Consumer Goods & Services

Professionals focused on products and services for personal use, working in sectors like retail, customer care, and product development

Dr. Liz L. Lance

Dr. Liz L. Lance

Liz is an experienced leader with a passion for combining strategy and execution to drive change. With a Doctorate in Organizational Change and Leadership from USC and an MBA from the University of Portland, her education backs up her 15 years of leading teams in education, consulting, and tech. Liz is not just about ideas; she’s also about making things happen. Her numerous project management certifications highlight her commitment to excellence and continuous learning. Whether it's guiding teams or spearheading projects, Liz thrives on turning challenges into successes.

Liz is an experienced leader with a passion for combining strategy and execution to drive change. With a Doctorate in Organizational Change and Leadership from USC and an MBA from the University of Portland, her education backs up her 15 years of lea... Show more

André Costa

André Costa

André é criador e líder da comunidade de práticas Agile Flow Curitiba e coautor do livro "O que nenhum Scrum Master te contou", disponível na Amazon. André possui bastante experiência em facilitação de times, tanto em TI, quanto na área de negócios, sendo Lean Inception Facilitator desde 2020. Atualmente exerce o papel de RTE na ExxonMobil, mas trabalhou por mais de 7 anos como Enterprise Agile Coach, dentro de empresas de médio e grande porte nacionais e globais.

Quando não está trabalhando, André curte passar tempo cozinhando e assistindo streaming de filmes e séries.

André é criador e líder da comunidade de práticas Agile Flow Curitiba e coautor do livro "O que nenhum Scrum Master te contou", disponível na Amazon. André possui bastante experiência em facilitação de times, tanto em TI, quanto na área de negócios, ... Show more

Emerson Taymor

Emerson Taymor

Emerson Taymor is an explorer who is currently the SVP of Design at InfoBeans. He co-founded the digital product studio, Philosophie, where he worked with enterprise executives and startup founders to launch over 300 digital products before it was acquired by InfoBeans in 2019. Emerson helps companies cut through the hype to deliver business results with AI.

https://linkedin.com/in/etaymor

Emerson Taymor is an explorer who is currently the SVP of Design at InfoBeans. He co-founded the digital product studio, Philosophie, where he worked with enterprise executives and startup founders to launch over 300 digital products before it was ac... Show more

Shawn Kyzer

Shawn Kyzer

Shawn is passionate about harnessing the power of data strategy, engineering, and analytics in order to help businesses uncover new opportunities. As an innovative technologist with over 15 years of experience, Shawn removes technology as a barrier and broadens the art of the possible for business and product leaders. His holistic view of technology and emphasis on developing and motivating strong engineering talent, with a focus on delivering outcomes whilst minimising outputs, is one of the characteristics which sets him apart from the crowd.

Shawn’s deep technical knowledge includes distributed computing, cloud architecture, data science, machine learning, and engineering analytics platforms. He has years of experience working as a consultant practitioner for a variety of prestigious clients ranging from secret clearance level government organizations to Fortune 500 companies.

Shawn is passionate about harnessing the power of data strategy, engineering, and analytics in order to help businesses uncover new opportunities. As an innovative technologist with over 15 years of experience, Shawn removes technology as a barrier a... Show more

Rajul Shah

Rajul Shah

As a seasoned AI Product & Startup Strategist with over 20 years in IT and a decade in product management, Rajul Shah is on a mission to help founders, entrepreneurs, and product managers build better products—faster. Leading ProductElements.co, Rajul has empowered over 500 startup founders and product managers to elevate their vision from idea to growth. Through practical tools for Product Validation, Go-to-Market strategies, Pricing Models, and Growth Optimization, ProductElements.co equips innovators with the tools to succeed.

Working with founders and product managers, Rajul is constantly exploring where the world is heading. She delves into how creative minds are envisioning a more sustainable future and encounters numerous stealth startups poised to disrupt economies and reshape various aspects of human life.

