Finance & Banking

Experienced individuals involved in financial services, including banking, investment, insurance, and real estate

Innocent Kawooya, NIM

Innocent Kawooya, NIM

I am Innocent Kawooya, NIM, the CEO of HiPipo, where, for over the last 20 years, I have championed financial inclusion, digital innovation, women empowerment, and the creative economy across Africa. Through flagship initiatives such as the Include Everyone Program, Digital Impact Awards Africa, Women in FinTech Hackathon & Summit, 40 Days 40 FinTechs, and the Middle East and Africa Digital Transformation Summit, I have worked to empower women, youth, cross-border traders, and grassroots communities.
HiPipo’s work has been strengthened and blessed with a long-term partnership with the Gates Foundation and collaborations with high-impact partners such as COMESA, helping us drive interoperability, digital public infrastructure, and inclusive trade across the region. I was honoured to receive Uganda’s National Independence Medal from His Excellency the President of Uganda and to be named FinTech CEO of the Year 2024 & 2025 (MEA Awards) for this work. Alongside finance, I am also a filmmaker and entrepreneur, committed to building Africa’s digital, cultural, and economic future. I previously served as Co-chair of the Mojaloop Community Council for two terms!

I am Innocent Kawooya, NIM, the CEO of HiPipo, where, for over the last 20 years, I have championed financial inclusion, digital innovation, women empowerment, and the creative economy across Africa. Through flagship initiatives such as the Include E... Show more

Nancy McClelland CPA

Nancy McClelland CPA

With her CPA firm The Dancing Accountant, Nancy has been on a lifelong mission to support small businesses and their communities – as well as educate the professionals who serve them. Known for her fun, personal and direct style, it’s no surprise she insists that the future of accounting is built on relationships.

She also runs the 'Ask a CPA' community: a non-judgmental, safe space for bookkeepers who want to learn more about preparing tax-ready books, collaborating with CPAs, booking complex accounting transactions, and breaking into advisory services.

Named one of the Top 10 ProAdvisors by Insightful Accountant, as well as one of Ignition’s Top 50 Women in Accounting, she writes an award-winning blog with insights and resources for business-owners and accounting professionals, and is an engaging speaker… and 60’s go-go dancer!

With her CPA firm The Dancing Accountant, Nancy has been on a lifelong mission to support small businesses and their communities – as well as educate the professionals who serve them. Known for her fun, personal and direct style, it’s no surprise she... Show more

Shadab Hussain

Shadab Hussain

Shadab Hussain is a global technology leader at the forefront of Artificial Intelligence , Blockchain, and Quantum Computing. As a Lead Engineer at MathCo, he spearheads innovations in Engineering and Generative AI, delivering transformative solutions that shape the future of enterprise technology.

He is the Co-founder of Quantum Computing India and previously served as a Developer Advocate at the London Stock Exchange Group, where he bridged advanced engineering with real-world application across global developer ecosystems. Recognized as a Google Developer Expert for AI/ML (GenAI) and an AWS Community Builder, Shadab also holds certifications in AWS Machine Learning Specialty and Google Cloud Machine Learning Engineering.

A TEDx speaker and active contributor to the Davos Digital Council, Shadab operates at the intersection of emerging technologies, policy, and innovation strategy. He has presented at premier global platforms including the Data Engineering Summit, Quantum Innovation Summit, Google Developer Groups (GDG), and AWS events, where he actively champions AI governance, workforce development, and national innovation ecosystems.

An accomplished author and researcher, Shadab is the co-author of a book on Quantum Computing in Finance, merging academic insight with practical execution. Through ongoing mentorship, technical workshops, and hackathon leadership, he plays a pivotal role in addressing the global AI & Quantum talent gap—particularly in the United States—and advancing the responsible deployment of frontier technologies.

Shadab Hussain is a global technology leader at the forefront of Artificial Intelligence , Blockchain, and Quantum Computing. As a Lead Engineer at MathCo, he spearheads innovations in Engineering and Generative AI, delivering transformative solution... Show more

Ed Graham

Ed Graham

Ed is a chartered accountant with over 25 years implementing finance systems for some of the biggest and smallest organizations in the world.
He is the founder and managing director of GK EPM an Oracle specialist consultancy.
Ed has experience running finance teams, managing large IT projects and delivering for the best Oracle partners.

