Kishi is a community builder, strategist, and ecosystem operator focused on helping people and organizations build communities that are intentional, sustainable, and commercially viable.

She is the Founder of The CM Guide, a community and resource hub created to support community managers across different career stages with tools, education, and real-world frameworks for building and managing communities effectively.

With hands-on experience across community operations, programming, engagement strategy, and career development, Kishi has worked closely with early-career professionals, founders, and community teams navigating growth, structure, and long-term sustainability. Her work includes helping communities move from ad-hoc engagement to systems-driven strategy aligned with business and ecosystem goals.

Kishi is particularly passionate about career development for early graduates and career switchers, especially those building from non-traditional backgrounds. Through her newsletter, speaking engagements, and community programs, she provides practical guidance on entering the community profession, building transferable skills, and positioning for global opportunities.
Her influence extends beyond digital spaces into in-person community experiences, workshops, and events, where she facilitates conversations around leadership, resilience, and the realities of managing communities while building a career and personal life. She is recognized for her grounded perspective on community work—balancing empathy, structure, and measurable impact.
Kishi continues to contribute to the global community ecosystem through thought leadership, mentorship, and participation in professional community initiatives, while actively building platforms that support the next generation of community leaders.
Speaker Topics / Areas of Expertise
Topics I Speak On
Community & Ecosystem Building
Building and scaling communities from zero to impact

Community strategy beyond engagement: structure, systems, and sustainability

Community-led growth for non-product and service-based organizations

Designing inclusive and high-trust communities

Community operations, governance, and metrics that actually matter
Career Development & Early-Career Growth
Starting and growing a career in community management

Career strategy for early graduates and career switchers

Navigating tech careers without traditional access or privilege

Positioning yourself for global opportunities (programs, fellowships, roles)

Turning skills, projects, and communities into career leverage
Personal Development & Leadership
Building confidence, clarity, and professional identity early in your career

Leadership without titles: influence, ownership, and initiative

Managing burnout, boundaries, and growth in community-facing roles
Project & Program Management
Running large-scale community programs and initiatives

Project management fundamentals for community and non-technical roles

Cross-functional collaboration between community, product, and engineering

Planning, execution, and stakeholder management for community programs

Currently serving as the Chapter Director for CMX Ogun, Nigeria, Kishi is dedicated to advancing the community management profession by creating opportunities for growth and collaboration among professionals.

Kishi is a community builder, strategist, and ecosystem operator focused on helping people and organizations build communities that are intentional, sustainable, and commercially viable. She is the Founder of The CM Guide, a community and resourc... Show more

Arun Pratap Singh is an IEEE Senior Member and Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). Distinguished judge and speaker on agentic AI & analytics adoption in enterprise analytics at MIT, Harvard, Duke, Georgia Tech, the University of California, San Diego, and various IEEE conferences.

He is a contributing author to CIO Magazine, where he writes on analytics maturity frameworks, agentic AI & analytics adoption, and digital transformation. His recent research focuses on multi-agent AI architectures and autonomous decision systems, examining how organizations can scale AI from experimental pilots to production-grade infrastructure.

Arun Pratap Singh is an IEEE Senior Member and Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). Distinguished judge and speaker on agentic AI & analytics adoption in enterprise analytics at MIT, Harvard, Duke, Georgia Tech, the Univer... Show more

I'm a UX researcher and designer specializing in e-commerce optimization and neuroscience-driven user experience. As the founder of Intuera, I combine UX, CRO, and behavioral science to uncover how people actually think, decide, and trust online.
My work explores how design decisions shape user behavior, influence purchase confidence, and reduce friction across the customer journey. By optimizing cognitive load, clarity, and interaction patterns, I helps brands increase conversions while building long-term trust.

I'm a UX researcher and designer specializing in e-commerce optimization and neuroscience-driven user experience. As the founder of Intuera, I combine UX, CRO, and behavioral science to uncover how people actually think, decide, and trust online. M... Show more

Wim Godden has been working with open source technologies since 1997 and has been involved in open source projects such as PHPCompatibility and OpenX.
Next to web development, he's worked with a wide range of technologies (from database clusters to Internet backbone design) and worked a lot on high-scalability projects and on coaching/training web engineers.
He's currently the CTO at one of the leading European locker companies for luggage storage and festivals/concerts.

