Diana Stepner is a seasoned product leader, coach, mentor, and technology executive with over 20 years of experience in product management, innovation, and user experience. A Silicon Valley native, Diana has led diverse, global digital teams across startups, enterprise organizations, digital agencies, and software consulting. Her impressive journey includes significant roles at Epiphany, Cheapflights (acquired by Kayak), SimplePractice, Salesforce, Monster, Pearson, Razorfish (part of Publicis), and Epsilon. Diana is the Co-Founder of Product Gold, where she focuses on product coaching and consulting.

Diana’s tenure at Pearson stands out in her career. Starting in London as the Vice President of Innovation Partnerships & Head of Future Technologies, she was responsible for trend analysis, strategic partnerships, and early-stage prototype development. She spearheaded initiatives such as an early-stage startup accelerator and cultivated a Future Technologies community within Pearson to drive digital transformation. After returning to San Francisco, she became the VP of Innovative Learning Solutions. Under her leadership, her team generated $86 million in revenue and impacted 11 million learners. Her strategic oversight led to a reduction in delivery time and a significant improvement in the purchase pipeline.

Diana is the instructor of several high-rated courses on product management and leadership, including her cohort-based course on Maven which has graduated four cohorts and has a 4.5/5.0 rating. Her coaching practice emphasizes people-first product leadership, prioritizing the importance of individuals in the product development process. She believes in empowering individuals to reach their full potential, building strong teams, and fostering a culture of innovation and agility.

Diana is a prolific writer, contributor and thought leader on product management, product leadership and leading through a human-centered approach. Interviews and articles showcase her expertise in future technologies and innovation. For example, Wired has featured Diana’s information technology and product development insights. She was a finalist for the FDM everywoman in Technology Award in the UK and a featured speaker at product conferences, including Mind the Product, Productized and PDMA Inspire Innovation.

Diana holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California (UC), San Diego. She also earned a Master of Information Management and Systems (MIMS) from UC Berkeley and an MBA from Boston University. Her certifications include Business Innovation Foundations, Certified Technical Product Manager, and more. Diana is a member of the International Coaching Federation.

Diana Stepner is a seasoned product leader, coach, mentor, and technology executive with over 20 years of experience in product management, innovation, and user experience. A Silicon Valley native, Diana has led diverse, global digital teams across s... Show more

Bruno é químico de formação, com mestrado em modelagem matemática de processos químicos, e especializações em business analytics, metodologias ágeis e gestão de operacões. Neste ano completa 18 anos de grupo Votorantim, todos dedicados ao negócio alumínio, na CBA - Companhia, tendo ocupado posições sênior, gerência e especialista de processos. Em carreira paralela, atuou por 5 anos como professor universitário em cursos de Química, Engenharia Química e Tecnologia de Processos Químicos. Atualmente atua como consultor corporativo de inovação e digital, liderando o portfolio de inovação da companhia, explorações, inovação aberta, ecossistemas e parcerias. Bruno possui certificações Kanban, Scrum Master, SAFe Agilist e Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, acumulando mais de 300 projetos na carreira e mais de 15 premiações de nível nacional / internacional. Temas de Interesse: IA's generativas, Simuladores de Processo, Machine Learning, Ágil Escalado, Design Thinking, Lean Portfolio Management, Kanban e Gestão Híbrida de Projetos. Possui três reconhecimentos recentes nos Agile Trends de 2023 e 2024.

Bruno é químico de formação, com mestrado em modelagem matemática de processos químicos, e especializações em business analytics, metodologias ágeis e gestão de operacões. Neste ano completa 18 anos de grupo Votorantim, todos dedicados ao negócio alu... Show more

Experienced Founder and CEO with a demonstrated history of working in the information technology and services industry. Skilled in Communication, NFT Experts, NFT Creator and Collector, Management, Leadership, and Presentations. Strong business development professional with a Master of Business Administration - MBA focused in International Business from Schiller International University.

Experienced Founder and CEO with a demonstrated history of working in the information technology and services industry. Skilled in Communication, NFT Experts, NFT Creator and Collector, Management, Leadership, and Presentations. Strong business devel... Show more

Seasoned professional with cross border expansion across commercial and R&D domains.

Seasoned professional with cross border expansion across commercial and R&D domains. Show more

Passionate about all things leadership, Andrew speaks throughout the country to both public and private sector audiences. His philosophy centers around the concept that, as leaders, we owe our people nothing less than the most exceptional leadership possible.

