Tonie Huizer is a Software, Data, and DevOps Consultant who believes good tech starts with understanding your people. A regular on international stages and a Microsoft Certified Azure Developer, Tonie loves helping teams simplify complex challenges; whether that’s modernizing database deployments, designing scalable systems, or just getting Dev and Ops to finally talk to each other.

Tonie is known for his clear, energetic presentation style and ability to make complex topics accessible and engaging. As a Redgate Community Ambassador, he advocates for database DevOps and contributes to open knowledge sharing through blogs, talks, and events across the globe. He also co-leads SeaQL, a community-driven event that blends education, networking, and Sammie, his Kooikerhondje mascot. (Because yes, even events are better with a dog.)

Whether he's discussing Azure DevOps workflows, database release automation, or the cultural shifts required to implement DevOps successfully, Tonie brings real-world experience, humor, and actionable insights. His goal is to inspire professionals not just to adopt new technologies, but to transform how teams collaborate and innovate.

And when he’s not speaking about tech, he might just be speaking about whisky. Tonie is a passionate whisky enthusiast who loves sharing stories, flavors, and the occasional tasting session with his fellow connoisseur of TasteWhisky. If you're into DevOps, data, and a well-aged dram on the side, Tonie’s your man!

Tonie Huizer is a Software, Data, and DevOps Consultant who believes good tech starts with understanding your people. A regular on international stages and a Microsoft Certified Azure Developer, Tonie loves helping teams simplify complex challenges; ... Show more

I like lots of stuff 👉 Power Platform 💘 Dynamics 365 🚀 Azure 🧙‍♂️

Microsoft MVP ✍ blogs at https://nckr.de 🚀 Founded https://dhino.io

I worked for over 15 years with Microsoft Biz Apps as a solution architect / developer, starting with Business Central, nowadays loving the Power Platform & Azure

Building repeatable software has always been my passion and I'm continuing to talk about the best ways to do that 🙂

I like lots of stuff 👉 Power Platform 💘 Dynamics 365 🚀 Azure 🧙‍♂️ Microsoft MVP ✍ blogs at https://nckr.de 🚀 Founded https://dhino.io I worked for over 15 years with Microsoft Biz Apps as a solution architect / developer, starting with Bus... Show more

Vanessa Toves is a Microsoft 365 Solutions Architect and a recognized Microsoft MVP. She has worked with Microsoft enterprise technologies since the first versions of SharePoint on-premises, Microsoft’s BI suite, and SQL Server, making her instrumental in driving Microsoft 365 adoption for large organizations. Currently serving as a Microsoft subject matter expert for Druva, Vanessa works seamlessly across departments—from sales to engineering—to ensure the security of customer data. She is also an avid speaker and thought leader on cyber resilience.

Vanessa Toves is a Microsoft 365 Solutions Architect and a recognized Microsoft MVP. She has worked with Microsoft enterprise technologies since the first versions of SharePoint on-premises, Microsoft’s BI suite, and SQL Server, making her instrument... Show more

They call me Shortcut Shari...Why? I believe we should all work smarter, not harder and I love keyboards shortcuts. I've been using SharePoint since before it was even called SharePoint and I'm excited to share my knowledge and expertise who are as excited as technology as I am. I know stuff and I love to SHARE it!

My focus is the "People Side of Change". As a Microsoft 365 Solutions Architect and Consultant that grew up right along with SharePoint, my practical knowledge of the Microsoft Productivity stack coupled with my passion for empowerment via learning makes me an excellent resource as a consultant and evangelist for Microsoft 365. My philosophies for information architecture and SharePoint design are centered on solving business challenges with technology and ensuring usability and adoption for the organization.

As for my experience, I'm a Microsoft Certified Trainer, a Microsoft Certified Specialist Master, consultant, presenter, author and evangelist. When I'm not architecting SharePoint magic as a consultant, I'm in the classroom or creating online learning for LinkedIN Learning, ClipTraining.com and Pluralsight. Join me for my sessions, I promise they will not only be informative, but they will also be FUN!

