Our 2025 International Digital Media Licensing Conference brings together speakers with decades of expertise in media, content, licensing, technology and legal.

Get to know the leaders who are defining the next era of content, copyright, technology and AI.

View a printable version HERE.

James Allsworth, Alamy
Head of Content & Strategic Initiatives

Looking Forward - 2026 Trends & Expectations

James Allsworth brings over 20 years of experience in the stock photography industry, with expertise spanning content acquisition, curation, distribution, licensing, infringement revenue, production, metadata management, photography sales, and client relationships.

His passion for technology and design initially led him into photography, where he earned a degree in digital media from the Birmingham Institute of Art and Design, covering photography, video, digital retouching, and web design. James joined Alamy in 2004, during a period of major disruption and innovation in the visual media industry, and has since played a key role in navigating the evolving landscape of digital imagery.

Katherine Briggs, Envato
General Counsel

Hot Topics in Legal

Katherine Briggs is General Counsel at Envato, where she leads the company’s legal, compliance, and risk functions. With senior leadership experience spanning fintech, telecommunications, and technology firms, Katherine brings a global perspective to corporate governance and innovation. As a trusted strategic advisor, she helps Envato navigate complex legal landscapes while fostering creative growth and ethical business practices.

Emily Chapuis, US Copyright Office
Acting General Counsel and Associate Register of Copyrights

US Copyright Office Update

Emily Chapuis is the Acting General Counsel and Associate Register of Copyrights for the United States Copyright Office. She was appointed to the position effective March 13, 2025.

Chapuis has served as deputy general counsel of the Office since March 2023. She is responsible for providing legal guidance to the Office’s directorates, implementing regulations governing the administration of the copyright system, advising congressional offices and other federal agencies, and developing legal positions in copyright litigation and other matters. She has led the Office in the ninth triennial section 1201 rulemaking; been a principal contributor to the Office’s AI initiative, including the development of the three-Part Report Copyright and Artificial Intelligence; provided counsel in significant copyright litigation matters, including before the Supreme Court; and overseen the Copyright Claims Board.

Before joining the Office, Chapuis was a commercial litigator and partner at a national law firm, where she developed extensive expertise in copyright law, including music licensing, rate-setting, and copyright infringement matters. Her practice focused on high-stakes civil litigation and regulatory disputes before federal trial and appellate courts, the United States Supreme Court, and other adjudicatory panels, including the Copyright Royalty Board.

Chapuis earned a JD from Yale Law School and graduated summa cum laude with a BA from Tulane University. She served as a law clerk to the Honorable Nicholas G. Garaufis of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.

Trace Cohen, CEO Stocksy

Looking Forward - 2026 Trends & Expectations

Trace Cohen is the Chief Executive Officer of Stocksy, a globally recognized artist-owned cooperative that champions authentic visual storytelling and sustainable creative practices. With a focus on experience and community strategy, Trace leads initiatives that deepen connections between creators and customers, fostering collaboration, creativity, and lasting brand affinity.

Robyn Curnow, Host, Searching for America

Keynote - Trust & Transparency - The Future of Journalism

Robyn Curnow is an award-winning journalist and former CNN International anchor who spent two decades reporting and presenting from around the world. She covered the Obama, Trump, and Biden presidencies, as well as the 2016 and 2020 U.S. elections, bringing global perspective to America’s political and social divisions. From anchoring live coverage of major world events—including the fall of Mosul, the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, the Beirut explosion, and Fidel Castro’s death—to exclusive interviews with figures such as Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, and Michelle Obama, Curnow has chronicled many of the defining moments of our time. She is the creator and host of the podcast Searching for America, where she explores the forces shaping American identity and division through conversations with influential voices.

Lotenna Enwonwu, BGG Agency
CCO

The Future of Advertising in the Age of AI

Lotenna Enwonwu is a partner at BGG Agency, a video-first agency known for transforming brand stories into high-impact content that actually moves people and drives business. With a background that spans UX, brand strategy, and award-winning storytelling, Lotenna has worked across some of the world’s most recognized brands, including Google, Nike, Mailchimp, and Microsoft.

What sets him apart isn’t just the portfolio, it’s the perspective. He has led teams on both the agency and in-house sides, built brands from scratch, and turned raw creative talent into decision-making leadership. At BGG, he blends the precision of strategy with the soul of storytelling, helping brands and creative professionals alike rise with clarity and intent.

