Hi there, I’m Chris!

I'm a seasoned tech leader, keynote speaker, and technology consultant with expertise across the full tech stack, from enterprise architecture and data platforms to advanced AI (including Agentic AI and Responsible AI / Trustworthy AI). I’ve led large-scale, high-value enterprise projects and initiatives across industries (with a strong focus on government), helping organizations harness emerging technology responsibly to solve real-world challenges - I try to remove the fluff and cut to solving the real problem.

My style is bold, straight-talking, and deeply authentic. I'm a natural connector who brings people together to spark collaboration and creativity. A lifelong tinkerer and excessively curious, I thrive on exploring new ideas and building communities around innovation. I encourage teams to think differently, color outside the lines, and always remember to stay human in a tech-driven world.

As an international keynote speaker, I've energized audiences with talks on AI, Ethics in Tech, data strategy, and true concepts around digital transformation, infusing humor and real-talk into every session. Whether I'm advising C-suite leaders on AI strategy or coaching teams on the latest tech, my goal is to inspire innovation, enable people to do awesome things and drive positive change. If you're on the verge of the next big breakthrough and need a dynamic speaker or consultant, let's connect. I'm all about helping to #BuildAwesomeThings and making sure we all #StayExtraHuman along the way.

Hi there, I’m Chris! I'm a seasoned tech leader, keynote speaker, and technology consultant with expertise across the full tech stack, from enterprise architecture and data platforms to advanced AI (including Agentic AI and Responsible AI / Trustw... Show more

Maxim Salnikov is a tech and cloud community enthusiast based in Oslo. With over two decades of experience as a web developer, he shares his extensive knowledge of the web platform, cloud computing, and AI by speaking at and providing training for developer events worldwide. By day, Maxim plays a crucial role in supporting the development of cloud and AI solutions within European companies, serving as the Senior Solution Engineer at Microsoft focusing on the AI-native developer tools & platforms. During evenings, he can be found running events for Norway's largest web and cloud development communities. Maxim is passionate about exploring and experimenting with Generative AI possibilities, including AI-assisted development. To share his insights and connect with like-minded professionals globally, he founded and organized the inaugural Prompt Engineering Conference, the first of its kind on a global scale.

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Invite me to speak at your event using this form: http://bit.ly/maxim-salnikov-speaker-request

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Some recordings of my talks:
https://bit.ly/maxim-salnikov-speaker-youtube
https://bit.ly/maxim-salnikov-speaker-vimeo

Photo:
https://1drv.ms/u/s!Avpv7Yyu9iPQgbQBC3apUEc5RQlXJg?e=7pxwjF

Maxim Salnikov is a tech and cloud community enthusiast based in Oslo. With over two decades of experience as a web developer, he shares his extensive knowledge of the web platform, cloud computing, and AI by speaking at and providing training for de... Show more

My mission is to enhance workplace productivity through technology. As the founder of a successful company since 1996, with 80 employees, my expertise in business processes significantly aids in the adoption of Microsoft365, especially Microsoft Teams and Copilot, among our clients. I have spearheaded adoption workshops for SMBs since Microsoft Teams' launch in 2017, leading to numerous successful projects. Additionally, I support other partners in Microsoft365 implementations and frequently speak at industry events, including Microsoft conferences and virtual summits, to share insights and promote digital transformation. Since 2020 I am a Microsoft MVP and MCT for Microsoft365.

My mission is to enhance workplace productivity through technology. As the founder of a successful company since 1996, with 80 employees, my expertise in business processes significantly aids in the adoption of Microsoft365, especially Microsoft Team... Show more

Daniel Laskewitz is a Principal Cloud Advocate at Microsoft, specializing in the Power Platform. He helps (advanced) makers, IT professionals, developers, and architects accelerate solution delivery through both low-code and pro-code tools.

▶️ Career progression: Former Microsoft MVP (6 years) and Fast-Track Recognized Solution Architect before joining Microsoft.
▶️ Community voice: Regular speaker at leading tech conferences and co-author of Power Platform Weekly.
▶️ Platform breadth: Deep knowledge across Copilot Studio, Power Apps, Power Automate, ALM, and governance.
▶️ Content creator: Publishes practical guidance on Copilot Studio, solution design, and ALM.

Daniel combines platform expertise with real-world application to support scalable, secure, and maintainable solutions.

