CEO Roundtables New York

Strategic Influence for Human-Centered Leaders

**Tuesday, October 20th, 6:00-8:00 PM EDT** **Presentation & Discussion** **Strategic Influence for Human-Centered Leaders** Presented by Misha Energí **Event Description** As service designers mature into senior leadership, our mandate shifts from advising on customer experience to defending headcount, budget, and bottom-line impact. This transition can feel jarring: leadership politics often seem counter to our core values like empathy and collaboration, while our classic defense, “the work speaks for itself,” no longer holds. To keep growing, we need to evolve how we position our work and our roles, and mastering peer advocacy is a key driver in this shift. But winning support doesn't require a ruthless posture. Nor do we need to abandon our human-centric values. In fact, as service designers, we already hold the tools for strategic leadership; we simply need to redirect our empathy, systems thinking, and co-design methods toward internal dynamics. This interactive session introduces **Strategic Influence for Human-Centered Leaders**: a practical advocacy framework to align user-centric goals, complex stakeholder interests, and our own aspirations. Aimed at senior contributors and team leads who are thinking about “what’s next” in their careers, the session will unpack four leadership personas: **Visionary, Driver, Partner, and Diplomat**. Interactive exercises will show how inspiration, persuasion, collaboration, and consultation come together to reposition service design seniors as valuable business partners. **About Our Speaker** **Misha Energí** Misha Energí is an executive coach, facilitator, and founder of Speak Human Studio. They partner with professionals in tech and media to transform high potential talent into impactful leadership. With almost two decades of advisory experience in organizations like Google, Deloitte, and Cognizant, Misha’s coaching empowers under-represented talent to navigate corporate politics, claim authority, and prevent burnout. Misha’s "full-stack" coaching method combines advanced degrees in psychology with trainings in applied emotional intelligence, and evidence-based adult learning. Beyond their coaching practice, Misha runs The Queens Well (a wellness studio in Ridgewood, Queens), is a professor at Parsons School of Design, and serves as Donor Relations Lead for QARAVAN, an NGO supporting LGBTQ+ refugees. **Agenda** * 6:00-6:30PM Meet & mingle over food and drink * 6:30-7:30PM Presentation * 7:30-8:00PM Discussion & Networking * 8:00PM - ? After-Party **Address** Intuit 51 Astor Place New York, NY 10003 **After-Party**: Cuna Bar The Standard 25 Cooper Sq **Financial Transparency & Scholarships** As a non-profit, we do our best to strike a balance between making our events available to all and ensuring we keep the lights on. For this event, we are charging $10. * If this amount is prohibitive for you to attend this event, please email [Barr](https://www.meetup.com/sdnnyc/members/267573171/)y at sdn.newyorkchapter@gmail.com as we may miss messages on this platform. * If you’d like to **provide** scholarships, please message [Barry](https://www.meetup.com/sdnnyc/members/267573171/) at at sdn.newyorkchapter@gmail.com and he will follow up with you. See you there :) David, Francesco, Yasmin, Lynn, Nicholas, & Barry