They call me Shortcut Shari...Why? I believe we should all work smarter, not harder and I love keyboards shortcuts. I've been using SharePoint since before it was even called SharePoint and I'm excited to share my knowledge and expertise who are as ... Show more

Danny Kruge is a Microsoft Data Platform MVP, Mission Critical Engineer at Schuberg Philis, and founder of Azure Heroes. With 16+ years of experience, he is a technology leader and hands-on engineer specialising in designing, building, and operating data and cloud platforms at scale.

His expertise spans SQL Server, Azure Data Factory, Microsoft Fabric, cloud architecture, platform engineering, and
mission-critical environments, including OLTP and OLAP databases exceeding 3 TB. Throughout his career Danny has
grown from database administration into broader technical leadership, taking ownership of complex platforms and
engineering initiatives across SQL Server, Azure, and AWS.

Danny focuses on defining technical direction, simplifying complexity, and turning challenging problems into reliable,
scalable solutions. He takes a pragmatic approach and stays focused on measurable outcomes, whether working on large
database platforms, cloud architecture, automation strategy, or organisational transformation.

Originally from Leicester, England and now based in the Netherlands, Danny founded Azure Heroes to bring the Microsoft
Azure community together. He regularly contributes through speaking, articles, interviews, and events.

Danny Kruge is a Microsoft Data Platform MVP, Mission Critical Engineer at Schuberg Philis, and founder of Azure Heroes. With 16+ years of experience, he is a technology leader and hands-on engineer specialising in designing, building, and operating ... Show more

David Campbell is the former Head of AI Security Research at Scale AI, where he architected and lead some of the most advanced AI red teaming and resilience programs in the world. A two-decade veteran of Silicon Valley, David built his career at the intersection of infrastructure, security, and developer experience before becoming one of the industry’s most trusted voices on AI risk.

He pioneered Discovery, one of the first and largest large-scale AI Red Teaming platforms deployed across governments and Fortune 100 companies. His work has shaped how organizations probe, stress-test, and harden generative models against real adversaries, operational failures, and emergent behavior.

David’s expertise is sought globally. He has briefed the U.S. Congress, the White House, U.K. Parliament, NATO, Korea AISI, UK AISI, Qatar NCSA, and senior public-sector leaders on AI risk, misuse, and national resilience. He is a founding member of OWASP AIVSS and a core member of AIUC-1, the industry consortium defining how enterprises evaluate, insure, and underwrite AI systems. He also contributes to collaborative defense efforts such as CISA’s JCDC.AI series on AI-driven cyber threats.

Before Scale, David shaped platform security and engineering culture at Uber, DoorDash, and Nest Labs, where he built systems and practices that scaled to thousands of engineers. Across his career, he has been recognized for turning fragmented engineering environments into resilient, high-trust, high-standards organizations.

Today, David helps companies bridge the gap between rapid AI innovation and enterprise-grade safety. His mission is simple: align technology with the future of the business, and ensure that AI systems are deployed responsibly, securely, and with confidence.

David Campbell is the former Head of AI Security Research at Scale AI, where he architected and lead some of the most advanced AI red teaming and resilience programs in the world. A two-decade veteran of Silicon Valley, David built his career at the ... Show more

For the past decade, Sebastian has been a member of the ISV Solutions team at proMX AG. During this time, proMX’s project and resource management tool, proRM Fast Start, has won numerous awards. Sebastian was one of proMX’s liaisons to Microsoft’s Dynamics 365 Project Operations development team, thus gaining exceptionally thorough knowledge of the product almost since its first release. He has proven his Power Platform expertise in several successful implementation projects for proMX's international customers.

In addition to his technical leadership, Sebastian now also orchestrates proMX’s AI and Innovation investments, identifying cutting-edge technologies and turning them into real-world solutions for business impact. His unique blend of hands-on product experience and strategic foresight makes him a preferred speaker at industry events.

For the past decade, Sebastian has been a member of the ISV Solutions team at proMX AG. During this time, proMX’s project and resource management tool, proRM Fast Start, has won numerous awards. Sebastian was one of proMX’s liaisons to Microsoft’s Dy... Show more

Julian Kusenberg is a Dual Microsoft MVP for Microsoft Copilot and Microsoft Purview and a Senior Consultant at SoftwareOne, helping organizations securely adopt AI while protecting their most valuable asset: their data.

