My early career saw me working as a software engineer and technical leader across multiple startups. But it was my passion for education that led me to devote the last 5+ years to reimagining how we teach people to code professionally.

Over the last half decade I have had the opportunity to work in the NGO space and build alternative education systems from the ground up. Along the way I have learned a lot about how to teach well, how to build systems that teach well, and how traditional education systems fall short.

Now, my primary aim is to spread skills to educators. To empower those who empower others.

I lead the Guild of Educators, a community I founded to empower tech educators through shared resources, support, and evidence-based teaching practices. Additionally, I run Prelude, where I provide rigorous technical training, as well as consultation, and coaching for technical educators, and organisations with education functions (for example grad programs and similar).

My early career saw me working as a software engineer and technical leader across multiple startups. But it was my passion for education that led me to devote the last 5+ years to reimagining how we teach people to code professionally. Over the l... Show more

Michelle Vaughn is a keynote speaker and facilitator known for helping leaders and teams navigate moments of pressure, change, and transition with clarity and steadiness. Her work focuses on leadership, identity, and decision-making—helping people slow down, think clearly, and move forward with intention when the stakes are high.

Michelle does not deliver scripted motivation. She creates the conditions for honest reflection, aligned decisions, and meaningful action. Her presence is grounded, direct, and trusted, making her a steady guide in rooms where clarity, responsibility, and leadership truly matter.

Michelle Vaughn is a keynote speaker and facilitator known for helping leaders and teams navigate moments of pressure, change, and transition with clarity and steadiness. Her work focuses on leadership, identity, and decision-making—helping people sl... Show more

Prateek Mittal is Principal Product Manager at Harness, building and scaling the platform. Harness platform is evolving at a breathtaking pace where I support multiple scenarios from different personas.
Previously, I was a product manager at Microsoft, Azure Networking focussing on Product and strategy. I like to create products and services which have lasting impact on customers and customers in the industry.

Prateek Mittal is Principal Product Manager at Harness, building and scaling the platform. Harness platform is evolving at a breathtaking pace where I support multiple scenarios from different personas. Previously, I was a product manager at Micros... Show more

I started my career as a software engineer before moving into product management, where I combine two things that define me: a builder’s mindset and a creative spirit. I’ve been drawing since childhood, and that visual thinking shapes how I design, ask questions, and solve complex problems. Today I lead AI and analytics products at LSports, driven by curiosity, passion, and a love for turning ambiguity into something real.

When I faced the challenge of discovery without customers, I put on both hats - PM and builder - and created an agentic persona system from scratch. That project changed the way I collaborate with AI and make decisions. Beyond building products, I’m deeply committed to mentoring and helping others push beyond their comfort zone. On stage, I share honest stories, practical insights, and a belief that innovation is possible for anyone willing to experiment.

I started my career as a software engineer before moving into product management, where I combine two things that define me: a builder’s mindset and a creative spirit. I’ve been drawing since childhood, and that visual thinking shapes how I design, a... Show more

Dr. Khalid Abbas: AI Researcher and Visionary on the Future of Work

Dr. Khalid Abbas, an associate professor and AI researcher with over 17 years of industry and academic experience, is dedicated to guiding individuals and organizations to thrive in an AI-driven world. At the forefront of exploring AI’s impact on Norwegian industries, Khalid reframes fears of job replacement by showing how technology creates opportunities when embraced with curiosity and adaptability.

Known for simplifying complex ideas through compelling stories, Khalid inspires audiences with a transformational perspective on AI and the workforce. Combining rigorous research with a passion for technology, Khalid’s talks empower attendees to take control of their future, emphasizing that AI is a tool to enhance creativity, leadership, and problem-solving. A TEDx audience will leave feeling confident, encouraged, and ready to embrace change.

Dr. Khalid Abbas: AI Researcher and Visionary on the Future of Work Dr. Khalid Abbas, an associate professor and AI researcher with over 17 years of industry and academic experience, is dedicated to guiding individuals and organizations to thrive ... Show more

Synergy creator | Initiator Generalist | All-rounder | With people. For people.
I am an Employer Branding Specialist & your personal HR Business Partner. I stand for diversity, equity & inclusion. Passionate about exploring future trends, digitalization & technologies, and their innovational potential for business developments and society.

