John is known for his leadership, which facilitates strong teamwork and positive working relationships.

John has more than 25 years of experience with Microsoft ERP solutions as a consultant, user, IT support, and controller. His breadth of experience includes working with hundreds of ERP implementations. He has extensive experience with SQL and performance tuning, report writing using Excel, SSRS, and other tools. On the functional side, John has expertise in the distribution modules, including inventory, sales order processing, and purchase order processing.

John is known for his leadership, which facilitates strong teamwork and positive working relationships. John has more than 25 years of experience with Microsoft ERP solutions as a consultant, user, IT support, and controller. His breadth of experi... Show more

Nikhil Ambati is a Senior Data Engineer at Noble Research Institute, where he leads data platform engineering on Azure and Databricks. He architected the migration of transformation logic to dbt, building 150+ Kimball-style models across research, finance, marketing, and learning domains bringing consistency to mission-critical metrics for one of America's oldest agricultural nonprofits. He also designed an AI copilot powered by the dbt Semantic Layer and MCP server, enabling conversational metric queries.

Nikhil Ambati is a Senior Data Engineer at Noble Research Institute, where he leads data platform engineering on Azure and Databricks. He architected the migration of transformation logic to dbt, building 150+ Kimball-style models across research, fi... Show more

My name is Harsh Patel. I am Dynamics Business Central/ NAV functional consultant, having 10 years of experience in ERP implementation, business process optimization, and digital transformation with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central/ NAV solutions for businesses across various industries.

As a functional consultant, I have a good understanding of business processes and requirements, enabling to design tailored solutions that align with clients' unique needs and objectives.

My name is Harsh Patel. I am Dynamics Business Central/ NAV functional consultant, having 10 years of experience in ERP implementation, business process optimization, and digital transformation with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central/ NAV soluti... Show more

Balaji Vellineni leads the Microsoft Practice at Indium's Digital Engineering Division, where he architects .NET, Azure, and AI-powered systems for enterprise clients in banking, healthcare, and insurance. His current work focuses on agentic AI applied to legacy modernization, compliance workflows, and developer productivity tooling. He holds CBAP, PMP, and AIII certifications and a PGP in AI/ML, with two decades of enterprise software experience and deep specialization in insurance technology and Microsoft cloud ecosystems.

Balaji Vellineni leads the Microsoft Practice at Indium's Digital Engineering Division, where he architects .NET, Azure, and AI-powered systems for enterprise clients in banking, healthcare, and insurance. His current work focuses on agentic AI appli... Show more

Juan Carlos Escalante is a professor and applied AI practitioner at Tecnológico de Antioquia (Colombia). He works on deploying LLM-based academic assistants for remote and distributed campuses, focusing on governed RAG architectures, policy guardrails (privacy, refusals, citations, human escalation), and evaluation/monitoring practices that keep systems reliable after launch. His current work combines implementation in real educational services with pragmatic LLMOps: regression tests, task-based eval sets, and incident playbooks for hallucinations and retrieval failures.

Juan Carlos Escalante is a professor and applied AI practitioner at Tecnológico de Antioquia (Colombia). He works on deploying LLM-based academic assistants for remote and distributed campuses, focusing on governed RAG architectures, policy guardrail... Show more

A seasoned Microsoft Dynamics NAV and Business Central implementer who has held diverse roles over 20 years. He’s a regular presenter at industry events, authored an ERP book, and designed solutions for the food and manufacturing sectors. Currently, he’s a Senior Presales Consultant at ArcherPoint, advising customers on technology choices.

A seasoned Microsoft Dynamics NAV and Business Central implementer who has held diverse roles over 20 years. He’s a regular presenter at industry events, authored an ERP book, and designed solutions for the food and manufacturing sectors. Currently, ... Show more

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮 𝗜𝗧 𝗰𝗼𝗻 𝗺á𝘀 𝗱𝗲 𝟮𝟬 𝗮ñ𝗼𝘀 𝗱𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮 𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗼 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗼 𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗽𝗼𝘀 𝘁é𝗰𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗼𝘀.
Trayectoria en la operación, soporte y evolución de infraestructuras on-premise, virtualizadas y cloud, garantizando la disponibilidad, estabilidad y continuidad de servicios críticos del negocio.

Experiencia en gestión de operaciones IT, incluyendo soporte a usuarios, gestión de aplicaciones empresariales (ERP), monitoreo y gestión de incidencias bajo marcos ITIL, asegurando el cumplimiento de SLA y promoviendo la mejora continua.

