Hi There,

I have worked with Microsoft data technologies since SQL Server 7.0. Initially, I was a VB developer, but in 2000 I pivoted into a data role and since then I have worked on hundreds of projects using combinations of MS SQL DB Engine, Analysis Services, SSIS, SSRS, PowerBI, Tabular, Power Automate, Power Apps, and more.

I have run my own consultancy company since 2012 and have a range of clients from just a few users to 5000+ users, across retail, automotive, public sector, and food production. I now split my time between
-> Client Consultancy Engagements
-> Client Data Solution Development Skills
-> Training - Private and Public

I am a regular speaker on Microsoft Data Platform topics and co-leader of the Cork SQL User Group, Cork PowerBI User Group, and Data Céilí. All of my talks and training courses are heavily influenced by real work problems and solutions that I encounter on a daily basis.

Hi There, I have worked with Microsoft data technologies since SQL Server 7.0. Initially, I was a VB developer, but in 2000 I pivoted into a data role and since then I have worked on hundreds of projects using combinations of MS SQL DB Engine, An... 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

I'm a developer passionate about making large language models work on small budgets. From full-stack apps to containerised AI workloads, I love building things that are clever, efficient, and production-ready—even without enterprise-level resources. Currently exploring how far Kubernetes can stretch when you're resource-conscious but ambition-heavy.

I'm a developer passionate about making large language models work on small budgets. From full-stack apps to containerised AI workloads, I love building things that are clever, efficient, and production-ready—even without enterprise-level resources. ... Show more

Jeremy Nathan is the CEO of JN Training, a Chattanooga-based technology training company. He is a Microsoft Certified Trainer and Microsoft Certified Power BI Data Analyst. Jeremy has worked in various industries as a production worker in a factory to an office worker. He founded JN Training to improve people’s skills. He understands the easiest way to deliver training for everyone based on how they learn. He instructs workshops in all levels of technology including Microsoft applications.

Jeremy Nathan is the CEO of JN Training, a Chattanooga-based technology training company. He is a Microsoft Certified Trainer and Microsoft Certified Power BI Data Analyst. Jeremy has worked in various industries as a production worker in a factory t... Show more

Ramakrishna Ambati is a distinguished Enterprise System Architect and Multi-Cloud ERP Consultant with over 21 years of comprehensive experience spanning NetSuite, Salesforce, and Google Cloud platforms. Currently serving as Enterprise System Architect at Visby Medical, he brings a unique combination of deep technical expertise and strategic business acumen to complex enterprise implementations.
Technical Expertise: Ramakrishna is proficient in multiple programming languages including Java, SuiteScript, PL/SQL, JavaScript, and Node.js, with extensive experience in web technologies (JSON, EDI, SOAP, REST APIs). His integration expertise spans Dell Boomi, Workato, and MuleSoft platforms, while his database proficiency includes Oracle and DB2 systems. He excels in both Agile (Scrum) and Waterfall methodologies for project delivery.
Certifications & Specializations: He holds current certifications as Google Cloud Professional Architect, Project Management Professional (PMP), Salesforce Certified Data Architect, NetSuite Certified ERP Consultant, and TOGAF Certified Architect. This multi-platform expertise enables him to design and implement scalable, integrated solutions across diverse technology ecosystems.
Core Competencies: NetSuite customization and integration, cloud data architecture, SuiteScript development, SuiteFlow automation, data migration, middleware integration, SOX compliance implementation, KPI development, workflow automation, and comprehensive business process optimization. He has successfully delivered value-driven solutions across Healthcare, Manufacturing, Retail, and Food & Agriculture industries.
Ramakrishna excels in translating complex business requirements into robust technical architectures, leveraging his advanced technical skills and certifications to drive operational efficiency and strategic objectives.

Ramakrishna Ambati is a distinguished Enterprise System Architect and Multi-Cloud ERP Consultant with over 21 years of comprehensive experience spanning NetSuite, Salesforce, and Google Cloud platforms. Currently serving as Enterprise System Architec... Show more

Ferhat took over numerous international warehouse software & planning projects since 2006. More than 10 years of leadership responsibility in warehousing units followed. In 2021 he joined SIEVERS-GROUP to further develop a holistic WMS experience: SIEVERS WMS.

Ferhat took over numerous international warehouse software & planning projects since 2006. More than 10 years of leadership responsibility in warehousing units followed. In 2021 he joined SIEVERS-GROUP to further develop a holistic WMS experience: SI... Show more

Alain (Al) Schneiter is one of the scopewyse founders and an Microsoft Secuirty MVP. As an experienced solutions architect he is supporting clients and partners in training, concepts, designs and implementations using cloud solutions from Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365. Alain is focused on Microsoft Technologies, especially on Microsoft 365 Security, Identity and Compliance. He supports communities with his Microsoft 365 know-how. He is a regular speaker at national & international events and conferences and drives a local user groups with focus on security services based on the Microsoft products.