As a seasoned AI Product & Startup Strategist with over 20 years in IT and a decade in product management, Rajul Shah is on a mission to help founders, entrepreneurs, and product managers build better products—faster. Leading ProductElements.co, Raju... Show more

Josh Garverick

Josh Garverick

Author of the book "Migrating to Azure", contributing author to "The Developer's Guide to Azure (2021)", "Implementing Event-Driven Microservices Architecture in .NET 7 (2023)", "Azure Integration Guide for Business (2023)", and author of several online courses, Microsoft MVP Josh Garverick is a seasoned IT professional with more than 15 years’ enterprise experience working in several large industry verticals (finance, healthcare, transportation, logistics, retail/consumer products, oil & gas, insurance). He specializes in Digital Transformation as well as Application Lifecycle Management and is currently involved in enterprise cloud adoption projects. When not geeking out over technology and architecture frameworks, he enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter.

Author of the book "Migrating to Azure", contributing author to "The Developer's Guide to Azure (2021)", "Implementing Event-Driven Microservices Architecture in .NET 7 (2023)", "Azure Integration Guide for Business (2023)", and author of several onl... Show more

Shawntel Waajid

Shawntel Waajid

Looking for the ultimate natural hair care experience? Look no further than Shawntel Waajid and Nappy Hutt LLC! With over 45 years of experience in braiding and natural hair care, our owner and lead instructor is a master cosmetologist, natural hair care stylist, and master loctitian. Plus, we offer the best in hair care products with our own Fertilizer and Kings Solutions lines. Join us for a hands-on seminar and discover the beauty of natural hair care!

Looking for the ultimate natural hair care experience? Look no further than Shawntel Waajid and Nappy Hutt LLC! With over 45 years of experience in braiding and natural hair care, our owner and lead instructor is a master cosmetologist, natural hair ... Show more

Neelam Koshiya

Neelam Koshiya

Neelam Koshiya is principal solutions architect (GenAI specialist) at AWS. With a background in software engineering, she moved organically into an architecture role. Her current focus is to help enterprise customers with their ML/ genAI journeys for strategic business outcomes. Her area of depth is machine learning. She likes to build content/mechanisms to scale to larger audience. She is passionate about innovation and inclusion. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and being outdoors.

Neelam Koshiya is principal solutions architect (GenAI specialist) at AWS. With a background in software engineering, she moved organically into an architecture role. Her current focus is to help enterprise customers with their ML/ genAI journeys for... Show more

Chad Richards

Chad Richards

I’ve been helping brands succeed on social media since the MySpace days.

After 14+ years at a social media agency, rising from intern to VP, I founded Sidework Social to focus on the brands I enjoy working with most: restaurants, hotels, destinations, and attractions.

I’ve guided strategy and day-to-day execution for some of the best in the business, including InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Aimbridge Hospitality, and many others across hospitality and tourism.

Along the way, my work has earned industry accolades, including a Shorty Award nomination (Best in Restaurants) and an Indiana Tourism Award (Best Digital Marketing Campaign).

I’ve been helping brands succeed on social media since the MySpace days. After 14+ years at a social media agency, rising from intern to VP, I founded Sidework Social to focus on the brands I enjoy working with most: restaurants, hotels, destinati... Show more

Katie Clark

Katie Clark

Katie is a software developer and Scrum trainer at Reply Comsysto. Over the past 5 years, she has been involved in complex projects spanning various domains, from semiconductor manufacturing to food supply chains.
Developing quality software products requires a team effort. Therefore, her focus is on fostering a collaborative team culture, promoting an agile mindset, and evolving suitable processes within the organization continuously.

Katie is a software developer and Scrum trainer at Reply Comsysto. Over the past 5 years, she has been involved in complex projects spanning various domains, from semiconductor manufacturing to food supply chains. Developing quality software produc... Show more

Jose Gabriel Vega Hernandez

Jose Gabriel Vega Hernandez

Ingeniero Industrial, Apasionado de los datos con + 5 años de experiencia en empresas logística y retail

Ingeniero Industrial, Apasionado de los datos con + 5 años de experiencia en empresas logística y retail Show more

