Kristi is a recognized leader and sought-after speaker in Information Governance and Technology, known for driving innovation, compliance, and AI readiness and adoption. She has deep expertise in digital transformation, business process efficiency, and risk reduction.

Kristi has founded 2 non-profit organizations and actively works to support Women in Tech. She has over 25 years' expertise in the Microsoft ecosystem and is a Microsoft Partner. Since launching Paintrock Consulting in 2012, she has advised across Energy, Healthcare, Engineering, FinTech, Big Pharma, Telecommunications, Web3, and Legal Services industries.

Kristi is a recognized leader and sought-after speaker in Information Governance and Technology, known for driving innovation, compliance, and AI readiness and adoption. She has deep expertise in digital transformation, business process efficiency, a... Show more

I'm a visionary Cloud Architect on a mission to spearhead digital transformation and redefine the technological landscape. With over two decades of experience, I've orchestrated transformative journeys for enterprises, guiding them through the intricate maze of digital evolution. A maestro of innovation, I specialize in event storming and event-driven architecture, sculpting solutions that synchronize with the rhythm of change. My expertise extends to the realm of microservices, where I craft intricate webs of interconnected systems to fuel organizational agility and scalability. As a Microsoft Official Speaker since 2007, I've captivated audiences with tales of technological prowess, inspiring them to embrace the winds of change and chart their course towards excellence. Engaged in the vibrant community of the CTO's Fraternity, I collaborate with fellow visionaries to shape the future of cloud computing, empowering organizations to thrive in an era of boundless possibilities.

I'm a visionary Cloud Architect on a mission to spearhead digital transformation and redefine the technological landscape. With over two decades of experience, I've orchestrated transformative journeys for enterprises, guiding them through the intric... Show more

Je suis tombée dans l'agilité il y a déjà pas mal d'années, sans en connaître le nom. Ce mindset, ainsi que ses valeurs et principes, sont pour moi cruciaux pour toute organisation, toute démarche, tout projet. Non pas que les méthodes liées à l'agilité soient toujours les + adaptées, mais ce mindset fondé sur l'humain, l'écoute, la co-construction, l'adaptation et la création de valeur est transposable à toutes les échelles. Je suis aujourd'hui coach pour les équipes agiles, et j'accompagne aussi l'individu et les organisations à se transformer.

Je suis tombée dans l'agilité il y a déjà pas mal d'années, sans en connaître le nom. Ce mindset, ainsi que ses valeurs et principes, sont pour moi cruciaux pour toute organisation, toute démarche, tout projet. Non pas que les méthodes liées à l'agil... Show more

Hello there, I’m a Solution Engineer at Microsoft, working with data, analytics, and AI platforms such as Microsoft Fabric, Power BI, and Microsoft Foundry. I’m a Computer Engineer and hold an official MSc in Big Data (not quite a Jedi Master… yet 😄), with a strong interest in connecting analytics, business semantics, and AI to enable truly context‑aware decision making.
I also bring experience from Apps & Innovation, with a strong focus on application modernization and developer platform, especially GitHub and cloud‑native practices.
Outside of work, I enjoy collecting vinyl records, analog photography, and exploring creative ways to blend technology and art.

Hello there, I’m a Solution Engineer at Microsoft, working with data, analytics, and AI platforms such as Microsoft Fabric, Power BI, and Microsoft Foundry. I’m a Computer Engineer and hold an official MSc in Big Data (not quite a Jedi Master… yet 😄... Show more

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

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

Distinguished executive leader and renowned technical expert in AI, Machine Learning, and IoT. Leads cross-functional architectural teams to award-winning performance by developing strategic roadmaps and powering enterprise-wide projects. Serves as board member and advisor for multiple corporations delivering strategic guidance on product line developments and business solutions. Industry influencer and mastermind of strategic programs and innovations leading modernization efforts to alter the global IT landscape as Microsoft Regional Director.

