Started with his C64 at age 11, Manu “Stuff” Carrasco Molina later became a Pro Software Dev after 3 years of CS. He started the first french podcast about Apple in 2005. Started developing for iOS in 2008. With Swift since 2014 and SwiftUI since 2019. He looks at visionOS on the side since 2023, waiting the revolution to arrive (or not). Most importantly, he has been actively involved in local politics with the Greens in Germany since 2011, sitting at various city and regional councils, and even trying to run for European Parliament. That `try` landed in the `catch` block though, but oh well, he learned ;-)

Started with his C64 at age 11, Manu “Stuff” Carrasco Molina later became a Pro Software Dev after 3 years of CS. He started the first french podcast about Apple in 2005. Started developing for iOS in 2008. With Swift since 2014 and SwiftUI since 201... Show more

AI Scientist driving scalable retail modeling, causal inference, and supply chain decisions for Target's growing digital business. Previously, he was a Graduate student in AI at Duke with research stints at the Center for Advanced Hindsight and IBM Labs for their open source and pro bono initiatives.

AI Scientist driving scalable retail modeling, causal inference, and supply chain decisions for Target's growing digital business. Previously, he was a Graduate student in AI at Duke with research stints at the Center for Advanced Hindsight and IBM L... Show more

Visionary & Digital Transformation Expert

Sandeep Voona is a 2025 award-winning Digital Transformation expert recognized as "The Most Influential Personality in Digital Transformation" by CXO Time, with additional honors including the Global Recognition Award for Innovation in Enterprise Software Development and Globee Gold Award for Artificial Intelligence. As Senior Principal Product Manager at ServiceNow, he architected the Zero Copy ERP solution that reduced integration latency by 60% and deployed globally across SAP, Oracle, and Workday platforms.

Sandeep has built his career transforming technical innovation into measurable business outcomes. A Senior Member of IEEE (top 10% globally), he serves on the IEEE-USA AI Policy Committee while continuing his legacy of enterprise innovation. His tenure at SAP saw him migrate hundreds of enterprise customers to cloud platforms while being twice selected for the exclusive SAP Catalyst program. Now at ServiceNow, he continues developing telemetry-driven products that significantly reduce delivery cycles while serving global enterprise clients.

Beyond corporate achievements, Sandeep demonstrates exceptional leadership through mentorship, achieving top 1% performance on topmate.io with 150+ monthly sessions guiding professionals into AI and product management careers. He co-founded Pan-Asians@SAP, organically growing it to 5000+ global members and influencing inclusive recruitment policies. As a startup mentor through SAP.iO, he has guided companies from Pre-Seed to Series A while serving as a judge for Unicorn Events (world's largest startup pitch contest), Globee Awards, and The Stevie Awards.

Visionary & Digital Transformation Expert Sandeep Voona is a 2025 award-winning Digital Transformation expert recognized as "The Most Influential Personality in Digital Transformation" by CXO Time, with additional honors including the Global Recog... Show more

Peter Örneholm is the CTO at Budi Auktioner, dedicated to helping companies reduce waste and embrace reuse through smart digital tools. With over 15 years of experience in Microsoft-related technologies, he leverages the power of cloud solutions like Azure to drive innovation and sustainability. Peter's mission is to create impactful solutions that enable businesses to adopt more circular and sustainable practices.

Peter Örneholm is the CTO at Budi Auktioner, dedicated to helping companies reduce waste and embrace reuse through smart digital tools. With over 15 years of experience in Microsoft-related technologies, he leverages the power of cloud solutions like... Show more

Kristina Devochko is a platform engineer, tech content creator, speaker and tech community contributor based in Norway. She focuses on all things cloud native, Kubernetes, cloud security and green tech. Kristina is an owner of kristhecodingunicorn.com tech blog, a CNCF Ambassador, Microsoft Azure MVP, Green Software Champion, CNCF TAG Environmental Sustainability chair, co-organizer of multiple meetup groups and mentor. In her free time Kristina enjoys doing CTF challenges, reading and cuddling with her four cats.

Kristina's great passion is to share her knowledge with others and provide guidance on how to build systems with sustainability, security and cloud native principles at its core. Kristina strongly believes that contributing to making the world a better place by volunteering is important, therefore being a volunteer is a big part of her life. Both when it comes to contributing back to the tech community and non-profit organizations.

Kristina Devochko is a platform engineer, tech content creator, speaker and tech community contributor based in Norway. She focuses on all things cloud native, Kubernetes, cloud security and green tech. Kristina is an owner of kristhecodingunicorn.co... Show more

Mark Heckler, MBA is the Senior Director of Field Engineering at Moderne.
He has worked with key players in numerous industries and organizations to develop, deliver, and maintain critical capabilities securely, on time, and on budget. Mark is an open source contributor, author of Spring Boot: Up and Running (https://bit.ly/springbootbook), and a licensed, instrument-rated pilot.