Ed is a chartered accountant with over 25 years implementing finance systems for some of the biggest and smallest organizations in the world. He is the founder and managing director of GK EPM an Oracle specialist consultancy. Ed has experience runn... Show more

Seetaram Rayarao

Seetaram Rayarao

Seetaram Rayarao is a Vice President and Senior Tech Lead at JP Morgan Chase with over 18 years of experience driving innovation in cloud computing, AI, and microservices. He leads transformative projects, including the LLM Suite, integrating Generative AI frameworks such as LangChain and LangGraph with enterprise cloud solutions to deliver scalable, AI-driven applications. A Delaware AWS Community Leader (AWS Builder) and active IEEE member, Seetaram has co-authored research papers in data science and is recognized for his contributions to fraud detection, cloud-native architectures, and performance optimization. Certified in AWS and Kubernetes, he frequently conducts workshops and mentors teams on building secure, reliable, and high-impact AI solutions.

Seetaram Rayarao is a Vice President and Senior Tech Lead at JP Morgan Chase with over 18 years of experience driving innovation in cloud computing, AI, and microservices. He leads transformative projects, including the LLM Suite, integrating Generat... Show more

Thomas Kronawitter

Thomas Kronawitter

Thomas is Head of Data-Driven Applications & Services at GRENKE in Baden-Baden.
GRENKE is a financial solution provider, offering services in more than 30 countries around the world.

His department aims to deliver business value through data and data related services and applications.
He has spent the last 20 years with data, databases, IT services and related infrastructure. Before that, he was a paramedic with the German Red Cross.

When he is not pretending to work, you will probably find him on his motorcycle, as far away from paved roads as possible.

Thomas is Head of Data-Driven Applications & Services at GRENKE in Baden-Baden. GRENKE is a financial solution provider, offering services in more than 30 countries around the world. His department aims to deliver business value through data and ... Show more

Tarigulu Khasizada

Tarigulu Khasizada

As a Digitalisation Expert within the Finance sector, my background spans over 6 years of dedicated experience in data analysis and visualization. Specializing in the development of user-friendly, visually engaging dashboards, my focus lies in enabling businesses to derive data-informed decisions. Proficiency extends to the utilization of essential tools like Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Power BI, and SQL, integral to my role in executing BI projects while adhering to agile and scrum methodologies. Proficiently operating both autonomously and as part of collaborative teams, my aim is to ensure optimal efficiency in project outcomes.

As a Digitalisation Expert within the Finance sector, my background spans over 6 years of dedicated experience in data analysis and visualization. Specializing in the development of user-friendly, visually engaging dashboards, my focus lies in enabli... Show more

Polina Patsulda

Polina Patsulda

Senior Product Owner with over 10 years of experience in tech and product management, specializing in FinTech, EdTech, and digital marketing. Adept at leading cross-functional teams to drive innovation, optimize workflows, and deliver exceptional customer experiences, leveraging her analytical background to ship complex B2B products that actually make difference.

Senior Product Owner with over 10 years of experience in tech and product management, specializing in FinTech, EdTech, and digital marketing. Adept at leading cross-functional teams to drive innovation, optimize workflows, and deliver exceptional cus... Show more

Sharon Arandia

Sharon Arandia

Sharon Arandia es Jefa de la Carrera de Ingeniería Financiera en la UPB, donde impulsa proyectos de trading algorítmico y finanzas descentralizadas. Es graduada de la UPB, con estudios en TU Chemnitz, un Máster en Big Data y otro en curso en Machine Learning en Georgia Tech. Se especializa en análisis financiero, riesgo crediticio y trading, destacando su rol como Analista de Riesgos en el BCP y asociada en Lora & Asociados. Ha impartido cursos en licenciatura, postgrado e internacionales.

Sharon Arandia es Jefa de la Carrera de Ingeniería Financiera en la UPB, donde impulsa proyectos de trading algorítmico y finanzas descentralizadas. Es graduada de la UPB, con estudios en TU Chemnitz, un Máster en Big Data y otro en curso en Machine ... Show more

Basant Mounir

Basant Mounir

Basant Mounir is a Senior Data Scientist at the Central Bank of Egypt, Industry Expert & Mentor for MIT ADSP, AI Advisor, Angel Investor, and Speaker. She thrives on collaborating with stakeholders to bring their vision to life, learning whatever it takes to deliver the end-to-end product that revolutionizes their workflows. Mounir is an active community builder; she founded an award-winning data science school at her IEEE branch, and most recently, co-hosted Egypt's first GenAI agent hackathon. A global thinker, Mounir travels across Africa, Europe, the US, and Japan to work with and learn from their data communities.

