What happens when your most committed people quietly burn out behind a mask of performance? Serban Mare has lived the answer, and now helps organizations catch it early and reverse it.
Serban is an Engineering Program Manager with 20+ years in the semiconductor and technology industry, still leading complex, high-pressure programs today while keynoting national conferences including PMI Global Summit and SHRM events. He burned out the quiet way: achieving everything on paper while running on empty. Then he rebuilt his energy, focus, and performance without leaving the pressure behind. That makes him a working proof of concept, not a recovered cautionary tale.
His sessions are direct, interactive, and science-backed, built for people who think in systems. Audiences leave with the three warning signs of burnout, a practical counter for each one, and tools they put to work the same week.

Demo Reel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-rrQHZGLN4&t=1s

What happens when your most committed people quietly burn out behind a mask of performance? Serban Mare has lived the answer, and now helps organizations catch it early and reverse it. Serban is an Engineering Program Manager with 20+ years in the s... Show more

Tharanga Chandrasekara is a Microsoft MVP in Business Applications and Co-founder and Head of Technology at Equerra, a Microsoft partner specialising in Business Central solutions, integrations, and AI-enabled products. With deep expertise in AL development, Azure Integration Services, and modern ERP architecture, he brings both hands-on technical depth and a genuine passion for pushing the boundaries of what Business Central can do.

Since 2016, Tharanga has been recognised with the Microsoft MVP award for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.

Tharanga is a regular face on the international conference circuit, having spoken at BC TechDays, Directions ASIA, and Directions EMEA. He is also the co-organiser of the Auckland D365 Business Central User Group and Directions ANZ, where he plays an active role in growing and connecting the Business Central community across the Asia-Pacific region.

Tharanga Chandrasekara is a Microsoft MVP in Business Applications and Co-founder and Head of Technology at Equerra, a Microsoft partner specialising in Business Central solutions, integrations, and AI-enabled products. With deep expertise in AL deve... Show more

Karoliina is the Head of Modern Work at OP Financial Group, the largest financial services group in Finland. She has over ten years of experience in developing teamwork and internal communications with modern digital tools and leading long-term change in organisations. Karoliina is a Microsoft MVP and a multi-awarded role model for her enthusiasm, knowledge-sharing, and community leadership. She is an experienced and inspiring speaker at international conferences, and she co-organizes the Finnish M365 Copilot User Group and CollabDays Finland Conference 💜 Community rocks!

Karoliina is the Head of Modern Work at OP Financial Group, the largest financial services group in Finland. She has over ten years of experience in developing teamwork and internal communications with modern digital tools and leading long-term chang... Show more

Agile Master and Software Engineer with over 30 years of experience leading teams and delivering software projects in complex, mission-critical environments. Throughout his career, he has contributed to the design and evolution of systems used nationwide by the Brazilian Electoral Justice system, as well as digital initiatives for organizations in the education and financial sectors.

A specialist in agile transformation, engineering metrics, and delivery predictability, he combines strategic leadership with a strong technical background in software architecture and the development of mobile, web, and backend solutions.

He is currently specializing in quantum computing applied to software engineering and complex optimization problems, exploring how quantum algorithms and computational models can support strategic decision-making, portfolio prioritization, and new paradigms in software development.

An active speaker at international agile conferences and a mentor to engineering teams, he contributes to the dissemination of modern practices in software development and digital product management.

He is a member of the Agile Alliance and a signatory of the Agile Manifesto, with technical articles published in specialized magazines such as Clube Delphi, Software Engineering Magazine, Mundo Project Management, and MicroSistemas.

Agile Master and Software Engineer with over 30 years of experience leading teams and delivering software projects in complex, mission-critical environments. Throughout his career, he has contributed to the design and evolution of systems used nation... Show more

Margo Sakova is a B2B SaaS marketing leader, OKR strategist, and the Head of Marketing at Oboard. With over a decade of experience scaling growth engines, she specializes in bridging the gap between high-level business strategy and daily technical execution.

Recognized globally as an Atlassian ecosystem Champion, Margo builds vibrant tech communities and designs the systems that power them. Today, she helps marketing teams move beyond basic tools to implement agile frameworks, data-driven OKRs, and custom AI workflows.

On stage, Margo translates complex operational methodologies into practical, actionable playbooks, equipping business leaders with the exact blueprints they need to automate growth without losing their brand's human edge.

