Gunnard Engebreth is a software engineering manager, architect, author, and conference speaker with more than 30 years of experience building software and leading engineering teams.

His career began during the early web and Dot Com era in Atlanta, where he moved from Perl into PHP and never really stopped building things. Since then, he has worked across application development, APIs, architecture, cloud infrastructure, DevOps, legacy modernization, and engineering leadership.

Gunnard's current interests are where software engineering is heading next: AI-assisted development, agentic software engineering, developer productivity, automation, and the challenges of applying these technologies to real-world production systems. He is particularly interested in how teams can use AI to move faster while maintaining the testing, architecture, security, and engineering discipline required to ship reliable software.

He is also passionate about legacy application modernization and the practical techniques required to bring aging systems into the modern development ecosystem without simply throwing them away and starting over.

A longtime advocate for Free and Open Source Software, Gunnard has contributed to projects including WordPress, Devilbox, and DischordPHP. He has written for php[architect] and is the author of two PHP 8 books published by Apress.

Gunnard has spoken at MadisonPHP, LonghornPHP, Techlahoma, Chaos Carnival, and other technology events. He currently works as an engineering manager and architect while continuing to build software products, experiment with emerging technologies, and write about what he learns.

He lives with his wife and two sons in the North Georgia mountains.

gunnard.org

Gunnard Engebreth is a software engineering manager, architect, author, and conference speaker with more than 30 years of experience building software and leading engineering teams. His career began during the early web and Dot Com era in Atlanta,... Show more

It's never easy to describe oneself, especially when one is interested in so many different topics and fields and I guess that says something about who I am afterall. I find it fun and entertaining to teach difficult subjects through exotic methods and stories and people seem to also have fun while I do so.

I believe in the union between science and human values (read fun) and I often work and participate in non-profit organization and projects which aim to bring culture and scientific knowledge.

It's never easy to describe oneself, especially when one is interested in so many different topics and fields and I guess that says something about who I am afterall. I find it fun and entertaining to teach difficult subjects through exotic methods a... Show more

I am a professional with more than 10 years of experience in the IT world, specialized in Business Intelligence, analytics and information representation. Throughout my career, I have worked extensively in requirements analysis, relational and analytical database modeling, ETL process development as well as reporting and data visualization, using tools such as Power BI, Azure services or Microsoft SQL Server BI suite.
In addition to this, I have a master's degree in graphic design and illustration, which allows me to combine my technical skills with a creative perspective to generate attractive and effective visual solutions, using the Adobe suite and other tools.
Outside the professional field, I enjoy drawing, playing guitar, walking, cooking, watching series and movies. I am always looking to learn new things.
This mix of interests and skills allows me to approach projects with a broad and creative vision.

I am a professional with more than 10 years of experience in the IT world, specialized in Business Intelligence, analytics and information representation. Throughout my career, I have worked extensively in requirements analysis, relational and analyt... Show more

David is a family man, software developer, musician, illustrator, and Microsoft MVP living in North Georgia, USA. David runs on a high-octane mixture of caffeine and JavaScript, and is made entirely of bacon.

David is a family man, software developer, musician, illustrator, and Microsoft MVP living in North Georgia, USA. David runs on a high-octane mixture of caffeine and JavaScript, and is made entirely of bacon. Show more

Marie Wiese is the CEO Marketing Copilot®, an AI-enabled sales and marketing firm. She is a best-selling author and host of the podcasts, Women Talk Tech and The Hot Seat for Microsoft Partners. Marie has worked in the technology sector for 30+ years and focuses on marketing automation/CRM and the digital transformation of the sales and marketing function. Marie helps Microsoft Partners, software developers and end customers build demand generation programs for their organizations with the right strategy and technology.

Marie Wiese is the CEO Marketing Copilot®, an AI-enabled sales and marketing firm. She is a best-selling author and host of the podcasts, Women Talk Tech and The Hot Seat for Microsoft Partners. Marie has worked in the technology sector for 30+ years... Show more

Amy is a graphic designer turned software developer currently building weird, cool, and unconventional stuff at Dimensional Innovations. On her off time she can be found volunteering with Kansas City Women in Tech, reading or playing Dungeons and Dragons.