For the past eight years, Andrew has served with the Attorney General’s Office as the manager of the law enforcement DNA collection program known as CODIS, overseeing the process for more than 500 participating law enforcement agencies. Before that, he served with a municipal police department for 25 years with 18 of those years in various leadership roles.

Andrew is a graduate of the IACP Command and Leadership Academy and the basic and advanced Penn State Police Executive Development programs. He has a master’s degree in administrative science from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Andrew is a recipient of the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice Excellence in Leadership Director’s Award and numerous other awards throughout his career, including the Medal of Valor from the New Jersey State PBA.

Passionate about all things leadership, Andrew speaks throughout the country to both public and private sector audiences. His philosophy centers around the concept that, as leaders, we owe our people nothing less than the most exceptional leadership ... Show more

As a Work Systems Designer & Flight Levels Professional®, I have been accompanying companies, business units, and teams through change since the early 2000s. Today, my focus is on building future-proof work systems that serve all involved.

Detecting patterns, combining very different mental models and practices, and the relentless search for better approaches to achieve successful work results together has become my passion.

As a Work Systems Designer & Flight Levels Professional®, I have been accompanying companies, business units, and teams through change since the early 2000s. Today, my focus is on building future-proof work systems that serve all involved. Detecti... Show more

Dustin Domerese is a thought leader and technology innovator within the Microsoft ecosystem and delivers his vast technical experience in the CRM, ERP, and Software Development industries to business leaders, end-users, and technical leaders throughout the community. Working for Barclays, EMC2, HP, and Microsoft before his founding of multiple companies has provided a wealth of industry knowledge and expertise.

Dustin is a consultant for over three-hundred companies across a wide array of industries, he is a senior software developer and public speaker. As an entrepreneur, he has founded multiple technology companies in a variety of sectors. As a technology innovator Dustin has trained and worked with hundreds of partners in the Microsoft, SAP, Oracle, and SalesForce ecosystems. His company, Dynamic Consultants Group, has been a finalist in the Microsoft partner channel awards for empowering the Microsoft partner community and advises their clients on all things digital transformation and technology.

Dustin has been a speaker all over the world presenting many technology-focused sessions with Microsoft. As his hobby, Dustin is an accomplished musician, outdoor enthusiast, and a mostly terrible golfer.

Dustin Domerese is a thought leader and technology innovator within the Microsoft ecosystem and delivers his vast technical experience in the CRM, ERP, and Software Development industries to business leaders, end-users, and technical leaders througho... Show more

Meet Rona! She's a whirlwind of vibrant energy and connection. With her engaging style, she brings a sense of joy to workplaces everywhere. As an expert in Purposeful and Attuned Play, Rona blends the core elements of leadership and engagement with the magic of play, transforming workplace dynamics and boosting personal satisfaction.

Rona's unique mix of corporate savvy and wellbeing wisdom, paired with her deep understanding of play and flow, allows her to translate complex ideas into relatable and enjoyable stories. Her sessions are dynamic, packed with practical tools to weave play into daily work life, fostering an environment where creativity and collaboration flourish.

In her role as coach and consultant, Rona has left a lasting mark on countless organizations. She's nurtured creative thinking, honed leadership skills, and deepened connections through enhanced communication. Her tailor-made programs are grounded in evidence-based practices, boosting team morale and connectivity while encouraging a fresh reimagining of workplace culture.

Rona has been featured in Shondaland, Nebraska Bride, Pierless Magazine, Town and Country, Corporate Wellness Magazine and seen and heard on TV and radio stations from San Diego and San Francisco to New York .

With the Playful Mind Project, Rona positions herself as a key partner for organizations ready to breathe new life into their corporate environments. Ready to make work fun again?

Meet Rona! She's a whirlwind of vibrant energy and connection. With her engaging style, she brings a sense of joy to workplaces everywhere. As an expert in Purposeful and Attuned Play, Rona blends the core elements of leadership and engagement with t... Show more

I have worked in the digital marketing arena for almost 15 years, managing both in-house and remote teams around the globe. It has been a privilege to work with some of the biggest brands in the world, while holding freelance, agency, and in-house positions. I'm very passionate about remote work and building strong teams, no matter the location or industry. These musings can be found at my blog: https://whereverimaywork.com

I have worked in the digital marketing arena for almost 15 years, managing both in-house and remote teams around the globe. It has been a privilege to work with some of the biggest brands in the world, while holding freelance, agency, and in-house po... Show more

Fullstack product engineer creating content about building production-ready apps as a solopreneur.