Basant Mounir is a Senior Data Scientist at the Central Bank of Egypt, Industry Expert & Mentor for MIT ADSP, AI Advisor, Angel Investor, and Speaker. She thrives on collaborating with stakeholders to bring their vision to life, learning whatever it... Show more

Akash Chandra

Akash Chandra

Akash Chandra, Founder & CEO of InsightAI (FintechAI), brings over 10+ years of experience in industrial AI with a focus on financial analytics. An alumnus of IIT Kanpur and the University of Texas at Austin, Akash is recognized for his expertise in fintech, large data pipelines, and AI-based fraud detection. As a public speaker on AI/ML and Graph Databases, he has contributed significantly to the field. Akash has shown his leadership in startup environments using his innovative approach to leveraging advanced AI technologies.

Akash Chandra, Founder & CEO of InsightAI (FintechAI), brings over 10+ years of experience in industrial AI with a focus on financial analytics. An alumnus of IIT Kanpur and the University of Texas at Austin, Akash is recognized for his expertise in ... Show more

Hernan Parada

Hernan Parada

I'm Hernán. I'm 41. I’m a retired handball player, and totally into technology and cybersecurity.
I studied Computer Science, got a diploma in Cybersecurity Management, and I've been working in different areas of IT and cyber for the past 20 years.
I started out doing tech support for internet services, then worked as a systems auditor at PwC.
For 10 years, I led teams handling tech and operational risk management. My curiosity pushed me to explore other industries too — I took on cybersecurity roles, and then became IT Manager in the civil aviation sector in the public sphere, where I stayed for nearly six years.
Now I’m back to my first love — the financial world — and currently working as a CISO at a financial company.

And as a little "bonus track": I'm passionate about communication, so I went back to something I left hanging in my teens — in 2021, I graduated as a Professional Radio & TV Broadcaster from ETER School of Communication.

I'm Hernán. I'm 41. I’m a retired handball player, and totally into technology and cybersecurity. I studied Computer Science, got a diploma in Cybersecurity Management, and I've been working in different areas of IT and cyber for the past 20 years. ... Show more

Robert Nordlander, CPA, CFE

Robert Nordlander, CPA, CFE

Robert Nordlander has over 20 years of experience as a special agent with IRS-Criminal Investigation, where he chased tax evaders and money launderers around the world. He is currently the owner of a CPA firm that focuses on forensic accounting and resolving tough tax problems. He is an author of three books on criminal taxes and unpaid payroll taxes. Nordlander speaks on national stages on forensic accounting, tax resolution, and white-collar investigations.

Robert Nordlander has over 20 years of experience as a special agent with IRS-Criminal Investigation, where he chased tax evaders and money launderers around the world. He is currently the owner of a CPA firm that focuses on forensic accounting and ... Show more

Sathishkumar Palanisamy

Sathishkumar Palanisamy

With 15 years of transformative experience in the Banking, Financial Services, and Payments industries, Sathishkumar Palanisamy is an expert in shaping the future of enterprise architecture. Based in Dallas, Texas, he’s driven by a passion for leveraging advanced technologies to automate business processes, optimize workflows, and enable seamless digital transformation in the financial sector.

Sathish has successfully delivered end-to-end automation strategies across diverse markets, having worked extensively in both India and the United States. His unique global perspective empowers him to craft scalable, innovative solutions that bridge the gap between technology and business goals.
Prior to his current role, Sathish served as Senior Enterprise Architect, AVP at Citizens Financial Group, where he led enterprise-wide initiatives to integrate automation, improve operational efficiency, and enhance customer experiences. His leadership in driving strategic technology solutions resulted in significant business growth and elevated technological capabilities within the organization.

Currently, as an Expert Enterprise Architect at Discover Financial Services, Sathish is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of automation to transform banking operations. With a strong foundation in Computer Science, he specializes in creating advanced automation platforms that augment human potential, streamline complex business processes, and enable organizations to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Sathish is passionate about the future of automation, where he continues to lead industry evolution with forward-thinking technology solutions.

With 15 years of transformative experience in the Banking, Financial Services, and Payments industries, Sathishkumar Palanisamy is an expert in shaping the future of enterprise architecture. Based in Dallas, Texas, he’s driven by a passion for levera... Show more

Dominik Moser

Dominik Moser

He studied Software Engineering at the Vienna University of Technology.