Daniel Laskewitz is a Principal Cloud Advocate at Microsoft, specializing in the Power Platform. He helps (advanced) makers, IT professionals, developers, and architects accelerate solution delivery through both low-code and pro-code tools. ▶️ Ca... Show more

Microsoft MVP Business Applications and Microsoft MVP in Office 365. I had the honor of being the first Spanish-speaking woman in Latin America in the Business Applications category, and the first and to date the only person in Colombia. As a Microsoft consultant and contractor, she designed architectures and implemented productivity solutions in Power Platform and Microsoft 365 (Design Thinking), advising companies in the process of transforming their business processes until the delivery and execution of change management and adoption exercises; I diagnose its degree of adoption and usability, designing the business process transformation strategy using Microsoft 365, Project Online, Dynamics 365 (CRM) and Power Platform to end customers, business partners and accounts assigned by the manufacturer. +12 years Microsoft 365 | +10 years Dynamics 365 CRM | +9000 Consulting Hours | +500 hours Speaker | 22 Countries | +280 Conferences. Copilot Tech Subject Matter Expert. Lean Change Management Certified

Microsoft MVP Business Applications and Microsoft MVP in Office 365. I had the honor of being the first Spanish-speaking woman in Latin America in the Business Applications category, and the first and to date the only person in Colombia. As a Micros... Show more

Chris DeMars is a Senior Developer Advocate with over 20 years of technical experience. He speaks all over the world on web accessibility, feature flags, A/B testing, and CSS. For his community contributions, he holds awards as a Progress Champion and former Microsoft MVP, Google Developer Expert, Cloudinary Media Developer Expert, and Auth0 Ambassador. When he is not working on making the web great and accessible you can find him fishing, on the paintball field, rating Detroit Style pizza, and looking for UFO's.

Chris DeMars is a Senior Developer Advocate with over 20 years of technical experience. He speaks all over the world on web accessibility, feature flags, A/B testing, and CSS. For his community contributions, he holds awards as a Progress Champion an... Show more

David Alzamendi is the Founder and Principal Data Architect at Level Up Your Data, where he helps organisations modernise their data platforms, implement effective governance frameworks, and unlock the true value of their data.

A DAMA Master and Microsoft Data Platform MVP, David has been delivering data analytics solutions across both on-premises and cloud technologies since 2011. He is also a Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert, Change Practitioner, and international conference speaker.

As an active leader in the data community, David has organized more than 50 data events, including conferences, bootcamps, and workshops, and has spoken at over 100 events worldwide. His work bridges technical depth with strategic vision, helping businesses design and execute modern data strategies, governance programs, and analytics solutions built on best practices and cutting-edge technology.

Driven by a passion for the transformative impact of data on business, society, and the environment, David combines creativity, technical excellence, and community leadership to deliver insights that inspire action and innovation.

My Company: https://levelupyourdata.com/
Blog: https://davidalzamendi.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dalzamendi/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/david_alzamendi

Brisbane DAMA Branch Committee member
Azure Data Services User Group Organiser
Brisbane Data, Power BI and AI Bootcamp Co-organiser

David Alzamendi is the Founder and Principal Data Architect at Level Up Your Data, where he helps organisations modernise their data platforms, implement effective governance frameworks, and unlock the true value of their data. A DAMA Master and M... Show more

I'm CEO of Apvee Solutions, a company specializing in providing innovative software solutions for businesses based on Microsoft 365, Power Platform and Microsoft Azure. In addition to my role at Apvee, I am also a member of the Patterns and Practices (PnP) team, a Microsoft initiative to provide guidance and tools to developers building applications on Microsoft 365 and Power Platform platforms.

With more than 20 years of experience in the IT industry, I have held a variety of positions, including software engineer, solution architect, and project manager. My proven record of accomplishment includes the implementation of complex projects in a variety of industries.

I have been awarded Microsoft's Most Valuable Professional (MVP) for several years for both Business Applications and Microsoft 365 Development categories in recognition of my contributions to the community. As an active member of the technology community, I frequently speak at international conferences, sharing my knowledge and insights with other industry professionals. I also contribute to open-source projects, helping others solve technical challenges and stay up to date on the latest trends and best practices.

My passion is exploring innovative technologies and finding innovative ways to solve business problems. Let's get in touch and find out how I can help your company achieve its goals with cutting-edge software solutions.