His expertise spans AI Governance, Microsoft 365 Copilot, Microsoft Purview, Information Protection, Data Loss Prevention, Insider Risk Management, eDiscovery, and Information Governance. Rather than treating compliance as a blocker, Julian focuses on enabling organizations to innovate securely through practical governance strategies that balance security, productivity, and business value.

Working with customers across manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, the public sector, and non-profit organizations, he combines deep technical expertise with real-world consulting experience to deliver solutions that work beyond the lab and into everyday operations.

With an academic background in physics from Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Julian approaches complex challenges analytically while keeping his sessions practical, engaging, and easy to follow.

As an international conference speaker, Julian is known for turning complex Microsoft technologies into relatable real-world scenarios. Whether discussing Microsoft Copilot, Microsoft Purview, or the future of AI Governance, attendees leave with practical guidance, honest lessons learned, and ideas they can immediately apply in their own organizations.

Julian Kusenberg is a Dual Microsoft MVP for Microsoft Copilot and Microsoft Purview and a Senior Consultant at SoftwareOne, helping organizations securely adopt AI while protecting their most valuable asset: their data. His expertise spans AI Gov... Show more

After more than 25 years managing information systems, mainly in Microsoft environments, with special focus on Business Intelligence systems and data management, I am now more focused on the management of teams and sales. Always looking for new challenges to help our customers optimize their investments in their data platform. Right now focused on Big data, Smart data and IA technologies in order to define new lines of business

After more than 25 years managing information systems, mainly in Microsoft environments, with special focus on Business Intelligence systems and data management, I am now more focused on the management of teams and sales. Always looking for new chall... Show more

Eickhel Mendoza is a Microsoft Business Applications MVP with extensive experience in Microsoft Power Platform and Microsoft Azure development technologies. He is also the author of the Power Apps Cookbook.

He manages the Business Solutions department, overseeing all Microsoft 365 and Power Platform projects. Eickhel has made valuable contributions to significant community events such as the Power Platform Community Conference, Bizz Summit and Global Azure Bootcamp.

He also coordinates the Power Platform Canarias user group, where like-minded developers come together to share knowledge in various areas. In addition, Eickhel is a member of the Bizz Summit Spain organizing committee.

Eickhel Mendoza is a Microsoft Business Applications MVP with extensive experience in Microsoft Power Platform and Microsoft Azure development technologies. He is also the author of the Power Apps Cookbook. He manages the Business Solutions depart... Show more

Creator of the "OnlyCopilotFans Business Central Agentic Development Framework" - the first and only rapid AI-driven BC app builder designed with Functional Consultants in mind, but also strong enough for Pro Developers.

AJ is a business leader and a decorated veteran of the Microsoft community, bringing nearly two decades of experience as a trusted advisor to businesses seeking to maximize their AI and ERP investments. He is an 9-time Microsoft MVP, awarded in two categories: Copilot Studio and Business Central. AJ is passionate about sharing his knowledge with the community and has spoken at over 60 global industry events. Through his workshops, bootcamps, conference sessions and online content, AJ has built a reputation for translating complex technical concepts into practical solutions.

AJ is the COO at DSWi, Editor-in-Chief of OnlyCopilotFans.com, host of the OnlyCopilotFans YouTube channel & the OnlyBCFans podcast, founder of Copilot Studio Saturdays, and the creator of the AI Clarity Method.

To book AJ for your next keynote, speaking engagement, or advisory session, contact BookAJ@ChargeOnMedia.com

Creator of the "OnlyCopilotFans Business Central Agentic Development Framework" - the first and only rapid AI-driven BC app builder designed with Functional Consultants in mind, but also strong enough for Pro Developers. AJ is a business leader a... Show more

👋 Me presento, mi nombre es Sara y como buena millennial 🔝, mi trayectoria profesional se podría resumir en una gymkana laboral continua que me empuja a reinventarme y adaptarme al entorno socioeconómico que le ha tocado vivir a mi generación.

