With over 20 years of software development experience, Marit is passionate about building great software with great people, and making developers’ lives easier.
She regularly presents at international conferences and shares her expertise through webinars, podcasts, blog posts, videos, and tutorials. She's also contributed to the book “97 Things Every Java Programmer Should Know” (O’Reilly Media).

With over 20 years of software development experience, Marit is passionate about building great software with great people, and making developers’ lives easier. She regularly presents at international conferences and shares her expertise through web... Show more

Vjekoslav Babić (Vjeko) is a Business Central architect, developer, trainer, author and blogger with over three decades of IT experience, two of which have been spent in the Business Central ecosystem.

His passion lies in web and mobile technologies, but deep down he's an incurable hacker who loves writing code and breaking things apart to see how they work.

As a frequent conference speaker and blogger, Vjeko pushes the boundaries of what's possible, connecting Business Central with anything that can be plugged into it through obscure loopholes or undocumented interfaces, especially when they're not meant to be used that way. In his view, nothing is really meant for any particular purpose, and figuring out how to make things useful beyond their intended design is the meaning of life.

Since 2010, Vjeko has been awarded the Microsoft Dynamics NAV MVP. You can find him at his blog "Vjeko.com - ideas in the cloud".

Vjekoslav Babić (Vjeko) is a Business Central architect, developer, trainer, author and blogger with over three decades of IT experience, two of which have been spent in the Business Central ecosystem. His passion lies in web and mobile technologi... 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

Glenn is a software engineer and tech speaker who loves building modern web applications with React, TypeScript, and AI. He's passionate about design systems, exploring how AI can enhance interactive experiences, and teaching developers to build better products. Outside of tech, he's either traveling the world, diving underwater, cycling, or making music on his guitar.

Glenn is a software engineer and tech speaker who loves building modern web applications with React, TypeScript, and AI. He's passionate about design systems, exploring how AI can enhance interactive experiences, and teaching developers to build bett... Show more

Jeff Taylor is a Principal Data Consultant, Microsoft Data Platform MVP, Redgate Community Ambassador, and Octopus Insider with over 28 years of experience specializing in performance tuning and critical data issues. He currently organizes the Jax Data and SQL Saturday Jacksonville and is the Jacksonville Development Users Group co-organizer.

Jeff Taylor is a Principal Data Consultant, Microsoft Data Platform MVP, Redgate Community Ambassador, and Octopus Insider with over 28 years of experience specializing in performance tuning and critical data issues. He currently organizes the Jax Da... Show more

Aman is a serial AI entrepreneur with 3 successful exits and over a dozen digital/AI products. His journey began as an ML researcher at TU Wien, where he pioneered CNN for large-scale recommendation systems. A pillar of the South Florida tech scene, Aman leads the AI Collective Miami Chapter. Aman has delivered 100+ tech talks with his signature Miro Diagram style storytelling, which has inspired thousands of founders, executives, and developers worldwide, establishing him as a two-time Most Active Speaker and respected AI innovator.

Aman is a serial AI entrepreneur with 3 successful exits and over a dozen digital/AI products. His journey began as an ML researcher at TU Wien, where he pioneered CNN for large-scale recommendation systems. A pillar of the South Florida tech scene, ... Show more

Damian Synadinos has many labels. He spent 25 years as a software executive across diverse industries, gaining deep experience in technology, quality, and leadership. Along the way, he’s also been a schoolteacher, a children’s book author, a comedic improviser, and a portrait artist - experiences that sharpened his ability to communicate, connect, and think creatively. In 2016, he founded Ineffable Solutions to become a full-time speaker focused on people and fundamental topics such as communication, empathy, risk, identity, and trust – areas that are timeless and universal. His keynotes, talks, and workshops feature original content that blends conceptual depth, practical insight, and interactive humor, engaging the audiences’ hearts, minds, and funny bones. The result is a thought-provoking, relatable message that creates a lasting impact in any context.

Damian Synadinos has many labels. He spent 25 years as a software executive across diverse industries, gaining deep experience in technology, quality, and leadership. Along the way, he’s also been a schoolteacher, a children’s book author, a comedic ... Show more

Matheus is a Staff Front-End Engineer at Medallia, building their surveys platform and helping them shape the customer experience market with React and a Google Developer Expert in Web Performance.

His areas of interest include React and its ecosystem, JS and compile-to-JS languages, DX, and perceived performance optimization. Aside from public speaking about these, he also volunteers at TechLabs, teaching front-end development.

