Kellyn Gorman
Advocate and Engineer
Portland, Oregon, United States
Actions
Kellyn Pot’Vin-Gorman is a Database and AI Advocate and Engineer with Redgate, with a long history in multi-platform technology. An Oracle ACE Director alumnus, she has been awarded over the years for her technical contributions and community volunteerism through many organizations, including a recognition as Woman in Tech of the Year for the state of Colorado. She is one of only six women part of the Oak Table, a network for the Oracle scientist. She has extensive experience in environment optimization, cloud migration, automation and architect of robust environments. Specializing in multi-terabyte management of OLAP/DSS systems. A consistent advocate for logical tuning of code and design before hardware solutions. She's recently become known for her expertise in DevOps, AWR, (Automatic Workload Repository) and virtualization of database environments with complex cloud management in Azure and Google Cloud. She's recently been contracted with a number of AI projects, using both relational data and AI services in both data security and architecture. The technical knowledge required to support these features offers great educational opportunities to learn by attending her technical presentations, engaging with her on social media presence as DBAKevlar or reading her blog, dbakevlar.com.
Badges
Area of Expertise
Topics
Zero to Understanding: Oracle for the SQL Server Expert
Join Kellyn Gorman for a dynamic and approachable deep dive into the who, what, and why of Oracle. This session is designed to make Oracle’s powerful architecture and concepts accessible to everyone-whether you're new to the platform or looking to reinforce your foundational knowledge. Kellyn will demystify key Oracle components including classic single-instance setups, multitenant architecture, high availability options, and even Oracle's engineered systems. You'll gain a clear understanding of how Oracle handles background processes, memory (both system and user), I/O challenges, and performance data. Whether you're a DBA, developer, or architect, this session will equip you with the insights needed to work confidently and effectively with Oracle.
Why the Command Line is Still King in the DevOps World
In a world filled with GUIs, dashboards, and no-code solutions, the command line continues to reign supreme for DevOps professionals who demand precision, automation, and speed. This one-hour session will dive into why the command line remains an indispensable tool in modern DevOps workflows, despite the rise of visual interfaces and cloud-native management consoles.
Attendees will explore how scripting and command-line automation enable consistency, scalability, and control that GUIs simply can’t match. We'll cover advanced features like remote management, repeatable scripting, CI/CD pipeline integration, and cross-platform capabilities that make Python, BASH, PowerShell and other CLI tools a cornerstone of efficient DevOps practices. Real-world examples will highlight how command-line proficiency can solve complex problems quickly, enforce compliance, and bridge the gap between infrastructure and code.
Whether you're orchestrating deployments across hybrid environments, automating configuration at scale, or debugging under pressure, the command line remains the fastest path from problem to solution. Join me to rediscover why, in the era of DevOps, the CLI is not just surviving but how it’s thriving.
Leading Through Transformation and the Impact of AI to Organizations
We are all aware AI has quickly moved from experimentation to enterprise adoption, reshaping how organizations innovate, compete, and deliver value. For leaders in the Oracle ecosystem spanning applications, databases, and enterprise platforms, the question has become- if AI will impact business, how will we harness it responsibly and strategically.
This keynote explores how AI is driving business model innovation, accelerating digital transformation, and redefining the role of both technology and leadership. We will highlight practical guidance that extends beyond proof-of-concept, from automating complex database operations to augmenting application functionality and decision-making. Attendees will gain insight into the critical balance between innovation and governance, learning how responsible AI practices, which will include ethics, compliance, and security, must be embedded into every initiative.
To complete our journey, we’ll examine the leadership and change management required to succeed in the AI era. For Oracle leaders and decision makers, AI represents more than a tool, but is a catalyst for reimagining operations, empowering teams, and setting a vision for sustainable enterprise growth.
Guard Rails of Data Democratization with AI in Today's World
The age of AI has ushered in an unprecedented era of data democratization. Organizations are racing to empower employees at every level with access to insights, analytics, and even raw datasets, all in the name of innovation and agility. But with great access comes great risk. As we integrate AI models into decision-making pipelines and place advanced analytics tools into the hands of non-technical users, we must ask: where do we draw the line?