Margo Sakova is a B2B SaaS marketing leader, OKR strategist, and the Head of Marketing at Oboard. With over a decade of experience scaling growth engines, she specializes in bridging the gap between high-level business strategy and daily technical ex... Show more

I have been building with AWS for ten years and teaching it for seven. In Italy I have worked as a licensed freelance engineer, consultant, and founder. I am now CTO and Co-founder, an AWS Authorized Instructor at Champion level, and an AWS Community Builder for seven years. I design cloud architectures with a focus on AI agent systems, data engineering, and serverless patterns on AWS, and I train thousands of cloud practitioners across Europe on the same architectures I build in production. My work spans AI product development, multi-tenant analytics infrastructure, and agent-based automation on Amazon Bedrock. I build with a small team and teach at European scale. I tend toward reflection. I do better work in quiet environments, and that shows up in how I approach architecture.

I have been building with AWS for ten years and teaching it for seven. In Italy I have worked as a licensed freelance engineer, consultant, and founder. I am now CTO and Co-founder, an AWS Authorized Instructor at Champion level, and an AWS Community... Show more

Deepak Gupta founded and scaled LoginRadius (a CIAM platform) to serve 1B+ users, navigating identity architecture and privacy regulations across global markets. He holds 5 patents in DDoS defense, searchable encryption, and AI security, and is the author of Don't Ever Think About Passwords Again and Data Privacy - What Enterprises Need to Know?

He now builds Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) infrastructure for B2B SaaS and cybersecurity companies, helping them get cited by ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews as buyers shift from search engines to AI assistants.

Deepak also founded startwithidentity.com, a technical community for IAM and security practitioners. More at guptadeepak.com/about

Deepak Gupta founded and scaled LoginRadius (a CIAM platform) to serve 1B+ users, navigating identity architecture and privacy regulations across global markets. He holds 5 patents in DDoS defense, searchable encryption, and AI security, and is the a... Show more

Sam Ayo is a technology leader and AI research engineer focused on building intelligent systems that operate at the intersection of artificial intelligence, financial infrastructure and complex regulatory technology. His work is centered on a problem he believes will define the next generation of applied AI: How do we turn increasingly capable AI models into dependable infrastructure for consequential, real-world systems?

Sam Ayo's work sits at the intersection of AI research and systems engineering. He has designed and deployed intelligent systems spanning machine learning, large language models, data platforms and distributed software, with a focus on the challenges of taking AI from experimental models into reliable production infrastructure. His technical interests include machine intelligence, quantitative modelling, AI systems, distributed computing and the application of intelligent systems to complex real-world problems.

His background combines quantitative economics with computer science, machine learning and production engineering giving him an unusually broad view of both the mathematical foundations of AI and the engineering required to make those systems useful at scale. He has been heavily involved in building ML solutions across various cross-industry fields, including Media & Advertising, IoT, Retail, and Energy.

Sam Ayo's expertise and achievements have earned him speaking opportunities at prestigious events. He was honoured by the Federal Minister for Digital Economy and Innovation, Dr Bosun Tijani at the National AI Strategy Conference 2024 in Abuja.

Sam Ayo has spoken at so many top AI conferences and workshops including Nigeria AI Trust Workshop 2026 organized by the office of Dr Bosun Tijani, Honorble Minister of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy, AIFest, the Nigeria Computer Society [the global body for computer science in Nigeria, where he shared insights on the intersection of AI and business impact], DataFest, Data Science Conference Europe, OscaFEST, GDG DevFest, AWS westAfrica, including the Microsoft Student Learn Community, delivering a talk on leveraging AI for real-world applications to aspiring technologists.

In addition to these engagements, Sam Ayo has been a featured speaker at the Ehingbeti Summit for technology, a renowned conference that brings together thought leaders and industry experts to discuss technological advancements and their impact on various sectors. At the Ehingbeti Summit, Sam Ayo provided valuable insights into the transformative power of AI and data science in driving innovation and sustainable development.

As a versatile and dynamic professional, Sam Ayo is renowned for his results-driven leadership. He thrives on complex problem-solving, creating value streams across product delivery lifecycles, and delivering outstanding results that help companies take their data strategy from plan to prototype to profitability.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Sam Ayo is dedicated to knowledge sharing and collective growth. He actively engages in community mentorship, open-source development, meetups facilitation, technical writing, and research, contributing to the advancement of AI and data science.