Sanjay Basu

Sanjay Basu

Sanjay Basu is a Senior Director and Global Head within the Digital Software & Solutions business unit at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), USA. A senior technology and product leader with 30+ years of experience, he specializes in Data, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Generative AI, Digital Commerce, and Customer Intelligence platforms. He is widely recognized as a trusted technology advisor to CXOs of Fortune 500 enterprises, driving large-scale digital transformation, growth, and innovation programs across retail, consumer brands, travel, hospitality, and technology sectors.
In his current role, Sanjay leads flagship, award-winning enterprise products including Customer Intelligence & Insights™ (CI&I) and MasterCraft Connected Intelligence™, with responsibility for product strategy, US market growth, monetization, partnerships, and enterprise-scale deployments. His leadership has been instrumental in positioning CI&I as a Leader in the IDC MarketScape Worldwide Retail Customer Data Platform Software reports, while delivering consistent double-digit growth and building a portfolio exceeding USD 75M in revenue. He brings deep, hands-on expertise in AI, Agentic AI, Large Language Models (LLMs), machine learning, and data platforms, translating advanced technology into measurable business outcomes for global clients such as Walgreens, Macy’s, Cisco, Grocery Outlet, and PGA Golf Superstore.
Previously, Sanjay held multiple senior leadership and founding product roles at TCS, including Director of Product-Led Growth for Jile™, TCS’s enterprise Agile SaaS platform, and founding product and technology leadership roles in digital commerce, personalization, and marketplace platforms. He has successfully built and scaled global practices, launched cloud-native products across geographies, advised high-growth startups, and established strategic technology ecosystems with leading platform providers. With extensive global experience across the United States, Europe, and Asia, Sanjay combines strategic vision, product innovation, and execution excellence to deliver transformational impact at enterprise scale.

Sanjay Basu is a Senior Director and Global Head within the Digital Software & Solutions business unit at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), USA. A senior technology and product leader with 30+ years of experience, he specializes in Data, Artificial In... Show more

Jonathan Pasternak

Jonathan Pasternak

Jonathan Pasternak is a seasoned bankruptcy and restructuring attorney who has built one of the largest debtor bankruptcy practices in the nation by volume. With more than three decades of experience, he has guided clients through complex financial transactions in both legal and advisory roles. Throughout his career, he has developed strong working relationships with companies, lenders, investors, fiduciaries, and other professionals. He has focused his work on helping clients stabilize operations, restructure debt, and move forward during periods of financial distress.

For 36 years, Jonathan has represented parties across a wide range of industries. His primary focus has been the reorganization and restructuring of private and public companies. Over the course of his career, he has advised hundreds of individual and corporate clients on debtor and creditor representation, workouts, recapitalizations, asset sales, and complex Chapter 11 proceedings.

In addition to insolvency matters, Pasternak has handled commercial real estate and finance transactions tied to distressed assets. His work has included resolving property-related debt issues, restructuring business asset portfolios, and guiding transaction-driven reorganizations. In each case, he has applied careful financial analysis and practical legal strategy. He remains focused on achieving business objectives, whether through negotiated solutions or court-supervised proceedings.

For more than 20 years, Jonathan managed his own boutique bankruptcy law firm. Under his leadership, the firm became one of the leading Chapter 11 debtor practices in the country by case volume. He oversaw daily operations while maintaining an active caseload, working directly with clients and coordinating with courts and other stakeholders.

His work has earned recognition from peers and professional organizations. In 2017, Jonathan was named YJP Professional of the Year for his contributions to restructuring and insolvency efforts. He was also consistently ranked among the top 20 bankruptcy lawyers in the nation by volume and was recognized as a Super Lawyer for more than 15 consecutive years. He has lectured at insolvency conferences and has been interviewed on radio and television regarding large-scale bankruptcies.

Education has played an important role in his life. Pasternak graduated cum laude from The Pingry School in 1981 and later from Brown University in 1985, where he studied American History and Literature. He has served as a class representative and remains active in alumni initiatives. His family also maintains close ties to Brown University.

Jonathan has supported charitable and community initiatives, including food and clothing drives and educational organizations. For 11 years, he served on the Board of Trustees of Temple Sinai of Bergen County, where he helped oversee governance and fiduciary matters. He has also provided pro bono legal services to individuals, small businesses, and nonprofit organizations.

Outside of his legal career, Pasternak is an accomplished musician and performer. Music remains an active interest, and he is known for his dedication to preparation and technical skill. He is also a field recorder and archivist of live music. In his local community, he has coached youth sports and participated in community events.

Throughout his career, Jonathan Pasternak has focused on helping clients navigate financially distressed situations with steady judgment and practical solutions. His work in bankruptcy, commercial real estate, and corporate restructuring reflects a long-standing commitment to professional responsibility and service, hallmarks that continue to define him.