Participación y liderazgo en proyectos de implementación y optimización tecnológica, incluyendo despliegue de infraestructura, migraciones y apertura de nuevas sedes (redes, comunicaciones, POS e integraciones), con ejecución de pruebas end-to-end, go-live y soporte post-implementación.

Experiencia en gestión de equipos técnicos y proveedores IT, administración de activos tecnológicos y toma de decisiones orientadas a la eficiencia operativa, optimización de costos y continuidad del negocio.

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮 𝗜𝗧 𝗰𝗼𝗻 𝗺á𝘀 𝗱𝗲 𝟮𝟬 𝗮ñ𝗼𝘀 𝗱𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮 𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗼 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗼 𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗽𝗼𝘀 𝘁é𝗰𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗼𝘀. Trayectoria en la operació... Show more

Country boy

Country boy Show more

Richard Hoehn is the co-founder and CTO of Aerton, an Ag Tech logistics platform focused on solving complex routing and scheduling challenges for rural America. He previously founded and successfully exited FreightWise, a leading logistics SaaS platform, and has deep technical experience building high-value, user-centric applications that turn messy operational problems into usable software.

Richard is also studying this space as a PhD student in Computational & Data Science, with a research focus on reinforcement learning (RL) and optimization for real-world logistics.

Richard Hoehn is the co-founder and CTO of Aerton, an Ag Tech logistics platform focused on solving complex routing and scheduling challenges for rural America. He previously founded and successfully exited FreightWise, a leading logistics SaaS platf... Show more

Taeyang Kim is a dynamic Senior Machine Learning Engineer and Computer Scientist with a passion for innovation and a track record of excellence in the field of data science and artificial intelligence. He studies Master of Science in Computer Science at the Georgia Institute of Technology, building upon his strong foundation from Brigham Young University (BYU), where he will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, emphasizing Data Science.

During his time at BYU, Taeyang distinguished himself both academically and through leadership roles. He was the recipient of a Full Academic Scholarship for the 2021-2022 academic year and served as the Tech President for the BYU Korean Business Student Association. His commitment to excellence is further demonstrated by his remarkable achievements in various competitions:

1st Place in the 2025 Utah AI Hackathon Competition (1st out of 186)
1st Place in the 2024 Utah Developer Hackathon Competition - Justbuild.ing
1st Place at the 2024 BYU Computer Science Senior Capstone Project Competition in Machine Learning
1st Place at the 2024 BYU ACM YHack Hackathon Competitions, earning the prestigious Benny Award
1st Place at the 2023 BYU ITCSA Raspberry Pi Competition, recognized as the best robotics competition at BYU
1st Place at the 2022 BYU ACM YHack Hackathon Competitions
1st Place at the 2017 DIPA Internet of Things Hackathon Competition in South Korea

Professionally, Taeyang has made significant contributions in the tech industry:

At Pattern (Apr 2023 – Present), he serves as a Machine Learning Engineer in Lehi, UT. Notably, he was honored as Pattern’s 2024 "Employee of the Year" out of 1,700 employees. His innovative work in automating IT ticket resolutions using advanced AI models drastically reduced ticket numbers by 75% and resolution time by 87%.
With Converus (Jun 2023 – Sep 2023), he developed sophisticated web applications utilizing GraphQL, Firebase, and modern JavaScript frameworks.
At Podflow (Mar 2023 – Apr 2023), he spearheaded the deployment of real-time audio editing software, enhancing text-to-speech and speech-to-text conversion capabilities.
As a Research Assistant at the BYU DRAGN Lab (May 2022 – Apr 2023), Taeyang developed a full-stack web application for an Amazon Alexa Competition finalist LLM model and invented a multifunctional farming robot integrating advanced sensors and robotics.
His earlier roles include software engineering positions at Leftovers and BYU Broadcasting, where he showcased his skills in full-stack development, database management, and optimizing CI/CD pipelines.

With a blend of academic excellence, professional expertise, and innovative project experience, Taeyang Kim brings a wealth of knowledge and a fresh perspective to the field of machine learning and data science. His contributions have not only advanced technologies within his organizations but have also set the stage for future innovations in the industry.

Taeyang Kim is a dynamic Senior Machine Learning Engineer and Computer Scientist with a passion for innovation and a track record of excellence in the field of data science and artificial intelligence. He studies Master of Science in Computer Science... Show more

I am a cybersecurity professional with a proven track record of identifying and securing vulnerabilities across several high-profile platforms, including Google, Facebook, NASA, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. My expertise in ethical hacking and cyber defense has earned me recognition at both national and international levels.

I have had the honor of being invited as a speaker by prestigious institutions and government bodies such as the National Informatics Centre (NIC), National Investigation Agency (NIA), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Delhi University, IIT Delhi, and IIT Roorkee. In these engagements, I have shared my insights and expertise with senior scientists, government officials, and academic leaders.