Matheus is a Staff Front-End Engineer at Medallia, building their surveys platform and helping them shape the customer experience market with React and a Google Developer Expert in Web Performance. His areas of interest include React and its ecosy... Show more

Elkhan is a cloud architect, tech trainer, and mentor with experience in Microsoft Azure, AWS, IBM Cloud, and enterprise healthcare systems.
He is an active Microsoft MVP and MCT Regional Lead, a member of the Microsoft Tech Community, and an Azure SME (Architecture, DevOps, Security) - who is leading the cloud and infrastructure group at T-REX Solutions.

He is a community speaker and has volunteered for local and global events; Global Azure, Cloud Lunch and Learn, Azure Back to School, Azure Spring Clean, Festive Tech Calendar, Give Camps, Azure Data Fest, SQL Saturdays, Cyber Back to School, Come cloud with Us, and others.

Over the years, Elkhan proudly contributed to Microsoft Azure, Security, and HL7 FHIR communities to advance data interoperability, secure design, and help communities move forward.

Elkhan is a cloud architect, tech trainer, and mentor with experience in Microsoft Azure, AWS, IBM Cloud, and enterprise healthcare systems. He is an active Microsoft MVP and MCT Regional Lead, a member of the Microsoft Tech Community, and an Azure ... 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

Java Champion, CNCF Ambassador & TAG DevEX Co-Chair, Microsoft MVP, Developer Advocate, Technical Marketing, Keynote Speaker, Published Author

Java Champion, CNCF Ambassador & TAG DevEX Co-Chair, Microsoft MVP, Developer Advocate, Technical Marketing, Keynote Speaker, Published Author Show more

Sam Nasr has been a software developer since 1995, focusing mostly on Microsoft AI Stack of technologies. He’s a Sr. Software Engineer with NIS Technologies where he consults and teaches clients about the latest .NET technologies. Sam has achieved multiple certifications from Microsoft (MCSA, MCAD, MCTS, MCT), and is the leader of the Cleveland C# since 2003. In addition, he’s the leader of the .NET Study Group, Azure Cleveland User Group, an author for Visual Studio Magazine, LinkedIn Learning, and a 8x Microsoft MVP. When not coding, Sam loves spending time with his family and friends or volunteering at his local church. You can learn more about Sam by visiting https://linktr.ee/SamNasr.

Sam Nasr has been a software developer since 1995, focusing mostly on Microsoft AI Stack of technologies. He’s a Sr. Software Engineer with NIS Technologies where he consults and teaches clients about the latest .NET technologies. Sam has achieved ... Show more

I'm Ivan Pesenti. A passionate gopher who has been working in the software industry since 2014.

I'm a software engineer focused on server-side programming. Throughout my career, I've always been accompanied by two obsessions: testing and writing secure code. I consider myself a detail-oriented person.

My career took a turning point in 2021 when the Go programming language crossed my path. Since then, I've fallen in love with it.

I believe in empathy, kindness, mutual help, growth, determination, and trust. These values have led me to give back to the community through speaking, coaching, writing, and more. Helping others is one of the most satisfying experiences I've ever had.

During my free time, I train my body, play football, watch anime, and hang out with family and friends.

One of my favorite quotes is: "Hard work beats talent."

I'm Ivan Pesenti. A passionate gopher who has been working in the software industry since 2014. I'm a software engineer focused on server-side programming. Throughout my career, I've always been accompanied by two obsessions: testing and writing s... 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

Devlin Basilan Duldulao is a Senior Consultant at Crayon Consulting based in Oslo, Norway, specializing in full-stack cloud engineering and modern web technologies. A recognized Microsoft MVP, Devlin is a prolific contributor to the global tech community as an international conference speaker, trainer, and open-source enthusiast. He is also an accomplished author, having written three books on full-stack enterprise development tools, including React, Spring Boot, and DotNet.

Devlin Basilan Duldulao is a Senior Consultant at Crayon Consulting based in Oslo, Norway, specializing in full-stack cloud engineering and modern web technologies. A recognized Microsoft MVP, Devlin is a prolific contributor to the global tech commu... Show more

Joseph is a leading voice in cybersecurity and AI, developing software and content that shape how developers build securely. His open source game gh.io/scg has helped 10K+ developers gain future-proof security skills. His videos, with 2.8M+ views, simplify complex security topics and deliver actionable tips to a global audience. As a speaker, Joseph has delivered 68 talks across 25 countries over the past four years, captivating audiences with his insights and energetic stage presence.

Joseph is a leading voice in cybersecurity and AI, developing software and content that shape how developers build securely. His open source game gh.io/scg has helped 10K+ developers gain future-proof security skills. His videos, with 2.8M+ views, si... Show more

As Developer Advocate, helping developers build production-ready AI applications. With a background spanning data analytics, machine learning, and developer education, she specializes in making complex AI concepts accessible through hands-on tutorials, open-source projects, and live demos.