Beyond client work, Lotenna is passionate about mentorship and creative evolution. A former AAF Vice President and longtime advocate for emerging talent, he has judged student showcases, spoken at conferences, and helped shape the next wave of leaders who don’t just make, but lead.

Alexandru Giboi, European Alliance of European News Agencies
Secretary General

Preserving History through Content, Collaboration, and Community

Alexandru Giboi is the Secretary General of the European Alliance of News Agencies (EANA) and a Lecturer in International Strategic Management at the Università della Svizzera Italiana in Lugano. With over 15 years of leadership experience across media, politics, and international collaboration, he brings a unique perspective on strategic communication and organizational development. Formerly President of the Romanian National News Agency, Alexandru has advised senior institutions and guided cross-border initiatives across Europe. His work focuses on fostering clarity, collaboration, and strategic vision to help organizations evolve in a complex global media landscape.

Ben Hall, Hillgate Films
Managing Director

Generative AI: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

Born and raised in the panhandle of Florida, as a child Ben would re-enact entire movies he’d seen for his parents, performing with his “face” the “closeups”, and using his action figures as the “wide shots”. By eleven years old, he began writing and directing short films. After graduating from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts in 2013 with a degree in filmmaking, he began work as production staff on studio features and television shows such as Bosch Season 1, The Lion King (2019), Lady Bird, Free Guy, Nocturnal Animals, Straight Outta Compton, Being the Ricardos, Rebel Moon Pt 1 & 2, and recently as a Production Sustainability Advisor on Stranger Things 5, and Meet the Parents 4. In between working on studio productions, Ben has developed and directed three feature films, The Man From Outer Space (2017), Night Into Day (2020), and now, Remote (2025) under his production company banners, Marianna Motion Pictures and Picture Show. Now, instead of utilizing his face and action figures, Ben has the pleasure and privilege of directing some of the finest actors and crew members in the independent and studio film industry and has another feature film titled, Coasting, slated to go into production in Spring 2026.

Vered Horesh, Chief AI Strategy Officer

Generative AI: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

Vered Horesh is an AI strategist and thought leader focused on the intersection of technology, economics, and policy. She advises on how AI is built, monetized, and scaled sustainably—advocating for a future where innovation and data integrity align. Vered’s work centers on enterprise AI adoption, ethical data use, and regulatory frameworks that balance growth with accountability. She challenges conventional AI narratives, emphasizing that the future belongs to those who master structured, high-quality, and licensed data.

Leslie Hughes, iSPY Technologies
CEO

The Future of Advertising in the Age of AI

Leslie Hughes is the founder and CEO of iSPY Technologies, where she pioneers solutions that bridge technology and creativity. With over three decades of leadership in digital media licensing and emerging technologies, she focuses on uniting creative professionals and businesses through intelligent, ethical, and innovative productivity platforms. Under her leadership, iSPY Visuals empowers users to discover, share, and license content through a personalized, AI-driven platform that fosters collaboration and responsible storytelling in the digital age.

Cassandra Illidge, Getty Images
VP Global Partnerships and Executive Director, HBCU Programs

Preserving History through Content, Collaboration, and Community

Cassandra illidge is the Vice President of Global Partnerships and Executive Director of HBCU Programs at Getty Images, where she leads initiatives that foster inclusion and innovation across the media industry. She cultivates strategic collaborations with corporations and educational institutions to amplify diverse voices and advance representation in visual storytelling. Through her leadership, Cassandra is helping shape a more equitable and authentic media landscape worldwide.

Sarah Lefebvre, MediaViz AI
VP Marketing

How to Keep Image Workflows and Systems Safe in the Age of AI

Sarah Lefebvre is the Vice President of Marketing at MediaViz AI, where she leads strategy across digital, social, and content marketing to drive brand growth and engagement. A specialist in social media, content creation and optimization, email marketing, SEO, and product marketing, Sarah combines creativity with data-driven insights to build powerful digital narratives. With a deep understanding of audience behavior and emerging AI technologies, she is passionate about helping brands connect meaningfully in an evolving digital landscape.