Mark Heckler, MBA is the Senior Director of Field Engineering at Moderne. He has worked with key players in numerous industries and organizations to develop, deliver, and maintain critical capabilities securely, on time, and on budget. Mark is an o... Show more

Chukwuemeka is a passionate Software Engineer with 7 years of experience building scalable and impactful software solutions. Specializing in distributed systems, Chukwuemeka has worked with leading tech companies like Risevest, delivering products that serve millions of users.

A strong advocate for innovation and continuous learning, Chukwuemeka is also active in the tech community. He is currently one of the organizers of GDG Cloud Lagos and also mentors younger developers by organizing meetups and workshops.

Chukwuemeka is a passionate Software Engineer with 7 years of experience building scalable and impactful software solutions. Specializing in distributed systems, Chukwuemeka has worked with leading tech companies like Risevest, delivering products th... Show more

Customer and quality focused mobile engineer in love with mobile platforms. I've been building software for quite a while: over 14 years of software development experience, 12 years of iOS. I have experience working on great products and I am excited to see them used.

Customer and quality focused mobile engineer in love with mobile platforms. I've been building software for quite a while: over 14 years of software development experience, 12 years of iOS. I have experience working on great products and I am excited... Show more

Keith Smith is a seasoned Cybersecurity and Compliance leader with over a decade of experience in the field. Currently serving as the Director of Cybersecurity Governance, Risk & Compliance for a national healthcare organization, Keith brings a wealth of expertise to his role in protecting cutting-edge technology.
Throughout his career, Keith has held numerous key leadership positions and has consistently developed and implemented comprehensive security strategies across various industries.
Keith serves on the advisory council for Information Systems & Analytics at Florida Gulf Coast University. He holds multiple industry-recognized certifications, including CISSP, CDPSE, CISM, and CRISC. Keith specializes in risk management, compliance frameworks (including PCI DSS, HIPAA, HITRUST, and SOC2), and implementing effective security awareness programs.

Keith Smith is a seasoned Cybersecurity and Compliance leader with over a decade of experience in the field. Currently serving as the Director of Cybersecurity Governance, Risk & Compliance for a national healthcare organization, Keith brings a wealt... Show more

With a background in Architecture and Development Tadeh has supported building large scale projects with diverse teams for over 10 years. By promoting open dialogue, systems thinking, and long term planning he has improved operational efficiencies in all his endeavors. He is a course author, trainer, and open source contributor as well as a speaker at national conferences in technology, architecture, design. He loves to talk about the new possibilities with technology and innovation at everyone’s disposal while building communities along the way.

With a background in Architecture and Development Tadeh has supported building large scale projects with diverse teams for over 10 years. By promoting open dialogue, systems thinking, and long term planning he has improved operational efficiencies in... Show more

With over 4 years of experience in the tech and data analytics space, I have contributed significantly to innovative fintech startups across Africa and currently work with a leading fintech company. Beyond my professional role, I am passionate about mentoring and teaching aspiring data professionals. I have collaborated with esteemed edtech organizations such as Tech4Dev and Niyo BootCamp, and have taught over 3,000 students across Africa and the United Kingdom. Additionally, I have worked on impactful data analytics projects with Nasarawa State, FCMB among others, driving data-driven decision-making and innovation. My dedication to continuous learning and community engagement underscores my commitment to advancing the field of data analytics.

With over 4 years of experience in the tech and data analytics space, I have contributed significantly to innovative fintech startups across Africa and currently work with a leading fintech company. Beyond my professional role, I am passionate about ... Show more

I am a software engineer with years of professional experience developing, testing, deploying, and maintaining robust software
applications. I excel in creating innovative solutions and seamless user experiences. Beyond my technical skills, I am passionate about physical wellness and enjoy regular workouts to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.

I am a software engineer with years of professional experience developing, testing, deploying, and maintaining robust software applications. I excel in creating innovative solutions and seamless user experiences. Beyond my technical skills, I am pas... Show more

Faith Njah is a professional Technology Advocate at Algo Coding Experts, a software company based in Spain. She is also a software engineer with a strong background in building technical solutions and creating impactful content. She excels at breaking down complex technical concepts and making them accessible to diverse audiences, from developers to non-technical users.

Faith has collaborated with international teams, engaging developers, writing technical articles, and delivering insightful presentations on emerging technologies. She continuously bridges the gap between technology and end users through advocacy, documentation, and hands-on demonstrations.

With a keen interest in developing innovative solutions, Faith is committed to driving impact in Technology industry.

