Engr. Kunle Olorundare, SMIEEE is the ICANN 79 Paul Muchene Award Winner and he is the current President (2023-2026) of Internet Society, Nigeria Chapter. He is experienced in ICT Industry Regulations, Standardisation, Project Management, School on Internet Governance, Policy Development Processes, ICT Product Certification and Testing, System Audit, Emerging Technologies, Data Governance, Theory of Change, etc.
He has more than 20 years of post-graduation experience in the field of engineering and ICT regulations. Kunle studied Electrical & Electronics Engineering at the Federal University of Technology Akure, Nigeria. He has double Masters - the first one in Communications Management at Bucks New University, England and the second one is Master of Science in Information Technology from National Open University of Nigeria. He is a certified Business Continuity Management Auditor (ISO22302), certified Auditor, Quality Management System (ISO9001), and a certified PRINCE 2 Practitioner.
He has presented and published formal technical papers on various topical issues including the Internet of Things, Digital Transformation, Internet Decolonization, Gig Economy etc. His works have been cited with i10 and h-index-rated citations numbering 30. He is registered with the Council for Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, and he is a member of the ITU-T Study Group 11 and a Vice Chairman of UN ITU Metaverse Focus Group. He became a Senior Member of the IEEE, USA in March 2018. His most recent technical paper is: “Artificial General Intelligence Terrorism”, published in November 2024.

Engr. Kunle Olorundare, SMIEEE is the ICANN 79 Paul Muchene Award Winner and he is the current President (2023-2026) of Internet Society, Nigeria Chapter. He is experienced in ICT Industry Regulations, Standardisation, Project Management, School on I... Show more

I am a software engineering manager leading a team that builds React and Java applications to improve cancer patient care. I have six years of professional software engineering experience across healthcare and finance. Prior to that, I worked as a chemical engineer at a landfill consulting company, where I helped design landfills and gas cleanup systems.

I am a software engineering manager leading a team that builds React and Java applications to improve cancer patient care. I have six years of professional software engineering experience across healthcare and finance. Prior to that, I worked as a ch... Show more

Anders Lybecker is a Principal Architect at Microsoft. He has over 20+ years of experience as an architect and has worked with some of the biggest accounts at Microsoft such as VW, WHO, Vestas, NHS, Nokia… He is a former Pricipal Engineering Manager, Global Black Belt IoT specialist and Technical Evangelist at Microsoft.

Anders specializes in digital transformation through cloud technologies, AI, software, and process optimization. His passion is sustainability through green software saving the world one system at a time.

Anders Lybecker is a Principal Architect at Microsoft. He has over 20+ years of experience as an architect and has worked with some of the biggest accounts at Microsoft such as VW, WHO, Vestas, NHS, Nokia… He is a former Pricipal Engineering Manager,... Show more

I am a seasoned System Software Engineer and Data Science & Machine Learning Architect with over 18 years of experience in building software systems using Python, C/C++, and advanced scripting technologies. My expertise spans cloud computing, machine learning, embedded systems, and the design of high-availability and disaster-recovery solutions for enterprise SAN and server storage platforms.

In recent years, I have specialized in data science and data engineering on the AWS cloud, delivering scalable, production-grade analytics and AI solutions. I bring a strong blend of low-level systems engineering and modern AI/ML architecture, enabling me to solve complex, real-world problems across the full technology stack.

I am deeply passionate about data center sustainability and leveraging AIOps to drive carbon reduction, energy efficiency, and intelligent infrastructure optimization at scale.

I am a seasoned System Software Engineer and Data Science & Machine Learning Architect with over 18 years of experience in building software systems using Python, C/C++, and advanced scripting technologies. My expertise spans cloud computing, machine... Show more

Mayinja Bob Williams is a Mechanical and Industrial Engineering researcher at Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST). He specializes in circular hardware workflows, embedded systems, and sustainable additive manufacturing. As the co-creator of the TSPR ecosystem, his work focuses on eliminating barriers to electronics prototyping through open-source technology, custom conductive material formulations, and accessible robotic hardware deployment.