Over the past decade, I've worked as a freelance full-stack developer mostly with startups and small businesses. In 2020 I decided to deepen my business and product knowledge, to build outstanding products.

As of now, I'm building production-ready products efficiently, and documenting my journey as a solopreneur product engineer. Twitter, YouTube, and my blog.

Why building in public?
Following other people's journeys can teach you a lot. As well as you, I follow many other creators.
Being active on social media and building in public allowed me to be part of a club that prioritizes shipping and giving value.

Fullstack product engineer creating content about building production-ready apps as a solopreneur. Over the past decade, I've worked as a freelance full-stack developer mostly with startups and small businesses. In 2020 I decided to deepen my busi... Show more

Awarded the BQF Excellenteer accolade by HRH the Princess Royal at Wembley Stadium in March 2025, I am passionate about building high-performing cultures where people leadership, continuous improvement, and operational excellence thrive. With over 25 years of experience, I’ve led large-scale transformations for global industry leaders that include Amazon and Royal Mail, proving that when people thrive, performance follows.

As a globally recognised voice in Leadership and Continuous Improvement, I hold elite qualifications including Lean Mastery (MBB), Lean Six Sigma Post-HBO Black Belt (Post-Bachelor's level - ISO 18404), and Lean Leader (ISO 18404). My leadership philosophy combines CI principles with core role-model behaviours, driving lasting high performance and cultural change.

I am the author of 'The Emergence of an Unexpected Leader' and 'Building the Bridge to Inspirational Leadership', and host of the multi-award-nominated Ever-So-Lean Podcast, where I break down complex CI concepts into actionable insights. Through these platforms, I communicate with clarity, inspire, and create impactful change.

With over 25 years of experience, I blend deep expertise in continuous improvement with a people-first approach. My frameworks, such as The Bridge to Inspirational Leadership, help leaders engage, inspire, and elevate teams, driving sustainable results. Whether transforming large-scale operations or coaching individuals, I create environments where people thrive and performance follows.

A finalist in 'Excellence in People Development & Engagement' at the Excellence Awards 2025, I have developed the Ever-So-Lean Learning Series and Rising Stars™ Programmes. These industry-accredited initiatives provide training for emerging leaders and change professionals, instilling a growth mindset across organisations, ensuring long-term success.

My passion is unlocking potential—both in individuals and organisations—removing barriers to success, and creating environments where people feel valued, respected, and empowered to drive meaningful change.

Whether leading transformative initiatives, coaching executives, or shaping the next generation of leaders, I bring clarity, energy, and authenticity to every engagement. If you're ready to unlock your people’s full potential and build a culture of excellence, let’s talk.

Awarded the BQF Excellenteer accolade by HRH the Princess Royal at Wembley Stadium in March 2025, I am passionate about building high-performing cultures where people leadership, continuous improvement, and operational excellence thrive. With over 25... Show more

Instead of a traditional bio, I asked ChatGPT: "If I were a font, which one would I be?"

The response?

Chris, you’d be Bebas Neue—a bold, confident, slightly unconventional font that still maintains clarity and professionalism. It represents your entrepreneurial mindset, rock-and-roll edge, deep faith, and your ability to balance fun with strategic leadership.
That sums me up well. I don’t fit neatly into a box—I’m an entrepreneur, a musician, a writer, and a teacher. But at my core, I help people innovate, sell, and grow by blending real-world experience with a practical, no-nonsense approach.

Why Hire Me?

Some speakers build their careers by talking about… their speaking careers.
I’m different.

Everything I share comes from real experience—hard-earned lessons from building businesses, making thousands of sales calls, and leading high-growth teams. When I get on stage, I don’t deliver theories. I deliver what works—because I’ve lived it.

Two Numbers That Changed My Life

1. 5,000 Cold Calls
Fresh out of college, I had no marketable skills. My degree in History and Museum Studies wasn’t exactly in high demand. My newlywed wife and I needed to eat, so I decided: I was going to learn how to sell.I took a job selling life insurance. I was terrible. My first-year earnings: $2,163.72. (Yes, I counted the decimals.) I knew I had to do something different, so I focused on mastering cold calling—because most people hated it, which made it valuable. After bouncing between six companies in five years, I finally committed. I took a job at a startup—just me and two other guys working in a bonus room. That year, I made 5,000 cold calls.

2. 9,000 Pitches
Over the years, I’ve pitched AP automation technology 9,000 times. Not because I have a special gift—because I’ve done it repeatedly. Of those 9,000 pitches, 1,200 turned into business. The other 7,800? Most people would call them failures. I call them education.
Here’s my definition of failure: Failure is making the same stupid mistake twice.