Early in his career, he worked as a tutor and later as an assistant lecturer on courses such as "Software Engineering and Project Management" and "Quality Software Engineering".

In recent years, he has been serving as Backend Chapter Lead and Architect at Erste Group, where he has contributed to building George, one of Europe’s leading online banking platforms.

He studied Software Engineering at the Vienna University of Technology. Early in his career, he worked as a tutor and later as an assistant lecturer on courses such as "Software Engineering and Project Management" and "Quality Software Engineering... Show more

Michelle Mitchell

Michelle Mitchell

Michelle Mitchell is the CEO and founder of Mitchell Consulting and the creator of The CEO Shift™, a leadership and delegation framework designed to help service-based business owners step out of bottleneck roles and lead with clarity and confidence.

After building her own accounting firm from a one-woman practice into a thriving, self-managing business, Michelle became a sought-after speaker, trainer, and coach. She combines over 15 years of experience in financial strategy, operational efficiency, and leadership development with a relatable, down-to-earth teaching style that leaves audiences feeling empowered and equipped to act.

Michelle is known for turning complex topics—like delegation, financial systems, and team accountability—into practical tools leaders can apply immediately. Her sessions at Scaling New Heights, national podcasts, and industry conferences consistently earn top ratings for their actionable frameworks, interactive exercises, and genuine connection with participants.

Through her talks and programs, Michelle helps firm owners and service providers reclaim their time, build confident teams, and design businesses that thrive—without burning themselves out.

Michelle Mitchell is the CEO and founder of Mitchell Consulting and the creator of The CEO Shift™, a leadership and delegation framework designed to help service-based business owners step out of bottleneck roles and lead with clarity and confidence.... Show more

Maria Carrasco

Maria Carrasco

María Carrasco es doctora en Big Data y Finanzas Cuantitativas, con una sólida trayectoria en el análisis de datos financieros, estructuras algorítmicas y modelos predictivos aplicados a mercados reales. Su investigación doctoral se enfocó en el estudio empírico de las sonrisas de volatilidad en el mercado de opciones alemán (DAX) entre 2017 y 2022, utilizando herramientas como Python, Spyder y modelos de machine learning para el análisis de series temporales de alta frecuencia.

Ha trabajado integrando enfoques estructurados de datos con tecnologías modernas de inteligencia artificial y herramientas en la nube. Además, participa activamente en comunidades tecnológicas vinculadas al ecosistema cripto, blockchain y DeFi, y colabora en proyectos de innovación con impacto social en América Latina, promoviendo la participación de mujeres en STEM y liderando iniciativas de inclusión digital. Destaca su rol en COINTER, la primera cooperativa digital en blockchain, donde apoyó programas de mentoría y capacitación enfocados en la inclusión de mujeres en finanzas y tecnología.

Apasionada por traducir conceptos complejos en soluciones aplicadas, María combina la solidez académica con una visión práctica del uso de AI en entornos financieros y de datos masivos.

Cuenta también con experiencia en evaluación, sistematización y transversalización de género, apoyando procesos de capacitación, diseño de herramientas institucionales y consultorías orientadas a promover la igualdad y la equidad en políticas públicas y proyectos de desarrollo.

Reconocimientos y distinciones

•Capacitación para gerentes de cooperativas sobre Big Data y su impacto en la toma de decisiones en el sector financiero – Enfoque en cooperativas, 2025 | FACACH
Beca completa para asistir al Crypto Cities Summit, 2025 | Roatán
•Primer lugar en el programa de mentoría a COINTER, la primera cooperativa digital en blockchain, 2025 | IMPACT HUB
•Facilitadora de capacitación en Seguridad Básica en Bitcoin, 2025 | La Bitcoinera
•Facilitadora de capacitación en Aplicaciones Reales de Bitcoin en Honduras, 2025 | La Bitcoinera
•Facilitadora de capacitación en Introducción a Bitcoin y su importancia, 2025 | La Bitcoinera
•Conferencista invitada en “Building with AI”, 2025 | Google Developer Groups
•Ambassador’s Distinguished Appreciation Award, 2008 | Embajada de Estados Unidos en Tegucigalpa

María Carrasco es doctora en Big Data y Finanzas Cuantitativas, con una sólida trayectoria en el análisis de datos financieros, estructuras algorítmicas y modelos predictivos aplicados a mercados reales. Su investigación doctoral se enfocó en el estu... Show more

Justin Dragos

Justin Dragos

Justin is a complete TypeScript nerd and expert in building financial systems. He's been building finance software for over 13 years and has invented a completely new ledgering method to create systems where it's impossible to create loss.