With his deep expertise, commitment to excellence, and passion for sharing knowledge, Sam Ayo is a sought-after speaker and a valuable asset in driving innovation and success in the field of AI engineering and data science.

Sam Ayo is a technology leader and AI research engineer focused on building intelligent systems that operate at the intersection of artificial intelligence, financial infrastructure and complex regulatory technology. His work is centered on a problem... Show more

Dr. Tricia Diamond is a portfolio and program management executive, aerospace engineer, and organizational strategist with more than two decades of leadership across the public sector, technology, and consulting in the United States and the Netherlands. She holds a PhD in Aerospace Engineering and professional aviation experience, alongside advanced credentials including the PfMP®, PMP®, PMI-ACP®, PMO-CP®, CPMAI, GPM-b®, CAL®, ITIL®, AWS-CCP, AWS-AIP, MCASE. As Director of ARPA Implementation for a major U.S. city, she built and led a PMO governing a $386M federal recovery portfolio with 100% regulatory compliance. She has spoken at ASPA and PMI conferences, previously served as VP of Professional Development for PMI Puget Sound, and is a Seattle Parks and Recreation Commissioner. She is the founder of Diamond PMO Solutions, an MWBE owned management consultancy specializing in portfolio governance, PMO design, and organizational strategy as well as PMI certification trainings. Her book, Second Line Leadership: How New Orleans Solved Coordination Without Controls, was published in September 2026.

Dr. Tricia Diamond is a portfolio and program management executive, aerospace engineer, and organizational strategist with more than two decades of leadership across the public sector, technology, and consulting in the United States and the Netherlan... Show more

Sven Peters, AI evangelist at Atlassian, has been studying trends in software development for the last 15 years, uncovering the cultural and technical attributes to help development teams work effectively and drive innovation. He has 20 years of experience in writing code, leading teams, and sharing his experience with thousands of developers at countless conferences in 25+ countries.

Sven Peters, AI evangelist at Atlassian, has been studying trends in software development for the last 15 years, uncovering the cultural and technical attributes to help development teams work effectively and drive innovation. He has 20 years of expe... Show more

Erica Hakonson is the CEO of Maven Collective, a multi‑award‑winning Partner Marketing & GTM Strategy firm built exclusively for Microsoft Partners. She has led the firm to serve 500+ Partners globally, earn 200+ awards, and become one of the most trusted strategic advisors in the Microsoft ecosystem. Recognized as 2026 & 2025 Top Women We Admire in Marketing and Technology, she has been featured in The Globe & Mail and honored with titles such as Female Entrepreneur of the Year and SME National Business Awards Editor’s Choice.

She also leads the Microsoft Partner Global Benchmark & Success Index, delivering insight that cuts through noise and drives real growth. In 2025, Hakonson guided Maven Collective to B Corp Certification, joining the global movement to use business as a force for good, without sacrificing performance.

Erica Hakonson is the CEO of Maven Collective, a multi‑award‑winning Partner Marketing & GTM Strategy firm built exclusively for Microsoft Partners. She has led the firm to serve 500+ Partners globally, earn 200+ awards, and become one of the most tr... Show more

Geoff Ables is a keynote speaker, best-selling author, and a Microsoft MVP recognized in the Copilot, Power Platform, Dynamics 365, and Modern Work (SharePoint, Teams and Viva) categories.

A recognized thought leader on artificial intelligence and people-centric digital transformation, Geoff's most recent book, "The LUCK Principle: Business Results at the Intersection of People and Profit," delivers fresh insight and inspiration into the people, processes, and technologies driving business ROI today.

His firm, C5 Insight, has twice been named an Inc 5000 company, and advises clients on digital customer and employee experience projects.

Geoff is also an avid motorcycle and wine enthusiast and has appeared as a guest on TruTVs's, "The Impractical Jokers."

Geoff Ables is a keynote speaker, best-selling author, and a Microsoft MVP recognized in the Copilot, Power Platform, Dynamics 365, and Modern Work (SharePoint, Teams and Viva) categories. A recognized thought leader on artificial intelligence an... Show more

Michael works as an independent tech consultant with 20+ years of experience specialized in Domain Driven Design, Team Topologies, Software Architecture and Collaborative Modeling. He is a regular speaker at international conferences and an author. Michael is also an INNOQ Fellow and Team Topologies Advocate.