Wim Godden has been working with open source technologies since 1997 and has been involved in open source projects such as PHPCompatibility and OpenX. Next to web development, he's worked with a wide range of technologies (from database clusters to ... Show more

Kimetha Dunn is a trailblazer in artificial intelligence (AI) and a dedicated advocate for inclusivity in tech. With a background in Speech and Communications, a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, and a UX/UI Design certificate from General Assembly, Kimetha leads generative AI research at Microsoft, driving product development and mentoring emerging UX professionals. Kimetha is the founder of The Fedeila Group where they empower organizations by providing innovative AI research and ethical AI and EI (emotional intelligence) training. The Fedeila Group's mission is to ensure AI technologies are taught and implemented responsibly and effectively, fostering trust, integrity, and long-term success for all involved. Kimetha has shared her expertise at high-profile events, including Microsoft Ignite 2024, ScaleAI discussions on diversity, Blacks in Technology (BITCON) 2024 on mitigating bias in AI, and most recently as a Speaker with the National Alliance for the Advancement of Haitian Professionals (NAAHP) discussing ways to bring resources using technology to our beloved Haitian communities. Kimetha is passionate about uplifting Black women and people in AI and regularly mentors non-traditional students to break into the UX/UI field. She is involved in organizations like Black Women in AI (BWIAI), Blacks in Technology (BIT) Atlanta Chapter and is an active community leader for Interaction Design Foundation Chicago chapter (IxDF) and ADPList Atlanta Chapter. Kimetha lives by the motto. "Speak what you want until you see what you've said."

Kimetha Dunn is a trailblazer in artificial intelligence (AI) and a dedicated advocate for inclusivity in tech. With a background in Speech and Communications, a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, and a UX/UI Design certificate from G... Show more

Hi, I’m Jesimiel Williams. I’m an innovative Creative with experience in Design, UX and Content Development and Marketing. In 7 years, and through possibly hundreds of visuals, interfaces and written content, I’ve learned to craft interactions toward consumer-centric values, and as such have developed an understanding of consumer trends and how to optimize experiences and stories to drive adoption and growth for tech products. I’ve worked and consulted for brands in AI, Telecoms, Mobility, Edtech and many other spheres in Africa, Europe and the US including Lara.ng, Stutern, Chess in Slums Africa and many others, whilst also building a product for accessible Mental Health for Africa called Uncloudy.

Hi, I’m Jesimiel Williams. I’m an innovative Creative with experience in Design, UX and Content Development and Marketing. In 7 years, and through possibly hundreds of visuals, interfaces and written content, I’ve learned to craft interactions toward... Show more

Meet Stephanie, the dynamo who kick-started her career in cost accounting and manufacturing operations. But it wasn't until she was handed the reins of the company's first ERP implementation that she truly fell head over heels. Using technology to optimize effective business processes was a game changer. Fast forward 20+ years and over 500 projects later, Stephanie has become the go-to solution architect who doesn't mess around and just gets things done.

When she's not wowing audiences as a presenter, speaker, or blogger, you can find her donning her hat as a certified Microsoft Dynamics Business Central professional. And let's not forget her juggling act managing product, presales activities, and building professional services practices. Now, she's the brains behind Elliott Clark Consulting, a Microsoft partner that's turning consulting services on their head.

Stephanie's mantra? ERP implementations don't have to be a drag! She's on a mission to prove that they can be effective, affordable, and downright awesome. By sprinkling in her magic dust of change management and business process transformations, she makes sure her clients have a rockstar experience.

Meet Stephanie, the dynamo who kick-started her career in cost accounting and manufacturing operations. But it wasn't until she was handed the reins of the company's first ERP implementation that she truly fell head over heels. Using technology to op... Show more

Bala Ramdoss is a Tech lead at Amazon, where he builds camera-based AI features like Amazon Lens to enhance the visual shopping experience. With over 10 years of Mobile development experience, Bala specializes in scalable solutions for complex challenges, including AR-powered experiences and high-performance Android UI. When not building apps, he enjoys exploring new tech and engaging conversations over coffee.