Instead of a traditional bio, I asked ChatGPT: "If I were a font, which one would I be?" The response? Chris, you’d be Bebas Neue—a bold, confident, slightly unconventional font that still maintains clarity and professionalism. It represents yo... Show more

Ugne Kontare is a Chief Business Development Officer representing one of Europe's most successful cloud-ready companies, Softera Baltic, Partner of the Year in Lithuania, 2022. 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 expands over several industries, with most of its time dedicated to Microsoft Dynamics. With over 15 years of experience in various roles, such as Marketing, Sales, CEO, and Business Development, Ugne shares her knowledge and tips on how to:
- Build and manage an effective team;
- Market and sell Microsoft Dynamics 365 BC in the cloud;
- Develop and implement strategies for launching and managing a software product – from analysis to profits.

Ugne Kontare is a Chief Business Development Officer representing one of Europe's most successful cloud-ready companies, Softera Baltic, Partner of the Year in Lithuania, 2022. Having developed multiple solutions under the SOFT4 brand, several of whi... Show more

Phil Ledgerwood’s resumé looks like seven other people’s resumés stitched together. He has baked bagels, guarded Clint Black’s town home, cooked for a gourmet food shop, freed stuck college students from elevators, managed printing plates for packaging, and served as a linguist in the Air Force. He taught himself HTML when the Netscape browser was still a thing, and the rest is history.

Phil is a twenty-year veteran of the software development industry in the Kansas City area. If you’re in the Kansas City area, he is two degrees of separation away from any programmer you know and has probably worked for, at, or with your company.

When the agile movement hit town, Phil knew a good thing when he saw it and became an early adopter of first wave agile practices. He has used these practices to ideate, build, and complete software projects ranging from loan forecasting to routing irrigation trucks to managing pharmacies to predictive lead generation to selling teddy bears. When people ask what vertical his company serves, he says, “Yours.”

Phil has incorporated Lean methodologies into software development just like his father used to do in manufacturing. When he partnered with Travis Dietz to start Integrity Inspired Solutions in 2012, they laid the foundation in Lean to make the custom software development enterprise more humane, predictable, and focused on the success of everyone involved.

A regular speaker at developer, Lean, and Agile conferences, Phil has a passion for taking his company’s ways to other companies whether they create software or not. He loves to see them transform from a collection of interactions riddled with disappointments and broken promises to team-oriented relational companies enjoying newfound trust, joy, efficiency, and success. Several companies from all over the world in all different industries contract Phil to help coach them through their own journeys. He also hosts the successful "Agile Bites" podcast.

When he’s not helping project managers learn predictive metrics or helping developers write customer-focused features, he’s enjoying a wide array of highly geeky hobbies including fantasy and sci-fi novels, gaming, and teaching Filipino stick fighting. His main hobby is making the world a better place for everyone who has to share the planet with him, and the engine for that is love.

Phil Ledgerwood’s resumé looks like seven other people’s resumés stitched together. He has baked bagels, guarded Clint Black’s town home, cooked for a gourmet food shop, freed stuck college students from elevators, managed printing plates for packagi... Show more

Shubhangi is a Product and DevRel person who has built a mental health startup and leads a community of 27000+ techies.

She has been leading diversity initiatives in India since 2018 wherein she has empowered underrepresented groups through active mentorship. She leads Google Developer Groups Noida and Women Techmakers Delhi. She is a GitHub Campus Expert who was invited to attend GitHub Universe 2024. She has given 20+ talks including D&I talks at Google DevFest and MLH Hackcon.

She believes technology has the power to reach an equitable world, her communities focus on going Beyond The Binary. Google Developer Groups Noida is the first community to have an equitable diversity ratio in all meetups and events. She also works on inclusion of the queer community in technical spaces.
When she's not at a meetup, she leads support groups and photo walks around Delhi!

Shubhangi is a Product and DevRel person who has built a mental health startup and leads a community of 27000+ techies. She has been leading diversity initiatives in India since 2018 wherein she has empowered underrepresented groups through active... Show more

Shefali would like to introduce herself as a technology enthusiast, curious lifelong learner, innovator & enabler, mentor & a coach, volunteer & yoga proponent, author and vociferous reader;
Shefali is Global Engineering Director at Red Hat responsible for bootstrapping and growing OpenShift Engineering teams in Asia Pacific, Europe & North America regions. She is leading the product engineering teams responsible for OpenShift platform for Edge devices, OpenShift Application Platform and core OpenShift Engineering teams globally. She is also member of Bangalore Leadership Council at Red Hat responsible for the growth of the Bangalore site.