Mayinja Bob Williams is a Mechanical and Industrial Engineering researcher at Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST). He specializes in circular hardware workflows, embedded systems, and sustainable additive manufacturing. As the co-crea... Show more

Ole Michaelis is the Head of Engineering at 1KOMMA5º, a unicorn scale-up in renewable energy and clean tech. He's passionate about event-driven software engineering and building high-performing remote teams. From RailsConf to CodeMash, Ole enjoys sneaking onto stages to talk about software, teams, and tech.. In his free time, he's developing slidr.io, a streamlined slide-sharing platform. Ole is a passionate software lead who enjoys traveling and Mexican food. This self-proclaimed 'bad' German can juggle, loves spending time with his two kids, but still dislikes beer and soccer.

Ole Michaelis is the Head of Engineering at 1KOMMA5º, a unicorn scale-up in renewable energy and clean tech. He's passionate about event-driven software engineering and building high-performing remote teams. From RailsConf to CodeMash, Ole enjoys sne... Show more

Allan Mulei is a technology strategist and systems thinker exploring the convergence of AI, blockchain, digital twins, IoT, and smart infrastructure. His work focuses on applying emerging technologies to transform cities, construction, and the built environment through intelligent, data-driven systems. Allan speaks on digital innovation, urban technology, and the future of connected infrastructure, bridging technology with practical implementation.

Allan Mulei is a technology strategist and systems thinker exploring the convergence of AI, blockchain, digital twins, IoT, and smart infrastructure. His work focuses on applying emerging technologies to transform cities, construction, and the built ... Show more

Over nineteen years of experience in software development and design.
I have been passionate about cloud technologies for the last nine years.
My journey with the cloud began with Azure. However, about three years later, AWS became my primary cloud provider at work. 
From the beginning, I was impressed by how cloud technologies help engineers in their work and help deliver solutions much faster and easier. 
For the last four years, my interests and work mainly focused on serverless infrastructure, containerized applications, and search. 
Besides that, I am also curious about other cloud providers, like GCP and Azure.

I'm the AWS Community Builder.

Speaker and co-organizer of the "Mambo Jambo Cloud Talks" community meetup in Prague.

Over nineteen years of experience in software development and design. I have been passionate about cloud technologies for the last nine years. My journey with the cloud began with Azure. However, about three years later, AWS became my primary clou... Show more

Ephraim Mwereza is a technology leader and innovator harnessing the power of software and AI to drive transformative change across Africa.

He builds localized, sustainable digital solutions that address critical challenges in health, education, and inclusivity, ensuring even the most vulnerable communities benefit from the tech revolution.

Combining deep technical expertise with a human-centered, ethical approach, Ephraim seeks collaborations with leading experts to maximize impact and build a brighter, more inclusive future.

Ephraim Mwereza is a technology leader and innovator harnessing the power of software and AI to drive transformative change across Africa. He builds localized, sustainable digital solutions that address critical challenges in health, education, a... 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

Master of Business (Global Management & Marketing) (Honours)
Master of Applied Computing

With over six years of experience in cloud services, enterprise integration, and automation, I specialise in transforming ambiguous business challenges into practical, scalable solutions. My work sits at the intersection of technology and strategy, focusing on how AI, product development, and digital systems can reshape workflows and enhance decision-making.

I have a proven track record in designing seamless connections between complex systems—whether integrating platforms, redesigning processes, or improving the way information flows across an organisation. My approach blends deep technical understanding in Oracle technologies and cloud services with strong business insight, ensuring that the solutions we build are not only functional but genuinely meaningful for the people who rely on them.

I’m deeply guided by the belief that impactful technology should be quiet, intentional, and human-centred. Through writing and speaking, I explore how AI and modern product thinking are reshaping digital experiences and the future of work.