Bala Ramdoss is a Tech lead at Amazon, where he builds camera-based AI features like Amazon Lens to enhance the visual shopping experience. With over 10 years of Mobile development experience, Bala specializes in scalable solutions for complex challe... Show more

Erika Chestnut is a transformational leader with over 25 years in the tech industry, fueled by a passion for people and a purpose to empower. Her journey is defined by a commitment to helping individuals and teams rethink leadership, culture, and communication to achieve peak performance and financial success. She equips others with practical tools and strategies to foster deeper connections, amplify performance, and create empowered, thriving environments.

Erika Chestnut is a transformational leader with over 25 years in the tech industry, fueled by a passion for people and a purpose to empower. Her journey is defined by a commitment to helping individuals and teams rethink leadership, culture, and com... Show more

Senior Platform Engineer, I design, build, and maintain scalable and reliable cloud platforms. I have over 13 years of experience in DevOps, API development, and RESTful services, as well as a certification in Kubernetes Administration (CKA).

I am also the founder of DCaballero LLC, a software development and consulting company that focuses on science and finance applications. I am passionate about researching new technologies, mentoring young talent, and delivering quality solutions. My mission is to leverage my technical skills and domain expertise to create value and impact for my clients and partners.

Senior Platform Engineer, I design, build, and maintain scalable and reliable cloud platforms. I have over 13 years of experience in DevOps, API development, and RESTful services, as well as a certification in Kubernetes Administration (CKA). I am... Show more

I help businesses design, build, and optimize their AWS workloads - specialized in serverless architectures, microservices, and event-driven design, delivering scalable, secure, and cost-efficient solutions.

Key strengths:
🔸AWS Serverless & IoT
🔸Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, SAM)
🔸DevOps & CI/CD
🔸Scalable API & Data Platforms

With over a decade of hands-on experience in cloud architecture, DevOps, and data-driven applications, I’ve built and led AWS projects for enterprises across IoT, data processing, and consumer tech. My focus is always on delivering systems that are simple to maintain, efficient to run, and ready to scale.

I help businesses design, build, and optimize their AWS workloads - specialized in serverless architectures, microservices, and event-driven design, delivering scalable, secure, and cost-efficient solutions. Key strengths: 🔸AWS Serverless & IoT ... Show more

Himanshu Yadav leads the Consumer Team at Blinkit, focusing on building features that enhance user experience and driving architectural initiatives to make the application more dynamic and scalable.

Himanshu Yadav leads the Consumer Team at Blinkit, focusing on building features that enhance user experience and driving architectural initiatives to make the application more dynamic and scalable. Show more

Ben Gamble is Field CTO at Ververica. With a background in engineering leadership and entrepreneurship, he’s led teams across logistics, gaming, and mobile apps, focusing on solutions involving GPS, AR, and multi-user collaboration. Off-duty, he enjoys creating video games and trading cards, and cares for his two children and three pet ducks.

Ben Gamble is Field CTO at Ververica. With a background in engineering leadership and entrepreneurship, he’s led teams across logistics, gaming, and mobile apps, focusing on solutions involving GPS, AR, and multi-user collaboration. Off-duty, he enjo... Show more

Molly Rupert-Sullivan was the Global Adoption Lead for one of the earliest and largest Microsoft Copilot deployments, starting with early access and rolling out over 100,000 licenses. She now leads Change and Adoption efforts for Guidehouse, powering an AI-enabled workforce and advanced innovations for clients. Molly advises clients across industries and geographies on how to strategically position AI to maximize value.

Molly Rupert-Sullivan was the Global Adoption Lead for one of the earliest and largest Microsoft Copilot deployments, starting with early access and rolling out over 100,000 licenses. She now leads Change and Adoption efforts for Guidehouse, powering... Show more

Manufacturing specialist, also Distribution
Engineer to order, MTO, CTO, MTS. Process, Discrete, Lean.
21+ yrs ERP Leader at Manufacturers (MAPICS in 1975)
29+ yrs ERP Consultant/Educator (20+ yrs AX & D365FSCM)
TechFluent Coach and Mentor volunteer
Regular speaker DynamicsCon and local DUGs
DUG Leader for USA PacPNW
Active on Engage
DUG "AllStar", Community Summit "Legend"
Delivered 30+ 3-day FSCM workshops at Manufacturer sites