William Liani, Director of Partnerships

How to Keep Image Workflows and Systems Safe in the Age of AI

Looking Forward - 2026 Trends & Expectations

William Liani is a Director of API and Business Development with deep expertise in strategic partnerships, digital content, and technology integration. With a career spanning leading organizations such as Fotolia (Adobe Stock), Depositphotos, and Crello (VistaCreate/Cimpress Group), he has built and scaled API-driven business lines that deliver sustained growth. William specializes in identifying high-impact opportunities, managing complex partnerships, and aligning technology innovation with commercial success. His work bridges business strategy, licensing, and product development across global digital ecosystems.

Joshua Mesnik, Waffle Video
Co-Founder

Generative AI: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

Joshua Mesnik is a creative entrepreneur, filmmaker, and educator. He sees life through the lens of systems, stories, and fractals.

Co-Founder of Waffle Video, he is building a bridge to connect the worlds of creators and AI development, ensuring that human voices, values, and aesthetics remain at the heart of the AI revolution. A SAG-AFTRA actor and multi-media producer with more than a decade of production experience, he loves telling purpose-driven stories.

A synchronicity surfer, Joshua swims at the intersection of technology, entertainment, education, and wellness - speaking on AI and creativity at conferences including SXSW EDU 2025, where he moderated the panel “What Makes Us Human? Preparing Young People for the AI Age.” H has also taken the stage at TEDx and the NAPO Summit 2024 with his talk “AI Upgrade – Learning AI Tools and Preparing for an AI-Centered World.”

A founding member of the non-profit Open Future Institute, he has helped pioneer integrative education programs centered on life’s biggest questions, reaching over 14,000 public high school students with the groundbreaking QUESTion Class.

Natrice Miller, Photographer

In the Trenches with Today's Working Photographers

Natrice Miller is a staff photojournalist at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, where she covers a wide range of news stories from politics to human interest and culture. A graduate of Florida A&M University’s School of Journalism & Graphic Communication, she has built a career grounded in visual storytelling. Beyond the newsroom, her photography and film work have been featured in public art exhibitions and gallery shows in Atlanta and nationwide, reflecting her commitment to connecting journalism and the arts.

Mark Milstein, Microstock Solutions
CEO

Generative AI: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

Mark Milstein is the founder of Microstock Solutions LLC; a leading provider of human and software powered visual asset management services for the visual media industry, the Fortune 500 and beyond. Microstock Solutions supports clients with content ingestion,
curation, legal compliance, content localization, metadata and video post-production solutions. Milstein is a member of IPTC (International Press Telecommunications Council), and sits on its video metadata hub committee. IPTC developed a standard for metadata that can be embedded into a digital photo.

Milstein is also the founder of Northfoto and Red Dot; two of Eastern Europe’s most respected photo agencies.
From 1991 through late 2000 Milstein covered more than 20 wars and major natural disasters for Atlantic News Service. Milstein covered events in Chechnya, Rwanda, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Cyprus, Israel, the West Bank, Gaza, Iraq, Kuwait, Turkey, Congo, and Kosovo on behalf of Time and Newsweek magazines.

David Moulton, Palo Alto Networks
Cybersecuirty Content Leader

How to Keep Image Workflows and Systems Safe in the Age of AI

Dave is an award-winning podcast host & content leader driving brand expansion for Palo Alto networks and global cybersecurity growth through storytelling, UX, and thought leadership. On the Threat Vectors show and beyond, Dave activates audiences (both live and marketing), through storytelling that cuts to the core of issues and brings the listener into the room. Dave's deep technology and design background for companies like IBM, Salesforce and Cynergy add to his fresh take on innovative experiences and how to drive revenue while maintaining the right security posture.

Candice Murray, Alamy
Global Revenue Leader

Looking Forward - 2026 Trends & Expectations

Candice Murray is the SVP, Global Revenue at Alamy, where she leads the global commercial strategy, business development, and content licensing initiatives. With over 20 years of experience in sales leadership, negotiation, and content strategy, she has a proven record of driving growth through innovative partnerships and team empowerment. Candice is passionate about inspiring high-performing teams and unlocking new revenue opportunities across the evolving creative and media landscape.

Joe Naylor, Imagerights International
CEO

SEO, AI and The Future of Search

Joe’s career spans more than 30 years in the design, development, operations, sales, and marketing of communications and internet-based services, working at companies such as eFax.com, j2 Global Communications, and WebMessenger. In 2008, Joe began collaborating with professional photographer Ted VanCleave on solutions to the challenges that commercial photographers, photo agencies and publishers face with respect to online copyright protection; and in 2009 the two founded ImageRights International, Inc. Joe holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin and completed the Program for Leadership Development at Harvard Business School. He is a Member at Large of the Digital Media Licensing Association's Executive Board and currently serves as both Treasurer and Chair of the Nominations & Elections Committee.