✍️ Substack: https://elaine1233blog.substack.com

🔗 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@elainehe-thinks

Master of Business (Global Management & Marketing) (Honours) Master of Applied Computing With over six years of experience in cloud services, enterprise integration, and automation, I specialise in transforming ambiguous business challenges into... Show more

Jason Smith (Jay) is a Staff Cloud Architect who specializes in Application Modernization at Google Cloud. Jay has helped many Enterprises find ways to bring their applications to the cloud via Kubernetes, GitOps, Serverless, Agentic AI, Developer Workflow and more. He also co-leads the Cloud Native San Francisco Community and is a co-organizer for Kubernetes Container Days (KCD) San Francisco Bay Area.

Jason Smith (Jay) is a Staff Cloud Architect who specializes in Application Modernization at Google Cloud. Jay has helped many Enterprises find ways to bring their applications to the cloud via Kubernetes, GitOps, Serverless, Agentic AI, Developer Wo... 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

Charanpal Singh is a global strategist, mentor, and ecosystem builder with over a decade of experience in international relations, business development, Social Activities, Entrepreneurship and innovation. He has worked with leading institutions and corporations in Australia and India, including Vodafone, Coles, and Charles Darwin University, Basware, Teamlease EdTech, UPES where he specialized in global partnerships, student mobility, business development, sales & marketing, customer experience, relationship building, and many more fields.

As the Founder & CEO of the GORI Foundation, he is driving initiatives aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, empowering students, educators, and communities. He actively mentors startups and innovators through the Ministry of Education’s Institution Innovation Council (India), Jagriti Enterprises, and other platforms, helping early-stage ventures shape their growth journey.

Charanpal is a recognized Innovation Ambassador, mentor, and evaluator for the Government of India’s entrepreneurship ecosystem, and regularly collaborates with universities worldwide to create opportunities for cross-cultural learning, student exchange, and knowledge transfer. He is also well-versed in emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence and other advanced digital solutions, bringing a tech-driven edge to his expertise. He has hands-on experience with Salesforce, Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, Canva, WordPress, and a range of emerging AI tools such as ChatGPT Gamma, etc., leveraging these platforms to drive impact in business, education, and innovation.

A visionary thought leader at the intersection of education, entrepreneurship, and technology, he is passionate about building global bridges, enabling innovation-driven growth, and creating social impact at scale.

Charanpal Singh is a global strategist, mentor, and ecosystem builder with over a decade of experience in international relations, business development, Social Activities, Entrepreneurship and innovation. He has worked with leading institutions and c... Show more

Armagan Karatosun (He/him), holds an MSc in High-Performance Computing from Istanbul Technical University with 8+ years of industry experience. As a Cloud Data Services Expert at EUMETSAT, he specializes in crafting cloud-based solutions. His focus is on creating resilient and event-driven infrastructure tailored for advanced applications like AI/ML and high-performance workloads. He is an expert in cloud technologies, particularly Kubernetes and OpenStack.

Armagan Karatosun (He/him), holds an MSc in High-Performance Computing from Istanbul Technical University with 8+ years of industry experience. As a Cloud Data Services Expert at EUMETSAT, he specializes in crafting cloud-based solutions. His focus i... Show more

Deepak John Reji is an experienced NLP practitioner and researcher who specializes in developing and designing solutions for data science products. He is passionate about domain-centric data science development and advocates for responsible and ethical AI development. Deepak enjoys working with social science and environmental data and creates videos showcasing various prototypes and AI tutorials. Additionally, he hosts the D4 Data Channel podcast, where he interviews industry experts and academicians in the fields of Data Science and Sustainability.