My work in securing leading Indian banks—including Axis Bank, State Bank of India (SBI), and IndusInd Bank—demonstrates my commitment to enhancing cybersecurity in critical financial sectors. I have also collaborated closely with various government agencies to strengthen digital infrastructure and cyber resilience.

My contributions have been featured in prominent media outlets, including Dailyhunt News, and my recent session with NIC was broadcast live on DD News and is archived on the Government Webcast Portal.

I am a cybersecurity professional with a proven track record of identifying and securing vulnerabilities across several high-profile platforms, including Google, Facebook, NASA, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. My expertise in ethical ha... Show more

Matthew Pothoff is a dedicated individual from Dubuque County, Iowa, whose life is defined by hard work, curiosity, and passion. Growing up, he found joy in sports such as baseball, football, basketball, and tennis, each of which shaped his character and developed his teamwork skills. His appreciation for history and craftsmanship led him to collect military rifles, where his interest in both mechanical design and historical context continues to grow.

Raised in Epworth, Iowa, Matthew attended Western Dubuque High School after spending his early education years in Catholic school. The structured environment taught him values of respect, focus, and perseverance. These formative lessons became the foundation for his professional and personal life. His upbringing in a close-knit community instilled in him an appreciation for tradition, discipline, and the value of self-improvement through hard work.

After high school, he pursued a degree in Criminal Justice at Hawkeye Community College, which deepened his sense of integrity and responsibility. Professionally, he began working in the automotive industry, where he developed hands-on skills and a strong work ethic. Now employed as a paint line laborer in a metal fabrication company, he applies coatings with precision, ensuring each product meets quality standards while maintaining a high level of craftsmanship.

Sports remain an enduring part of his life and identity. Baseball was his first love, one that he played until he turned nineteen. Throughout high school, he stayed active in football, basketball, and tennis, finding motivation and purpose through competition. Matt Pothoff still follows his favorite teams—the St. Louis Cardinals, Green Bay Packers, and Cleveland Cavaliers—remaining an enthusiastic supporter of the games he grew up loving.

Beyond athletics, his fascination with firearms and military history reflects his curiosity about the intersection of technology and human innovation. Collecting surplus military rifles allows him to connect with historical eras and craftsmanship from around the world. He takes pride in understanding the function and history behind each piece, exploring the strategies and stories that shaped military development over time.

Outside of work, Matthew enjoys outdoor activities like hunting, camping, and hiking. He values time spent in nature for its balance and clarity, often engaging in deer and turkey hunts. Health and fitness are also priorities for him, as he experiments with new diets and routines to stay active. His lifestyle reflects discipline, passion, and respect for both history and the natural world.

Matthew Pothoff is a dedicated individual from Dubuque County, Iowa, whose life is defined by hard work, curiosity, and passion. Growing up, he found joy in sports such as baseball, football, basketball, and tennis, each of which shaped his character... Show more

Amber Hasan is an interdisciplinary artist and community organizer focused on using Creative Practice as a tool for change. Amber is Co-Founder of The Sister Tour collective, she has worked with photographer LaToya Ruby Frazier regarding the Flint Water Crisis, she is a Board Member of Title Track Michigan, and a Board Member of Commongrounds, where she is the advocate for the Boardman River in Traverse City, Michigan.

Amber Hasan is an interdisciplinary artist and community organizer focused on using Creative Practice as a tool for change. Amber is Co-Founder of The Sister Tour collective, she has worked with photographer LaToya Ruby Frazier regarding the Flint W... Show more

Frankfurter Buchmesse 2024 & 2025
Leipziger Buchmesse 2025
Werde Eigentümer*in Konferenz
Buchpremiere Gewandhaus Dresden
Wirtschaftsfrauen e.V.
MamaMeetingBusinessClub
Waldbund Konferenzen u.a. Schloss Lieser 2025
AgrarLausitz Stammtisch

Frankfurter Buchmesse 2024 & 2025 Leipziger Buchmesse 2025 Werde Eigentümer*in Konferenz Buchpremiere Gewandhaus Dresden Wirtschaftsfrauen e.V. MamaMeetingBusinessClub Waldbund Konferenzen u.a. Schloss Lieser 2025 AgrarLausitz Stammtisch Show more

Vivaldo Cândido é Engenheiro Informático e Especialista em Desenvolvimento de Soluções Tecnológicas, reconhecido pela sua capacidade de transformar desafios complexos em soluções digitais inovadoras. Actua como Responsável pelo Departamento de IT da Mwango Brain, onde lidera iniciativas de modernização tecnológica, integração de plataformas e transformação digital orientada a resultados.

