Kanyanta M. Makasa is an Electrical and Electronics Engineering graduate from the University of Zambia, with hands-on experience in solar EPC projects, power systems, and software engineering. He is passionate about leveraging both engineering and technology to drive innovation in energy, education, and financial technology.

Kanyanta has worked as a Junior Electrical Engineer at W&H Solar EPC, where he contributed to solar PV system design, site assessments, and client advisory on hybrid and off-grid solutions. He also served as a Software Engineer at Justtap Payments, leading mobile money API integrations and building Flutter-based apps and Django web dashboards.

He is the founder and lead developer of Reviza, a course-filtered academic platform designed to improve resource sharing and collaboration among African university students. His project portfolio also includes a solar mini-grid design for rural healthcare and an EV charging impact study on low-voltage networks.

Beyond technical expertise, Kanyanta has demonstrated leadership as Vice-President of the IEEE UNZA Student Branch and as a Zindi Africa Data Science Ambassador. He has also presented research on affordable renewable energy solutions, including a smart solar irrigation system, at the IEEE PowerAfrica Conference.

Driven, innovative, and collaborative, Kanyanta is committed to applying his multidisciplinary skills in engineering and software development to create impactful, sustainable solutions.

Kanyanta M. Makasa is an Electrical and Electronics Engineering graduate from the University of Zambia, with hands-on experience in solar EPC projects, power systems, and software engineering. He is passionate about leveraging both engineering and te... Show more

Bahtiyor Eshchanov is an energy economist by training. His research interests include techno-economic feasibility analysis, renewable energy deployment, energy modeling, water-energy-food nexus; energy and education policy analysis.

Bahtiyor Eshchanov is an energy economist by training. His research interests include techno-economic feasibility analysis, renewable energy deployment, energy modeling, water-energy-food nexus; energy and education policy analysis. Show more

Thomas Fricke has been working with containers and Kubernetes for 7 years, with Linux and networks for 30 and with computers for 40. His focus is on security in KRITIS environments (energy, health care) and the agile transformations that are necessary in these environments. He is a freelancer, founder (Endocode, Resility), and volunteers on various boards, including the IT Planning Council.

Thomas Fricke has been working with containers and Kubernetes for 7 years, with Linux and networks for 30 and with computers for 40. His focus is on security in KRITIS environments (energy, health care) and the agile transformations that are necessar... Show more

Two decades of international Oil & Gas Energy Industry experience.
Passionate about Data Science, Analytics and Engineering applied to complex projects. Advocate of interdisciplinary teamwork, building field integrated studies, and turning large, multi-sourced data structures into tools to produce actionable information.
Currently based in Miami.
You can find me either boxing, cooking, baking, or traveling when I'm not on my laptop.

Two decades of international Oil & Gas Energy Industry experience. Passionate about Data Science, Analytics and Engineering applied to complex projects. Advocate of interdisciplinary teamwork, building field integrated studies, and turning large, mu... Show more

Joana is an IT Project Manager with a strong background in Engineering - both academic and professional -, performing Project Management roles such as Product Owner, Business Analyst and Account Manager since 2021 at DevScope. With more than 10 years of experience in Project and Account management, including International experience, in both IT and Energy sectors.

Joana is an IT Project Manager with a strong background in Engineering - both academic and professional -, performing Project Management roles such as Product Owner, Business Analyst and Account Manager since 2021 at DevScope. With more than 10 years... Show more

Robbie Staples has over 20 years of experience writing SQL queries and 8 years working with SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) and SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS). He is a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) in Data Management & Analytics as well as a Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) in SQL 2016 Database Development. He has worked in the power, banking, transportation, healthcare, and semiconductor industries with most of his experience being in the power industry. He has his Electrical Engineering degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and is a licensed Professional Engineer in Virginia and Texas. He is currently employed by Old Dominion Electric Cooperative as a Senior Full Stack Software Engineer focused on automating manual processes and bringing data to the forefront of the company.

