AI and PE

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Speaker Bios

Keshia Theobald-van Gent, Vice President @ BDev Ventures

Keshia Theobald-van Gent is an accomplished executive with expertise in venture capital, go-to-market strategy, and partnerships. As Vice President at BDev Ventures, she leads sourcing and operations across the fund. Previously, Keshia served as Director of Portfolio Success at BDev Ventures, where she established and scaled a global operations team to enhance pre- and post-investment experiences for startups.

Before joining BDev, she served as the U.S. Senior Director at German Accelerator, managing bi-coastal and global startup programs, and advising founders on U.S. market expansion. At GSVlabs, as Director of Strategic Partnerships, she connected global corporations with high-growth startups, managed corporate innovation initiatives, and led . Her leadership helped align corporate strategies with cutting-edge solutions, creating long-lasting value for both startups and enterprise clients.

She also founded Dialog to Learn, an EdTech nonprofit improving student literacy in low-income elementary schools.

With a Master's from the University of Groningen and a Bachelor's from NKU, Keshia brings a unique interdisciplinary approach to building ecosystems that drive innovation and success. A frequent speaker at industry events and a published author, she also serves as an advisor to startups.

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David Heftner, AI Champion for Investments - Private and Public @ BlackRock

David Hefter leads BlackRock’s internal AI strategy and adoption for investments, working across public and private markets. He chairs the AI governance committee and produces a weekly AI Newsletter for the entire firm. With over two decades experience at BlackRock, David has been driving AI initiatives for the past 5 years, having studied computer science and AI at Columbia University.

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Murray Newlands, Founder @ Open Future Forum - Moderator

Murray Newlands is a successful entrepreneur and influential figure in Silicon Valley's AI industry. He founded Open Future Forum and has achieved notable success in his career:

- Accomplished entrepreneur with two successful business exits

- Experienced in venture capital, both working with and within the industry

- Held executive roles at thriving startups, including Turing, a company valued at $4 billion

- Established author and keynote speaker

His diverse background and achievements have solidified his position as a key player in the business and technology sectors.

The Open Future Forum, under Murray's leadership, has become a cornerstone of the AI community, connecting top founders, VCs, LPs, and industry partners. With over 50,000 email subscribers and more than 200 events planned for 2024, the forum has established itself as a hub for genuine, high-value connections and engaging conversations. 

The Huffington Post as one of the “Top 10 People to Know in Silicon Valley”