Faith Njah is a professional Technology Advocate at Algo Coding Experts, a software company based in Spain. She is also a software engineer with a strong background in building technical solutions and creating impactful content. She excels at breakin... Show more

Stuart is a Senior Developer Advocate | DevOps Pioneer | TEDx Speaker | International Keynote Speaker | Technical Author | DevNet Expert #2022005

Stuart is a sought-after speaker, TEDx presenter, and champion for sustainable software. He's passionate about the impact of software and AI on the climate and empowers developers to build a more sustainable future. As a leading expert in programmability and DevOps, he frequently graces industry stages worldwide, sharing his knowledge and inspiring others. In his previous role as a network engineer, he became obsessed with network automation and became a developer advocate for network automation. He contributed to the Cisco DevNet exams and was part of one of the SME teams which created, designed, and built the Cisco Certified DevNet Expert. He lives in Lincoln, England, with his wife, Natalie, and their son, Maddox. He plays guitar and rocks an impressive two-foot beard while drinking coffee. You can find him on social media @bigevilbeard

Stuart is a Senior Developer Advocate | DevOps Pioneer | TEDx Speaker | International Keynote Speaker | Technical Author | DevNet Expert #2022005 Stuart is a sought-after speaker, TEDx presenter, and champion for sustainable software. He's passion... Show more

Dr. Kendra Pöhlmann, Dr. der Wirtschaftswissenschaften mit den Schwerpunkten Strategie und Nachhaltigkeit. Als wiss. Mitarbeiterin, Dozentin und Speakerin liegt ihr die nachhaltige Unternehmensentwicklung insbes. von, mit und für Frauen am Herzen.

Dr. Kendra Pöhlmann, Dr. der Wirtschaftswissenschaften mit den Schwerpunkten Strategie und Nachhaltigkeit. Als wiss. Mitarbeiterin, Dozentin und Speakerin liegt ihr die nachhaltige Unternehmensentwicklung insbes. von, mit und für Frauen am Herzen. Show more

Agiliste convaincue, motivée par les petites victoires quotidiennes, émerveillée par la vie, et habitée par les valeurs du manifeste agile centrées sur l'humain, le respect, la bienveillance et l'amélioration continue. Je mets mes compétences et mon expérience au service de ceux qui partagent mon quotidien, mais j'essaye avant tout de leur faire révéler leur propre potentiel, parfois des pépites qu'ils ignorent d'eux-mêmes...

Maman de 3 enfants, neuroatypique, féministe et fresqueuse du climat.

Agiliste convaincue, motivée par les petites victoires quotidiennes, émerveillée par la vie, et habitée par les valeurs du manifeste agile centrées sur l'humain, le respect, la bienveillance et l'amélioration continue. Je mets mes compétences et mon ... Show more

I am a Senior AI/ML Engineer focused on Technical Leadership, bridging the gap between theoretical research and scalable, real-world production systems. My career sits at the intersection of hands-on engineering, team management, and strategic innovation.

​Currently, as a Senior Software Engineer & Line Manager at Virtusa, I lead teams in defining the Solution Architecture for complex Machine Learning and Generative AI applications. I specialize in deploying these robust, cloud-native systems on AWS, balancing rigorous technical execution with talent development and delivery management.

​My perspective on AI is deeply informed by my previous role as Co-founder & COO of Trinet Innovations. That experience honed my ability to translate technical possibilities into tangible business value and societal impact, driven by a philosophy of "AI for all."

​Beyond corporate delivery, I am committed to advancing the global AI ecosystem. I am an active researcher and passionate educator, having executed over 45 diverse AI projects, conducted 50+ technical workshops, and mentored nearly 350 students, professionals, and startup founders globally.

​I am always open to connecting on innovative R&D collaborations, high-impact societal projects, and leadership opportunities.

I am a Senior AI/ML Engineer focused on Technical Leadership, bridging the gap between theoretical research and scalable, real-world production systems. My career sits at the intersection of hands-on engineering, team management, and strategic innova... Show more

I am the Founder of GammaLex AI Inc. and Co-Founder of Justice for All (J4All.org), both launched at Stanford Law School. At GammaLex, I develop vertical AI solutions for high-stakes domains, where AI can meaningfully influence human outcomes, community systems, and long-term sustainability across health, legal technology, and AI infrastructure. Through Justice for All, we collaborate with Google Research to advance access to justice and deliver tangible humanitarian impact.