Justin is a complete TypeScript nerd and expert in building financial systems. He's been building finance software for over 13 years and has invented a completely new ledgering method to create systems where it's impossible to create loss. Show more

Rashi Agrawal

Rashi Agrawal

Rashi leads AI Engineering at GoodLeap, a leading FinTech startup revolutionizing sustainable energy financing. She orchestrates cross-functional teams across the globe, driving enterprise-wide AI transformation initiatives that optimize everything from customer engagement to loan processing and servicing.

Combining strategic vision with deep technical expertise, Rashi has pioneered AI-driven automation solutions, sophisticated risk assessment systems, and intelligent decision-making platforms that deliver tangible business outcomes through Generative AI and agentic AI platforms.

Before GoodLeap, Rashi led engineering teams at Yahoo, where she converted early challenges into notable successes, significantly expanding their advertising business. Her active involvement in engineering and leadership communities enriches her approach, seamlessly integrating technical innovation with strategic business transformation. Beyond her professional pursuits, Rashi is an enthusiastic world traveler who has explored over 40 countries, bringing valuable global perspectives to her leadership role.

Rashi leads AI Engineering at GoodLeap, a leading FinTech startup revolutionizing sustainable energy financing. She orchestrates cross-functional teams across the globe, driving enterprise-wide AI transformation initiatives that optimize everything f... Show more

Edwige Fiaclou

Edwige Fiaclou

Edwige is an accomplished technologist deeply committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in STEM* (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). She holds a BSc in mathematics and an MSc in Computer Science from the University Lyon 1 (France), with a FinTech oriented educational background. With years of experience in various roles, including mobile development and banking applications, Edwige has navigated through many technologies and business domains. Since joining Swissquote in 2012, she has contributed to technical stacks and software delivery across multiple domains and layers, from Banking operations to Trading Systems Management. Her unwavering dedication to excellence, best practices and innovative perspective earned her a promotion to Vice Director in 2022, where she now oversees Methodologies, Program Management and Tech Talent teams within Software Engineering.
Despite her many accomplishments, Edwige remains eager to learn from others. She actively contributed to many talks, in Switzerland, or at International for Women In Tech or Lead Dev track!

Edwige is an accomplished technologist deeply committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in STEM* (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). She holds a BSc in mathematics and an MSc in Computer Science from the University Lyon 1 (France... Show more

J. Grant Mizell, CPM

J. Grant Mizell, CPM

Problem obsessed for +15 years, Grant's path to product started in traditional advertising before spending the last dozen years shaping digital products from startup to enterprise. Grant operates as Banking Strategist and Head Coach of Product Management for Ippon USA, a technology consultancy that supports digital transformation, data & cloud modernization and organizational change management. Recently Grant finds passion coaching regional & community banks on data & AI strategy.

Favorite successes -
1) taking a 2-sided market startup redesign from seed round to multi-million Series A;
2) reducing a community bank's account opening by more than 300% that helped support more than $1B in new assets; and
3) playing a leading role in a F500 bank's deployment and rollout of custom agent servicing app for +1500 agents.

Problem obsessed for +15 years, Grant's path to product started in traditional advertising before spending the last dozen years shaping digital products from startup to enterprise. Grant operates as Banking Strategist and Head Coach of Product Manage... Show more

Alexander Chernov

Alexander Chernov

As a Subject Matter Expert, I bring domain-spanning knowledge with strong interdisciplinary problem-solving capabilities in frontend development, distributed systems, data analytics, cloud architecture, and system reliability. My focus lies in leveraging intelligent agents, advanced developer tooling, and GPU-accelerated platforms to build true scalable, self-adaptive systems.

This includes designing solutions that emphasize reliability, security, self-isolation, and infrastructure-as-code principles, using custom-defined resources and declarative stateful mapping. I apply practices from AIOps, MLOps, DevSecOps, and Site Reliability Engineering (SRE) to ensure operational excellence and long-term maintainability.

I have extensive experience implementing near real-time metrics, telemetry, and event tracking pipelines, processing terabytes of data across diverse environments. My background includes architecting distributed computing systems capable of handling large-scale data workloads with a focus on efficiency, scalability, and fault tolerance.

