Taiob Ali is a Microsoft Data Platform MVP with 20+ years of experience with SQL Server and Azure data services. While SQL Server remains his primary focus, he is currently learning, using, and teaching PostgreSQL, often describing himself as an accidental PostgreSQL DBA.
He is also exploring practical applications of AI in data platforms, including GitHub Copilot, Copilot agent development, and built‑in AI capabilities in SQL Server. Taiob is a frequent international speaker and an active community organizer.

Taiob Ali is a Microsoft Data Platform MVP with 20+ years of experience with SQL Server and Azure data services. While SQL Server remains his primary focus, he is currently learning, using, and teaching PostgreSQL, often describing himself as an acci... Show more

Future Work | AI | Speaker | Blogger | Futurist | Microsoft MVP

Vesa “Vesku” Nopanen is Principal Consultant for AI-Native Future Work at Sulava MEA, the leading Microsoft Copilot and AI enablement partner in the Middle East and Africa. A Microsoft MVP (AI & Microsoft 365) since 2019, Vesku helps organizations become Frontier Firms where people and AI agents collaborate and co-create together.

With 30+ years in enterprise IT, Vesku specializes in transforming workplaces through Microsoft AI and cloud technologies: Copilot, Microsoft Foundry, Copilot Studio, and beyond. He pairs deep technical expertise with a passion for better worklife — enabling co-creation between humans and AI.

Vesku writes at futurework.blog, speaks at global conferences, and organizes community events that accelerate the shift toward an AI-Native future.

🔗 linktr.ee/vesanopanen

Future Work | AI | Speaker | Blogger | Futurist | Microsoft MVP Vesa “Vesku” Nopanen is Principal Consultant for AI-Native Future Work at Sulava MEA, the leading Microsoft Copilot and AI enablement partner in the Middle East and Africa. A Microsof... Show more

Laila Bougria is a Solutions Architect and Engineer with over two decades of industry experience. She's a keynote speaker, a Microsoft MVP in Azure and Developer Technologies, and frequently shares her knowledge and insights at conferences worldwide. Currently, Laila is busy building NServiceBus at Particular Software and solving distributed riddles. She specializes in event-driven systems and is passionate about critical thinking. When she's not immersed in complex problems or code, Laila enjoys indulging in her favorite pastime - knitting! She finds that tangling the yarn into beautiful patterns helps untangle her thoughts.

Laila Bougria is a Solutions Architect and Engineer with over two decades of industry experience. She's a keynote speaker, a Microsoft MVP in Azure and Developer Technologies, and frequently shares her knowledge and insights at conferences worldwide.... Show more

AI enthusiast with extensive software engineering background. Veronika has experience in full-stack development using C#, .NET, Java and Typescript, Azure and AWS clouds and loves using AI to support all her ideas. International public speaker, hackathon volunteer, co-organizer of Boston Azure AI user group, and mentor.
Veronika holds a master's degree in Information Technology. She likes dancing, traveling and practicing aerial fitness in her free time.

AI enthusiast with extensive software engineering background. Veronika has experience in full-stack development using C#, .NET, Java and Typescript, Azure and AWS clouds and loves using AI to support all her ideas. International public speaker, hacka... Show more

Jonah Andersson is a tech entrepreneur, Principal Cloud Engineer Architect and published book author.
She works as a IT Consultant with different tech hats. With a background in Computer Science and System Development, Jonah specializes in .NET technologies and excels in cloud development, particularly within Microsoft Azure. Passionate about solving complex problems and crafting modern applications, Jonah works with cloud platforms like Azure, and her expertise in cloud computing and development has earned her international recognition. She is recognized as a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional and Microsoft Certified Trainer for her contributions to the tech industry.

Her book, 'Learning Microsoft Azure: Cloud Computing and Development Fundamentals' (O'Reilly), further highlights her expertise and the depth of her technical knowledge.

She actively engages in tech communities and international events such as Microsoft Ignite. She values genuine inspiration and connections, and shares insights with fellow developers. Jonah's leadership extends beyond her technical expertise. As the founder and leader of the Azure User Group Sweden, she guides, inspires, and leads others in tech. She is also an MCT Community Lead from Sweden, helping and supporting fellow Microsoft Certified Trainers in the community.