Jonathan Pasternak is a seasoned bankruptcy and restructuring attorney who has built one of the largest debtor bankruptcy practices in the nation by volume. With more than three decades of experience, he has guided clients through complex financial t... Show more

Stéphane Clavier

Stéphane Clavier

J'ai toujours cultivé une certaine polyvalence dont les différentes facettes s'enrichissent mutuellement.
Coach professionnel et agiliste, j'écoute et je questionne individus et organisations pour les aider à clarifier leurs problématiques et à construire leurs propres solutions.

J'ai toujours cultivé une certaine polyvalence dont les différentes facettes s'enrichissent mutuellement. Coach professionnel et agiliste, j'écoute et je questionne individus et organisations pour les aider à clarifier leurs problématiques et à cons... Show more

Jack Miler

Jack Miler

I’m Jack Miler, Marketing Manager at Britlit Publishers, where I collaborate with authors from across the globe. I help guide writers through each stage of the publishing journey, from editorial coordination to marketing and branding support, ensuring every project meets professional publishing standards. I value ethical publishing, open communication, and long-term author growth.

I’m Jack Miler, Marketing Manager at Britlit Publishers, where I collaborate with authors from across the globe. I help guide writers through each stage of the publishing journey, from editorial coordination to marketing and branding support, ensurin... Show more

Nandini Suthar

Nandini Suthar

With 15 years of expertise in the design and research domain, Nandini is currently a Lead UX Designer at Salesforce, where she shapes cutting-edge user experiences for the Energy and Utilities Cloud. Her career spans both design studios and global enterprises, where she has driven products from ideation to execution, seamlessly aligning business objectives with user needs.

During the lockdown, Nandini co-founded Crafty Delights, a creative venture dedicated to fostering connection among parents and children through engaging activities and thoughtful content.

Passionate about promoting team well-being, facilitating cross-functional collaboration, and mentoring future talent, Nandini is committed to delivering meaningful impact in every project she undertakes. Outside of work, she’s an avid trekker and explorer, always drawing inspiration from the world around her.

With 15 years of expertise in the design and research domain, Nandini is currently a Lead UX Designer at Salesforce, where she shapes cutting-edge user experiences for the Energy and Utilities Cloud. Her career spans both design studios and global en... Show more

Ahniyah Perry

Ahniyah Perry

Born and raised in Texas, Ahniyah Perry is a community advocate renowned for her innovative ventures and steadfast commitment to social impact. Embarking on her college academic journey at the age of 15, Ahniyah demonstrated exceptional potential as a leader.

In 2017, she launched an online retail company, achieving remarkable success with a threefold increase in profits. Her entrepreneurial zeal led her to establish numerous startups, further solidifying her reputation for creative business ventures. Ahniyah's philanthropic spirit shone through with the founding of Santa's Helpers, a seasonal initiative offering free, gift-wrapping services to local community members. She currently works as an Aide for the District 6 office of Councilwoman Melissa Cabello Havrda, while also pursuing a dual master's degree in Organizational Leader and Business Administration. Her outstanding achievements earned her statewide recognition, highlighting her exceptional entrepreneurial and servant leadership qualities.

Born and raised in Texas, Ahniyah Perry is a community advocate renowned for her innovative ventures and steadfast commitment to social impact. Embarking on her college academic journey at the age of 15, Ahniyah demonstrated exceptional potential as ... Show more

Kari Langkamp

Kari Langkamp

Kari Langkamp is a Master Certified Coach who helps people stop waiting and start living as their Future Selves now. Her work is grounded, practical, and deeply human, supporting clients who feel a quiet pull toward their next chapter and want to move forward in a way that actually feels like them.

Kari Langkamp is a Master Certified Coach who helps people stop waiting and start living as their Future Selves now. Her work is grounded, practical, and deeply human, supporting clients who feel a quiet pull toward their next chapter and want to mov... Show more

Anna Daugherty

Anna Daugherty

Anna Daugherty is the Senior Product Marketing Manager at Arnica where she spends her days trying to unlock the power of developer experience for application security. She has been a product marketer for more than 6 years, and in technology marketing for 11+ years. She enjoys video games, tabletop roleplaying, horror movies, and Carly Rae Jepsen.

