Samir Makwana empowers enterprises and government agencies to harness the full power of Microsoft Cloud—and especially its cutting-edge AI stack—to build secure, value-driven businesses. With 17 years as a software developer, pre-sales engineer, and solution architect, he’s architected end-to-end IT transformations that blend security, automation, and collaboration.

A true AI evangelist, Samir designs PoCs and production systems leveraging Azure AI services (Cognitive Services, Azure OpenAI, Semantic Kernel), Copilot Studio, and Power Platform AI—applying deep prompt engineering, vector search/RAG patterns, and grounding techniques to deliver next-gen user experiences. He’s integrated generative AI agents into Office 365 and custom apps, automated workflows with Power Automate and Logic Apps, and secured data with Zero Trust and Microsoft Purview.

As Founder & Principal Architect of Cloudtrify Inc., Samir crafts both short- and long-term cloud-native and AI solutions that drive ROI, user adoption, and maintainability—always with responsible AI and compliance top-of-mind.

Samir Makwana empowers enterprises and government agencies to harness the full power of Microsoft Cloud—and especially its cutting-edge AI stack—to build secure, value-driven businesses. With 17 years as a software developer, pre-sales engineer, and ... Show more

Driven by a zest for technology and fun in equal measure, I've navigated from hands-on coding across full-stack o steering technical leadership and architecture. Embracing change, I've evolved, always eager to push beyond the familiar. My experience spans a rich variety of domains, including remote device management and monitoring, payroll, healthcare, media, e-commerce, and software for municipalities, in both insourcing and outsourcing models.
Alongside my technical contributions, I've enriched my career by mentoring emerging talent and engaging audiences at conferences, sharing insights and fostering a community of learning and innovation.

Beyond the realm of coding, I am passionate about sharing insights, whether through thought-provoking articles or by distilling my experience into my book, "Software Architecture for Web Developers."

You can see my work in here:
https://medium.com/@ghidersa-mihaela
https://www.amazon.com/Software-Architecture-Web-Developers-professionals/dp/1803237910

Driven by a zest for technology and fun in equal measure, I've navigated from hands-on coding across full-stack o steering technical leadership and architecture. Embracing change, I've evolved, always eager to push beyond the familiar. My experience ... Show more

Michael is Java Champion and Senior Consultant at INNOQ, a software-development and consulting company based in Germany. With over 15 years of professional experience, his expertise ranges from application development with Java and Spring Boot to designing distributed systems and contributing to open-source projects. Lately his interests revolve around observability, containerization and code maintenance. He is a frequent speaker at conferences and meetups and author of popular articles, including a period op-ed for a German magazine.

Michael is Java Champion and Senior Consultant at INNOQ, a software-development and consulting company based in Germany. With over 15 years of professional experience, his expertise ranges from application development with Java and Spring Boot to des... Show more

Dwayne has been working as a Developer Relations professional since 2015 and has been involved in tech communities since 2005. He loves sharing his knowledge, and he has done so by giving talks at over a hundred events worldwide. Dwayne currently lives in Chicago. Outside of tech, he loves karaoke, live music, and performing improv.

Dwayne has been working as a Developer Relations professional since 2015 and has been involved in tech communities since 2005. He loves sharing his knowledge, and he has done so by giving talks at over a hundred events worldwide. Dwayne currently liv... Show more

Gregor Reimling is a Microsoft MVP in Azure and Security, and Chief Azure Technologist at adesso SE. He leads technical strategy and implementation for Azure, focusing on enterprise-scale architectures, cloud security, governance, hybrid environments, and migration.
Gregor is a passionate community advocate, regularly speaking at international Microsoft and community conferences. He runs a popular Azure blog and co-hosts the Cloud Inspires podcast. He is the founder of the Azure Bonn Meetup, a thriving user group with over 1,000 members, and co-founder of the Cloud Identity Summit, an annual event focused on identity and security.
As a Microsoft Certified Trainer, Gregor empowers professionals through hands-on training and mentorship, helping organisations maximise their cloud potential.

Gregor Reimling is a Microsoft MVP in Azure and Security, and Chief Azure Technologist at adesso SE. He leads technical strategy and implementation for Azure, focusing on enterprise-scale architectures, cloud security, governance, hybrid environments... Show more

Máté is passionate about technology and how it can enhance the way people work and collaborate. He began his Power Platform career years ago as a citizen developer. He leads the Hungary Power Platform User Group and shares his expertise at conferences, focusing on Power Platform, user experience, and mentoring.