Michael works as an independent tech consultant with 20+ years of experience specialized in Domain Driven Design, Team Topologies, Software Architecture and Collaborative Modeling. He is a regular speaker at international conferences and an author. M... Show more

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

Dr. Angela Trego is a rocket scientist turned Confidence & Communication Expert and the #1 bestselling author of Squashing the Imposter Syndrome. She has trained thousands of professionals across six continents to strengthen confidence as a skill so they can communicate more effectively, lead more boldly, and contribute at their full potential. Her core message is simple: confidence is a skill that can be learned, practiced, and strengthened.

Her work focuses on imposter syndrome, soft skills development, mentoring, and practical leadership tools that translate across industries. In addition, she specializes in faculty development and training university educators. She focuses particularly on STEM and engineering fields to implement evidence-based confidence-building strategies, engaged teaching practices, and classroom management approaches that increase student motivation and belonging.

Dr. Trego works with institutions to strengthen teaching effectiveness while reducing faculty burnout. Before dedicating her career to speaking, teaching, and coaching, she held technical and senior leadership roles at Fortune 500 companies across multiple industries and around the globe. She now brings that real-world leadership perspective into both industry and academia.

Whether working with executives, faculty, or emerging leaders, Dr. Trego's mission is simple: equip people with the confidence and skills to thrive.

Available for keynotes, consulting, coaching, and short courses. Every engagement is customized to the client's specific audience, language, and goals. Participants don't just hear these tools. They practice them in the room and carry them out the door as confidence they can actually use. Discover more at www.angelatrego.com

Dr. Angela Trego is a rocket scientist turned Confidence & Communication Expert and the #1 bestselling author of Squashing the Imposter Syndrome. She has trained thousands of professionals across six continents to strengthen confidence as a skill so ... Show more

Jacqui Read is an internationally-recognised architect, and author of Communication Patterns: A Guide for Developers and Architects. She works across the public and private sector at Made Tech, helping customers to architect systems and determine direction in complex environments. Jacqui is a keynote speaker at international conferences, covering topics such as software design, architecture practices, and technical communication. 

Her professional interests include collaborative modelling, knowledge management, Domain-Driven Design, sociotechnical architecture, and modernising enterprise architecture practices. Her personal website is https://jacquiread.com.

Jacqui Read is an internationally-recognised architect, and author of Communication Patterns: A Guide for Developers and Architects. She works across the public and private sector at Made Tech, helping customers to architect systems and determine dir... Show more

I’m Prathyusha (Prathy) Kamasani, a solopreneur behind Data Nova, a small, purpose-driven business specialising in Microsoft BI solutions. With over 15 years of experience in the data space, I take a design-first approach to everything I build. Whether I’m developing well-structured data platforms or creating user-centric Power BI reports, my goal is to make data accessible, intuitive, and genuinely impactful.

From delivering end-to-end Microsoft Fabric solutions to crafting interactive data visualisations, I bring together design and data to help organisations uncover the insights that truly matter.

I’m also passionate about sharing knowledge and building community. Since 2016, I’ve been running the London Microsoft Fabric User Group. You’ll often find me speaking at conferences or hosting events at the London Fabric User Group

I’m Prathyusha (Prathy) Kamasani, a solopreneur behind Data Nova, a small, purpose-driven business specialising in Microsoft BI solutions. With over 15 years of experience in the data space, I take a design-first approach to everything I build. Wheth... Show more

Joshua Higginbotham is a Microsoft Data Platform MVP and Senior Data & AI Architect at QSIC, known for bridging the gap between deep technical execution and executive-level strategy. He has built and led data platforms across software engineering, database administration, business intelligence, and AI, with hands-on experience taking ideas from whiteboard to production.

Joshua has worked both as an individual contributor shipping real systems and as a leader guiding teams, roadmaps, and platform modernization efforts. A frequent speaker and Co-Chapter Leader of the Louisville Data Technology Group on Meetup, he’s passionate about helping data professionals build practical, scalable solutions that actually move the business forward.