Por eso soy Técnica superior en sistemas de telecom. e informáticos 👩‍💻, Diplomada en Ciencias Empresariales 💰 y Power BI developer 📊 ¡Me apasiona fusionar las finanzas con las nuevas tecnologías! 💡

Me encanta romper la brecha digital allá dónde voy y participar en los procesos de adopción digital de las empresas. Por eso, también soy creadora de contenido y formadora de Power BI. Tengo un canal de Youtube en el que doy truquitos cortos sobre PowerBI: https://www.youtube.com/@KawaiiBI

También soy cibervoluntaria (https://www.cibervoluntarios.org/) e intento ayudar a otras personas que lo necesitan a romper la brecha digital para que este mundo tan avanzado no las deje fuera del juego💞.

He vendido lavadoras, he sido hostelera y en mi última vida laboral fui contable-fiscal pero ahora después de mucho practicar, mucho estudiar y mucho esfuerzo soy muy feliz trabajando de consultora de PowerBI, herramienta que me apasiona y que fusiona las finanzas, la tecnología y la formación, tres campos que me encantan. 😍💞

👋 Me presento, mi nombre es Sara y como buena millennial 🔝, mi trayectoria profesional se podría resumir en una gymkana laboral continua que me empuja a reinventarme y adaptarme al entorno socioeconómico que le ha tocado vivir a mi generación. ... Show more

Jerry Nixon is a Principal Product Manager in Microsoft Data & AI on the Developer Experiences and Community Enablement team, championing data integrity and agentic safety. He focuses on practical engineering and maintainable architectures that safeguard operational data. With more than two decades of experience, Jerry is an engineer at heart, a university CS professor, and a regular speaker & author who has trained thousands of developers throughout his career.

Jerry Nixon is a Principal Product Manager in Microsoft Data & AI on the Developer Experiences and Community Enablement team, championing data integrity and agentic safety. He focuses on practical engineering and maintainable architectures that safeg... Show more

With a passion for enhancing organizational effectiveness through digitalization and process optimization, Tomasz brings extensive expertise as a seasoned Business Analyst. As a distinguished Microsoft Power Platform expert, recognized with the Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) title and multiple certifications, including Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT), Tomasz possesses a robust analytical acumen. With proficiency in SharePoint, Nintex, Webcon, and other process implementation tools, Tomasz continuously updates his knowledge to deliver cutting-edge solutions and shares insights with both clients and technical communities.

Renowned for crafting user-friendly business processes and applications, Tomasz prioritizes simplicity and reliability, ensuring seamless adoption and comprehension. As a dedicated co-organizer of community events in Poland and an active blogger, Tomasz contributes actively to the technical community and serves as an esteemed international speaker.

With a passion for enhancing organizational effectiveness through digitalization and process optimization, Tomasz brings extensive expertise as a seasoned Business Analyst. As a distinguished Microsoft Power Platform expert, recognized with the Micro... Show more

Namrata Agrawal is a technology professional and speaker exploring the intersection of AI, sustainability, and digital innovation. She is passionate about how emerging technologies can solve real-world challenges and create meaningful business and societal impact. Her speaking interests include AI, digital transformation, sustainability, accessibility, emerging technologies, and responsible innovation.

Namrata Agrawal is a technology professional and speaker exploring the intersection of AI, sustainability, and digital innovation. She is passionate about how emerging technologies can solve real-world challenges and create meaningful business and so... Show more

Prashant G Bhoyar is an Enterprise AI Architect and AI strategy, engineering, and adoption leader with more than 20 years of experience delivering enterprise technology solutions across artificial intelligence, cloud, automation, and the Microsoft ecosystem.

As an AI Architect, Prashant serves as a trusted advisor to executives, technology leaders, architects, and delivery teams. He helps organizations move AI initiatives from business vision and technical discovery through architecture, rapid prototyping, governance, implementation planning, production readiness, and enterprise adoption.

Prashant specializes in agentic AI, multi-agent systems, retrieval-augmented generation, AI assistants, model evaluation, Responsible AI, and enterprise integration using Microsoft Foundry, Microsoft Agent Framework, Copilot Studio, Microsoft Fabric, Microsoft 365 Copilot, Azure AI, LangChain, Python, C#, Azure Functions, Logic Apps, Microsoft Graph, Dataverse, and Power Platform.