I am the Founder of GammaLex AI Inc. and Co-Founder of Justice for All (J4All.org), both launched at Stanford Law School. At GammaLex, I develop vertical AI solutions for high-stakes domains, where AI can meaningfully influence human outcomes, commun... Show more

Philipp Kersting ist unabhängiger Green-IT-Berater. Er coacht Manager und Mitarbeitende in IT, Fachbereich und Controlling und setzt sich für geringere IT-Kosten und -Emissionen ein. Er ist ein sehr erfahrener IT‘ler, zertifizierter FinOps Practitioner und Auditor für den Blauen Engel für Software.

Philipp Kersting ist unabhängiger Green-IT-Berater. Er coacht Manager und Mitarbeitende in IT, Fachbereich und Controlling und setzt sich für geringere IT-Kosten und -Emissionen ein. Er ist ein sehr erfahrener IT‘ler, zertifizierter FinOps Practition... Show more

Alexander has been a full-stack developer for twelve years and is currently part of the Cloud FinOps team at Atlassian.

A full-stack developer with twelve years of experience. He previously ran an App development agency, managing various teams across design and development, leading web, backend and native mobile app developers in Australia and Europe.

Alexander's strengths are system architecture design and communicating complicated tech to everyday people. He has helped scale tech at numerous startups and is passionate about making a positive difference.

When not working, you can find him writing tech articles and teaching Javascript and React at SheCodes, an initiative helping to get more women into tech. He regularly gives talks on various topics, focusing on the impact the technology we build can have.

Alexander is devastated by the state of the world, loves a good political rant and can often be swearing at no one in particular. He enjoys building things in JavaScript, Deno and Node.

Alexander has been a full-stack developer for twelve years and is currently part of the Cloud FinOps team at Atlassian. A full-stack developer with twelve years of experience. He previously ran an App development agency, managing various teams acr... Show more

Joshua Johnson is an American technology executive who serves as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of TREE Industries, a company founded in September 2017 and headquartered in Washington, Missouri, specializing in sustainable AI innovation to address environmental challenges through ethical, eco-friendly artificial intelligence solutions focused on accessibility, privacy, and open-source technologies. As CTO since the company's inception, Johnson architects next-generation emerging technologies and AI solutions, leading TREE Industries' efforts to integrate sustainability first principles into AI development for global problem-solving, including advancements in voice-powered tools, 3D avatars with open-source AI assistants, and collaborative virtual beings. His notable public contributions, documented since 2017, include spearheading the release of TREE's first video game, Ultimate Disc Golf, in December 2019; developing a voice-powered virtual production tool using Unreal Engine and open-source AI in February 2020; creating the first 3D avatars integrated with the Mycroft AI assistant in March 2021; launching a desktop control skill for Mycroft AI in June 2021; and developing BlenderGPT, an AI tool for generative 3D modeling, which was featured in NVIDIA's 2023 SIGGRAPH keynote, all emphasizing ethical and environmentally conscious tech innovation. Johnson is further distinguished in the field by his role in collaborations, such as TREE Industries' partnership with Fable on AI-driven projects, and his co-founding of Geppetto AI to advance real-time AI applications.

Joshua Johnson's early career in the technology sector began with roles focused on web development and software engineering, laying the foundation for his later work in AI and sustainable technologies. Alongside his role at TREE Industries, he founded and continues to lead eClarity Web Solutions, where he serves as CEO, assisting businesses and individuals in developing modern content management system (CMS)-powered websites. In this position, Johnson specialized in technologies such as Joomla!, CSS, HTML, JavaScript, PHP, Flash AS3, and HTML5, gaining expertise in web design and development over several years.These early experiences honed his skills in programming and digital solutions, enabling him to tackle more complex technical challenges in subsequent roles. Although specific timelines for his initial positions are not widely documented, his work at eClarity represented a key period of skill development in software engineering and client-facing tech services before transitioning to executive leadership in AI innovation.

Leadership at TREE Industries

Joshua Johnson was appointed as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of TREE Industries upon its founding in September 2017, where he has led the technical direction since inception. In this executive role, Johnson has focused on initial team-building efforts and aligning the company's technological vision with sustainable AI goals aimed at addressing environmental challenges through ethical and eco-friendly solutions. Key leadership milestones under Johnson's tenure include overseeing the expansion of research and development (R&D) activities from 2018 onward, such as the company's joining of the Greater North County Chamber of Commerce in February 2018 to foster industry collaborations and the development of innovative AI tools, including a voice-powered virtual production tool using Unreal Engine and open-source AI in February 2020. By 2021, his strategic guidance contributed to further R&D growth, exemplified by the creation of 3D avatars integrated with Mycroft AI in March 2021, the release of a desktop control skill for Mycroft AI in June 2021, and the prototyping of an AI virtual being capable of real-time 3D art generation in August 2021 as part of TREE Industries' entry into The Culture DAO. These efforts highlight Johnson's role in hiring key engineers and forming partnerships with environmental and tech organizations to scale sustainable AI initiatives. Johnson's strategic initiatives have emphasized eco-friendly practices, including the implementation of sustainable operations in data centers and AI development processes, though specific budgets remain undisclosed in public records. His leadership has driven organizational growth, positioning TREE Industries as a leader in green AI technologies headquartered in Washington, Missouri.