She creates practical resources for RAG systems, agentic workflows, and multimodal applications—focusing on code that developers can deploy immediately. As a conference speaker and workshop instructor, she bridges the gap between cutting-edge AI research and real-world implementation.

As Developer Advocate, helping developers build production-ready AI applications. With a background spanning data analytics, machine learning, and developer education, she specializes in making complex AI concepts accessible through hands-on tutorial... Show more

Erwin de Kreuk is a passionate and highly experienced Technology Leader in the Data & AI domain. He currently serves as a Principal Consultant and Lead Data and AI at InSpark, winner of the Global Partner of the Year (POTY) Award for Identity and the Dutch Partner of the Year (POTY) Award for Data & AI.

Erwin is a frequent speaker at various national and international data community events and has been recognized as a Data Platform MVP.

With 16 years of experience in the world of data on the Microsoft Platform, Erwin has spent the last 8 years focusing on the Azure Platform. His day-to-day work involves addressing complex customer cases and technical issues. Additionally, he is a member of the Technology Board at InSpark, where he leads a team of highly experienced Data Experts specializing in the Microsoft Data Platform.

Erwin is dedicated to helping customers maximize the value of their complex analytics environments, with a strong emphasis on solutions in the Azure Cloud (Platform as a Service) and Microsoft Fabric. As a Technology Board member, he continuously explores the latest opportunities and shares his enthusiasm with colleagues, the community, and customers. He is also a key stakeholder for the InSpark Solution (Managed) Oxygen, a Modern Data Platform Estate as-a-service and the Nitrogen Control Center a native solution build on top of Microsoft Fabric for easy data integration and data Processing.

Erwin de Kreuk is a passionate and highly experienced Technology Leader in the Data & AI domain. He currently serves as a Principal Consultant and Lead Data and AI at InSpark, winner of the Global Partner of the Year (POTY) Award for Identity and the... Show more

Brian is a Microsoft Azure MVP, speaker, author, trainer, and .NET developer with deep expertise across cloud and application development. He holds MCSA: Web App Certification, MCSD: App Builder, and thirteen Azure and GitHub certifications, including Developer, Administrator, DevOps Engineer, Solutions Architect, Data Administrator, Security Engineer, AI Engineer, and Cosmos DB — along with multiple Fundamentals certifications. Since 2019, he has also been a Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT).

Brian earned a Master of Science in Computer Information Systems and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. Along with 25 years of development experience, he brings over 15 years of experience teaching computer science, SQL databases, object-oriented programming (C#, VB.NET, Java), and Microsoft Office in online university settings and professional training environments.

As an educator and creator, Brian has developed numerous online training courses available across multiple platforms and has authored several books with APress, including Practical Entity Framework Core 10 (with two earlier editions) and Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure Certification Companion: Hands-on Preparation and Practice for Exam AZ-204.

Brian is a Microsoft Azure MVP, speaker, author, trainer, and .NET developer with deep expertise across cloud and application development. He holds MCSA: Web App Certification, MCSD: App Builder, and thirteen Azure and GitHub certifications, includin... Show more

Wesley is a Customer Success Engineer at Duende Software, helping Duende's customers to be successful by assisting developers with issues, documenting common problems and teaching about security / identity.

He's also a Microsoft MVP, board member of the VISUG meetup in Belgium and speaker at meetups and conferences, such as NDC London and Sydney, Copenhagen Developer Festival, WeAreDevelopers Berlin, Update Conference, TechDays, DevConf, DeveloperDays and Techorama.

Wesley is a Customer Success Engineer at Duende Software, helping Duende's customers to be successful by assisting developers with issues, documenting common problems and teaching about security / identity. He's also a Microsoft MVP, board member ... Show more

Rie Merritt has been working with SQL Server since 1999, when she started as a data analyst for a non-profit. She has worked in many industries over the years including pharmaceutical, e-commerce, legal, financial, education and both federal & state government. She is currently Principal PM Manager with Microsoft Azure Data, serving as the Influencers, Community & Events lead. She is liaison between the product group and Influencers, User Groups, MVPs & Super Users, and her team owns the FabCon workstream for Engineering. She is based out of Redmond, but works remotely from her home near Atlanta.

Since 2010, Rie has done extensive work with the SQL Community. She was an MVP in the Data Platform for three years, speaking frequently at conferences across the US and moderating webinars, WIT panels and career panels. She has also served co-leader of the Women in Technology Virtual Group and Executive Director of SQL Saturday Atlanta. Currently, Rie helps run the Atlanta Azure Data User Group heading up Microsoft’s efforts for the Azure Data Community.