HIGHLIGHTS

•Partnered with Microsoft to consult major corporations on Azure integrations; trained over 1K global employees and architects across US, Canada, Europe, Middle East, and Australia.
•Invited into elite Microsoft Regional Director program as Top 1% of global SMEs...Maintains direct line of communication to Microsoft executive leaders and Office of the President for Technical and Business Influence.
•Inspired $200M marketing push for Microsoft Teams platform and led strategy for MS Azure Synapse design and release; catapulted competitive advantage over Zoom and AWS.
•Piloted multi-million-dollar architecture projects for organizations in US, Europe, and Australia to include DoD, NASA, Disney, HP, Johnson & Johnson, and international banking institutions.
•Authored 150-page IoT playbook for Microsoft; over 750K downloads across global audience.

Distinguished executive leader and renowned technical expert in AI, Machine Learning, and IoT. Leads cross-functional architectural teams to award-winning performance by developing strategic roadmaps and powering enterprise-wide projects. Serves as b... Show more

Since 1999 in IT – Practical – Simplifier – #BulletPointFree Public Speaker - Trainer - Likes sharing knowledge – Projects and changes only – Has also a technical focus – Acts as bridge between business and technology – Founded DerkIT in 2017 - Guides complex decisions and reduces them to the essence – Believes that humor, clarity, and simplicity are most important.

Since 1999 in IT – Practical – Simplifier – #BulletPointFree Public Speaker - Trainer - Likes sharing knowledge – Projects and changes only – Has also a technical focus – Acts as bridge between business and technology – Founded DerkIT in 2017 - Gu... Show more

Working in IT consultancies in both the Netherlands and the UK, I have gained experience in a number of different companies and different sectors and have developed a highly flexible skillset. From a background in document management, content management and workflow to now specialising in SharePoint based solutions and business development.

Working in an industry that is always changing, with so much new technology, it is important to keep up with new developments. My blog started as a way of expressing my views on technology, but has now reached explosive levels. Seeing the growth of followers and knowing that people were interested in my insights and opinions pushed me forward. It has resulted in my views being noticed by Microsoft and I have achieved their ‘Most Valued Professional’ accolade or MVP for office servers and services - a career highlight

Delivering the impossible in the client’s eyes by providing effective technology solutions to a problem they knew they had, but didn’t know how to solve is extremely satisfying.

I am extremely active within the SharePoint, Power Apps, Power Automate and Teams communities.

Technology is my main inspiration in life but I also love sport. I have been coaching Football and Korfball, the Dutch version of basketball, for over 25 years and with a number of clubs across the UK I am able to continue playing.

Working in IT consultancies in both the Netherlands and the UK, I have gained experience in a number of different companies and different sectors and have developed a highly flexible skillset. From a background in document management, content managem... Show more

Steve Fenton is a Principal DevEx Researcher at Octopus Deploy, a DORA Community Guide, and an 8-time Microsoft MVP with more than two decades of experience in software delivery. He has written books on TypeScript (Apress, InfoQ), Octopus Deploy, and Web Operations. Steve has worked in the role of Software Engineer, SDET, Development Manager, and Director of Product and Data in a range of startups, SMEs, and enterprises.

Steve Fenton is a Principal DevEx Researcher at Octopus Deploy, a DORA Community Guide, and an 8-time Microsoft MVP with more than two decades of experience in software delivery. He has written books on TypeScript (Apress, InfoQ), Octopus Deploy, and... Show more

Geetha is a Solutions Architect and Customer Success professional specializing in big data management , storage , Kubernetes and Durable execution, with expertise in cloud-native and on-premises solutions. She ensures customer success and maturity by delivering effective, simplified solutions.

Geetha is a Solutions Architect and Customer Success professional specializing in big data management , storage , Kubernetes and Durable execution, with expertise in cloud-native and on-premises solutions. She ensures customer success and maturity by... Show more

Bill helps organizations move beyond treating risk as a compliance exercise and instead weave it into how they conduct business. His work focuses on bridging the divide between business and technology so professionals across the enterprise can design, understand, and verify what is actually true.

Bill’s career sits at the intersection of business execution, engineering precision, and governance systems. He began his professional life building and operating complex systems and soon realized that the most significant failures were not technological at all. They were communication failures. Risk, compliance, and audit professionals speak one language. Engineers speak another. The result is friction, delay, and mutual misunderstanding. Rather than accept this divide as inevitable, Bill set out to build a bridge across it.