Elijah Nouvelage, Photographer

In the Trenches with Today's Working Photographers

Elijah Nouvelage is a photojournalist dedicated to telling powerful human stories through his lens. Known for his ability to capture intimate, revealing moments often overlooked, his work reflects both empathy and precision. Elijah’s photography brings depth and authenticity to contemporary issues, offering viewers a window into the personal experiences behind global events.

Matt Pearson, Photographer

In the Trenches with Today's Working Photographers

Matthew Pearson is a news photographer for WABE, where he combines visual storytelling with a commitment to community and truth. With a passion for advocacy and a dedication to continual learning, Matthew uses his work to highlight voices and stories that shape understanding and inspire dialogue.

Arturo Perez, Wesog
International Sales Manager

How to Keep Image Workflows and Systems Safe in the Age of AI

Arturo Pérez Amores is the International Sales Manager at Wesog AI, bringing a unique blend of historical insight, cross-cultural communication, and strategic relationship building to the global technology arena. With a background in research, communications, and event organization, he excels at fostering collaboration across diverse markets. Arturo’s multilingual and multicultural perspective enables him to bridge teams and ideas, driving shared success in an increasingly connected world.

Alyssa Pointer, Photographer

In the Trenches with Today's Working Photographers

Alyssa Pointer is an independent editorial and commercial photographer based in Atlanta, Georgia. She has experience working for local, national and global media organizations as a multimedia journalist. As a native Southerner, she uses visuals to explore the joys and complexities of living in the American South. She’s a graduate of Western Kentucky University’s award winning photojournalism program and a former visual journalist at the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

Javier Santana, Chemistry Agency
CXO

The Future of Advertising in the Age of AI

Javier is a seasoned entrepreneur and business leader with a passion for innovation and customer experience. He is the CXO of Chemistry, a full-service agency focused on helping businesses reach their goals through creative thinking and cutting-edge technology.

With more than 25 years of experience in design and technology, Javier has a clear grasp of the complex challenges businesses navigate and the thoughtful strategies required to overcome them. His focus on understanding consumer behavior has led to solutions that meet people where they are, across both physical and digital environments. By integrating A.I. in visible and behind-the-scenes ways, he helps enhance customer experiences with purpose, clarity, and precision.

At Chemistry, Javier ensures that the agency remains at the forefront of the industry by driving innovation across strategy, UX/UI, and creative disciplines. He also leads the development of systematic approaches that create scalable intellectual property, strengthen Chemistry’s market offerings, and drive long-term growth.

His leadership and commitment have contributed to the successful launch of hundreds of projects and products, with his collaborative efforts earning recognition throughout the industry. Javier’s expertise in technology, design, and customer experience continues to help companies grow with both creativity and intention.

Chip Schenck, Datastax
VP Customer AI Strategies

SEO, AI and The Future of Search

Chip Schenck is the Vice President at DataStax, where he drives enterprise Generative AI strategies with Fortune 1000 companies, focused on business model, readiness and process, and organizational change to improve successful adoption of Gen AI initiatives. With extensive experience in data strategy and monetization—including machine learning, computer vision, and large language model training data—Chip has led transformative initiatives across industries such as technology, media, pharma, and automotive. A proven leader in emerging technology partnerships, he is passionate about unlocking growth through the strategic use of data and generative AI.

Tom Smith, Gado Images
CEO

Preserving History through Content, Collaboration, Community
+ SEO, AI and The Future of Search

Thomas Smith is CEO of Gado Images, an Editorial agency based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Smith also runs the Bay Area Telegraph, a media publication focused on San Francisco. Smith's generative AI work has been featured in the New York Times and many other publications. Smith holds a degree in Artificial Intelligence (Cognitive Science) from the Johns Hopkins University.

Arvin Temkar, Photographer

In the Trenches with Today's Working Photographers

Arvin Temkar is a staff photojournalist at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Before becoming a photojournalist he was a reporter and editor for newspapers and magazines in Guam and California. As a freelancer he has photographed or written for publications including NPR, TIME, The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post. His work has been recognized by the National Press Photographers Association, Asian American Journalists Association and Atlanta Press Club. He is on the boards of the Atlanta Photojournalism Seminar and the Asian American Journalists Association Atlanta chapter.

