Jeff Taylor is a Principal Data Consultant, Microsoft Data Platform MVP, Redgate Community Ambassador, and Octopus Insider with over 27 years of experience specializing in performance tuning and critical data issues. He currently organizes the Jax Data and SQL Saturday Jacksonville and is the Jacksonville Development Users Group co-organizer.

Jeff Taylor is a Principal Data Consultant, Microsoft Data Platform MVP, Redgate Community Ambassador, and Octopus Insider with over 27 years of experience specializing in performance tuning and critical data issues. He currently organizes the Jax Da... Show more

Samir Makwana empowers enterprises and government agencies to harness the full power of Microsoft Cloud—and especially its cutting-edge AI stack—to build secure, value-driven businesses. With 17 years as a software developer, pre-sales engineer, and solution architect, he’s architected end-to-end IT transformations that blend security, automation, and collaboration.

A true AI evangelist, Samir designs PoCs and production systems leveraging Azure AI services (Cognitive Services, Azure OpenAI, Semantic Kernel), Copilot Studio, and Power Platform AI—applying deep prompt engineering, vector search/RAG patterns, and grounding techniques to deliver next-gen user experiences. He’s integrated generative AI agents into Office 365 and custom apps, automated workflows with Power Automate and Logic Apps, and secured data with Zero Trust and Microsoft Purview.

As Founder & Principal Architect of Cloudtrify Inc., Samir crafts both short- and long-term cloud-native and AI solutions that drive ROI, user adoption, and maintainability—always with responsible AI and compliance top-of-mind.

Samir Makwana empowers enterprises and government agencies to harness the full power of Microsoft Cloud—and especially its cutting-edge AI stack—to build secure, value-driven businesses. With 17 years as a software developer, pre-sales engineer, and ... Show more

When I was young I wanted to be an architect. As it turns out, I'm a different type of architect. I am a Microsoft 365 Solutions Architect.

When I was young I wanted to be an architect. As it turns out, I'm a different type of architect. I am a Microsoft 365 Solutions Architect. Show more

Sandra Kiel's multifaceted career is a testament to her relentless pursuit of innovation and transformation. As an "innovation nerd" she brings a unique blend of insight and expertise to every endeavor. Sandra's dynamic skill set is rooted in over 15 years of experience in project and event management across various sectors, with a significant impact in IT projects.

Her approach is distinct; Sandra focuses on the human element in technology, prioritizing processes and people over mere technical excellence. As a Mixed Reality MVP recognized by Microsoft, she has proven her expertise in the cutting-edge realm of mixed reality, adding another feather to her cap of technical accomplishments.

Sandra co-founded Event Punks, an innovative agency that specializes in metaverse and gaming solutions, showcasing her forward-thinking vision and ability to stay ahead of digital trends. Her work in this space underlines her commitment to exploring new frontiers in technology and digital engagement.

A staunch advocate for community development, Sandra believes in empowering people through digitization, constantly questioning how we will live and work in the future. This people-first perspective in digitization drives her to mentor, coach, and consult, sharing her rich experience and knowledge.

Sandra Kiel is not just a participant in the digital revolution; she is a leading voice, shaping the conversation and paving the way for future innovations.

Sandra Kiel's multifaceted career is a testament to her relentless pursuit of innovation and transformation. As an "innovation nerd" she brings a unique blend of insight and expertise to every endeavor. Sandra's dynamic skill set is rooted in over 15... Show more

I’m Elena, a Microsoft MVP, DataViz & UX Consultant, and international speaker on a mission to balance and clarity to the dashboard universe.

Through MoonStory, I help organizations flip their Power BI reports from cluttered and confusing to accessible, engaging, and actually delightful to use.

Whether I'm designing a report, leading a workshop, or speaking on stage, I bring a little magic, a lot of joy, and a deep belief that better data design leads to better decisions—and happier users.