Robbie Staples has over 20 years of experience writing SQL queries and 8 years working with SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) and SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS). He is a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) in Data Management & Anal... Show more

Working on the transition of energy markets. Creating high value projects and business cases für entrepreneurs. Aligning energy prizing, capex and opex to perfect balance. Highly experienced in energy procurment, legal aspects and understanding business needs

Working on the transition of energy markets. Creating high value projects and business cases für entrepreneurs. Aligning energy prizing, capex and opex to perfect balance. Highly experienced in energy procurment, legal aspects and understanding busin... Show more

Francis Barassi was born in Tucson, Arizona, on January 11, 1967. His formative years in Tucson, a city known for its rich cultural diversity, profoundly influenced his curiosity and interest in various cultures and global perspectives. This early exposure to a melting pot of cultures sparked a lifelong passion for exploring and understanding different societies. Growing up, he displayed a keen interest in technology and business, interests that would later become the cornerstone of his successful career.

In 2003, Francis joined Convergys Corporation as the Director for LATAM North. In this role, he managed the sales team and established the regional headquarters in Northern Latin America. His leadership and strategic initiatives led to significant sales growth and the profitable build-out of the regional headquarters. This position allowed him to showcase his ability to drive regional business expansion and cement his reputation as a capable leader in the corporate world.

Barassi's career took another significant step in December 2003 when he joined Edocs, Inc. as the Director of Latin American Sales and Operations. At Edocs, he was instrumental in opening the Latin American market, generating a robust pipeline of prospects, and closing substantial contracts within his first year. His success at Edocs demonstrated his knack for penetrating new markets and driving growth, further establishing his credentials as a strategic and effective business leader.

In 2005, Francis joined Oracle Corporation, where he initially served as the Regional Director for LACA—Self-Service. He managed the integration of Doc's self-service products into the Siebel sales organization, achieving notable sales growth. Subsequently, he served as the Applications Sales Director for the Communications Global Business Unit (CGBU), where he achieved record sales and managed the most significant single license sale in CGBU history. From 2011 to 2017, he held various vice president roles at Oracle, including founding TOA Technologies' Latin America business. His leadership led to significant revenue growth, and after Oracle acquired TOA Technologies, he managed Oracle's field service business for Latin America and the Caribbean, achieving substantial growth in ACV bookings and expanding into new verticals.

In 2017, Francis became the Vice President for Southern Europe at ClickSoftware. His efforts in reorganizing Click's sales and account management organization in Southern Europe were met with notable success, including signing new logos and managing key accounts. His strategic vision and leadership played a crucial role in driving the company's growth and solidifying its market presence in Southern Europe.

In 2020, Barassi joined OverIT USA, Inc. as the Vice President for North America. He was instrumental in expanding OverIT's presence in the region by recruiting and onboarding a seasoned sales team and closing significant deals within the first few months. His strategic approach and leadership skills facilitated OverIT's rapid growth and success in the North American market.

The following year, in 2021, Francis took on the role of Vice President for North American Energy, Utilities, and Resources at IFS North America. He successfully integrated the Clevest sales team into IFS, achieving impressive annual growth and securing strategic wins at significant utility companies. His contributions significantly bolstered IFS's presence in the market, showcasing his ability to lead and drive substantial business growth.

Currently, Francis serves as the Vice President of Enterprise Software North America at Hitachi Energy. In this role, he leverages his extensive experience in enterprise software and energy solutions to drive growth and innovation. His leadership and strategic vision continue to advance Hitachi Energy's market position in North America, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to excellence and his ability to steer companies toward sustained success.

Outside of his professional life, Francis Barassi resides in Key Biscayne, FL, with his spouse, Clara Romero. Balancing his demanding career, he enjoys a fulfilling personal life, finding time to engage in activities that bring him joy and relaxation. His ability to maintain this balance underscores his dedication to both his well-being and his professional responsibilities.

