Babak Abbaschian is a technology executive, researcher, and speaker with over 15 years of experience shaping AI, machine learning, and data-driven transformation across startups, mid-sized organizations, and global enterprises. Holding a Ph.D. in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence, his work sits at the intersection of deep technical rigor, strategic leadership, and human-centred system design.

As Senior Director of Data Strategy and Analytics at Churchill Downs Incorporated, home of the iconic Kentucky Derby, Babak led a large-scale machine learning and digital transformation initiative that modernized legacy systems and embedded AI across the business. By integrating predictive analytics, natural language processing, recommendation systems, and intelligent automation, his leadership helped drive sustained, measurable growth during periods of significant economic uncertainty, while expanding customer engagement and operational resilience.

Beyond enterprise transformation, Babak is deeply engaged in the startup ecosystem. He serves on the boards of multiple startup studios and mentors AI-driven ventures from early ideation through venture funding. Several companies under his guidance have secured significant VC investment, reflecting his ability to align advanced technology with real market needs and long-term viability.

Babak is also an active researcher with contributions spanning speech recognition, reinforcement learning, recommendation systems, and human-centered computing. His work frequently explores how intelligent systems interact with human cognition, emotion, and trust, particularly in sensitive domains such as healthcare, neurodiversity, and mental well-being.

A recognized AI and analytics leader, Babak is a frequent speaker, panellist, and chair at international conferences focused on AI, digital transformation, and responsible technology. Known for translating complex technical concepts into clear, accessible insights, his talks emphasize leadership, accountability, and the human consequences of the decisions we make with data and AI.

In addition to his industry work, Babak has taught programming, database design, and human–computer interaction as an academic instructor, contributing to the development of the next generation of technologists and leaders.

Babak Abbaschian is a technology executive, researcher, and speaker with over 15 years of experience shaping AI, machine learning, and data-driven transformation across startups, mid-sized organizations, and global enterprises. Holding a Ph.D. in Mac... Show more

Arquitecta funcional de soluciones en aplicaciones de negocio, especialista en Dynamics 365 Field Service y Project Operations.

Arquitecta funcional de soluciones en aplicaciones de negocio, especialista en Dynamics 365 Field Service y Project Operations. Show more

Ingeniero en Informática. Apasionado del software y la tecnología con más de 20 años de desarrollo profesional en el mundo IT. Convencido de que solo el trabajo bien hecho, la calidad y la mejora continua sientan una base sólida de futuro.

Ingeniero en Informática. Apasionado del software y la tecnología con más de 20 años de desarrollo profesional en el mundo IT. Convencido de que solo el trabajo bien hecho, la calidad y la mejora continua sientan una base sólida de futuro. Show more

A product strategy consultant and founder of gonogo.design with over 15 years in UX and 7 years leading product teams. He's spent enough time in enterprise to know what doesn't work, and now drives rapid innovation validation through AI-powered design sprints. Split between Athens and Warsaw, fueled by Greek coffee and Polish directness.

A product strategy consultant and founder of gonogo.design with over 15 years in UX and 7 years leading product teams. He's spent enough time in enterprise to know what doesn't work, and now drives rapid innovation validation through AI-powered desig... Show more

Hi, I'm Maх, a business development executive at Sigli. Believing in the business-centric approach, I bring it into Sigli's DNA.

As an active consultant, I am always open to mutually beneficial collaborations, which means delivering value to clients by bridging their expertise with specific needs and addressing realities, problems, goals, pain points, fears, and desires. We align these needs with technologies like a puzzle to empower business growth.

With over a decade of experience as a business development professional, I have always prioritized clients' business goals. From communication and client relationships to team management, forecasting, marketing, and sales operations, I ensure a comprehensive approach.

By the way, I am the host of Innovantage, a place where business meets tech to bring you your competetive edge! I interveiw guests about the complex world of innovation and business and help my listeners find their own competetive advantage. New episodes every two weeks on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

Hi, I'm Maх, a business development executive at Sigli. Believing in the business-centric approach, I bring it into Sigli's DNA. As an active consultant, I am always open to mutually beneficial collaborations, which means delivering value to clien... Show more

Philipp Kersting ist unabhängiger Green-IT-Berater. Er coacht Manager und Mitarbeitende in IT, Fachbereich und Controlling und setzt sich für geringere IT-Kosten und -Emissionen ein. Er ist ein sehr erfahrener IT‘ler, zertifizierter FinOps Practitioner und Auditor für den Blauen Engel für Software.