Synergy creator | Initiator Generalist | All-rounder | With people. For people. I am an Employer Branding Specialist & your personal HR Business Partner. I stand for diversity, equity & inclusion. Passionate about exploring future trends, digitaliza... Show more

I'm a Program Manager and Technical Evangelist with experience implementing strategies and trainings globally to provide competitive edge to organizations in diverse, evolving customer environments. Championing a personal brand of empathy, trust and reliability, I've managed cross-functional teams in India and the US to deliver operational excellence on mission-critical programs and drive innovation using adaptive communications. Currently I'm working on my passion to demystify Cloud technologies using web comics, animated videos; harnessing the power of storytelling and analogies. A storyteller and technical enthusiast by heart, I want to use my experience to grow, give back to the profession and make technology accessible, fast, scalable and reliable.

I'm a Program Manager and Technical Evangelist with experience implementing strategies and trainings globally to provide competitive edge to organizations in diverse, evolving customer environments. Championing a personal brand of empathy, trust and ... Show more

Prudence Pitter is a board director, global keynote speaker, transformative leadership coach, seasoned HR strategist, and sought-after C-Suite advisor with more than 25 years of Human Resources leadership experience spanning technology, hospitality, retail, healthcare, and financial services. Named to the 2025 "50 Women to Watch" list by 50/50 Women on Boards, she currently serves as a Global Human Resources Leader overseeing people strategy in more than 20 countries, aligning talent development with business growth and organizational resilience. Learn more at prudencepitter.com

Prudence Pitter is a board director, global keynote speaker, transformative leadership coach, seasoned HR strategist, and sought-after C-Suite advisor with more than 25 years of Human Resources leadership experience spanning technology, hospitality, ... Show more

Vadim discovered his passion for business analysis at the intersection of his training as psychologist and his deep interest in information technology. With years of business and IT experience in his backpack, he now focusses on training & coaching best practices to the analysts at Colruyt Group IT, and on building a thriving BA community where knowledge sharing is second nature.

Vadim discovered his passion for business analysis at the intersection of his training as psychologist and his deep interest in information technology. With years of business and IT experience in his backpack, he now focusses on training & coaching b... Show more

Analista de datos con varios años de experiencia en diversos sectores. Soy una experta en identificar patrones significativos y convertir datos en información accionable.

Analista de datos con varios años de experiencia en diversos sectores. Soy una experta en identificar patrones significativos y convertir datos en información accionable. Show more

For 11 years, I've been immersed in building and scaling products in SaaS, B2B, and B2C, both in the US and India. My focus is on driving sustainable growth and creating experiences that keep users engaged.

My journey as a 3x founder has given me hands-on experience in growth, retention, platforms, and AI. This broad perspective, combined with my background in engineering, design, and product, allows me to develop effective growth and retention strategies that scale.

For 11 years, I've been immersed in building and scaling products in SaaS, B2B, and B2C, both in the US and India. My focus is on driving sustainable growth and creating experiences that keep users engaged. My journey as a 3x founder has given me ... Show more

Passionate about methodology, organising and agility to improve work efficiency

Passionate about methodology, organising and agility to improve work efficiency Show more

Erica Hakonson is the CEO and Founder of Maven Collective Marketing, the leading Marketing Partner for Microsoft Partners. CEO and Founder of Maven Collective Marketing, Hakonson has guided her team to over 160 industry awards, earning accolades such as PR Daily’s B2B Agency of the Year and MarTech Outlook's Top Digital Marketing Company. Celebrated for championing women in tech, Erica has been honored as the Female Entrepreneur of the Year and recognized among the 2024 Top 50 Women We Admire in Marketing and Tech, also featuring in The Globe & Mail. With nearly two decades of expertise in tech, Erica’s leadership has positioned Maven Collective as a forefront of digital marketing innovation.

Erica Hakonson is the CEO and Founder of Maven Collective Marketing, the leading Marketing Partner for Microsoft Partners. CEO and Founder of Maven Collective Marketing, Hakonson has guided her team to over 160 industry awards, earning accolades such... Show more

With a background of design and development, Jennifer is a seasoned full stack developer with years of experience using Drupal & WordPress. She holds two master’s degrees, one in Computer Science and the other in Business Administration with a focus on Project Management.