Formerly:
Delivered 40+ APICS Certification Workshops (CFPIM, PMP)
APICS & ASQC chapter President, APICS Regional Director
Visiting professor at Community colleges

Manufacturing specialist, also Distribution Engineer to order, MTO, CTO, MTS. Process, Discrete, Lean. 21+ yrs ERP Leader at Manufacturers (MAPICS in 1975) 29+ yrs ERP Consultant/Educator (20+ yrs AX & D365FSCM) TechFluent Coach and Mentor volunt... Show more

Ancienne astrophysicienne aujourd’hui coach d'organisation, experte en engagement et coach professionnelle depuis plus de 8 ans. J’interviens auprès des entreprises pour les aider à se transformer et à renforcer l’engagement, tout en accompagnant individuellement dirigeant·es et particuliers dans leurs objectifs personnels et professionnels. TEDx speaker, je crée des conférences interactives en mobilisant les sciences humaines, une approche systémique et des expériences concrètes d’accompagnement en entreprise.
Mon objectif : faire bouger les lignes sur des sujets qui impactent profondément notre quotidien.

Ancienne astrophysicienne aujourd’hui coach d'organisation, experte en engagement et coach professionnelle depuis plus de 8 ans. J’interviens auprès des entreprises pour les aider à se transformer et à renforcer l’engagement, tout en accompagnant ind... Show more

Alexander Klein is a senior Business Intelligence consultant with more than 20 years of experience. He focuses on Business Intelligence and Data Warehouse projects with Microsoft technologies like SQL Server, Power BI, Azure ML or Cognitive Services.

Since 2008, he has been a self-employed consultant in large and medium-sized projects in all sectors across Europe. He has been visiting SQL Saturdays all over Europe since 2013.Since 2017 Alexander speaks at national and international conferences / user groups about Data Warehouse, BI, Azure and AI.

Alexander Klein is a senior Business Intelligence consultant with more than 20 years of experience. He focuses on Business Intelligence and Data Warehouse projects with Microsoft technologies like SQL Server, Power BI, Azure ML or Cognitive Services.... Show more

Marinka Natale works at the intersection of cloud, data, AI, and human decision-making, helping organizations question momentum before scaling complexity. Her work centers on asking the questions others avoid—examining not just what technology enables, but whether it is aligned with what people, organizations, and systems actually need.

With experience across healthcare, analytics, emerging technology, and applied research, Marinka brings a systems-level perspective that connects technical architecture with governance, incentives, and real-world outcomes. She is known for challenging default assumptions around innovation, particularly when new tools amplify noise rather than clarity.

Marinka is the Chair of the IEEE Cloud Summit and the founder of LynxIQ, where she advises organizations on designing cloud and AI systems with intention, accountability, and long-term value in mind. Her work emphasizes discernment, restraint, and responsibility as essential components of meaningful technological progress.

Marinka Natale works at the intersection of cloud, data, AI, and human decision-making, helping organizations question momentum before scaling complexity. Her work centers on asking the questions others avoid—examining not just what technology enable... Show more

As a passionate technology enthusiast with a focus on security, I specialize in Kubernetes and DevSecOps practices to create secure, scalable platforms. With a strong background in integrating security into cloud-native infrastructure, I help teams innovate safely. My goal is to inspire secure development practices and leverage Kubernetes to drive cutting-edge solutions in the tech world.

As a passionate technology enthusiast with a focus on security, I specialize in Kubernetes and DevSecOps practices to create secure, scalable platforms. With a strong background in integrating security into cloud-native infrastructure, I help teams i... Show more

Sheena Yap Chan is a Wall Street Journal bestselling author, keynote speaker, strategist, and award-winning podcaster renowned for her expertise in elevating leadership and self-confidence through media. She is the founder and host of the acclaimed podcast, The Tao of Self-Confidence, where she interviews women about their journeys to self-confidence. With over one million downloads, her podcast ranks among the top 0.5% most popular shows globally and features over 800 interviews, including conversations with celebrities and eight-figure CEOs. Sheena's influence extends beyond podcasting. Her debut book, The Tao of Self-Confidence: A Guide to Moving Beyond Trauma and Awakening the Leader Within, published by Wiley, is a Wall Street Journal and Publishers Weekly bestseller. It is also recognized as one of the top 20 best self-confidence books of all time by Book Authority, the world's leading site for book recommendations. Her work has been featured on prominent platforms such as MindValley, FOX, NBC News, and the Manila Times. Sheena is dedicated to closing the gender confidence gap through her training and programs, aiming to elevate women into leadership roles across all industries. She has delivered impactful speeches for organizations like Live Nation, NASA, and UKG, sharing her insights on self-confidence and leadership.

