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In this course, learn how technology and data can transform sustainability efforts and pave the way for a smarter, greener future. Instructor Talal Gedeon provides a solid foundation in leveraging AI and data engineering to develop innovative solutions to address environmental challenges, bridging the gap between advanced technological skills and practical applications in sustainability. Explore data collection techniques, including IoT and AI-powered solutions, to see how you can revolutionize your sustainability projects.

LinkedIn Learning Instructor - Leveraging AI and Data Engineering for Sustainable Solutions

A LinkedIn Top Voice is a recognized thought leader and influencer in their industry who consistently shares valuable insights, ideas, and content on LinkedIn. They engage with a broad audience, contributing to important conversations and setting trends in their field. This prestigious title is awarded by LinkedIn based on the impact, engagement, and relevance of their contributions to the professional community.

Operations Specialist | Linkedin Top Voice | Sustainability & Tech

• Review the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and five associated themes.

• Learn about the people theme and SDGs 1–5: no poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being, quality education, and gender equality.

• Explore a real-world case study on creating education solutions for refugee children in Jordan 

• Learn about the planet theme and SDGs 6, 12–14: responsible consumption and production, climate action, and life below water.

• Explore a real-world case study about a Kenyan mobile network operator delivering innovative solutions to customers (8, 9, 17).

• Discover how you can contribute to SDGs and create a more sustainable future.

 LinkedIn Learning Instructor - Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• In this course, I highlight the demand for individuals and organizations to design and implement effective sustainable and environmental technological solutions. 

• Assessed what the Internet of Things (IoT) is and how it can be used to promote a more sustainable future. 

• Explored the basics of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) and the role they can play in mitigating climate change. 

• Taught how big data and data sharing are used within the sustainability movement. Plus, find out about sustainable development goals (SDG) and ways that tech can support them.

 LinkedIn Learning Instructor - Technology and Sustainability

Black Engineering

• Oversee and manage all operational aspects of events, ensuring seamless execution from start to finish. 

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure effective communication and coordination throughout event projects. 

• Develop and manage event timelines, ensuring adherence to schedules and key milestones. • Streamline event operations to maximize efficiency and optimize resource allocation.

• Ensure high-quality delivery of event logistics, including vendor management, staffing, and on-site operations. 

• Support the continuous improvement of event processes and operational strategies.

Project Manager – Operations

Project Manager | Euro Cup Activations Bujairi Terrace | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | July 2024 - Aug 2024

• Managed on-site operations during the event, ensuring smooth execution and resolving any issues promptly.
• Engaged in direct client conversations to ensure project alignment with client expectations.
• Coordinated with vendors, performers, and contractors to ensure timely delivery of services.
• Ensured compliance with safety and regulatory standards throughout the project.

Opening Ceremony Lead | teamLab Musem | Jeddah, Saudi Arabia| May 2024 - June 2024

• Planned and executed the opening ceremony, emphasizing client interactions regarding venue setup, traffic coordination, and signage.
• Facilitated all client communications, addressing venue management, traffic flow, wayfinding, and signage to meet their expectations.
• Established and oriented the team, delivering onboarding materials and fostering a cooperative work environment.
• Helped set up the venue management team, overseeing their training and day-to-day operations to ensure smooth event execution.

Project Director Deputy | Diriyah Art Biennale | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia| Jan 2024 - May 2024

• Oversaw and coordinated the day-to-day operations, ensuring project milestones were met efficiently and in timely execution.
• Led venue management, fostering a collaborative environment to ensure of team engagement and productivity.
• Collaborated closely with the Project Director to develop project strategies, identify potential risks, and devise contingency plans.
• Managed procurement and budget for essential rentals, ensuring cost-effective sourcing within financial limits.

Project Director Deputy

Quintessentially

• Actively engaged with clients to accurately define project scope and objectives, perfectly aligning with their expectations.

• Highly versatile across Venue Management, Guest Experience, Events, and efficient RSVP coordination.

• Supported the Project Director with adaptive role flexibility to effectively meet the project's dynamic needs.

• Successfully onboarded short-term staff with enablement sessions, providing all essential materials for role proficiency.

Event & Venue Operations Lead - Wadi Ashar Dialogue 2023

• Managed event scopes, budgets, and timelines for flawless event execution, enhancing team efficiency

• Orchestrated and led successful events, ensuring seamless execution and achieving high attendee satisfaction rates.

• Preparing costed budgeting proposals and RFP's to support events

• Communicating highly technical concepts to a variety of audiences, including executive-level decision-makers

• The ability to understand customer issues and map high-level business issues to the technical solution and to provide a roadmap for the customer’s success

• Enhanced project documentation by creating detailed event plans, precise technical documents, feature guides, and tailored onboarding materials.