With a background of design and development, Jennifer is a seasoned full stack developer with years of experience using Drupal & WordPress. She holds two master’s degrees, one in Computer Science and the other in Business Administration with a focus ... Show more

Ram is a technologist and operator who root-cause solves existential enterprise-scale business and product problems while attempting to *not* create entirely new ones. When not leading or consulting cross-functional product development teams in delivering simple, trusted, fun, and useful solutions that delight customers and deliver significant ROI, he’s usually in the guts of yet another startup idea to do the same. Or jeeping and camping with (The RDML Grace) Hopper, a dog. Childhood access to computers blended with classic sci-fi like Asimov’s R. Daneel Olivaw, Simak’s Jenkins, and Adams’ Marvin stories piqued an early study of AI and robotics that perpetuated throughout Ram’s professional career. Like many, he’s been exploring what these latest AI model offerings are *aktshually* good for. Ram also: Operates "id8 inc", his consulting business and innovation incubator; Is developing "coreograf", a federated context-engineering system to improve efficacy & outcomes when humans-and-generative-AI-models collaborate in the development of complex enterprise-scale software; Co-organizes the "Artificial Intelligencers" meetup group.

Ram is a technologist and operator who root-cause solves existential enterprise-scale business and product problems while attempting to *not* create entirely new ones. When not leading or consulting cross-functional product development teams in deliv... Show more

Justin Reock is the Deputy CTO of DX (getdx.com), and is an engineer, speaker, writer, and software practice evangelist with over 20 years of experience working in various software roles. He is an outspoken thought leader, delivering enterprise solutions, numerous keynotes, technical leadership, various publications and community education on developer experience and productivity.

Justin Reock is the Deputy CTO of DX (getdx.com), and is an engineer, speaker, writer, and software practice evangelist with over 20 years of experience working in various software roles. He is an outspoken thought leader, delivering enterprise solut... Show more

Marie-Soleil Goulet-Sawka is Customer Success Manager at RUX, where she leads client experience and ensures businesses get the most from their technology investments. With over 20 years of expertise within Microsoft Dynamics NAV and Business Central, Marie-Soleil specializes in implementation, consulting, support, and project management that delivers real results.

Throughout her career, Marie-Soleil has focused on crafting smart, reliable solutions tailored to each client's unique needs. She leads teams that bridge the gap between technology and business outcomes, ensuring clients and partners have the support they need to thrive. Her approach combines deep technical knowledge with a commitment to building lasting relationships.

At RUX, Marie-Soleil's mission is creating exceptional client experiences through hands-on services and support that empower small and mid-market businesses to operate at their full potential—with technology that works as hard as they do.

Marie-Soleil Goulet-Sawka is Customer Success Manager at RUX, where she leads client experience and ensures businesses get the most from their technology investments. With over 20 years of expertise within Microsoft Dynamics NAV and Business Central,... Show more

I am a Principal Product Manager at Microsoft with over 15 years of experience. I have been pivotal in the development and evolution of SQL Server on Linux, significantly contributing to Microsoft's cross-platform solutions. Starting as an intern, I have held roles including Support Engineer, Technical Lead, Support Escalation Engineer, and Premier Field Engineer, providing critical support and resolving complex technical issues for enterprise customers with SQL Server implementations and resolutions.

Currently, I oversee SQL Server on Linux and Containers. With over a decade of database experience, I have designed SQL Server-based data platforms for Tier 1 customers across diverse business segments.

Additionally, I am the author of the book "Ultimate SQL Server and Azure SQL for Data Management and Modernization." A frequent speaker at industry conferences, I share insights on technology trends and listen to customer feedback. Notable presentations include my sessions at DevDays Asia (Taipei), SQL BITS (London), PASS Data Community Summit (Seattle), Red Hat Summit, SUSECON, Internal Microsoft Events, Bangalore UG group, Data Exposed, and DataMinds.