Paralelamente, desempenha funções como Técnico de Análise e Desenvolvimento de Soluções na Unitel, contribuindo para a construção de sistemas de grande escala e processos críticos que sustentam milhões de utilizadores a nível nacional.

Scrum Master certificado e Especialista em Jira, Vivaldo domina metodologias ágeis, gestão de processos, modelação empresarial e frameworks modernas de produtividade. É igualmente formado em BPM e BPMN, reforçando a sua capacidade de alinhar tecnologia, processos e estratégia organizacional.

Recentemente, consolidou o seu posicionamento no panorama tecnológico global através da certificação Advanced Digital Transformation & AI, fortalecendo a sua competência na aplicação de inteligência artificial em projectos corporativos. Participou também no Function1, um dos eventos mais avançados de AI e inovação tecnológica realizado no Dubai, onde teve contacto direto com líderes mundiais, tendências emergentes e práticas de ponta em AI/ML.

Nos últimos anos, tem aprofundado o seu foco em componentes de Inteligência Artificial e Machine Learning, integrando estas tecnologias nos seus projectos, nos seus estudos e na sua visão de futuro para o ecossistema digital angolano.

Além da sua vertente técnica, é Educador Financeiro, Investidor e Empreendedor, dedicando-se a promover literacia financeira, autonomia económica e mentalidade de crescimento entre jovens profissionais. A sua abordagem multidisciplinar faz dele uma das vozes mais influentes na interseção entre tecnologia, inovação, negócios e desenvolvimento humano em Angola.

Vivaldo Cândido é Engenheiro Informático e Especialista em Desenvolvimento de Soluções Tecnológicas, reconhecido pela sua capacidade de transformar desafios complexos em soluções digitais inovadoras. Actua como Responsável pelo Departamento de IT da ... Show more

Per gli amici, Lucio, classe 1996, sono un informatico e un designer industriale che ha cominciato a fare impresa nel paesello dove sono nato, nel centro della mia amata Sicilia. Ho 2 partit, ehm, 2 attività di cui vado fiero, una è nell'ambito dell'artigianato, settore legno, e l'altra è un'azienda agricola. Sono un perito informatico e dopo aver iniziato gli studi al dipartimento di matematica e informatica all'università di Catania, per imprevisti o forse opportunità, non ho concluso la carriera da programmatore, ho capito che volevo fare altre cose da grande e adesso sto completando gli studi in Architettura e design industriale presso la San Raffaele Roma.
Sono una ex recluta del GDG Catania e ho fatto tanta esperienza nel mondo delle startup, partendo dal brainstorming.
Ho molte skill, ma resto umile, mi piace la musica e la pasta al forno.

Per gli amici, Lucio, classe 1996, sono un informatico e un designer industriale che ha cominciato a fare impresa nel paesello dove sono nato, nel centro della mia amata Sicilia. Ho 2 partit, ehm, 2 attività di cui vado fiero, una è nell'ambito dell'... Show more

Currently being most passionate about Azure Local and Azure Arc. Coming down a long way with Microsoft tech only, since the 90s

Currently being most passionate about Azure Local and Azure Arc. Coming down a long way with Microsoft tech only, since the 90s Show more

Precious Tom is the founder and CEO of Pandascrow Inc. Tom was a Mentor with Sugar Labs in Google Summer of Code and Code-in. Ex CTO at Farmsby.

Tom is an Open Source Evangelize and contributes to several communities.

Precious Tom is the founder and CEO of Pandascrow Inc. Tom was a Mentor with Sugar Labs in Google Summer of Code and Code-in. Ex CTO at Farmsby. Tom is an Open Source Evangelize and contributes to several communities. Show more

Soy Josué Ángel Gutiérrez Cuéllar, estudiante de Ingeniería de Software en la Universidad Tecnológica del Perú y un convencido de que la tecnología debe tener propósito. Desde niño, siempre tuve la curiosidad de entender cómo funcionaba la tecnología. Aprendí a programar de manera autodidacta a los 9 años usando Game Maker Studio, un entorno que emplea una versión modificada de C y un paradigma orientado a objetos. Sin saberlo, comencé a programar de una manera no tan sencilla, sin cursos formales, pero impulsado por tutoriales y desafíos personales. Así nació mi mentalidad: “tal vez no lo sé todo, pero haré todo lo que pueda con lo que sé”.