Amy is a graphic designer turned software developer currently building weird, cool, and unconventional stuff at Dimensional Innovations. On her off time she can be found volunteering with Kansas City Women in Tech, reading or playing Dungeons and Dra... Show more

Architect and engineer with a passion for continuous learning and knowledge sharing. Focused on people, processes, and finding the right balance between quality and effectiveness. A firm believer in the transformative power of automation and AI.

Having worked across various industries, company sizes, and roles - from startups to large enterprises - he thrives on connecting a strategic perspective with practical execution. His main interests lie in Enterprise and Solution Architecture, where he applies a holistic view to make technology serve business goals effectively.

Outside of work, he’s passionate about music - singing, playing, and dancing - as well as sports ranging from martial arts to snowboarding.

Architect and engineer with a passion for continuous learning and knowledge sharing. Focused on people, processes, and finding the right balance between quality and effectiveness. A firm believer in the transformative power of automation and AI. ... Show more

Akansha is a Senior Software Engineer and Google Women Techmakers Ambassador with experience in building and shipping production-ready mobile applications. She has spoken at international conferences and community events across Europe and Asia, sharing practical lessons on mobile development, architecture, and real-world software engineering.

Beyond her day-to-day engineering work, Akansha actively contributes to developer communities as an organizer and speaker, helping developers learn through shared experiences and hands-on discussions. Her work focuses on writing maintainable code, making thoughtful architectural decisions, and mentoring developers as they grow in their careers.

She is particularly interested in how modern development practices and AI-assisted workflows are changing the way developers learn, collaborate, and build software.

Akansha is a Senior Software Engineer and Google Women Techmakers Ambassador with experience in building and shipping production-ready mobile applications. She has spoken at international conferences and community events across Europe and Asia, shari... Show more

Luca holds a degree in Computer Engineering from the Faculty of Engineering of the University of L'Aquila and has more than fifteen years of experience working on the Microsoft Data Platform. He started his experience as a T-SQL developer on SQL Server 2000 and 2005. He then focused on the whole Microsoft Business Intelligence stack (SSIS, SSAS, SSRS), deepening data warehousing techniques. Recently, he has been focusing on the world of Advanced Analytics and Data Science. He contributes to the technical community as a speaker at data events and through his personal blog on Medium. He is the author of "Extending Power BI with Python and R 2nd Ed.", published by Packt Publishing. He holds the role of Data & AI Solution Hub Lead at Lodestar. He is currently a Microsoft AI & Data Platform Most Valuable Professional (MVP).

He also graduated with honors in classical piano from the "Alfredo Casella" Conservatory in L'Aquila.

Luca holds a degree in Computer Engineering from the Faculty of Engineering of the University of L'Aquila and has more than fifteen years of experience working on the Microsoft Data Platform. He started his experience as a T-SQL developer on SQL Serv... Show more

Driven by courage, curiosity, and compassion, Becca "Bex" Hiller knows valued people deliver value. She also knows ideas supply focus and fuel, while ACTION drives goals forward toward success.

Bex helps humans reach agility potential, and her own agility shines through sharpened improv skills, a mighty pen, a hungry brain, and a passion for teaching and coaching. She has spent over two decades in product, project, and people growth spaces helping folks articulate their mission, then take mission-critical action to DELIVER. She puts growth and connection at the helm and enables, engages, and expands forward momentum, stoking peak performance (without sacrificing values, vision, or voice).

Her mission: Uncover your purpose. Pivot when life happens. Dare to deliver.
Her top interests: connection, community building, purposeful creativity, and potatoes.

Bex is currently based in Rochester, NY.

Driven by courage, curiosity, and compassion, Becca "Bex" Hiller knows valued people deliver value. She also knows ideas supply focus and fuel, while ACTION drives goals forward toward success. Bex helps humans reach agility potential, and her own... Show more

Ray Kim is an advocate for documentation and technical communication. He is a co-founder of the Albany, NY SQL group (CASSUG) and has previously been a member of PASS and the Society for Technical Communication (STC). He has spoken at PASS Summit and STC Summit, as well as numerous other events. He has worked various positions in technology, including as a developer, webmaster, analyst, technical writer, and instructor. He holds an MS in technical communication from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a BS in computer science from Syracuse University. He currently works as a technical writer and trainer for The Professional Development Program at The Research Foundation for SUNY.

