Bio

Iliana is an accomplished corporate executive, innovation and emerging tech pioneer, startup investor, respected board member, published author, and sought-after global public speaker. With a clear vision and unwavering determination, she is a thought leader on a mission to build a future humans want to live in.

Iliana is currently the Managing Director and Innovation Lead at Accenture Canada, working with senior executives and boards to support their strategic transformation journeys. She leads multi-disciplinary teams across design, data, and technology, focusing on emergent areas such as metaverse / blockchain/web3, sustainability, AI, and cross- industry initiatives.

Iliana is widely recognized for her trailblazing contributions to the blockchain industry, having advised corporations, government leaders, regulators, and startups as a translator between the web2 and web3 worlds.

Her expertise and perspective have expanded, now encompassing overall technology and societal trends, particularly emphasizing the future of work, life, and human-centered approaches.

As a published author and frequent speaker at global conferences, Iliana has been featured in various media outlets, including television, radio, and print. Additionally,
she’s an active board member at Sunnybrook Hospital, CPA Ontario, and DIACC and mentors startups through incubators such as CDL.

Iliana is a global citizen who speaks English, Russian, Spanish, and French and enjoys connecting dots (ideas and people). Through Iliana's unique life experiences and
contributions, she has developed an ability to see the bigger picture and drive toward meaningful outcomes.

Speaking Topics

The Future of AI: Agentic Intelligence, Humanoid Robots & Cognitive Enterprises

Demystifying AI’s Latest Advancements & What’s Coming Next

AI is evolving at an unprecedented pace, with agentic AI, humanoid robots like Ria, and cognitive enterprises redefining the way we work and do business. But while AI pilots pop up across industries, few organizations truly integrate AI in a way that transforms their business models. Iliana cuts through the hype, offering a clear, practical breakdown of what’s happening in AI today—and what’s coming next.

In this keynote, Iliana demystifies:

• The latest breakthroughs in AI and how they apply to business strategy.
• What it takes to build a cognitive enterprise, moving beyond scattered AI experiments.
• How individuals—from executives to employees—can harness AI tools to enhance their roles.

This talk can be customized for corporate leaders, innovation teams, and general audiences looking to understand and leverage AI. Laila may be included as an example, but this is not the focus of the talk.

The Human Side of AI & Tech Innovation: Creating a Future Humans Want to Live In

Navigating AI, Innovation & Social Change Through a Human-Centric Lens

The rapid rise of AI and automation is transforming every aspect of our lives—from how we work to how we connect with others. But beyond the technology itself, there’s a bigger question: How do we ensure these innovations create a future we actually want to live in?

Drawing from insights gathered from 20,000+ people surveyed across industries, Iliana explores:

• How AI is reshaping work, travel, relationships, and communities.
• The loneliness epidemic, shifting societal values, and the changing definition of success.
• What businesses, leaders, and individuals must do to thrive in this new era of change.

Iliana’s unique perspective—advising Fortune 500 companies at the intersection of tech, strategy, and human behavior—makes this session a must for business leaders, corporate teams, and general audiences navigating an AI-powered world.

Would You Clone Yourself? Lessons Learned from Building My AI Digital Human Twin, Laila

Exploring AI, Identity & The Future of Human-Machine Collaboration

Imagine having a lifelike AI twin—a digital version of yourself, complete with a 3D body scan, voice synthesis, and an extensive knowledge base, ready to engage with clients, teams, and audiences on your behalf. Meet Laila, Iliana’s AI twin, in a live demonstration, and discover the process behind her development and the surprising insights she revealed.

More than just a visual avatar, Laila is a fully interactive extension of Iliana. Laila is trained on every talk Iliana has delivered in the past year, every publication and thought leadership piece she has written, and the last 5 years of case studies of all projects Iliana’s teams have worked on. Connected to a GenAI-powered knowledge base, makes Laila an evolving, intelligent digital counterpart.