Philipp Kersting ist unabhängiger Green-IT-Berater. Er coacht Manager und Mitarbeitende in IT, Fachbereich und Controlling und setzt sich für geringere IT-Kosten und -Emissionen ein. Er ist ein sehr erfahrener IT‘ler, zertifizierter FinOps Practition... Show more

Creator and maintainer of GitMesh, a new lab under LF Decentralized Trust that transforms market surveillance into actionable Git commits. As the youngest lab leader in LFDT history, I'm building the AI infrastructure that helps developer companies decide what to build next by watching every social signals and ranking what matters. Open Source Summit Korea/Japan 2025, OpenSearchCon Korea 2025, and GitHub's Open Source Friday 2026. Full-time founder obsessed with open source and AI.

Creator and maintainer of GitMesh, a new lab under LF Decentralized Trust that transforms market surveillance into actionable Git commits. As the youngest lab leader in LFDT history, I'm building the AI infrastructure that helps developer companies d... Show more

N.J. Robinson is an Air Force Veteran, IT leader, and dynamic speaker with over 20 years of experience developing leaders in technology-driven environments. As Chief Servant Leader and President of Hi-Tech Leadership LLC, he partners with tech professionals to expand leadership capability, strengthen influence, and build transformational, high-performing teams.

N.J.’s engaging keynotes, presentations, and workshops equip leaders with practical frameworks to improve employee experience, strategy execution, and effective communication. His work blends real-world leadership experience with actionable insights that help organizations elevate performance while navigating change and complexity.

N.J. serves on HDI’s Conference Advisory Board and provides career mentorship to underserved professionals across the United States. He holds an MBA from George Washington University and maintains PMP, Security+, and ITIL certifications. He is a proud husband to his high-school sweetheart and the father of four sons.

N.J. Robinson is an Air Force Veteran, IT leader, and dynamic speaker with over 20 years of experience developing leaders in technology-driven environments. As Chief Servant Leader and President of Hi-Tech Leadership LLC, he partners with tech profes... Show more

Calypso is a versatile professional with a unique background in theatre, education, and tech. After years of experience in theatre and teaching, Calypso recently transitioned into the tech industry, working with innovative startups where she applies her skills in communication, design, and collaboration to fast-paced, high-growth environments. This blend of creative and technical experience has equipped Calypso with a deep understanding of how to foster constructive feedback, empower teams, and drive continuous improvement. Calypso also thrives on building strong, connected communities. She brings a fresh perspective on collaboration, communication, and community building in both creative and tech spaces.

Calypso is a versatile professional with a unique background in theatre, education, and tech. After years of experience in theatre and teaching, Calypso recently transitioned into the tech industry, working with innovative startups where she applies ... Show more

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chriscusumano/

Since discovering Power BI in 2018, Chris Cusumano has helped teams in airline ops, engineering consulting, and the auto repair industry make sense of their data through clean models, sharp visuals, and scalable solutions. A self-taught data nerd with a knack for storytelling, Chris specializes in making analytics approachable and actionable. In 2025, he joined SaaS leader Quickbase to grow Power BI and Microsoft Fabric across the organization—bringing customer insights to life, one story at a time.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chriscusumano/ Since discovering Power BI in 2018, Chris Cusumano has helped teams in airline ops, engineering consulting, and the auto repair industry make sense of their data through clean models, sharp visuals, and ... Show more

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobmcadam

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobmcadam Show more

Derric Gilling is the VP & GM, API Platform BU at WSO2. He is also the founder of Moesif, the leading API analytics and monetization platform which is now part of WSO2. He enjoys helping enterprises better productize their APIs and leverage data to deliver more value from their APIs. Gilling is a frequent speaker on API strategy at developer conferences, including API World, Developer Week, Platform Summit, APIDays and has published a report with O’Reilly, API Strategy for Decision Makers

Derric Gilling is the VP & GM, API Platform BU at WSO2. He is also the founder of Moesif, the leading API analytics and monetization platform which is now part of WSO2. He enjoys helping enterprises better productize their APIs and leverage data to d... Show more

Lirone Glikman is an international speaker, bestselling author, and consultant on business networking and personal branding using AI, and business development for startups and high-tech companies. She has consulted and spoken to developers, founders, and women leaders in 27 countries, sharing her methodology for achieving business results through authentic connections.

She is the author of the amazon bestseller "The Super Connector's Playbook". With over 20 years of global experience across Europe, Australia, and the U.S., she brings both corporate and startup perspectives to the tech world. Lirone contributes to leading global magazines and serves as an executive director at a UN-affiliated NGO supporting the Sustainable Development Goals.