Tracy Tolliver, Show Creative
Senior Vice-President

The Future of Advertising in the Age of AI

Tracy Tolliver is an award-winning actor, writer, and producer known for her roles in "Queen Sugar," "Fatal Attraction," and "Lady of the Manor," which starred Justin Long and Melanie Lynskey. She can also be seen in Tyler Perry's "Doing Life," currently in post-production. With a knack for storytelling, she founded Untraceable Productions, an independent entertainment company dedicated to writing, developing, and producing stories about diverse women who are beautifully flawed and unapologetically human. She has produced several projects through her company, including her short film "Diva, Interrupted," which is currently on Amazon Prime.

Stacey Tyrell, Allsides
Head of Business Development

Generative AI: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

Over her 25-year career she has worked with leading brands, creatives and companies including Christie’s Auction House, Martha Stewart Living, Sony Pictures and Nike. Covision Media is an Italian based technology company that is rooted in computer vision and machine learning, Covision’s state-of-the-art scanning leverages A.I. to create true digital twins of almost any object. Its customers include Adidas, Meta, and Zara Inditex.

Megan Varner, Photographer

In the Trenches with Today's Working Photographers

Megan Varner is a freelance photographer specializing in editorial, portrait, photojournalistic, and event photography. With a background in psychology and extensive experience in studio production, lighting, and set design, she brings both technical skill and human insight to her work. Well-traveled and versatile, Megan captures authentic stories that connect people and places with creativity and empathy.

Margaret Vincent, Stocksy
VP Legal &b Advocacy

Hot Topics in Legal

Margaret Vincent is the VP of Legal & Advocacy at Stocksy, where she stewards artist rights, licensing frameworks, and co-op governance strategies. She started with Stocksy as a contributor and later transitioned to legal counsel, driven by the mission to protect creators while balancing business growth. Based in Chicago and licensed in Illinois and Michigan, Margaret specializes in translating complex legal issues into clear guidance for non-lawyers and shaping licensing practices that support equitable creative communities.

Jonathan Wells, SIPA USA
President

In the Trenches with Today's Working Photographers

Since 2003, Jonathan has served as President and Bureau Chief of Sipa USA, a global photo agency with more than thirty international partners. Before joining Sipa, he led Picture History, a historical photo archive, and began his career as a news photo editor at the Associated Press, one of the world’s largest and most respected news organizations.

Jonathan is a member of both the White House Correspondents’ Association and the Senate Press Photographers’ Gallery. He brings deep expertise in strategic partnerships, content acquisition, marketing, and international business development. Over his career, he has negotiated and managed licensing, distribution, and syndication agreements in more than forty countries.

He holds a BA in Economics from New York University and studied European economics and politics at Queen Mary College, University of London. He also earned the DELF (Diplôme d’Études en Langue Française, 1er Degré), a certification awarded by the French Ministry of Education for proficiency in French.

A passionate traveler, Jonathan is always up for a road trip—especially if it leads to exceptional olive oil or freshly baked bread.

Eric Wengrowski, Steg AI
Founder & CEO

Generative AI: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

Dr. Eric Wengrowski is a pioneering entrepreneur in the fields of Computer Vision and Machine Learning. As the founder and CEO of Steg AI, he’s leading the charge in innovative solutions.
With a Ph.D. in Electrical Computer Engineering from Rutgers University, his expertise is backed by rigorous academic credentials.

His research interests include photographic steganography, computational photography, imaging, and deep learning. In 2020, Eric was a post-doctoral researcher appointment at NYU in the Center for Cybersecurity where he collaborated with Nasir Memon and Pawel Korus. Eric won the 2019 LDV Summit Entrepreneurial Computer Vision Challenge (ECVC) and is a 2019 alum of the National Science Foundation Innovation Corps program.

Nancy Wolff, Cowan DeBaets Abrahams & Sheppard
Partner

Hot Topics in Legal

Nancy Wolff is a partner at Cowan, DeBaets, Abrahams & Sheppard, LLP, where she co-chairs the firm’s Litigation and Art Law Groups. She represents creators, media companies, and cultural institutions in copyright, licensing, and publishing matters and serves as counsel to the Digital Media Licensing Association. A past president of the Copyright Society of the USA, Nancy is a recognized authority on copyright and media law and a frequent speaker in the U.S. and abroad.