Her advocacy for gender equality and inclusion in tech, recognized by her Developer of the Year awards in 2023 at the Nordic Women in Tech Awards and in 2024 at Developers Day, is a testament to her commitment to making the tech industry a more inclusive space. She actively mentors aspiring women in tech careers and co-hosts the Extend Women In Tech Podcast, to inspire inclusive tech for all.

Jonah Andersson is a tech entrepreneur, Principal Cloud Engineer Architect and published book author. She works as a IT Consultant with different tech hats. With a background in Computer Science and System Development, Jonah specializes in .NET te... Show more

Barry (he/him) is a Software Engineer who has been creating business solutions for enterprise customers for more than 30 years. Barry is also an Microsoft .NET MVP, an Election Integrity Activist, baseball and hockey fan, husband of one genius and father of another, and a 40+ year resident of Phoenix Arizona USA. When Barry is not traveling around the world to speak at Conferences, Code Camps and User Groups or to participate in GiveCamps, he spends his days as a Solution Architect for enterprise customers and his nights thinking about the next Arizona GiveCamp, an annual event where software developers come together to build websites and apps for some great non-profit organizations.

Barry (he/him) is a Software Engineer who has been creating business solutions for enterprise customers for more than 30 years. Barry is also an Microsoft .NET MVP, an Election Integrity Activist, baseball and hockey fan, husband of one genius and fa... Show more

Nikki Chapple is a Principal Cloud Architect at CloudWay and a dual Microsoft MVP in Microsoft 365 and Security, specialising in data security, governance, compliance, and Copilot readiness across Microsoft 365.

With over 35 years of experience across IT and business, Nikki helps organisations design and implement secure, risk-based approaches to Microsoft 365, with data security and governance as the foundation for AI workloads and Copilot-based experiences.

Nikki works hands-on with enterprise clients to deploy data security and compliance controls using Microsoft Purview - including DLP, sensitivity labels, information protection, insider risk, records management, and Data Security Posture Management (DSPM). She leads Copilot readiness assessments that identify and remediate oversharing risk, implement container sensitivity labels and Restricted Content Discoverability (RCD), and establish secure-by-default configurations.

An international speaker, blogger (nikkichapple.com, 3.4M+ impressions), and co-host of the “All Things M365 Compliance” video and podcast show (with Ryan Murphy), Nikki is co-author of “The Microsoft 365 Maturity Model - Governance, Risk, and Compliance Competency.”

Awards and recognition:
🏆 Dual Microsoft MVP - Microsoft 365 and Security (5th year)
🏆 People of Purview - featured by Microsoft’s Purview product team (2025)
🏆 UK Community Award - Security and Compliance Evangelist (2023)

Nikki delivers practical, actionable sessions grounded in real-world enterprise experience. Her talks equip IT architects, security teams, and compliance managers with frameworks and techniques they can implement immediately.

Nikki Chapple is a Principal Cloud Architect at CloudWay and a dual Microsoft MVP in Microsoft 365 and Security, specialising in data security, governance, compliance, and Copilot readiness across Microsoft 365. With over 35 years of experience ac... Show more

Håkan holds a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master’s degree in Leadership and Organizational behavior. He has also taken courses on university level in psychology, interaction design and human-computer interaction. He has 25 years’ experience of software development in various positions such as developer, tester, architect, project manager, scrum master, practice manager and team lead.

Håkan is Chairman of the Norwegian .NET User Group Oslo (NNUG) and is active as an Ambassador for Oslo AI, the local chapter for the global City.AI community. In addition, he is the co-founder of AI42, an online school for learning about AI and Data Science and the Azure User Group Sweden, a meetup focused on Azure.

Håkan is a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) in AI, a Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) and a MCT Community Lead.

Currently Håkan is working as an Senior AI Architect at Sopra Steria.

Håkan holds a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master’s degree in Leadership and Organizational behavior. He has also taken courses on university level in psychology, interaction design and human-computer interaction. He has 2... Show more

Sadukie is a tech polyglot who brings code to life and helps others unlock their potential through teaching and mentorship. As a seasoned software architect with a sharp eye for user experience, she makes it easy for developers to pick up new tools and hit the ground running. When technical roadblocks pop up, she’s the one who clears the path—breaking down complex ideas and helping teams communicate more effectively. A natural connector and strong community advocate, Sadukie loves bringing people together across the tech world. Whether she’s mentoring, speaking, working, or juggling life's adventures, her mission stays the same: to make tech more approachable and spark confidence in every coder’s journey.