Aunque Game Maker estaba pensado para videojuegos, yo lo utilizaba para crear herramientas funcionales que me sirvieran en mi día a día, como un "Word" simplificado para hacer mis mapas conceptuales en el colegio o un horario con enlaces directos a mis clases de Zoom en pandemia. Desde entonces, nunca me alejé de la programación. Aprendí HTML, CSS y JavaScript en mis tiempos libres, y luego Python. En segundo año de secundaria decidí que quería estudiar Ingeniería de Software.

Ingresé a la universidad con 16 años y ese mismo año obtuve una beca en EdX para llevar de manera remota el curso CS50x de la Universidad de Harvard, el cual culminé con nota perfecta. Como proyecto final desarrollé Sleep Watch Alert, una plataforma con inteligencia artificial que detecta si un bebé está dormido o despierto y envía alertas a un smartwatch. Esta idea nació por una necesidad familiar: ayudar a cuidar a mi sobrina recién nacida. Con el tiempo, el proyecto fue mejorado y me permitió ganar un hackathon en la Universidad de Concordia en Montreal, Canadá.

Más adelante, me convertí en voluntario en RobBuild, enseñando programación a niños, y gracias a una asociación tuve la oportunidad de enseñar de manera activa durante medio año en la Municipalidad de Lima. Gracias al impacto de estas sesiones, fui invitado a ser el primero en grabar una clase modelo para una plataforma educativa gratuita dirigida a niños de bajos recursos para que obtengan certificados en tecnología.

También lideré un equipo finalista en la Datatón del Ministerio de Trabajo, donde diseñamos una mano robótica para personas con parálisis que permite controlar una computadora, y desarrollamos una plataforma inclusiva de búsqueda de empleo conectada al portal del Ministerio. En este evento, tuve la oportunidad de dialogar y aprender con ingenieros de Google, Huawei y un representante de la Unión Europea especializado en economía.

Después, gané el primer lugar en el hackathon internacional CodePi, con sede en Francia, desarrollando un videojuego educativo para niños. El jurado estuvo compuesto por profesionales de empresas como Google, Apple, Amazon, Meta, Microsoft y Disney Streaming.

Actualmente tengo 19 años y recientemente, fui seleccionado entre más de 10 mil postulantes para ser representante activo en el Capítulo Nacional de la Juventud, impulsado por el Foro Mundial de Alimentación y la FAO - ONU, donde ya he presentado una propuesta disruptiva ante entidades gubernamentales internacionales, representantes de la FAO - ONU y SENAJU sobre un nuevo paradigma para el futuro de la agricultura en el país, llevando la tecnología y la inteligencia artificial al servicio de los agricultores rurales con ayuda de plataformas del Estado, entre otras cosas.

Gracias a todos estos logros es que he sido reconocido en más de una ocasión por mi universidad como un orgullo, y han destacado mis logros en LinkedIn. Realmente estoy muy agradecido por cada paso y lo que significa para mí y para la juventud en el Perú.

Cada parte de mi camino ha estado guiada por un propósito: usar la tecnología para mejorar vidas. Mi enfoque es claro: innovación responsable, inteligencia artificial con ética y desarrollo con sentido humano. Creo en el potencial humano y creo en un mañana mejor.

Soy Josué Ángel Gutiérrez Cuéllar, estudiante de Ingeniería de Software en la Universidad Tecnológica del Perú y un convencido de que la tecnología debe tener propósito. Desde niño, siempre tuve la curiosidad de entender cómo funcionaba la tecnología... Show more

Con más de 10 años de experiencia en Business Analytics y Transformación Digital, he liderado proyectos de innovación en canales digitales, business analytics, CRMs y optimización de procesos en mercados Latinoamericanos específicamente en sectores como banca, retail, automotriz, agroindustrias y educación superior.

En BAC-Credomatic, Grupo Casa Pellas "Toyota Nicaragua" e INCAE Business School, he implementado/rediseñado soluciones avanzadas como Tableau, Power BI y Salesforce, mejorando la eficiencia operativa y la toma de decisiones basadas en datos. He impulsado la reestructuración de KPIs, la automatización de procesos comerciales y la integración de sistemas CRM, impactando positivamente en la estrategia de marketing digital y las operaciones comerciales, gestionando la sinergia entre talentosos equipos multidisciplinarios.

Paralelamente me he desempeñado como Profesor en especializaciones en Inteligencia de Negocios y Operaciones a nivel internacional, donde comparto mis conocimientos para empoderar a futuros líderes en analítica y transformación empresarial.

Mi enfoque se centra en la innovación, la mejora continua y la transformación digital para generar valor estratégico a través de los datos.