Monthly Non-Monogamy Roundtable: Autonomy and Interdependence

Founders, Investors & Talent Networking Mixer NYC

**Startup networking event in NYC for founders, investors and tech talent**. Meet builders and connect with Ascent Valley community. Join founders, investors and tech talent at this curated startup networking event in NYC Manhattan. Meet ambitious builders, exchange ideas and discover new opportunities in a dynamic community environment. **RSVP:** [Use this link](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/startup-networking-new-york-founders-investors-talent-mixer-tickets-1987708214778?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true) ***Please note that RSVP is managed via Eventbrite to control attendee lists — don’t ignore it to avoid issues with on-site payment.*** **💡 Why This Event Is Different** Most networking events end with exchanged LinkedIn profiles. This one focuses on real conversations and real opportunities. We bring together founders, investors, engineers, operators and talent in a curated environment designed to create meaningful connections. Through interactive networking rounds, open conversations and pitch opportunities, participants can share challenges, exchange insights and build relationships that last beyond the event. 🤝 **What to Expect** **Interactive Networking** Structured networking rounds where participants briefly introduce themselves, share current challenges and explore collaboration opportunities. **Talent Corner** Recruiters and hiring managers can briefly share open positions, while engineers and operators can introduce their skills and interests. **Startup Conversations** Open discussions about fundraising, product development, growth and startup challenges. **👥 Who Should Attend** • Startup founders • Investors and angels • Engineers and builders • Operators and product managers • Recruiters and HR professionals • Sales and business development professionals • Job seekers interested in startups • Newcomers to the NYC Manhattan tech ecosystem **🎤 Want to Pitch?** A limited number of founders will have the opportunity to present their startup. Selected founders will showcase their pitch deck to the audience and attending investors, followed by a short Q&A where participants can ask questions and share feedback. [Apply by sending your pitch](https://ascentvalley.com/pitch) ***Spots are limited and founders will be selected in advance.*** **💼 For Investors** We invite local investors, angels and venture capitalists to join the event. Investor participation is complimentary. After verification, investors receive access to the Ascent Valley ecosystem, including: • curated startup introductions • access to our startup digest • access to our platform and founder community [Interested investors can request verification](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd0FOsbIU0WPT79m90Xy4Q8IqDkaZAydjQ1DGpfYDKhJy7cLA/viewform)

High Performance Leadership Business Breakthrough Experience

Join John Mark Shaw for an impactful, in-person seminar, lunch, and networking event where you will learn the 4 Proven Strategies to Scale Your Business, Your Impact, and Your Income in the Current Economy and finish 2026 strong and launch into 2027 on a whole new trajectory! **[GET YOUR TICKET HERE!](https://www.johnmarkshawcoach.com/business-breakthrough-experience)** **In this live seminar, you will:** * **Learn the proven 8+ Figure CEO Playbook** that generates a repeating cycle of business breakthroughs, compounding confidence and exponential growth * **Define your bold 10X vision and strategic action plan** so you can finish 2026 strong and launch into 2027 on a whole new trajectory * **Replace fear, self-doubt, uncertainty and anxiety** with **clear vision, calm confidence and the courage to take bold action** * **Learn** **the 10X Formula the 8+ Figure Strategic Scale Up System and the Rapid Revenue Growth Formula** to collapse time and move your needle right away * **Generate breakthrough ideas by masterminding with like-minded entrepreneurs and leaders** to solve your most pressing business challenges * **Unleash your full potential** by learning to lead with an infinite mindset, strategic focus, and higher awareness **And So Much More...**