Sadukie is a tech polyglot who brings code to life and helps others unlock their potential through teaching and mentorship. As a seasoned software architect with a sharp eye for user experience, she makes it easy for developers to pick up new tools a... Show more

Part technologist, part educator, part community organizer—Karinne Bessette operates at the intersection of enterprise security, hands-on learning, and human connection.
In their role as Technical Storyteller in Veeam's Office of the CTO, they specialize in Microsoft 365 security and backup strategy, develop thought leadership content, and present at conferences worldwide. Their speaking portfolio spans M365 administration, Power Automate, Copilot, AI agents, Adaptive Cards, adoption strategy, and workplace culture—with live demos, because they believe the best way to learn is by doing.
A Microsoft MVP, MCT Alumni, and Object First Ace with 10+ certifications, they also teach courses at Knox Technical Center and participate in Education Advisory Boards. They run the Women in M365 Book club and co-organize the Columbus Microsoft Teams User Group—because building community is as important as building solutions.
(See more: https://linktr.ee/rinbytes).

Part technologist, part educator, part community organizer—Karinne Bessette operates at the intersection of enterprise security, hands-on learning, and human connection. In their role as Technical Storyteller in Veeam's Office of the CTO, they speci... Show more

Annie Talvasto is an award-winning international technology speaker and leader. She has spoken at over 100+ tech events worldwide, including KubeCon + CloudNativeCon and Microsoft Build & Ignite. She has been recognized with the CNCF Ambassador, Azure & AI Platform MVP awards. She has co-organized the Kubernetes & CNCF Finland meetup since 2017. In the past, she has also served as a track chair for KubeCon + CloudNativeCon, Program Chair for Secure AI Summit (powered by Cloud Native) and hosted Cloud Native Live, a weekly livestream by CNCF, for over 3 years.

Annie Talvasto is an award-winning international technology speaker and leader. She has spoken at over 100+ tech events worldwide, including KubeCon + CloudNativeCon and Microsoft Build & Ignite. She has been recognized with the CNCF Ambassador, Azur... Show more

With more than 2 decades of customer experience, a long history in Microsoft products, Michael is a Cloud Architect who enjoys sharing his experience with the community and help the community grow.
During the last years, Michael was working with customers in Microsoft Teams topics, Microsoft 365 implementations overall and since 2022 he's also working with his customers in different Microsoft Viva projects.
Since more than seven years Michael has its own company, working with the focus on Microsoft topics, Change-Management and Project-Management. He's also a Microsoft MVP for Microsoft 365 Apps and Services since 2021.

With more than 2 decades of customer experience, a long history in Microsoft products, Michael is a Cloud Architect who enjoys sharing his experience with the community and help the community grow. During the last years, Michael was working with cus... Show more

Niels Tanis has got a background in .NET development, pentesting and security consultancy. He is Microsoft MVP and has been involved in breaking, defending and building secure applications.
Right now he is a software security engineer at Tidalis and before that he was a security researcher at Veracode where he focussed on static analysis of a variant of languages.
He is married, father of two and lives in a small village just outside Amersfoort, The Netherlands.

Niels Tanis has got a background in .NET development, pentesting and security consultancy. He is Microsoft MVP and has been involved in breaking, defending and building secure applications. Right now he is a software security engineer at Tidalis an... Show more

Hasan is a recognized Microsoft Data Platform MVP and an expert in Azure data products, bringing over 20 years of experience in software development, architecture, and management. As the owner of SavranWeb Consulting and the Senior Business Intelligence Manager at Progressive Insurance, he specializes in designing innovative business solutions leveraging the latest web and database technologies. A passionate global conference speaker, Hasan enjoys sharing his insights through blogging about Azure Data services, C#, and front-end development.

Hasan is a recognized Microsoft Data Platform MVP and an expert in Azure data products, bringing over 20 years of experience in software development, architecture, and management. As the owner of SavranWeb Consulting and the Senior Business Intellige... Show more

David is an Associate Director with Protiviti Canada and a 10-time Microsoft 365 & Security MVP with 25 years of experience working within information technology. For 20 years, David has assisted organizations to collaborate efficiently and effectively within SharePoint and Microsoft 365. David assists companies to understand their compliance needs and how to protect their data. He has helped organizations build data protection programs to safeguard their most sensitive information while ensuring the business can collaborate and work with their content. Over the past 25 years, David has built a great deal of experience in a wide variety of areas in IT, ranging from Desktop\Server support to development in C++ and .NET technologies. He has added value to many clients in several sectors, including utilities, government, banking, and agriculture.