Beyond technology, Máté advocates for the role of soft skills in tech - fostering collaborative groups, mentoring, and helping professionals identify and leverage their transferable skills. He believes that success in digital transformation is not just about tools but also about people and communication.

As a freelancer, he prioritizes work-life integration, balancing professional projects with his hobbies, such as traveling, hiking, and public speaking. He’s also a Microsoft MVP, Microsoft Certified Trainer and volunteer photographer, continuously blending his love for technology with creativity and cultural experiences.

Máté is passionate about technology and how it can enhance the way people work and collaborate. He began his Power Platform career years ago as a citizen developer. He leads the Hungary Power Platform User Group and shares his expertise at conference... Show more

Charles is a technical speaker and low-code advocate with a pro-code background, specializing in transforming business data architecture. With a passion for innovation, he shares his expertise to solve complex business problems and guide organizations in reimagining their legacy processes, advancing automation initiatives, streamlining operations, and reducing infrastructure costs.

| Software Engineer Plus Ultra | Middle-child | Soufside

Charles is a technical speaker and low-code advocate with a pro-code background, specializing in transforming business data architecture. With a passion for innovation, he shares his expertise to solve complex business problems and guide organization... 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

I started my Collaboration journey by anticipating the release of SharePoint Server 2001 and was updated with an invitation to be an MVP. I tell stories from experience and real-world examples of how we implement M365, PowerPoint and AI Solutions across the Microsoft Landscape.

With a background in Stand-up comedy and 20+ years of experience moving people to collaborative working. My stories have helped people and business identify the value they can bring to their organisations.

Delivering MS Teams & SharePoint Change to companies like Heineken, US Army, Atlas Copco, Ford Motor Co. and Euroclear Bank. I now head up the Infrastructure Services team at Lineas NV Belgium.

I started my Collaboration journey by anticipating the release of SharePoint Server 2001 and was updated with an invitation to be an MVP. I tell stories from experience and real-world examples of how we implement M365, PowerPoint and AI Solutions acr... Show more

SQL Server developer for 25-odd years, Microsoft Data Platform MVP, organizer of Data Saturday Stockholm, volunteer/co-organizer of GroupBy.org.
I still occasionally blog at sqlsunday.com.

SQL Server developer for 25-odd years, Microsoft Data Platform MVP, organizer of Data Saturday Stockholm, volunteer/co-organizer of GroupBy.org. I still occasionally blog at sqlsunday.com. Show more

Luise is an Azure & Power Platform Architect based in Germany. She is an awarded Microsoft Most Valuable Professional working with organizations that want to move beyond digital theatre. Her focus is on AI-enabled solutions that are designed to last in real-world environments. She helps teams build accessible apps, robust data models, and automation that respects governance, compliance, and human effort. A recurring theme in her work is making the invisible visible: unmeasured work, emotional load, operational friction, and the real cost of “quick wins”. Her motto "Changing the world one app at a time" stems from her extensive work with non-profit organizations.
Alongside client work, Luise writes and speaks about productivity myths, pseudo-agile practices, AI readiness, and why many digital initiatives fail long before technology becomes the problem. She is known for combining clear technical guidance with a sharp eye for organizational patterns; and for asking the uncomfortable questions others tend to avoid.

When not working and traveling, she is a runner, a mother of (teenage) dragons, a LEGO-builder and a lover of the number 42. Her favorite color is #ff69b4. 

Luise is an Azure & Power Platform Architect based in Germany. She is an awarded Microsoft Most Valuable Professional working with organizations that want to move beyond digital theatre. Her focus is on AI-enabled solutions that are designed to last ... Show more

Meet Sally! Sally serves as a Data Engineer with an expertise in Azure Cloud Analytics Services, with years of experience under her belt.
Since earning her M.Sc. degree in Software Engineering, Sally has become a significant voice in Azure Cloud Analytics Services, publishing over ten blogs on Microsoft's Tech Community blog. What excites Sally most about her work is the opportunity to build Proof of Concepts (POCs) that help Microsoft customers unlock their business potential – by doing so, she remains true to her ultimate mission: to empower innovation through Azure's boundless possibilities. Away from her professional endeavors, Sally finds joy in baking pastries, a hobby she shares with her followers on Instagram for inspiration.

