Mariana Freitas is a tech entrepreneur, professor, speaker and a previous senior executive, with +15 years of experience in global leading and technology companies. She is the Co-Founder and CEO of SAM Technologies, focused on data ownership and secure communication through AI and Analytics. Her leadership journey includes impactful roles at Samsung and Heineken, delivering strong growth and strategic expansion. Mariana has raised international capital and built alliances with top-tier organizations. She created and executed Women Connect, a program funded by the U.S. Embassy. She is a Blockchain and A.I. Alumni at Draper University (Silicon Valley), a Vital Voices Economic Empowerment Fellow (Washington D.C.) and an Academy for Women Entrepreneurs Alumni (U.S. Department of State). She is also a DWEN – Dell Women’s Entrepreneur Network Chapter Leader and a co-author of a published book in Brazil. Holding an MBA, she has studied at leading institutions, Fundacao Getulio Vargas and Insper. Mariana was awarded Canada’s Startup Visa, successfully scaling her business across North America. A passionate mentor, she contributes to Futurpreneur, Draper University, and City of Toronto. She teaches at Centennial College.