Joshua Higginbotham is a Microsoft Data Platform MVP and Senior Data & AI Architect at QSIC, known for bridging the gap between deep technical execution and executive-level strategy. He has built and led data platforms across software engineering, da... Show more

For the past 15 years, I have been an integral part of many successful organizations due to my experience and dedication. My coaching and consulting has allowed clients to achieve excellence as well as exceed their goals. It has been a privilege to be associated with such great achievements.

My Human Centered based methods have been proven to be successful, having been applied in a variety of projects with resounding results. My approach is comprehensive, taking into consideration all contributing factors to obtain the desired outcomes for clients that provide real value.

I'm passionate about empowering individuals and systems to identify and tackle the obstacles they face on their journey to success. Building trust within their systems through means of inspection, experimentation, and adaption we revise collaboration, & communication. I'm committed to helping my clients achieve long-term results. My ultimate goal is to support them in C.E.C. so that they can make lasting progress in life.

Collaboration is critical for the success of any solution. Working with a diverse group of people helps produce more effective results, and that's why I always strive to create an atmosphere where such collaboration can take place. By leveraging the skillsets of different individuals, we can develop high-quality solutions in a timely manner.

Experimentation is an invaluable tool in finding suitable solutions. To approach a problem in an effective manner, it's important to look beyond the traditional methods and explore something new. This might include using different techniques or tools to test out potential ideas and uncover the best solution. Experimentation gives us a chance to discover and try something that could potentially be groundbreaking, so it shouldn't be overlooked when dealing with complex problems.

Trust is essential for any team or organization to be successful. This confidence is established through effective communication and how information is shared. It's important to understand the power of these interactions, as they can create a feeling of reliability that allows everyone in the group to collaborate confidently.

The challenge organization’s face today is how to sustainably provide for the needs of growth while simultaneously protecting what has been built. A balanced approach is needed, one that combines sustainability with modern innovations. We must build a foundation for future prosperity that takes into account the needs of the organization, individual and the consumer.

For the past 15 years, I have been an integral part of many successful organizations due to my experience and dedication. My coaching and consulting has allowed clients to achieve excellence as well as exceed their goals. It has been a privilege to b... Show more

Ryan Mangan is an accomplished technologist specialising in End-User Computing (EUC), AI, cloud solutions, and subscription cost management. He excels in navigating complex infrastructure challenges and driving innovative technological advancements.

Expertise & Current Focus
- End-User Computing (EUC) and Cloud Technology
- Developing and building startups
- AI and its impact
- Cloud cost optimization strategies
- Technological advancements in IT infrastructure

Career Highlights
- CEO of EfficientEther Ltd, a startup building AI-driven IT solutions and cloud cost optimization tools
- Built and led the successful managed services company Systech IT Solutions for over a decade
- Author of "Mastering Azure Virtual Desktop," with the 1st Edition being a bestseller with over 63,000+ copies sold, and the 2nd Edition & other published

Awards / Accreditations
- Microsoft Most Valuable Professional
- Chartered Fellow of the British Computer Society (FBCS CITP)
- Parallels VIPP
- Editorial Advisory Board member for TechTarget
- Recognized by Feedspot in their Top 50 IT Blogs and Top 50 Azure Blogs in 2020

Notable Published Articles
- "Legacy Applications Causing the IT Industry Headaches" in the British Computer Society's IT Now Magazine, Winter Edition 2022
- "Green Coding: The Role of Energy Efficiency in Development," Computer Weekly (2024)
- "Advancing LLM Precision & Reliability," Computer Weekly (2024)

Speaking and Thought Leadership
- Public speaker and presenter on cloud technology, EUC, and AI
- Author of influential articles and books on Azure Virtual Desktop and IT solutions
- Engaging presenter known for making complex tech concepts relatable
- Blogger at democratising-clouds.com

Ryan's unique combination of deep technical knowledge, forward-thinking strategies, and compelling presentation skills positions him as a leading voice at conferences focused on cloud technology, EUC, and AI.

For speaking engagements or to explore partnership opportunities, reach out to Ryan on LinkedIn or visit his website.

Ryan Mangan is an accomplished technologist specialising in End-User Computing (EUC), AI, cloud solutions, and subscription cost management. He excels in navigating complex infrastructure challenges and driving innovative technological advancements. ... Show more

o Advisory on digital transformation (Kit Consulting, Kit Digital, ISO 27001)
o Development of interactive data visualization tools (Power BI / Fabric)
o Automation and optimization of internal business processes (Power Automate / Azure)
o Implementation of artificial intelligence solutions (Power Apps, API, WSDL, LLM, MCP)

o Advisory on digital transformation (Kit Consulting, Kit Digital, ISO 27001) o Development of interactive data visualization tools (Power BI / Fabric) o Automation and optimization of internal business processes (Power Automate / Azure) o Impleme... Show more

I help organizations cut through the noise around AI and focus on what actually works.