Rie Merritt has been working with SQL Server since 1999, when she started as a data analyst for a non-profit. She has worked in many industries over the years including pharmaceutical, e-commerce, legal, financial, education and both federal & state ... 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

Chris Woodruff, also known as Woody, is an Independent Consultant and brings nearly three decades of industry expertise, having launched his career before the first .COM boom. Renowned for his contributions to software development and architecture, Woody is a regular speaker at international conferences, where he shares his deep knowledge on topics ranging from database development to APIs and web technologies. He is a Microsoft MVP in .NET and Web Development.

A dedicated mentor, Woody thrives on guiding fellow developers and enhancing their skills through his talks, written work, and digital content. He co-hosts the popular "Breakpoint Show" podcast and YouTube channel, which he uses to connect with and educate the tech community. He is also writing a book covering network programming with C# and .NET.

Woody's interests extend beyond his professional life, adding a personal touch to his character. He is a passionate bourbon enthusiast, often embarking on adventures along the Bourbon Trail in search of unique finds to savor and share with friends. Family time is a cherished part of his life, and he often shares insights from his professional journey on his blog at https://woodruff.dev. To stay updated on his latest projects and adventures, follow him on Twitter at @cwoodruff and Mastodon at https://mastodon.social/@cwoodruff, where he shares his thoughts and experiences, fostering a sense of connection with his audience.

Chris Woodruff, also known as Woody, is an Independent Consultant and brings nearly three decades of industry expertise, having launched his career before the first .COM boom. Renowned for his contributions to software development and architecture, W... 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

I like lots of stuff 👉 Power Platform 💘 Dynamics 365 🚀 Azure 🧙‍♂️

Microsoft MVP ✍ blogs at https://nckr.de 🚀 Founded https://dhino.io

I worked for over 15 years with Microsoft Biz Apps as a solution architect / developer, starting with Business Central, nowadays loving the Power Platform & Azure

Building repeatable software has always been my passion and I'm continuing to talk about the best ways to do that 🙂

I like lots of stuff 👉 Power Platform 💘 Dynamics 365 🚀 Azure 🧙‍♂️ Microsoft MVP ✍ blogs at https://nckr.de 🚀 Founded https://dhino.io I worked for over 15 years with Microsoft Biz Apps as a solution architect / developer, starting with Bus... 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

In 2013, I graduated with a BFA and took my first job as a Junior Graphic Designer at a small, boutique ad agency. While there, my Creative Director warned me to never let anyone find out I could code, because if I did I'd be stuck doing it forever. I ignored his warning; it turns out he was completely right, but I've never been happier.

I currently work as a developer advocate on a wonderful team where I help people build web applications in React, design and maintain their UI component libraries, and desperately attempt to stop back-end devs from writing any more CSS.

In 2013, I graduated with a BFA and took my first job as a Junior Graphic Designer at a small, boutique ad agency. While there, my Creative Director warned me to never let anyone find out I could code, because if I did I'd be stuck doing it forever. ... 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

As a M365 Architect, I leverage my 16+ years of experience and multiple certifications to design, implement, and maintain large-scale projects using SharePoint and Office 365. I am a Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), a Microsoft MVP in two categories (M365 and AI Platform).

My mission is to help clients achieve their business goals and optimize their digital transformation journey using the latest technologies and best practices. I am passionate about sharing my knowledge and expertise with the community, and I frequently speak at various events, such as SPS, Global Microsoft 365 Developer Bootcamp, and Global Power Platform Bootcamp. I am also an author, speaker, and organizer of several books, blogs, podcasts, and webinars on M365 topics.

As a M365 Architect, I leverage my 16+ years of experience and multiple certifications to design, implement, and maintain large-scale projects using SharePoint and Office 365. I am a Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), a Microsoft MVP in two categories (M36... Show more

Co-Author of 'Signals & Levers (ITRevolution, September 2026)', 'Coaching for Learning; the Art and Practice' and 'Create Your Dojo; Upskilling Your Organization for Digital Evolution,' Joel helps organizations evolve through learning. This combines a blend of systems thinking, XP, agile, lean, devops and product thinking practices all to embrace learning in the context of work.
With deep experience in architecture modernization, blending product discovery with delivery and architecture, and systems thinking, Joel helps organizations make it easier for their teams to do great work.

Co-Author of 'Signals & Levers (ITRevolution, September 2026)', 'Coaching for Learning; the Art and Practice' and 'Create Your Dojo; Upskilling Your Organization for Digital Evolution,' Joel helps organizations evolve through learning. This combines... Show more