A seasoned IT professional with over two decades of experience, Shefali has donned various hats spanning management, strategy, product management, product engineering, solutioning & professional services working with Customers, System Integrators, Business Partners and ecosystem teams.

An active speaker at industry and technology conferences, Shefali is very passionate about incubations and first-of-a-kind software & product development in the areas of AI/ML, IoT & Hybrid Cloud platforms.
Ms. Bansal is an IIM Bangalore Alumni and an Engineering graduate from NIT Bhopal with specialization in Computer Science. She is plateau holder in patents and has external publications in areas of Reliability Analytics, and awards like 'Best of Business Analytics', “Outstanding Technical Achievement Award”, “Client Success Awards”, “Industry Academy membership” & Industry recognitions like “Women in Technology” from Zinnov & “AI Game Changer” award from NASSCOM to her credit.
Her Inspiration story has been featured in India’s leading newspaper “Times of India”.

As a budding author, she has published four books “Rediscovery journey of a corporate persona”, “Parijaat…The evening flower” & “Tapestry of Life” & "Yogi and her Co-Yogis".
Outside work, she loves to travel and volunteers for STEM education through an NGO.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shefali-bansal-6860611/

Shefali would like to introduce herself as a technology enthusiast, curious lifelong learner, innovator & enabler, mentor & a coach, volunteer & yoga proponent, author and vociferous reader; Shefali is Global Engineering Director at Red Hat responsi... Show more

The most impactful thing a speaker can do, is to facilitate an experience, and help participants to draw a correlation between the experience, what they learned and how they will apply it in their life. Because of this, each talk involves both interaction with the audience and personal reflection time.

In her interactive workshops and keynote addresses, Caitlin quickly quells the, “I could never do improv!” fear and makes accessible, the principles professional actors use, to be better communicators, teammates, and leaders.
Disarming and energetic, Caitlin opens up the most skeptical attendees, allowing them to learn through applying the Improv Approach, and even crack a smile along the way.

Caitlin Drago’s mission is to create cultures of empathy, creativity, and trust, beginning with how people communicate and connect.

She is an LA-based actor turned upstate NY-based certified leadership coach, trainer, facilitator, and author of Approaching Improv – Communication and Connection in Business and Beyond. Acting taught her to be present, self-aware, empathetic and to prioritize connection with others. Improv taught her to listen, trust her gut and deal with the unexpected in a positive and creative way. She currently works with leaders and teams to help them to listen to one another, communicate and connect, using improvisation as a platform for interactive learning.

Caitlin spent ten years studying improv at places like the nationally accredited Upright Citizen’s Brigade and has spent the last nine years working with leaders and their teams across industries, including, but not limited to higher education, hospitality, tech, marketing, healthcare and real estate. She’s been featured in Medium’s Authority Magazine, Rochester’s Democrat and Chronicle, a variety of podcasts and has spoken at various conferences, including the Talent Development Think Tank, the International TWA Conference, CNY SHRM, and DisruptHR Rochester.

Past clients include:
Gartner
Rochester Regional Health System
Starbucks
Fee Brothers

Testimonials:

“Caitlin's energy, enthusiasm, and sprinkling of humor eased the tensions in our group and the entire experience was packed with valuable team collaboration insights. We found ourselves using this technique the very same day we learned it.”

S.M. Digitronik Labs

“We focused on communication in a completely different way. Not a seminar-feel, but a fun, engaging way to demonstrate the importance of being open and positive. I stepped
outside my comfort zone. As an introvert, the idea of improv was horrifying. But it was fun!”

J.G., VWR

"Caitlin did an excellent job facilitating a workshop for my team. From the time we first met to preparation and the actual workshop, she was helpful and engaging and was highly focused on ensuring my workshop went the way I had envisioned. My team had excellent feedback afterwards and I can say it had an immediate positive impact on how my team interacted and felt about communication."