This keynote will explore the critical balance between empowering teams with data and protecting the organization from the unintended consequences of overexposure. Topics include:
AI-driven accessibility: How AI lowers barriers to data analysis and why this is both a blessing and a curse.
Security and compliance implications: Understanding the risks of exposing sensitive data to broad audiences, even those internally.
Quality vs. Quantity of Access: Why more data is not always better, and how poorly governed access can lead to bad decisions or even data breaches.
The role of governance in an AI-enabled world: Frameworks for implementing guardrails without stifling innovation.
Attendees will walk away with a deeper understanding of the nuanced challenges posed by data democratization in the era of AI and learn practical strategies for striking a balance and ensuring that access empowers without endangering.
DevOps in the Age of AI: Human Powered Evolution
As artificial intelligence reshapes software delivery, DevOps will not just survive, it will thrive. This keynote explores why, in an AI-powered era, skilled DevOps professionals become even more indispensable in building, guiding, and validating Infrastructure as Code (IaC), CI/CD pipelines, and orchestration at enterprise scale.
AI now enables generative IaC templates and intelligent automation, accelerating infrastructure provisioning, flagging anomalies, and suggesting optimized workflows. Generative AI tools can draft Terraform or CloudFormation scripts, enforce policy compliance, and detect drift, which significantly reduces toil and manual errors. AIOps platforms supplement this with real-time monitoring, anomaly detection, and auto remediation that enhance operational reliability.
Yet AI lacks the advanced reasoning and contextual awareness required for orchestrating complex, multi-environment systems. Skilled professionals remain essential to define guardrails, validate AI-generated outputs, manage edge-case failures, and maintain architectural resilience. Rather than replacing DevOps roles, AI magnifies their impact. It turns practitioners into orchestrators of human-AI collaboration, including prompting systems, reviewing configurations, and making strategic decisions.
Join Kellyn as we explore a future where AI amplifies the DevOps craft vs. replacing it and learn how to empower skilled engineers to steer intelligent, reliable, and secure software delivery at unprecedented scale.
Optimizing CI/CD for Hybrid and Cloud Environments with DevOps and AI
As AI becomes increasingly integrated into software development, optimizing CI/CD pipelines for hybrid and cloud environments requires a balance between automation, security, and governance. This session explores how to leverage DevOps best practices and tools to build scalable, secure, and AI-enhanced CI/CD solutions that support the entire development lifecycle—from code commit to production deployment.
We’ll cover key DevOps principles, recommended tools for automation, testing, and deployment, as well as strategies for integrating AI-driven capabilities to enhance efficiency, detect anomalies, and improve decision-making. Additionally, we’ll discuss how to mitigate AI-related vulnerabilities in the DevOps pipeline, ensuring model integrity, data security, and compliance. Attendees will learn how to implement GitOps, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), and progressive delivery techniques while maintaining control over AI-powered automation. Whether you're incorporating AI into your CI/CD workflows or securing an existing pipeline, this session will provide actionable insights to streamline development while minimizing risks.
Mastering Cloud Infrastructure Across AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud
As organizations embrace multi-cloud strategies, understanding the nuances of infrastructure services across AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud is crucial. This session provides a comprehensive comparison of compute, storage, and networking resources in the three major cloud platforms. Attendees will gain insights into virtual machine (VM) compute options, including vCPU configurations, memory considerations, and network. We’ll explore storage solutions—covering block, object, network attached and file storage—and how to optimize performance, cost, and availability.
Beyond the fundamentals, this session will highlight key architectural patterns, best practices for workload placement, and essential tips for ensuring consistent success across platforms. Whether you're managing cloud-native applications or migrating enterprise workloads, this session will equip you with the knowledge to make informed decisions and maximize efficiency in a multi-cloud environment.
Running High IO SQL Server Workloads in the Cloud
We all have that one or two "whales in the pond" that we need to migrate to the cloud and know they can't go Azure SQL or even Managed Instance. What options are there to run these IO intensive SQL workloads in the cloud? This session will cover the ins and outs, including options for reaching high IO, no matter the workload.