He calls that bridge Governance Engineering, the application of engineering principles to the systems of uncertainty and accountability that guide modern decisions. In his view, one can design governance as a system, verify it, and continuously improve it, just as with software. Policies become executable specifications, and assurance procedures become repeatable functions. This approach not only makes governance more efficient but also makes it verifiable.

Bill first brought this philosophy to a global audience as co-author of Investments Unlimited (IT Revolution, 2022). The novel reframes how IT organizations approach compliance in the era of DevOps, illustrating how financial institutions can transform regulation from a bottleneck into a catalyst for innovation. The book became a touchstone for technical leaders seeking to move audit and risk from reactive oversight to proactive design.

He continued to explore the intersection of human and digital systems through articles such as “Digital Mirror: Reflecting Changes in GRC with Digital Twins” and “AI-Enabled Digital Twins: Revolutionizing Efficiency for Modern Enterprises” (IT Revolution). In this work, Bill probes more profound questions about technology and trust. His writing bridges philosophy and practice, showing how risk management in the age of AI depends on clarity rather than control.

As a practitioner, Bill has turned these ideas into tangible methods, technology, and tools. He is the creator of NAPE (Not Another Policy Engine), an open-source system that transforms static policy statements into executable assurance logic. With Attestify, he extends that logic into a living ecosystem that enables what he calls Autonomous Assurance, the ability for organizations to continuously prove they are operating as intended, within defined risk tolerances. Together, these projects reflect his conviction that risk and audit should not slow business down, but accelerate it by making trust measurable.

Bill’s work resonates because it speaks to every side of the enterprise conversation. To technologists, he offers a way to make governance tangible, an engineering problem with definable seams, inputs, and outputs. To risk and audit professionals, he provides a way to make technology intelligible, a system that can be reasoned about, proven, and trusted. And to executives, he offers a vision of governance not as a cost of control, but as a source of confidence.

Bill helps organizations move beyond treating risk as a compliance exercise and instead weave it into how they conduct business. His work focuses on bridging the divide between business and technology so professionals across the enterprise can design... Show more

Since discovering Power BI in 2018, Chris Cusumano has focused on using data to simplify work, not complicate it. He’s helped teams across airline operations, engineering consulting, auto repair, and SaaS turn fragmented data into clear, usable insights through well-structured models, intuitive visuals, and practical analytics.

In 2026, he joined Microsoft as a Senior Data Engineer, leveraging Power BI, Fabric, and AI data agents to drive internal reporting.

Since discovering Power BI in 2018, Chris Cusumano has focused on using data to simplify work, not complicate it. He’s helped teams across airline operations, engineering consulting, auto repair, and SaaS turn fragmented data into clear, usable insig... Show more

I am a Cloud Solution Architect at Microsoft focused on Microsoft 365 Copilot, Power Platform, and enterprise AI agents. I support organizations in designing secure, scalable copilots that enhance productivity and modern collaboration.
Previously a Microsoft 365 consultant specializing in SharePoint, Teams, and the Power Platform, I am passionate about emerging digital experiences at the crossroads of AI, automation, Digital Twins, and immersive collaboration.

I am a Cloud Solution Architect at Microsoft focused on Microsoft 365 Copilot, Power Platform, and enterprise AI agents. I support organizations in designing secure, scalable copilots that enhance productivity and modern collaboration. Previously a ... Show more

You will mostly find me building and innovating in the startup ecosystem. I founded two startups, Housepital and AlphaEd, and my journey has been driven by a passion for building solutions that tackle real-world challenges. I am a member of Google Women Techmakers, Google for Startups Women Founder, and an active member in various tech communities; I enjoy collaborating and leading.

I have built a strong technical background in full-stack development, mainly with the MERN stack, and developed multiple full-stack applications. At EdVenture Park, I’ve helped over 100+ startups as a student entreprenuer with market validation and growth strategies. I've also been a speaker and roundtable panelist at various events, including discussions hosted by the British High Commissioner, where I shared insights on tech innovation and entrepreneurship.