Lirone Glikman is an international speaker, bestselling author, and consultant on business networking and personal branding using AI, and business development for startups and high-tech companies. She has consulted and spoken to developers, founders,... Show more

Principal Consulting Manager at Zühlke, helping organizations navigate the complexity of product development for cyber-physical systems and the application of new technologies by bridging the gap between high-level strategy and execution/development by applying systems-approach.

With a background in Industrial Engineering (BSc), Product Management for Technology Products (MSc) and PhD candidate in Systems Thinking, Réka made it her mission to transform ambitious, but too high-level ideas into systems that truly create value. Her work includes industries as diverse as industrial robotics, consumer products, automotive, and energy—proving that systems thinking in product development is not just a tool but a universal language for tackling complexity. She introduces system approach already on the business level, which seamlessly can be translated to systems engineering.

At her core, she is passionate about making systems thinking accessible, practical, and downright exciting. She is here to challenge the status quo, inspire new ways of thinking, and show how embracing systems can lead to groundbreaking innovation

Principal Consulting Manager at Zühlke, helping organizations navigate the complexity of product development for cyber-physical systems and the application of new technologies by bridging the gap between high-level strategy and execution/development ... Show more

I am a 32-year-old from Córdoba with a lifelong passion for process optimization. Thanks to the versatility AI offers, I enjoy applying it to my projects as a Power Platform specialist at MDW Partners.

Originally, I pursued double majors in Business Administration and Management and Law, and I hold an MBA. However, I've always been fascinated by computer science. After several years of using reports for analytical decision-making, I decided to shift my focus to creating them directly.

Later, I discovered the potential of Power Platform, and I now focus on developing complete solutions using the tools available on this platform. With the growing interest in AI among companies, I incorporate Azure OpenAI tools like GPT, DALL·E, and Whisper into many of my projects.

I am a 32-year-old from Córdoba with a lifelong passion for process optimization. Thanks to the versatility AI offers, I enjoy applying it to my projects as a Power Platform specialist at MDW Partners. Originally, I pursued double majors in Busine... Show more

As an analytical bridge between Business and IT, I translate your requirements into the data solution that are being build. Making you happy as a business user is my passion and bringing the people to the next level is my drive!
With more than 10 years-experience in the field of Business Intelligence, Data, Analytics & Engineering, I am the analytical bridge between business & IT. I'll now focus on using Fabric in the best way possible to deliver value and sharing these experiences with, collegues, clients and partners.

As an analytical bridge between Business and IT, I translate your requirements into the data solution that are being build. Making you happy as a business user is my passion and bringing the people to the next level is my drive! With more than 10 y... Show more

Computer Engineer. Independent professional. I have more than 20 years dedicated to the world of data as a BI Trainer and Consultant. Currently immersed in the world of Power Platform - Power BI.

Computer Engineer. Independent professional. I have more than 20 years dedicated to the world of data as a BI Trainer and Consultant. Currently immersed in the world of Power Platform - Power BI. Show more

Lee Harding is the founder of Proxytlity and a long-time distributed systems engineer and leader focused on serverless architectures and networking. He has spent years building systems that operate where traditional HTTP abstractions fall apart, and is particularly interested in how application-level design choices determine reliability as much as protocol selection.

Lee Harding is the founder of Proxytlity and a long-time distributed systems engineer and leader focused on serverless architectures and networking. He has spent years building systems that operate where traditional HTTP abstractions fall apart, and ... Show more

Words are vehicles. I load them with my meaning, and you unpack them through your experience. The gap between those two realities? That's where miscommunication lives.

I spend my days closing that gap.

As a speaker, I take this message to audiences. As a speaker coach, I help leaders communicate with clarity on stage. As a consultant, I help teams and organizations speak the same language.

Because when communication clicks, when my meaning and your experience align, everything changes. Organizations become healthier. Relationships deepen. Ideas spread. Innovation flourishes. Because, the clearer we communicate, the better worlds we create. That's what I do.

I help leaders and teams build better worlds, one conversation at a time.

Words are vehicles. I load them with my meaning, and you unpack them through your experience. The gap between those two realities? That's where miscommunication lives. I spend my days closing that gap. As a speaker, I take this message to audi... Show more

Svetlana Kouznetsova (Sveta) is an independent B2B consultant, published author, international speaker, and accessibility trailblazer. She helps businesses make their mainstream websites, media, and services more accessible to the world’s largest minority — 1.85 billion disabled people. As founder of Audio Accessibility, she consults on improving communication access for 466 million deaf and hard-of-hearing people worldwide. Sveta’s book and TEDx talk highlight the business benefits of high-quality captioning to increase audience reach and ROI. With an MS in Internet Technology and over 20 years of experience in design, technology, and accessibility, Sveta combines her personal experience with deafness and professional expertise to offer unique insights into the critical importance of accessibility.