A musician in his spare time, Ray plays four different instruments (piano, clarinet, mallet percussion, saxophone). He also enjoys going to ball games and doing CrossFit, and is a two-time SQLServerCentral.com fantasy football champion. He, his wife Lianne, and their two cats Dwayne and Marko, live in Troy, NY.

Ray Kim is an advocate for documentation and technical communication. He is a co-founder of the Albany, NY SQL group (CASSUG) and has previously been a member of PASS and the Society for Technical Communication (STC). He has spoken at PASS Summit an... Show more

As a Microsoft MVP, Micha enjoys talking about all Azure & Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) topics and has already spoken at Microsoft conferences, International (User Group) events, Microsoft hosted webinars & Workshops and more.
He has over 15 years of experience as a Azure & DevOps engineer and has in depth knowledge of private, hybrid and public clouds.
Today Micha mainly focuses on Azure, DevOps, Windows 365 & AVD environments and is particularly knowledgeable about migrating those environments to Azure.
Micha is freelance Azure Architect @ Ahold Delhaize and works with Microsoft on Azure, Windows 365 & AVD

As a Microsoft MVP, Micha enjoys talking about all Azure & Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) topics and has already spoken at Microsoft conferences, International (User Group) events, Microsoft hosted webinars & Workshops and more. He has over 15 years of... Show more

Celina Del Turco is a software developer and educator from Argentina working at the intersection of technology, education, and human-centered design.

She develops educational technology and software systems focused on making technology more accessible, understandable, and resilient in real-world environments. Her current work includes Utopía, an offline-first educational technology project exploring adaptive learning, accessibility-aware interaction, local AI, and architectures that remain useful when connectivity and computational resources are limited.

Alongside software development, Celina teaches programming and technology through hands-on workshops, working with learners who often begin with little or no technical background. This experience has shaped her approach to engineering: systems should not force people to adapt to technology when technology can be designed to adapt to people.

Her interests include AI engineering, adaptive systems, offline-first architectures, accessibility, educational technology, and the practical challenges of building technology under real-world constraints.

Celina Del Turco is a software developer and educator from Argentina working at the intersection of technology, education, and human-centered design. She develops educational technology and software systems focused on making technology more access... Show more

Alessandro is a Community Evangelist / Sr Solutions Engineer in the F5 community team, where he empowers users in their journey to stay ahead of the curve by using the latest F5 / NGINX tech offerings. Alessandro is also the primary maintainer of the NGINX Ansible collection, the NGINX Docker unprivileged image, the NGINX community forum, and implementer of community best practices efforts on the various F5 GitHub repos, amongst being a contributor on various other OSS projects and initiatives at F5. Past speaker engagements include NGINX Sprint (previously known as NGINX Conf), Ansiblefest, AWS:ReInvent, cdCon, and Nerdearla. In his free time, Alessandro enjoys theatre, cinema, traveling, cooking, and any and all types of exercise.

Alessandro is a Community Evangelist / Sr Solutions Engineer in the F5 community team, where he empowers users in their journey to stay ahead of the curve by using the latest F5 / NGINX tech offerings. Alessandro is also the primary maintainer of the... Show more

I have been writing code for about 25 years yet strive to learn something new every day. I’ll never let a technical issue get the best of me and will always find a solution to the problem. My specialties over the last 10 years have been NET C# and Office 365 development. I can make SharePoint look good!

I have been writing code for about 25 years yet strive to learn something new every day. I’ll never let a technical issue get the best of me and will always find a solution to the problem. My specialties over the last 10 years have been NET C# and ... Show more

Passionate Mobile Developer
TechVangelist.
Minister of Word and Worship-Musician

Passionate Mobile Developer TechVangelist. Minister of Word and Worship-Musician Show more

Micaela Dixon is a Senior Product Designer for AI & Growth at Picsart. As an AI Product Designer, Micaela is skilled in navigating challenges like data collection, model training and ensuring transparency in user interactions through UX. Advocating for ethical AI design, she has a focus on building inclusive technology that brings positive societal impact. She defined "AI Growth Design" as a discipline, guest lectures at Goldsmiths and City, University of London, and speaks internationally on designing trust into AI products.