I’m Elena, a Microsoft MVP, DataViz & UX Consultant, and international speaker on a mission to balance and clarity to the dashboard universe. Through MoonStory, I help organizations flip their Power BI reports from cluttered and confusing to acces... Show more

I assist developers in seizing their first opportunity! I am a Developer Advocate at ACT Digital, Founder, and Leader of the Quarkus Club community (https://discord.gg/48zt6R2sX4), a SouJava member, Speaker, and Event Organizer. I am also a Co-Founder of DevConverge LATAM, promoting integration among Java communities in Latin America. As an evangelist for the Quarkus framework.

I assist developers in seizing their first opportunity! I am a Developer Advocate at ACT Digital, Founder, and Leader of the Quarkus Club community (https://discord.gg/48zt6R2sX4), a SouJava member, Speaker, and Event Organizer. I am also a Co-Founde... Show more

Clemens Vasters is Lead Architect in Microsoft’s Azure Messaging team that builds and operates a fleet of hyper-scale messaging services, including Event Grid, Service Bus, Event Hubs, Stream Analytics and Microsoft Fabric Eventstreams. Clemens represents Microsoft in messaging standardisation in OASIS (AMQP, MQTT) and CNCF (CloudEvents, xRegistry) and writes too much code for being an "Architect". He looks back at nearly 30 years in professional software development and has seen the same fashion come and go a few times.

Clemens Vasters is Lead Architect in Microsoft’s Azure Messaging team that builds and operates a fleet of hyper-scale messaging services, including Event Grid, Service Bus, Event Hubs, Stream Analytics and Microsoft Fabric Eventstreams. Clemens repre... Show more

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) in Data Platform for the last 9 years and MVP in AI.

Over 20 years of experience in business and technology working with organizations at various stages of digital transformations. Over the years, worked with several industry sectors including Retail, Banking, Minery, Oil & Gas, and Media/Entertainment. Also led several products and applications that have been in the cusp of data, strategy, technology, and business transformation. Passion for data , emerging technologies and new offerings enables clients to make fact-based decisions and drive actions in the market together.​

Provided recommendations and guidance on revamping Analytics and Reporting enterprise architecture for different companies in helping drive a Customer Data Exchange working closely with the C-Suite to help them design their New Data Services Organization with Data Products. Stood up new capabilities required to effectively operate and move toward Data Monetization using advanced Data consolidation and Data Sharing capabilities focusing on Privacy/Compliance and Data Governance

YouTube channel Power Mates: https://www.youtube.com/@PowerMatesMS

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) in Data Platform for the last 9 years and MVP in AI. Over 20 years of experience in business and technology working with organizations at various stages of digital transformations. Over the years, worked ... Show more

Danica began her career as a software engineer in data visualization and warehousing with a business intelligence team where she served as a point-person for standards and best practices in data visualization across her company. In 2018, Danica moved to San Francisco and pivoted to backend engineering with a derivatives data team which was responsible for building and maintaining the infrastructure that processes millions of financial market data per second in near real-time. Her first project on this team involved Kafka Streams and Kafka Connect. From there, she immersed herself in the world of data streaming and found herself quite at home in the Apache Kafka and Apache Flink communities. She now leads the open source advocacy efforts at Snowflake, supporting Apache Iceberg and Apache Polaris (incubating).

Outside of work, Danica is passionate about sustainability, increasing diversity in the technical community, and keeping her many houseplants alive. She can be found on X (Bluesky and Mastodon), talking about tech, plants, and baking @TheDanicaFine.

Danica began her career as a software engineer in data visualization and warehousing with a business intelligence team where she served as a point-person for standards and best practices in data visualization across her company. In 2018, Danica moved... Show more

Simon Forster is a CNCF Ambassador and cloud native technology architect and engineer based in London. Simon has extensive experience working in heavily regulated financial institutions on the design, delivery and security of critical cloud native applications. He has a specific focus on ensuring cloud native technologies deliver against business goals. As co-chair of the CNCF Cartografos Group, Simon developed and co-authored the CNCF Cloud Native Maturity Model

Simon Forster is a CNCF Ambassador and cloud native technology architect and engineer based in London. Simon has extensive experience working in heavily regulated financial institutions on the design, delivery and security of critical cloud native ap... Show more

I am a Microsoft Business Applications MVP and Prosci® certified, Dynamics 365 and Power Platform functional lead. My experience is in business applications, CRM operations and enterprise change. With a FTSE 100 client background in Financial Services, CRM and Marketing across Microsoft, Adobe, and Salesforce platforms, I manage global transformation and adoption programs with deep human impact. I am also a speaker in the Microsoft Community, advocating as a human evangelist about user-centered design and enabling governance.