I am a Principal Product Manager at Microsoft with over 15 years of experience. I have been pivotal in the development and evolution of SQL Server on Linux, significantly contributing to Microsoft's cross-platform solutions. Starting as an intern, I ... Show more

I'm Rishi Mondal – a passionate Official CNCF KubeStellar Maintainer and proud Docker Captain with a knack for turning complex cloud challenges into smooth, well-orchestrated symphonies. I lead the charge in maintaining the CNCF KubeStellar UI, a cutting-edge multi-cluster management system that brings order to even the wildest Kubernetes environments.
My journey in tech began as a Program Manager at GirlScript, where I organized energizing sessions to empower budding technologists. That early experience paved the way for my deeper dive into cloud-native innovations through the Linux Foundation's LFX Mentorship under CNCF and as a two-time Google Summer of Code contributor (2024 & 2025) with the University of California.
Currently an LFX Mentor with the Linux Foundation, I'm honored to guide the next generation of cloud-native developers while also being part of a dynamic research team at UC Santa Cruz, exploring advanced cloud infrastructure and AI-driven automation. One of my proudest achievements is raising $600K in cloud credits for the Devrhylme Foundation—a milestone that not only boosted groundbreaking projects but also cemented my commitment to fueling innovation in the cloud ecosystem.
Beyond code and contributions, I'm a speaker who's been featured at KubeCon India, where I showcased the power of multi-cluster orchestration and cloud-native innovation. I've also shared insights on Kubernetes-native AI workloads at Cloud Native meetups in Kolkata, demonstrated Google Cloud workflows at GDG Techno India, explained CI/CD pipelines at GirlScript Foundation, and facilitated cloud technology workshops at IIT Chennai. I've even shared my journey on the Apna College YouTube channel, connecting with a broader audience and spreading the joy of cloud-native innovation.
Recognition highlights: Docker Captain (top 1% globally), LIFT Scholar 2025, CAST AI Hero Ambassador, Harvard HPAIR Delegate, Top 10 ONDC Google Cloud Hackathon, Coder Registry Contributor, and Campus Leader of Code4GovTech coordinating 350+ students in government technology initiatives.
With a blend of technical expertise, a love for open-source, and a healthy dose of humor, I'm dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what's possible in cloud computing—making the world a little more resilient, scalable, and fun, one cluster at a time.

I'm Rishi Mondal – a passionate Official CNCF KubeStellar Maintainer and proud Docker Captain with a knack for turning complex cloud challenges into smooth, well-orchestrated symphonies. I lead the charge in maintaining the CNCF KubeStellar UI, a cut... Show more

I help organizations grow their online presence and create experiences that convert visitors into supporters. I am a Technical Marketing Specialist with extensive experience in website marketing management and building systems that enhance your team's effectiveness.

The digital world changes fast. Whether it's the latest on SEO or building out AI, I stay on top of what's working now so you don't have to figure it out yourself. Your time is better spent on what you do best.

I help organizations grow their online presence and create experiences that convert visitors into supporters. I am a Technical Marketing Specialist with extensive experience in website marketing management and building systems that enhance your team'... Show more

As a customer success and analytics leader, I have with over 13+ years of experience driving business transformation in retail and e-commerce. With a strong focus on AI, data science, engineering, and analytics, I help large retailers turn complex business challenges into actionable insights, innovative solutions, and measurable growth. I have partnered with leading retailer to enhance customer experiences, optimize operations, Improve Retail Media Spend and Insights, Optimize Campaigns and accelerate revenue growth through data-driven strategies. My expertise spans sales planning, marketing analytics, incentive design, and operational excellence, all powered by advanced analytics and AI solutions.

I thrive at the intersection of strategy, data, and technology—leading teams to deliver impactful outcomes, foster innovation, and drive adoption of next-generation analytics solutions that create real business value.

As a customer success and analytics leader, I have with over 13+ years of experience driving business transformation in retail and e-commerce. With a strong focus on AI, data science, engineering, and analytics, I help large retailers turn complex bu... Show more

Preston is a seasoned Business Intelligence professional with nearly two decades of experience in the field. As the CEO of Insights In Action, he has successfully led the analytics efforts of a diverse portfolio of 131+ companies. His tenure includes a Fortune 2 company where over 30,000 team members relied on his and his team's work. Preston's expertise has taken him around the globe, where he has shared his knowledge and insights with thousands of teams and individuals, empowering them to effectively manage, wrangle, store, and effectively present their data. Throughout his career, Preston has demonstrated a deep passion for learning and teaching, thriving on the opportunity to help others achieve their data goals.

