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

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

When I was young I wanted to be an architect. As it turns out, I'm a different type of architect. I am a Microsoft 365 Solutions Architect.

When I was young I wanted to be an architect. As it turns out, I'm a different type of architect. I am a Microsoft 365 Solutions Architect. Show more

Jonathan, or J. as he's known to friends, is a husband, father, and founding partner of Trailhead Technology Partners, a custom software consulting company with employees across the U.S., Europe, and South America. He sits on the board of the .NET Foundation, is a 12-time recipient of the Microsoft MVP award for his work with .NET, as well as being a frequent speaker at software conferences around the world. He doesn’t mind the travel, though, as it allows him to share what he's been learning and also gives him the chance to visit beautiful places like national parks—one of his passions. So far, he's visited 58 of the 63 U.S. national parks.

J. is also passionate about building the software community. Over the years, he has served on several non-profit boards, including more than a decade as president of the board for Beer City Code, Western Michigan's largest professional software conference. Outside of work, J. enjoys hiking, reading, photography, and watching all the Best Picture nominees before the Oscars ceremony each year.

Jonathan, or J. as he's known to friends, is a husband, father, and founding partner of Trailhead Technology Partners, a custom software consulting company with employees across the U.S., Europe, and South America. He sits on the board of the .NET Fo... 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

Prashant G Bhoyar is a Microsoft AI & Business Applications MVP and Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT). Currently, he works as an AI architect in the Office of the Chief Technology Officer at Applied Information Sciences (www.ais.com). Prashant is a leading AI Architect and trusted advisor specializing in Microsoft Foundry ( Azure AI Foundry ), Azure OpenAI, Conversational AI, Applied AI, AI Agents, Intelligent Business Process Automation, Azure AI, Microsoft Power Platform, Copilot Studio, and Microsoft 365. He co-authored "PowerShell for Office 365" and was the technical reviewer for "Pro SharePoint 2013 Administration." Prashant is on the leadership committee for AI Fest, AI & ML User Group, Northern Virginia Data Platform User Group, and DC Metro Microsoft 365 User Group. As a renowned international speaker, he frequently presents at technical conferences. Additionally, Prashant was awarded the "Antarctic Service Medal of the United States of America" for his outstanding service in Antarctica.

Microsoft MVP Profile Link : https://mvp.microsoft.com/en-us/PublicProfile/5002595?fullName=Prashant%20G%20Bhoyar

Prashant G Bhoyar is a Microsoft AI & Business Applications MVP and Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT). Currently, he works as an AI architect in the Office of the Chief Technology Officer at Applied Information Sciences (www.ais.com). Prashant is a l... Show more

Since February 2022, I have been an Microsoft MVP, M365 & TEAMS.
Voice has been focus the last 20 years within Contact Centers and for the last 13 years I have been working with Enterprise Voice solutions .
In February 2024 I started to work for Capgemini Norway as Managing Consultant.
Since 2017 I have been working with Microsoft Teams and Voice solutions where using Direct Routing produced from Azure.
I also do integrations from Teams Voice to Dynamics365, both Dyn365 Sales and the Microsoft Digital Contact Center Platform.
Since I started working for Capgemini, my area of focus has been changed to M365 Copilot and Copilot Studio. I mainly works in Copilot Studio Full and create different type of agent for clients.
I also have the Norwegian podcast #TeamsCastAway and also run two blogs.

Since February 2022, I have been an Microsoft MVP, M365 & TEAMS. Voice has been focus the last 20 years within Contact Centers and for the last 13 years I have been working with Enterprise Voice solutions . In February 2024 I started to work for ... 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

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

Jeremy is an international speaker and is a Technical Solution Architect, AI Native, at WWT, previously leading Developer Advocacy at OneStream Software, CircleCI, Solace, and Auth0. He has spent over 30 years in Tech, covering just about every functional area, including support, system and database administration, application and web development, project management, program management, and systems analysis. Jeremy is active in the DevRel and DevOps communities, a co-creator of DevOpsPartyGames.com, and an organizer for DevOpsDays Kansas City and CommunityDays KC. A lover of all things coffee, community, open source, and tech, he’s also house-broken, and (generally) plays well with others.

Jeremy is an international speaker and is a Technical Solution Architect, AI Native, at WWT, previously leading Developer Advocacy at OneStream Software, CircleCI, Solace, and Auth0. He has spent over 30 years in Tech, covering just about every funct... 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 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

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

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

Ryan Mangan is an accomplished technologist specialising in End-User Computing (EUC), AI, cloud solutions, and subscription cost management. He excels in navigating complex infrastructure challenges and driving innovative technological advancements.