Innovations in AI Sustainability

As CTO of TREE Industries, Joshua Johnson leads efforts to integrate sustainability principles into AI development, focusing on ethical and eco-friendly artificial intelligence solutions.

Key Projects and Initiatives:

Joshua Johnson has led several AI-driven projects at TREE Industries since joining as CTO in 2017, aligning with the company's vision for sustainable AI innovation to address environmental challenges through ethical and eco-friendly solutions. One notable initiative is the development of Ultimate Disc Golf, a video game incorporating AI and machine learning elements, launched in December 2019. This project aimed to advance accessible gaming technologies while exploring AI applications in simulation and real-time environments, with Johnson discussing its integration of AI for enhanced user experiences during a 2020 podcast interview. The effort contributed to TREE Industries' broader portfolio in ethical AI for entertainment, though specific environmental impact metrics were not publicly detailed. In 2021, Johnson oversaw the creation of DeepSpeech-based automatic speech systems for games, focusing on open-source AI to enable voice interactions in virtual environments. This initiative sought to promote affordable and privacy-focused AI tools, developed as part of TREE's commitment to socially responsible technology, with outcomes including prototypes for real-time 3D art creation. The project underscored ethical considerations in AI deployment for gaming industries.[More recently, in 2024, Johnson collaborated with Fable on an AI project bringing the Sam Altman saga to life through advanced chatbots, emphasizing innovative storytelling via eco-friendly AI practices. According to a Forbes article, these chatbots represented non-traditional applications, highlighting TREE Industries' role in sustainable AI collaborations that minimize computational waste. The partnership demonstrated measurable advancements in ethical AI for narrative simulations. Additionally, under Johnson's leadership, TREE Industries advanced the Unreal Agent plugin in 2025, an open-source AI copilot for Unreal Engine 5 that automates tasks like level design and content generation to optimize development workflows. This tool aims to reduce energy-intensive manual processes, supporting green AI goals through efficient, real-time integrations, with its GitHub release fostering community-driven sustainable innovations.

Industry Influence:

Joshua Johnson has exerted influence in the sustainable AI sector through his thought leadership and participation in high-profile industry events. As CTO of TREE Industries, he spoke at the AI Film and Games Festival in San Francisco in 2023 and GatherVerse Summit 2025.This engagement underscores his role in promoting ethical AI practices that align with environmental goals, as TREE Industries emphasizes "Sustainability First" in its operations. In advisory capacities, Johnson serves as the Interoperability Committee Lead at The Culture DAO since April 2022, contributing to standards development in emerging technologies, including AI interoperability that supports sustainable applications. Johnson's contributions extend to open-source initiatives that advance sustainable AI tools. Under his technical guidance at TREE Industries, the company developed and released open-source projects such as 3D avatars integrated with Mycroft AI, a voice-powered virtual production tool using Unreal Engine and open-source AI, and a desktop control skill for Mycroft, all launched between 2020 and 2021 to make advanced technologies more accessible and environmentally responsible. These efforts have been adopted in communities focused on conversational AI, promoting energy-efficient offline processing solutions that reduce computational waste. Additionally, TREE's early involvement in open-source speech systems like DeepSpeech has influenced game development and AI applications with lower environmental footprints.Through these activities, Johnson has shaped industry discussions on sustainable AI, as evidenced by his commentary in media outlets like Forbes, where he highlighted innovative AI collaborations that prioritize ethical and eco-friendly advancements. His work has contributed to TREE Industries' promotion of AI adoption among local businesses via chamber of commerce memberships, fostering wider sectoral shifts toward sustainability.

Joshua Johnson is an American technology executive who serves as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of TREE Industries, a company founded in September 2017 and headquartered in Washington, Missouri, specializing in sustainable AI innovation to addr... Show more

Dr. James C. Rodríguez, MSW, CADC
President & Chief Executive Officer, Fathers & Families Coalition of America
International Trainer • Clinical Social Worker • Veteran • Advocate for Equity, Fatherhood, and Mental Health

“I am a Boricua. A dad. A soldier. A professional social worker. An advocate. A teacher. A professor. A counselor. And a friend. And with every role, I lead with love and serve with purpose.”