Micaela Dixon is a Senior Product Designer for AI & Growth at Picsart. As an AI Product Designer, Micaela is skilled in navigating challenges like data collection, model training and ensuring transparency in user interactions through UX. Advocating f... Show more

Otobong Samuel is a storyteller and writer with a background in Computer Engineering. He blends creativity with clarity, making complex tech ideas simple and relatable. Through his narratives, he shows how technology isn’t just about tools, but about people, challenges, and the stories that shape our future.

Otobong Samuel is a storyteller and writer with a background in Computer Engineering. He blends creativity with clarity, making complex tech ideas simple and relatable. Through his narratives, he shows how technology isn’t just about tools, but about... Show more

Anjaneya Kappagantu is an Expert Solution Architect at AT&T with 25+ years architecting enterprise and telecom (BSS) systems — including as AT&T's solution architect for the first-ever iPhone launch and end-to-end Apple integration. He mentors principal architects and advises leadership on GenAI and agentic AI.

Alongside his career, he is an AI educator and researcher focused on local and edge AI — fine-tuning models on Apple Silicon with MLX, designing agentic AI workflows, and researching test-time adaptation, including a human-in-the-loop method he developed, Reinforce-or-Retrain (RoR). He mentors students and product teams, speaks at AI and engineering conferences and meetups, and has judged several hundreds of AI pitches. He also explores non-standard architectures such as Kolmogorov–Arnold Networks (KANs) applied to Pāṇinian Sanskrit grammar. He is a trained aerospace engineer and a professional tabla player.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anjsastry

Anjaneya Kappagantu is an Expert Solution Architect at AT&T with 25+ years architecting enterprise and telecom (BSS) systems — including as AT&T's solution architect for the first-ever iPhone launch and end-to-end Apple integration. He mentors princi... Show more

Richard Essangabasi is a Speaker, Entrepreneur and Business Developer from Nigeria. With years of experience in entrepreneurship, marketing, media & entertainment, business development & sales, he builds businesses that solve real problems and helps other entrepreneurs do the same.

He has worked with global brands like Google, Ethereum, Base, Cowrywise, and more. He is the Co-Founder/CEO of Shard Network, a satellite-powered campus ISP, and the Convener of Campus Pitch Africa, Africa's biggest campus pitch competition. Beyond these, he is building a conglomerate of ventures across fashion, media, finance, and hospitality.

Beyond building, he runs webinars, mentors founders 1-on-1, and consults for African SMEs. His work is driven by three purposes: building the economic value of African SMEs, raising the next generation of young African leaders, and funding the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Richard Essangabasi is a Speaker, Entrepreneur and Business Developer from Nigeria. With years of experience in entrepreneurship, marketing, media & entertainment, business development & sales, he builds businesses that solve real problems and helps ... Show more

Eric Monchecourt is known among friends, neighbors, and local food enthusiasts as a dedicated grilling enthusiast based in Penfield, New York. He has spent many years developing practical outdoor cooking skills through consistent hands-on experience. His approach to grilling emphasizes preparation, patience, and reliable techniques that yield consistent results. By paying close attention to heat control and ingredient quality, he has earned a reputation within his community for preparing flavorful Angus beef steaks alongside fresh vegetables using a Blackstone griddle.

Eric lives and works in Penfield, NY, where backyard grilling has become an important part of everyday life. Over time, he has turned outdoor cooking into a personal craft shaped by steady practice and curiosity. Whether preparing meals for family dinners, neighborhood gatherings, or weekend cookouts, he carefully manages temperature, seasoning, and timing. The Blackstone griddle remains his preferred cooking surface because it allows him to cook several ingredients at once while maintaining control over heat and cooking pace.

Eric Monchecourt developed his interest in grilling through a long appreciation for outdoor cooking and the sense of community it creates. Early experiences around backyard meals sparked curiosity about how simple ingredients could be transformed through heat and preparation. Instead of treating grilling as a casual activity, he gradually began studying cooking methods, learning how different temperatures affect meat, and understanding the importance of preparation before placing food on the cooking surface. These early lessons helped build the practical foundation that guides his cooking style today.