Alain (Al) Schneiter is one of the scopewyse founders and an Microsoft Secuirty MVP. As an experienced solutions architect he is supporting clients and partners in training, concepts, designs and implementations using cloud solutions from Microsoft A... Show more

Founder, Kia-Start Up Consult, HopeFusion Africa & Civitas | Chief Project Officer, Cognitive AI Technologies Ltd

Isaac Agya Koomson (KIA) is a visionary innovation leader and entrepreneurship mentor dedicated to empowering African founders to build scalable, sustainable, and socially impactful ventures. Through Kia-Start Up Consult and HopeFusion Africa, he provides strategic mentorship, AI-driven innovation, and fundraising readiness support that help startups transform ideas into investment-ready, high-growth enterprises. His frameworks emphasize product-market fit, resilient business models, and go-to-market strategies that deliver measurable social and economic value.

As Chief Project Officer at Cognitive AI Technologies Ltd, Isaac integrates artificial intelligence and emerging technologies into entrepreneurship and ecosystem development, helping African startups leverage innovation for sustainable growth. He is also the Founder and CEO of Civitas Estate and Maintenance, a pioneering company advancing smart housing, renewable energy, and green city development to redefine Africa’s urban future.

Guided by his bold vision to reduce unemployment in Africa by 10% by 2030, Isaac champions inclusive growth through innovation, sustainability, and entrepreneurship aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. His leadership reflects a deep commitment to shaping a more prosperous, tech-driven, and equitable Africa.

Founder, Kia-Start Up Consult, HopeFusion Africa & Civitas | Chief Project Officer, Cognitive AI Technologies Ltd Isaac Agya Koomson (KIA) is a visionary innovation leader and entrepreneurship mentor dedicated to empowering African founders to bui... Show more

Nandini Harihareswara is a Digital Finance, FinTech, Digital Development and Inclusive Digital Economies expert. She previously served as Senior Advisor on Inclusive Digital Economies, Gender Equality and Women’s Economic Empowerment for the UN Capital Development Fund. She also served as the Digital Finance Regional Technical Specialist from 2015-2019, responsible for the creation & implementation of the UNCDF Digital Economy Strategy in Zambia and Malawi. She also helped to author the Inclusive Digital Economies and Gender Equality Playbook, launched in 2021. In these roles, she worked with more 20 FinTechs, Banks, Telcos and e-commerce companies to successfully increase their women customers and partner MSME businesses, and increase their financial return on investment.

She was a founding member of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Digital Development Division. Prior to working for the Digital Development team, Nandini worked as an Investment Officer for the USAID Development Credit Authority Office, and a Presidential Management Fellow at the US Department of Transportation as well as the Urban Transport Division of the World Bank.

She is the author of numerous publications on the intersection of finance, technology and international development. Nandini has an MBA and a Masters in International Trade and Investment Policy from the George Washington University. She also holds a BS in Psychology and a BA in Political Science from the University of California at San Diego.

Nandini Harihareswara is a Digital Finance, FinTech, Digital Development and Inclusive Digital Economies expert. She previously served as Senior Advisor on Inclusive Digital Economies, Gender Equality and Women’s Economic Empowerment for the UN Capit... Show more