Con más de 10 años de experiencia en Business Analytics y Transformación Digital, he liderado proyectos de innovación en canales digitales, business analytics, CRMs y optimización de procesos en mercados Latinoamericanos específicamente en sectores c... Show more

Abdrahman Oladimeji is a passionate and results-driven Frontend Developer with an expertise in crafting modern, highly performant, and user-centric digital experiences. He specializes in bridging the gap between design and functionality, creating seamless interfaces that delight users across web and mobile platforms.

​A dedicated open source advocate, Abdrahman channels this passion not only into his code contributions but also into fostering a vibrant tech community. His commitment to excellence is evidenced by his multiple industry awards, which recognize his impact and innovative work in the development space.
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He has a proven track record of organizing, co-organizing, and volunteering for several impactful tech communities and events, sharing his technical insights and mentoring emerging talent. His core mission is to empower others and bring out the best in them, making a tangible impact one collaboration and one line of code at a time.

Abdrahman Oladimeji is a passionate and results-driven Frontend Developer with an expertise in crafting modern, highly performant, and user-centric digital experiences. He specializes in bridging the gap between design and functionality, creating sea... Show more

I’m Rajni, a passionate marketing executive at JPLoft, a leading web and app development company. Beyond marketing, I enjoy discussing emerging technologies and future innovations.

I’m Rajni, a passionate marketing executive at JPLoft, a leading web and app development company. Beyond marketing, I enjoy discussing emerging technologies and future innovations. Show more

At Supreme Green Diamond, we specialize in growing high-quality diamonds using advanced laboratory techniques. Our in-house team of researchers has indigenously developed state-of-the-art Microwave Plasma Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) technology, enabling us to produce superior diamonds with precision and consistency.

At Supreme Green Diamond, we specialize in growing high-quality diamonds using advanced laboratory techniques. Our in-house team of researchers has indigenously developed state-of-the-art Microwave Plasma Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) technology, e... Show more

Ian Schenkel of Newport Beach is a mechanical engineer turned entrepreneur with more than thirty years of experience in the food industry. Based in Newport Beach, California, he has built a career that brings together technical expertise and business knowledge. Over the years, his work has spanned machinery design, large-scale food manufacturing, private labeling, and product development. He is best known as the founder of a food manufacturing company that has remained successful for more than three decades despite the many challenges of a competitive marketplace.

His career began with a degree in mechanical engineering, which gave him the ability to understand systems and find ways to improve them. In the early part of his professional life, he focused on designing and building machinery, skills that later became essential when he moved into food production. Unlike many who start businesses with only a marketing idea, he entered the industry with a technical foundation. Ian Schenkel Haliburton understood the importance of reliable equipment and how small efficiencies in production could build into meaningful results over time.

Before starting his own company, he worked in several parts of the food business. Through private labeling, he gained an understanding of how to maintain brand identity while meeting the demands of large-scale production. Schenkel also developed expertise in specialized areas such as frozen vegetables and fire roasting. When he decided to establish his own company, he knew the risks involved. Margins were often tight, supply chains were complex, and consumer preferences shifted quickly. Still, he focused on creating a business model that could adapt while remaining committed to quality.

That approach shaped the long-term success of the company. It expanded into new opportunities, refined operations, and built a reputation for consistency. His leadership has always centered on key principles: quality control, efficiency in operations, adaptability, and team development. Ian has invested in training and worked to build a culture where employees feel valued, believing that the strength of the company rests with its people.

His leadership style reflects a balance of technical knowledge and strategic vision. He uses both data and long experience while also listening to his team and keeping attention on long-term goals. Outside of business, he enjoys boating and golf, both of which require patience and adaptability. His connection to Haliburton also provides balance and perspective away from daily responsibilities.

Over more than three decades, he has seen shifts in markets, consumer behavior, and technology. What he has learned is that lasting success comes not from one breakthrough but from consistent improvements made over time. With 33 years in business, his company stands as proof of endurance, adaptability, and trust built with employees, partners, and customers. From his early years as an engineer to his long-standing role as an entrepreneur, Ian Schenkel continues to demonstrate that quality, efficiency, and persistence are the foundation of lasting success.

Ian Schenkel of Newport Beach is a mechanical engineer turned entrepreneur with more than thirty years of experience in the food industry. Based in Newport Beach, California, he has built a career that brings together technical expertise and business... Show more

Kayode Makinde
AI Researcher | Data Scientist

Kayode Makinde is an AI researcher at Lawyers Hub, Africa's leading AI policy organization, where he explores the intersection of AI, law, and technology to drive ethical AI development and policymaking in Africa. He is also a multi-award-winning data scientist at Perizer, specializing in AI-driven research analysis, market trends, and optimization.

