Agriculture, Food & Forestry

Experts in farming, food production, and forestry, contributing to sustainable agriculture, food security, and environmental conservation

Khezir Hayat

Khezir Hayat

I have been engaged in Cotton Research since 2003. I am a co-breeder of 12-cultivars approved for general cultivation. I screened a global Germplasm Collection in diverse ecological conditions and identified loci connected to economical traits using GBS

I have been engaged in Cotton Research since 2003. I am a co-breeder of 12-cultivars approved for general cultivation. I screened a global Germplasm Collection in diverse ecological conditions and identified loci connected to economical traits using ... Show more

Dr. Gururaj HL

Dr. Gururaj HL

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

Matthew Brandt

Matthew Brandt

With over a decade of experience, Matthew, aka the "Decision Engineer", excels in many aspects of the data analytics spectrum. He focuses on smart decision-making, outcome measurement, and operationalising data with strong stakeholder management, and is also a prolific content creator.

With over a decade of experience, Matthew, aka the "Decision Engineer", excels in many aspects of the data analytics spectrum. He focuses on smart decision-making, outcome measurement, and operationalising data with strong stakeholder management, and... Show more

Erik Pronk

Erik Pronk

Erik Pronk is a passionate software engineer that has been working in IT since 2001. During this period he has gained a lot of experience in a variety of technologies, roles, development environments and market segments. His main focus is on implementing enterprise solutions in an agile way. In his spare time, Erik loves to run and experiment with VR and domotics. Erik works at JDriven where he shares his passion and drive with other colleagues.

Erik Pronk is a passionate software engineer that has been working in IT since 2001. During this period he has gained a lot of experience in a variety of technologies, roles, development environments and market segments. His main focus is on implemen... Show more

Jeewan Singh

Jeewan Singh

Jeewan Singh is a Senior Business Analyst who enjoys making sense of messy problems—both in spreadsheets and in real life. With a Master’s degree in Business Analytics and years of hands-on experience, he works at the intersection of strategy, data, and decision-making.

When he’s not translating business needs into practical solutions, you’ll find him creating content, making YouTube videos, or playing (and occasionally overplaying) multiple sports. His curiosity for both structure and creativity shapes how he approaches work and life.

Jeewan Singh is a Senior Business Analyst who enjoys making sense of messy problems—both in spreadsheets and in real life. With a Master’s degree in Business Analytics and years of hands-on experience, he works at the intersection of strategy, data, ... Show more

Luis Felipe Ariza Vesga

Luis Felipe Ariza Vesga

Kubestronaut | PhD in telecommunications | RF Microelectronics | PHY & MAC/Open RAN/NTN/Cloud-Native/IoT/5G broadcast/Private networks/+G/Metaverse/AI/QC | Speaker | Organizer: Colombia OpenInfra User Group & KCD Colombia 2025

Kubestronaut | PhD in telecommunications | RF Microelectronics | PHY & MAC/Open RAN/NTN/Cloud-Native/IoT/5G broadcast/Private networks/+G/Metaverse/AI/QC | Speaker | Organizer: Colombia OpenInfra User Group & KCD Colombia 2025 Show more

Dipl.-Wirt.-Ing. (FH) Elisa Schmidt

Dipl.-Wirt.-Ing. (FH) Elisa Schmidt

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

Viv Mendes

Viv Mendes

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

Karl Wester-Ebbinghaus

Karl Wester-Ebbinghaus

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

Tutaleni Ilonga

Tutaleni Ilonga

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

Josué Gutiérrez

Josué Gutiérrez

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

Soorya Narayan Satheesh

Soorya Narayan Satheesh

Soorya Narayan Satheesh is a distinguished technology leader and former Indian Forest Service Officer who combines extensive public service experience with cutting-edge technical expertise. A graduate of UC Berkeley's Information Management Systems program and recipient of the prestigious James R. Chen Award, Soorya brings over six years of experience in developing innovative information systems. As Deputy Conservator of Forests (Information Technology & Statistics), he earned a prestigious state-level award from the Government of Tripura for developing cutting-edge information systems that transformed forest management practices. His expertise spans full-stack development, data engineering, and machine learning, with a proven track record of developing award-winning solutions that bridge the gap between environmental management and digital transformation.

Soorya Narayan Satheesh is a distinguished technology leader and former Indian Forest Service Officer who combines extensive public service experience with cutting-edge technical expertise. A graduate of UC Berkeley's Information Management Systems p... Show more

Ferhat Oender

Ferhat Oender

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

Abdrahman Oladimeji

Abdrahman Oladimeji

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.

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

Nandini Harihareswara

Nandini Harihareswara

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

Pranay Patel

Pranay Patel

SDE - Android. Mostly doing stuff around Kotlin, Flutter, KMP. Open-source enthusiast, blogger and self motivated equity investor. His hobbies are farming, cooking and Investing!

SDE - Android. Mostly doing stuff around Kotlin, Flutter, KMP. Open-source enthusiast, blogger and self motivated equity investor. His hobbies are farming, cooking and Investing! Show more

Frank Tamre

Frank Tamre

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

Chiranjeevi Dubaguntla

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

Anjali Mehta

Anjali Mehta

Anjali is a human rights and law of war attorney, speaker, athlete, and professional artist, who currently runs a nonprofit dedicated to combating gender-based violence. She is a TEDx speaker and Fulbright Scholarship grantee.