Startup Pitch Events NYC: 5 Founders on Stage

Join founders, investors and tech talent at this curated **startup networking event in New York.** Meet ambitious builders, exchange ideas and discover new opportunities in a dynamic community environment. **RSVP: [Use this link](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/startup-pitch-events-nyc-5-founders-on-stage-tickets-1999712099721?aff=oddtdtcreator)** **Please note that RSVP is managed via Eventbrite to control attendee lists — don’t ignore it to avoid issues with on-site payment.** **You've been running the idea past ChatGPT. ChatGPT has never once told you it wouldn't work. Tonight you get a room that will.** Five founders, five minutes each, on a Fifth Avenue rooftop in Manhattan. Wednesday. **Three reasons people come back** * You get a table, not a lap of the room. You pick a topic the room voted on and stay there for the hour, instead of wandering with a drink looking for a gap in somebody else's conversation. * You get a stage short enough to be honest. Five minutes each, no slides read out loud, then the room asks questions. The questions are the good part. * You get the hour after. The stage ends, nobody's performing any more, and the floor stays open. That's the hour people actually remember. **Your ticket is also a login** Most events end when you walk out. This one hands you a link: your profile, who else is coming before you get there, a group chat for this specific Wednesday, and a recap afterwards of who you actually met. Then you land in the New York space and stay there. That's where the second conversation happens, the one you meant to have before the room got loud. Free with your ticket, on the web or in Telegram: [ascentvalley.com/community](https://ascentvalley.com/community) **Is this your room?** Yes, if you're building something, anywhere from the first line of code to Series A. Or you run a function at a company that's scaling, write the code, do the hiring, or you're still deciding whether to start. Probably not, if what you're picturing is a room full of investors. How that actually works is further down, and it's better than the picture. **Want the stage?** Apply at ascentvalley.com/pitch. Five founders an evening, and we answer everybody, including the people we don't pick. Applying is free, but you do need a ticket, because we check the order number. Never pitched before? Five minutes is short enough that it's over before the nerves have finished arriving. **What we don't promise, and what we do instead** We don't promise an investor will be in the room on any given Wednesday. Angels and people who work at funds come, some Wednesdays several of them, and we won't tell you in advance who's coming, because we don't know. We don't run a judging panel, hand out a prize, or keep a leaderboard. Here's what doesn't depend on who walks in that night. Your application to the stage becomes your profile in our startup directory, and a person reads it, not a scoring script. Once you're verified, that profile sits in front of the funds and angels in our network, and they ask for the introduction themselves when your company matches what they're actually looking for. You choose whether you're in the weekly digest and you can leave it any time. We never sell your details, we don't take equity, we don't take a cut of your round, and we don't give investment advice. Which means the room on Wednesday isn't the whole opportunity. It's the part you can see: [ascentvalley.com/pitch](https://ascentvalley.com/pitch) **Why it's worth a Wednesday** Watching somebody explain their company in five minutes teaches you more about explaining yours than another evening alone with the deck. You'll hear the question you've been quietly avoiding get asked out loud to somebody else, and you get to watch how they handle it. That skill travels. It works on a first date, in a performance review, and at the dinner where somebody asks what you do and you've got twenty seconds before their eyes move on. So bring the friend who keeps saying they have an idea. Five minutes on that stage is the shortest distance between having an idea and finding out what a room full of strangers thinks of it.

staaake Halloween event for Tech Founders. — Reverse Network Meet

Come join our Halloween event for tech founders and people in the tech industry. Meet founders, builders, and creators. Just mingle, have fun, and meet new people. No pitching. No panels. No speakers. No cheesy networking. Location will be revealed 24 hours before the event. About Reverse Network Meets Reverse Networking events can happen anywhere, from parks and co-working spaces to bars, clubs and more. Invite the people you've connected with online and meet them all in one place in real life. Skip endless coffee meetings and connect with multiple people at once. Friday, Oct 30 · 8:00 PM EDT Get on the host's list https://www.staaake.in/staaake Vote & suggest the event title, time and location: https://reversenetworkmeets.com/ndb1017

AI AFTER: NYC Founders & Entrepreneurs Afterwork Hangout #3 @230 Fifth Rooftop

**3rd EDITION!** An informal AFTERWORK meetup for **entrepreneurs, founders, and builders working with AI** — or simply excited about where it’s heading. **LOCATION: 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar** \- the best way to find us is to **join the 📲 [WhatsApp group](https://chat.whatsapp.com/GitXj1CYsro5zpuw7WFzyW) or ask the host for directions.** ***We'll have a designated area on the rooftop. When you get to the rooftop, turn right and look for the sign: AI AFTER!*** Come meet like-minded people, exchange ideas, talk projects, and make new connections in NYC and the global AI scene. No pitches. No presentations. Just **AI, ideas, drinks & good conversations.** 🚀 \-\-\-\-\- **HOSTED by:** Patrick Farrell, Founder of [Adhara](https://adharaweb.com/) + Vik, Co-founder of [AI CIRCLE](https://www.skool.com/ai-circle/about) Community + [NOMAD CRUISE](https://www.nomadcruise.com/) are joining forces to bring together a crowd of AI enthusiasts. \-\-\-\-\- **AI CIRCLE:** a global community of entrepreneurs exploring and building with AI. Online & offline, home-based in Barcelona. 🌍 **Adhara™ is an all-in-one operating system for online businesses**, bringing websites, e-commerce, CRM, email marketing, scheduling, content, payments, and automations into one connected platform. Built for creators, coaches, consultants, agencies, and entrepreneurs, Adhara helps businesses simplify their tech stack, capture and manage leads, sell products and services, and run their operations from anywhere — all without juggling multiple disconnected tools. **NOMAD CRUISE:** a global community of digital nomads traveling around the world, coming to the UK with a crowd of 150 people to embark on an **AI cruise conference** from Portsmouth to New York City.