I.G., Gartner

The most impactful thing a speaker can do, is to facilitate an experience, and help participants to draw a correlation between the experience, what they learned and how they will apply it in their life. Because of this, each talk involves both intera... Show more

Pai da Cecília e do Inácio, esposo da Ana Lúcia, membro da Comunidade de Vida Cristã (CVX), curitibano e sofredor do Coritiba. Desde a pandemia, optou por morar na zona rural de Piraquara (Região Metropolitana da capital paranaense), onde cria galinhas, joga bola com os filhos, colhe amoras, figos e Physalis e está cavando (bem aos poucos!) um pequeno lago para os futuros gansos da família. Jornalista e economista, sempre trabalhou em organizações com forte impacto social. Atualmente, é responsável por ajudar o Grupo Marista, uma instituição de mais de 7 mil colaboradores e com uma história bicentenária, em sua estratégia ESG, articulando iniciativas transversais e proprietárias das Frentes de Missão (unidades de negócio) PUCPR, Saúde, FTD Educação e Centro Marista de Defesa da Infância; e monitorando indicadores e avaliando a evolução da maturidade - sempre procurando nutrir uma mentalidade ágil, com foco nas pessoas, na entrega de valor e na melhoria contínua.

Pai da Cecília e do Inácio, esposo da Ana Lúcia, membro da Comunidade de Vida Cristã (CVX), curitibano e sofredor do Coritiba. Desde a pandemia, optou por morar na zona rural de Piraquara (Região Metropolitana da capital paranaense), onde cria galinh... Show more

Dr. Jeremy C. Hudson is the Founder and CEO of The Canvas Firm, dedicated to building better organizations. Canvas Firm specializes in empowering emotionally intelligent leaders, enhancing employee and client experiences, and fostering innovative, resilient cultures within organizations. With over 15 years of experience, he is renowned for his ability to identify challenges and implement transformative solutions for organizational advancement.

Jeremy earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from Ole Miss, followed by a Master of Business Administration from the John Sperling School of Business, and a PhD in Organizational Leadership from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.

Before founding Canvas Firm, Jeremy served as Global Director of Culture and Engagement at Dell Technologies, where he led initiatives to enhance company culture, elevate employee engagement and experiences, drive corporate social responsibility efforts, refine employer branding strategies, and champion diversity initiatives. He played a pivotal role as a liaison to the CEO and Executive Leadership Team, collaborating closely to redefine core values and shape the company's future trajectory.

Prior to Dell, Jeremy made significant contributions at Ernst & Young (EY), where he shaped the First-Year Experience strategy for the United States and expanded his leadership oversight to all US regions, earning recognition as a Facilitator of Excellence twice. His commitment to education led him to Georgia's newest public college, where he established the learning and development department and collaborated with the athletic department on student-athlete engagement activities.

Passionate about the intersection of business and sports, Jeremy's doctoral research focused on the organizational socialization, emotional intelligence, and transformational leadership of Intercollegiate Athletic leaders, reflecting his ongoing dedication to enhancing organizational and athletic performance through strategic leadership.

Dr. Jeremy C. Hudson is the Founder and CEO of The Canvas Firm, dedicated to building better organizations. Canvas Firm specializes in empowering emotionally intelligent leaders, enhancing employee and client experiences, and fostering innovative, r... Show more

As an expert in data, business intelligence and artificial intelligence, I am committed to fostering a collaborative team environment and sharing lessons learned with other professionals.

I am actively involved in teaching others how to use Microsoft Fabric and Power BI through Microsoft in-a-day events, and have created hands-on workshops to show how to use Azure-based services such as Azure Synapse Analytics and Azure OpenAI.

As an expert in data, business intelligence and artificial intelligence, I am committed to fostering a collaborative team environment and sharing lessons learned with other professionals. I am actively involved in teaching others how to use Micro... Show more

With 20 years of experience in innovation, human-centered design thinking, lean, agile, and organizational transformation, I’ve discovered that the key to driving real change and innovation lies in empowering leaders and teams to rise to the challenges of their roles. Over the past 5 years, I’ve coached senior and executive leaders as well as teams at companies such as VML, Ford, Pfizer, Wendy’s, T-Mobile, GE, and many others, helping them lead with vision and foster innovation within their teams and organizations.

🔹CPCC certified through the Coactive Training Institute
🔹ACC credentialed through the ICF
🔹Leadership Circle Profile (LCP) Certified
🔹Certified Scrum Master and Product Owner through Scrum Alliance
🔹Expertise in Managing Human-Centered Organizations through VML
🔹Hundreds of hours of coaching experience with senior to executive leaders and teams
🔹20 years of applying lean/agile principles to leadership, organizations, and processes to spark innovation

I am a passionate facilitator who creates environments where teams and leaders can tackle complex organizational, product, and interpersonal challenges, co-creating innovative solutions that drive lasting impact.