Anna Daugherty is the Senior Product Marketing Manager at Arnica where she spends her days trying to unlock the power of developer experience for application security. She has been a product marketer for more than 6 years, and in technology marketing... Show more

Sarah Choudhary

Sarah Choudhary

Sarah Choudhary is a seasoned AI expert, entrepreneur, and thought leader with over 20 years of experience in the fields of data science, AI, and machine learning. As the CEO of ICE Innovations, Sarah has been instrumental in driving AI solutions that emphasize ethical design and responsible implementation.

Her work spans industries, including logistics, ride-hailing, and food management, with groundbreaking projects like the ICE ride-hailing app and iChef, which leverage AI for decision-making and operational efficiency. Sarah is also deeply involved in advocating for ethical AI practices, contributing to frameworks that align with the U.S. Executive Order 14110 on AI safety and trustworthiness.

A distinguished speaker, Sarah has presented at international conferences, including IQT Quantum + AI, and is passionate about making AI accessible and impactful for businesses and society alike.

Sarah Choudhary is a seasoned AI expert, entrepreneur, and thought leader with over 20 years of experience in the fields of data science, AI, and machine learning. As the CEO of ICE Innovations, Sarah has been instrumental in driving AI solutions tha... Show more

Toheeb Olanrewaju Olagoke

Toheeb Olanrewaju Olagoke

Toheeb Olanrewaju Olagoke is a software developer, AI enthusiast, and founder of Coding with Olacode. With a background in Computer Science, he focuses on building practical AI tools to help people solve real-world problems. His current project, an AI co-pilot for job applications, demonstrates how technology can simplify workflows, save time, and enhance professional opportunities. He is passionate about sharing knowledge, empowering others, and promoting innovation in tech.

Toheeb Olanrewaju Olagoke is a software developer, AI enthusiast, and founder of Coding with Olacode. With a background in Computer Science, he focuses on building practical AI tools to help people solve real-world problems. His current project, an A... Show more

Vitor Reis

Vitor Reis

Vitor works at Delivery Hero as Sr. Director of Engineering, leading an organization of 80 FTEs and 10 teams in the Driver App and Order Processing domains for the Logistics department. He previously worked in Enterprise Resource Planning, Finance, and Education companies of all sizes. Outside of work, he learns about wine, geography and history, stays active with tennis and calisthenics, and is on a journey to learn to become an epic dad for his two boys (ages 3 and 1).

Vitor works at Delivery Hero as Sr. Director of Engineering, leading an organization of 80 FTEs and 10 teams in the Driver App and Order Processing domains for the Logistics department. He previously worked in Enterprise Resource Planning, Finance, ... Show more

Dino Crnalic

Dino Crnalic

Dino Crnalic is an entrepreneur and executive whose professional journey reflects steady progress built on discipline, patience, and responsibility. He immigrated to the United States in 1999 and began shaping his future through education and consistent effort. Adjusting to a new environment required humility and perseverance, which influenced his long-term perspective on opportunity and work. Rather than pursuing rapid recognition, he focused on learning how systems function, earning trust through dependable actions, and developing habits that support stability, accountability, and sustainable professional growth over time.

Dino completed his university education while competing as a collegiate athlete, balancing academic expectations with the structure and demands of organized sports. This stage of life requires focus, resilience, and strong time management. Daily training and competition reinforced the importance of preparation, teamwork, and composure under pressure, while academic responsibilities emphasized consistency and follow-through. These experiences helped him understand the value of shared effort and personal accountability, lessons that later shaped his approach to leadership and decision-making in professional settings.

Crnalic began his professional career in the health and fitness industry, gaining early exposure to both customer engagement and operational execution. Work in the supplement and retail environment provided practical insight into consumer education, ethical responsibility, and the importance of consistency in daily business activities. During this time, he remained personally committed to training and continued expanding his understanding of conditioning and health management. This balance between hands-on experience and continued learning helped him develop a realistic and grounded view of the industry.

Dino Crnalic later transitioned into gym ownership, operating two fitness facilities over a combined twelve-year period. These businesses grew steadily and eventually employed more than one hundred individuals across training, operations, and administrative roles. He remained directly involved in hiring, staff development, scheduling, and operational oversight. Managing teams of this size required patience, clear communication, and consistent standards, particularly during periods of growth, staffing challenges, and ongoing changes within the fitness industry.

Dino gained meaningful entrepreneurial experience through the long-term operation and expansion of these fitness businesses. The facilities served individuals with a wide range of experience levels, requiring adaptability and respect for personal goals. One location received public attention for its scale and long-term vision, reflecting careful planning rather than rushed growth. These years reinforced lessons in financial discipline, customer retention, and the importance of maintaining service quality during both stable periods and times of economic uncertainty.