David is a knowledgeable and sought-after international speaker within IT circles and is consulted regularly by companies formulating their digital workplace strategies and compliance platforms.

David blogs at http://daviddrever.com

David is an Associate Director with Protiviti Canada and a 10-time Microsoft 365 & Security MVP with 25 years of experience working within information technology. For 20 years, David has assisted organizations to collaborate efficiently and effective... Show more

Yves Habersaat is a Business Applications Consultant and AI Tech Lead at Sword Group in Switzerland, specializing in building applications and solutions with Microsoft 365, Azure, Dynamics 365, and the Power Platform.

With a strong passion for modern development technologies and application lifecycles, Yves focuses on Microsoft 365 services such as Microsoft Teams, SharePoint Online, OneDrive for Business, Microsoft Viva, and Microsoft Copilot. He possesses expertise in modern development tools including SharePoint Framework (SPFx), Teams SDK, Microsoft Graph, Git, TypeScript, React, Visual Studio, and Azure DevOps.

He actively shares his knowledge and experience through speaking engagements and his blog at www.yhabersaat.ch, always ready to support and assist the community.

Yves Habersaat is a Business Applications Consultant and AI Tech Lead at Sword Group in Switzerland, specializing in building applications and solutions with Microsoft 365, Azure, Dynamics 365, and the Power Platform. With a strong passion for mod... Show more

For more than three decades, Dave has been building database‑driven applications, teaching developers, and energizing technical communities. A Microsoft Certified Trainer since 2001 and an eight‑time Microsoft MVP, he’s known for making complex topics click.

Dave runs three active user groups—MAD SharePoint, MACEME, and the Baltimore Cloud Meetup—where he brings people together across the SharePoint, cybersecurity, and cloud ecosystems.

At DSA, Inc., Dave supports U.S. Army missions at Aberdeen Proving Ground through SharePoint training and custom application development. His certification wall includes MCSD App Builder, MCSE for SharePoint, and MCSA SQL Server.

When he’s not building solutions, he’s teaching the next generation of technologists at UMD’s iSchool, Towson University, and Stevenson University.

He also co‑hosts PatrickPerspective.com, where he and his daughter Sarah share their sometimes‑aligned, sometimes‑hilariously‑different takes on technology.

For more than three decades, Dave has been building database‑driven applications, teaching developers, and energizing technical communities. A Microsoft Certified Trainer since 2001 and an eight‑time Microsoft MVP, he’s known for making complex topic... Show more

Jean Joseph is a seasoned consultant and senior technical trainer specializing in data engineering and artificial intelligence. With a strong background in database design, administration, and cutting-edge data technologies including machine learning and generative AI.

He helps organizations build secure, scalable solutions across both legacy systems and modern cloud platforms. Formerly recognized as a Microsoft MVP and senior technical trainer at Microsoft, Jean brings deep technical insight and a passion for teaching.

He’s also a dynamic speaker, mentor, and the founder of the Cloud Data Driven User Group and the Future Data Driven Summit, where he champions innovation and promotes responsible use of emerging tech within the data community.

Jean Joseph is a seasoned consultant and senior technical trainer specializing in data engineering and artificial intelligence. With a strong background in database design, administration, and cutting-edge data technologies including machine learning... Show more

Johnny Hooyberghs is a managing partner and consultant for Involved NV, part of the Cronos group, since 2014 focusing on software architecture, backend development and a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional for Azure and Developer Technologies since 2020. Prior to joining Involved as a consultant, he has had experience developing software for the health-care sector since 2008. Johnny has been passionate about software development using the .NET stack, cloud native development using the Microsoft Azure cloud stack and quantum computing. Johnny has spent 10 years of his free time teaching software development courses for the adult education institute CVO Antwerpen and has been enjoying public speaking these past 6 years. When Johnny is not working, he likes to spend his time on self-education, quantum computing, some casual video gaming, travelling the world and visiting as many theme parks as possible.

Johnny Hooyberghs is a managing partner and consultant for Involved NV, part of the Cronos group, since 2014 focusing on software architecture, backend development and a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional for Azure and Developer Technologies since ... Show more

I've been working as a .NET developer for over 16 years now in a variety of industries including government, retail and manufacturing. But I've been hacking around with computer code since I was old enough to read my Dad's copy of the ZX Spectrum BASIC coders manual.

