Simone Bennett
Principal Consultant
Brisbane, Australia
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With 25+ years in tech, I’ve navigated the realms of on prem and cloud infrastructure, seen the emergence of DevOps, platform engineering and cloud and I'm still grateful that I accidently ended up in this industry. What a ride. As a Principal Consultant, I lead the Development and Implementation of Platform Engineering Solutions for our customers and help them adopt modern, optimised cloud solutions. I'm passionate about breaking down barriers into tech, and am always looking to support initiatives that champion non-traditional pathways into the industry. Diversity is more than gender after all! If you're looking for a speaker or volunteer for an initiative, I’d love to be involved, let's connect!
📧 Contact Me:
🟦 BSKY: simone_au
🌐 LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonebennett
📑 Blog: https://simone-au.medium.com/
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Building solutions with the Well Architected Framework
Immerse yourself in architecting cutting-edge Azure solutions. Learn to seamlessly integrate Microsoft's Well-Architected Framework into your projects using Terraform's powerful tools. Discover strategies to mitigate technical debt while ensuring top-notch security, cost optimization, resilience, and operational excellence. Explore real-world examples showcasing successful integration and alignment with development pipelines. Moreover, we'll unveil a comprehensive suite of automation tools designed to effortlessly incorporate Well-Architected principles throughout your development process. Join us for this enlightening session and pave the way for a future where your Azure solutions stand out in terms of performance, security, and innovation
From Delivery to Assembly Line: Making Your Work Feel Automated
Most infrastructure work starts the same way. Someone needs something built, you get it done, and everyone moves on. Until the next request arrives. And the next. Before long you are stuck rebuilding the same thing with minor tweaks, wondering why it all feels like déjà vu.
This talk is about breaking that loop. I’ll show how I take those first deliveries and turn them into something the whole team can reuse: CI/CD pipelines, infrastructure as code, design templates, and backlog items that actually save time. The focus is on making things configurable rather than bespoke, so you get consistency without killing flexibility.
We’ll look at the end-to-end picture, from the first messy build to a setup that runs like an assembly line. And I’ll share the data that proves it works: faster delivery, lower cost, and fewer late nights.
If you’ve ever thought “surely there’s a better way than building this again,” this session is for you.
From Lift and Shift to Structure That Sticks
If your cloud environment feels like it was duct taped together during migration and never revisited, you are not alone. This session is a postmortem of the chaos left behind when phase two never happens.
We will explore why so many cloud migrations stall after phase one, and how the same problems from on prem environments are often lifted and shifted along with the workloads. The real issue is not usually the cloud itself. It is the lack of optimisation, structure, and platform maturity that follows.
Using real-world examples, we will cover:
- How rushed lift and shift projects led to technical debt and platform gaps
- Why cloud repatriation is trending
- The hidden cost of weak foundations
- Practical tools that help bring back control in Azure, including tag inheritance, budget alerts, policy as code, subscription vending, AzGovViz, and Cost Management
- How I generally approach the clean-up to stabilise and modernise broken cloud environments
This is a practical talk for Azure engineers and leads dealing with post-migration sprawl, technical debt, and environments that never matured. You will leave with tools and patterns to reduce chaos and restore structure without starting over.
Mastering Azure Well-Architected: From Pipelines to Perfection
Dive into the critical pillars that keep your systems sturdy yet supple: Cost Optimization, Security, Reliability, Performance Efficiency, and Operational Excellence.
Unlock the tools and strategies you can use to slash costs and secure your stack. Discover the secrets behind crafting Landing Zones that stand resilient amidst digital storms, and get the lowdown on Platform Engineering that’s all about building smart—not hard.
Perfect for those looking to elevate their architectural approach, this session is a compact but comprehensive journey to technical excellence. Get ready to transform the theoretical into the actionable with insights from a seasoned consultant!
The Human Side of Infra as Code: Getting Buy-In, Building Trust, and Making It Stick
Infrastructure as code is not just a technical shift. It is a cultural one. You cannot automate your way to maturity if the team is not on board. This session is about what it really takes to adopt infrastructure as code in environments that are already live, already messy, and full of people who did not ask for change.
We will talk about how to make the case for infrastructure as code when it feels slower at first, how to pick your first wins, and how to build trust between teams, tools, and templates.
You will learn:
* Why infrastructure as code matters beyond automation and repeatability
* Where to start when your team still builds through the portal
* What causes resistance and how to shift the conversation
* How to structure your first steps so they are safe, fast, and visible
* How to create a platform culture where reliability and collaboration come first
This is a practical talk for engineers, leads, and platform teams trying to modernise how they work without blowing up what is already running.
