Tim Ahn (CF – Networking) is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Sociology of the University of California, Berkeley. He is interested in the relationship between technology, religion, and culture, and is currently working on his dissertation, which looks at the development and adoption of AI applications across the confessional divisions of Western Christianity.
He holds degrees in theology from Duke University Divinity School and the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, as well as a Master of Arts in International Affairs from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.
Shoukei Matsumoto (Advisor) is a Pure Land Buddhist monk, author, and speaker based in Kyoto, Japan. He is an alumnus of the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders program (2013) and a member of the Global Future Council on Leadership (2025-2026). Matsumoto has participated in the WEF Davos conferences as a representative from civil society and faith communities, engaging in dialogues around democracy, technology, and ethics with global thinkers.
With over two decades of experience in Buddhist practice, Matsumoto holds a BA in Philosophy from The University of Tokyo and an MBA from the Indian School of Business, earned as a Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholar. He is the founder of Interbeing Inc. and has co-founded initiatives such as the Institute for Temple Management and the Future Monk School, applying innovative management approaches to traditional Buddhist practices. He is a Visiting Professor for Buddhist thought and the Department of Well-being at Musashino University (2019-2025 Tokyo, Japan) and a Mercator Visiting Professor for AI in the Human Context, at the University of Bonn in the project ‘Desirable Digitalisation: Rethinking AI for Just and Sustainable Futures’ (2025, Bonn, Germany).
Matsumoto advocates for inclusive and forward-thinking leadership, emphasizing intergenerational responsibility and the interconnectedness of all beings, encapsulated in his philosophy of “becoming good ancestors.” He mentors corporate leaders worldwide, integrating mindful and ethical practices to create emotionally intelligent, inclusive, and sustainable workplaces. As a Visiting Professor at Musashino University, he leads research exploring philosophical and ethical questions related to artificial intelligence, transhumanism, and post-Anthropocene ethics.
In September 2025, Matsumoto’s book “Work Like A Monk” will be published by Simon & Schuster, providing practical guidance on integrating Buddhist principles into modern life and work. Through dialogue between a businessperson and a temple priest, the book emphasizes mindful listening, interconnectedness, and simplicity, offering accessible practices for balance and purpose.
In June 2025, Matsumoto will be a research fellow at the Center for Science and Thought at the University of Bonn, investigating AI, Buddhism, and transperspective realism. He authored the international bestseller “A Monk’s Guide to Clean a House and Mind” (translated into over 20 languages), translated Roman Krznaric’s “The Good Ancestor,” and hosts podcasts engaging global thought leaders. His work has been featured by the United Nations UNDP Signals Spotlight (2024), and he serves as a member of the Global Faith Council supported by the ONE Campaign.
Through his diverse roles, Matsumoto contributes uniquely to global discussions on ethical leadership, sustainability, and interconnected futures.
Lisa Vermillion (CF – Networking) is the founder of WellMaker, a spirit-filled storytelling platform for TV, movies, and shorts powered by technology. For viewers seeking depth & transformation in the content they watch, WellMaker offers unsanitized, honest stories that depict the grit of wrestling with values and hard truths. For creators, WellMaker makes the end-to-end filmmaking process (concept to post-production) cheaper, faster, and easier with less required skillsets. Our tech-driven tools give creators control over their output and our distribution platform gives direct access to audiences.
Lisa has 12 years of experience as a 0-1 product specialist (from initial idea through business model & product-market fit through development and then scale) for a wide variety of large companies (J&J, Microsoft) & startups (Omada Health, 23andMe). She also has experience working as a writer for the Onion’s digital TV division.