Dr. James C. Rodríguez, MSW, CADC, is a globally acclaimed leader, author, and advocate for the well-being of children and families—renowned for his ability to inspire transformative change through expertise, faith, and service. A proud father, soldier, social worker, and visionary educator, he has devoted more than four decades to helping people rediscover hope, dignity, and purpose. His reach spans early childhood education, public health, child welfare, mental health, leadership development, and fatherhood advocacy—fields that, in his hands, become pathways toward healing and equity.

A Legacy of Service

James's journey of service began at just seventeen when he raised his hand to serve as a combat medic in the United States Army. By twenty-two, he was one of the youngest Substance Abuse Counselors in the Department of Defense, already guiding others toward recovery. Over two decades of military service in behavioral health, law enforcement, and crisis response forged his lifelong devotion to discipline and compassion.

His dedication to serving at-risk youth and families earned him the Points of Light Award from President George H. W. Bush and the Presidential Lifetime Call to Service Award from President Barack H. Obama—each a testament to his extraordinary commitment to public service and to humanity itself. He was later honored with a Meritorious Service Medal from the U.S. Department of Defense and Congressional Certificates of Honor from Members of Congress, including Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, and Congresswoman Diane E. Watson, each recognizing his unwavering commitment to social justice, equity, and family strengthening. He has also been commended by the California State Senate and Legislature and deeply humbled by his Ceremonial Elder Proclamation from the Qutekcak Native Tribe of Alaska.

Building Movements and Securing Hope

After retiring from military service, Dr. Rodríguez channeled his experience into fatherhood and family policy. In Arizona, he founded one of the nation's first TANF-funded fatherhood programs, demonstrating that collaboration and compassion could reshape entire systems. That single program became a national model, generating over $75 million in resources for community initiatives and impacting tens of thousands of families and professionals.

From that vision emerged the Fathers and Families Coalition of America (FFCA), which Dr. Rodríguez developed from a grassroots network into an international nonprofit with offices in California and Puerto Rico, as well as collaborations spanning Australia, the United Kingdom, and Pakistan. Under his leadership, the Coalition's annual International Families and Fathers Conference—now approaching its 27th year—has become one of the world's premier gatherings for educators, policymakers, clinicians, and faith leaders dedicated to advancing equity and family well-being.

Educator Across Borders

Teaching is James's true calling. He has served as a professor at the University of Southern California's School of Social Work and Arizona State University's College of Public Service and Community Solutions. Earlier, he developed curricula for Mesa Community College and Central Arizona College, designing courses in human development and family preservation that remain in use today. He has directed the statewide Cornell University Family Development Credential Program and lectured at Morehouse College, Clark Atlanta University, Howard University, Columbia University, Yale University, Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico, the University of the West Indies, Guelph University in Canada, and with tribal partners such as the Navajo Nation and the Qutekcak Native Tribe of Alaska. Wherever he teaches—from Ivy League classrooms to community halls—he reminds students that purpose is born from perseverance.

Dr. Rodríguez also serves on the Editorial Board of PHYLON: The Clark Atlanta University Review of Race and Culture, appointed by Dr. Obie Clayton Jr., to advance scholarship on race, family, and social policy.

Groundbreaking Curricula and Leadership Training

Throughout his career, Dr. Rodríguez has developed a family of curricula and training institutes that bridge the gap between science and spirituality. His Advanced Practitioner Credential™ Course, OAR Leadership Institute™ (Ownership • Accountability • Responsibility), and the SAMHSA-approved curriculum, including Elevating Fathers in Family Mental Health Support, have trained more than 30,000 professionals nationwide. He is also the creator of the FFCA DiSC Model, as well as Ikigai & The Power of Kintsugi (金継ぎ). This program invites participants to build bridges of destiny through self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and purpose-driven leadership.

Certified as an Executive Coach and DiSC® (TTI Model) Trainer, he is also a Master Trainer for The John R. Wooden Course™ in Executive Coaching and Leadership, a Certified Advanced Life Coach, Life Coach Therapist, Ikigai Coach, and holds a Specialized Schema Therapy Certification. Under his direction, FFCA's training programs uphold the highest national standards in behavioral-health education. The Advanced Practitioner Credential Course is an NASW Arizona-approved continuing education provider, and all FFCA programs adhere to evidence-based, recovery-oriented practice standards that reflect its commitment to ethical, transformative education.

Research and Public Health Innovation

As a Principal Investigator and Senior Researcher, Dr. Rodríguez has led projects funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institute of Mental Health, and the U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement. His research with the Somali Association of Arizona, the Hispanic/Latino and African American Parent Depression Research Project, and the Arizona State University Hispanic Family Research Project has advanced culturally responsive care and mental-health equity for communities of color nationwide.