I'm CEO of Apvee Solutions, a company specializing in providing innovative software solutions for businesses based on Microsoft 365, Power Platform and Microsoft Azure. In addition to my role at Apvee, I am also a member of the Patterns and Practices... Show more

With a zest culture hacker and a dose of product coach, I wear the mask of product manager on a daily basis. I like to take care of a close-knit team crafting a software that works in a healthy and psychologically secure environment.

Avec un zeste de culture hacker et une dose de coach produit, je porte le masque de product manager au quotidien. J'aime m'occuper d'une équipe soudée qui conçoit un logiciel qui fonctionne dans un environnement sain et psychologiquement sûr.

With a zest culture hacker and a dose of product coach, I wear the mask of product manager on a daily basis. I like to take care of a close-knit team crafting a software that works in a healthy and psychologically secure environment. Avec un zeste... Show more

Augustin is an Analytics Architect, Microsoft Certified Trainer, Speaker, and Power Platform User Group Stuttgart founder and leader.
Working as a CoE lead and a Solution Architect with the main focus on the Power BI platform and Data Governance.
Working with Power BI since the public preview version, and delivered multiple large-scale enterprise analytics projects for Fortune 500 companies. Passionate about data culture and governance.

Augustin is an Analytics Architect, Microsoft Certified Trainer, Speaker, and Power Platform User Group Stuttgart founder and leader. Working as a CoE lead and a Solution Architect with the main focus on the Power BI platform and Data Governance. ... Show more

Sara has over 25 years’ experience, has been a Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) for over 15 years and is also a MCT Community Lead and Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) for Microsoft 365.

Sara has been working with Microsoft 365 since the preview in April 2011 and holds over 50 Microsoft Certifications. Sara’s company still use the same Microsoft 365 Tenant opened back in 2011.

As a trainer Sara’s professional aim is to help make technology more accessible by increasing knowledge and decreasing fear. In her own words “I love helping others advance their own skills and use of technology, whilst challenging myself to advance my own skills and expertise.”

Sara delivers training across Microsoft 365 from beginner to admin level, specialising in productivity, data security, and compliance. She is a recognised expert in Microsoft 365 Copilot, having authored multiple courses and supported organisations with adoption strategies and governance planning.

Sara has over 25 years’ experience, has been a Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) for over 15 years and is also a MCT Community Lead and Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) for Microsoft 365. Sara has been working with Microsoft 365 since th... Show more

Noorez Khamis is a Microsoft recognized MVP in SharePoint and Microsoft 365 Technologies. He has a background as a Senior Information Management Consultant & Enterprise Solutions Architect with comprehensive experience in enterprise scale information solutions, portals and cloud applications. His technical background involves the project management, envisioning, architecting and hands-on development of complex on premise and cloud based IT solutions. He has 15+ years of industry experience in a consulting capacity while having been directly involved in hundreds of projects spanning entire Enterprise applications spectrum including line of business applications, reporting, databases, enterprise integration, workflows, collaboration, document management, records management, business process management as well as web and enterprise content management solutions. His latest experience includes the administration and project lead of large development teams in his roles as IT Director and Senior Consulting Manager at enterprise IT consulting companies. As a Microsoft MVP and a highly accomplished applications architect, Noorez has a strong base in on-premises and cloud based information solutions capable of guiding clients to meet their IT needs. Noorez is also an active blogger, speaker, trainer, community contributor and an evangelist of Microsoft Cloud platforms.

Noorez Khamis is a Microsoft recognized MVP in SharePoint and Microsoft 365 Technologies. He has a background as a Senior Information Management Consultant & Enterprise Solutions Architect with comprehensive experience in enterprise scale information... Show more

I am an Azure Data Platform professional working predominantly with Azure Synapse Analytics (SQL Pools), Data Factory, SQL Server and Power BI. I hold an MSc in Business Intelligence and Data Mining. I am a current Microsoft Data Platform MVP.

I am an Azure Data Platform professional working predominantly with Azure Synapse Analytics (SQL Pools), Data Factory, SQL Server and Power BI. I hold an MSc in Business Intelligence and Data Mining. I am a current Microsoft Data Platform MVP. Show more

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

Richard Campbell wrote his first line of code in 1977. His career has spanned the computing industry, both on the hardware and software sides, development, and operations. He was a co-founder of Strangeloop Networks, acquired by Radware in 2013, and was on the board of directors of Telerik, which was acquired by Progress Software in 2014. Today, he is a consultant and advisor to several successful technology firms and hosts three podcasts: .NET Rocks! (www.dotnetrocks.com) for .NET developers, RunAs Radio (www.runasradio.com) for IT Professionals, and Windows Weekly (https://twit.tv/shows/windows-weekly).