As an AI and digital strategy speaker, I work with founders, teams, and professionals to adopt AI in practical, ethical, and results-driven ways. My sessions combine strategy, examples from the field, and audience interaction to drive clarity and confidence.

I speak on AI adoption, digital growth, leadership in the AI era, and the skills businesses need to stay competitive.

I help organizations cut through the noise around AI and focus on what actually works. As an AI and digital strategy speaker, I work with founders, teams, and professionals to adopt AI in practical, ethical, and results-driven ways. My sessions co... Show more

Angel is an energetic and forward-thinking Agile coach specializing in leadership development and organizational agility. His pragmatism and experience in organizational coaching and Business Agility are the driving forces behind his methods. Throughout his 15+ years of hands-on experience as a coach, trainer, and mentor, Angel has provided expert guidance to organizations and Agile leaders in North America, South America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

Angel’s leadership has been particularly notorious at the ING Group, where he has performed as the first Agile Champion at ING Spain and chairman of the first Global ING Agile Experts Group since 2010. He has also supported companies from more than 40 countries, contributing to the Agile journeys of King, Toyota, Falabella, Banco de Chile, Roche, BBVA, Sunhotels, DEWA, FAB, PZU Group and the Catalan Institute of Oncology.

Angel holds the Scrum Alliance’s highest-level certifications in the field. Being the first Spanish CST (Certified Scrum Trainer), the first Spanish CEC (Certified Enterprise Coach), and the first European CALE (Certified Agile Leadership Educator).

Angel is also a PCC (Certified Professional Coach) by the International Coach Federation, a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC), Certified specialist in team coaching and systemic leadership, Management 3.0 facilitator, Certified Kanban Management Professional (KMP), Certified LargeScaleScrum Practitioner (CLP), Certified SAFe® Program Consultant (SPC), Licensed NLP Practitioner and TTI-certified Behaviour and Motivation Analyst.

In addition, Angel has participated as a speaker and keynote at more than 60 international conferences and Agile events worldwide and has been a significant contributor to the international Agile community since 2009.

Angel is an energetic and forward-thinking Agile coach specializing in leadership development and organizational agility. His pragmatism and experience in organizational coaching and Business Agility are the driving forces behind his methods. Through... Show more

Jodi Jones is a principal consultant at Lean TECHniques, where she specializes in product management and delivery. She is an accomplished IT professional with a proven track record leading software development teams with a focus on improving product development and delivery using agile techniques. Her background includes software development and delivery, project leadership, team leadership, and coaching. 

Jodi is a change enthusiast with a passion to make organizations and the community a great place to work for technology professionals. She has been a central figure in the Des Moines tech scene and has done invaluable work in organizing events, user groups and conferences. She actively organizes the Tech Fuse Des Moines conference (formerly DevOps Days), Product Tank and CIJUG.

Jodi Jones is a principal consultant at Lean TECHniques, where she specializes in product management and delivery. She is an accomplished IT professional with a proven track record leading software development teams with a focus on improving product ... Show more

I combine creative passion with analytical precision. After 15 years in the international plant engineering industry, where I established standards, led projects, and developed data-driven tools, I found my professional home in AI & BI. Today, I work at the intersection of business and technology: I not only design AI & BI solutions but also support management in shaping and implementing strategies that turn data into a driver of business success, while ensuring people are taken into account in the journey. My deep interest in Data Governance and Data Management enables me to design frameworks that make data reliable, accessible, and truly valuable. What drives me is creating AI & BI solutions that deliver insights, support decision-making, and make data understandable and actionable across the organization.