Francis Barassi was born in Tucson, Arizona, on January 11, 1967. His formative years in Tucson, a city known for its rich cultural diversity, profoundly influenced his curiosity and interest in various cultures and global perspectives. This early ex... Show more

Andreas is an Industrial AI/ML specialist, focusing on the digital transition of energy & manufacturing industries. He works at the intersection of digitalization and physical industries, helping industrial companies (energy, manufacturing, renewables, etc.) digitalize and accelerate their technological transformation. He is also a startup advisor and technology consultant

Andreas is an Industrial AI/ML specialist, focusing on the digital transition of energy & manufacturing industries. He works at the intersection of digitalization and physical industries, helping industrial companies (energy, manufacturing, renewable... Show more

Paul Fjelrad is the Chief Architect for Zuhlke UK. He has a vast breadth of knowledge and experience across the different architecture domains as well as across different industry sectors, particularly government, finance and energy. His skills and wealth of experience have led to him playing pivotal roles in nationally important programmes, including the Smart-meter Implementation Programme, the ONS Data-Access programme, and most recently contributing to establishing the Modernising Energy Data programme. Paul is the author of “The Struggle Continues” (Troubador, 2020), a contributor to several publications with his “Living With PTSD” articles, and a Mental Health First Aider.

Paul Fjelrad is the Chief Architect for Zuhlke UK. He has a vast breadth of knowledge and experience across the different architecture domains as well as across different industry sectors, particularly government, finance and energy. His skills and w... Show more

I'm an engineer turned entrepreneur. My passion for electrical engineering and thermodynamic, led me to the fields of renewable energy, economics, and data science.

Founder & CEO of Switch Electric Ltd, a company developing web3 metering infrastructure and a platform for tokenizing distributed energy resources on our electricity grids.
Web3 developer, Machine learning engineer, protocol developer at IoTeX

My goal is to help improve the lives of people across the African continent by reducing the cost of living via access to affordable energy.

I'm an engineer turned entrepreneur. My passion for electrical engineering and thermodynamic, led me to the fields of renewable energy, economics, and data science. Founder & CEO of Switch Electric Ltd, a company developing web3 metering infrastr... Show more

As a lead Researcher and Analyst, Ranjit is supporting efforts at NREL's Center for Integrated Mobility Systems (CIMS) as a part of the Sustainable Transportation Integration Group where he is researching Electric Vehicles and Charging Infrastructure. He supports the Federal Fleet team and U.S. DOE's Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) and works on EV charging infrastructure analysis projects, along with a variety of interdisciplinary, integrated modeling and analysis transportation-related projects involving techno-economic analysis, financial modeling, technology adoption, and system dynamics. He has also developed models to analyze how the consumer heterogeneities, uncertainties, and technological progress impact the adoption of electric vehicles.

As a lead Researcher and Analyst, Ranjit is supporting efforts at NREL's Center for Integrated Mobility Systems (CIMS) as a part of the Sustainable Transportation Integration Group where he is researching Electric Vehicles and Charging Infrastructure... Show more

Chris Terrell is the Co-founder and CEO of Wexus Technologies Inc. He has successfully brought climate impact technologies to market with enterprise companies across the US and globally with "virtual power plants" that make energy generation and distribution systems more efficient, increase utility grid reliability, and reduce environmental impacts and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Prior to founding Wexus Technologies, Chris was a Strategic Energy Manager at EnerNOC, the world leader in demand response and smart grid technologies. He managed the comprehensive delivery of SaaS IoT products with advanced metering technology to save energy and money and make the utility grid more efficient.

Chris has worked extensively with farmers across the Western U.S. to help them save money, lower risk, reach operational goals, and optimize energy and water usage. As a trained architect, Chris also has extensive experience in green
building design and construction, as well as extensive leadership and management experience as a prior U.S. Army officer and military veteran.

Chris Terrell is the Co-founder and CEO of Wexus Technologies Inc. He has successfully brought climate impact technologies to market with enterprise companies across the US and globally with "virtual power plants" that make energy generation and dist... Show more

Wanda O Rly is a physicist, a teacher, a game industry professional, an angel of critical thinking and a lover of nature and humanity.

Born out of Valtteri Lahti's passion for drag art and science communication Wanda is a new, exotic, and exciting approach to making science accessible.