Whether it's contributing to open-source, building Next.js applications, or engaging in thought leadership, I’m always exploring new ways to solve complex challenges and give back to the community.

You will mostly find me building and innovating in the startup ecosystem. I founded two startups, Housepital and AlphaEd, and my journey has been driven by a passion for building solutions that tackle real-world challenges. I am a member of Google Wo... Show more

Chris Gardner is a Senior Products and Platform Engineering Manager for Accenture, the Chairman of the DevSpace Technical Conference and a regular coder. Tortured by years of contracts that valued buzzwords over results, Chris has developed a true passion for finding solutions that fit the problem, not the technology of the week. Chris received his M.S in Computer Science, B.S. in Mathematics, and B.A. in Philosophy from the University of Alabama in Huntsville and is currently a Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer, Professional Developer, Information Technology Professional and Trainer.

Chris Gardner is a Senior Products and Platform Engineering Manager for Accenture, the Chairman of the DevSpace Technical Conference and a regular coder. Tortured by years of contracts that valued buzzwords over results, Chris has developed a true pa... Show more

IA / Power Platform & Cloud solutions architecte, j’accompagne tout type d’organisation dans leur transition vers le cloud à l'aide Microsoft 365 et la Power Platform et l'IA

IA / Power Platform & Cloud solutions architecte, j’accompagne tout type d’organisation dans leur transition vers le cloud à l'aide Microsoft 365 et la Power Platform et l'IA Show more

As a BC/NAV Consultant | MVP | MCT | MCP with 30 years of experience in Dynamics NAV and Business Central (BC), I specialize in empowering companies to get the most out of their ERP systems. Combining deep practical knowledge with an accounting, consulting, and development background, I bring a unique skill set rarely found in a technically oriented individual.

My Expertise:
✅ Bridging the gap between business needs and system capabilities
✅ Blueprinting user requirements vs. BC’s out-of-the-box functionality
✅ Assisting analysts in configuring BC to align with business processes
✅ Developing custom solutions to meet user-specific needs
✅ Project management to ensure successful implementations

I take a hands-on, structured approach to BC implementations—whether helping businesses optimize configurations, assisting developers in building tailored solutions, or managing projects to stay on time and on budget. My goal is to deliver a system that works for you—efficient, scalable, and built for success.

As a BC/NAV Consultant | MVP | MCT | MCP with 30 years of experience in Dynamics NAV and Business Central (BC), I specialize in empowering companies to get the most out of their ERP systems. Combining deep practical knowledge with an accounting, cons... Show more

Ugne Kontare is the Head of Operations for one of Europe's most successful ISVs, SOFT4. Having developed multiple solutions under the SOFT4 brand, several of which have successfully gained market share and partners' recognition, while several were killed after years of development, Ugne is ready to share the lessons learned along the way on how to build and manage products that sell.
With a background in SMB sales and leadership, Ugne’s career spans several industries, with most of its time dedicated to Microsoft Dynamics. With over 20 years of experience in various roles, such as Marketing, Sales, CEO, and Business Development, Ugne shares her knowledge and tips on how to:
▸Efficiently adopt AI tools in your business strategy;
▸Avoid burnout while leading with empathy and passion;
▸Build and manage an effective team;
▸Develop and implement strategies for launching and managing a software product – from analysis to profits.

Ugne Kontare is the Head of Operations for one of Europe's most successful ISVs, SOFT4. Having developed multiple solutions under the SOFT4 brand, several of which have successfully gained market share and partners' recognition, while several were ki... Show more

If you're comfortable with the status quo, you won't enjoy listening to Stephen Parkins.

Stephen is a seasoned innovation strategist, executive coach and business leader with over two decades of experience turning uncertainty into opportunity.

With a career spanning roles as an energy trader, global head of innovation, and startup founder, Stephen has worked with companies of all sizes - from agile one-person ventures, to European scale-ups, to multinational corporations with over 100,000 employees.

As the founder of Culturedge®, Stephen advises medium to large enterprises on building the structures and strategies they need to embed innovation, take manageable risks and achieve exponential growth.