I've been speaking about Functional C# at various user groups and conferences around the UK, USA, Europe and Australia and am particularly interested in seeing just how far we can push C# without breaking it.

In 2023 I released my first technical book: "Functional Programming with C#", published by O'Reilly Media.

When I'm not coding, or running after my two small children, I have been known to enjoy the classic series of Doctor Who, Fighting Fantasy Gamebooks, Cryptic Crosswords, and rather more coffee than is probably good for me.

I've been working as a .NET developer for over 16 years now in a variety of industries including government, retail and manufacturing. But I've been hacking around with computer code since I was old enough to read my Dad's copy of the ZX Spectrum BAS... Show more

Javier Villegas is IT Director (DBA & BI Services) at Mediterranean Shipping Company with 30 years of experience working with SQL Server, Including Azure SQL.
His specialization is Administration, Performance Tuning, High Availability and Disaster Recovery.
Javier is a Microsoft MVP Data Platform since 2016 and MCT
He is a frequent speaker in technical conferences and events such as SQL Saturdays, PASS Virtual Groups, PASS Marathons, 24 Hours SQL PASS , vOpen , GroupBy , Data Saturdays and Azure Global Bootcamps.
He is one of the group leaders of SQL Argentina Community and former Microsoft Azure Data Advisory Board Member

Javier Villegas is IT Director (DBA & BI Services) at Mediterranean Shipping Company with 30 years of experience working with SQL Server, Including Azure SQL. His specialization is Administration, Performance Tuning, High Availability and Disaster ... Show more

Baruch Sadogursky (@jbaruch) did Java before it had generics, DevOps before there was Docker, and DevRel before it had a name. He built DevRel at JFrog from a ten-person company through IPO, co-authored "Liquid Software" and "DevOps Tools for Java Developers," and is a Java Champion, Microsoft MVP, and CNCF Ambassador alumni.

Today, he's obsessed with how AI agents actually write code. At Tessl, an AI agent enablement platform, Baruch focuses on context engineering, management, and sharing. On top of sharing context with AI agents, Baruch also shares knowledge with developers through blog posts, meetups, and conferences like DevNexus, QCon, Kubecon, and Devoxx, mostly about why vibecoding doesn't scale.

Baruch Sadogursky (@jbaruch) did Java before it had generics, DevOps before there was Docker, and DevRel before it had a name. He built DevRel at JFrog from a ten-person company through IPO, co-authored "Liquid Software" and "DevOps Tools for Java De... Show more

Inspired by those in the community that have gone before me, I try to share what I learn by looking at what the services from Microsoft can offer, understanding challenges people have and bringing those two things together. Having learned from 13 years in Financial Services, I moved into the world of consulting, currently acting as Director, owning Copilot and Agents within the UK at Avanade.

I am lucky enough to have been awarded as a Microsoft MVP in Microsoft 365 for Copilot and Copilot Extensibility and co-host the award winning Copilot Connection podcast as well as blogging and sharing videos.

Inspired by those in the community that have gone before me, I try to share what I learn by looking at what the services from Microsoft can offer, understanding challenges people have and bringing those two things together. Having learned from 13 yea... Show more

Adele is a Software Engineer and Consultant at Trifork Amsterdam where she is working on systems for the educational sector. Most of her work day is spent in the JVM/Spring and React ecosystems, although increasingly she plays a pivotal role as trusted advisor to Trifork’s customers.

Adele is an experienced international speaker, having spoken at multiple editions of NDC, goto, Devoxx and JavaZone. As a speaker, she uses her exposure to real-world customer projects, experiences outside of tech and passion for story-telling to distill complex ideas into their essential parts. All with an air of good humour.

When she’s not at her computer or on stage, you can find her in the gym pumping some serious iron as she pursues the sport of powerlifting.

Adele is a Software Engineer and Consultant at Trifork Amsterdam where she is working on systems for the educational sector. Most of her work day is spent in the JVM/Spring and React ecosystems, although increasingly she plays a pivotal role as trust... Show more

David is the Director of Architecture for NewDay, and the founder of Electric Head Software. Focusing on iterative software delivery, developer mentoring and cultural change - mostly working with London-based organisations.

He speaks about software design, culture, and ethics in technology - rounded out by an assortment of talks about software that probably doesn't need to exist but makes the world a little more fun. David has previously served as the chief coding technical architect for JustGiving and helped market-leading organisations including JUST-EAT, Trainline and Vodafone improve their technical capabilities.