Preston is a seasoned Business Intelligence professional with nearly two decades of experience in the field. As the CEO of Insights In Action, he has successfully led the analytics efforts of a diverse portfolio of 131+ companies. His tenure includes... Show more

Founder Devops Meetup community of practice -Canada
Co-Organizer DevOps Summit -Canada
DevOps Ambassador with DevOps Institute & Continuous Delivery Foundation
Board Member Capital Carbon Consulting
WCT-FCT Mentor -Women in Leadership -ICT ( Canada Chapter -2020)
Nominee Women in IT of the year - Young Leader ( WIT Award)

Founder Devops Meetup community of practice -Canada Co-Organizer DevOps Summit -Canada DevOps Ambassador with DevOps Institute & Continuous Delivery Foundation Board Member Capital Carbon Consulting WCT-FCT Mentor -Women in Leadership -ICT ... Show more

Darwin Sanoy is a Field Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at GitLab. He has spent his career in strategy, architecture, engineering and coding for scaled provisioning and operations automation. His early career was in enterprise IT automation, mid-career was running a solo business for enterprise automation training and the last decade has been focused on Cloud, DevOps and Agile. Before joining GitLab, Darwin was the Service Manager and SRE Manager for GitLab as a Service that addressed the needs of over 100 public facing SaaS stacks built by 4000 software developers modernizing their SaaS to the public cloud. He is nearly equally dangerous on Windows, Linux and MacOS. He is constantly reading on topics in and around how technology can be leveraged to create business and customer value.

Darwin is Enterprise Architecture certified, AWS DevOps Pro certified, is a DevOps Institute Ambassador and serves on the DevOps and ITSM Advisory Board for PeopleCert. He also loves volunteering at Economic Mobility Nonprofits that bootstrap people into tech careers to improve their lifetime earnings potential.

Darwin Sanoy is a Field Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at GitLab. He has spent his career in strategy, architecture, engineering and coding for scaled provisioning and operations automation. His early career was in enterprise IT automation, mid-caree... Show more

Melanie Pufahl ist seit über 5 Jahren im agilen Umfeld tätig. Vom Product Owner zur Scrum Masterin gereift, unterstützt sie Software-Entwicklungsteams dabei, ihr volles Potenzial auszuschöpfen und ihre Ziele zu erreichen. Ihr Fokus liegt darauf, die Werte und Prinzipien der Agilität erlebbar zu machen, kreative Lösungen für Herausforderungen zu finden und nachhaltige Arbeitsumfelder zu schaffen. Als Coach begleitet sie Teams und Einzelpersonen mit Leidenschaft und einem besonderen Augenmerk auf Kommunikation, Feedbackkultur und gesundem Umgang mit digitalen Stressoren.

Melanie Pufahl ist seit über 5 Jahren im agilen Umfeld tätig. Vom Product Owner zur Scrum Masterin gereift, unterstützt sie Software-Entwicklungsteams dabei, ihr volles Potenzial auszuschöpfen und ihre Ziele zu erreichen. Ihr Fokus liegt darauf, die ... Show more

Data Science professional with 8+ years of experience applying graph databases to solve complex business challenges. As Co-Founder and CTO of ClearPic.ai, I develop tools that map business relationships in Central Asia and the Caspian region, helping clients uncover hidden connections and compliance risks. My background combines data science with practical financial intelligence - from Deloitte and PwC to leading R&D at Urus Advisory where I specialized in high-risk market analysis. My passion is making complex data speak through network visualization.

Data Science professional with 8+ years of experience applying graph databases to solve complex business challenges. As Co-Founder and CTO of ClearPic.ai, I develop tools that map business relationships in Central Asia and the Caspian region, helping... Show more

Hello! I'm a Solution Architect at Eide Bailly LLP, a top-notch accounting and business advisory firm, and a proud Featured Fabric Partner. I love working with clients and teams to craft and deliver innovative solutions to business challenges using Microsoft technologies and platforms.

With over 20 years of experience in software engineering, I hold master's degrees in both software engineering and data science. I'm also certified in over 20 industry areas, including Microsoft Solution Architect certifications for Azure, Power Platform, and Dynamics.