Deepak strongly believes in the power of open source and the democratization of AI. He actively contributes to open-source projects and shares his models and packages in Huggingface and PyPI repositories. His recent research focuses on Immigration and Integration Research, as well as studying human and community interactions in third places using AI and data.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deepak-john-reji/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@deepakjohnreji
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=4azuuXAAAAAJ&hl=en

Deepak John Reji is an experienced NLP practitioner and researcher who specializes in developing and designing solutions for data science products. He is passionate about domain-centric data science development and advocates for responsible and ethic... Show more

A PhD and expert in Applied Economics and Strategic Marketing, Andrea Saravalle combines a solid academic career at three leading Italian universities (Bologna, Brescia, Ancona) with extensive consulting work for national brands. Specializing in market analysis and positioning strategies, he helps organizations navigate technological and structural changes through a deep understanding of stakeholders' real needs. He is a member of the "Industry, Territory, Environment" research group at the University of Bologna. As a speaker, he brings to the stage a vision that combines strategy and sustainability, guiding companies towards growth that is both innovative and profitable.

A PhD and expert in Applied Economics and Strategic Marketing, Andrea Saravalle combines a solid academic career at three leading Italian universities (Bologna, Brescia, Ancona) with extensive consulting work for national brands. Specializing in mark... Show more

Senior Deep Learning compiler engineer at Nvidia, ISO:C++ standardization member; Author

Senior Deep Learning compiler engineer at Nvidia, ISO:C++ standardization member; Author Show more

Currently, I am working as a Staff Engineer at Axa France for the past year and half. I worked as a Technical Leader/Senior Software Engineer at Axa France for 3 and a half years. I started at Axa France 5 years ago.

I am an experienced engineer with a proven track record in IT. I am proficient in Java/JEE/Spring/SpringBoot, Python, PostgreSQL, Webmethods, ODM, SOA concepts, statistical modeling, and Prolog. I hold a solid engineering background with a degree in Computer Engineering and Statistics focused on systems and network engineering, software engineering, and financial engineering from Polytechnique Lille.

Previously, I worked for SNCF for 4 years, and before that, for Capgemini for 2 and a half years.

Currently, I am working as a Staff Engineer at Axa France for the past year and half. I worked as a Technical Leader/Senior Software Engineer at Axa France for 3 and a half years. I started at Axa France 5 years ago. I am an experienced engineer w... Show more

Agile Coach & RTE for 9 years in international companies from luxury, aerospace, finance and public sectors. I have a specific focus around in product & portfolio management, enterprise architecture and change management.

Agile Coach & RTE for 9 years in international companies from luxury, aerospace, finance and public sectors. I have a specific focus around in product & portfolio management, enterprise architecture and change management. Show more

Shweta is a highly skilled software professional with almost 12 years of experience in various technologies. She is a mentor and engineering lead at Intuit. She is a core member of Tech Women @Intuit and strongly advocates for women in Tech and believes in giving back to the community. Shweta is an active speaker who has presented at multiple forums, including GHC 2022, WomenInTech 2022 & 2023, Women Who Code San Diego and other events.

Shweta is a highly skilled software professional with almost 12 years of experience in various technologies. She is a mentor and engineering lead at Intuit. She is a core member of Tech Women @Intuit and strongly advocates for women in Tech and belie... Show more

Colleen Lake is a Developer Advocate at Gitlab and her team's resident hardware geek. She’s worked with NASA and was featured on Gimlet Media’s Startup podcast. When she’s not playing with robots or coding you can usually find her lost in the woods or on the internet (@colleencode everywhere).

Colleen Lake is a Developer Advocate at Gitlab and her team's resident hardware geek. She’s worked with NASA and was featured on Gimlet Media’s Startup podcast. When she’s not playing with robots or coding you can usually find her lost in the woods o... Show more

Rasheed Mudasiru builds infrastructure and developer tools, then explains how they work. A Google Developer Expert in Cloud, he spent four years as the sole infrastructure engineer at a production SaaS company while simultaneously founding two developer communities in Nigeria, speaking at AWS Summit Johannesburg, GopherCon Africa, OSCAFEST, UbuCon Africa, DjangoCon Africa etc and shipping open source tooling including a GitOps controller and an AI agent debugger. He mentors engineers across Africa through the Linux Foundation Kubernetes programme.