Meet Sally! Sally serves as a Data Engineer with an expertise in Azure Cloud Analytics Services, with years of experience under her belt. Since earning her M.Sc. degree in Software Engineering, Sally has become a significant voice in Azure Cloud An... Show more

Vignesh Ganesan is a Microsoft MVP and an Enterprise Architect & Technology Strategist with 15 years of experience. He specializes in technical presales, product marketing, Go-to-Market strategy, leadership, consulting, advisory, solution design and designing and implementing SaaS, IaaS and PaaS environments including on-premises and hybrid infrastructures. In addition to that he also has a sound knowledge in designing and implementing security solutions for customers using native cloud controls along with 3rd party tools to build a secure Cloud environment. During his recent stint with Pitney Bowes, Microsoft and Deloitte, he designed technical solutions that can meet his customer’s needs and helped in driving their Digital Transformation so that they can get the best out of their Microsoft 365 & Azure implementation. He has worked on many products/technologies so far such as Active Directory, Windows Server , SharePoint & Exchange Server , Microsoft 365 , Azure AD ,Azure IaaS & PaaS , Slack , Google Workspace Enterprise Mobility & Security etc. .He has spoken on plethora of user groups , conferences & events across the globe and you can find all his work on his blog site i.e. Vignesh’s SharePoint Thoughts and his YouTube Channel . Over the years he has written almost 400 technical articles and has involved himself in many technical community related engagements for which he was awarded the prestigious Microsoft MVP Award and the C Sharp corner MVP Award . He always has a thirst to constantly learn something new which is what made him to complete almost 20+ Microsoft certifications.

My Microsoft MVP Profile : https://mvp.microsoft.com/en-us/PublicProfile/5004713

My Blogsite : https://vigneshsharepointthoughts.com/

My YouTube Channel : https://www.youtube.com/c/VigneshGanesan

My Microsoft Transcript : https://www.credly.com/users/vignesh-ganesan/badges

Vignesh Ganesan is a Microsoft MVP and an Enterprise Architect & Technology Strategist with 15 years of experience. He specializes in technical presales, product marketing, Go-to-Market strategy, leadership, consulting, advisory, solution design and... Show more

Senior Developer from Germany with over 15 years of experience building web apps and leading frontend teams, currently living and working down under in Australia. Pragmatic perfectionist, always looking for opportunities to learn and grow.

Senior Developer from Germany with over 15 years of experience building web apps and leading frontend teams, currently living and working down under in Australia. Pragmatic perfectionist, always looking for opportunities to learn and grow. Show more

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

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

Gilles Pommier is a senior SharePoint Consultant and Office 365 MVP. During the last 15 years, he has helped numerous companies in their implementation for SharePoint architecture and development. Since 2005, he has also participated in several events such as SharePoint Saturday, SQL Saturday, Microsoft TechEd U.S., TechEd Australia, TechEd EMEA TechEd Dubai TechDays France as a speaker on Office 365, SharePoint, .Net and VSTO technologies.

Gilles Pommier is a senior SharePoint Consultant and Office 365 MVP. During the last 15 years, he has helped numerous companies in their implementation for SharePoint architecture and development. Since 2005, he has also participated in several even... 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 twelve Azure 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. 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.

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 and Practical Entity Framework Core 6, Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure Certification Companion: Hands-on Preparation and Practice for Exam AZ-204, and is scheduled to publish the third edition of Practical Entity Framework in November along with .NET/EF 10

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 twelve Azure certifications, including Developer, ... Show more

Chris Klug is a developer badass-as-a-service that either creates or solves problems depending on who you ask. He loves creating and building things. Whether it be a new application, a new kitchen or a new RC helicopter, you will see him building things all the time. Most of the time, that means writing code and solving problems for clients at a company called Active Solution in Stockholm though. Except for the many days he spends at conferences and usergroups, talking about doing things he is passionate about, and for the days he goes mountain biking, IPSC shooting, kiteboarding or RC helicopter flying.
For the last 15-something years, he has been solving problems for customers, and loving it. But if he gets to choose, he'll go to the beach and kitesurf every day!

