Igniting the African Growth Story: Harnessing Data, AI, and ML to Empower Industries, Markets, and Lives.

As an Intrepreneur/Entrepreneur, I am fuelled by a burning passion for propelling business growth through effective processes and structures. However, my vision extends far beyond that. I firmly believe that the power of Data Insights, Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning will serve as the catalysts propelling Africa into a realm of double-figure growth in sectors such as Agriculture, Financial Inclusion, Insurance Penetration, and more.

Forever a Mentee and student of life, I have amassed 9 years of invaluable experience as a dedicated and detail-oriented Project Lead/Owner. My journey has taken me through diverse environments, honing my skills in monitoring, maintaining, and surpassing client satisfaction goals and growth objectives through data-driven teams.

I hold a special interest in capturing the millennial market and leveraging Modelling Artificial Intelligence systems to unlock exponential growth opportunities in the African Market. To complement my expertise, I am currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Actuarial Science at the esteemed University of Nairobi.

Beyond my educational background and industry experience, I have founded two successful startups that showcase my commitment to driving technological advancements and intrinsic value in the world:

1. BimaSmart: An Insurance Evaluation platform revolutionizing risk assessment and pricing of micro-insurance. I successfully sold the concept to https://jetsure-agritech.com/ in 2016-2017.

2. Tose Technologies LTD: A groundbreaking Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning think tank focused on implementing AI in Agriculture Value Chains to mitigate risk associated with financial instruments. Though currently at the ideation stage, we are poised to embark on a proof of concept journey in October 2022.

Igniting the African Growth Story: Harnessing Data, AI, and ML to Empower Industries, Markets, and Lives. As an Intrepreneur/Entrepreneur, I am fuelled by a burning passion for propelling business growth through effective processes and structures.... Show more

- Over 310+ NAV/BC Implementations in Manufacturers, Supply Chain (WMS), Food and Beverage, Retail, Service, Oil and Gas, Chemical, Industrial Equip., Rental/Service, and Home Goods
- Over 16 years as an Accountant in a variety of positions (VP of Finance, Director of Finance, Audit Manager, Controller, and Director Operations)
- Extensive knowledge and implementation over 30 NAV/BC ISV APPs
Awards
- 5-Time Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP)
- NAVUG/BC All-Star
- 4-time NAVUG/BC Granite Award recipient
- DUG Guardian Award recipient
Professional
- IMA/CMA – Member 1988
- AICPA – Member 1985
- APICS – Member 2004
- DCI Summit – Programming Committee (2012 – Present, Chair (2016-2018), Board of Advisor (2013-2015 and 2021-Present)
- Dynamics User Group (DUG) – NAV/BC Forum Moderator, Dynamics Con Content Committee
- Directions NA – Content Committee (2018-Present)
Certifications
- Certified Management Accountant (CMA)
- Dynamics Credentialed Professional
- Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP-800)

- Over 310+ NAV/BC Implementations in Manufacturers, Supply Chain (WMS), Food and Beverage, Retail, Service, Oil and Gas, Chemical, Industrial Equip., Rental/Service, and Home Goods - Over 16 years as an Accountant in a variety of positions (VP of F... Show more

Tobias Langmeyer is the founder and CEO of dc AG, a software vendor, digital agency and digital consultancy based in Kulmbach, Germany. For over 15 years, he has helped mid-sized businesses embrace digital transformation. A member of Deutsche Digitale Beiräte, he speaks on e-commerce, ERP and New Work, combining technical expertise with hands-on entrepreneurial experience. His talks offer practical insights into digital business models, connected processes and modern ways of working.

Tobias Langmeyer is the founder and CEO of dc AG, a software vendor, digital agency and digital consultancy based in Kulmbach, Germany. For over 15 years, he has helped mid-sized businesses embrace digital transformation. A member of Deutsche Digital... Show more

Hi, I’m Muhammad Samiullah, a Solution Engineer and a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) in Azure and Developer Technologies. I design and deliver secure, scalable cloud and AI solutions, with a focus on automation, cost optimization, and operational excellence, helping organizations maximize the value of their technology investments.

Previously a Microsoft for Startups Expert, I mentored founders on building and scaling solutions with Microsoft technologies and guided teams to leverage Artificial Intelligence (M365 & GitHub Copilot) for measurable business impact.

Beyond my professional work, I’m committed to community building. As a Gold Microsoft Student Ambassador and lead of the Microsoft Learn Student Community’s Karachi chapter, I have organized impactful events and initiatives that connect students with industry leaders and inspire the next generation of technology professionals.

My mission is to foster innovation, drive growth, and make technology accessible to both individuals and businesses aiming to scale and thrive in the digital age.