Education
• MSc , physics
• Subject teacher(physics , mathematics, IT)

Experience
• 4 years in the game industry, creating science oriented games (Producer, analyst, communications manager)
• 3 years in the energy industry, software designer (solar energy calculation)

Wanda O Rly is a physicist, a teacher, a game industry professional, an angel of critical thinking and a lover of nature and humanity. Born out of Valtteri Lahti's passion for drag art and science communication Wanda is a new, exotic, and exciting... Show more

Chris Knox is a leader, consultant and speaker with award-winning success developing organizational learning programs, managing departments, teams, budgets, and projects. His skills include leading strategic business and operational imperative through the integration of people, process and technology; and building relationships with stakeholders and employees across all levels of an organization.

Chris employs a deep strategic insight and holistic approach to business planning, process innovation, organizational development, program/project management and sustainable operational excellence. His expertise also includes developing metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) that demonstrate program effectiveness. Chris is Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt certified; and expert with MS Office applications and process improvement tools. Chris is a seasoned communicator, facilitator and coach.

Industry experience includes: Energy/Utilities, Security (Cyber/Physical), Manufacturing, Sales, Healthcare, Military/Government, Management Consulting, Real Estate and Music.

Chris Knox is a leader, consultant and speaker with award-winning success developing organizational learning programs, managing departments, teams, budgets, and projects. His skills include leading strategic business and operational imperative throug... Show more

Lawan Idriss is the founder & CEO of Seamium, an AI-native energy engine that monitors, optimises, secures, and manages energy systems autonomously.

Lawan Idriss is the founder & CEO of Seamium, an AI-native energy engine that monitors, optimises, secures, and manages energy systems autonomously. Show more

Embedded systems enthusiast, Open Source advocate, Smart Energy professional, DevOps hobbyist. EE, Ex academic

Embedded systems enthusiast, Open Source advocate, Smart Energy professional, DevOps hobbyist. EE, Ex academic Show more

Maduabuchi Ogu is a multicultural, dynamic, and results-driven geoscientist with multidisciplinary experience spanning petroleum geoscience, mining, and maritime operations. He is a passionate advocate for youth-led innovation and sustainable development. He actively volunteers with organizations like SPE, AAPG, NAPE, Red Cross, and EAGE and is deeply committed to community service and capacity building across Africa. Maduabuchi holds a BSc degree in geology and mining from Enugu State University of Science and Technology and a Master’s degree in integrated Petroleum Exploration and Exploitation Studies from the University of Benin and is currently exploring cross-sector solutions in energy, technology, and critical minerals to drive Africa’s development.

Maduabuchi Ogu is a multicultural, dynamic, and results-driven geoscientist with multidisciplinary experience spanning petroleum geoscience, mining, and maritime operations. He is a passionate advocate for youth-led innovation and sustainable develop... Show more

Peter conducts research and analysis for the transportation program at ACEEE, with a focus on light-duty fuel efficiency and electric vehicles. Peter works on promoting equitable access to electric vehicles and leads the annual life-cycle emissions analysis of light-duty vehicles for ACEEE’s Greenercars.org. Peter also leads ACEEE’s State Transportation Electrification Scorecard, a biannual assessment of progress by states to promote electrification and reduce emissions from the transportation sector.

Peter holds a master of science in public policy and management from the Heinz College at Carnegie Mellon University and a bachelor of arts in economics and global environmental change and sustainability from Johns Hopkins University.

Peter conducts research and analysis for the transportation program at ACEEE, with a focus on light-duty fuel efficiency and electric vehicles. Peter works on promoting equitable access to electric vehicles and leads the annual life-cycle emissions a... Show more

Dever Haffner-Ratliffe has worked in solar energy related roles for 15 years, including within the solar industry, state agencies, and utilities. She brings an honest and engaging introduction to solar for any audience.

Dever Haffner-Ratliffe has worked in solar energy related roles for 15 years, including within the solar industry, state agencies, and utilities. She brings an honest and engaging introduction to solar for any audience. Show more

I currently manage the Grid Integration Systems and Mobility group at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, operated by Stanford University for the US Department of Energy. My current research centers on buildings and electric power systems, with a special focus on modeling, simulation, and applications of peer-to-peer and transactive energy technology. I hold 21 patents and 150+ publications in building diagnostics, grid-friendly appliance controls, and transactive energy systems.