With 20 years of experience in innovation, human-centered design thinking, lean, agile, and organizational transformation, I’ve discovered that the key to driving real change and innovation lies in empowering leaders and teams to rise to the challeng... Show more

Rob is currently an Application Security Sales Evangelist for HCL. Rob joined HCL recently as part of an acquisition from IBM. Prior to this role, Rob was with IBM for14 years with the most recent role of Worldwide Application Security Evangelist. In addition to this role, Rob held several other roles in IBM ranging from Rational Field Services to Worldwide Sales Enablement leads for the Management and Platform Segment offerings in IBM Cloud. Rob has worked with clients all over the world to help address their challenges in ways that bring a positive impact to the business bottom line. Rob has spoken at numerous events and conferences, most recently at ADDO 2020 and the Agile+Techwell 2020 DevSecOps Summit, and in past years at IBM THINK, InterConnect, DevloperConnect, IBM Top Guns and many customer roundtable events. In addition, he has held roles in software services and technical sales enablement. Prior to IBM, Rob spent 13 years with 5 different companies working as a configuration management specialist with an emphasis on Rational tooling. Rob graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in Aerospace Engineering, and is an avid fan of college football. When not at work, Rob enjoys spending time with his family, serving with his church, running and cycling. You can connect with Rob via facebook, linkedin and instragram but the best ways are by joining the “Robservatory” on twitter using the handle @Robservatory.

Rob is currently an Application Security Sales Evangelist for HCL. Rob joined HCL recently as part of an acquisition from IBM. Prior to this role, Rob was with IBM for14 years with the most recent role of Worldwide Application Security Evangelist. I... Show more

Angela is a Consultant at Smarter Consulting. Her professional experience includes planning and executing strategic growth plans; hiring, training, and retaining top talent; and driving a culture of continuous improvement and innovation at multi-million-dollar organizations. After a successful career in retail management, Angela transitioned into providing technology solutions to a wide range of clients.

Angela believes that a foundation of trust is key to building strong, lasting relationships with clients and peers. These connections provided Angela with a keen understanding of customers’ needs and influenced her approach to addressing those needs.

Angela’s academic background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Park University. Angela is a Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) and Microsoft 365 certified as a Teams Voice Engineer and Collaboration Communications Systems Engineer Associate.

A Kansas City native, Angela loves to travel with her husband and entertain all her fur babies—two cats named Harlow and Jinx, and three dogs named Sister, Bailey, and Lolo. Angela enjoys giving back to the community and she is the President of Digital Women Kansas City.

Angela is a Consultant at Smarter Consulting. Her professional experience includes planning and executing strategic growth plans; hiring, training, and retaining top talent; and driving a culture of continuous improvement and innovation at multi-mill... Show more

An International Reiki Master & Teacher, Sheena Lakhani holds over 60 Holistic Therapy Diplomas. She is an International Parliamentary Honorary Diplomat Peace Ambassador and Global Head of Holistic Medicine NWA UN. She is honoured with various degrees including a Bachelor’s in Financial Economics & Sociology from the University of Toronto and a Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, and International Business from the University of North Carolina. She is the president CEO of a Canadian corporation focused in Investor Relations & Public Relations for publicly traded mining companies.

This multi talented woman does not stop at this. Her Bollywood Chihuahuas Pawparazzi is far-famed, with her two pint-sized pooches – Tara & Hafez – dazzling in Bollywood-Town (B-Town). The names resonate with Sheena’s core beliefs – Green Tara Buddhist mantra, and Hafez, named after her second cherished Sufi poet.

Sheena is set to produce a luxury travel show, featuring the beloved Bollywood Chihuahuas, combining entertainment with cultural exploration.

List of diplomas and qualifications viewable at www.sheenalakhani.com

An International Reiki Master & Teacher, Sheena Lakhani holds over 60 Holistic Therapy Diplomas. She is an International Parliamentary Honorary Diplomat Peace Ambassador and Global Head of Holistic Medicine NWA UN. She is honoured with various degree... Show more

2020-2024 Microsoft MVP for Business Applications

After gaining 5 years of experience in creative roles such as Web Director, Video Director, and Sign Designer, I transitioned to a career as a System Engineer. For 15 years, I was a key member of system renovation and business improvement projects in the financial industry. Later, I co-founded own company where I was involved in proposing business improvements and education for various industries. Believing that the development of an internal community is the key to business improvement, I established BizOptimars,Inc. in November 2023, a company that boosts in-house production based on an internal community. I'm currently providing various supports aimed at the development of Japanese companies, mainly in the manufacturing industry in the Kansai region.