His approach combines enterprise architecture with forward-deployed AI engineering. He works closely with customer and delivery teams to understand complex business processes, validate solutions rapidly, remove technical blockers, translate field insights into reusable architectures, and accelerate the journey from prototype to secure, scalable production implementation.

Prashant founded the Northern Virginia AI/ML User Group and leads monthly community programs focused on artificial intelligence, machine learning, AI agents, advanced prompt engineering, Microsoft Foundry, Copilot Studio, and Microsoft Fabric. He has designed and delivered executive briefings, conference sessions, technical demonstrations, hands-on labs, and workshops for more than 400 developers, architects, technology leaders, and business users.

He is a Microsoft Artificial Intelligence and Business Applications MVP for 10 consecutive years, a Microsoft Certified Trainer, co-author of “PowerShell for Office 365,” and a recipient of the Antarctic Service Medal of the United States of America. He has presented at Microsoft Build, Microsoft AI Tour, Global AI Bootcamp, and major technology conferences around the world.

Prashant is available for keynote presentations, conference sessions, executive briefings, enterprise AI architecture workshops, forward-deployed AI engineering advisory, and hands-on training on Microsoft AI technologies.

Prashant G Bhoyar is an Enterprise AI Architect and AI strategy, engineering, and adoption leader with more than 20 years of experience delivering enterprise technology solutions across artificial intelligence, cloud, automation, and the Microsoft ec... Show more

Gethyn is a Microsoft Data Platform MVP and consultant helping organisations modernise their data platforms with SQL Server, Azure, Microsoft Fabric, Power BI, and AI. He leads a UK consultancy that supports clients across Europe and North America with migrations, high-availability design, performance engineering, analytics strategy, and data governance. A Microsoft Certified Trainer with over 200 courses delivered, he speaks widely on data transformation, analytics, and the future of AI-powered business.

Gethyn is a Microsoft Data Platform MVP and consultant helping organisations modernise their data platforms with SQL Server, Azure, Microsoft Fabric, Power BI, and AI. He leads a UK consultancy that supports clients across Europe and North America wi... Show more

Erwin de Kreuk is an experienced Technology Lead for Data at InSpark, a Microsoft partner recognized as Global Partner of the Year for Identity and Dutch Partner of the Year for Data & AI.
With 16 years of experience on the Microsoft Data Platform, including 8 years focused on Azure and Microsoft Fabric, Erwin helps organizations define and execute their data and AI strategy. His focus is on building scalable, secure, and future‑proof data platforms that enable analytics, operational excellence, and AI‑driven innovation.

Erwin is a Microsoft Data Platform MVP and a frequent speaker at national and international conferences, where he shares strategic insights on modern data platforms, platform engineering, and the role of data foundations in successful AI initiatives.
As a member of the Technology Board at InSpark, Erwin provides technical leadership across the data domain, guiding senior consultants and shaping the company’s data platform vision. He is closely involved in translating Microsoft’s roadmap into practical, enterprise‑ready solutions and advising customers on modernizing complex analytics landscapes.
Erwin is also a key stakeholder in InSpark’s managed data platform offerings, including Oxygen (Modern Data Platform as‑a‑Service) and the ISV Solution Nitrogen Control Center, a Microsoft Fabric–native solution focused on scalable data integration and processing.
His core belief: AI success is driven by strong leadership decisions and a solid data foundation, not by models alone.

Erwin de Kreuk is an experienced Technology Lead for Data at InSpark, a Microsoft partner recognized as Global Partner of the Year for Identity and Dutch Partner of the Year for Data & AI. With 16 years of experience on the Microsoft Data Platform, ... Show more

Samir Makwana empowers enterprises and government agencies to harness the full power of Microsoft Cloud—and especially its cutting-edge AI stack—to build secure, value-driven businesses. With 17 years as a software developer, pre-sales engineer, and solution architect, he’s architected end-to-end IT transformations that blend security, automation, and collaboration.

A true AI evangelist, Samir designs PoCs and production systems leveraging Azure AI services (Cognitive Services, Azure OpenAI, Semantic Kernel), Copilot Studio, and Power Platform AI—applying deep prompt engineering, vector search/RAG patterns, and grounding techniques to deliver next-gen user experiences. He’s integrated generative AI agents into Office 365 and custom apps, automated workflows with Power Automate and Logic Apps, and secured data with Zero Trust and Microsoft Purview.