David is a Microsoft MVP, has been part of the OpenUK Honours list for open-source advocacy, and is a twice bestselling author of children's books about programming.

You can find his open-source projects on NuGet, npm and GitHub, follow him on Twitter @david_whitney, or check out his technical blog at http://www.davidwhitney.co.uk/Blog.

http://www.electricheadsoftware.com
http://www.davidwhitney.co.uk

David is the Director of Architecture for NewDay, and the founder of Electric Head Software. Focusing on iterative software delivery, developer mentoring and cultural change - mostly working with London-based organisations. He speaks about softwar... Show more

Matt is a Microsoft Data Platform MVP and has worked with Microsoft data technology since 2000 and Azure AI since 2017. He is the leader of the Lexington, KY Data Technology Group and a frequent domestic and international community speaker. He's a Redgate Community Ambassador and an author of two books. His original data professional role was in database development, which quickly evolved into query tuning work as a DBA in the healthcare realm. He has supported several critical systems utilizing SQL Server, Azure SQL, and Microsoft Fabric and managed dozens of 24/7/365 data estates. As a consultant, he works with customers large, medium, and small to migrate to the cloud, make their data estate operate efficiently, and find the right tools and solutions within the Microsoft data & AI ecosystem.

Matt is a Microsoft Data Platform MVP and has worked with Microsoft data technology since 2000 and Azure AI since 2017. He is the leader of the Lexington, KY Data Technology Group and a frequent domestic and international community speaker. He's a Re... Show more

Geert van der Cruijsen is the CEO of Zure Netherlands, helping companies improve how they build software by combining strong engineering culture with modern technology. He focuses on DevOps, cloud-native development, architecture and AI, enabling teams to work more autonomously and deliver faster through smart platforms and better ways of working. Geert is a long-time Microsoft MVP and an active member of the tech community, frequently sharing knowledge through talks, content and mentorship.

Geert van der Cruijsen is the CEO of Zure Netherlands, helping companies improve how they build software by combining strong engineering culture with modern technology. He focuses on DevOps, cloud-native development, architecture and AI, enabling tea... Show more

Thomas Naunheim is a Cyber Security Architect at glueckkanja AG and a Microsoft MVP from Koblenz, Germany, specializing in cloud-native identity and security solutions in Microsoft Azure and Microsoft Entra. With a deep focus on privileged identity management, identity security, and Zero Trust architecture, he designs and implements security solutions for real-world enterprise environments.

Thomas actively gives back to the community as a blogger at cloud-architekt.net, where he publishes in-depth research and practical insights on Microsoft Security. He is a speaker at international conferences and meetups, co-author of the open-source Entra ID Attack & Defense Playbook, and the creator of EntraOps - a community tool for privilege classification based on the Enterprise Access Model.

Beyond content creation, Thomas co-hosts the podcast Cloud Inspires and is actively involved in community organization as a member of the Azure Meetup Bonn and Cloud Identity Summit organizing teams. His long-standing contributions across blogging, speaking, and open-source development earned him the Microsoft MVP award in the Identity & Access and Cloud Security category.

Thomas Naunheim is a Cyber Security Architect at glueckkanja AG and a Microsoft MVP from Koblenz, Germany, specializing in cloud-native identity and security solutions in Microsoft Azure and Microsoft Entra. With a deep focus on privileged identity m... Show more

Dr. Joe Perez is a game-changing professional who has made an impressive impact on the world of IT, health & human services, and higher education. With advanced degrees in education, Joe started his career as an educator and continued to further his education by earning a doctorate in education with a double minor in computers and theology. His career focus changed to IT in the early 1990’s when he started working as a Computer Consultant at NC State University. Three promotions later, Dr. Perez ended his successful 25-year career at NC State as Business Intelligence Specialist when he took another promotion to become Senior Business Analyst at the NC Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) in the fall of 2017.

Notably, Dr. Perez has been featured on multiple billboards in the iconic Times Square, a testament to his remarkable achievements and influence worldwide. This recognition, along with his Top 10 Global Thought Leader Rankings in IT Strategy & Big Data on Thinkers360 for four consecutive years (2023 through 2026) and Gartner Peer Community Ambassador of the Year (2023-2024), reflect his dedication and impact in the industry.