Unlocking the Benefits of Database DevOps and Automation
Kellyn Gorman will dive into and teach attendees how Data DevOps can transform multi-platform database projects through streamlined automation and modern practices.
Not If, but When: The Risk to Critical Data with AI
The growing prevalence of artificial intelligence (AI) across industries has revolutionized how organizations process, analyze, and leverage data. This increased use of AI also introduces significant risks to the protection of personally identifiable information (PII) regarding vulnerable sectors such as healthcare, fintech, and retail. This presentation examines the critical threats posed by AI to PII data in these industries and explores practical strategies to mitigate such risks.
Healthcare data is particularly vulnerable due to the highly sensitive nature of medical records, patient histories, and genetic information. In fintech, financial transactions and customer data are attractive targets for cybercriminals exploiting AI-driven predictive modeling. Similarly, retail organizations face challenges in protecting customer data, including purchase histories and payment information.
This session will delve into how AI models can unintentionally expose PII through data leaks, re-identification risks, and adversarial attacks. Additionally, the presentation will cover the implications of AI-driven automated decision-making and data model poisoning that can amplify existing biases or lead to incorrect and even discriminatory outcomes.
To address these challenges, we will outline a multifaceted approach, encompassing secure data handling practices, advanced data extract through cloning techniques, and differential privacy. We will discuss implementing privacy-preserving AI models and frameworks that minimize the exposure of PII. Regulatory compliance measures, such as GDPR and CCPA, will be highlighted to ensure legal safeguards are integrated into AI data processing.
By the end of this presentation, participants will have a comprehensive understanding of the risks AI poses to PII in healthcare, fintech, and retail, as well as a set of actionable recommendations to enhance data security and privacy, fostering responsible AI usage in these critical sectors.
The Battle for Data Protection in AI and Data Analytics in Today’s World
In today’s era where data is the new nuclear power fueling AI, its protection has become a battleground. From high-profile breaches that shake industries to the ethical dilemmas posed by AI, ensuring data security is more critical and complex than ever. This keynote explores real-world data breach stories that highlight vulnerabilities in the data lifecycle and the profound consequences of lapses in protection.
In this keynote, Kellyn will examine practical strategies for safeguarding data throughout its lifecycle, no matter from creation and storage to analysis and deletion. We’ll cover the importance of emphasizing robust compliance and governance practices. Discover how cutting-edge AI technologies may and have enhanced data protection with AI and machine learning, automate threat detection, and foster proactive defense mechanisms. The goal of this talk is to equip you with insights and tools to navigate the challenges of securing data in AI-driven analytics, empowering your organization to turn this battleground into a stronghold of resilience and trust or at least give you some sense of hope in today’s AI challenges.
Can't AI do the Dishes Already??
Join Kellyn Gorman for an engaging session as she delves into her favorite AI projects, both those she has been a part of and those she wishes we all could have been part of. Kellyn will explore what makes these AI projects so exciting, highlighting their innovative goals and impressive accomplishments. Discover the transformative impact these AI initiatives are having on various industries and why they stand out in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.
Kellyn, as someone who fell into the field unexpectedly, will share insights on the essential skills and knowledge required to pivot into the world of AI, providing valuable guidance on what you should consider learning to become an integral part of groundbreaking AI projects and how current tech skills are a critical piece. Whether you're an AI enthusiast or a professional looking to transition into this dynamic field, this keynote promises to inspire and equip you with the know-how to join the forefront of AI innovation. Don't miss this opportunity to explore the fascinating world of AI through the eyes of an accidental AI specialist!
Migrating High IO SQL Server Workloads to Azure for the Win
Background:
In the modern era of cloud computing, businesses are continuously moving towards robust and scalable cloud solutions. Microsoft's Azure, with its IaaS offering, provides an unparalleled opportunity for businesses to transition their on-premises high IO SQL Server instances to the cloud without compromising performance or require refactoring.
Objective:
This presentation aims to provide attendees with a comprehensive understanding of the methodologies, strategies, and best practices involved in migrating high IO SQL Server databases to Azure using Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS).
Key Points:
1. Introduction to Azure IaaS: Understand the core components of Azure IaaS and how it differs from other Azure offerings.