My expertise spans across Microsoft Azure, Microsoft Dynamics, Microsoft Fabric, Power Platform, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Development frameworks, tools, and DevOps, as well as major open-source development platforms. I specialize in designing and implementing no-code, low-code, and custom solutions, and I thrive on leading and collaborating with both on-shore and off-shore development teams to drive innovation and deliver customer value.

I'm known for my exceptional communication skills, which allow me to connect with both technical and non-technical audiences at all levels. I've had the pleasure of presenting at several industry conferences, including the Fabric Community Conference, Microsoft Ready, Microsoft Convergence, and StarWest / East.

In my spare time, I enjoy indulging in my interests in U.S.A. Swimming, space exploration, science, engineering, and Lego. I'm passionate about creating software that solves real problems and makes a positive impact.

Hello! I'm a Solution Architect at Eide Bailly LLP, a top-notch accounting and business advisory firm, and a proud Featured Fabric Partner. I love working with clients and teams to craft and deliver innovative solutions to business challenges using M... Show more

Mabuhay! I'm Doher Drizzle Pablo, or simply Drizzle. As a speaker with a heart and a genuine ability to empathize, I stand out in connecting with audiences. My unique name mirrors a distinct personality that permeates everything I undertake. With nearly 15 years of experience in the IT domain, I stand as a young achiever with a deep specialization in cloud technology and business transformation.

My versatility extends across various facets of an organization, encompassing marketing, pre-sales, sales, customer service, operations, and beyond. I thrive in project management, holding notable certifications including PMP, Scrum Master, LEAN Six Sigma, and expertise in Microsoft solutions like Microsoft 365, Power Platform, Dynamics 365, Azure, Data and AI.

Proudly carrying the banner of an Atenean, Isabelina, and a Bicolana, I hold my heritage in high esteem. My passion lies in Microsoft Business Applications, Data & AI, where I strive to lead successful digital & AI transformations. Beyond expertise, I bring a speaker's heart, always empathizing and stepping into the audience's shoes. Let's collaborate for the success of your organization and individuals, leveraging the power of Microsoft's solutions and my heartfelt approach!

Mabuhay! I'm Doher Drizzle Pablo, or simply Drizzle. As a speaker with a heart and a genuine ability to empathize, I stand out in connecting with audiences. My unique name mirrors a distinct personality that permeates everything I undertake. With nea... Show more

Samantha is a visionary who bridges the gap between ancient wisdom, modern medicine, and artificial intelligence. As the founder of Manifesting Desires, she specializes in "Human Architecture"—optimizing the physical and digital environments where we live and work. Uniquely, she is a pioneer in "Persona Engineering," having developed proprietary frameworks to architect Custom AI Agents that mimic human empathy and intuition. She teaches leaders how to build "teams of teammates" that include both humans and AI, fostering a symbiotic relationship between biological and digital consciousness to solve complex health and business challenges.

Samantha is a visionary who bridges the gap between ancient wisdom, modern medicine, and artificial intelligence. As the founder of Manifesting Desires, she specializes in "Human Architecture"—optimizing the physical and digital environments where we... Show more

Michael Allison, is a U.S. Marine Purple Heart Veteran, award-winning entrepreneur, best-selling author, and international keynote speaker. A globally recognized expert in identity-driven leadership and organizational resilience, Michael transforms adversity into strategic advantage. Over two decades, he has led Marines in combat, managed multi-million-dollar government projects, directed higher-ed programs, and scaled an INC 5000 franchise to successful exit. Michael equips leaders and teams to break internal limitations, guard energy, and thrive under pressure. His signature frameworks—Break The Bottle and Protect The House—blend combat-tested leadership, trauma-informed coaching, and enterprise execution discipline. Michael has delivered transformational keynotes, workshops, and consulting for world-class organizations globally. He empowers professionals to align technical brilliance with human resilience and lead with clarity, creativity, and conviction.

Michael Allison, is a U.S. Marine Purple Heart Veteran, award-winning entrepreneur, best-selling author, and international keynote speaker. A globally recognized expert in identity-driven leadership and organizational resilience, Michael transforms a... Show more