As Founder & Principal Architect of Cloudtrify Inc., Samir crafts both short- and long-term cloud-native and AI solutions that drive ROI, user adoption, and maintainability—always with responsible AI and compliance top-of-mind.

Samir Makwana empowers enterprises and government agencies to harness the full power of Microsoft Cloud—and especially its cutting-edge AI stack—to build secure, value-driven businesses. With 17 years as a software developer, pre-sales engineer, and ... Show more

Himanshu Goil is a technology founder, CEO, global speaker, and AI thought leader focused on implementing artificial intelligence in regulated and public sector environments. As the CEO of Ignatiuz and founder of TechForGov, he focuses on bringing practical, scalable, and ethical AI to organizations that want to modernize the way they work and serve their communities. He has built and exited ventures such as MyLink and Accelance Partners, along with launching products like ScoutFoto and WebTalkx.

Himanshu is the creator of IGNA®, an AI platform designed to help governments, schools, and enterprises adopt Agentic AI systems with trust, structure, and measurable outcomes.

With more than two decades of experience across SaaS development, cloud modernization, and intelligent automation, he has led transformation programs for local governments, school districts, nonprofit organizations, and global enterprises. He is a frequent speaker at technology and AI conferences, where he shares insights on Responsible AI, AI governance, and the practical rise of Agentic AI.

Himanshu Goil is a technology founder, CEO, global speaker, and AI thought leader focused on implementing artificial intelligence in regulated and public sector environments. As the CEO of Ignatiuz and founder of TechForGov, he focuses on bringing ... Show more

Data Platform MVP, Microsoft Fabric advocate, public speaker, and passionate about everything that transforms data into action.

Currently working at Macaw as Architect & Technical Advocate – Microsoft Fabric, where I help organizations design modern Data & AI solutions on Microsoft technologies, with a strong focus on Microsoft Fabric. Over the years, my role has evolved from technical evangelism into a stronger advisory and architecture-focused position. Today, I combine strategic advisory, pre-sales, and solution architecture to help customers make realistic technology decisions and build scalable, future-proof platforms.

What I enjoy most? Sharing knowledge, experiences, best practices, and enthusiasm around the Microsoft data & AI space. I actively contribute to the community through conferences, user groups, customer presentations, technical sessions, end-user training, and community initiatives focused on Microsoft Fabric, Power BI, and AI.

Besides public speaking and community work, I also share insights and experiences on my personal blog: data-marc.com

Data Platform MVP, Microsoft Fabric advocate, public speaker, and passionate about everything that transforms data into action. Currently working at Macaw as Architect & Technical Advocate – Microsoft Fabric, where I help organizations design mode... Show more

Sebastian Nilsson helps teams make sense of modern software engineering without adding unnecessary complexity. By day he's a CTO advisor, AI strategist, and renaissance engineer, which in practice means architecture, tech leadership, delivery improvement, and finding practical ways to use AI that enables individuals and hold up in real products.

He has a soft spot for .NET, Azure, modern web development, strong engineering culture, and talks that get to the point. His career pairs hands-on work across a wide range of areas with major strategic impact at companies large and small, so expect talks grounded in experience, containing honest takes, and takeaways that spark new thinking and survive contact with real work.

Sebastian Nilsson helps teams make sense of modern software engineering without adding unnecessary complexity. By day he's a CTO advisor, AI strategist, and renaissance engineer, which in practice means architecture, tech leadership, delivery improve... Show more

Sarah F. Wimberley is a strategic technology executive with a multidisciplinary background spanning enterprise architecture, technology consulting, AI governance, privacy, and organizational strategy. She has a proven ability to develop enterprise roadmaps, guide executive decision-making, and lead cross-functional transformation initiatives that balance innovation, compliance, and customer trust. Sarah brings a collaborative leadership style, strong business acumen, and extensive experience communicating complex technical concepts to executives, boards, and diverse stakeholder groups.

A graduate of Rosemont College with a Master’s in Strategic Leadership, Sarah is also an active volunteer, serving on various boards and committees, including as President of Village on the Ridge and a Co-Leader and Higher Award Coach for the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania.