Svetlana Kouznetsova (Sveta) is an independent B2B consultant, published author, international speaker, and accessibility trailblazer. She helps businesses make their mainstream websites, media, and services more accessible to the world’s largest min... Show more

is the Managing Director of 15C, a consulting and training company that specializes in designing, implementing and supporting SQL Server infrastructures. He is a 12-year former Microsoft Data Platform MVP and Microsoft Certified Master from Ottawa, Canada (but he’s originally from the Philippines) specializing in high availability, disaster recovery and system infrastructures running on the Microsoft server technology stack. His background in Unix has taken him to the world of DevOps and Docker to containerize SQL Server. He is very passionate about technology but has interests in music, neuroscience, social psychology, professional and organizational development, leadership and management matters when not working with databases.

Edwin lives up to his primary mission statement: "To help people and organizations grow and develop their full potential."

is the Managing Director of 15C, a consulting and training company that specializes in designing, implementing and supporting SQL Server infrastructures. He is a 12-year former Microsoft Data Platform MVP and Microsoft Certified Master from Ottawa, C... Show more

Michael Olafusi is a full-time Power BI and data engineering consultant who enjoys cycling and long motorcycle rides.

Michael Olafusi is a full-time Power BI and data engineering consultant who enjoys cycling and long motorcycle rides. Show more

Ayobami Atolagbe
Founder & Executive Director, BitKwa | Co-Founder & CEO, Demohub

Ayobami Atolagbe is a visionary entrepreneur, educator, and growth marketing executive on a mission to empower 10 million Africans through Bitcoin, education, and technology. He is the Founder and Executive Director of BitKwa, a nonprofit organization driving Bitcoin education, adoption, and circular economy initiatives across Africa. Through BitKwa, Ayobami has educated over 10,000 individuals and empowered grassroots movements via merchant onboarding programs, community workshops, and strategic partnerships that advance financial inclusion.

He is also the Founder and CEO of Demohub, an AI-powered EdTech platform making globally relevant digital skills accessible to African youth. Ayobami’s leadership bridges education, innovation, and economic empowerment at the grassroots level.

Ayobami previously served as Head of Growth at Paycrest (San Francisco), helping build fintech products for the Global South, and held key roles at Paxful and NoOnes, where he expanded Bitcoin’s reach across Africa through ambassador programs, market expansion strategies, and community-driven campaigns. He also volunteered with Built With Bitcoin to support the construction of a school in Kaduna, Nigeria, demonstrating Bitcoin’s real-world impact on education and community development.

Personal Philosophy: Always Thrive Towards Greatness

Ayobami Atolagbe Founder & Executive Director, BitKwa | Co-Founder & CEO, Demohub Ayobami Atolagbe is a visionary entrepreneur, educator, and growth marketing executive on a mission to empower 10 million Africans through Bitcoin, education, and t... Show more

Manager, leader and engineer at heart with over 20 years of professional experience in the delivery of complex software projects. Holding different positions from software engineering through project management and team leading, ending at account, delivery management and C-level positions.

Customer advocate, enthusiast of agile methodologies, software development processes optimisation, and growing high-performance self-organising teams. Enjoys self-development and learning new things.

Since 2018 involved in building a software agency from scratch (to 170+) where, besides many things, he is responsible for the whole engineering part of the company.

Manager, leader and engineer at heart with over 20 years of professional experience in the delivery of complex software projects. Holding different positions from software engineering through project management and team leading, ending at account, de... Show more

I am Sophia Pfab, a passionate Scrum Master, Agile Leader, and Organizational Developer with a foundation in Industrial Engineering.

My core focus is creating real value, driving efficiency, and sustainably fostering self-organization and intrinsic motivation within teams—always with a clear outcome-orientation. I thrive on helping organizations and teams establish more effective and long-lasting ways of working.

With several years of experience as a consultant and Scrum Master, I have successfully implemented scaled agile frameworks (e.g., Nexus) and guided organizations through their agile transformations. I use my analytical skills to quickly detect tensions within teams, resolving them through targeted coaching and empathy, supported by my training in Nonviolent Communication (NVC).

My role extends beyond classical Scrum: I coach Product Owners and development teams, facilitate and design customized workshops, and strategically apply methods like Team Topologies and OKRs. My background as a former developer provides me with a deep technical understanding, and I am proficient in tool administration (e.g., Jira, Confluence, and Miro).

I am highly networked within the agile community, regularly discussing current challenges, and I communicate fluently in German and English.