Hi, I’m Muhammad Samiullah, a Solution Engineer and a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) in Azure and Developer Technologies. I design and deliver secure, scalable cloud and AI solutions, with a focus on automation, cost optimization, and ope... Show more

Tasha Anspach is a distinguished consultant with a deep acumen in D365 Business Central & Power Platform. Drawing from her experience in Dynamics SL support, ISV assistance, and crafting solutions for multifaceted industry scenarios, Tasha guides businesses towards transformative success. She is not only a beacon of sales and technological expertise but also harbors a whimsical passion for unicorns, symbolizing her unique approach to business solutions. Tasha champions organizations to realize their fullest potential through technology.

Tasha Anspach is a distinguished consultant with a deep acumen in D365 Business Central & Power Platform. Drawing from her experience in Dynamics SL support, ISV assistance, and crafting solutions for multifaceted industry scenarios, Tasha guides bus... Show more

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

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

“You’re not here to change people. You’re here to move them.”

Joel Silverstone helps leaders and teams have conversations that build trust, create buy-in, and move work forward, especially when the stakes are high or teams are working across silos.

For more than 25 years, Joel has trained and coached thousands of leaders across North America, Asia, Europe, and Africa. He has worked with organizations including QuidelOrtho, Kearney, RBC, TD, BMO, CIBC, Abbott, and Hyundai.

As founder of TFR: This Feels Right, Joel combines practical communication and leadership tools with skills drawn from acting and improvisation: reading the room, choosing your intention, and connecting with what matters to others.

A former professional actor and improviser, Joel brings energy, humour, and “Hollywood Tips” to every session. His approach is simple: “Learn, Laugh, Do.” Participants practise real workplace conversations and leave sounding like themselves, their voice now better matched to their intention.

Joel also hosts the 'TFR: This Feels Right' podcast about leadership, communication and influence.

“You’re not here to change people. You’re here to move them.” Joel Silverstone helps leaders and teams have conversations that build trust, create buy-in, and move work forward, especially when the stakes are high or teams are working across silos... 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Johan is a Systems Engineer with over 15 years of experience. He began as a software developer and grew to be a leader in software architecture and DevOps projects, especially in banking and telecom.

Besides his main job, he's passionate about being a speaker and a writer. Johan has even written a book in Spanish called 'DevOps en nuestra lengua', sharing his knowledge and experiences.

He's worked in various fields like state banking and telecoms, always bringing his practical skills to each project. Johan likes to mix new ideas with good management, which has helped many businesses.

On the other hand, constantly seeking to train, learn, and explore new areas in the field of computer engineering.

Johan is a Systems Engineer with over 15 years of experience. He began as a software developer and grew to be a leader in software architecture and DevOps projects, especially in banking and telecom. Besides his main job, he's passionate about bei... Show more

Community Builder | People Leader | Value Maximizer | Agent of Change
Angela has been in the technology world for over 25 years with her experiences including software development, DevOps automation, agile coaching and training, change management consulting, Customer Success leadership, and now she is a Vice president of Product Delivery for a Chicago-based digital agency. She believes that everyone deserves strong, wholehearted leadership and approaches all roles with the goal of fostering an environment where people truly thrive. Whether leading from within companies of 40 or 200,000, Angela has been dedicated to working with her fellow leaders to build a culture that values diversity, experimentation, and continuous improvement, while leveraging AI responsibly to boost productivity and business impact.

When not doing her “day job”, Angela loves playing board games, reading true crime and sci-fi, and is an avid gardener. She and her husband are constantly working on their 100-year-old home in Oak Park, IL with the "help" of their 3 ornery chickens and rambunctious rescue dog named Sadie.

Community Builder | People Leader | Value Maximizer | Agent of Change Angela has been in the technology world for over 25 years with her experiences including software development, DevOps automation, agile coaching and training, change management co... Show more

Sharon Steed is a keynote speaker, author and person who stutters. Drawing on her own experience as a stutterer, Sharon brings a uniquely personal lens to the practice of empathetic leadership. She shows that vulnerability isn't a weakness to overcome but a skill that builds trust, loyalty, and stronger teams.

Sharon has spoken on stages in 20 countries spanning five continents. She’s helped organizations like Google, Microsoft, Booking.com, Northwestern Mutual and dozens of others improve performance, retain top talent and be better communicators by teaching them how to be actively empathetic.

She is the author of "Leading with Empathy For Dummies" as well as several courses on LinkedIn Learning. Her most popular course, "Communicating with Empathy" has been translated into a dozen languages and has surpassed one million views. She has given a TEDx talk on empowering insecurities, and she’s the author of the O’Reilly Media, Inc. eBook "Empathy at Work."