I currently manage the Grid Integration Systems and Mobility group at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, operated by Stanford University for the US Department of Energy. My current research centers on buildings and electric power systems, with a s... Show more

Adem Gungormus is a dynamic Data Governance Architect in the energy sector, celebrated for his leadership in navigating the complexities of data governance and technology innovation. With a solid background in IT and Software Management, Adem has excelled in roles spanning from technical architect to team leader across sectors including energy, banking, and insurance. His expertise extends through cloud technologies, data processing, and engineering, underpinned by a robust command over AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and more. He also conducted an analysis on the usability of blockchain in combination with the trustworthy data sharing.

Adem's approach is characterized by a keen focus on change management, evident in his ability to spearhead strategic initiatives, cultivate agile teams, and drive forward-thinking data governance methodologies. His tenure in the startup ecosystem has honed his skills in business model innovation and community building, allowing him to contribute significantly to the startup and IT communities.

Adem Gungormus is a dynamic Data Governance Architect in the energy sector, celebrated for his leadership in navigating the complexities of data governance and technology innovation. With a solid background in IT and Software Management, Adem has exc... Show more

Hitesh Padhiyar

Experienced Software Engineer in Oil and Gas Industry.

Hitesh Padhiyar is a dynamic and results-driven software engineer with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Applications (BCA), graduating in 2022. With a strong passion for technology and a keen interest in the Oil and Gas industry, Hitesh Padhiyar has quickly become a key player in the field.

Professional Experience:

With over two years of experience in the Oil and Gas sector, Hitesh Padhiyar has been instrumental in leveraging technology to streamline operations, enhance productivity, and ensure the seamless integration of various systems. As a software engineer, Hitesh Padhiyar primarily specializes in REST API integration and has successfully connected ERP systems to automation software, including SAP, among others.

Areas of Expertise:

RESTful API Integration,

ERP System Integration, Automation Software,

Multithreading,

SAP Integration,

Oil and Gas Industry Software Solutions.

Passion for Technology:

Hitesh Padhiyar's passion for technology extends beyond the workplace. They are dedicated to staying up-to-date with the latest developments in the software engineering field, ensuring that their skills and knowledge remain cutting-edge.

Speaking Engagements:

Hitesh Padhiyar is embarking on their speaking journey, eager to share insights and expertise in technology and software engineering. While this may be their first speaking engagement, they bring a fresh perspective and enthusiasm to the stage.

Connect with Hitesh Padhiyar:

Feel free to connect with Hitesh Padhiyar on professional platforms such as LinkedIn and Email to stay updated on their work.

Hitesh Padhiyar Experienced Software Engineer in Oil and Gas Industry. Hitesh Padhiyar is a dynamic and results-driven software engineer with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Applications (BCA), graduating in 2022. With a strong passion for tech... Show more

I am a very qualified and dedicated professional with 9+ years of on-desk and onsite operations experience in GIS and Remote Sensing services for Oil & Gas, Mining Industries. I am currently working for an Oil and Energy Organization where I am responsible for creating, updating, and Quality check-ups of geospatial and non-spatial information regarding Oil and gas leases of various counties in different states in the USA. In the past, I have worked for a Mining Consultancy where I was responsible for Processing and Supervising GIS data and preparation of Maps portraying Location & Accessibility, Geology, Geophysics, Geochemical Assay Results, Master plans, Topographic and field Visit Spatial Data for various Metallic and Non-metallic Mineral commodity projects located in Oman, Tanzania, Uganda, Guinea, Guyana, UAE, Zimbabwe & India. I also have experience in onsite field operations working for Mineral Exploration projects located in West Africa, Middle East, and South America.

I am a very qualified and dedicated professional with 9+ years of on-desk and onsite operations experience in GIS and Remote Sensing services for Oil & Gas, Mining Industries. I am currently working for an Oil and Energy Organization where I am respo... Show more

Mohammed established the Citizen Development practice at Baker Hughes and currently leads BH Power Platform COE.

He is a career switcher, a digital transformation leader, and catalyst focusing on talents, culture, and governance for an enterprise-wide adoption. Mohammed speaks low-code and governance where everyone is a maker.