AI & Tech Networking Event in New York by Ascent Valley

Join founders, investors and tech talent at this curated **startup networking event in New York.** Meet ambitious builders, exchange ideas and discover new opportunities in a dynamic community environment. **RSVP: [Use this link](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ai-tech-networking-event-in-nyc-by-ascent-valley-tickets-1999712095709?aff=oddtdtcreator)** **Please note that RSVP is managed via Eventbrite to control attendee lists — don’t ignore it to avoid issues with on-site payment.** **🚀 Meet investors, founders, AI experts, operators, and immigrant entrepreneurs building the next generation of global companies.** * Share your project and get feedback. * Connect with capital. * Expand your network. * This is where conversations turn into partnerships. * Use our participant mini app to keep every contact and insight from the event — nothing gets lost. 👥 Who You’ll Meet • Startup Founders • Angel Investors & VC firms • AI Experts • Entrepreneurs from Europe, Asia & the UK • Marketers, Sales leaders & Business Advisors • Builders & Game Changers Startup Pitch Session Selected founders take the stage for a focused 5-minute presentation in front of active investors and tech leaders. Each startup receives: ⚡ Professional evaluation ⚡ Investor feedback ⚡ Visibility inside our global ecosystem **Why You Can’t Miss It** • Meet Tech & Business professionals, founders, and active investors • Gain real feedback from venture capitalists and angel investors • Discover new opportunities in AI, Tech & early-stage startups • Build meaningful connections in a global entrepreneurial community If you’re serious about startups — you should be in the room. 📈 Want to Pitch? Send your deck to: 📧 events@ascentvalley.club or fill [form](https://forms.gle/u4pDA4GMmUZVJHwV7) Limited spots. Curated selection. 🏆 The startup recognized as “Most Investment-Worthy” will be featured across our social media and included in our investor newsletter. **🌟 About Ascent Valley** [Ascent Valley ](https://ascentvalley.com/infrastructure)is a global ecosystem connecting founders, innovators, and investors. We believe great ideas shouldn’t stay hidden — they deserve to be heard, challenged, and supported by the right people. Our mission is to create environments where ambitious builders connect, collaborate, and grow together.