• Act as a trusted advisor to clients and prospects and work closely with them on their
business requirements

• Working seamlessly with various internal teams including Product, Engineering, Professional Services and Customer Success

• Providing feedback and prototype ideas from the field to our Product team

US Technical Lead

Tamr

• Conducted event planning sessions with clients in the insurance and fintech sectors to align event objectives and success criteria

• Led the planning and execution of 100 hours of event activities, enhancing client engagement and satisfaction.

• Collaborated across cross-functional teams to develop and optimize event experiences, contributing to event improvements.

• Work with customers to understand their business challenges and how Tamr can support their needs.

• Persuade customers on the value of Tamr through tailored product demonstrations - target audiences include end-users, IT staff, executive sponsors, industry analysts.

• Define and outline the scope of engagements and events to align with budget requirements.

• Lead customer-facing proof of concept engagements both remotely and onsite, delivering on the technical components of the agreed SOW and presenting success.

• Communicating technical concepts to different audiences, from software engineers to executives.

Sales Engineer

Particle

• Managed event teams, ensuring successful event execution and meeting event milestones

• Excellent skills in designing, creating, and delivering presentations. 

• Play a key role in ensuring Particle helps the right customers with the right technologies to address problems and provide solutions that bridge that gap between the physical and digital worlds. 

• Technical responsibilities are limited to being a product expert, mastering technical sales, and being able to chase down answers to complex customer requests. 

• Develop PoC’s, presentations, questionnaires, and technical sales tactics to share with the rest of the team.

Global Technical Lead

• Attend and oversee trade shows at international conferences
• Identify current and future customer service requirements by establishing personal rapport with potential and actual customers and others in a position to understand service requirements.

• Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.

• Orchestrate webinar demonstrations to aide customers and increase the pipeline.

Senior Business Development Representative

• Contribute to building a CRM intelligence database by consistently logging event activities for data aggregation.

• Assess and qualify inbound leads, identifying new opportunities within our Developer Community and its extensive 150,000+ membership.

• Effectively communicate Particle's value proposition to evaluate its alignment with prospective customers' business needs.

Business Development Representative

SunVessel Corp.

• Help the organization solve various business problems using IoT solutions

• Set and communicate the overall “IoT vision, message — and most importantly — Architecture

IoT Architect, Integration and Consultant

• Reconciled company's revenues, expenses, and ensured accuracy and completeness

• Gathered data from different stakeholders; analyzed data and assisted teams on the daily execution of the program

Transactions Department Intern

Leveraging a robust background in technical project management, I've transitioned into event management, swiftly distinguishing myself in this domain. As Deputy Project Director at Black Engineering in Saudi Arabia, I honed my skills in project logistics and advanced planning tools.

My experience spans across Riyadh, Jeddah, and Al Ula, equipping me with a comprehensive skill set. Previously, as a Sales Engineer and project lead in IoT, Big Data, and AI, I've delivered customer-focused consultations, optimized client solutions, and resolved technical issues. This has extended to hosting events from small gatherings to major conferences.

Additionally, I've contributed to educational platforms with courses like "How Tech Drives Sustainability" and "Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Tech Solutions," showcasing my versatility and commitment to leveraging technology for global challenges.

Talal Gedeon

BlackBand

We’re developing a cross-border operating system for creators, executives, and families. BlackBand provides the quiet infrastructure that enables creator-operators and teams to work seamlessly between the U.S. and Ghana. Think work-ready condos plus on-the-ground operations with backup power, ≥100 Mbps Wi-Fi, privacy, vetted drivers/fixers, and travel-friendly benefits. Infrastructure > amenities. Calm is a product.

Here’s what we’ve built so far:

• BLEISURE: Work-ready stays in Accra with backup power, fast Wi-Fi, day-one setup, permits, and trusted drivers/fixers.

• BUREAU: Downside protection (defense planning) for creator-operators, executives, and families, delivered through licensed partners (life, disability income, health, and long-term care). We ensure teams remain paid and momentum intact when unexpected events occur.

Who we serve: Foreign nationals, creators, families, founders, remote teams, and executives operating between the U.S. and Ghana.

Here’s some proof:

• Over 10 years of experience
• More than 5 units
• Over 1,400 guest nights
• More than 200 bookings
• Collaborations with Airbnb, CNN, Delta, and Vogue

Signature results:

• Airbnb executive immersion: A beachside working session with backup power resulted in real work being shipped on time.

