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

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

Hi, I'm Daniel from Germany - a dual Microsoft 365 Copilot & Copilot Studio MVP 🔷.
Professionally I'm a AI Cloud Architect at glueckkanja AG, while in my spare time I'm hosting my own podcast called 365 Checkpoint, speaking at Keynotes or help others as Copilot Coach & Trainer at Copilot Coaching to develop their skills.

My goal: Help organizations and people worldwide, to understand, use and work Copilot & Agents on a day-to-day bases. Keynote Speaker, Podcast Host of 365 Checkpoint

Hi, I'm Daniel from Germany - a dual Microsoft 365 Copilot & Copilot Studio MVP 🔷. Professionally I'm a AI Cloud Architect at glueckkanja AG, while in my spare time I'm hosting my own podcast called 365 Checkpoint, speaking at Keynotes or help oth... 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

👋 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

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

Daniel Sogl is Director of AI Engineering at SHI GmbH. With a background in FinTech and IT consulting, he helps internal teams and enterprise clients put AI to work in two areas: AI-assisted software engineering and Generative AI. He speaks regularly at international conferences and workshops on turning AI tools into measurable gains in developer productivity and code quality.

Daniel Sogl is Director of AI Engineering at SHI GmbH. With a background in FinTech and IT consulting, he helps internal teams and enterprise clients put AI to work in two areas: AI-assisted software engineering and Generative AI. He speaks regularly... Show more

Raniz is a programmer, architect, speaker and coach at factor10. He is a problem solver who keeps track of the bigger picture. He is prestigeless, likes to get into new domains, and loves sharing knowledge and ideas. Raniz has worked with system- and software architecture at several companies since 2010 and has been with factor10 since 2021. When not working he's into beer brewing, sourdough bread, 3D printing and triathlons.

Raniz is a programmer, architect, speaker and coach at factor10. He is a problem solver who keeps track of the bigger picture. He is prestigeless, likes to get into new domains, and loves sharing knowledge and ideas. Raniz has worked with system- and... 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

I started my career in a service desk role, which quickly sparked my interest in how technology is built, operated, and scaled. From there, I moved into data center hosting where I gained a solid understanding of infrastructure, reliability, and what it takes to keep critical environments running. I don’t have any formal education in IT, but I’ve always been a lifelong learner who grows through curiosity, hands‑on experience, and a drive to constantly improve.

Almost a decade ago, I discovered my passion for the cloud and specialized in Microsoft Azure. Since then, I’ve focused on modern Ops, platform engineering, and enabling teams by taking ideas from early concepts into secure, scalable, production‑ready solutions. Over the years, I’ve expanded my expertise across data, AI, and IoT and IIoT, and I most often work with clients in the role of Solution Architect, helping them design and build practical, outcome‑focused architectures tailored to real enterprise needs.

I’ve worked across a wide range of domains including defense, public sector, manufacturing, and energy, which has shaped how I approach architecture, security, and complex enterprise environments. I also contribute to the open‑source and enjoy collaborating with others to advance how we build and deliver modern solutions.

🗣 Sharing knowledge is a big part of who I am. I’m passionate about public speaking and mentoring, and I enjoy helping others grow by making technology more accessible and actionable.

Today, I work with enterprise‑scale AI, data, and IIoT solutions with large companies, turning ideas into real, measurable impact.

I started my career in a service desk role, which quickly sparked my interest in how technology is built, operated, and scaled. From there, I moved into data center hosting where I gained a solid understanding of infrastructure, reliability, and what... Show more

Linda has been navigating the tech landscape for over a decade. She is specialized in Cloud Technologies, IT Process Optimization, and Agile Methodologies. When she is not guiding companies on their cloud journey, she is diving into AI/ML Services and Technologies, and sharing her insights at AWS community events and other tech platforms.

Beyond her professional commitments, Linda is an AWS Community Hero and deeply involved in Women in Tech initiatives, advocating for greater representation and inclusivity. In Vienna, she is the familiar face behind AWS meetups and other community gatherings, creating a welcoming space where every voice is valued and heard. In addition, Linda is one of the founding members of the AWS Community DACH Support Association and is the Vice Chairwoman of the Funding Advisory Board of netidee.

Linda has been navigating the tech landscape for over a decade. She is specialized in Cloud Technologies, IT Process Optimization, and Agile Methodologies. When she is not guiding companies on their cloud journey, she is diving into AI/ML Services an... 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

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

Hafedh is an independent consultant, coach and trainer based in Paris. For over 13 years he has worked inside organisations going through large-scale agile transformations, Lean and flow improvement, and now AI adoption.

He looks at change through two lenses: systemic practice from the Palo Alto school, and the cognitive science of learning, as a certified Training from the Back of the Room trainer. He has spoken at many conferences worldwide.

His current question: how do organisations protect their capacity to learn and adapt when technology moves faster than people can absorb it? His sessions start with an experience participants live through, then give them tools they can use the very next day.

Hafedh is an independent consultant, coach and trainer based in Paris. For over 13 years he has worked inside organisations going through large-scale agile transformations, Lean and flow improvement, and now AI adoption. He looks at change through... Show more

Max is Founder and Chief Technology Advisor at Liquid Reply. He is CNCF and AAIF Ambassador, Linux Foundation Europe Advisory Board member and CNCF Governing Board member. Max focuses on building innovative platforms that can handle the zeitgeist of AI and is the author of Platform Engineering for Architects. Besides, Max organizes Cloud Native Summit in Munich and the Kubernetes & Cloud Native Meetup in Munich.

