Nick Michaelides is a tech industry legend. The former Senior Vice President of Americas Sales at Cisco, where he saw the company’s largest geographic region, with responsibility for $32 billion in annual revenue. His leadership extended across the Americas inclusive of six key theaters, including U.S. Commercial, U.S. Public Sector, Canada, Latin America, Americas Service Provider, and the Global Enterprise Segment, where his teams delivered results and helped customers navigate complex challenges. Nick’s customer-centric approach and operational discipline were critical in strengthening Cisco’s presence in the region. His leadership was marked by a deep understanding of customer needs, enabling his teams to deliver impactful solutions that address customers’ and partners’ most pressing challenges.

Kim Napolitano is a senior sales executive with a proven track record in driving revenue and managing teams at Hilton Worldwide Sales. As Executive Director of Industry Relations & Intermediary Group Sales, she oversees strategic planning and execution, fostering a collaborative culture. Known for her strong communication skills, Kim leads through culture and coaching to drive performance and retention. She has successfully led various initiatives, including team reorganizations and project implementations. Her leadership has earned her multiple industry awards, including the 2024 Smart Meetings Magazine Visionary Award and the 2025 Smart Meetings Hall of Fame, and she is a two-time winner of Hilton’s top sales recognition, Circle of Excellence. An industry speaker and podcast participant, Kim’s insights and contributions positively impact the hospitality sector. Her passion is building tomorrow’s leaders today, ensuring sustained success and innovation in the industry.

A 2019 National Women’s Hall of Fame inductee and former Presidential appointee, Colonel Nicole M. E. Malachowski (USAF, Ret.) has over 21 years of experience as an officer, leader, and fighter pilot in the United States Air Force. Upon her commission into the military, she was competitively selected to fly combat aircraft and embarked on an adventure among the first group of women to fly modern fighter jets. Nicole served as a mission ready fighter pilot in three operational F-15E squadrons and accumulated over 2,300 flight hours, including 188 hours in combat. She has had the honor of commanding a fighter squadron, flying as a USAF Thunderbird pilot, serving as a White House Fellow and as an advisor to the First Lady of the United States.