May the Cloud Be With You: Why Landing Zones Matter (What are they and How to Build One)
Ever wondered what a Landing Zone is and why everyone keeps talking about them? In this session, we’ll embark on an epic journey through the galaxy of Landing Zones—what they are, why they matter, and how to build one without losing your cool.
Whether you're a Padawan in the cloud or a seasoned Jedi, you'll leave with a solid understanding of how to set up a strong, secure foundation in Azure. We'll cover the basics, best practices, and real-world examples so you can confidently build your own cloud empire—scalable, secure, and stress-free.
Perfect for developers, sysadmins and startups who want to get hands-on with Azure while dodging the dark side of infrastructure woes. Join us and master Landing Zones that will future-proof your cloud journey!
The Rack Awakens: On-Prem Strikes Back
Is your cloud bill turning into the ultimate boss fight you just can’t beat? You’re not alone. Companies like Ahrefs have allegedly saved hundreds of millions by ditching cloud for on-prem and even Disney’s had to hike prices to deal with their cloud costs. The trend to "go back" to on-prem is gaining steam, but is it the final answer—or just another reboot we didn’t ask for?
We’ll explore why companies are running back to the server room and what they’re actually getting in return. But beware: repatriating your workloads might come with hardware headaches, scaling nightmares, and more sleepless nights than you bargained for.
If you’ve even thought about pulling the plug on your cloud, this session is for you. Let’s find out if going back on-prem is a genius move—or just a terrifying trip down memory lane!
Mastering Full Stack with Azure: Effortless Infrastructure and Well-Architected Framework
Is your cloud architecture haunted by inefficiencies, security gaps, or spiraling costs? Don’t panic—call in the Well-Architected Framework! In this session, we’ll exorcise the most common cloud challenges by diving into Microsoft’s Well-Architected Framework, giving you the tools, tips, and Terraform magic to zap those issues out of existence.
From securing your stack to optimizing performance, we'll cover all the essential pillars: Cost Optimization, Security, Reliability, Performance Efficiency, and Operational Excellence. With Terraform in your toolkit, you'll automate your way to a more resilient and efficient cloud, reducing technical debt and making your Azure solutions both ghost-proof and future-proof.
Packed with real-world examples and practical tips, this session is perfect for anyone looking to build smarter, faster, and more securely in Azure. Get ready to bust those cloud problems—because when it comes to Well-Architected, who you gonna call?
Streamline Your Way to a Zen-Like Workday
Feeling overwhelmed by a flood of emails, notifications, and last-minute requests? Join Simone Bennett for an insightful session that will help you cultivate a more balanced and productive workday.
Simone will share her journey of navigating workplace chaos and stress through practical strategies for clarity and focus. Discover how to streamline your tasks, reduce distractions, and create space for what truly matters. Learn techniques to minimize interruptions, organize your workload, and enhance your overall well-being.
Key topics include:
Understanding your personal work patterns and motivations.
Strategies to minimize distractions and create focus.
Tools for enhancing productivity and clarity, including Microsoft Viva Insights and JIRA.
Building routines and habits to reduce cognitive load.
Effective communication techniques to foster a supportive work environment.
Quality memes
Whether you’re an IT professional or anyone looking to enhance productivity and reduce stress, this talk will provide actionable insights to transform your work experience. Plus, there will be some quality memes to share in your group chats for added fun!
Simplified Cloud Adoption with Microsoft's Terraforms Azure Landing Zone Module
Rev up your cloud engines with the Azure Cloud Adoption Framework, powered by Terraform! Dive into this session where we decode how to craft your base cloud platform using the pre-built Microsoft CAF modules. There's no need to be an infrastructure expert —we’ve got the shortcuts to scalability and best practices. Learn how to deploy your cloud infrastructure with the finesse of an expert, all while fast-tracking your build process. It’s all about smart, secure, and swift cloud adoption that puts you in the pilot's seat.
Azure Cloud Commanders User group Sessionize Event Upcoming
DDD Adelaide 2025 Sessionize Event Upcoming
NDC Melbourne 2025 Sessionize Event
Programmable 2025 - Sydney Sessionize Event
Programmable 2025 - Melbourne Sessionize Event
DDD Perth 2024 Sessionize Event
DDD Melbourne 2024 Sessionize Event
NDC Sydney 2024 Sessionize Event
90DaysOfDevOps - 2024 Community Edition Sessionize Event
HashiTalks: Deploy Sessionize Event
Simone Bennett
Principal Consultant
Brisbane, Australia
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