Crnalic expanded his professional focus beyond gym ownership into executive leadership and capital development. He has participated in raising more than twenty million dollars in capital for business ventures, working with investors to support growth while maintaining accountability. He currently serves in a chief operating officer role in the health care sector, overseeing operational systems and contributing to organizational strategy. This position reflects years of experience managing people, processes, and long-term performance expectations with consistency and care.

Dino Crnalic maintains a regular fitness routine as part of daily life, including strength training, cardiovascular exercise, and structured conditioning. He also pursues challenging outdoor activities that require preparation, focus, and an appreciation of risk. Experiences such as deep-water scuba diving and skiing reinforce discipline and composure under demanding conditions. These activities are approached as personal practices that support balance, mental clarity, and long-term physical well-being rather than external recognition.

Dino places strong importance on family, integrity, and responsibility in both personal and professional life. He is a devoted father who prioritizes presence, guidance, and shared experiences while also caring for close family members. After experiencing the loss of his wife to severe illness in 2011, he committed time and effort to charitable support through an established organization. This period reinforced values of compassion, consistency, and long-term commitment that continue to guide his decisions and actions.

Dino Crnalic is an entrepreneur and executive whose professional journey reflects steady progress built on discipline, patience, and responsibility. He immigrated to the United States in 1999 and began shaping his future through education and consist... Show more

John Baker

John Baker

Over the last 25 years John sold GP, BC and F&SCM into a wide variety and sizes of companies including retail, restaurant, and hospitality companies. Having previously been a VP of Operations in Retail and F&B companies, John has a deep understanding of those verticals and their functional needs.

Over the last 25 years John sold GP, BC and F&SCM into a wide variety and sizes of companies including retail, restaurant, and hospitality companies. Having previously been a VP of Operations in Retail and F&B companies, John has a deep understandin... Show more

Whit Lester

Whit Lester

Whit Lester has been a member of Primo Payday (formerly NAV Payroll) since its inception in June 2017. Prior to joining Primo Payday, he graduated from TCU in 2006 and spent the next 11 years learning how to successfully scale and grow niche software startups including AutoStar Solutions, Secure Close, Sigma Payments and the Fischer Real Estate Solution 'Managed Path'. He has helped Primo Payday grow from 1 US user client to over 250 user clients in the US and Canada with employee counts from 10 to 10,000 employees.

Whit Lester has been a member of Primo Payday (formerly NAV Payroll) since its inception in June 2017. Prior to joining Primo Payday, he graduated from TCU in 2006 and spent the next 11 years learning how to successfully scale and grow niche software... Show more

Liset Maldonado

Liset Maldonado

Speaker Bio:

Born in Cuba and raised with the unshakable belief that adversity can be fuel for greatness, Mrs. Maldonado is a dynamic keynote speaker who inspires audiences with her powerful story of perseverance, reinvention, and success. As a Cuban immigrant, she overcame language barriers, cultural challenges, and societal expectations to rise through the ranks of the marketing and sales world—proving that grit, vision, and heart can reshape any destiny.

Mrs. Maldonado speaks with authority and authenticity, drawing from real-life experiences of breaking through ceilings that others said were unbreakable. Her message is clear: you are not a product of your environment—you are the architect of your future. She challenges limiting narratives and empowers people to rewrite their own, reminding them that giving up is not an option when the dream is rooted in purpose.

With a blend of strategic insight, infectious optimism, and radical kindness, Liset delivers keynotes that move both people and performance. Whether addressing corporate teams, entrepreneurs, or leadership summits, she leaves her audiences energized, empowered, and ready to take bold action.