Richard Campbell wrote his first line of code in 1977. His career has spanned the computing industry, both on the hardware and software sides, development, and operations. He was a co-founder of Strangeloop Networks, acquired by Radware in 2013, and ... Show more

I am a Global Microsoft 365 Architect. with over 12+ years of experience in the field of unified communications. I have a deep understanding of the entire unified communications lifecycle, from presales to deployment and user adoption. I am also a Microsoft MVP for Microsoft Teams, which means that I am a recognized expert in the platform.

I have worked with a variety of businesses of all sizes, helping them to implement unified communications solutions that meet their specific needs. I have a proven track record of success in delivering innovative solutions that help businesses to improve their communication and collaboration capabilities.

In addition to my technical skills, I also have strong telecom expertise. I have a deep understanding of the telecom regulations around the world and I can help businesses to comply with these regulations.

I am a highly motivated and results-oriented individual with a passion for helping businesses to communicate and collaborate more effectively. I am confident that I can make a significant contribution to your team and help you to achieve your business goals.

I am a Global Microsoft 365 Architect. with over 12+ years of experience in the field of unified communications. I have a deep understanding of the entire unified communications lifecycle, from presales to deployment and user adoption. I am also a Mi... Show more

Koen Verbeeck is a data professional working at AE. He helps organizations to get insight in their data and to improve their analytics solutions. Koen has over a decade and a half of experience in developing data warehouses, models and reports using the Microsoft data platform. Koen was a Microsoft Data Platform MVP for 8 consecutive years, and 1 year Microsoft Fabric MVP. He has a blog at http://www.sqlkover.com, writes articles for MSSQLTips.com and is a frequent speaker at Microsoft Data Platform events.

Koen Verbeeck is a data professional working at AE. He helps organizations to get insight in their data and to improve their analytics solutions. Koen has over a decade and a half of experience in developing data warehouses, models and reports using ... Show more

Mary is a Technical Solutions Architect and Advocate in the Emerging Technology area. She started as an engineer in Unix/C, then transitioned to Java around 2000 and has never looked back since then. After 20+ years of being a software engineer and technical architect, she discovered her true passion in developer and customer advocacy. Most recently she has serviced companies of various sizes such as IBM, US Cellular, Bank of America, Chicago Mercantile Exchange, in topic areas that included Java, GenAI, Streaming systems, Open source, Cloud and Distributed messaging systems. She is also a very active tech community leader outside of her day job. She is the President of the Chicago Java Users Group (CJUG), and the Chicago Organizer of the AI Collective Chicago Chapter.

Mary is a Technical Solutions Architect and Advocate in the Emerging Technology area. She started as an engineer in Unix/C, then transitioned to Java around 2000 and has never looked back since then. After 20+ years of being a software engineer and... Show more

Rob was a SQL Server DBA with a passion for PowerShell, Azure, Automation, and SQL (PaaS geddit?). Now he just helps people make things. He is a Data Platform MVP and an Azure MVP, a PowerShell Conference Europe organiser, and maintainer of many open-source projects. He has spoken at and volunteered at many Data and PowerShell events all over the world. He is a proud supporter of the Data and PowerShell communities.

He relishes sharing and learning and can be found doing both via Social Medias and his blog. He spends most of his time looking at a screen and loves to solve problems. He knows that looking at a screen so much is bad for him because his wife tells him so. Thus, he is often out riding his bike as his eyes are not good enough to play cricket any more.

He has a fabulous beard

Rob was a SQL Server DBA with a passion for PowerShell, Azure, Automation, and SQL (PaaS geddit?). Now he just helps people make things. He is a Data Platform MVP and an Azure MVP, a PowerShell Conference Europe organiser, and maintainer of many open... Show more

Galen Keene is a highly accomplished architect, technical project manager, trainer, and engineer with 20+ years of experience transforming businesses through modern collaboration and AI. Since 2007, he has specialized in Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, the Power Platform, and generative AI across collaborative applications—including Microsoft Copilot, Copilot Studio, ChatGPT, and others—designing secure, governed solutions that deliver measurable outcomes.

