Ron Thiele is the founder and CEO of Xpan Interactive Ltd., a global leader in the development of people-centric digital knowledge solutions. Since 2001, Ron has led a strong team of passionate experts to increase engagement, performance, competency and happiness to over 5 million learners across more than 350 large organizations. A popular presenter and speaker, he has been at the podium for Austin’s SXSW, The Banff Centre, the Institute for Performance and Learning, The Banff New Media Institute, and the American Public Transportation Association.Ron studied geophysics at the University of British Columbia and graphic design at Simon Fraser University. He spent the first ten years of his career as a photojournalist, starting at a small weekly newspaper and then moving onto dozens of magazine features on adventure travel, environmental issues and corporate sustainability. His photos of BC’s Great Bear Rainforest and the elusive Spirit Bear continue to be published world wide. As a volunteer Ron has been a senior advisor to the Vermillion Institute, an independent policy institute dedicated to advancing the vision that sustainability means caring for people, planet and prosperity. Ron sat on the Board of Directors and is Past President of Digital Alberta, an industry-led organization devoted to promoting and connecting the local thriving digital media community. He was also on the board of Alberta's ICT Council, Calgary Downtown Association and chaired the Calgary Urban Development Committee.Specialties: elearning, digital media, marketing strategy, leadership, startup, social entrepreneurship, internet development, corporate communications, photography.