Women in Tech, Fintech, AI, Startups, Networking Event & Elevator Pitch

**✨ To join this event, please make sure to book your ticket here 👉 [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nyc-women-in-tech-founders-professionals-networking-night-tickets-2000266420710](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nyc-women-in-tech-founders-professionals-networking-night-tickets-2000266420710)** **Spaces are limited, and only registered guests with a ticket will be able to attend. Don’t miss out!** Join us for an empowering and insightful networking event designed for professionals in the dynamic fields of Women in Tech, Fintech, HealthTech, Edtech, Artificial Intelligence... Startups Founders, Professionals and Entrepreneurs. **Event Overview:** * **Women in Tech:** An exclusive platform for women in technology to share their experiences, challenges, and triumphs. This segment focuses on empowering female professionals and entrepreneurs in the tech industry, offering a space to connect, learn, and inspire. * **Fintech:** Dive into the world of financial technology with experts and innovators. Explore the latest trends, discuss challenges and opportunities, and connect with peers who are shaping the future of fintech. * **AI:** Engage with professionals at the forefront of Artificial Intelligence. Whether you’re a developer, a strategist, or simply an AI enthusiast, this segment offers a deep dive into emerging technologies, ethical considerations, and groundbreaking applications. * **Startups:** A space for startup founders and entrepreneurs to network, share stories, and gain insights. This segment is perfect for those looking to scale their startups, seeking mentorship, or wanting to learn from successful entrepreneurial journeys. * **Entrepreneurs:** Connect with fellow entrepreneurs across various industries. Discuss strategies, share experiences, and explore potential collaborations. This is an ideal platform for both seasoned and aspiring entrepreneurs. **Why Attend?** * **Networking Opportunities:** Meet and connect with professionals across diverse yet interconnected fields. * **1-Minute Elevator Pitch** – Introduce yourself, share your expertise, and highlight collaboration or investment opportunities in a structured yet informal setting. * **Knowledge Sharing:** Learn from leaders and peers, and gain valuable insights that can propel your career or business forward. * **Collaboration and Growth:** Discover potential collaborations, partnerships, and ways to expand your professional network. * **Inspiration:** Get inspired by success stories and innovative ideas that are driving these industries. **Who Should Attend the event?** * **Female Professionals in Tech:** Women who are working in or aspiring to break into the tech industry, looking for mentorship, networking, and growth opportunities. * **Fintech Enthusiasts and Professionals:** Individuals working in or interested in financial technology, including startup founders, developers, investors, and those curious about the latest fintech trends. * **AI Innovators and Tech Buffs:** Professionals and students in the field of Artificial Intelligence, including AI developers, researchers, tech entrepreneurs, and enthusiasts keen on exploring the future of AI. * **Startup Founders and Team Members:** Entrepreneurs who are in the process of building a startup, as well as team members of existing startups looking for networking, collaboration, and learning opportunities. * **Aspiring Entrepreneurs:** Individuals who are considering starting their own business and looking to gain insights, find inspiration, and connect with potential mentors and collaborators. * **Investors and Venture Capitalists:** Those interested in investing in tech, fintech, AI startups, or looking for new, innovative ventures to fund and support. * **Business Consultants and Advisors:** Experts who provide guidance and advice in the tech, fintech, and startup sectors, looking to expand their network and knowledge. * **Academics and Researchers:** Individuals from academia who are studying or researching in these fields and are interested in the practical application of their work and industry trends. This diverse group of attendees ensures a dynamic and multifaceted networking event, full of potential for new insights, collaborations, and business development opportunities. This event promises to be a rich experience filled with engaging conversations, learning opportunities, and the chance to form lasting connections. Whether you are deeply entrenched in these fields or simply curious about them, this networking event is a must-attend! Join us to connect, share, and grow in an environment that celebrates innovation and entrepreneurship.

ASPIRE 2026 - MICROSOFT CONFERENCE CENTER NYC

[RESERVE NOW!](https://www.emazzanti.net/pages/aspire-2026) Join eMazzanti Technologies for ASPIRE 2026 — a full day of technology insights, expert-led sessions, networking, and real-world strategies at the Microsoft Conference Center in Times Square. What’s next for your business, your technology, and your team? Find out at ASPIRE 2026, eMazzanti Technologies’ annual customer conference, taking place October 21, 2026, at the Microsoft Conference Center in Times Square, New York City. Spend the day connecting with technology leaders, exploring emerging solutions, and discovering practical strategies you can put to work in your organization. What to expect 💡 Inspiring Keynotes Hear from industry leaders and technology experts on the trends shaping the future of business and IT. 🎯 Expert-Led Sessions Dive into focused sessions covering the technologies, strategies, and challenges that matter to today's organizations. 🤝 Meaningful Networking Connect with fellow business and technology professionals, exchange ideas, and build valuable relationships. 🚀 Real-World Solutions Explore practical approaches and proven technologies designed to help organizations innovate, secure their operations, and move forward. Why attend? ASPIRE 2026 is designed to be more than a conference. It's an opportunity to: • Discover what's happening next in technology • Learn directly from experienced industry professionals • Explore practical solutions to today's business challenges • Connect with peers and technology leaders • Take away ideas you can apply in your organization 📅 October 21, 2026 🕗 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST 📍 Microsoft Conference Center — Times Square, New York City Learn. Connect. Build. What’s Next. 👉 [Reserve your place for ASPIRE 2026](https://www.emazzanti.net/pages/aspire-2026).