Chris Klug is a developer badass-as-a-service that either creates or solves problems depending on who you ask. He loves creating and building things. Whether it be a new application, a new kitchen or a new RC helicopter, you will see him building thi... Show more

Johan Ludvig Brattås is a director at Deloitte, 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 Synapse.

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 is a director at Deloitte, 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 servic... Show more

Chris is an Atlanta based senior software engineer at Briebug and a Google Developer Expert in Angular. Chris has worked in several industries and helped build full-stack web applications, but has a passion for front-end development, with a focus on Angular. Outside of code, he enjoys craft beer, hiking, camping, and playing with his toddler.

Chris is an Atlanta based senior software engineer at Briebug and a Google Developer Expert in Angular. Chris has worked in several industries and helped build full-stack web applications, but has a passion for front-end development, with a focus on ... Show more

Profile Highlights:
Adnan, a distinguished Microsoft MVP since 2015, possesses over 18 years of expertise in Microsoft technologies including SharePoint, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Teams, the .Net Platform, and Microsoft BI. Currently working as a Senior Microsoft Consultant at Olive + Goose, he brings 14 years of experience in SharePoint and successfully managing diverse global projects for both private and government sectors, including interactions with Fortune 500 companies.

In addition to his professional roles, Adnan is a devoted educator, sharing insights and knowledge as a trainer. He actively advocates for technology, engaging with the community through speaking engagements in various forums. His multifaceted contributions reflect his dedication to the tech field and his pivotal role in driving its evolution.

Profile Highlights: Adnan, a distinguished Microsoft MVP since 2015, possesses over 18 years of expertise in Microsoft technologies including SharePoint, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Teams, the .Net Platform, and Microsoft BI. Currently working as a Sen... Show more

Meet Rajaniesh Kaushikk – a Microsoft MVP and TOGAF Certified Enterprise Architect with over 22 years of experience in delivering complex software architectures for Fortune 500 companies. Rajaniesh specializes in data integration, governance, and analysis, with a proven track record in defining technical architectures, designing analytic solutions, and developing agile frameworks. His expertise spans Hybrid Cloud, Azure Cloud, Power BI, Kubernetes, Databricks Lakehouse, Snowflake, and more, making him a trusted partner in solving intricate business challenges and driving market growth.

As a hands-on technical architect, Microsoft Certified Solution Architect, and Databricks Champion, Rajaniesh excels in translating complex concepts into actionable strategies, whether through pre-sales technical presentations or public speaking at Microsoft events. A Microsoft Certified Trainer, he is committed to sharing his knowledge and staying at the forefront of technological advancements, ensuring scalable and innovative solutions for modern software architecture needs.

Meet Rajaniesh Kaushikk – a Microsoft MVP and TOGAF Certified Enterprise Architect with over 22 years of experience in delivering complex software architectures for Fortune 500 companies. Rajaniesh specializes in data integration, governance, and ana... Show more

Antonio Liccardi is a seasoned speaker, book author, and trainer, currently serving as Chief Technology Officer at Blexin. His passion for knowledge sharing led him to co-found "DotNetCampania," an Italian .NET community where he helps others enhance their skills in DevOps, the .NET ecosystem, and software development in general. Antonio is a frequent speaker at both national and international conferences, including Microsoft Build, and has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for Visual Studio Developer Technologies since 2015. He also hosts a live show called "DevOps Time" for UgiDotNet, Italy’s largest .NET community, and runs the podcast "Il corriere del DevOps."

Antonio Liccardi is a seasoned speaker, book author, and trainer, currently serving as Chief Technology Officer at Blexin. His passion for knowledge sharing led him to co-found "DotNetCampania," an Italian .NET community where he helps others enhance... Show more

Brayan is a data scientist passionate about technical writing and open-source advocacy. He volunteers at different developer communities across Africa including OSCA Nairobi, and CHAOSS Project Africa, and is also a GitHub Campus Expert. All this owing to his strong passion for supporting fellow upcoming technologists and advocating for DEI. It makes him happier, and more balanced and gives him a stronger sense of purpose to innovate, share, and teach in and with the community rather than just for it.