With a background in engineering, Kayode has gained recognition for his innovative research, including training reinforcement learning agents to play Ayo, a traditional Nigerian game. This project earned him the Best Poster award at the DSN AI Bootcamp and 3rd place at IndabaX Nigeria 2024. His achievements also include winning the Bluechip Data and AI Summit hackathon, the DataFest hackathon, and receiving the prestigious Mr. Algorithm award for excellence in AI.

Kayode is a skilled speaker and educator who has delivered impactful sessions at leading tech events, including DataFest Africa 2024 and TECH MEET Abeokuta 3.0, where he has shared insights on computer vision, object detection with YOLO, and reinforcement learning. His diverse projects demonstrate his practical approach to AI, from developing an AI-powered ripe orange plucking robot to designing optimization algorithms for real-world applications.

A passionate advocate for AI innovation in Africa, Kayode combines deep technical expertise with a commitment to community engagement. He leverages AI to solve local challenges in agriculture, cultural preservation, and beyond, while inspiring the next generation of AI practitioners to harness AI’s transformative potential for sustainable development.

Kayode Makinde AI Researcher | Data Scientist Kayode Makinde is an AI researcher at Lawyers Hub, Africa's leading AI policy organization, where he explores the intersection of AI, law, and technology to drive ethical AI development and policymaki... Show more

Over the past ten years, Allie has built and run businesses in various industries including audio engineering, wellness tech, software development and user experience design, and accelerator programming. She has worked closely with dozens of entrepreneurs to build their climate and social impact organizations through coaching, fractional leadership roles, and her original entrepreneurship curriculum. Her clients include impact organizations like CrowdSolve, CU Boulder, Glazier Clinics, Conscious Capitalism, and the Downtown Denver Partnership.

Outside of work, Allie is passionate about her work supporting and mentoring youth, nonprofits, and impact entrepreneurs in partnership with capacity-building economic development organizations including SVP Denver, Rocky Mountain Microfinance Institute, Good Business Colorado, and SEA Change. She has been instrumental in cultivating thriving and inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems in Denver, Reno, and Greeley, CO. Allie is an experienced audio engineer, musical composer, UX/UI designer, yoga teacher, no-code developer, workshop facilitator, design thinking expert, and entreprenerd.

She currently designs curriculum for hackathons and pitch competitions through her company, Meep, and works with the City of Greeley and nationally ranked venture capital firm gener8tor to run the gBETA Greeley AgTech pre-accelerator program.

Over the past ten years, Allie has built and run businesses in various industries including audio engineering, wellness tech, software development and user experience design, and accelerator programming. She has worked closely with dozens of entrepre... Show more

I’m a CX and product leader obsessed with designing experiences that feel as good as they work. From building customer journeys and operational systems from scratch, to driving adoption and loyalty with behavioral nudges—I help brands move with clarity, empathy, and intention.

Right now, I lead Customer Experience at Magnum Insight, where I shape service design and experience strategy across key touchpoints. I’ve worked across tech, AI, fintech, and immigration—especially in fast-moving environments where nothing existed before.

Whether it’s CX, ops, or product thinking, I care about structure that serves both customers and teams. I also mentor up-and-coming CX professionals and believe the best systems are the ones that make people feel seen.

I’m a CX and product leader obsessed with designing experiences that feel as good as they work. From building customer journeys and operational systems from scratch, to driving adoption and loyalty with behavioral nudges—I help brands move with clari... Show more

Meet celebrity hairstylist and barber, Contressa Oliver. As a published licensed master cosmetologist, barber, and instructor in the state of Georgia, Contressa is a serial entrepreneur and a mogul in the beauty industry. While working for companies such as the very popular Regis Corporation, Contressa has earned a reputation in the beauty industry and is a member of the Professional Beauty Association. As an educator for the Bronner Bros. International Beauty Show, Contressa is able to showcase her skills while continuously spreading her knowledge to cosmetologists and instructors worldwide. Her work has been featured on MSN and Rolling Out.

With over 25 years under her belt, Contressa teaches for the Georgia Department of Education and for the Technical College System of Georgia. "As a high school educator, teaching the cosmetology pathway is a great way for students to not only get a jump start on earning college credits but also a great opportunity for students to gain knowledge and hands-on experience. Students graduate from high school with a certificate(s), diploma, and/or an associate’s degree that allows them to go straight into their career field.

"Teaching post-secondary education allows me to prep students for their state board licensure exams and teach them the rules and regulations of their state. My number one priority is building their confidence, pushing them to their highest potential, and helping them accomplish their goals. I’ve served as a judge and advisor for Georgia’s SkillsUSA Cosmetology for the past two years. By having experience in both areas, I can properly train students for regional, state, and national competitions."