Making Better Bets: A Field Guide to Product Strategy with Andrew Skotzko

“Be more strategic” is advice every product leader has heard. But knowing what to actually DO? That's the hard part. Join us for an early look at *[The Strategy Cycle](https://thestrategycycle.com/)*, the new book from product leadership coach [Andrew Skotzko](https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewskotzko), which is a practical guide to turning a messy set of research, goals, stakeholder opinions, and competitive pressure into a real product strategy. Andrew frames strategy as a theory of winning, expressed through a cycle of bets. Plans, roadmaps, and goal lists all have their place, but a real strategy gives them direction and makes planning season suck a lot less. Mind the Product founder Martin Eriksson says the book shows you what to do on Monday morning—and “what to do in week 7 when the strategy is quietly falling apart.” Andrew will walk through the two halves of the cycle: **Craft the strategy.** Start with a two-page strategy sketch, distill what’s really going on in your market, name the challenge that matters most, and define why customers will choose you and keep choosing you. Then turn that into a portfolio of bets with a clear line between what’s in and what’s out. **Live the strategy.** Crafting the strategy is only about 40% of the work. The rest is deploying it, keeping it alive when shiny new things start arriving in week two, and evolving it as you learn. You’ll walk away with: * A practical way to frame strategic choices as bets * A starting template for your own strategy sketch * Tactics for keeping strategy alive after planning season ends This session is built for anyone responsible for setting direction in a fast-moving environment. Bring your hardest strategy questions. **Sponsored by:** * **[Askable:](https://www.askable.com/)** the UX research platform that grounds fast product decisions in real human evidence * **[Pendo:](https://www.pendo.io/)** Product Context for your Apps and AI Agents

Yacht Party Sunset Cruise (Drinks, DJ, Dancing)

**\*GET TICKETS AT:** [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vip-yacht-party-cruise-tickets-1984580017255](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vip-yacht-party-cruise-tickets-1984580017255) *(\*Our events are co-organized by multiple groups so don't pay attention to the RSVPs. These events are consistently well attended. Members get tickets and don't RSVP.* Join us for an amazing (climate controlled) cruise through NYC and sail by the Brooklyn Bridge, The Statue of Liberty, and the beautiful New York City Skyline on this spacious vessel! Let loose late night on a 100 ft, 2-deck private yacht party on the hottest yacht cruise with the best DJs while enjoying the NYC Skyline! Sail through the city and take in the sights while you enjoy music and drinks for the night. Grab your friends or come alone and get ready to enjoy an experience you won't forget! What to expect: * **Scenic 3-hour cruise of the NYC harbor** * **Captivating views of the Manhattan skyline including the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, Ellis Island, the Freedom Tower and more** * **Climate-controlled covered areas and open air decks** * **Live DJ playing the best party music** * **2 Bars and Food available** **for purchase** * **Great for Birthday Celebrations/bachelorette/bachelor/anniversary/** **& more (Balloons & Cakes permitted - no other outside food allowed)** FAQs: • The boat will sail rain or shine! The boat has two levels. Both levels have climate controlled covered areas - indoor & outdoor • No specific dress code but we suggest Trendy/Neat Casual • There is paid parking at the marina, or you can try to find parking on the street. \*TIX NOT sold at door. Price will go up as space becomes limited so get tickets ASAP and save $$) **For more fun events follow/go to -** [https://www.eventbrite.com/o/new-york-city-social-events-10797526283](https://www.eventbrite.com/o/new-york-city-social-events-10797526283)