​🎙️ What happens when smart people genuinely disagree?

​Two provocative questions. Four practitioners from Salesforce, Johnson & Johnson, Athenahealth, and Zumba. Opposing perspectives. No safe answers.

​This is not a panel where everyone politely agrees. Each pair takes opposing positions, makes their case live, and challenges the assumptions behind how we work. The room weighs in: listen, push back, and vote on who made the stronger argument. Then the duel leaves the stage and moves to the table.

​Nivan Creative Duel is an intimate evening bringing together leaders and practitioners across Tech, AI, UX, and Design to debate the tensions shaping how we work and build.

​⚔️ Duel 01: Generalist vs. Specialist

​As AI takes on more execution, is deep specialization still an advantage?

​Karen Semone | Specialist
Founder & Principal, Team Uncanny
Former VP, Innovation, Salesforce

​Pavi Gupta | Generalist
Founder, The Insight Exchange
Former VP / Insights Lead across Coca-Cola, Johnson & Johnson, SC Johnson & Chobani

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⚡ Duel 02: Build Fast vs. Build Right

​When AI can make anything in an afternoon, does craft still matter?

Denise Miqueli | Build Fast
Director of Product Design, Zumba Fitness

​Eric Boggs | Build Right
Principal Designer, Athenahealth

​Then the duel leaves the stage and moves to the table.

​Join us for dinner, drinks, and meaningful connections with a curated community of people building and shaping what comes next.

​🕐 Agenda

​5:30 PM | Doors Open
Arrive, grab a drink, meet the room, and settle in.

​6:00–6:30 PM | Duel 01 + Q&A
Generalist vs. Specialist

​6:30–7:00 PM | Duel 02 + Q&A
Build Fast vs. Build Right

​7:00–8:30 PM | Dinner + Networking
The debate leaves the stage and moves to the table. Continue the conversations over dinner, drinks, and meaningful connections.

​📍 Our Venue - Avli on the Park | Chicago

​

​Come ready to challenge your assumptions, defend your perspective, and leave thinking differently.


🎟️ Explore Nivan Creative Duel Chicago 2026