Eric prefers the Blackstone griddle because it offers a flat cooking surface that supports a range of cooking techniques. The design allows him to create distinct heat zones across the griddle, helping him manage multiple ingredients at once. While one section of the surface reaches high heat for searing steaks, other areas remain at moderate temperatures for vegetables. This arrangement allows meals to cook evenly while keeping flavors balanced and ingredients properly prepared throughout the entire cooking process.

Monchecourt places strong emphasis on ingredient quality when preparing grilled meals. He often chooses Angus beef because it is known for its consistent marbling and dependable flavor. Before cooking, he carefully inspects each cut of meat to ensure it has balanced fat distribution and a healthy color. The preparation process usually includes allowing steaks to reach room temperature and applying simple seasoning such as salt and pepper. This approach keeps the beef's natural taste at the center of the meal.

Eric Monchecourt also prepares fresh vegetables alongside the steaks to create balanced meals that include both protein and produce. Bell peppers, onions, zucchini, asparagus, and mushrooms are commonly placed on the griddle next to the meat. These vegetables are usually lightly coated with olive oil and seasoned with salt or herbs before cooking. The moderate heat of the griddle allows them to soften and caramelize gradually while maintaining texture. Cooking them beside the steak also allows subtle flavors to blend across the meal.

Eric follows a grilling philosophy built on three simple principles: precision, patience, and continuous practice. Precision comes from carefully managing heat levels and cooking times. Patience ensures that steaks form a proper crust and that vegetables cook without burning. Practice helps him refine techniques with each cooking session. By maintaining this steady and thoughtful approach, he continues to improve his results while keeping the cooking process enjoyable and approachable.

Monchecourt often prepares meals for family gatherings and neighborhood cookouts where grilling becomes a shared experience. The griddle frequently serves as the center of conversation while food cooks and guests gather nearby. During these moments, he enjoys sharing simple cooking tips and discussing grilling methods with others. These gatherings highlight an important belief he holds about outdoor cooking: meals prepared with care can bring people together and create lasting memories around the table.

Eric Monchecourt continues to view grilling as a skill that can always improve through learning and experimentation. Even after years of cooking outdoors, he remains open to testing new ingredients, trying different seasoning combinations, and adjusting techniques when necessary. This willingness to keep learning reflects a mindset focused on steady progress rather than perfection. Through consistent practice and dedication to quality preparation, he maintains a humble approach to grilling while continuing to develop his craft.

Eric Monchecourt is known among friends, neighbors, and local food enthusiasts as a dedicated grilling enthusiast based in Penfield, New York. He has spent many years developing practical outdoor cooking skills through consistent hands-on experience.... Show more

Christine Seeman is a staff engineer and Ruby enthusiast from Omaha, NE (smack dab in the middle of the USA), with 20+ years in tech and a soft spot for food that took way too long to make. By day, she solves complex problems with the small but mighty team at SOFware, geeking out over Ruby and Rails.

She speaks about thoughtful AI, practical engineering habits, and the human side of building software, with a focus on mindset, listening, and sustainable ways to learn faster. Off the clock, she reads too much, plays viola, helps run a nonprofit community orchestra, and serves on the board of WNB.rb, an inclusive group for nonbinary and women Rubyists. She believes the best code is written when we lift each other up and share what we learn.

Christine Seeman is a staff engineer and Ruby enthusiast from Omaha, NE (smack dab in the middle of the USA), with 20+ years in tech and a soft spot for food that took way too long to make. By day, she solves complex problems with the small but might... Show more

I design for user agency, across digital products and interactive narratives.

I’m the co-founder and CEO of Choose Your Fate, an interactive storytelling platform where creators build branching fiction and readers shape the story through their choices. I lead the company’s direction across product, business strategy, growth and the creator ecosystem, while staying hands-on in product design.

Most recently, I was a Principal Product UX/UI Designer at Persado, an enterprise AI platform that helps banks and other regulated brands create, score and optimize marketing language at scale. I designed the experiences where marketing and compliance teams review, approve and test AI-generated language.

I have a decade of experience in product design. I progressed from Product Designer to Head of Product Design at Mind-Alliance, a U.S.-based B2B software company building intelligence tools for law firms and legal teams, where I led a three-person design team. I’ve worked across AI, financial services, marketing and telecommunications, and my background is in Product & Systems Design Engineering.