Mohammed established the Citizen Development practice at Baker Hughes and currently leads BH Power Platform COE. He is a career switcher, a digital transformation leader, and catalyst focusing on talents, culture, and governance for an enterprise... Show more

Experienced technology leader with true global experience worked and lived in 4 continents, 7 countries and cross-cultures in energy sector. Skilled in Digital Transformation for Enterprise, Power Platform digital enablement, recognised by Microsoft as select few PowerApps Champs for his achievements in Power Platform and also recently attained Microsoft MVP recognition.

Experienced technology leader with true global experience worked and lived in 4 continents, 7 countries and cross-cultures in energy sector. Skilled in Digital Transformation for Enterprise, Power Platform digital enablement, recognised by Microsoft ... Show more

Keir is a lead engineer at Kaluza, an energy software business that offers leading retailers distributed, real-time energy billing, where he is responsible for the company’s external API and its integration with backend systems. Prior to this role he worked on automating operations across millions of smart meters using Kafka. Keir is also a frequent open source contributor within both the Scala and Rust ecosystems, including to Kafka related libraries such as fs2-kafka.

Keir is a lead engineer at Kaluza, an energy software business that offers leading retailers distributed, real-time energy billing, where he is responsible for the company’s external API and its integration with backend systems. Prior to this role he... Show more

Carl Kasalek is the CEO of U.S. Energy Recovery, a provider of turnkey energy efficiency solutions for businesses seeking to reduce their energy usage. U.S. Energy Recovery provides state-of-the-art electric vehicle charging, solar, energy storage, lighting, and control systems that help organizations lower their energy usage which allows them to save money and be environmentally sustainable while providing a higher quality atmosphere for employees and customers. To date, U.S. Energy Recovery has saved its clients over $80 million dollars in energy costs and 1.3 billion pounds of CO2e.

An entrepreneur at heart, Carl has founded or acquired 8 successful companies ranging in industries from 3D printing, real estate, and event entertainment. In his free time, Carl enjoys spending time with his wife and four children at their home in Phoenix, AZ where they enjoy everything the beautiful desert has to offer.

Carl Kasalek is the CEO of U.S. Energy Recovery, a provider of turnkey energy efficiency solutions for businesses seeking to reduce their energy usage. U.S. Energy Recovery provides state-of-the-art electric vehicle charging, solar, energy storage, l... Show more

Jamel Abed is a Microsoft MVP in Microsoft 365 Development and SharePoint, Senior Developer Advocate, and International Speaker with over 17 years of experience in architecting, building, and migrating enterprise-scale solutions.

He has successfully delivered projects across multiple industries, including Banking, Finance, Energy, Insurance, Healthcare, Aerospace, Defense, and Government, leveraging the full power of Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Power Platform, Azure, and SharePoint Embedded.

As a Solutions Architect and Developer Advocate, Jamel is passionate about empowering developers, promoting clean code, and driving product adoption. He specializes in designing end-to-end solutions across the Microsoft ecosystem, transforming complex business requirements into secure, scalable, and efficient technology solutions.

Ranked #1 Global Speaker on CommunityDays.org, Jamel regularly speaks at international conferences on topics such as SharePoint Embedded, AI integration, and cost optimization for data management. He is also a community leader and mentor, dedicated to fostering innovation and collaboration within the global tech community.

Jamel Abed is a Microsoft MVP in Microsoft 365 Development and SharePoint, Senior Developer Advocate, and International Speaker with over 17 years of experience in architecting, building, and migrating enterprise-scale solutions. He has successful... Show more

With a strong passion for Sustainable Technology and Trustworthy AI, Dennis has been an active member of the Microsoft & Umbraco community well over a decade, writing hundreds of articles, tutorials, speaking at conferences, meetups, contributing to open source projects, youtube videos, podcasts, forums etc. for which he has been awarded 4x Microsoft MVP (AI Platform, Trustworthy AI and Developer Technologies), 7x Umbraco MVP, Top 3 Open Source contributor in Sweden 2024 and Top 5 Developers in Sweden 2023.

With a strong passion for Sustainable Technology and Trustworthy AI, Dennis has been an active member of the Microsoft & Umbraco community well over a decade, writing hundreds of articles, tutorials, speaking at conferences, meetups, contributing to ... Show more