• Vogue Accra (5-day/4-night stay): Visas, crews, and contingencies were handled end-to-end, ensuring a seamless delivery.

• Beachside land: A client purchased the land within days by leveraging life insurance cash value.

Outcomes: Fewer canceled Zoom meetings, faster transfers, smoother registrations, and safer travel. This allows for shoots, residencies, and campaigns that feel cinematic and stress-free.

Our principles are: you rest. We handle the rest. 

Compliance: BUREAU coverage is delivered through licensed insurance producers. Availability and pricing vary based on underwriting and state regulations.

Work with us: Partnerships, creator residencies, and cross-border protection.

Chief Executive Officer

ThaCollabs

We turn curiosity into signed, measurable collaborations. Most partnerships don’t die from bad ideas, they die in bad conversations. ThaCollabs is my media + advisory studio that fixes that: we teach teams to move from great call ➝ clear brief ➝ forwardable yes ➝ renewal.

What we do ⬇️
• ThaCollaborators Podcast for breakdowns of world-class collabs (episodes reshared by TED & Acumen).

• Collab Chronicles™ for cinematic case studies that show the work, not just the wins.

• CODED for bite-size playbooks/templates you can ship this week.

• Workshops & Labs for hands-on sprints to improve briefs, KPIs, and decision paths.

How we do it (simple system) ⬇️
• Collaboration Circle™ → Curiosity → Conversation → Commitment → Community (with one, small, forwardable ask at each step).

• Clarity Standard → KPIs, risks, stop-rules, and an approval map anyone can explain in two boxes.

• Collab Index (0–100) → Scorecard to track lift, renewals, and ROI.

Proof: Work with Typeform, Calendly, ActiveCampaign. Guests and teardowns cited by TED and Acumen. Practitioner voices across tech, media, and culture.

Outcomes we focus on ⬇️
• Faster “second-meeting” conversion
• Briefs approved without rewrites
• Higher renewal/expansion rates
• CFO-ready attribution for collaborations

Products ⬇️
• Playbooks (downloads & templates)
• Labs / Bootcamps (2-day or 4-week sprints)
• Advisory (quarterly retainers)

IIf you want the Brief + KPI Starter Pack, message me “CIRCLE” and I’ll send it. If you’re ready for a quick Collab Audit, DM “Collab Ready.”

Built for creators, brands, and institutions working across continents. Clear asks, clean approvals, partnerships that ship, and stick.

Host of ThaCollaborators Podcast 

The Wishly Group

LinkedIn has become the internet’s water cooler for work. The people who shape how we sell, market, hire, and build follow people, not logos. I help brands partner with those people.

At Wishly Group, we represent 30+ elite LinkedIn creators (think: respected operators in marketing, sales, AI, HR, GTM). I match brands with the right voices, design multi-touch programs, and turn one-time posts into long-term partnerships.

✔️ 80+ LinkedIn campaigns every month
✔️ 10M+ monthly impressions, ~90% renewal
✔️ $3M+ paid to creators in 14 months

Brands: DM “Partnership Ready” to scope a 30-day pilot.
Creators: DM “Roster” to learn about representation.

Director of Partnerships (Fractional)

Turn Left | LinkedIn Partners for Africa

What I do: Shape collab strategies and cultural activations that spotlight African excellence globally, with LinkedIn as the platform and Africa as the focus.

Clients: Complete Farmer

I’ve learned that community resonance is as essential as campaign reach. Aligning strategy with cultural insight creates both visibility and velocity for African brands.

Why it matters: Africa isn’t emerging, it’s accelerating. This work helps position African innovators, creators, and companies as global voices, not just regional players.

Core Skills: Partnership Activation · Cultural Strategy · Brand Visibility · Community Building · Executive Support · Cross-market Storytelling

Collaboration Consultant (Ghana)

Bôhten

I help bring Bohten’s story to life, from high-end partnerships to cultural collabs that blend sustainability, style, and excellence.

Wins include:
🦁 Launching The Lion King x Bohten “Mufasa” collab
🕶 Featured by editors as a top glasses brand (NYMag, Oprah Daily, etc.)
🌍 Supporting a brand reshaping what premium African design can look like

Focus:
→ Brand storytelling
→ Retail partnerships
→ Values-led marketing

Collaboration Strategist (Equity) 

TikTok

I talked about how creators can do more than make content, they can build whole communities that grow, connect, and make a difference.

Using stories like Issa Rae and MrBeast, I showed how creators can:
💡 Adapt to change
🌐 Build strong networks
❤️ Create spaces where people feel seen and supported

Big ideas from the talk:
✅ Turn followers into real communities
✅ Work with others to grow faster and smarter
✅ Link online content to real-life moments

✨ Bonus: 100+ creators at the event voted this their favorite session of the day.