Sarah F. Wimberley is a strategic technology executive with a multidisciplinary background spanning enterprise architecture, technology consulting, AI governance, privacy, and organizational strategy. She has a proven ability to develop enterprise ro... Show more

Dr. Joe Perez is a game-changing professional who has made an impressive impact on the world of IT, health & human services, and higher education. With advanced degrees in education, Joe started his career as an educator and continued to further his education by earning a doctorate in education with a double minor in computers and theology. His career focus changed to IT in the early 1990’s when he started working as a Computer Consultant at NC State University. Three promotions later, Dr. Perez ended his successful 25-year career at NC State as Business Intelligence Specialist when he took another promotion to become Senior Business Analyst at the NC Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) in the fall of 2017.

Notably, Dr. Perez has been featured on multiple billboards in the iconic Times Square, a testament to his remarkable achievements and influence worldwide. This recognition, along with his Top 10 Global Thought Leader Rankings in IT Strategy & Big Data on Thinkers360 for four consecutive years (2023 through 2026) and Gartner Peer Community Ambassador of the Year (2023-2024), reflect his dedication and impact in the industry.

Having achieved significant success throughout his career, Dr. Perez's accomplishments include being promoted to Senior Systems Specialist and Team Leader, a position he has excelled in while showcasing his expertise and leadership skills. In addition to his full-time analytics/BI leadership role at DHHS, Joe was named fractional Chief Technology Officer at a North Carolina firm in October 2020 and Strategy Director at InnovoraMind in March 2026. A prolific, Amazon bestselling author with multiple #1 new releases, more than 22,000 followers on LinkedIn, and several professional certifications, he has consistently proven to be a much sought-after resource, highly-recommended international keynote speaker, data analytics & visualization expert, and specialist in efficiency and process improvement.

Perez, a recipient of the IOT Industry Insights 2021 Thought Leader of the Year award, speaks at numerous conferences each year, and continues to be in high demand to this day, expanding his reach into dozens of countries around the globe, impacting thousands. Thanks to these outstanding accomplishments and influential presence as a leading expert in the industry, Dr. Perez has been welcomed into several prestigious Thought Leader communities. He was recently inducted into both the IIBA Bluegrass Hall of Fame and the United Nations Global Network of Data Officers and Statisticians and was selected to be a Distinguished Fellow in the Public Sector Network's Future Government Institute.

Dr. Perez's passion for teaching has never waned, whether as a speaker, workshop facilitator, podcast guest, conference emcee, or team leader; inspiring countless individuals to strive for excellence. He cherishes spending time with his wife and children, who he considers to be the "best things that ever happened to me." Besides being a gifted musician, singer, pianist, and composer, Joe serves in his church's Hispanic ministry. He even manages to publish a monthly military newsletter, The Patriot News, which has gained widespread recognition. His unwavering commitment to his community is an inspiration to all. To stay in shape, Perez hits the gym, and he loves watching Star Trek reruns to relax. "I'm a firm believer that if I'm not innovating, then I'm stagnating," says Joe. His devotion to innovation, his boundless energy, and his constant drive for excellence are the hallmarks of a truly exceptional individual, thus making Dr. Joe a perfect fit to inspire and engage your audience, leaving a lasting impact on your event.

Dr. Joe Perez is a game-changing professional who has made an impressive impact on the world of IT, health & human services, and higher education. With advanced degrees in education, Joe started his career as an educator and continued to further his ... Show more

I’m part of the expert team at Proximo 3, a specialist Microsoft consulting firm. We offer consultancy and advice on Dynamics 365 CRM and Power Platform projects. I’m passionate about applying change management to CRM projects and hold a certified Prosci practitioner qualification.

Since 2017, I’ve been a Microsoft Business Applications MVP specialising in Dynamics 365, Power Platform and Copilot Studio.

I’m part of the expert team at Proximo 3, a specialist Microsoft consulting firm. We offer consultancy and advice on Dynamics 365 CRM and Power Platform projects. I’m passionate about applying change management to CRM projects and hold a certified ... Show more

Suzanne helps senior executives make confident decisions about software engineering. As a Chief Developer Advisor at Microsoft, she partners with CxOs, VPs and other engineering leaders across EMEA to help engineering organisations in their end‑to‑end AI transformation.

