staying grounded. It’s about making sure I don’t react in an emotional way.

If I receive some bad news, I try to take time to decompress—just pause for a moment.

I try to fully understand the situation before reacting, because if I respond immediately, I’m likely reacting purely out of emotion.

I talk to non-native players I coach about what I call a tactical pause. That is where you pause the game and take a minute or 30 seconds to reset yourself mentally.

Because you're so focused and running on adrenaline, it’s necessary to reset your breathing and focus and just calm yourself down.

One of the main things right now in esports is inclusivity. There's a massive push in trying to make people more inclusive, like the industry more inclusive, especially to the women's female audience.

Esports is a very male dominated industry right now. Slowly it's starting to change. But there is a lot of core ground level work that needs to be done in order to make women feel more welcome.

It's not obviously all people, but some are very toxic in terms of their behavior and how they react overall.

Carol Mote founded The Maple Kind, where she helps businesses take care of their people and shape strong workplace cultures. She advises on everything from improving employee wellbeing and leadership support to handling major changes like mergers and business restructures. Drawing on nearly a decade with Global People and Culture, Carol specialises in guiding organisations through change, solving complex people-related challenges, and making sure employment policies are fair and effective. She’s known for her practical, people-first approach and for helping companies build trust, smooth transitions, and create positive, inclusive workplaces.

After my parents split, my siblings and I, all very young, were sent from Canada to the UK, where life became chaotic. We had no stable home, struggled to adapt, and faced bullying at school due to our accents and outsider status.

With little adult support or accountability, it was a harsh environment. That experience shaped my passion today—recognizing how, even in corporate life, a lack of accountability can allow similar harm to persist.

Sev Geraskin is a visionary leader in AI alignment and emotional design, serving as Founding VP at PolarGrid, President of Economy of Wisdom, and Executive Director at Lantern Lab. He champions peer-led AI education and collective wisdom through ventures like Past5. Grounded in mindfulness, Sev integrates meditation, emotional presence, and reflective walks into his daily rhythm, allowing clarity and creativity to thrive. His work centers on inclusion, emotional depth, and meaning in the human-AI experience.

Regarding bullying, I think it has to do with a lack of self-awareness. When I was younger, I wasn't as self-aware as I am now.

I've had years of personal development. Maybe I wasn't always as empathetic. I see now that human connection is something that needs to be nurtured consciously.

It does matter how you communicate.

William Huang is the Co-Founder and CEO of Auria Robotics, a Vancouver-based startup. Founded by parents, educators, and technologists, Auria Robotics develops AI-powered audio robots for personalized autism intervention and support. These interactive companions use emotional recognition and adaptive learning to provide real-time support in homes, schools, and clinics, responding to each child's unique needs, even when a therapist is unavailable.

The Auria Robotics robot is an interactive, AI-powered companion designed to support children with autism.

An iPad, serving as the robot's "brain," connects via Bluetooth and runs software that enables personalized responses. The robot helps children feel calm, happy, and engaged through playful interactions.

It can dance, give rewards, and celebrate successful sessions, making therapy more enjoyable and emotionally supportive. It can be used at home or in schools.

Autism intervention is expensive—often $150 to $160 per hour—and government funding is limited, especially after a child turns six.

The Auria Robotics robot provides an affordable alternative by emulating a therapist’s role at home when professional services are unavailable.

Not necessarily is adult supervision required. The robot functions as both a teaching tool and a companion.

Powered by generative AI, it's capable of autonomous interaction—communicating with the child, monitoring behavior, and even relaying information to parents.

It's like having a supportive friend always present, blending emotional connection with practical therapeutic support.

Regarding bullying, what comes to mind for me is that before we take action, we should sit in the moment and process.

Instead of being reactive to something, take the time to pause.

Sometimes we react too quickly, and we don't get all the facts. We don't reflect on what's going on before we take action.

Dr. Frank L. Douglas is an award-winning industry veteran with more than three decades of experience in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and entrepreneurship. He has held senior roles in both large and small biopharmaceutical companies, including Executive Vice President and Board Member at Aventis (now Sanofi), where he oversaw global R&D and regulatory affairs. He played a key role in the development of drugs like Allegra, Lantus, Taxotere, and Actonel. He also served as Chief Scientific Advisor at Bayer and chaired Alantos, later acquired by Amgen.

Joel Oliver is the owner and founder of a podcast production company called East Coast Studio, which helps health-focused entrepreneurs enjoy the benefits of podcasting. In 2018, Joel faced the life-altering experience of major heart surgery, a time when he had to release control and place his full trust in the team he had built. From its humble beginnings over a decade ago as Joel’s solo freelance venture, the company grew organically without external funding. After recovering, Joel embraced life as a digital nomad for several years. During that time, East Coast Studio began to shift its focus, evolving from a broad podcast production service into a niche specializing in health and wellness. This transition was fueled by Joel’s growing passion for healthy living and his recognition of the powerful impact his clients were making in transforming lives around the globe.