Dr. Gururaj H L currently working as Associate Professor in the Department of Information Technology, Manipal Institute of Technology, Bengaluru. He holds a Ph.D. Degree in Computer Science and Engineering from Visvesvaraya Technological University, Belagavi 2019. He has 13 years of teaching and research experience at both UG and PG level. He is a professional member of ACM. He is the founder of Wireless Internetworking Group (WiNG) a research community. He is a senior member of IEEE Computer Society and Lifetime member of Cryptology Society of India. Dr. Gururaj appointed as ACM Distinguish Speaker (2018-2021) by ACM US council, and he is one among 15 speakers across India. He received YOUNG SCIENTIST International Travel Grant from SERB, Department of Science & Technology, Government of India in December 2016. He also received BEST PROJECT GUIDE awards consecutively for four years at Malnad College of Engineering, India during 2015, 2016 and 2017. He worked as Special Issue Editor of MDPI and Guest Editor of Multimedia Springer Journal. He also worked as Special editor for IoP Conference proceedings (AICDMB-2021). He has published 13 Edited Books at Springer, Taylor and Francis, IGI global and IET publishers. He is an Editorial Board member of various International Journals. He has published more than 150 research papers in peer reviewed international journals and book chapters. He has presented more than 60 papers at various international Conferences and received BEST PAPER awards. He has granted with one Australian patent, Indian design patent and one Indian copyright. He worked as reviewer for various journals and conferences. He has delivered more than 500 technical talks across globe to name a few ACM Distinguished Talk at IIT Kanpur in 2019, Plenary Talk at NIT Surat in 2020, Keynote Speaker at UPDATE Europe Conference in 2020. He is also serving as Advisory committee member of Cyber Security Council of India and Subject expert at Administrative Training Institute (ATI), Mysuru, Government of Karnataka. He has honored as Session chair, Keynote Speaker, TPC member, Advisory committee member at National and International Seminars, Workshops and Conferences across Globe. He received grants from SERB-DST, CSIR and AICTE (Government of India) to organize International Conferences and Seminars. He has International Collaboration with top-notch researchers from University of Maryland, University of Texas, University of Houston and many more. His research interests include Block Chain Technology, Cyber Security, Wireless Senor Network, Ad-hoc networks, IOT, Data Mining, Cloud Computing and Machine Learning

Dr. Gururaj H L currently working as Associate Professor in the Department of Information Technology, Manipal Institute of Technology, Bengaluru. He holds a Ph.D. Degree in Computer Science and Engineering from Visvesvaraya Technological University, ... Show more

Taeyang Kim is a dynamic 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 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... Show more

Katherine Martinez (Katosonika) is an ATL-based Afro-Latin Cultural Wellness Architect, multimedia DJ, and creative strategist. Through her studios Kreative Mutants and Sona Flora, she’s spent nearly a decade designing immersive experiences that blend storytelling, ritual, and community-powered creativity. Since 2023, she’s been integrating AI to explore how soulful tech can amplify underrepresented voices and shape inclusive creative futures.

Katherine Martinez (Katosonika) is an ATL-based Afro-Latin Cultural Wellness Architect, multimedia DJ, and creative strategist. Through her studios Kreative Mutants and Sona Flora, she’s spent nearly a decade designing immersive experiences that blen... Show more

Aakash is a US patent holder, multiple hackathon winner, pulished author and an open source advocate. He has completed his engineering from Savitribai University and a PGP from IIM Indore. He is passionate about building products for the next billion users and creating a positive social change through technology.

Aakash is a US patent holder, multiple hackathon winner, pulished author and an open source advocate. He has completed his engineering from Savitribai University and a PGP from IIM Indore. He is passionate about building products for the next billio... Show more

Co-founder at edge AI sensors in agritech/fintech,

Founder at consulting and IoT/smart cities firm, with clients in government and global intergovernmental organizations

Founding team at oceanic clean tech company focused on oceanic sovereign AI infrastructure

-Drafted one of Canada's AI policies
-PhD in IoT and AI integration into smart cities.
-28+ global awards in IoT and (edge) AI including from Microsoft, NVidia, OpenAI
-AI consultant at FAO
-Consulted on AI Federal Oceanic Policy and Strategy
-Advised firms and startups on defense, security, and AI strategy.
-Leading efforts in responsible and governance AI for smart cities, agritech, and healthcare
-Developed (IoT/AI/Digital twins/emerging tech) programs within smart city programs for Canadian municipalities

Co-founder at edge AI sensors in agritech/fintech, Founder at consulting and IoT/smart cities firm, with clients in government and global intergovernmental organizations Founding team at oceanic clean tech company focused on oceanic sovereign A... Show more

Regular speaker at many National D365/AX Conferences and local DUG's with consistently high reviews.
DUG Leader for Pacific North West.
Frequent contributor on Yammer/Viva Engage.
Dynamics "AllStar", Summit Community "Legend".
Delivered 27+ 2 or 3-day F&O workshops for Planning, Scheduling and Costing at Manufacturer sites. Very well received.
Practiced (CFPIM) speaker at APICS chapters in years past.
APICS chapter President, Regional Director in years past.
ASQC chapter president in years past.
Accomplished visiting professor at Community colleges for Business Administration Bachelors in years past
Project Management Professional PMP Certified in years past.

Regular speaker at many National D365/AX Conferences and local DUG's with consistently high reviews. DUG Leader for Pacific North West. Frequent contributor on Yammer/Viva Engage. Dynamics "AllStar", Summit Community "Legend". Delivered 27+ 2 or ... Show more

Currently an Engineering Manager at Thermondo, where we are making living climate neutral a reality!
I previously led a team of Android Engineers to build Android Apps at Kyosk. I have consulted on various tech projects as a developer and as a systems architect specialising in App optimisation for the developing markets. Ex-Intel, Ex-SnappMobile and ITU. I started one of the first coding bootcamps in Africa.
I love building and empowering developer communities: KotlinKenya, Android254 & AzureKe. A chef, reader, mountain climber, i play with cameras, pro-Lifeguard , pro-diver and swimmer.

