Speaker Spotlight

Nonny de la Peña is internationally recognized as a pioneer in virtual, augmented, and mixed reality storytelling, fundamentally transforming how narratives are experienced in journalism, arts, and culture. As the program director of Arizona State University’s Narrative and Emerging Media program in Los Angeles, she leads a premier graduate
and research initiative focused on innovating new forms of nonfiction and cultural stories powered by emerging technologies.

De la Peña is the founder and CEO of Emblematic Group, a groundbreaking media company specializing in immersive journalism and storytelling through XR (extended reality). Her work employs cutting-edge tools—including her recent WebXR platform,
REACH.Love, which democratizes content creation by allowing users to produce and share AR/VR stories without coding. Her contributions are credited with establishing immersive journalism as a field, capturing global attention at events like Sundance and Tribeca Film Festivals with works such as “Hunger in Los Angeles” and “A Life in Pieces”.

Frequently called the “Godmother of Virtual Reality” by leading technology outlets, de la Peña’s accolades include the Peabody Field Builder Award, the SXSW Innovation Awards Hall of Fame, and designation as a Wall Street Journal Technology Innovator of
the Year. Fast Company identified her as one of the world’s most creative people, and Wired Magazine named her a #MakeTechHuman Agent of Change.
Before her XR leadership, de la Peña served as a correspondent for Newsweek and a contributor to The New York Times, channeling more than two decades of award-winning work in print, film, and television. Her academic background includes a B.A. from Harvard University, an M.A. from USC Annenberg, and a Ph.D. from USC School of Cinematic Arts. Her legacy continues to inspire new generations of creators at the forefront of technology, storytelling, and human empathy.

www.EmblematicGroup.com