A Microsoft MVP (Microsoft 365/Teams), Galen is an international speaker, president of the San Diego Microsoft 365 Productivity Group, and president of the San Diego chapter of IAMCP. He builds communities that accelerate knowledge-sharing and adoption, connecting practitioners, leaders, and partners.

Galen delivers specialized training and enablement on Copilot and broader GenAI: strategy and readiness (governance, data access, information protection), solution design (prompts, plugins/connectors, agents), and adoption at scale (champions, train-the-trainer, metrics). He helps organizations integrate Copilot and GenAI into daily workflows to boost efficiency, spark innovation, and upskill teams and leaders.

He architects and leads digital, cultural, and process transformations—bringing expertise in business strategy, solution architecture, and technical program management. His global work spans highly regulated environments, including designing information architectures for sensitive defense data under strict international controls.

As an Architect, Trainer, and Business Transformation Leader, Galen unifies people, communications, and data with pragmatic methods aligned to strategic goals—meeting organizations where they are and guiding them to where they need to be in an AI-accelerated world.

Galen Keene is a highly accomplished architect, technical project manager, trainer, and engineer with 20+ years of experience transforming businesses through modern collaboration and AI. Since 2007, he has specialized in Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Mi... Show more

Laila Bougria is a Solutions Architect and Engineer with over 15 years of experience in the Microsoft .NET space. 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. 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 15 years of experience in the Microsoft .NET space. She's a keynote speaker, a Microsoft MVP in Azure and Developer Technologies, and frequently shares her knowledge and insights at confer... Show more

Developer / DBA / Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) focusing on Microsoft's Data Platform, AI, Azure, IoT and Security.
Developing information and multimedia systems, DBA, project and IT management, for over 26 years.
Speaker with over 320+ sessions delivered since 2015 at international conferences and community events (mostly in-person before pandemic times) on multiple technologies, Internet Governance and Human Rights, as well as volunteer and moderator.
Organiser and founder at technical communities: IT Pro Portugal, PowerShell Portugal, Data Community Portugal, and multiple other online communities such as IPv6 Portugal, DNSSEC Portugal, etc.
Organiser of technical events: Global AI Bootcamp Lisboa, Global Power Platform Bootcamp Lisboa, Ctrl-Alt-Shell, Ctrl-Alt-Xmas, Global Diversity CFP Day Lisboa, Power BI Roadshow Lisboa, Programar Saturday, Community Evenings, etc.
Go to https://Andy.PT and you'll know the same as the NSA...

Developer / DBA / Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) focusing on Microsoft's Data Platform, AI, Azure, IoT and Security. Developing information and multimedia systems, DBA, project and IT management, for over 26 years. Speaker with over 320+ session... Show more

I am a Tech Lead and Azure Solution Architect from the Netherlands, with over a decade of experience spanning startups, enterprise organizations, and international teams. I thrive at the intersection of technology, strategy, and leadership, helping companies deliver software to customers using DevOps practices and Cloud-Native architectures.

Being on the line between IT and business is where I feel most at home—creating technical solutions that address real user needs while driving teams toward success. I enjoy coaching and leading teams to embrace new technologies and ways of working, fostering collaboration and continuous improvement.

Outside of my work for clients, I have a passion for sharing knowledge. I am a co-author of Azure Infrastructure as Code (https://www.manning.com/books/azure-infrastructure-as-code), occasionally write blogs, and regularly speak at international conferences.

I am a Tech Lead and Azure Solution Architect from the Netherlands, with over a decade of experience spanning startups, enterprise organizations, and international teams. I thrive at the intersection of technology, strategy, and leadership, helping c... Show more

Alexander is the chief technology officer at Analytics Masterminds where he spends his days helping clients of all shapes and sizes to take better care of - and make more sense of - their data.
He has spent the last 25 years poking around with data, databases and related infrastructure services such as storage, networking and virtualization, occasionally emerging from the technical darkness to attend a Star Wars convention somewhere in the world.
He is a long time Data Platform MVP, frequent international speaker, podcaster, Pluralsight author, blogger and a Microsoft Certified Trainer, focusing on the Microsoft data platform stack.