Currently an Engineering Manager at Thermondo, where we are making living climate neutral a reality! I previously led a team of Android Engineers to build Android Apps at Kyosk. I have consulted on various tech projects as a developer and as a syste... Show more

Chiranjeevi Dubaguntla is a seasoned Salesforce professional with over 14 years of comprehensive experience in the technology sector, including 4+ specialized years in Salesforce implementations and 10 years in Siebel and Java development roles. As a certified Salesforce Administrator, Platform Developer I, and CPQ Specialist, he brings a multifaceted technical perspective to complex digital transformation initiatives.
Currently serving as a Salesforce Developer/Administrator for New York City Department of Education, Chiranjeevi architects and implements Public Sector Solutions that streamline critical workflows for America's largest school system serving 1.1 million students across 1,800 schools. His expertise includes designing scalable data models, ensuring FERPA compliance, and integrating Salesforce with third-party educational platforms through REST APIs.
At Quadient, Chiranjeevi leveraged his CPQ expertise to create sophisticated product configurations and pricing models while implementing Lightning Web Components to enhance user experience. His work optimizing Salesforce's integration with Zuora's billing system demonstrated his ability to bridge complex technical systems.
Chiranjeevi's career spans multiple industries including public sector, education, healthcare, manufacturing, and telecommunications. This diverse background enables him to adapt quickly to varied business contexts while maintaining technical excellence. His experience with Florida Blue, Parker, and Telstra showcases his versatility across enterprise environments.
His technical arsenal includes Apex development, Lightning Component frameworks, OmniStudio, integration with external systems, data migration strategies, and process automation. Chiranjeevi consistently delivers solutions that balance technical sophistication with practical business value. He excels in designing custom objects, developing server-side controllers, and implementing complex approval workflows tailored to specific organizational needs.
Holding a Master's degree in Computer Science (2009), Chiranjeevi remains committed to continuous learning, maintaining current certifications while expanding his expertise in emerging Salesforce technologies. His approach combines methodical problem-solving with innovative thinking, allowing him to translate business requirements into robust technical architectures that drive organizational efficiency and enhance user adoption.

Chiranjeevi Dubaguntla is a seasoned Salesforce professional with over 14 years of comprehensive experience in the technology sector, including 4+ specialized years in Salesforce implementations and 10 years in Siebel and Java development roles. As a... 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

As a Technical Account Manager, I collaborate with multiple customers and partners to help them achieve their business objectives through expert consulting on their Digital Experience Platforms. My expertise covers cloud hosting, application design, monitoring, personalization and optimization. I work closely with customer leaders to translate their business goals into actionable technical strategies, ensuring effective planning, tracking, and execution for successful outcomes.

As a Technical Account Manager, I collaborate with multiple customers and partners to help them achieve their business objectives through expert consulting on their Digital Experience Platforms. My expertise covers cloud hosting, application design, ... 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

John Athayde is a designer and developer who spends his days fighting bad coding practices in the Rails view layer. He runs Meticulous, a product design & branding consultancy that has been shipping with Rails since 1.0. He also is a partner in Ocufii, a startup focused on improving safety through movement notifications. He lives on a small permaculture farm outside of Charlottesville where he can garden and play in the dirt with his wife and four children, chickens, goats, and dairy cow.

John Athayde is a designer and developer who spends his days fighting bad coding practices in the Rails view layer. He runs Meticulous, a product design & branding consultancy that has been shipping with Rails since 1.0. He also is a partner in Ocufi... Show more

Alex is an experienced whatever-end developer focusing on system design after conquering many codebases. He is most passionate about improving the developer and content editor experience while reducing the maintenance burden of the applications he works on.

"Code is easy. People are hard." - Alex

Alex is an experienced whatever-end developer focusing on system design after conquering many codebases. He is most passionate about improving the developer and content editor experience while reducing the maintenance burden of the applications he wo... Show more

Hubert Grégoire is CTO at exFabrica, with degrees from EPITA and EMlyon in strategy. With experience at Rakuten, Thales, and other major software companies, he combines deep technical expertise with strategic insight. Passionate about web, app security, and generative AI since its early days, he recently led the large-scale deployment of AI coding assistants across teams on three continents. He now guides tech teams in modernization, AI adoption, and platform engineering, with a strong focus on quality, productivity, and real-world impact.