Sheena Yap Chan is a Wall Street Journal bestselling author, keynote speaker, strategist, and award-winning podcaster renowned for her expertise in elevating leadership and self-confidence through media. She is the founder and host of the acclaimed p... Show more

Durga Krishnamoorthy is a Digital Product Management Leader with 12 years of experience in Retail, AI and Financial Services. Backed by strong academics from Carnegie Mellon University, she brings her experiences from Fortune 500 Brands such as Cognizant, Kroger, Petco, TikTok and EY to thought leadership at Forbes, IEEE research and alike. She serves as a Board Member for a US-based Product Management Community.

Always love to give back through mentoring, writing, and speaking about the evolving role of Product leadership in shaping business and societal outcomes. Reach out to me at durga.krish33@gmail.com or setup time on https://adplist.org/mentors/durga-krishnamoorthy

Durga Krishnamoorthy is a Digital Product Management Leader with 12 years of experience in Retail, AI and Financial Services. Backed by strong academics from Carnegie Mellon University, she brings her experiences from Fortune 500 Brands such as Cogni... Show more

Anand is a Software Quality Evangelist with 25+ years in the software testing field. He is passionate about shipping a quality product, and specializes in Product Quality strategy & execution, and also building automated testing tools, infrastructure and frameworks.

Anand writes testing related blogs and has built open-source tools related to Software Testing – WAAT (Web Analytics Automation Testing Framework), TaaS (for automating the integration testing in disparate systems) and TTA (Test Trend Analyzer).

You can follow him on Twitter @BagmarAnand, connect with him on LinkedIn at https://in.linkedin.com/in/anandbagmar or visit essenceoftesting.com.

Anand is a Software Quality Evangelist with 25+ years in the software testing field. He is passionate about shipping a quality product, and specializes in Product Quality strategy & execution, and also building automated testing tools, infrastructure... Show more

Kristin King is a cybersecurity and risk management expert with over 25 years of experience in the tech industry. She is the founder and CEO of AnzenSage, a consulting firm focused on securing the critical infrastructure of food, agriculture, zoos, and aquariums. Kristin is also the co-founder of AnzenOT, a SaaS OT Cybersecurity Risk Intelligence platform purpose-built for cyber-physical systems. With a degree in environmental management and a research background in gorilla behavior, she brings a systems-thinking approach that bridges science, technology, and operational realities. Kristin specializes in OT/ICS environments and has become a trusted voice for sectors often overlooked in cybersecurity conversations. She also hosts the award-winning Bites & Bytes Podcast, where she leads thoughtful discussions at the intersection of food, technology, and cybersecurity.

Kristin King is a cybersecurity and risk management expert with over 25 years of experience in the tech industry. She is the founder and CEO of AnzenSage, a consulting firm focused on securing the critical infrastructure of food, agriculture, zoos, ... Show more

Hello, it's Cephas here, I'm a software engineer with experience in cross-platform app development, and I'm also passionate about graphics and UX design. I love using my skills to create experiences that make people's lives better. Am glad you checked me out here!

Hello, it's Cephas here, I'm a software engineer with experience in cross-platform app development, and I'm also passionate about graphics and UX design. I love using my skills to create experiences that make people's lives better. Am glad you checke... Show more

As the Microsoft 365 Copilot Adoption, Activation, and Deployment Leader at EY Americas, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation is at the core of my responsibilities. With a focus on strategy execution, I facilitate widespread adoption and maximize the utility of Microsoft 365, ensuring our cross-functional teams are engaged and the value of collaborative technologies is fully leveraged.