Alexander is the chief technology officer at Analytics Masterminds where he spends his days helping clients of all shapes and sizes to take better care of - and make more sense of - their data. He has spent the last 25 years poking around with data,... Show more

Yannick (a Microsoft 365 & Business Applications MVP) was born and raised in SharePoint, starting his career in 2011 when SharePoint 2010 was still new and shiny. The changing reality of the cloud made him expand his knowledge to the whole of Microsoft 365, Azure, and Power Platform. He is a Managing Partner and Cloud Solution Architect at Qubix, a Belgium-based consultancy firm, responsible for the technical underpinnings of products and solutions. Problem-solving and development are his passions, and he is still working day-to-day with code. He always asks the important questions: How does it work? What do you want to achieve? Does it have an API? Do we really need development for this? Where's the coffee?

Yannick (a Microsoft 365 & Business Applications MVP) was born and raised in SharePoint, starting his career in 2011 when SharePoint 2010 was still new and shiny. The changing reality of the cloud made him expand his knowledge to the whole of Microso... Show more

Maik van der Gaag is the CTO of 3fifty, an experienced consultancy company with a strong focus on the Microsoft Cloud. He has over 15 years of experience providing architecture, development, training, and design expertise. During this, he has worked in various projects ranging from Cloud Transformations to DevOps implementations.

He loves to share knowledge, is a public speaker, writes blogs, and organizes events. Microsoft has recognized him as a Microsoft Azure MVP.

If you want to learn more about him or his expertise, check out his blog (https://msftplayground.com).

Maik van der Gaag is the CTO of 3fifty, an experienced consultancy company with a strong focus on the Microsoft Cloud. He has over 15 years of experience providing architecture, development, training, and design expertise. During this, he has worked ... Show more

Uwe Ricken has been working with IT systems since the early 1990s, with a deep focus on Microsoft SQL Server starting from his work on Membership Software for the American Chamber of Commerce in Germany - later rolled out across five European countries. His passion for SQL Server took off in 2007 when he joined Deutsche Bank AG as a database administrator, gaining hands-on experience in high-performance, enterprise-scale environments.

With over three decades of experience in database development and operations, Uwe earned the prestigious "Microsoft Certified Master – SQL Server 2008", the highest technical certification at the time. In 2013, he was honored with his first "Microsoft MVP Award" for his contributions to the SQL Server community across Germany and Europe.

Since 2010, Uwe has been sharing his expertise through his blog https://sqlmaster.de, offering deep dives into SQL Server internals, performance tuning, and real-world troubleshooting.

A regular speaker at international conferences and user groups, Uwe’s sessions focus on Database Internals, Indexing Strategies and Advanced SQL Development - always with a practical, performance-driven mindset.

Uwe Ricken has been working with IT systems since the early 1990s, with a deep focus on Microsoft SQL Server starting from his work on Membership Software for the American Chamber of Commerce in Germany - later rolled out across five European countri... Show more

Pragati is a Data Platform MVP (Microsoft Most Valuable Professional).
Fabric Consultant who works towards generating and delivering data insights to various customers. She holds a Master’s degree in Data Science and Analytics from Royal Holloway University of London.
She is skilled in various tools and technologies like Microsoft Fabric, Microsoft Power BI, Tableau, Microsoft Excel, Azure ML Studio, Azure Databricks Pyspark and SQL.
She has been using Power BI for few years now and is recognized as a Superuser on the Microsoft Fabric Community.
Outside work she enjoys photography, loves hiking, she is a trained Indian classical singer and has a passion for painting. She even has her Instagram page dedicated to painting.

Microsoft MVP: https://mvp.microsoft.com/en-us/PublicProfile/5004163?fullName=Pragati%20Jain

Pragati is a Data Platform MVP (Microsoft Most Valuable Professional). Fabric Consultant who works towards generating and delivering data insights to various customers. She holds a Master’s degree in Data Science and Analytics from Royal Holloway Un... Show more

Ed is a Microsoft MVP and an international speaker, writer, online influencer, a Developer Advocate for Progress, and expert on all things web development. Ed enjoys geeking out to cool new tech, brainstorming about future technology, and admiring great design.

Ed has shared his insights, experiences, and advice around collaboration, knowledge management, social computing, and training at many industry events around the United States. Highly ethical and engaging with an uncanny business acumen, he is a creative community builder and outside the box thinker. Long term business relationships throughout the world within internal communications, employee engagement and marketing as well as IT. Focusing on Financial, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Agency and Professional Services. He has defined, architected, implemented line of business solutions with a touch of style and UX best practices.

Ed is a Microsoft MVP and an international speaker, writer, online influencer, a Developer Advocate for Progress, and expert on all things web development. Ed enjoys geeking out to cool new tech, brainstorming about future technology, and admiring gr... Show more