Rasheed Mudasiru builds infrastructure and developer tools, then explains how they work. A Google Developer Expert in Cloud, he spent four years as the sole infrastructure engineer at a production SaaS company while simultaneously founding two develo... Show more

Sankalp Gilda is a Staff ML Engineer and independent researcher focused on epistemic accountability and structured reasoning for AI-assisted workflows in regulated and high-stakes domains. He holds a PhD in Astronomy and has six-plus years of production data science experience spanning time-series analysis, uncertainty quantification, and MLOps -- most recently driving AI for electric-vehicle systems in greentech as well as in oil and gas.

He created tsbootstrap, an open-source Python library for bootstrapped time-series resampling (87+ stars, sktime-integrated), and gave its tutorial at SciPy 2024. His other public OSS spans the security and developer-safety ecosystem -- idna-ip-literal-smuggle-rules, a CodeQL/Semgrep ruleset and gopatch auto-fix codemod for a Go IDNA-canonicalization bug class (UTS-46 digit-fold IP-literal smuggling) he privately disclosed to the Go team in April 2026, and mcp-keyring-injector for session-scoped credential safety in MCP environments. Recent research includes workshop papers at ICLR 2026 -- Logical Reasoning of LLMs (algebraic invariants for LLM reasoning chains and weakest-link reliability propagation) and AI in Finance (epistemic accountability and generator-ratifier disjointness for agentic financial AI). He builds Verity, a reasoning-layer system for AI coding assistants in regulated environments, currently in private development.

Outside work he's drawn to high-commitment activities -- skydiving, scuba diving, kitesurfing -- that reward the same combination of careful preparation and decisive action that good engineering does. He consults across industries through DeepThought Solutions on AI governance, structured reasoning, and ML-for-regulated-domains problems.

Sankalp Gilda is a Staff ML Engineer and independent researcher focused on epistemic accountability and structured reasoning for AI-assisted workflows in regulated and high-stakes domains. He holds a PhD in Astronomy and has six-plus years of product... Show more

Peterson is a Senior Cloud and DevOps Engineer with deep experience building scalable platforms across Azure, AWS, and GCP. He specializes in automation, observability, CI/CD, and infrastructure-as-code, helping teams improve reliability and deliver faster. His work focuses on creating efficient, developer-friendly cloud systems and simplifying complex engineering challenges

Peterson is a Senior Cloud and DevOps Engineer with deep experience building scalable platforms across Azure, AWS, and GCP. He specializes in automation, observability, CI/CD, and infrastructure-as-code, helping teams improve reliability and deliver ... 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

Eduardo is a Senior Systems Software Engineer at NVIDIA, working on the Cloud Native Technologies team. Eduardo has focused on enabling users to build and deploy containers on distributed environments.

Eduardo is a Senior Systems Software Engineer at NVIDIA, working on the Cloud Native Technologies team. Eduardo has focused on enabling users to build and deploy containers on distributed environments. Show more

I have over 8 years of experience in the IT field and am currently pursuing a PhD in Machine Learning in Healthcare at the University of Newcastle, Australia. I have also been honoured to receive prestigious fellowships, including the CMIE and WOS-C Scientist.

I have over 8 years of experience in the IT field and am currently pursuing a PhD in Machine Learning in Healthcare at the University of Newcastle, Australia. I have also been honoured to receive prestigious fellowships, including the CMIE and WOS-C ... Show more

I am a software engineer focused on building and scaling production-grade digital systems. My work spans designing, deploying, and maintaining high-performance applications with an emphasis on reliability, scalability, and real-world impact.

I have hands-on experience implementing AI-driven solutions and architecting backend systems that move from prototype to production. I’m particularly interested in building intelligent systems that deliver measurable business value while remaining cost-efficient and resilient.

Beyond my core engineering work, I actively share insights on practical AI implementation, system design, and emerging technologies, contributing to conversations around building production-ready solutions in fast-growing markets.

Outside of technology, I am passionate about physical wellness and discipline, which I believe directly translates into consistency and high-performance in engineering practice.