I am a Microsoft Business Applications MVP and Prosci® certified, Dynamics 365 and Power Platform functional lead. My experience is in business applications, CRM operations and enterprise change. With a FTSE 100 client background in Financial Service... Show more

I am Vivek Yadav. I am an Enterprise Solutions Architect at FlutterFlow. I am a Google Developer Expert for Flutter and Dart. I have more than 7 years of experience in Mobile Development. I have also worked with enterprises, startups, and mid-size companies. My last published app on AppStore got more than 20 million downloads on AppStore and PlayStore.

I am passionate about Ed-Tech. I have already built two products for my startup in Ed-Tech. Still, I am working on that. To boost my passion for Ed-Tech, I have started coding BootCamp for Flutter.

I have been mentoring startups, students, and employees for 4 years. I have connected with many startups, where I have talked about growth, scaling, app development, team formation, interviews, architecture, UX, business, and many more. I have connected with more than 50+ individuals. I have mentored them on flutter technology, shared what they can do in the future to make them better in Technology they are working on, and we have talked about many more topics.

I am Vivek Yadav. I am an Enterprise Solutions Architect at FlutterFlow. I am a Google Developer Expert for Flutter and Dart. I have more than 7 years of experience in Mobile Development. I have also worked with enterprises, startups, and mid-size co... Show more

Ginger Grant is a distinguished Microsoft Data Platform MVP and Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT), renowned for her deep expertise in advanced analytics, machine learning, AI, data warehousing, and the evolving landscape of Microsoft Fabric. As a sought-after consultant, Ginger empowers organizations to harness the full potential of their data ecosystems.

Beyond consulting, Ginger is a prolific thought leader and speaker for both keynotes and technical training. She contributes regularly as a columnist for Pure AI, authors insightful books, and shares practical knowledge on her blog, DesertIsleSQL.com. Her educational impact spans a wide range of technologies, including Azure Synapse Analytics, Python, and Azure Machine Learning, making her a trusted voice in the data community.

Whether on stage, in print, or in the classroom, Ginger’s passion for data and commitment to knowledge-sharing make her a standout figure in the world of data and AI.

Ginger Grant is a distinguished Microsoft Data Platform MVP and Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT), renowned for her deep expertise in advanced analytics, machine learning, AI, data warehousing, and the evolving landscape of Microsoft Fabric. As a sou... Show more

Building intuitive products

Building intuitive products Show more

Microsoft, Databricks (Spark) and Terraform (HashiCorp) certified consultant with over 15+ years’ technical experience.

Specialising in Business Intelligence, Azure Cloud and Power Platform, with extensive experience on delivering end-to-end cloud solutions across a wide range of industries.

I am a data, cloud & DevOps enthusiast with a passionate for automation and like sharing knowledge with the data community.

I enjoy running, swimming, football and learning new technologies.

Microsoft, Databricks (Spark) and Terraform (HashiCorp) certified consultant with over 15+ years’ technical experience. Specialising in Business Intelligence, Azure Cloud and Power Platform, with extensive experience on delivering end-to-end cloud... Show more

As GCD of Xebia Microsoft Services, Rene enables consultants to help organizations and leadership teams to build an engineering culture that allows them to build, deliver, and operate software in a secure and compliant way. With a focus on both the technical and cultural aspects of a company, Rene helps clients transform their work processes, operating model, and culture to become high-speed, innovative, and productive.

Rene is passionate about learning new technologies and exploring the cultural and people aspects of companies. He believes that by focusing on both technical implementation and cultural development, we can drive our industry forward. He loves sharing his knowledge and insights at conferences and training events.

As a frequently asked speaker at well-known industry events like GitHub Universe, NDC, Techorama, AllDayDevOps, NDC, and Visual Studio Live!, Rene is known for his expertise in Microsoft Azure, DevOps and DevOps Culture. In addition to being a Microsoft MVP since 2012, he is also the founder of the popular community event Global DevOps Bootcamp.