2. Benefits of Migration: Discussion on the advantages of migrating to Azure, such as scalability, high availability, disaster recovery, and cost efficiency, especially for SQL Server databases with high IO demands.
3. Sizing Assessment: Essential steps and tools to evaluate the current SQL Server infrastructure, identify potential license savings and understanding of resource usage.
4. Performance Optimization: Dive deep into Azure's performance-enhancing features such as premium storage, optimized virtual machine sizes, and Azure Blob storage configurations that cater to high IO operations.
5. Migration Strategies: Overview of various migration methods, from the lift-and-shift approach to more hybrid solutions, tailored to different organizational needs and complexities.
7. Post-migration Best Practices: Tips for monitoring, managing, and optimizing the performance of the SQL Server instance on Azure IaaS.
Conclusion:
By the end of the presentation, attendees will be equipped with the knowledge and tools to effectively plan and execute a migration of high IO SQL Server databases to Azure using IaaS, ensuring correct sizing, high performance, and cost-efficiency.
Turning ADHD into "Awesome Dynamic Highly Dependable"
ADHD is rampant in IT, but not many talk about how to be successful with a highly distracted mindset. This session will discuss the data behind ADHD, tips, tools and tricks to being successful with an ADHD mind and how to embrace your ADHD super power.
Essential Linux Skills for the DBA
Are you a DBA without a server administrator and need to know everything about Linux? Are you managing linux and want to know more? This is it!
Unlike many other DBAs, the SQL Server DBA is finding themselves managing databases running on Linux without the server support or knowledge of a local Linux Administrator.
This extended session will provide the attendee with a full immersion into the Linux world. You'll learn the history behind Linux, how to design an enterprise level Linux environment to support a SQL Server database and what tools, scripting and monitoring have served other database platforms running on Linux since it's inception. The session will provide an electronic handout that will serve as excellent reference material even after Summit is over, providing continued value to the DBA, the Architect and even the Database Developer.
Adapting and Thriving: Navigating the Intersections of AI, Machine Learning, and Economic Challenges
In an era marked by rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), coupled with significant economic challenges, the role and relevance of technical specialists are under scrutiny. This keynote delves deep into the transforming landscape of technological innovation and economic volatility, guiding specialists on how to not just survive but thrive amidst these shifts.
We will begin by understanding the current scope of AI and ML, highlighting areas where automation has taken precedence and mapping out domains where human expertise still holds a competitive edge. Drawing upon real-world examples, we will debunk the myths of machines entirely replacing technical specialists and shine a light on the symbiotic relationship between human intellect and machine efficiency.
Addressing the elephant in the room, the economic downturn, we will explore strategies that technical specialists can adopt to prove their irreplaceability. By integrating AI and ML into their workflows, enhancing soft skills, and pivoting towards interdisciplinary expertise, specialists can redefine their roles in the industry.
Attendees will leave equipped with:
1. A realistic view of AI's impact on technical specialties.
2. Practical strategies for integrating AI tools into their work.
3. The confidence to evolve, upskill, and navigate a dynamic job market.
In this age, it isn’t just about adapting but leveraging the right mix of human innovation and technology to ensure success. Join us for a thought-provoking session that charts a promising path for technical specialists in an increasingly automated world.
Analytics and Data Summit 2025 Sessionize Event
PowerShell + DevOps Global Summit 2025 Sessionize Event
Microsoft Community Insights Podcast Sessionize Event
NAVIGATE 2025 Sessionize Event
SQL Saturday Oregon/SW Washington 2024 Sessionize Event
Data Platform Women in Technology Virtual Group User group Sessionize Event
SQL Saturday Boston 2024 Sessionize Event
Data Saturday Dallas 2024 Sessionize Event
Data Saturday Oslo 2024 Sessionize Event
SQL Saturday Baton Rouge 2024 Sessionize Event
SQL Saturday Jacksonville #1068 Sessionize Event
2024 SQL Saturday Orange County (SQLSatOC) Sessionize Event
SQLBits 2024 - General Sessions Sessionize Event
Please note that Sessionize is not responsible for the accuracy or validity of the data provided by speakers. If you suspect this profile to be fake or spam, please let us know.
Jump to top