I am a software engineer focused on building and scaling production-grade digital systems. My work spans designing, deploying, and maintaining high-performance applications with an emphasis on reliability, scalability, and real-world impact. I hav... Show more

Dr. James C. Rodríguez, MSW, CADC
President & Chief Executive Officer, Fathers & Families Coalition of America
Author | Founder, Borinqueño Within Press | Certified Executive Coach | Clinical Social Worker | Veteran | Researcher | Policy Architect | Curriculum Developer | International Trainer

"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."

Biography
Dr. James C. Rodríguez, MSW, CADC, is a globally celebrated architect of fatherhood engagement, social policy reform, and transformative leadership development. For over four decades, he has shaped public health, child welfare, mental health, and professional education—building bridges across disciplines, communities, and continents. His career is defined by multidimensional leadership and a relentless pursuit of equity, healing, and opportunity for all. A proud father, soldier, social worker, and visionary educator, he has devoted his life to helping people rediscover hope, dignity, and purpose. His reach spans early childhood education, public health, leadership development, and fatherhood advocacy—fields that, in his hands, become pathways toward healing and intergenerational equity.

"Insights give way to dreams—developing vision—creating purpose that ends in your why."

Foundations: Service, Resilience, and Cultural Identity
Born into a low-income household and shaped by the adversity of the child welfare system, James began his journey at age 17 as a U.S. Army Combat Medic. By 22, he became one of the youngest Substance Abuse Counselors in the Department of Defense, retiring with honors and meritorious distinction in the reserves. Over more than two decades of military service, he developed expertise in trauma response, behavioral health, and law enforcement. This experience forged his devotion to discipline, compassion, and advocacy for the vulnerable.

James's service has been recognized at the highest levels: he is the recipient of the Presidential Lifetime Call to Service Award (President Barack Obama), Points of Light Award (President George H. W. Bush), Meritorious Service Medal (U.S. Department of Defense), and Congressional Certificates from Maxine Waters, Sheila Jackson-Lee, Barbara Lee, and Diane E. Watson. He is deeply honored by the Ceremonial Elder Proclamation from the Qutekcak Native Tribe of Alaska, the National Social Worker Leadership Resolution (FFCA), and hundreds of additional accolades from national, state, tribal, and community organizations.

Architect of Systems Change: Building Movements, Securing Hope
As founder and CEO of the Fathers & Families Coalition of America (FFCA), Dr. Rodríguez transformed a grassroots Arizona network into an international force with offices in California and Puerto Rico, and active partnerships across North America, the Caribbean, Africa, Europe, and Australia. He was instrumental in creating one of the nation's first TANF-funded fatherhood programs, a model that generated over $75 million in resources and has been replicated nationwide. Under his leadership, FFCA's International Families & Fathers Conference—now in its 27th year—has become a global destination for educators, policymakers, and innovators, advancing justice and family well-being.

A founding steering committee member of the Fatherhood Research & Practice Network (FRPN) at Temple University, James has shaped federal research and policy, serving as principal investigator and senior research consultant on projects for the Office of Refugee Resettlement, CDC, NIMH, and the Oregon Center for Applied Science. His work has driven advances in public health, trauma-informed care, and family resilience.

Signature Curriculum Development and Thought Leadership
James is a master architect of transformational curricula and professional development, including the Advanced Practitioner Credential™ Course (NASW Arizona-approved), OAR Leadership Institute™ (Ownership • Accountability • Responsibility), FFCA DiSC Model™, Ikigai & The Power of Kintsugi™, and SAMHSA-approved Fatherhood and Mental Health Curriculum. He also developed the Strengthening Families Through Nurturing Leadership model. His trainings are lauded for blending cognitive science, neuroplasticity, emotional intelligence, trauma-informed care, and actionable leadership strategies, and have reached over 30,000 professionals—social workers, educators, clinicians, nonprofit leaders, and public officials—across the U.S. and four continents. Over 85% of program graduates report improved outcomes, including higher client engagement and service completion.