As the co-founder of Strategy Quest, Stephen gives companies the opportunity to co-design AI-powered business simulations and wargames - to strengthen their resilience and decision-making under uncertain conditions.

Known for pushing boundaries and telling executives not what they want, but what they need to hear – Stephen has helped redesign flagship products like ABN AMRO Bank's Tikkie and established global innovation frameworks at organisations like SGS.

A polyglot and global citizen, Stephen has lived in five countries and speaks five languages, bringing an international perspective to every new challenge.

If you're comfortable with the status quo, you won't enjoy listening to Stephen Parkins. Stephen is a seasoned innovation strategist, executive coach and business leader with over two decades of experience turning uncertainty into opportunity. ... Show more

Noble's professional career merges at the intersection of data ethics, trustworthy systems, and emergent technology. His impact in product leadership spans industries Health, Edtech, International development, and media.
Day-to-day, he leads product strategy for enterprises looking to implement complex applications and trustworthy AI and automation solutions in a human-centered way, including AI bias mitigation, Agentic governance, explainability, external algorithmic guardrails privacy routing in AI systems, and continuous learning automation to streamline software.
Mr. Ackerson is an instructor for Udacity's AI Product Manager Nanodegree, Agentic Fluency courses, and 2026 Google Cloud Agent Engineering Nanodegree. He's a Certified AI Product Manager, a Google Certified Design Sprint Master, and a former Google Developers Expert for Product Strategy and current Google Developers Expert for Cloud AI and Machine Learning.

Noble's professional career merges at the intersection of data ethics, trustworthy systems, and emergent technology. His impact in product leadership spans industries Health, Edtech, International development, and media. Day-to-day, he leads product... Show more

I lead Withum’s Data & AI practice, helping organizations modernize their operations and unlock the full value of analytics and automation.

My background blends 25+ years in business advisory, process optimization, and analytics, giving me a unique perspective on how organizations can adopt Power BI, Microsoft Fabric, and AI-enabled tools strategically.

Key areas of expertise:
• AI adoption strategy for business leaders
• Building BI Centers of Excellence that scale
• Process mapping workshops that uncover hidden inefficiencies
• Advisory support tailored to healthcare, legal, NFPs, and finance

My mission is simple: help leaders leverage AI to translate complexity into clarity and data into strategy.

I lead Withum’s Data & AI practice, helping organizations modernize their operations and unlock the full value of analytics and automation. My background blends 25+ years in business advisory, process optimization, and analytics, giving me a uniqu... Show more

Fawaz Ghali, PhD has 25+ years of experience in enterprise architecture, applied AI, data engineering, and distributed systems across academia and industry. He works as an independent consultant and contractor, focusing on aligning AI and technology initiatives with enterprise strategy to deliver scalable, production-ready systems and measurable outcomes beyond hype. He holds a PhD in Computer Science and operates without vendor affiliation or product bias. He has published 45+ peer-reviewed papers and delivered 300+ talks worldwide, focusing on practical AI under real organisational constraints.

Fawaz Ghali, PhD has 25+ years of experience in enterprise architecture, applied AI, data engineering, and distributed systems across academia and industry. He works as an independent consultant and contractor, focusing on aligning AI and technology ... Show more

Solution Architect and Senior Consultant in Microsoft Power Platform and Dynamics 365, with more than five years of experience leading the digitalization and automation of critical processes. I define scalable and secure architectures, with a focus on technical quality, governance, ALM, and traceability throughout the entire solution lifecycle.

My career stands out for its strong connection to the Microsoft ecosystem, where I have been named a Super User and official moderator on three occasions. I combine my technical work with mentoring in programs such as Women in Power (Platform) and Power Up, as well as training emerging talent in the local community.

I regularly participate as a speaker at leading events such as Bizz Summit, Power Platform Bootcamp, and Power Platform Madrid, and share specialized knowledge through technical articles on LinkedIn. My approach focuses on turning complex business needs into robust, sustainable, and results-oriented technology solutions.

