2026 Speaker
Biographies
Dr. Alex Carter
Associate Professor of Philosophy and Interdisciplinary Studies, University of Cambridge
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Alex Carter takes an active approach to philosophy. In other words, Philosophy ought to be about changing how we think and act. He does this by exploring and exposing problems. The goal is not always to attain knowledge—although this is nice—rather, he aims to dispel false certainties (dogmas). This helps students to be more open-minded, more creative and more inquisitive. Philosophy ought to begin, and should often end, in wonder.
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Yannick Gallardo
Logopédiste, Institut le Rosey
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Yann is a specialist in learning disorders with over 20 years of experience in the field and also in gifted education. Originally from Perpignan, he has spent the past decade at Institut Le Rosey, supporting students with a wide range of learning profiles. Before joining Rosey, he worked for five years alongside Dr. Barker in Lausanne, deepening his expertise in cognitive and developmental interventions. A trained logopédiste, Yann brings a nuanced understanding of student needs to his work. In his upcoming presentation, he will explore the role of metacognition and metalearning in schools, highlighting strategies to foster greater self-awareness and autonomy in learners.
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Dr. James Hewitt
Human Performance Scientist, The Knowledge Work Lab
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Dr. James Hewitt is on a mission to help people think better, recover more deeply, and perform at their best, without burning out. A former elite cyclist turned human performance scientist, James blends lived experience with leading-edge science to challenge how we work, learn, and grow in today’s always-on world. As a Visiting Fellow at Loughborough University and founder of The Knowledge Work Lab, James partners with high-performing teams, from Formula 1 to Fortune 500 companies, to test bold ideas at the intersection of wellbeing and cognitive performance. At EduFest, James will share insights from this research, alongside practical tools that educators can apply to enhance attention, energy, and resilience in their own lives and in the learning environments they shape. His session is ideal for anyone curious about how to build more human-centred, high-performing approaches to education.
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Michaela Horvathova
Co-founder and Chief Education Officer, Beyond Education
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Michaela Horvathova is the co-founder of Beyond Education, a fast-growing edtech startup now active in over 13 countries. She holds a Master's in International Education Policy from Harvard University and has over 12 years of experience in global education reform. Before launching Beyond Education, Michaela worked at the OECD, partnered with organizations like IB and UNICEF, and advised ministries of education across the Czech Republic, South Africa, the Netherlands, and Brazil. As an Advisor to the Prime Minister of Slovakia, she helped shape national education strategy, focusing on competency-based learning. A regular speaker at global conferences, Michaela is passionate about reimagining how schools prepare students for the age of AI.
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Marija Manojlovic
Executive Director, Safe Online
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Marija Manojlovic is the Executive Director of Safe Online, the only global fund dedicated to safety and protection of children in the digital world. Under Marija’s leadership, Safe Online has mobilized over $100million in investments and become a powerful advocate for child online safety influencing policies in 85+ countries, developing cutting-edge tools deployed in 100+ countries, and impacting global policy agendas. Marija is a board member of WeProtect Global Alliance and a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Coalition for Digital Safety. Previously, she honed her expertise with the End Violence Global Partnership and UNICEF across diverse regions.
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Website Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn
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Dr David Porritt
Principal BBIS, Director of Coaching at KAA, Podcaster: Leading Stories​
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David is Principal of Budapest British International School and a Director at Karen Ardley Associates. He has led schools in the UK, Singapore, The Hague, China, and Amsterdam. He holds an MBA and a Doctorate from UCL, where his research explored how leaders benefit from becoming coaches. David designs and delivers leadership programmes, coaches internationally, and is writing a book based on his research and 15 years of experience. He also hosts Leading Stories, a podcast that shares the journeys of undercelebrated leaders. David is married, has two grown-up daughters, and enjoys cycling and making music.
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