In the banking and finance domain, I have developed software centered on reactive streams, performance analytics, resilient event handling, and interactive dashboards. In the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors, I’ve contributed to Manufacturing Execution System (MES) platforms aligned with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards. Additionally, I’ve supported robotics and automation solutions for microchip fabrication (CPU, NAND), including FOUP transport and management systems, with deep technical expertise in SECS and HSMS protocols.

As a Subject Matter Expert, I bring domain-spanning knowledge with strong interdisciplinary problem-solving capabilities in frontend development, distributed systems, data analytics, cloud architecture, and system reliability. My focus lies in levera... Show more

Ram Grandhi

Ram Grandhi

A technology leader and entrepreneur, Ram specializes in building and coaching multicultural engineering teams, with expertise spanning software architecture, modern engineering practices, IT operations, values-based leadership, and cross-cultural collaboration. With a focus on FinTech, Mobile, IoT, Cloud, Data Management, AI, and DevOps, Ram practices a “people-first, business-next, technology-later” philosophy, leveraging collective wisdom to drive innovation and growth.

Drawing on diverse experiences across consulting, product development, and customer-facing organizations, Ram currently leads several engineering teams and oversees product engineering for an upcoming payments digital bank in the Dutch market. Previously, as Founder & CTO, Ram led FlyBy, an autonomous drone delivery startup recognized as a Top 30 Finalist in an EU-wide competition.

A technology leader and entrepreneur, Ram specializes in building and coaching multicultural engineering teams, with expertise spanning software architecture, modern engineering practices, IT operations, values-based leadership, and cross-cultural co... Show more

Fred Wilson

Fred Wilson

Experto en transformación personal. Consultor estratégico en cultura organizacional. Master Training en Liderazgo, Coach de Vida, certificado por MB CONSULTORES-MEXICO, Coach Profesional Ontológico, Coach Organizacional, y Mentor con certificación internacional por FICEO-Federación Internacional de Consultores y Entrenadores organizacionales.

Administrador Financiero de la Universidad UFPS, Especialista en Gerencia de Mercadeo de la Universidad Autónoma UNAULA.

Experto en transformación personal. Consultor estratégico en cultura organizacional. Master Training en Liderazgo, Coach de Vida, certificado por MB CONSULTORES-MEXICO, Coach Profesional Ontológico, Coach Organizacional, y Mentor con certificación in... Show more

Marcelo Ramírez

Marcelo Ramírez

Analista financiero de evaluación de proyectos y planificación financiera. Desarrollador de agentes y agentics IA para la optimización de análisis financieros y corporativos.

Analista financiero de evaluación de proyectos y planificación financiera. Desarrollador de agentes y agentics IA para la optimización de análisis financieros y corporativos. Show more

Phillip Dawson

Phillip Dawson

In addition to building strong partner relationships across the UK and EU, Phil is one of the leading Banking and payments experts at Yavrio.

Built on Open Banking technology, Yavrio delivers a comprehensive embedded banking solution for businesses—providing direct connections to over 10,000 banks globally, instant bank reconciliation, and the ability to make fast, simple payments both domestically and internationally—all within Business Central.

In addition to building strong partner relationships across the UK and EU, Phil is one of the leading Banking and payments experts at Yavrio. Built on Open Banking technology, Yavrio delivers a comprehensive embedded banking solution for business... Show more

James Birnie

James Birnie

James has been working on commercial software since the late 1990s, when TDD was something you studied but never did, pipelines were something that carried oil and Agile and Lean were words used to describe gymnasts. In 2006 he joined a startup and worked there for 9 years which included rewrites, cloud migration and Agile transformation.

In 2015 he started life as a consultant and worked with a variety of clients trying to effect real organisational change by focusing on code quality, culture, a belief in outcomes over processes and a drive for continuous improvement. After leaving consultancy James worked as Head of Platform in a Fintech before it was acquired for $1Bn by Visa and VP of Engineering in a startup, where he learnt how to apply his knowledge of Agile and DevOps to drive positive outcomes in Platform and Cyber Security Teams.

James now works as an independent consultant and is mainly driving transformation in Cyber Security at a major UK bank.