Policy and Public Service Impact

Dr. Rodríguez has been instrumental in advancing fatherhood and family policy at every level of government. He was a key contributor to the establishment of the Fatherhood Research and Practice Network (FRPN)—a collaboration of scholars and advocates dedicated to building the national evidence base for fatherhood services. He has worked closely with Congressman Danny K. Davis on legislation addressing fatherhood and trauma-informed care. He has served as advisor to the Connecticut Fatherhood Initiative and to state legislative task forces in Arizona and California on TANF transition and family-strengthening policy.

In New York City, he has served as a keynote speaker and policy advisor to the Office of the Mayor's Fatherhood Advisory Council, working in partnership with the Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) and the Administration for Children's Services (ACS) to advance responsible fatherhood, workforce development, and equitable family systems. His policy influence extends to federal and state agencies, including SAMHSA, the Region II Head Start Association, the State of Maryland, and the National Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health.

Recognition and Honors

Throughout his career, Dr. Rodríguez has received numerous recognitions for his professional service and social impact. Among the most notable are the Presidential Lifetime Call to Service Award from President Barack H. Obama; the Points of Light Award from President George H. W. Bush; Congressional Certificates of Recognition from Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, and Congresswoman Diane E. Watson; California State Senate and Legislature Commendations; the Meritorious Service Medal from the U.S. Department of Defense; the Ceremonial Elder Proclamation from the Qutekcak Native Tribe of Alaska; and the National Social Worker Leadership Resolution awarded by FFCA. Each recognition stands as a symbol of his lifelong dedication to service, equity, and the power of human connection.

Author and Storyteller

Dr. Rodríguez is the author of the forthcoming book The Purpose Within — Like the Phoenix Out of the Ashes, to be released in April 2026. The book interweaves memoir, leadership philosophy, and spiritual reflection, inviting readers to discover their own purpose within adversity and emerge renewed, like the phoenix from its flame.

Personal Values and Legacy

At the core of Dr. Rodríguez's mission lies faith, humility, and love for family. He draws daily inspiration from his children—Antonio, (Cassandra), Amber Rodríguez-Young, LMSW (Daric), and Jazmín Rodríguez—and his beloved grandchildren Ariston and Adalena. Whether mentoring emerging leaders, advising lawmakers, or speaking to communities in need of hope, he lives by the principle that leadership is service and service is love in motion. Dr. Rodríguez's personal values—rooted in love, empathy, and a deep respect for humanity—are the driving force behind every facet of his work. Above all, he treasures his role as a father and draws inspiration from his own children to create initiatives that support families and strengthen communities. His unwavering dedication to fostering wellness, equity, and opportunity continues to make a profound impact, earning him global recognition as one of the most influential social work, mental health, and child welfare figures.

"Leadership is not about titles. It is about being water—shaping, flowing, and giving life wherever you go." — Bruce Lee.

Today, Dr. James C. Rodríguez continues to guide the Fathers & Families Coalition of America with the same devotion that marked his first day as a combat medic: with courage, compassion, and the conviction that every life can be repaired and made whole. His legacy shines across continents, reminding the world that true strength, like gold in kintsugi, is found in our cracks—and in how we choose to heal them.

Dr. James C. Rodríguez, MSW, CADC President & Chief Executive Officer, Fathers & Families Coalition of America International Trainer • Clinical Social Worker • Veteran • Advocate for Equity, Fatherhood, and Mental Health “I am a Boricua. A dad. ... Show more

Vipin Kataria is an IEEE Senior Member and Distinguished SCRS Fellow with 20+ years of experience working at the intersection of cloud architecture, machine learning, and IoT/Edge and sensor systems. Over two decades, he has built scalable solutions across hardware, cloud, and enterprise domains—from data platforms for XMM Series Modem Platform that enabled development and log triaging at Intel Corporation to enterprise-grade cloud platforms at Amazon and telecommunications solutions at Aricent Technologies and TCS.
As Lead Architect - Data/ML at Picarro, he designs cloud data solutions around IoT/Sensor/Edge systems for environmental monitoring and hazardous gas detection, processing real-time sensor data for Fortune 500 companies. His work focuses on modern data architecture, advanced analytics pipelines, and AI systems that drive business transformation.
Beyond building systems, Vipin actively contributes to the AI research community as an author, peer-reviewer, and judge for international AI awards and hackathons. Based in Fremont, California, he continues advancing the convergence of cloud computing, machine learning, and IoT technologies

Vipin Kataria is an IEEE Senior Member and Distinguished SCRS Fellow with 20+ years of experience working at the intersection of cloud architecture, machine learning, and IoT/Edge and sensor systems. Over two decades, he has built scalable solutions ... Show more

Olga Woschitz is a data architect focused on building the scalable, future-proof foundations required for modern AI. She specializes in designing systems that drive real business impact by connecting data strategy directly to implementation.