Alongside my work, I co-organize ProductTank Athens, mentor designers on ADPList, and take part in events and conferences as a speaker or organizer, including the design team for PyCon Greece 2026. I write about design on Medium, with pieces published in UX Collective and Bootcamp.

I tend to gravitate toward the spaces between disciplines: where design meets technology, stories become systems, and products grow into communities.

I design for user agency, across digital products and interactive narratives. I’m the co-founder and CEO of Choose Your Fate, an interactive storytelling platform where creators build branching fiction and readers shape the story through their cho... Show more

Jeremiah Tillman is an IT professional, technical instructor, and full-stack software developer based in Chicago, Illinois. He manages instructor development and delivery for advanced technical and cybersecurity training. Jeremiah focuses on connecting deep infrastructure engineering with practical security solutions. His experience covers enterprise IT design, full-stack development, and systems engineering. In his free time, he researches hardware security, audits consumer electronics, strips firmware, and creates affordable ways for defensive teams, educators, and independent researchers to test hardware.

Jeremiah Tillman is an IT professional, technical instructor, and full-stack software developer based in Chicago, Illinois. He manages instructor development and delivery for advanced technical and cybersecurity training. Jeremiah focuses on connecti... Show more

You know what’s truly rewarding? Helping someone learn and grow. There’s nothing quite like being part of someone’s journey and knowing you played a role in their progress. As a human being, a mother, a team member, and Head of Design, my mission is to contribute to as many growth stories as possible. Over the past 18+ years, I’ve gained a wealth of experience in design, product, and leadership - and now, it’s time to give back.

You know what’s truly rewarding? Helping someone learn and grow. There’s nothing quite like being part of someone’s journey and knowing you played a role in their progress. As a human being, a mother, a team member, and Head of Design, my mission is ... Show more

Kurt Devlin is a retired software development leader with more than 30 years of experience building software, guiding teams, and helping people navigate complex projects and change. He is interested in practical ways to help people think, create, collaborate, and get unstuck.

These days, Kurt spends more time playing, making, and exploring. He is a lifelong board gamer, enthusiastic game teacher, maker, and occasional builder of things that probably didn't need to exist. He enjoys turning ideas into prototypes and helping people learn through stories, games, and hands-on experiences. He lives in Rochester, New York, where his current side quests usually involve board games, 3D printing, or whatever project has captured his attention this week.

Kurt Devlin is a retired software development leader with more than 30 years of experience building software, guiding teams, and helping people navigate complex projects and change. He is interested in practical ways to help people think, create, col... Show more

Yulia Kosarenko is the author of the books "Business Analyst: A Profession and a Mindset" and "Foundations of Business Analytics", speaker, consultant, and corporate trainer.
As the owner of Why Change Consulting Inc., she helps her clients grow mature enterprise architecture and business analysis practices, and plan and execute digital transformation programs.
As the Professor of Business Analytics at Humber College, she encourages her students to look for ways to solve business problems using analytics.
As a business analysis mentor, she leads the BA Mindset Mentorship Circle and encourages business analysts to learn, adapt, and thrive.
Yulia is active in the business analysis, architecture, and analytics communities, publishing articles and videos, joining podcasts, and advocating for applying common sense and critical thinking in all business endeavours.

Yulia Kosarenko is the author of the books "Business Analyst: A Profession and a Mindset" and "Foundations of Business Analytics", speaker, consultant, and corporate trainer. As the owner of Why Change Consulting Inc., she helps her clients grow ma... Show more

Kevin is a professional in cloud technologies, specialized in Microsoft Azure Data Solutions, mainly working for Brazil Region architecting complex Big Data, and Data Warehouse environments, he also has wide experience in other regions like US and LATAM.

Feel free to add him in Linkedin to share cloud thoughts. https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-leal/

Outside of Microsoft Kevin is a landscape photography enthusiast that enjoys traveling to learn and capture more about his and other cultures.

Kevin is a professional in cloud technologies, specialized in Microsoft Azure Data Solutions, mainly working for Brazil Region architecting complex Big Data, and Data Warehouse environments, he also has wide experience in other regions like US and LA... Show more

I'm a software coder since my first ZX81 at 11 yo (guess my age) and agile practitioner since 2006.
Kotlin and C# fanboy. Monads saved my life. Currently working for ITER organization.