My tenure as a 10-time Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) in M365 Copilot and Microsoft Viva underscores my commitment to community leadership and sharing best practices in technology use. The ability to navigate and influence digital transformation empowers our strategic relationship with Microsoft, enriching our go-to-market strategies and enhancing program management through top-to-top collaborative endeavors.

As the Microsoft 365 Copilot Adoption, Activation, and Deployment Leader at EY Americas, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation is at the core of my responsibilities. With a focus on strategy execution, I facilitate widespread a... Show more

Oluwatobi Yusuf is a low-code advocate, developer and consultant for about 5 years. He leads the Business Process Reengineering Team at AXA-Mansard.

He supports various clients in their journey towards the modern workplace using Office 365, Power Platform, Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and SharePoint Online. He is a 2x Microsoft Certified Trainer and holds a high-level certification in Microsoft power platform, Office 365 and SharePoint/Microsoft Teams.

He specializes in Power App, Power Automate, Robotic Process Automation (RPA), Power Virtual Agent, PowerBI, Office 365, SharePoint, migration, and adoption. His emphasis is on customizing Power Platform and SharePoint solutions for individuals and organizations.

Oluwatobi is one of the community leaders for the Nigeria Power Platform User Group.

He was awarded Business Applications MVP status on November 2022.

Oluwatobi Yusuf is a low-code advocate, developer and consultant for about 5 years. He leads the Business Process Reengineering Team at AXA-Mansard. He supports various clients in their journey towards the modern workplace using Office 365, Power... Show more

Technology enthusiast driven by an insatiable curiosity to learn, a commitment to share knowledge, and a passion for building community. He has embraced every opportunity to explore the transformative power of technology and help others harness its potential.

He believes that technology is more than tools and code, it's a catalyst for collaboration, innovation, and positive change. His sessions are designed not just to inform but to ignite curiosity, spark ideas, and empower attendees to take their skills and projects to the next level.

Technology enthusiast driven by an insatiable curiosity to learn, a commitment to share knowledge, and a passion for building community. He has embraced every opportunity to explore the transformative power of technology and help others harness its p... Show more

Ram is a Staff Software Engineer at Walmart Global Tech and has 18 years of experience. He is specialized in building large-scale streaming applications, scalable event-driven microservices, data platforms, multi-tenant integrations. His favorite area is “data at scale,” whether it be insights, analytics, batch processing, streaming, or machine learning. He believes that “frameworks and languages are temporary, whereas concepts and problems are permanent.”

Ram is a Staff Software Engineer at Walmart Global Tech and has 18 years of experience. He is specialized in building large-scale streaming applications, scalable event-driven microservices, data platforms, multi-tenant integrations. His favorite are... Show more

Sarang Brahme is a Principal Architect and an avid AI explorer passionate about turning cutting-edge technology into real-world impact. With a knack for blending strategy and innovation, Sarang helps enterprises harness AI to create smarter customer experiences across retail, hospitality, sports, and beyond. Known as an “AI tinkerer” and practical problem-solver, he thrives on bridging the gap between algorithms and everyday life—making AI approachable, actionable, and transformative.

Sarang Brahme is a Principal Architect and an avid AI explorer passionate about turning cutting-edge technology into real-world impact. With a knack for blending strategy and innovation, Sarang helps enterprises harness AI to create smarter customer ... Show more

Dan is a Senior Solution Architect with 15 years of experience in the ERP sector, particularly in manufacturing and distribution logistics. His commitment to delivering high-quality solutions and innovative problem-solving skills are at the core of his professional ethos. As a technical architect and subject matter expert, Dan excels in developing straightforward solutions for complex challenges, employing creative and effective strategies.

A Microsoft Certified Professional with expertise in Dynamics 365, Dan is dedicated to utilizing the latest technologies to improve business processes. He values continuous learning and actively contributes to the industry dialogue, sharing insights and engaging with peers on technological advancements and best practices.

Dan’s pragmatic approach and deep understanding of the ERP landscape make him a respected voice in the community, ready to share knowledge and perspectives that drive the field forward.

Dan is a Senior Solution Architect with 15 years of experience in the ERP sector, particularly in manufacturing and distribution logistics. His commitment to delivering high-quality solutions and innovative problem-solving skills are at the core of h... Show more