Topics Include:

Sales with Soul: Driving Results Without Losing Humanity

Breaking the Mold: Redefining Success on Your Own Terms

Marketing with Meaning: How Storytelling Builds Connection & Conversion

From Adversity to Authority: Turning Your Struggles into Strength

Available for: Keynotes • Panels • Workshops • Corporate Trainings

Speaker Bio: Born in Cuba and raised with the unshakable belief that adversity can be fuel for greatness, Mrs. Maldonado is a dynamic keynote speaker who inspires audiences with her powerful story of perseverance, reinvention, and success. As a Cu... Show more

Chike Eduputa

Chike Eduputa

Chike is an expert in business and technology strategy, with over a decade of experience leading global, hybrid teams to deliver large-scale, high-value transformation programmes. He combines lean agile and design thinking to deliver results on client projects across multiple sectors. Chike advises business leaders on key technology trends, helps translate user needs into a bold vision and strategy for change, designs new business propositions, and defines a solutions portfolio and roadmap. He is passionate about solving complex challenges using innovative digital and data technologies. As an intrapreneur, he leads the Capgemini Invent UK Business Apps and Low Code No Code team.

Qualifications
Cambridge Judge Business School | Digital Innovation & Transformation
Imperial College Business School | MSc International Health Management
Kings College London | BSc Biomedical Sciences

Certifications & Accreditations
Microsoft Certified Power Platform Functional Consultant Associate
Microsoft Certified Azure Fundamentals
SAFe Agilist & Scrum Master

Chike is an expert in business and technology strategy, with over a decade of experience leading global, hybrid teams to deliver large-scale, high-value transformation programmes. He combines lean agile and design thinking to deliver results on clien... Show more

Kotreshi S

Kotreshi S

I am the Global Community Manager at Precogly, an open-source threat modeling platform, leading the charge in building and scaling a global community around our solution.

What I Do: I own the end-to-end community experience—from developer relations and AppSec engagement to strategic outreach targeting DORA/CRA compliance stakeholders. I orchestrate our presence across Discord, GitHub, LinkedIn, and X, creating touchpoints that matter.

My day-to-day includes running AMAs (Ask Me Anything) with security leaders, hosting webinars and product demos, executing outbound campaigns to developers and enterprise AppSec teams, and maintaining a direct feedback loop between our community and product team. I don’t just manage conversations—I shape product direction by translating user needs into actionable insights.

Working at the intersection of cybersecurity, compliance, and open-source community building, I’m helping redefine how security practitioners approach threat modeling. This role demands high discipline, consistent output, and comfort with rejection—qualities I bring to every outreach effort and community interaction.

Background: With 4+ years in Social Media Marketing and team leadership experience, I’ve delivered results across 10+ projects in Healthcare, Hospitality, Telecalling, and Education, specializing in Lead Generation, Campaign Management, and Community Growth.

I am the Global Community Manager at Precogly, an open-source threat modeling platform, leading the charge in building and scaling a global community around our solution. What I Do: I own the end-to-end community experience—from developer relation... Show more

Faïçal Congo

Faïçal Congo

Faical Yannick P. Congo holds a PhD in Cloud Computing and Data Systems and developed a strong research background in collaboration with NIST and Université Clermont Auvergne (UCA), focusing on cloud architectures, data platforms, and standardization-driven approaches.

He has led and contributed to large-scale cloud, data, and AI initiatives within major international organizations including OCP Nutricrops, Sodexo, and Alain Afflelou, working in regulated, multi-region, and business-critical environments.

In parallel, Faical has built entrepreneurial ventures in the United States, France, and Africa, delivering AI and digital solutions across multiple industries, from agriculture and services to retail and industrial sectors. His work consistently emphasizes vendor-agnostic architectures, open technologies, and long-term platform autonomy.

His current focus lies at the intersection of Private AI, cloud-native platforms, Kubernetes, and DevSecOps standards, with a particular emphasis on compute-driven AI standardization (CPU/GPU), agent-based architectures, and sovereign AI operating models.

Faical Yannick P. Congo holds a PhD in Cloud Computing and Data Systems and developed a strong research background in collaboration with NIST and Université Clermont Auvergne (UCA), focusing on cloud architectures, data platforms, and standardization... Show more

Joanna Leskier

Joanna Leskier

BI Expert and Microsoft Solutions Consultant with over 15 years of experience in designing and implementing analytical, intranet, and business systems. I support organizations in digital transformation, process optimization, and data‑driven decision-making. I combine analytical, architectural, and implementation skills to provide a comprehensive, end‑to‑end approach to IT projects.
I specialize in Microsoft technologies — from Microsoft Fabric to SharePoint & Power Platform and Azure.

BI Expert and Microsoft Solutions Consultant with over 15 years of experience in designing and implementing analytical, intranet, and business systems. I support organizations in digital transformation, process optimization, and data‑driven decision-... Show more

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