Contressa is the founder and CEO of Noble Glam Hair Collection LLC, an e-commerce beauty supply store that services customers worldwide. She is also the founder of REVILO Gives, Inc., a nonprofit organization that bridges the gap between beauty and wellness and shares helpful articles for men and women to spread awareness on ways to increase inward health, leading to longer outward beauty.

Meet celebrity hairstylist and barber, Contressa Oliver. As a published licensed master cosmetologist, barber, and instructor in the state of Georgia, Contressa is a serial entrepreneur and a mogul in the beauty industry. While working for companie... Show more

Andrew Smart is the CEO and owner of Core Catalyst Food Sciences and Duke Sandwich Company, based in Greenville, South Carolina. With years of experience in food manufacturing and brand development, he has established a strong reputation for his commitment to quality and innovation. His leadership is defined by his focus on the products his companies create and the people contributing to their success.

Since 2005, Andrew has served as the CEO of DiscoverFresh Foods, which produces homemade-style food products like dips, spreads, granola, and desserts. DiscoverFresh has a high food safety standard and holds a Safe Quality Food (SQF) certification. Beyond food manufacturing, DiscoverFresh offers product development, marketing, and creative design services, helping brands efficiently bring new products to market. The company has partnered with major brands like Hidden Valley® Ranch, Texas Pete® Hot Sauce, and Louisiana Hot Sauce, offering solutions to meet diverse needs in the food industry.

Andrew’s approach to leadership centers on building strong teams and fostering an environment of growth and development. He believes that the people behind a company drive its success. At DiscoverFresh, the “Serve, Connect, and Make a Difference” mission guides every aspect of the business, from the relationships the company builds with clients to the opportunities it creates for employees. His commitment to nurturing talent and maintaining a positive company culture has been instrumental in DiscoverFresh’s success.

In 2018, recognizing the growing need for specialized food safety testing, Andrew founded Core Catalyst Food Sciences. The laboratory, ISO-IEC 17025-certified, provides essential testing services to food manufacturers, helping them ensure their products meet rigorous safety and quality standards. Core Catalyst’s services include shelf-life testing, challenge trials, and food safety consultations. By offering these services, Core Catalyst assists food companies in bringing safe, high-quality products to market. Clients of Core Catalyst include U.S. Waffle Company, Lean Kitchen Company, and Signature Seasonings, among others.

In addition to his work in the food industry, Andrew Smart of Greenville, SC, is dedicated to supporting education and community development. He has been involved with Clemson University and Wingate University, making significant contributions. In 2022, he and his wife, Julie, made a $2 million donation to Wingate University Athletics to fund the construction of a new training facility for student-athletes. This donation reflects their belief in the value of education and their desire to support the next generation of leaders.

Andrew and Julie, who work as the director of the Doctor of Education program at Anderson University, have two children, Drew and Claire. As a family, they prioritize community involvement and supporting causes that promote education, personal development, and growth. His leadership and philanthropic efforts reflect his commitment to making a meaningful impact in the food industry and the communities where he lives and works. He makes a lasting difference in his businesses and community through his dedication to quality, service, and innovation.

Andrew Smart is the CEO and owner of Core Catalyst Food Sciences and Duke Sandwich Company, based in Greenville, South Carolina. With years of experience in food manufacturing and brand development, he has established a strong reputation for his comm... Show more

Awoke Dagnew is a dedicated and collaborative project management professional with over 13 years of experience in the non-profit sector. He has strong expertise and skills in project design and execution, having successfully managed a diverse range of development and humanitarian projects. Awoke's expertise spans program management, monitoring, and evaluation, particularly in areas such as water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), women’s empowerment, digital rights, and social inclusion. His experience includes strategy development, project design and execution, program logistics administration, and engaging in policy dialogues. Currently, he is working with HOPE International Development Agency in the capacity of Strategy and Programs Manager and actively volunteering with TOGETHER, a civil society working towards narrowing down the digital divide for persons with disabilities.

Awoke holds a Master’s degree in Political Science and Social Work, and a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology. He is an alumnus of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Regional Leadership Center and the DATA4CHANGE Data Storytelling and Design Sprint. Recognized for his leadership and impact, Awoke was awarded the African Youth SDGs Achievers Award in 2022, under the category of Leader of Equality. His professional interests include policy dialogue, digital inclusion, environmental sustainability, women’s empowerment, and WASH issues.

Awoke Dagnew is a dedicated and collaborative project management professional with over 13 years of experience in the non-profit sector. He has strong expertise and skills in project design and execution, having successfully managed a diverse range o... Show more