Hubert Grégoire is CTO at exFabrica, with degrees from EPITA and EMlyon in strategy. With experience at Rakuten, Thales, and other major software companies, he combines deep technical expertise with strategic insight. Passionate about web, app securi... 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

I am a Flutter Developer! I love building, and testing things out, and never tired of learning.

I love building and empowering developer communities: Flutter Kenya. An Engineer, and reader, I play bass guitar and piano.

I am a Flutter Developer! I love building, and testing things out, and never tired of learning. I love building and empowering developer communities: Flutter Kenya. An Engineer, and reader, I play bass guitar and piano. Show more

John Darrington, recently of the Idaho National Laboratory, has worked in software engineering for over 15 years. He has a wide breadth of experience from fintech to scientific computing. He has led small and multi-organizational teams and has had a recent emphasis in data engineering. He enjoys working with engineers of all levels, helping all grow together in pursuit of excellence in a difficult field. He currently lives in rural Maine with his wife and two children.

John Darrington, recently of the Idaho National Laboratory, has worked in software engineering for over 15 years. He has a wide breadth of experience from fintech to scientific computing. He has led small and multi-organizational teams and has had a ... Show more

C. A. Fillekes is an IBM Red Hat partner engineer, actively porting and testing Kubernetes and OpenShift add-ons and features on the s390x architecture to run on the LinuxONE and System Z platforms.

C. A. Fillekes is an IBM Red Hat partner engineer, actively porting and testing Kubernetes and OpenShift add-ons and features on the s390x architecture to run on the LinuxONE and System Z platforms. Show more

Tutaleni, is the driving force behind the growth of Game Development in Namibia and in Africa as a whole, as well as the bridge between South America and Africa when it comes to the Game Development space. After successfully completing the Enter Africa game development program Mr, Ilonga created his own game studio/company called TL Entertainment whereby he created games and was successfully able to import Global Game Jam and Game Jam +, whereby together with the partnership between TL Entertainment and Game Jam+ there was a bridge built between Namibia and Brazil.

With the games that where created not proving to be profitable, Mr Ilonga would take part in a CEP program whereby he would like up with Vaughan, Veronica and Ndamono and together they would form Edu-Game Namibia to create an innovation hub around gaming to ensure that the market because sustainable around gaming and ensure future Namibian generations will be able to profit from it.

With 7 Years’ experience in Gaming Mr Ilonga has won a few awards and also became the flag career for Gaming especially at the Forbes where he and Vaughan would help Edu-Game Namibia make it to the top 3 pitch battle final. Currently Mr Ilonga together with Edu-Game are working on a curriculum to gamify the education system.

List of Achievements
Forbes 30 Under 30 Top 3 Pitch Battle Finalist 2024
Boost Up Pitch Winner 2023
Xbox Games Camp Alumni 2023
Sanlam Bridge Beneficiary 2023
CEP WINNER 2022
Game Industry Africa Awards Winner 2022
Class of 2022 Game Developers Conference SCHOLARS:

Events/Interviews I have Spoken At
Xbox Games Camp - Topic - Why Africa Is The Best Place To Invest When It Comes To Gaming
Africa Partnership For Growth Symposium - Topic - Why Investing In Gaming is Profitable
PathfindinGS -Topic - Gamifying the Namibian Education System
Africa Comicade Topic -Getting Local Businesses to Invest in Game Development
Game Jam Plus Topic -Importance of Game Jam In The Local Ecosystem
African Creative Meeting Topic -E-Sports In Africa
ESQUENTA Topic - Importance of GJ + For the Local Ecosystem
BBC World Service TV Topic - CES 2020: What’s in it for Africa?

Tutaleni, is the driving force behind the growth of Game Development in Namibia and in Africa as a whole, as well as the bridge between South America and Africa when it comes to the Game Development space. After successfully completing the Enter Afri... Show more

As a Green IT Consultant, I strive to design efficient software systems holistically - from conception to development and operation. My main focus is on optimizing cloud environments, DevOps environments and Java-based applications. Minimalism shapes me a lot, which helps me to lead an environmentally friendly lifestyle and provides the basis for implementing and operating systems in the most cost-efficient and ecologically sustainable way possible.
In iSAQB architecture training courses (GREEN advanced module), I regularly provide my expertise, particularly on the aspects of measurement and efficient operation.

In my spare time, I am involved in animal rights activism and I am a passionate trail runner who enjoys running through nature.

As a Green IT Consultant, I strive to design efficient software systems holistically - from conception to development and operation. My main focus is on optimizing cloud environments, DevOps environments and Java-based applications. Minimalism shapes... Show more