I am Sophia Pfab, a passionate Scrum Master, Agile Leader, and Organizational Developer with a foundation in Industrial Engineering. My core focus is creating real value, driving efficiency, and sustainably fostering self-organization and intrinsi... Show more

Evelien Acun-Roos is an experienced Knowledge Sharer at Xebia and a Professional Scrum Trainer at Scrum.org. She has a profound knowledge of Agile and Scrum and knows how to transfer that to (Scrum) Teams, their surrounding environment, and their management.

She has helped many organizations become more Agile (Unilever, ING, Rabobank, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, APG, Philips, VodafoneZiggo a.o.).

Evelien loves to give training. Since she is a certified trainer for Training From the Back of the Room, her training courses are filled with brain-based learning activities.
At Agile conferences, she shares knowledge about Scrum Values, Liberating Structures, Brain Science, Situational Leadership, Happy Chemicals, building Trust and Happiness, and other ways to Boost your Scrum.

Evelien Acun-Roos is an experienced Knowledge Sharer at Xebia and a Professional Scrum Trainer at Scrum.org. She has a profound knowledge of Agile and Scrum and knows how to transfer that to (Scrum) Teams, their surrounding environment, and their man... Show more

Elad Ben-Hur is an Agile Coach who works with R&D teams and organizations to support meaningful Agile adoption and continuous improvement. With experience in Scrum, Agile, and SAFe, he helps teams focus on delivering real value and building healthy, collaborative work environments.

Elad is especially interested in the role of communication in team success. Over the years, he’s seen how clearer, more honest conversations can transform not just team dynamics, but also results. His current focus is on helping leaders and teams strengthen trust, improve communication, and create space for real dialogue.

He also supports leadership development and culture change, believing that when people feel safe, seen, and empowered, they do their best work.

Elad Ben-Hur is an Agile Coach who works with R&D teams and organizations to support meaningful Agile adoption and continuous improvement. With experience in Scrum, Agile, and SAFe, he helps teams focus on delivering real value and building healthy, ... Show more

With extensive experience in extending, customizing, and configuring Microsoft Dynamics CRM/D365 across multiple versions, from CRM 3.0 to the latest D365, I specialize in delivering tailored solutions that enhance business efficiency and drive digital transformation. My deep understanding of the platform allows me to develop innovative, scalable solutions that align with organizational goals.
I have a proven track record of executing complex ETL processes, ensuring data accuracy, integrity, and optimal system performance throughout the migration lifecycle. With expertise in designing robust data migration strategies, I help organizations seamlessly transition between platforms while optimizing their data landscapes for long-term success.
Over the years, I have led and contributed to numerous high-impact migration projects, including SAP to D365 CE, D365 CE to D365 F&O with Dual Write, Dynamics CRM On-Prem to D365 CE (both Cloud and On-Prem), Dynamics NAV to CRM/D365 integrations and migrations, as well as migrations from Salesforce, HubSpot, EoStar… to D365 CE. Each project has strengthened my ability to tackle complex challenges, streamline processes, and ensure smooth transitions with minimal disruption.
Beyond technical execution, I am passionate about leveraging technology to modernize legacy systems, improve data flow, and empower businesses. I thrive on collaborating with cross-functional teams to develop strategic solutions that not only solve immediate challenges but also lay the foundation for future growth and operational excellence.

With extensive experience in extending, customizing, and configuring Microsoft Dynamics CRM/D365 across multiple versions, from CRM 3.0 to the latest D365, I specialize in delivering tailored solutions that enhance business efficiency and drive digit... Show more

Vishnu is a builder, speaker, and problem-solver passionate about crafting scalable systems and meaningful digital experiences. He has helped startups grow from India’s startup corridors to Silicon Valley, building the kind of web platforms that move fast without breaking purpose. Deeply rooted in the React ecosystem, he champions clean architecture, great UX, and the power of simplicity in modern software.

Vishnu is a builder, speaker, and problem-solver passionate about crafting scalable systems and meaningful digital experiences. He has helped startups grow from India’s startup corridors to Silicon Valley, building the kind of web platforms that move... Show more

A technology leader with extensive experience in DevOps, R&D, and QA automation, currently serving as the Director of Platform Engineering at Yotpo in Tel Aviv. With over 20 years of expertise in cloud computing, CI/CD systems, and software development, I’ve had the opportunity to hold leadership roles at Yotpo, Rapyd, Check Point, Verint, Barclays, and more. driving innovation, and achieving business objectives through scalable and cutting-edge solutions​

A technology leader with extensive experience in DevOps, R&D, and QA automation, currently serving as the Director of Platform Engineering at Yotpo in Tel Aviv. With over 20 years of expertise in cloud computing, CI/CD systems, and software developme... Show more