As GCD of Xebia Microsoft Services, Rene enables consultants to help organizations and leadership teams to build an engineering culture that allows them to build, deliver, and operate software in a secure and compliant way. With a focus on both the t... Show more

Eric is Chronosphere's Director Community & Developer. He's renowned in the development community as a speaker, lecturer, author, baseball expert, and CNCF Ambassador. His current role allows him to help the world understand the challenges they are facing with observability. He brings a unique perspective to the stage with a professional life dedicated to sharing his deep expertise of open source technologies and organizations. More on https://speakerhub.com/speaker/eric-d-schabell.

Eric is Chronosphere's Director Community & Developer. He's renowned in the development community as a speaker, lecturer, author, baseball expert, and CNCF Ambassador. His current role allows him to help the world understand the challenges they are f... Show more

Tim Spann is the Senior SolutionsEngineer - Financial Services working withSnowflake, Cortex AI, Apache NiFi, Apache Iceberg, Python, Apache Polaris, Streamlit, Cloud Data, Vectors, Data, Generative AI, ML, Hugging Face, Apache Kafka, Apache Flink, Pytorch, big data, the IoT, machine learning, and deep learning. Tim has over a decade of experience with the IoT, big data, distributed computing, streaming technologies, and Java programming. Previously, he was a Principal Developer Advocate at Zilliz/Milvus, Principal Developer Advocate at Cloudera, Developer Advocate at StreamNative, Principal Field Engineer at Cloudera, a Senior Solutions Architect at AirisData and a senior field engineer at Pivotal. He blogs for DZone, where he is the Big Data Zone leader, and runs a popular meetup in Princeton on big data, the IoT, deep learning, streaming, NiFi, the blockchain, and Spark. Tim is a frequent speaker at conferences such as IoT Fusion, Strata, ApacheCon, Data Works Summit Berlin, DataWorks Summit Sydney, and Oracle Code NYC. He holds a BS and MS in computer science.

https://medium.com/@tspann
https://www.youtube.com/@FLaNK-Stack
https://www.datainmotion.dev/p/about-me.html
https://dzone.com/users/297029/bunkertor.html

Tim Spann is the Senior SolutionsEngineer - Financial Services working withSnowflake, Cortex AI, Apache NiFi, Apache Iceberg, Python, Apache Polaris, Streamlit, Cloud Data, Vectors, Data, Generative AI, ML, Hugging Face, Apache Kafka, Apache Flink, P... Show more

Carey Payette is a Principal Engineer at Financial Finesse, an Azure AI MVP, Microsoft Certified Trainer and part of the Progress Ninja community. Known for turning cutting-edge AI concepts into practical, production-ready solutions, she specializes in architecting intelligent, agentic systems, ensuring AI system and data security, and designing scalable platforms that solve real-world problems. She brings additional depth through her work in machine learning, IoT, and data analytics. Carey combines deep technical expertise with a passion for creating impactful, forward-thinking technology.

Carey Payette is a Principal Engineer at Financial Finesse, an Azure AI MVP, Microsoft Certified Trainer and part of the Progress Ninja community. Known for turning cutting-edge AI concepts into practical, production-ready solutions, she specializes ... Show more

I am a developer who is passionate about building community, have a podcast where I help spread awareness about the capabilities of different tech tool, a YouTuber, and a Power Platform developer at a Microsoft Partner Company.

I am a developer who is passionate about building community, have a podcast where I help spread awareness about the capabilities of different tech tool, a YouTuber, and a Power Platform developer at a Microsoft Partner Company. Show more

I’m a Data Security & Microsoft 365 Consultant and Microsoft MVP at Rubicon, a leading Dutch consultancy firm. I’ve spent the last decade helping organizations tackle complex challenges around Governance, Adoption and Data Security with Microsoft Purview. My mission? To empower companies to protect their data and streamline collaboration in Microsoft 365, all while keeping governance and adoption at the forefront.