Having achieved significant success throughout his career, Dr. Perez's accomplishments include being promoted to Senior Systems Specialist and Team Leader, a position he has excelled in while showcasing his expertise and leadership skills. In addition to his full-time analytics/BI leadership role at DHHS, Joe was named fractional Chief Technology Officer at a North Carolina firm in October 2020 and Strategy Director at InnovoraMind in March 2026. A prolific, Amazon bestselling author with multiple #1 new releases, more than 22,000 followers on LinkedIn, and several professional certifications, he has consistently proven to be a much sought-after resource, highly-recommended international keynote speaker, data analytics & visualization expert, and specialist in efficiency and process improvement.

Perez, a recipient of the IOT Industry Insights 2021 Thought Leader of the Year award, speaks at numerous conferences each year, and continues to be in high demand to this day, expanding his reach into dozens of countries around the globe, impacting thousands. Thanks to these outstanding accomplishments and influential presence as a leading expert in the industry, Dr. Perez has been welcomed into several prestigious Thought Leader communities. He was recently inducted into both the IIBA Bluegrass Hall of Fame and the United Nations Global Network of Data Officers and Statisticians and was selected to be a Distinguished Fellow in the Public Sector Network's Future Government Institute.

Dr. Perez's passion for teaching has never waned, whether as a speaker, workshop facilitator, podcast guest, conference emcee, or team leader; inspiring countless individuals to strive for excellence. He cherishes spending time with his wife and children, who he considers to be the "best things that ever happened to me." Besides being a gifted musician, singer, pianist, and composer, Joe serves in his church's Hispanic ministry. He even manages to publish a monthly military newsletter, The Patriot News, which has gained widespread recognition. His unwavering commitment to his community is an inspiration to all. To stay in shape, Perez hits the gym, and he loves watching Star Trek reruns to relax. "I'm a firm believer that if I'm not innovating, then I'm stagnating," says Joe. His devotion to innovation, his boundless energy, and his constant drive for excellence are the hallmarks of a truly exceptional individual, thus making Dr. Joe a perfect fit to inspire and engage your audience, leaving a lasting impact on your event.

Dr. Joe Perez is a game-changing professional who has made an impressive impact on the world of IT, health & human services, and higher education. With advanced degrees in education, Joe started his career as an educator and continued to further his ... Show more

I am a Chief Level Microsoft 365 Architect and recognized Microsoft MVP for Teams and Microsoft 365 Copilot, bringing 12+ years of leadership in architecting, securing, and deploying complex Microsoft 365 solutions for Federal, State, and Local Government agencies and large Enterprise Customers. My core mandate is solving technically intricate Microsoft requirements involving compliance and cross-platform integration.

My expertise spans the entire solution lifecycle, from rigorous presales TCO analysis and high-assurance security design to global deployment and measurable user adoption. I specialize in environments requiring stringent security and compliance postures (e.g., GCC, GCC High, DoD requirements).

Core Technical & Domain Leadership:
• Advanced UC Architecture: Expertise in solving complex PSTN requirements globally, utilizing Operator Connect, Direct Routing (SBC/SIP trunk configuration, media bypass), and migration strategies from legacy voice platforms. I specialize in integrating Zoom and Cisco Experience (CUCM, Webex) environments with Teams via CVI and interop gateways.
• AI and Custom Development: Leading the technical implementation of Generative AI productivity tools. This includes leveraging Copilot Studio for low-code/no-code custom bot creation, sophisticated data connection configuration, and architecting the secure deployment of Copilot Chat across restricted tenants.
• Compliance & Telecom Expertise: Deep-dive technical knowledge of global telecom regulations, including E.164 normalization, emergency calling (E911/NextGen 911), and Lawful Intercept requirements. This expertise ensures technical compliance and de-risks deployment across diverse regulatory jurisdictions for both government and enterprise clients.
• M365 Security & Governance: Architecting security and compliance baselines using Purview, Entra ID (conditional access, MFA), and Defender to meet specific governmental and highly regulated industry standards while maintaining user productivity.

I serve as a high-impact technical leader, driving innovation, securing mission-critical communications, and translating complex architectural diagrams into successful, compliant business outcomes for the world's most demanding organizations.

I am a Chief Level Microsoft 365 Architect and recognized Microsoft MVP for Teams and Microsoft 365 Copilot, bringing 12+ years of leadership in architecting, securing, and deploying complex Microsoft 365 solutions for Federal, State, and Local Gover... Show more