Max is Founder and Chief Technology Advisor at Liquid Reply. He is CNCF and AAIF Ambassador, Linux Foundation Europe Advisory Board member and CNCF Governing Board member. Max focuses on building innovative platforms that can handle the zeitgeist of ... Show more

Avindra Fernando is a software consultant with over 13 years of experience helping teams build scalable, modern web applications. In 2021, he founded Taprobane Consulting to guide clients through architectural decisions, migrations to newer tech stacks, and the implementation of robust AI-powered development and testing strategies that ensure quality and performance.

He actively mentors engineering teams, leads workshops, and delivers hands-on training. As a regular speaker at tech conferences, Avindra shares practical lessons on concepts and technologies such as Software Architecture, AI-driven development, React, Next.js, E2E Testing, and TypeScript. He leverages his experience to shape future technology direction and accelerate the growth of companies across industries.

Avindra Fernando is a software consultant with over 13 years of experience helping teams build scalable, modern web applications. In 2021, he founded Taprobane Consulting to guide clients through architectural decisions, migrations to newer tech stac... 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

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

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

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

Abid Jamil is a software engineering leader, author, and international technology speaker based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with over a decade of experience building and scaling technology products.

Currently an Engineering Manager at Gathern, he leads engineering teams across growth, fintech, and payments, focusing on scalable systems, engineering excellence, and delivering measurable business outcomes.

Throughout his career, Abid has worked across fintech, e-commerce, logistics, travel, classifieds, and education. His expertise spans engineering leadership, software architecture, system design, cloud computing, mobile development, and performance engineering.

Beyond his professional career, Abid is an active contributor to the global technology community. He has spoken at international conferences, including droidcon, DevFest, and AWS Community Day. He is also a former university lecturer and has authored more than 18 research publications.

He is the author of *The Engineer's Operating System: 18 Lessons to Build Your Skills, Visibility, Network, and Leadership* and *Crack Backend Interviews: A Progressive Guide from Junior Backend Engineer to Head of Engineering*.

Through his books, speaking engagements, and writing, Abid shares practical lessons from real-world engineering challenges, career development, and leadership, helping engineers grow beyond writing code and build meaningful, sustainable careers.

Learn more at https://abidjamil.com.

Abid Jamil is a software engineering leader, author, and international technology speaker based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with over a decade of experience building and scaling technology products. Currently an Engineering Manager at Gathern, he lea... 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

I use my passion for Microsoft 365 and Power Platform to make business processes more optimized, efficient and secure.
I co-organize Baltic Summit, Baltic Power Platform Community live events, CollabDays Poland and Global Power Platform Bootcamp Polish Edition.
I share my almost three decades of experience in change management adopting Microsoft services with others during classes and conferences.

I use my passion for Microsoft 365 and Power Platform to make business processes more optimized, efficient and secure. I co-organize Baltic Summit, Baltic Power Platform Community live events, CollabDays Poland and Global Power Platform Bootcamp Pol... 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

Fabrizio Lazzaretti is a Senior Managing Consultant at Wavestone and a CNCF Ambassador who bridges cloud-native technology and enterprise architecture. He maintains the CloudEvents SDK for Rust and co-authored Crafting Great APIs with Domain-Driven Design. With 14 years in software architecture, development, and DevOps, he leads engagements across industries, from event-driven platforms to AI initiatives, always closing the gap between business and IT.

Fabrizio Lazzaretti is a Senior Managing Consultant at Wavestone and a CNCF Ambassador who bridges cloud-native technology and enterprise architecture. He maintains the CloudEvents SDK for Rust and co-authored Crafting Great APIs with Domain-Driven D... Show more

Richard Harbridge is a Principal Industry Advisor on Microsoft 365 and ShareGate as well as a long-standing Microsoft MVP. Renowned for simplifying the complex, Richard equips IT, executives, and business leaders with three essentials: clarity about Microsoft 365’s evolving capabilities, confidence in responsibly implementing and governing new technologies, and the connections that amplify success across partners, customer communities and Microsoft itself.

Over the past decades he has:
• Advised 200+ enterprises on Microsoft 365 strategy, AI governance and employee experience.
• Delivered 450 + keynotes, workshops and conference sessions across five continents.
• Empowered millions of employees with simpler, more secure Microsoft 365 experiences, while helping partners unlock $300+ million in new revenue.
• Leads CIO think tanks and employee-experience forums while serving on research and community leadership councils shaping the future of work.

Whether architecting AI rollouts, moderating executive roundtables, or writing practical frameworks, Richard’s focus is unwavering: turn technology potential into lasting business impact.

Richard Harbridge is a Principal Industry Advisor on Microsoft 365 and ShareGate as well as a long-standing Microsoft MVP. Renowned for simplifying the complex, Richard equips IT, executives, and business leaders with three essentials: clarity about ... 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

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

I’m Mati Armándola, an Information Security leader with over 20 years of experience in technology and more than a decade focused on asset protection, regulatory compliance, and organizational culture.

I speak internationally on AI security, risk and governance, offensive security, and awareness, at conferences such as DEF CON, Ekoparty, Nerdearla, and DevOpsDays. In 2026 I was recognized with the Best Talk award at Ekoparty’s AI Resilience Village. I’m also part of the organizing team for DevOpsDays Buenos Aires.

Beyond the stage, I train the next generation of professionals in security, cloud, and leadership across several institutions and educational platforms.

My motto: LEAD – TEACH – PROTECT

I’m Mati Armándola, an Information Security leader with over 20 years of experience in technology and more than a decade focused on asset protection, regulatory compliance, and organizational culture. I speak internationally on AI security, risk a... 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