Certified as an Executive Coach, Master Trainer for The John R. Wooden Course™, Certified DiSC® Trainer, Life Coach, Ikigai Coach, and Schema Therapy Practitioner, Dr. Rodríguez's leadership development institutes have set new standards for excellence in behavioral health and family services.

Academic Impact, Mentorship, and Global Teaching
Dr. Rodríguez's educational reach is extraordinary. He has served as faculty, lecturer, or keynote at:

University of Southern California
Arizona State University
Morehouse College
Howard University
Columbia University
Yale University
University of Houston
Clark Atlanta University
Mesa Community College
Central Arizona College
Cornell University
Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico
University of the West Indies (Jamaica)
University of Guelph (Canada)
Malcolm X College
Sobo Tribal Nation
Navajo Nation
Qutekcak Native Tribe (Alaska)
Numerous First Nations and international partners
He developed and directed over 30 undergraduate and graduate courses, established statewide programs, and has keynoted and taught from Ivy League classrooms to tribal communities. He serves on the editorial board of PHYLON: The Clark Atlanta University Review of Race and Culture, which he joined upon the appointment of Dr. Obie Clayton, Jr., and supports scholarship on race, family, and social change.

Policy Leadership, Board Service, and Community Engagement
Dr. Rodríguez's policy influence extends to every level of government. He has developed legislation for Connecticut's Fatherhood Initiative, served on Arizona and California TANF/family-strengthening task forces, and advised the New York City Mayor's Fatherhood Advisory Council, DYCD, and ACS. He has shaped policy in partnership with SAMHSA, Region II Head Start, the State of Maryland, and the National Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health. He has provided expert testimony before the U.S. House Ways & Means Committee. He collaborates with Congressman Danny K. Davis and hosts national Fireside Policy Roundtables on equity, child support, and education reform.

His board service is cross-sectoral and visionary, including:

100 Black Men – Arizona Chapter
AGAPE Adoption Agency
Maricopa County Human Services
Fatherhood Corrections Network
Black Family Preservation Institute
And numerous national, state, and tribal boards
Public Health, Equity, and Systems Innovation
James has led multiple national initiatives addressing mental health equity, early childhood wellness, and culturally responsive care—serving Latino, African American, Somali, First Nations, and other underserved communities. His work with the Somali Association of Arizona, the Hispanic/Latino and African American Parent Depression Research Project, and tribal partners has been recognized for its transformative impact on systems and inclusion.

Author, Storyteller, and Purpose-Driven Advocate
As founder of Borinqueño Within Press and author of the forthcoming The Purpose Within—Rise Out of the Ashes Like the Phoenix, Dr. Rodríguez's story is a testament to resilience, hope, and the enduring power of purpose. He weaves together memoir, leadership philosophy, and spiritual reflection, inspiring audiences to discover their own capacity to lead and transform.

Personal Values, Humanity, and Enduring Legacy
Above all, Dr. Rodríguez is a father, grandfather, and mentor. He draws daily inspiration from his children—Antonio (Cassandra), Amber Rodríguez-Young, LMSW (Daric), and Jazmín Rodríguez—and his grandchildren, Ariston and Adalena. His life and work are an expression of core values: love, empathy, humility, and a drive to uplift others. Whether leading a boardroom, inspiring a conference, or building coalitions for social change, James delivers wisdom, practical strategies, and hope—leaving every audience moved to action.

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

If your organization seeks a keynote speaker, leadership institute facilitator, or strategic advisor who brings unparalleled experience, intellectual rigor, cultural fluency, and a proven record of impact, Dr. James C. Rodríguez is the transformative presence your audience deserves.

Contact:
james.rodriguez@fathersandfamiliescoalition.org
www.fathersandfamiliescoalition.org

"Never The End, Never Goodbye, Just I love You." – Your Friend, James

Dr. James C. Rodríguez, MSW, CADC President & Chief Executive Officer, Fathers & Families Coalition of America Author | Founder, Borinqueño Within Press | Certified Executive Coach | Clinical Social Worker | Veteran | Researcher | Policy Architect ... Show more