(UN)EXPECTED CONNECTIONS

Irene Gómez is the CEO of Wayra, where their mission is to foster innovation and drive progress by investing in startups and facilitating their collaboration with organizations to generate impact. They focus particularly on verticals such as Home, Entertainment, Health, Fintech, and Energy, as well as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), Cybersecurity, Cloud-Data, next-generation connectivity networks, and Web3.   With a double degree in Telecommunications and Telematics Engineering from Ramon Llull University, they also hold an MBA and have training in Lean Startup and Design Thinking. Irene has over 15 years of experience in Product Management and Innovation in the fields of Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence applied to user experience, and 5 years managing the Venture Capital activity of the Telefónica Group, Wayra.

Antonio Guzmán leads the Discovery team at Telefónica Digital Innovation. With a career spanning over 10 years, he has led highly innovative strategic projects that face the arduous task of complying with strict regulations in multiple countries.   He previously obtained his Ph.D. in high-performance architecture applied to AI. Since then, he has specialised in cutting-edge fields such as cybersecurity, data science, artificial intelligence, and, more recently, quantum computing, merging them to create solutions that leverage the capabilities of current and future digital networks and services.   He has worked on the creation and launch of solutions for digital identity management, virtual assistants, digital home proposals, smart device development, Customer Care applications, and the "Digital Twin" platform for WIFI connectivity management.

Luiz Medici leads the Digital Products area in the B2C market at Telefónica, heading the teams for Digital Channels, Financial Services and e-commerce payments, Commercial Partnerships, and Digital Home.

Previously, they were the Vice President of Data and Artificial Intelligence at Telefónica Vivo, overseeing products and services such as Business Intelligence, Big Data, AI, 4th Platform, Digital Channels, Terra, and Vivo Ads.

Graduated in Business Administration at FAAP, with an Executive MBA at IBMEC and a specialization in Innovation from Stanford University in California, they have developed their career in the banking and telecommunications sectors with a focus on business intelligence, strategic planning, portfolio, products, and partnerships.

Rubén Mellado leads the digital home services area, overseeing product management, user experience, technology, service development, operations, and the delivery of various digital home services, with a focus on video, TV, and Living Apps. Additionally, they supervise the operations and delivery of other products and enablers such as Kernel, Open Gateway, Aura, and Smart WiFi.   Previously, they led the technology strategy, service development, and the deployment and operation of video services such as MVNO, IoT, Data Services, or network security for the entire Telefónica.   Furthermore, they directed the Digital Operations & Delivery area of Telefónica's new digital organization in 2011, being part of the executive board of Telefónica I+D, managing an international technical team in different locations to ensure end-to-end operations quality.

Francisco Montalvo is the Chief Data Officer at Telefónica, leading the development of the Kernel infrastructure. This pioneering project aims to maximize the value of data and AI for Telefónica's customers. Their contributions to the development of Kernel highlight their commitment to innovation and maximizing the potential of data-driven management.

Previously, they also worked as the director of the Group's Device Unit, revolutionizing the end-to-end category operations management model. From technology and portfolio selection to the procurement process, they have implemented innovative strategies that have boosted the company's relevance in that category.

Francisco holds a degree in Telecommunications Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Madrid. A recognized expert in the field of Artificial Intelligence, they have developed their professional career in various telcos and tech companies.

Yaiza Rubio is the Chief Metaverse Officer at Telefónica Innovación Digital, the first position created specifically by Telefónica to unite all the company's initiatives around the Metaverse and Web3. As a cybersecurity expert, she has also worked as an Intelligence Analyst at ElevenPaths and as product manager for Smart WiFi and Movistar's Token Rewards programme. She is also known for being the first Spanish woman to participate in major IT security conferences such as DEF CON and Black Hat Briefings. 

In 2015 she won the second prize in the ISACA Young Investigator Challenge, and in 2017 she was named Cybercooperator of Honour by the National Institute of Cybersecurity (INCIBE). In addition, in 2023 she was recognised as one of the ‘Top 100 Women Leaders’ by El Español.

David del Val Latorre is the director of Open Gateway at Telefonica, a project in which he leads product definition, partner agreements and go to market activities, and is a member of the Governing Board of CAMARA, the international standard for telco APIs.

Previously he was CEO of Telefónica R&D for 10 years and Director of Core Innovation, where oversaw the creation of new disruptive products and services for the group and led innovation and the creation of new business units around new paradigms such as Web 3, Artificial Intelligence, Edge Computing, IoT, Big Data and Digital Video. He also led the spin-off of several startups and the creation of a multi-telco JV in the advertising business. 

David holds a Telecommunications Engineering degree from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, a Master's degree in Computer Science from Stanford University and an Executive Certificate in Management and Leadership from MIT.