Expertise & Current Focus
- End-User Computing (EUC) and Cloud Technology
- Developing and building startups
- AI and its impact
- Cloud cost optimization strategies
- Technological advancements in IT infrastructure

Career Highlights
- CEO of EfficientEther Ltd, a startup building AI-driven IT solutions and cloud cost optimization tools
- Built and led the successful managed services company Systech IT Solutions for over a decade
- Author of "Mastering Azure Virtual Desktop," with the 1st Edition being a bestseller with over 63,000+ copies sold, and the 2nd Edition & other published

Awards / Accreditations
- Microsoft Most Valuable Professional
- Chartered Fellow of the British Computer Society (FBCS CITP)
- Parallels VIPP
- Editorial Advisory Board member for TechTarget
- Recognized by Feedspot in their Top 50 IT Blogs and Top 50 Azure Blogs in 2020

Notable Published Articles
- "Legacy Applications Causing the IT Industry Headaches" in the British Computer Society's IT Now Magazine, Winter Edition 2022
- "Green Coding: The Role of Energy Efficiency in Development," Computer Weekly (2024)
- "Advancing LLM Precision & Reliability," Computer Weekly (2024)

Speaking and Thought Leadership
- Public speaker and presenter on cloud technology, EUC, and AI
- Author of influential articles and books on Azure Virtual Desktop and IT solutions
- Engaging presenter known for making complex tech concepts relatable
- Blogger at democratising-clouds.com

Ryan's unique combination of deep technical knowledge, forward-thinking strategies, and compelling presentation skills positions him as a leading voice at conferences focused on cloud technology, EUC, and AI.

For speaking engagements or to explore partnership opportunities, reach out to Ryan on LinkedIn or visit his website.

Ryan Mangan is an accomplished technologist specialising in End-User Computing (EUC), AI, cloud solutions, and subscription cost management. He excels in navigating complex infrastructure challenges and driving innovative technological advancements. ... Show more

Doing AI stuff since before it was cool!
• 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 27 years.
• Speaker with over 350+ 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...

Note: The sessions listed below have been presented in at least one or more events. The list of events below only includes Sessionize-driven events.

Doing AI stuff since before it was cool! • 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 ... Show more

I'm a GitHub Technical Lead, and I'm passionate about front-end technologies and everything related to the cloud, especially Microsoft Azure.
I live in Zurich and actively participate in local and international community activities and events.

I share my love for technology through my blog https://www.emanuelebartolesi.com.
I also became a Twitch Affiliate as a live coder, and you can follow me at https://twitch.tv/kasuken to write some code together.

Microsoft MVP (12x)
GitHub Star ⭐ (4x)
GitHub Star of the Year 2023

I'm a GitHub Technical Lead, and I'm passionate about front-end technologies and everything related to the cloud, especially Microsoft Azure. I live in Zurich and actively participate in local and international community activities and events. I ... Show more

Manpreet leads the Modern Workplace AI Solutions Team at Cognizant, where he designs and scales transformative Microsoft-based solutions for global enterprises. Partnering with leadership across diverse verticals—from Media and Entertainment to Financial Services and Healthcare—Manpreet orchestrates Agentic AI strategies that move beyond simple automation to create truly autonomous, intelligent ecosystems. His mission is to redefine the "Agentic Experience," ensuring that AI doesn't just respond to prompts but proactively solves business friction for global customers. As a Microsoft MVP in M365 and AI, he bridges the gap between complex architectural innovation and real-world business impact.

Beyond his leadership at Cognizant, Manpreet is a titan in the technical community. A revered MVP, his insights have reached a staggering 10 million+ readers through his extensive library of articles and blogs. He is the driving force behind numerous annual boot camps, hackathons, and fundraisers, all aimed at nurturing the next generation of tech talent. Whether he is architecting a unified AI Command Center for a Fortune 500 firm or mentoring the next generation of developers, Manpreet is driven by a relentless "human-first" philosophy. Amidst the rapid evolution of the AI landscape, he remains easily recognizable by his warm smile—a reflection of his genuine passion for empowering organizations to achieve more through the power of Agentic AI.

Manpreet leads the Modern Workplace AI Solutions Team at Cognizant, where he designs and scales transformative Microsoft-based solutions for global enterprises. Partnering with leadership across diverse verticals—from Media and Entertainment to Finan... Show more

Patty is a Venezuelan living in Scotland. She has +25 years of experience in the tech industry and a background education in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence. She is a Technical Director and Head of AI (Architecture and Engineering Group) at Charles River Laboratories.

Patty is a member of the Google Developer Advisory Board, an organiser at Google Developers Group Glasgow, serves as an Ambassador for Google's Women Techmakers, and is recognised as a Google Developer Expert (GDE) in Artificial Intelligence.

Patty is a Venezuelan living in Scotland. She has +25 years of experience in the tech industry and a background education in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence. She is a Technical Director and Head of AI (Architecture and Engineering Group)... 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

Peter is a Cloud & Security Architect based in Denmark with extensive experience in the IT industry, specializing in Messaging, Collaboration, and Cloud security. Since 1996, he has been a consultant, focusing on technologies such as Microsoft 365, Exchange Server, Microsoft Teams, OneDrive for Business, Office 365, Purview Information Protection, and Microsoft Defender Security products.

Peter holds the prestigious Microsoft Certified Solutions Master (MCSM) certification in Exchange and has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP in Microsoft 365. He is a seasoned speaker, having presented at numerous high-profile events, including the European SharePoint Conference, European Collab Summit, Nordic Infrastructure Conference, Workplace Ninja Summit, Microsoft Campus Days, and various local User Group events.