In external communities, I'm active as “Rinatamu”, and while enlightening the Microsoft Power Platform, I have made many presentations with the main theme of making business improvement fun. As a result, in February 2020, I received the Microsoft MVP in the Business Applications department from Microsoft headquarters in US. I'm still actively presenting and disseminating information, and I'm active in a free style that is not limited to Microsoft products.

2020-2024 Microsoft MVP for Business Applications After gaining 5 years of experience in creative roles such as Web Director, Video Director, and Sign Designer, I transitioned to a career as a System Engineer. For 15 years, I was a key member of s... Show more

Amber Vanderburg is a multi-award winning businessperson, keynote speaker, author, and founder of the international learning development company, The Pathwayz Group, which has led 800,000+ learners in more than 75 countries in action-focused learning journeys. Amber's history in talent development includes authoring top-reviewed online learning courses for platforms such as LinkedIn Learning, Lecturio, and PluralSight, acting as Director of a national education leadership company, and coaching with professional sports team academies in Asia. In 2022, she published her first business adventure book "Uniquely Better" about building higher team performance.

Speaking engagements:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMNcx7Jwk9Sp6WxuvrfOOBqdP9440SKl0

Amber Vanderburg is a multi-award winning businessperson, keynote speaker, author, and founder of the international learning development company, The Pathwayz Group, which has led 800,000+ learners in more than 75 countries in action-focused learning... Show more

Suganth is a Futurist and Digital Product Designer with a love for elegant, functional, and enduring designs. With over 12 years of experience, He applies agile and lean UX methods to deliver user-centered products that solve real problems and resonate with the market. As Design Head and Lead Designer at Thoughtworks for India and Middle East region, Suganth mentors and fosters a talented design team while also contributing individually to the design of innovative products that seamlessly blend technological advancements, societal shifts, and human-centered design principles.

Suganth is a Futurist and Digital Product Designer with a love for elegant, functional, and enduring designs. With over 12 years of experience, He applies agile and lean UX methods to deliver user-centered products that solve real problems and resona... Show more

Dennis is a self employed Enterprise Cloud Architect and Microsoft Certified Trainer focusing on driving business value through the use of cloud services. He works as an independent contractor at a variety of clients under the company name CloudMatters supporting organizations to realize a sustainable state of governance, developing architecture and driving cloud adoption.

Dennis has a background in mission critical managed (cloud) infrastructures, cloud security, End User Computing (such as Remote Desktop Services, Citrix and Azure Virtual Desktop), Identity and Access Management, Microsoft cloud offerings for end-users like Microsoft 365 and cloud governance.

Dennis wants to inspire and guide organizations and people to change.

Dennis is a self employed Enterprise Cloud Architect and Microsoft Certified Trainer focusing on driving business value through the use of cloud services. He works as an independent contractor at a variety of clients under the company name CloudMatte... Show more

I have over 20 years of experience in providing strategic insights through data analysis and business intelligence, using tools like Microsoft 365 and Power BI.
I am passionate about sharing my knowledge and skills with others, especially educators and learners. I am pursuing a postgraduate degree in AI and ML from Texas McCombs School of Business, to enhance my understanding of the latest technologies and trends in data science. I serve as a European Training Foundation Ambassador, promoting innovative teaching methods and best practices in the education sector. Additionally, I founded ExcelWorld OÜ, a platform where I organize data-focused events, such as the My Data Summit 2022, and create Excel and Power BI templates, to help people improve their data presentation and analysis skills.

I have over 20 years of experience in providing strategic insights through data analysis and business intelligence, using tools like Microsoft 365 and Power BI. I am passionate about sharing my knowledge and skills with others, especially educators... Show more

How can businesses drive real innovation without the right tech strategy? Many organizations struggle to fully leverage technology, facing stalled digital transformation and outdated systems that hinder productivity. I bridge this gap by implementing tailored Microsoft solutions—Power Platform, Microsoft 365 Copilot, Dynamics 365, and Azure DevOps—that drive operational efficiency and empower teams. With a proven track record in successful project delivery, I’ve achieved measurable results, from reducing process time to boosting productivity, while fostering a culture of innovation. Passionate about mentoring and collaborative growth, I’m always eager to connect with leaders ready to take their tech strategy to the next level. I am a former Microsoft MVP, 16 years running, a Microsoft Certified Trainer, and the Chielf Technology Officer at Mekorma.

How can businesses drive real innovation without the right tech strategy? Many organizations struggle to fully leverage technology, facing stalled digital transformation and outdated systems that hinder productivity. I bridge this gap by implementing... Show more