James has been working on commercial software since the late 1990s, when TDD was something you studied but never did, pipelines were something that carried oil and Agile and Lean were words used to describe gymnasts. In 2006 he joined a startup and w... Show more

Shivam Dhar

Shivam Dhar

With nearly a decade of experience across sectors such as e-commerce, healthcare, gaming, open-source, and cybersecurity, within both large enterprises and agile startups, Shivam brings a creative, solutions-driven approach to complex challenges. Committed to community engagement, he actively mentors early-career cybersecurity professionals, judges prestigious tech awards, peer-reviews academic research, and contributes to tech-for-good initiatives with nonprofit organizations. He currently leads cloud security efforts at JPMorganChase, driving robust solutions to support the firm’s ongoing growth.

With nearly a decade of experience across sectors such as e-commerce, healthcare, gaming, open-source, and cybersecurity, within both large enterprises and agile startups, Shivam brings a creative, solutions-driven approach to complex challenges. Com... Show more

Erin Sykes

Erin Sykes

Erin Sykes’ perseverance and ability to anticipate trends are what have driven her success. Erin strives to help clients reach their unique goals with discreet, individualized attention and action-orientation.

Specializing in helping clients year-round in Palm Beach, The Hamptons, New York City, and the New Jersey coast, Erin utilizes her combined background in finance and construction to take an analytical and qualitative approach to amplifying clients’ return on investment.

With a background in commercial and luxury residential construction at her family’s 120+ year-old firm and certification as a LEED AP – New Construction, Erin understands how to optimize new development and intricate renovation using sustainable and architecturally-appropriate materials and methodology.

As a business news contributor, Erin is responsible for developing and translating real estate trend data into consumer and industry insights. She reports on monthly housing starts, new developments, rate changes and general industry trends for all major news outlets.

Erin is often interviewed by Fox Business News, CNBC, TODAY, CNN, NBC Nightly News, The Real Deal, Bloomberg, Mansion Global, Forbes, TechCrunch, and Inc. She holds an MBA from Pepperdine University and a Bachelor's in Finance and International Business from Villanova University.

Erin resides between Palm Beach, NYC & Longport, NJ and is deeply involved with the Historical Society of Palm Beach County, Opportunity, Inc., and the Southampton Hospital Foundation.

Follow Erin on Instagram and Twitter @SykesStyle

Erin Sykes’ perseverance and ability to anticipate trends are what have driven her success. Erin strives to help clients reach their unique goals with discreet, individualized attention and action-orientation. Specializing in helping clients year... Show more

Sanath Chilakala

Sanath Chilakala

Director of Data and AI with 18 years of extensive experience specializing in architecting and implementing complex data solutions tailored for the Healthcare, Life Insurance, and Finance sectors. My expertise encompasses Digital Solution Architecture, Advanced Data Engineering, Data Governance, Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics, and Regulatory Reporting, with a strong emphasis on regulatory compliance and data integrity.

I possess niche skills in AI model development and deployment, including proficiency in natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning (ML) algorithms that enhance predictive analytics capabilities. In Data Architecture, I excel in designing cloud-native architectures, implementing data lakes, and optimizing data warehousing solutions. My Data Governance expertise includes establishing frameworks for data stewardship, data quality management, and compliance with regulations such as HIPPA and GDPR.

Throughout my career, I have successfully developed scalable data models and architectures that support real-time analytics and machine learning initiatives, driving enhanced decision-making and operational efficiencies. In the Healthcare industry, I have led projects that align data governance practices with regulatory standards, ensuring the protection of sensitive patient information while maximizing the utility of health data for clinical insights. In the Life Insurance sector, I have engineered data solutions that optimize underwriting processes and claims management through the integration of advanced analytics. In Finance, I have focused on improving compliance reporting mechanisms, employing sophisticated analytics to ensure accuracy and timeliness in submissions to regulatory bodies.

My leadership philosophy emphasizes collaboration with cross-functional teams, aligning data architecture strategies with overarching business goals. I advocate for a culture of innovation, empowering teams to explore emerging technologies and methodologies that promote continuous improvement. I am passionate about mentoring emerging data professionals and sharing best practices in data management and governance to foster organizational growth.

In summary, my extensive background as a Director of Data and AI equips me to deliver sophisticated data solutions that effectively address the unique challenges within the Healthcare, Life Insurance, and Finance industries, while ensuring compliance and enhancing operational capabilities.

Director of Data and AI with 18 years of extensive experience specializing in architecting and implementing complex data solutions tailored for the Healthcare, Life Insurance, and Finance sectors. My expertise encompasses Digital Solution Architectur... Show more

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