In addition to his professional work, Peter leads the Danish WorkPlace Ninja User Group, which focuses on advancing knowledge in Microsoft Modern Workplace, Productivity, and Security.

Peter is a Cloud & Security Architect based in Denmark with extensive experience in the IT industry, specializing in Messaging, Collaboration, and Cloud security. Since 1996, he has been a consultant, focusing on technologies such as Microsoft 365, E... Show more

Johan Ludvig Brattås leads Data & AI Solutions at Tower NewCo, and a dedicated community guy. He has worked with MS SQL server since late 1999, mostly with BI in one form or another. Since 2015, most of his work has been in the cloud working on data platform services such as Snowflake, Databricks and Fabric.

Combining his passion for MS SQL Server with his passion for sharing knowledge, he started speaking at various events in the SQL Community. This is also a way to give back to the community for all the things he has learned over the years. When not working, Johan Ludvig either spends his time with his kids, playing with new technology or teaching coeliacs how to bake glutenfree food.

Johan Ludvig Brattås leads Data & AI Solutions at Tower NewCo, and a dedicated community guy. He has worked with MS SQL server since late 1999, mostly with BI in one form or another. Since 2015, most of his work has been in the cloud working on data ... Show more

Jeff Blankenburg spent the early part of his career in digital advertising, building websites for Victoria’s Secret, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Ford Motor Company, among others. He also spent 8 years at Microsoft, primarily as an evangelist for any new technology he could get his hands on. For the next 7 years, he worked on the Amazon Alexa team helping developers make Alexa even smarter. Today, he's focused on artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and improving the developer experience at Dynatrace. Jeff has also spoken at conferences all over the world, including London, Munich, Sydney, Tokyo, and New York, covering topics ranging from software development technologies to soft skill techniques. He also serves as an organizer for the Stir Trek conference.

Jeff Blankenburg spent the early part of his career in digital advertising, building websites for Victoria’s Secret, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Ford Motor Company, among others. He also spent 8 years at Microsoft, primarily as an evangelist for any ne... Show more

Roberth is a self-proclaimed "cloud automator" and "platform creator". He primarily works on building cloud native platforms, while being an advocate for Platform Engineering and DevOps. He has been awarded the title Microsoft Azure MVP and CNCF Ambassador, and previously HashiCorp Ambassador. As an active speaker for several years, he has been on stage everywhere from small local meetups to KubeCon.

Furthermore, he initiated Cloud Native Norway, which hosts events and supports the cloud native community in Norway. Additionally, he is active in the Cloud Native Computing Foundation as maintainer of the OpenGitOps project, previously a co-chair of TAG App Delivery, and founded and lead the Platforms Working Group for several years.

Roberth is a self-proclaimed "cloud automator" and "platform creator". He primarily works on building cloud native platforms, while being an advocate for Platform Engineering and DevOps. He has been awarded the title Microsoft Azure MVP and CNCF Amba... Show more

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, Azure AI, Teams, Loop, Copilot Studio, and beyond. He pairs deep technical expertise with a passion for better worklife — enabling co-creation between humans and AI.
He writes https://futurework.blog, speaks at global conferences, and organizes community events that accelerate the shift toward an AI-Native future.

🔗 linktr.ee/vesanopanen

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 be... 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

Climbing the technology mountain and halfway up the side. Experience in .Net, Auth, and API development. Dabbles in iOT & databases. Focusing on coding for humans and choosing the right tool for the job.

Heather is a passionate coder and entrepreneur. She has experience working with Fortune 500 companies building enterprise level mobile and .Net applications. She spends her spare time at tech conferences supporting the growth of new developers of all genders, ages and backgrounds. When not coding, Heather spends her time as a competitive equestrian and learning the art of mounted archery.

Climbing the technology mountain and halfway up the side. Experience in .Net, Auth, and API development. Dabbles in iOT & databases. Focusing on coding for humans and choosing the right tool for the job. Heather is a passionate coder and entrepren... Show more

Marco Minerva has been using .NET since its first introduction. Today he proudly lives in Taggia, Italy, works as a freelance consultant and is involved in designing and developing solutions for the Microsoft ecosystem. His greatest expertise is backend development as a software architect. He holds training courses. He is a speaker at technical events, writes books and articles about developing and regularly makes live streaming about coding on Twitch. He is a Microsoft MVP since 2013.

Marco Minerva has been using .NET since its first introduction. Today he proudly lives in Taggia, Italy, works as a freelance consultant and is involved in designing and developing solutions for the Microsoft ecosystem. His greatest expertise is back... 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

Michael is a member of the GraphQL Technical Steering Committee, a Microsoft MVP, and Co-Founder and CEO of ChilliCream. He is the creator of Hot Chocolate, a widely used GraphQL server and client platform for .NET, and one of the authors of the Composite Schema specification. Michael works closely with companies to design scalable GraphQL architectures and is actively shaping the future of GraphQL through open source and standards work.

Michael is a member of the GraphQL Technical Steering Committee, a Microsoft MVP, and Co-Founder and CEO of ChilliCream. He is the creator of Hot Chocolate, a widely used GraphQL server and client platform for .NET, and one of the authors of the Comp... Show more