I'm a software coder since my first ZX81 at 11 yo (guess my age) and agile practitioner since 2006. Kotlin and C# fanboy. Monads saved my life. Currently working for ITER organization. Show more

Rabbi Ranon Teller is a devoted and dynamic spiritual leader who combines his passion for Jewish music, education, and community with creative approaches to worship and congregational life. His television writing and music background has given him a unique ability to lead through innovative worship services and educational programming. As the senior rabbi at Congregation Brith Shalom in Houston, he has revolutionized prayer services, fostering strong membership engagement and forming deep connections within local and broader Jewish communities.

Raised in a suburban Detroit home, Rabbi Ranon grew up immersed in the practices and values of Orthodox Judaism as the second of three children. His early education occurred at Orthodox Day School, followed by Skokie Yeshiva High School outside Chicago. After completing high school, he moved to Israel, where he studied at an Orthodox yeshiva and dove into advanced Talmudic study, Jewish philosophy, theology, and sacred text. However, as he progressed in his studies, he began questioning the Orthodox practices he had grown up with, leading him to seek a deeper understanding of Judaism that would better align with his evolving spiritual identity.

1996, Rabbi Teller returned to Israel to explore alternative Jewish spirituality and practice. He became particularly drawn to contemporary Chasidic music and the teachings of Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, which helped him connect with Jewish traditions in new and meaningful ways. During this time, he audited classes at a Conservative rabbinical school in Jerusalem and participated in an intensive Jewish education program. These experiences led him to a profound realization that his calling was to pursue Jewish leadership, prompting him to return to the United States in 1998 to further his studies and become a rabbi.

Upon returning to the United States, Rabbi Ranon enrolled at the University of Judaism (now the American Jewish University) in Los Angeles, where he focused on Jewish education and rabbinic ordination. His dedication to his studies and growing love for Jewish learning were evident as he excelled in his coursework, culminating in an Honorary Doctorate from the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies in 2022. Exceptional achievements, including the Fingerhut School of Education Award for Outstanding Achievement and the Ziegler School Award for Excellence in Talmudic Studies, marked his academic journey.

In 2002, Ranon Teller was ordained as a rabbi and began his rabbinic career as the associate rabbi at Congregation B'nai Amoona in St. Louis, where he served until 2005. During his time there, the congregation faced a period of senior leadership turnover, and he was called upon to provide vision and stability. He successfully engaged young families and introduced innovative, interactive prayer services, further solidifying his role as a dynamic and compassionate leader. This experience helped shape his approach to leadership, which would prove invaluable in the future.

In 2005, Rabbi Teller moved to Houston to become the senior rabbi at Congregation Brith Shalom. His soulful, personable, and diplomatic approach to leadership quickly led to congregational growth and revitalization. During his two decades at Brith Shalom, he introduced innovative musical prayer services that united congregants and community members, making services more engaging and spiritually enriching. He also played a key role in securing a $1.5 million endowment for the synagogue and a $5 million contribution toward a building renovation campaign, helping ensure the synagogue's long-term stability and success.

Rabbi Ranon's impact extends far beyond the walls of his synagogue. He is deeply involved in the Houston Jewish community, actively collaborating with and volunteering for organizations such as the Houston Food Bank, SEARCH Homeless Services, and the Food and Faith Collaborative. In addition, he works closely with the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston and Alexander Jewish Family Service to support those in need, further reflecting his commitment to tikkun olam, the Jewish principle of repairing the world.

Outside of his professional responsibilities, Rabbi Ranon Teller enjoys a variety of hobbies and interests that further enrich his life. He continues to play blues and folk guitar and remains passionate about song-leading, bringing joy and spirituality through music. Reading non-fiction, particularly biographies and books on human nature, is another of his favorite activities. He also enjoys juggling, magic, and backpacking, often finding spiritual fulfillment in the natural world. He has written for Kolot magazine, the Jewish Herald-Voice, and the Jewish Journal. He co-authored the book, Peaceful Bones, sharing his insights and experiences with a broader audience.

Rabbi Ranon Teller is a devoted and dynamic spiritual leader who combines his passion for Jewish music, education, and community with creative approaches to worship and congregational life. His television writing and music background has given him a ... Show more