I combine creative passion with analytical precision. After 15 years in the international plant engineering industry, where I established standards, led projects, and developed data-driven tools, I found my professional home in AI & BI. Today, I work... Show more

Alex McPherson is a Senior FP&A Manager at RK&K, leading initiatives at the intersection of finance, engineering, and analytics. With over a decade of experience in financial modeling, capital planning, and data strategy, he has been a driving force in implementing Microsoft Fabric as a modern data platform. He specializes in budgeting/forecasting and has built AI-enabled audit and compliance solutions, including an LLM-powered tool that detects FAR risks in timesheet data. His work integrates data lakehouse architectures, ELT pipelines, and machine learning to break down silos, improve auditability, and deliver insights to leadership. Passionate about bridging innovation with business outcomes, Alex presents on data governance, risk detection, and modern BI ecosystems. He is pursuing an MBA at Penn State with a concentration in AI, further blending expertise in strategy, analytics, and organizational culture.

Alex McPherson is a Senior FP&A Manager at RK&K, leading initiatives at the intersection of finance, engineering, and analytics. With over a decade of experience in financial modeling, capital planning, and data strategy, he has been a driving force ... Show more

Paresh Motiwala ​PMP; a Fabric enthusiast and a Data Platform Manager has led several large SQL implementations, migrations and upgrades.
He was selected as a "Speaker Idol" finalist for the PASS Summit 2018. He also runs DBA VUG, Houston Area SQL Server User Group and Boston BI User Groups.
He has managed multi terabyte OLTP databases. He has also been a Senior SQL DBA and a Solutions Architect in Fortune 100 companies. He also helps organize and speaks at many PASS Summits, SQL Saturdays, Azure Bootcamp and User Groups. He is certified in Big Data Analytics and FinTech(MIT) Project manager, Public Speaker, an avid singer, cook, open networker, and stand-up comedian. He teaches public speaking, debating, interviewing and group discussion skills. He also mentors DBAs and children around the globe via www.circlesofgrowth.com

Paresh Motiwala ​PMP; a Fabric enthusiast and a Data Platform Manager has led several large SQL implementations, migrations and upgrades. He was selected as a "Speaker Idol" finalist for the PASS Summit 2018. He also runs DBA VUG, Houston Area SQL ... Show more

Samah Alafeef

Founder and CEO of Metanoia Training and Consulting

Project Management Professional and Regional Officer of the International Federation of Global and Green Information and Communication Technology (IFGICT).
Samah Alafeef a computer engineer brought a broad range of technical and data management skills to her extensive work experience. Samah holds a master's degree in Project Management Engineering and a diploma in Humanitarian Logistics and Supply chain. The combination of managerial and technical skills she has in both the Humanitarian and Commercial sectors enabled her to serve as a consultant in various aspects related to management and technology. Samah is a PMP® certified, Risk RMP ® certified, Agile ACP certified, certified Microsoft innovative educator, and certified green IT professional. She is coaching people and organizations to develop their professional images, being agile, and jump to a higher professional level.

Samah Alafeef Founder and CEO of Metanoia Training and Consulting Project Management Professional and Regional Officer of the International Federation of Global and Green Information and Communication Technology (IFGICT). Samah Alafeef a compu... Show more

Martin is a technical advisor and leadership coach with over 20 years of experience in the field.

Martin's helps organizations bridge the communication gap between tech and business by guiding and inspiring people. Over his long tenure as a consultant, he has worked with organizations of different sizes and industries, taking on many different roles. This has given him a unique perspective on software, people, and organizations that he leverages today to help teams deliver products customers love.

Ultimately, Martin believes technology is a powerful tool and is passionate about wielding it in a way that positively impacts the world.

Martin is a technical advisor and leadership coach with over 20 years of experience in the field. Martin's helps organizations bridge the communication gap between tech and business by guiding and inspiring people. Over his long tenure as a consul... Show more

Glenn Anderson is a professional public speaker. Glenn helps teams effectively communicate and collaborate. His presentations and webinars combine decades of corporate experience and teaching with his passion for performing improvisational comedy. The result - your audience is energized and equipped to surpass their goals.

Glenn knows what it takes to capture attention in the business world. He enjoyed a log career with IBM – in sales, management, training and event speaking. He produced IT conferences and was a featured speaker for thousands of people.

As a graduate of Player’s Workshop of Second City and with his experience performing improvisational theater, Glenn excites your audience with teaching experience and improv techniques that energize communications and create a collaborative team environment.

Glenn Anderson is a professional public speaker. Glenn helps teams effectively communicate and collaborate. His presentations and webinars combine decades of corporate experience and teaching with his passion for performing improvisational comedy. ... Show more