The Co-Founder and COO of Design Theory, a Central Florida digital marketing and web design agency with over 15 years of experience helping organizations turn ideas into scalable systems. A former cybersecurity professional, Nicole now focuses on helping entrepreneurs translate emerging technology into practical tools that drive real business growth.

She regularly teaches business owners how to use AI, automation, and platforms like Canva to streamline marketing, build lead generation systems, and operate more efficiently without needing a large team. Nicole has delivered trainings for organizations including the National Entrepreneur Center, UCF programs, chambers of commerce, and entrepreneurial communities across Central Florida.

Known for her practical, no-fluff approach, Nicole specializes in showing founders how to move from “interesting tech” to tools that actually generate leads, save time, and support daily business operations.

Her mission is simple: help entrepreneurs work smarter, build faster, and turn modern technology into a competitive advantage.

Chris Cyrille is a founder, creative, and technologist who has spent his career sitting at the edges of worlds that don't usually talk to each other. He's the CEO of SNTIMNT.AI, a quantitative crypto fund built around sentiment analysis and algorithmic trading. Before that, he was a menswear stylist and fashion show producer; work that started with a needle and thread, deeply influenced by watching his mother sew.

He's a TEDx speaker, a Tampa Bay 40 Under 40 honoree, and a first-generation Haitian American who thinks seriously about what it means to build something from nothing. His talk, Stitching Hope into Everyday Life, explored how style shapes identity, which is a thread he's never really put down.

Chris shows up to the Fashion of Influence panel with a perspective that's hard to replicate: someone who has used fashion to build confidence in rooms where he had no blueprint, and who now builds AI-powered systems for some of the most high-stakes rooms in finance. For him, how you show up has always been part of the strategy.

Meet Ana Duperval, a dynamic multi-hyphenate creative professional working across fashion and entertainment. She specializes in shaping visual identity through wardrobe styling and concept development for projects where image is key. Drawing inspiration from her Caribbean roots, she infuses her work with colorful aesthetics, as well as innovative repurposing techniques to help brands achieve a stylish persona. Ana's ability to master storytelling through fashion is matched by her industry experience in films, editorials, and runway productions; this versatility has allowed her to adapt seamlessly to diverse creative visions.

Safia Porter is the Executive Director of Building Our Tech, where she leads initiatives focused on tech workforce training, entrepreneurship, and economic mobility. She is dedicated to creating clear, practical pathways for individuals to build careers, launch businesses, and access opportunities in today’s digital economy.

With a leadership style rooted in both lived experience and real-world application, Safia focuses on bridging the gap between learning and doing—helping people translate skills into income, career growth, and long-term success. Through programs, partnerships, and community-driven initiatives, she is building an ecosystem that supports sustainable, forward-moving impact.

As a speaker and community leader, Safia is known for making complex ideas accessible and actionable, empowering others to step confidently into what’s next.

Janet Randolph has built her career at the rare intersection where creative ideas meet the people and systems that bring them to life.

As a digital project manager, producer, and photographer, she's partnered with some of the most recognizable brands in the world — Universal, Disney, Publix, McDonald's, and Darden — building the cross-functional teams and scalable systems that turn bold visions into real, working outcomes.

What sets Janet apart is how she leads. Spanning product, creative, and engineering, she brings strategic clarity and genuine care to every team she builds — creating environments where people feel seen, stay aligned, and do their best work.

At this year's Signature Summit, Janet shares her framework for one of the most critical — and most overlooked — parts of the creative process: hiring the right people to carry an idea all the way from concept to execution. And as a proud Orlando native, she's especially excited to bring this conversation home.

Knakeesha Samuels is the Founder + Creative Lead of Silent K Strategies, a social impact creative agency based in Orlando, Florida. With over a decade of experience in brand development, community engagement, event production, and social media strategy, she specializes in helping mission-driven organizations, social entrepreneurs, enterprises, and cultural movements show up with clarity, intention, and impact.

Through Silent K Strategies, Knakeesha brings corporate-level strategy to organizations, creating real change, having worked with clients across Central Florida and cities throughout the East Coast, including Atlanta, New Orleans, Jacksonville, Tampa, and Daytona Beach.

She has worked with several organizations and has been part of sponsorship and branded partnerships with the Orlando Magic, City of Orlando, Tito’s Vodka, iHeart Radio, Chase Bank, Bacardi, Diageo, Tesla, Walmart, Microsoft, and many more.

Beyond her agency work, Knakeesha is the founder of The Socialites Collective, a curated event series that brings together content creators, influencers, and community connectors for intentional experiences in line with her passion for sparking collaboration and celebrating culture. goes here

David Yarde is a creative strategist and co-founder of a branding agency helping startups and growing businesses build impactful brands and digital experiences. With over 20 years of experience, he has worked with global brands like Disney, Merriam-Webster, and Walmart, while also supporting entrepreneurs through mentorship and community initiatives. David specializes in branding, UX/UI, and data-driven strategy, blending creativity and technology to drive meaningful growth and lasting impact.