Sharon Steed is a keynote speaker, author and person who stutters. Drawing on her own experience as a stutterer, Sharon brings a uniquely personal lens to the practice of empathetic leadership. She shows that vulnerability isn't a weakness to overcom... Show more

Collin Newberry, Director of DevSecOps at Yahara Software and author of The DevOps Problem, has been in the technology field for nearly two decades.

As a Sergeant operating under 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) in the U.S. Army Mr. Newberry’s experience encompassed the installation, maintenance, management and security of networking systems and satellite communications on a global scale.

Since joining the private sector Mr. Newberry’s experience has expanded to the management of international security and compliance initiatives for Fortune 500 companies, designing and securing DevSecOps pipelines and the modernization of traditional infrastructure to adopt cutting edge tactics and technologies leading to his current role where he oversees DevSecOps and IT strategy.

Collin Newberry, Director of DevSecOps at Yahara Software and author of The DevOps Problem, has been in the technology field for nearly two decades. As a Sergeant operating under 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) in the U.S. Army Mr. Newberry’... Show more

Ryan Etten is a CNCF Ambassador and Principal Solutions Architect, working at the intersection of cloud-native architecture and the human systems that sustain it. A Red Hat Certified Architect (RHCA), he guides organizations through secure digital transformations built on Kubernetes, GitOps, and Zero Trust. Beyond the stack, he co-chairs the CNCF Merge Forward Neurodiversity group, and through his "Agile for Every Brain" framework, works to refactor community structures for diverse cognitive styles. He founded MOSAIC — Madison's Open Source and AI Communities — and organizes local CNCF and AAIF chapters along with DevFest Wisconsin, driven by the conviction that the human architectures behind open source should be as resilient and scalable as the code.

Ryan Etten is a CNCF Ambassador and Principal Solutions Architect, working at the intersection of cloud-native architecture and the human systems that sustain it. A Red Hat Certified Architect (RHCA), he guides organizations through secure digital tr... Show more

I’m a Senior Data Scientist at Fin.ai, where I build machine learning systems that help go-to-market teams predict customer behavior and act on it. For nearly a decade, I’ve been turning messy business data into models that revenue leaders rely on, and my focus is ML that changes decisions, not just dashboards.

Before Fin, I spent almost five years at Asana building the predictive backbone of its retention strategy:
1. A hierarchical forecasting system (ARIMA with OLS reconciliation) that projected weekly revenue loss
2. Multi-horizon gradient-boosted models for churn and expansion, which shifted Sales and Customer Success from reacting to churn to prioritizing accounts ahead of it
3. An attribution framework that tied product and support behavior directly to gross retention
4. A cross-functional feature store that standardized inputs for ML models across business units

I’m a Senior Data Scientist at Fin.ai, where I build machine learning systems that help go-to-market teams predict customer behavior and act on it. For nearly a decade, I’ve been turning messy business data into models that revenue leaders rely on, a... 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

Modern Workplace Consultant specialized in collaboration, productivity, and artificial intelligence.
Currently working at ENCAMINA, helping organizations adopt Microsoft 365, Copilot, and AI through practical, business‑oriented scenarios.
Active speaker in the Microsoft community, co‑organizer of Global AI Valencia Chapter and Microsoft Speakers Hub en Español.
Sharing real‑world insights at adrianespes.com

Modern Workplace Consultant specialized in collaboration, productivity, and artificial intelligence. Currently working at ENCAMINA, helping organizations adopt Microsoft 365, Copilot, and AI through practical, business‑oriented scenarios. Active sp... Show more

With 20 years at Petrobras, he serves as a executive leading Strategic Information, specializing in data, AI, career development, and management.

He has led pioneering cloud, data, and analytics projects recognized internationally by DGIQ.

A nine-time Microsoft MVP awardee in Data Platform and M365 Copilot, he is a digital influencer with nearly 200,000 followers across social media and a five-time LinkedIn Top Community Voice.

He is a Petrobras brand ambassador and the Brazilian ambassador for the Global STEM Women project. A distinguished instructor at Petrobras University and an official LinkedIn Learning instructor, he has trained over 22,000 professionals through e-learning programs and 8,000 professionals in the classroom.

He is also a frequent speaker at major innovation and technology events, including RIW – Rio Innovation Week, OTC – Offshore Technology Conference, TDC – The Developer’s Conference, Microsoft Ignite.

With 20 years at Petrobras, he serves as a executive leading Strategic Information, specializing in data, AI, career development, and management. He has led pioneering cloud, data, and analytics projects recognized internationally by DGIQ. A ni... Show more