Anjali has worked at the intersection of women's rights, gender-based violence, art, and law in India, the U.K., Colombia, Brazil, and Chile. Her work as a lawyer includes representing foreign governments in human rights cases before international courts, achieving asylum for asylum-seekers persecuted on the basis of their gender, and working on Constitutional rights cases to protect the rights of transgender girl athletes in the U.S.

As an artist, Anjali explores themes of social justice through art. Her movement films have been nominated for several awards, including at the Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase, and Anjali has received a Bessie nomination for outstanding performer for her achievement in dance.

She is currently climbing the Seven Summits to amplify the voices and power of survivors, while building a coalition of organizations around the world. She's on track to be the first Indian-American woman to do so. The coalition she is building through this campaign will be part of the first ever global digital hub for survivors, advocates, and grassroots organizations combating gender-based violence to connect in real time, all the time.

Anjali is a human rights and law of war attorney, speaker, athlete, and professional artist, who currently runs a nonprofit dedicated to combating gender-based violence. She is a TEDx speaker and Fulbright Scholarship grantee. Anjali has worked a... Show more

Dr Fernando De La Peña Llaca

Dr Fernando De La Peña Llaca

Dr. Fernando De La Peña Llaca is CEO & President of Aexa Aerospace, a NASA and DoD contractor recognized globally for innovation. He led the first two-way holographic teleportation with astronauts on the International Space Station and has won NASA’s JSC Director’s Innovation Award and Exceptional Software Award. A sought-after futurist and author (AI in a Nutshell, 33 Predictions for the Next 33 Years), Dr. De La Peña bridges aerospace, defense, and commercial technology. His work has been featured by NASA, TIME, and international media, and he regularly speaks at global conferences including DEFCON, NDIA, and the International Astronautical Congress.

Dr. Fernando De La Peña Llaca is CEO & President of Aexa Aerospace, a NASA and DoD contractor recognized globally for innovation. He led the first two-way holographic teleportation with astronauts on the International Space Station and has won NASA’s... Show more

Kayode Makinde

Kayode Makinde

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

Eric Muli

Eric Muli

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

Allie Reitz

Allie Reitz

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

Elizabeth Okuneye

Elizabeth Okuneye

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

Dennis Loh-Mandrella

Dennis Loh-Mandrella

Dennis Loh-Mandrella is a real all-rounder when it comes to data solutions in the cloud. He mainly deals with backend topics. Formerly using SSIS and the Azure Cloud (Synapse), today with Microsoft Fabric.
As an expert, he always has the right blueprint ready and keeps an eye on the business benefits. He supports his customers efficiently from the idea to the finished solution.

Dennis Loh-Mandrella is a real all-rounder when it comes to data solutions in the cloud. He mainly deals with backend topics. Formerly using SSIS and the Azure Cloud (Synapse), today with Microsoft Fabric. As an expert, he always has the right bluep... Show more

Contressa Oliver

Contressa Oliver

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 of Greenville, SC

Andrew Smart of Greenville, SC

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

Oryan Baruch

Oryan Baruch

An AI enthusiastic with high skills in Front End development , combine my personal journey along with skills that adds tons of values in developers day to day using AI

An AI enthusiastic with high skills in Front End development , combine my personal journey along with skills that adds tons of values in developers day to day using AI Show more

Dinah Coetzer

Dinah Coetzer

Dinah Coetzer
Current Position: M365 & D365 Change & Adoption coach at Infinite People.

Professional Background: Dinah Coetzer has 30 years’ experience on numerous and different types of projects. From within business on the receiving side and growing into the implementation side with business. Ensuring a 360-degree view of implementations.

Expertise and Specializations: Dinah has a Business Analysis Certification, Prosci Change Management Certification, Business Management Diploma, Project Management Certification as well as Dynamics 365 certifications.

Notable Achievements: Dinah’s passion is with the people. Mitigating the fear and ensuring each user can transact successfully is her greatest achievements. When people understand the Why and the What, the How is effortless.

Dinah Coetzer Current Position: M365 & D365 Change & Adoption coach at Infinite People. Professional Background: Dinah Coetzer has 30 years’ experience on numerous and different types of projects. From within business on the receiving side and g... Show more

Laura Bell Main

Laura Bell Main

Laura Bell Main is recognized as a global leader in developing secure software. As the CEO of SafeStack, a leading secure development education platform, she helps software development leaders worldwide engage their entire team in cyber security. She is the co-author of "Agile Application Security" (O’Reilly Media)  and "Security for Everyone" (Holloway). Her work has been featured in many international publications, including  WIRED and MIT Tech Review. She has presented at BlackHat USA, and RenderATL, as well as leading international software development and cyber security conferences.

Laura Bell Main is recognized as a global leader in developing secure software. As the CEO of SafeStack, a leading secure development education platform, she helps software development leaders worldwide engage their entire team in cyber security. She... Show more

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