Iliana shares the unexpected lessons about human nature, identity, and cognition uncovered through creating her AI twin, connecting these insights to the broader rise of agentic computing and AI-human collaboration.

What happens when AI becomes a Chief of Staff? How will organizations leverage AI clones to enhance productivity, customer engagement, and strategic decision-making? In a future where professionals can attend multiple meetings at once, free up time for big-picture thinking, or reclaim leisure time, what does it mean to truly be present? This keynote offers a firsthand look at the future of AI-human partnerships, leaving audiences with a mix of excitement, curiosity, and a glimpse into what’s next.

This talk is designed for business leaders, innovation teams, futurists, and the general public exploring the future of AI-human collaboration. From executives and HR leaders rethinking productivity to entrepreneurs and startups leveraging AI-driven businesses, Iliana unpacks the opportunities, challenges, and ethical implications of AI-powered digital twins.

Future-Ready Boards: Navigating AI, Tech, and Social Shifts

How Boards Can Stay Ahead in a Rapidly Changing World

The role of corporate boards is evolving—fast. From AI-driven decision-making and automation to shifting workforce expectations and ESG mandates, today’s boards must adapt or risk falling behind. Iliana, an advisor to executive teams and boards, breaks down what board members need to know now to stay competitive.

Key topics include:

• AI’s impact on governance—how automation and agentic AI will change boardroom decision-making.
• Bridging generational gaps and adapting to shifting workforce values.
• ESG, burnout, and the demand for values-driven leadership.

Designed for corporate boards, executives, and governance professionals, this session offers a roadmap for future-proofing organizations at the highest levels.

Borderless: Digital Nomads, Global Citizens & The Future of Work and Lifestyle
What Happens When the World Becomes the Office and Home?

The conversation is no longer about “WFH vs. Office”—it’s about the complete redefinition of work, life, and mobility. A growing wave of professionals, not just 22-year-old digital nomads, are embracing location independence as a way of life, and this shift is reshaping industries.

Iliana explores:

• The mindset of global citizens and the factors driving this movement.
• Business opportunities in travel, finance, real estate, and healthcare to support this demographic.
• The Potted Plant Theory—a neuroscience-based framework on personality archetypes and who thrives in a borderless world.

This talk is designed for corporates rethinking workforce policies, media covering the trend, investors spotting emerging opportunities, and businesses adapting to this new reality.

The Next Wave of Venture Capital: What 700+ Emerging Fund Managers Reveal
Where Smart Money is Flowing & The Future of VC Innovation

Venture capital is at an inflection point. While technology and industries evolve at lightning speed, the traditional VC model remains largely unchanged. Drawing on exclusive insights from Allocator One’s review of 700+ applications from emerging fund managers, Iliana unpacks the early signals shaping the future of investment.

In this talk, Iliana covers:

• Where capital is flowing—the underfunded and overfunded sectors that will define the next decade.
• The fundamental shifts in VC strategy—why the old model is no longer enough.
• How startups and emerging fund managers can position themselves to attract smart capital.

Ideal for HNWI (potential LP investors), media covering VC trends, startup founders, and emerging GPs looking to stay ahead of the curve.

Leadership in the AI Era: The Power of Individualization
Building Strong, Loyal Teams by Understanding People First

Building great teams isn’t about filling roles—it’s about matching people to work that energizes them. Yet most corporate structures still force people into predefined boxes, leading to disengagement, high turnover, and lost innovation. Iliana brings a fresh perspective on how individualization unlocks loyalty, creativity, and long-term success.

In this talk, Iliana explores:

• The science behind personality-driven leadership and why it matters.
• How leaders can build stronger, more engaged teams by focusing on individual strengths.
• Practical takeaways for corporate innovation, talent retention, and future-ready leadership.

This session is ideal for corporate leaders, HR professionals, and organizations focused on people-first leadership strategies. This session will include the research behind The Potted Plant Theory, among many others.