Session Details
Date:
10:30 AM
Where:
Main Stage
More Information
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Join us for breakfast followed by a panel discussion moderated by Nick Larson from Silicon Zombies at M&A Tech Connect 2026!
9:00-9:30am Breakfast
9:30-10:30am Live Podcast Panel Discussion
We are thrilled to feature a live podcast recording by Nick Larson, Host & Founder of Silicon Zombies Podcast.
The Zombies are live at M&A Tech Connect 2026! Episode 211: “The Missing Element" convenes a diverse panel of industry leaders to champion Emotional Intelligence (EQ) as the crucial differentiator in modern business. Featuring experts like former Amazon Chief EQ Evangelist Rich Hua, AI innovator Ellen Cowan, and seasoned executive Steve Wymer, the session explores why technical aptitude (IQ) is no longer sufficient on its own, particularly in an era redefined by artificial intelligence. The discussion centers on the "EPIQ" skill set—harmonizing EQ and IQ—to build resilient, human-centered cultures that can drive innovation and thrive amidst complexity.
This event is a must-attend for anyone looking to expand their network, gain wisdom from industry leaders, or simply be part of a supportive community. Let’s unite to share stories, foster collaboration, and ignite the next wave of innovation.
Speaker Bios:
A Principal Innovation Advisor specializing in digital product development and business innovation, Ellen Cowan helps AWS customers prioritize strategic initiatives, invent new solutions, and accelerate innovation. In recognition of her work with 100s of customers, she received the AWSome Legend Award, as well as Bravo Success, OneTeam, Dive Deep and Game-Changer Awards. Ellen serves as an AWS Champion for Culture of Innovation, Learning from Amazon and EPIC Leadership and has mentored dozens of peers towards certifications to scale innovation. She “co-wrote the doc” for several mechanisms adopted at AWS globally, including the Innovation Concierge, Working Backwards for Generative AI, and Executive Alignment. Prior to her work at AWS, Ellen was a Managing Director in digital and innovation at Accenture (Avanade), and before that a product strategy and business development executive for a boutique digital agency in New York. Her teams' work garnered digital experience awards by Forrester, Gartner, Nielson Gorman Group, and the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (Webby). A certified cloud and human-centered design practitioner, she served as a product and business development consultant to a range of companies including TMP, Oracle RightNow and LinkedIn. Passionate about innovation for social impact, Ellen has been involved with a range of innovation-focused non-profits and impact organizations, including Women in Innovation, Technology for Social Good, United Nations Innovation Fund, and the Aspen Institute. She serves as product advisor for Scribl, a creative tool that builds humanity and connection (peacelove.org).
Rich Hua is one of the world's foremost experts in building emotionally intelligent cultures of innovation at scale. As Chief EQ Evangelist and Worldwide Head of EPIC at Amazon, he built the world's largest corporate-based EQ community of 70,000 members, making him one of the few people who has successfully scaled emotional-social intelligence from theory into a global movement. His initiative ultimately reached over 1.5 million leaders, employees, customers, and partners globally, reshaping the mindset and behavior of leaders in every part of the world.
Rich served as the expert advisor to the Amazon Alexa team as they imbued Alexa+ with empathy and emotional intelligence, helping shape the world’s most pervasive AI-powered virtual assistant embedded in over 600 million devices.
Rich is a globally sought-after keynote speaker who has consistently delivered the highest-rated sessions at elite leadership events all over the world, speaking to audiences up to 10,000+. He has has been featured in The Guardian, The Washington Post, and AWS Executive Insights.
Rich founded the EPIQ Leadership Group to help leaders worldwide build adaptable, resilient, and innovative cultures that are both high-performing and deeply human. This has never been more important than in a world being redefined by AI. His message is timely and critical: IQ alone is not enough. Leaders and organizations must harmonize their EQ + IQ—what he calls the EPIQ skill set—to thrive and succeed in the midst of complexity, ambiguity, and opportunity.
Steve Wymer has a distinguished career marked by impactful leadership across public, private, and non-profit sectors. In 2010, while serving as a Senate spokesperson and Communications Director, Steve was elected President of the US Senate Press Secretaries Association, a unique bipartisan organization.
His transition to Silicon Valley began in 2011 as he led communications and corporate affairs at TiVo, followed by roles at Nextdoor.com and eBay, where he served as chief communications officer and chair of the eBay Foundation.
From 2014 to 2016, Steve was appointed by San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo to the Board of Directors for “Work2Future,” helping job seekers in the city. He was honored as Silicon Valley Leadership Group’s “Community Leader of the Year” in 2016 and received CreaTV’s 2018 Leigh Weimers’ Award for his support of public media.
An advocate for downtown San Jose, Steve chaired Team San Jose’s Finance Committee and is working to launch a major basketball tournament in 2025 to benefit Silicon Valley community organizations. A Washington State University graduate, he lives in San Jose with his wife Michele and their four children.
Nick Larson, Founder at Silicon Zombies (moderator)
Nick Larson, a Bay Area native, is a serial entrepreneur with a passion for people, innovation, and surfing. He co-founded Willow, an AI-driven social media platform valued at $200M+ (investors in by Google, Green Park Ventures), and co-founded OnePiece Work, a co-working space with 12 locations (invested in by UpHonest Capital). Named one of PRWeek’s 25 most influential people in communications tech in 2021, Nick also hosts Silicon Zombies, a top 5% podcast on Spotify, reaching 200k+ monthly views in 70+ countries. His angel investments include Skunklock, SidePocket, Agrisonix, and Palmia. Nick is honored as a LinkedIn "Top Voice."
