Nearform Connect: The Seattle edition, shaping the next era of CX

Join us for a morning of innovation and networking at Nearform Connect Seattle on November 6, 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM. This exclusive networking breakfast and panel discussion will bring together Seattle’s top industry leaders to explore building connected AI ecosystems that put customers first.

Why attend? Nearform Connect provides a high-value forum for senior leaders in the PNW to explore the evolving role of technology, data, and AI in driving customer experience, resilience, and growth. The morning will feature a panel of industry innovators in the AI space, expert voices in CX, and leaders from retail, telco, and various industries. Key topics:

- AI-Driven SDLC: How AI is transforming the way products are designed, built, and delivered.

- Intelligent & Connected Backend Ecosystems: Building robust systems that integrate AI, data, and cloud services to fuel personalization and adaptability.

- Designing for Human-Centered Experiences: Crafting intuitive, ethical, and engaging CX that aligns AI innovation with human needs.

- Driving Growth Through AI-Enabled Teams & Culture: Empowering cross-functional teams and leadership to scale AI impact across the enterprise.

Agenda:

• 08:00 - Welcome and networking
• 08:40 - Keynote speaker
• 09:30 - Coffee break
• 10:00 - Expert panel discussion
• 10:40 - Closing remarks
• 11:00 - Event close

Expect a morning that provides a stunning breakfast, a beautiful venue and valuable connections.

Our Keynote Speaker Bill Kirst, AI Ambassador & Change Manager As a change management expert, Bill leads organizations through transformation with empathy, creativity, and care. He has helped dozens of global clients, including Microsoft and Adobe, achieve meaningful, lasting change in the era of AI.

Bill’s work focuses on how leaders can harness AI to drive innovation while staying human-centered, ensuring technology serves people — not the other way around. He’s a 10 year Army Captain veteran, author, published poet, and host of the podcast Coffee & Change, where he explores personal and professional transformation with leaders from around the world.

Our Panel Kit Merker, CEO, Plainsight Kit Merker is CEO of Plainsight, the enterprise vision data company that lets software companies focus on their vision. A proven software development industry leader with more than 20 years of experience building software products at Google, Microsoft, JFrog, and Nobl9. Merker began his career as a software engineer at Microsoft and his past experiences also include executive roles in operations, M&A, strategic partnerships, product management, and more.

Sam Sherman, Head of CX, Nearform Sam Sherman leads CX at Nearform, where she helps global brands design human-centered, AI-enabled customer experiences. With over a decade of experience across strategy, design, and product leadership, she focuses on the intersection of technology, behavior, and creativity, ensuring innovation stays grounded in real human needs. At Nearform, she champions collaboration across engineering, design, and data to deliver scalable, trust-driven digital experiences. Sam also serves on the Advisory Board for Women in Leadership at the University of New Haven and is a member of Chief, a private network for senior women leaders shaping the future of business.

Bala Muthiah, Director of Engineering, Lyft Bala is Director of Engineering at Lyft, leading engineering for Lyft Ads, Healthcare, and Enterprise organizations. With 20 years in engineering and a decade in tech leadership, he's passionate about AI's potential to unlock human capabilities—the same reason he became a leader. He serves on Lyft's AI Policy Leadership Council and advises startups breaking into Silicon Valley, bringing his engineering and product expertise to help shape AI innovation.

Alex Cort, Strategic Partnerships, Temporal Alex Cort helps lead Business Development and Partnerships at Temporal where his responsibilities range from cloud and service partner programs to ISV & AI partnerships. He works closely with global SIs and cloud providers to accelerate adoption of Temporal’s Durable Execution platform, helping enterprises modernize mission-critical systems and scale reliable, production-ready applications across key verticals like financial services, retail, and digital native enterprises.

Nearform is an independent team of data and AI experts, engineers, and designers who build intelligent digital solutions and capability at pace. We create AI-enabled solutions that enhance digital experiences, empower developers, and deliver measurable results. In these ways, we partner with ambitious enterprises to deliver enduring impact. To find out more about Nearform, visit https://nearform.com/