A few kind words:
🗣 “Full of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding!” – Emmanuel Whajah
🗣 “Favorite session of the event.” – Serah Alabi
🗣 “Always dropping gems!” – Chris-Yeboah Opoku

Keynote Speaker, Creator Day 

Saison Capital

Role: Helping find the next big thing in fintech across Africa, Southeast Asia, and India.

What I did: I worked with Saison Capital to spot innovative startups and ideas in money, tech, and business. I shared advice on how they grow, how to tell their story, and why they matter.

Focus:
💡 Future of finance
🌍 Global market insights
🤝🏾 B2B strategy and storytelling

Skills used:
→ Research
→ Communication
→ Business strategy
→ Creative thinking

Saison Expert 

What I did: I helped amazing people grow on LinkedIn by sharing smart ideas and strong stories and building trust with their audiences.

How I helped:
✔️ Found and supported top voices from Africa to North America
✔️ Built partnerships between creators and brands
✔️ Gave creators the tools to turn posts into real influence

Skills: Content strategy · Creator community · Brand partnerships · Thought leadership · B2B marketing

Creator Manager

TEDxAccra

What I did: Planned big talks and live events that shared fresh ideas from Ghana’s boldest thinkers.

How I helped:
✔️ Designed events that brought people together
✔️ Highlighted voices shaping the future of Africa
✔️ Worked behind the scenes to make each talk inspiring and smooth

Skills: Event design · Storytelling · Creative production · Community curation · Leadership

Organizer + Creative Executive

NAACP

This role reflects my broader commitment to advancing equity and visibility for underrepresented voices in entertainment and media:

✔️ Selected to serve on the NAACP Image Awards Nominating Committee for three consecutive years (52nd–54th Annual Awards).

✔️ Evaluated annual submissions in film and television categories, focusing on International.

✔️ Contributed expert feedback influencing process improvements, including judging panel restructuring and earlier screening access.

✔️ Maintained high standards of integrity and confidentiality throughout the judging process.

✔️ Collaborated with fellow industry professionals to elevate and celebrate excellence in storytelling and representation.

Nominating Committee Member

✉️ Speaking & Brand Collabs: terry@blackband.co

I don’t sell hype; I build bridges. From 2011 to 2017, I was a financial advisor in New York City, pursuing my version of the “Pursuit of Happyness” (minus the wife and kid). Cold calls weren’t my forte, and I learned that trust, not tactics, changes the equation.

2017 was a pivotal year that rewired my thinking. I curated a Vogue experience to Accra, and partnerships for TEDGlobal that took me to Arusha. I transitioned from thinking like a “vendor” to operating like infrastructure, the quiet systems that enable creators, executives, and teams to perform at their best even on their worst days.

Today, I lead BlackBand, a company that assists creators, brands, and executives  in working seamlessly between the United States and Africa.

Our services include:

• BLEISURE (travel operations): We provide comprehensive support for travel across our 5 ocean view condos, including power, Wi-Fi, drivers, permits, experiences, and on-the-ground fixers. These unglamorous aspects ensure that shoots, tours, and residencies remain on schedule.

• BUREAU (protection): We offer practical risk planning for families, executives, and creator-operators (through partnerships with life/DI providers). This ensures that rent, mortgage, and bills are paid, teams are compensated, and momentum is maintained despite setbacks.

• ThaCollabs (media): A podcast that showcases how genuine partnerships are built on trust, not theatrics.

• Partnerships (Wishly): I’m now directing brand collabs, having previously worked as a LinkedIn Creator Manager. We manage over 80 LinkedIn-native campaigns across 40+ brands, with an impressive 90% renewal rate.

Here are some tangible examples of the impact we’ve made:

• Airbnb executive immersion week in Accra: We ensured that work actually took place on the beach, with backup power to ensure continuity.

• Vogue x Accra (5 days/4 nights): We handled visas, crews, contingencies, and provided a calm and organized environment for the experience. 

Our 5 condos in Accra offer ocean views and private elevator access (3/5 condos). We’ve received over 1,500 bookings and have more than 200 bookings.

Here’s how I work:

- Curiosity
- Conversation
- Commitment
- Community
- Repeat

This simple loop transforms strangers into partners and sparks good ideas into forwardable yeses.

If you’re a creator, brand, or institution building between the U.S. and Africa, and you want your next shoot, tour, or partnership to feel cinematic and stress-free, let’s connect.

You rest. We handle the rest. 

taplio

The Battle

Talal Gedeon

Terry (Kojo) O.

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