Solution Architect and Senior Consultant in Microsoft Power Platform and Dynamics 365, with more than five years of experience leading the digitalization and automation of critical processes. I define scalable and secure architectures, with a focus o... Show more

Angela Jones is a Modern Workplace Consultant who helps organizations drive business growth and transformation through thoughtful, people‑centered technology solutions. Drawing on her background in retail management and recruiting, Angela brings a strong foundation in leadership, talent development, and operational excellence to her technology work. This experience shapes a consulting approach grounded in trust and a deep understanding of how people and businesses operate, enabling her to design and implement modern workplace solutions that improve adoption, empower employees, and deliver meaningful business outcomes.

A Kansas City native, Angela enjoys traveling and spending time with her family, friends, and fur babies. She is also an organizer of the Kansas City Dynamics 365, Power Platform, and AI User Group, where she is passionate about community building and knowledge sharing.

Angela Jones is a Modern Workplace Consultant who helps organizations drive business growth and transformation through thoughtful, people‑centered technology solutions. Drawing on her background in retail management and recruiting, Angela brings a st... Show more

Andreas Giesa, Director of Digital Business Consulting at Xebia and former Head of eBusiness at Liebherr, is a visionary leader in the field of digitalization. With over 16 years of experience, he passionately drives digital business models, strategies, and innovative technologies such as AI and IoT. His focus is on customer-oriented solutions, digital excellence, and the development and empowerment of agile teams for digital transformation.

Andreas Giesa, Director of Digital Business Consulting at Xebia and former Head of eBusiness at Liebherr, is a visionary leader in the field of digitalization. With over 16 years of experience, he passionately drives digital business models, strategi... Show more

Sevim Durmus is an AI Trainer, Consultant, and the Founder of AI and Tech. As an AWS Community Builder, she helps businesses build smart, scalable systems with AWS and applied AI. With a background in Industrial Engineering, logistics, e-commerce, and SaaS, she brings practical insights into automation, low-code machine learning, and cloud integration. She teaches on Udemy, creates content for YouTube, and speaks globally on AI productivity, agentic workflows, vibe coding, and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG).

Sevim Durmus is an AI Trainer, Consultant, and the Founder of AI and Tech. As an AWS Community Builder, she helps businesses build smart, scalable systems with AWS and applied AI. With a background in Industrial Engineering, logistics, e-commerce, an... Show more

Tracy Evans is a Partner at Open Strategy Partners, where she uses her deep background in marketing and business to give organizations the strategic tools to communicate the value of what they do to the people who need to hear it. Tracy has an MBA from the Mannheim Business School and more than 20 years of strategic marketing, technology, and management experience, helping organizations connect their value propositions to their target audiences.

Tracy Evans is a Partner at Open Strategy Partners, where she uses her deep background in marketing and business to give organizations the strategic tools to communicate the value of what they do to the people who need to hear it. Tracy has an MBA fr... Show more

With over 20 years of hands-on experience in programming, Pablo is a well-versed professional who has successfully transitioned into leadership roles, currently serving as an Engineering Manager in Viaplay Group. He is dedicated to fostering collaborative environments and helping individuals discover more effective ways of working together, navigating challenges such as remote team collaboration and conflict resolution. In his talks, Pablo offers a fusion of technical knowledge and leadership insights, based on years of practical experience, exploring the intersection of technology, management, and the human diversity that drives successful teams.

With over 20 years of hands-on experience in programming, Pablo is a well-versed professional who has successfully transitioned into leadership roles, currently serving as an Engineering Manager in Viaplay Group. He is dedicated to fostering collabor... Show more

I have been working with Microsoft AI tools for over three years now and delivered over 20 sessions so far in the field of AI and Copilot

I have been working with Microsoft AI tools for over three years now and delivered over 20 sessions so far in the field of AI and Copilot Show more

I help organizations transform by aligning business processes end-to-end, ensuring every part of the organization works together to deliver value. My approach focuses on breaking down silos, fostering collaboration, and building processes that drive innovation and meaningful results. Join one of my sessions to explore practical strategies for creating a customer-focused, value-driven organization.

I help organizations transform by aligning business processes end-to-end, ensuring every part of the organization works together to deliver value. My approach focuses on breaking down silos, fostering collaboration, and building processes that drive ... Show more