She's author of the book Ghost Decisions, the Agentile operating model and the ISEE framework. She's maintainer of git-ape She writes her industry observations and thoughts on Substack.

Suzanne helps senior executives make confident decisions about software engineering. As a Chief Developer Advisor at Microsoft, she partners with CxOs, VPs and other engineering leaders across EMEA to help engineering organisations in their end‑to‑en... Show more

Michelle Sandford is a Developer Engagement Leader who writes code, builds with GitHub and Azure AI, and learns out loud. She likes sharing what’s useful (and what isn’t), and believes shipping is better than talking about it:

- A community builder, connecting MVPs, user groups, universities, and developer communities into thriving ecosystems that learn together and lift each other higher.
- A technical storyteller, Michelle shapes how the world talks about AI‑powered engineering and Azure innovation bringing clarity, curiosity, and creativity to every conversation.
- A program strategist, designing scalable, repeatable motions that help developers grow their capability and confidence at pace with a rapidly evolving industry.
- A bridge between engineering and the field making sure developers feel heard, supported, and empowered, from the first line of code to the final production push.

Michelle Sandford is a Developer Engagement Leader who writes code, builds with GitHub and Azure AI, and learns out loud. She likes sharing what’s useful (and what isn’t), and believes shipping is better than talking about it: - A community builde... Show more

Pamela Paterson, MS, CBAP, PMP, is a speaker, best-selling author, and senior tech consultant specializing in business systems analysis and project management. With a strong background in systems engineering and experience working with over 100 organizations, Pamela has delivered workshops, webinars, and presentations worldwide and authored 10 books, including two international best-sellers. Pamela has also taught project management for over ten years in Toronto, Canada. In 2023, 2024, and 2025 she stands out as one of the most active speakers on Sessionize. For more details, visit her LinkedIn profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelapaterson/, or contact her at pamelatheba@gmail.com.

Pamela Paterson, MS, CBAP, PMP, is a speaker, best-selling author, and senior tech consultant specializing in business systems analysis and project management. With a strong background in systems engineering and experience working with over 100 organ... Show more

Cortney Nickerson is a Principal Product Marketing Manager at Akamai Technologies. As a CNCF Ambassador, she leads the Kyverno Community and is highly active in the cloud native community co-organizing various Kubernetes Community Day events, serving on the State of OpenCon Advisory Board, and co-hosting the "Code to Culture Platform Engineering Podcast" and "Humans of Cloud Native" podcast.

A recognized speaker at international events, Cortney transitioned from a non-technical background to tech as an early employee (#7) at a startup later acquired by DataDog, where she wrote content for the Data on Kubernetes Community.

Beyond technology, she is a vocal advocate for DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) and openly shares her experiences with imposter syndrome. On a personal note, she's also a parent navigating the challenge of getting her kids to bed on time.

Cortney Nickerson is a Principal Product Marketing Manager at Akamai Technologies. As a CNCF Ambassador, she leads the Kyverno Community and is highly active in the cloud native community co-organizing various Kubernetes Community Day events, serving... Show more

Máté is passionate about technology and how it can enhance the way people work and collaborate. He began his Power Platform career as a citizen developer, and today works as an Intelligent Automation & AI Architect at Xebia, helping organizations get real value from Copilot Studio, M365 Copilot, and the wider Power Platform. He leads the Hungary Power Platform User Group and co-organizes community events, sharing his expertise at conferences on AI adoption, low-code development, and user experience.

Beyond technology, Máté advocates for the role of soft skills in tech - fostering collaborative groups, mentoring, and helping professionals identify and leverage their transferable skills. He believes that success in digital transformation is not just about tools but also about people and communication. He prioritizes work-life integration, balancing professional projects with hobbies such as hiking, SUP, cooking, and live music.

He's also a Microsoft MVP, Microsoft Certified Trainer, and volunteer photographer, continuously blending his love for technology with creativity.

Máté is passionate about technology and how it can enhance the way people work and collaborate. He began his Power Platform career as a citizen developer, and today works as an Intelligent Automation & AI Architect at Xebia, helping organizations get... Show more