Her interest in AI-ready architecture grew from solving the real-world problems she saw inside organizations: Legacy pipelines that break under pressure. Teams that struggle to collaborate. Data that cannot support even basic analytics, let alone AI. This experience drives her to build modern, domain-oriented architectures that make AI possible instead of painful.

Olga Woschitz is a data architect focused on building the scalable, future-proof foundations required for modern AI. She specializes in designing systems that drive real business impact by connecting data strategy directly to implementation. Her i... Show more

Meet Luc Weinbrecht, a BPM consultant, trainer, and software architect at envite. As a Camunda and Green Software Champion, he helps organizations accelerate digitalization and workflow automation - focusing on sustainable, modern architectures such as Domain-Driven Design and Clean Architecture. Luc is especially passionate about business monitoring and reducing the CO₂ footprint through smarter, more efficient process design.

Meet Luc Weinbrecht, a BPM consultant, trainer, and software architect at envite. As a Camunda and Green Software Champion, he helps organizations accelerate digitalization and workflow automation - focusing on sustainable, modern architectures such ... Show more

I'm Francesco Fullone, a business designer, consultant, and mentor and investor in technology companies focusing on sustainability or social impact.

I help companies (in any stage) to better define their business propositions to create options to validate them, and I advise them to organize themselves better to reach their goals.

I founded, and I contribute to Apropos, a company that helps communities, companies, and local groups organize events and workshops. If you attended an international conference about web technologies in Italy, you met me as a speaker, organizer, or attendee.

I founded companies such as Digitiamo to create NLP and AI-related products, Carma, to work on the next food technologies. In the past, Ideato, where I contributed to its growth for more than ten years, creating an innovative and quality reference for the development agencies in Italy.

I'm the president of the GrUSP, a no-profit association that encourages best practices in web development since 2002.

I'm Francesco Fullone, a business designer, consultant, and mentor and investor in technology companies focusing on sustainability or social impact. I help companies (in any stage) to better define their business propositions to create options to ... Show more

Coach agile, coach professionnel, et formateur, je capitalise sur 16 ans d'expérience dans les environnements IT et agiles pour accompagner les individus, les équipes et les organisations dans leur transformation.
Mon approche, systémique, combine accompagnement opérationnel des équipes, accompagnement des leaders, et accompagnement stratégique au niveau organisationnel.
Curieux, engagé, je m’implique activement dans les communautés pour partager et apprendre.

Coach agile, coach professionnel, et formateur, je capitalise sur 16 ans d'expérience dans les environnements IT et agiles pour accompagner les individus, les équipes et les organisations dans leur transformation. Mon approche, systémique, combine a... Show more

I’m an engineer with a passion for the outdoors. I bridge the gap between complex technical architecture and high-level business strategy. My professional approach is shaped by the endurance and real-time decision-making required to live and thrive in Alaska—from summiting remote peaks and running marathons to scuba diving with sharks. I specialize in managing the design of resilient, "reflexive" systems that thrive under pressure, applying the same grit used in extreme environments to architecting solutions for the enterprise’s toughest AI and observability challenges.

I’m an engineer with a passion for the outdoors. I bridge the gap between complex technical architecture and high-level business strategy. My professional approach is shaped by the endurance and real-time decision-making required to live and thrive i... Show more

Scott is an artist, engineer & dad, collaborating on a different kind of world. Into collective art, activism, therapy & open source nerdy stuff. Scott is a Cloud Native Ambassador, speaker, organizer of CNCF community events including the New York Kubernetes Meetup and New York KCD, and international conferences including GitOpsCon. He enjoys helping develop Free and Open Source Software that anyone can use, including co-maintaining CNCF projects Helm, Flux and OpenGitOps.

Scott is an artist, engineer & dad, collaborating on a different kind of world. Into collective art, activism, therapy & open source nerdy stuff. Scott is a Cloud Native Ambassador, speaker, organizer of CNCF community events including the New York K... Show more

A Docker Captain and Microsoft MVP, is a Cloud and DevOps engineer, consultant, and instructor with expertise in Microsoft Azure and DevOps practices. Passionate about teaching, she delivers both practical and theoretical courses on Azure, and DevOps. Cigdem helps organizations implement DevOps transformations across cloud and on-premises environments while contributing to the community through insightful technical articles and videos on cloud adoption and DevOps best practices.

A Docker Captain and Microsoft MVP, is a Cloud and DevOps engineer, consultant, and instructor with expertise in Microsoft Azure and DevOps practices. Passionate about teaching, she delivers both practical and theoretical courses on Azure, and DevOps... Show more