Brayan is a data scientist passionate about technical writing and open-source advocacy. He volunteers at different developer communities across Africa including OSCA Nairobi, and CHAOSS Project Africa, and is also a GitHub Campus Expert. All this owi... Show more

Marco Dal Pino is working in IT for more than 30 years as Developer, Team Leader, PM and Cloud Architect.
He mostly experienced Microsoft dev Platforms around .NET, for LOB, Desktop, Mobile and embedded apps.
He is a Microsoft Certified Trainer and a Speaker at the main technical conferences all around the world.
He is part of the staff of DotNetToscana a community focused on Microsoft technologies.
He received many awards from IT companies as independent Advisor like:
Microsoft MVP, Intel BlackBelt & Innovator, Nokia DevChamp, Hackster Live Ambassador
He works in Microsoft as a Senior Technical Consultant.

Marco Dal Pino is working in IT for more than 30 years as Developer, Team Leader, PM and Cloud Architect. He mostly experienced Microsoft dev Platforms around .NET, for LOB, Desktop, Mobile and embedded apps. He is a Microsoft Certified Trainer and... Show more

Ferdi Lethen-Oellers is a senior consultant in the area of Microsoft 365 and helps companies increase productivity in their everyday work. He likes to focus on the most important component in the process: people. Since the pandemic, Ferdi has been an avid jogger and regularly goes to soccer. Besides sports, his family is the most important thing to him. Ferdi is an expert on the topic of Microsoft 365 and is available for questions as well as consultations. Inquiries via mail to ferdi.lethen@outlook.de.

Ferdi Lethen-Oellers is a senior consultant in the area of Microsoft 365 and helps companies increase productivity in their everyday work. He likes to focus on the most important component in the process: people. Since the pandemic, Ferdi has been an... Show more

Microsoft MVP (M365 and AI Platform)

A results oriented consultant with experience in Microsoft Technologies especially with Microsoft 365, Power Platform, and Microsoft Azure. Experienced in design, implementation, configuration, and maintenance of several large-scale projects.

Author of books:
➟ Mastering SharePoint Framework (BPB Publications), Amazon bestseller
➟ Understanding Hybrid Environments in SharePoint 2019 (Apress)
➟ Up and Running on Microsoft Viva Connections (Apress)

Organizer of Pune Tech Community (https://www.meetup.com/pune-tech-community/)

Microsoft MVP (M365 and AI Platform) A results oriented consultant with experience in Microsoft Technologies especially with Microsoft 365, Power Platform, and Microsoft Azure. Experienced in design, implementation, configuration, and maintenance ... Show more

Aaron is a Developer Advocate at Microsoft, focusing on .NET and Azure. Having spent 20 years doing web development he's seen it all, from browser wars, the rise of AJAX and the fall of 20 JavaScript frameworks (and that was just yesterday!). Always tinkering with something new he explores crazy ideas like writing your own implementation of numbers in .NET, creating IoC in JavaScript or implementing tic-tac-toe using git commits.

Aaron is a Developer Advocate at Microsoft, focusing on .NET and Azure. Having spent 20 years doing web development he's seen it all, from browser wars, the rise of AJAX and the fall of 20 JavaScript frameworks (and that was just yesterday!). Always ... Show more

Deepthi is a SQL Server Database Administrator with several years of experience in Administering SQL Servers. She is a Microsoft Data Platform MVP, Microsoft certified trainer and Microsoft certified professional with an Associate and Expert level Certification in Data Management and Analytics. Deepthi blogs for DBANuggets.com. Deepthi is a Co-Organizer for Microsoft Data and AI South Florida user group, Data TGIF, Cloud Data Driven User Group, Future Data Driven Summit, Databash Conference and Data Platform Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Virtual Group. She is also DEI Steering Committee member for PASS Data Community Summit. She is a Redgate Community Ambassador. Along with this, Deepthi loves arts and crafts. You can contact her on Twitter @dbanuggets.

Deepthi is a SQL Server Database Administrator with several years of experience in Administering SQL Servers. She is a Microsoft Data Platform MVP, Microsoft certified trainer and Microsoft certified professional with an Associate and Expert level Ce... Show more

Dr. Aaron N. Cutshall is a proven leader in Healthcare Informatics with nearly 40 years of experience in application and database analysis, design, and development. He focuses on clinical quality and massive databases. He actively speaks nationwide at conferences and user group sessions on data architecture, analytics, and professional development topics.

Dr. Aaron N. Cutshall is a proven leader in Healthcare Informatics with nearly 40 years of experience in application and database analysis, design, and development. He focuses on clinical quality and massive databases. He actively speaks nationwide a... Show more