I’m a Data Security & Microsoft 365 Consultant and Microsoft MVP at Rubicon, a leading Dutch consultancy firm. I’ve spent the last decade helping organizations tackle complex challenges around Governance, Adoption and Data Security with Microsoft Pur... Show more

Alan Cox is a Microsoft MVP for Copilot & Microsoft 365 and has been in IT for almost 30 years and consulting for 25. His passion is helping organizations achieve more from their Microsoft 365 investments. Alan currently is the Director of Microsoft Governance for Genworth Financial.

Alan Cox is a Microsoft MVP for Copilot & Microsoft 365 and has been in IT for almost 30 years and consulting for 25. His passion is helping organizations achieve more from their Microsoft 365 investments. Alan currently is the Director of Microsoft ... Show more

I am a Principal Solution Architect and Microsoft CX CTO at Capgemini NL, a global leader in consulting, digital transformation, and technology services.

With over 20 years of experience in the IT industry, I have a strong passion for creating simple solutions for complex problems, using my expertise in generative AI, Power Platform, and cloud technologies.

I helped numerous clients across various sectors improve their operational efficiency, customer experience, and business outcomes, by architecting, implementing, and delivering innovative and scalable solutions.

As a Microsoft MVP, Certified Trainer and a speaker at various events, I also enjoy sharing my knowledge and insights with my colleagues, partners, and the wider community, inspiring them to embrace the power of digital transformation and innovation.

I am a Principal Solution Architect and Microsoft CX CTO at Capgemini NL, a global leader in consulting, digital transformation, and technology services. With over 20 years of experience in the IT industry, I have a strong passion for creating sim... Show more

Azure Certified Cloud Solutions Architect, Awarded Most valuable professional by Microsoft, former MSP, Community lead and Microsoft recognized Azure Community Hero. With rich experience in planning, designing, implementing and maintaining secure applications in Azure Cloud from x86 and non-x86 environments. A recognized leader in migrating and creating enterprise architecture for the transition from on-premise to cloud using Azure services.
I hold advanced specialization in Identity, Security, and Compliance and working extensively in the large transformation of enterprises and Banking Finance and Insurance institutions.

Azure Certified Cloud Solutions Architect, Awarded Most valuable professional by Microsoft, former MSP, Community lead and Microsoft recognized Azure Community Hero. With rich experience in planning, designing, implementing and maintaining secure app... Show more

Nicky van Vroenhoven is a BI professional focused at the Microsoft stack and a Data Platform MVP. He mainly works with Power BI, Power Platform and T-SQL. Nicky started working with SQL Server and SSIS in 2005 in the DWH space, and later moved from Power Pivot to Power BI. After working 10 years in BI-consultancy jobs in several industries and companies, he worked for 5 years as a Power BI Administrator at a wealth management bank, and he is currently working as Unit Lead Fabric/Power BI at Powerdobs in The Netherlands.
Nicky has spoken at several User Groups and conferences including SQL Saturday Events, the Power BI World Tour, SQLBits and the Fabric Community Conference. In addition he enjoys tweeting and blogging about topics like Power BI and Power Platform at https://nickyvv.com.
In his spare time Nicky likes to go running, play chess or try to improve his Rubik's cube record. He is also a husband, father of 3 and a (former) ballroom dancer.

Nicky van Vroenhoven is a BI professional focused at the Microsoft stack and a Data Platform MVP. He mainly works with Power BI, Power Platform and T-SQL. Nicky started working with SQL Server and SSIS in 2005 in the DWH space, and later moved from P... Show more

Seyfallah Tagrerout, 12 years of Experience – CEO at STC Consulting SARL Switzerland | Team Lead | Cloud and Security Architect, Microsoft Regional Director | Microsoft MVP Security since 2015, Speaker and book Author.

He is extremely highly and well skilled on all news features from Microsoft Azure / M365 technologies and security (Zero Trust, Azure Data Center , Identity , SecOps and Modern Workplace). He loves using Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, Microsoft Defender for Office 365, Microsoft 365 Defender, Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps, Microsoft Sentinel, Microsoft Entra and many other solutions of the Microsoft Security stack.

Microsoft MVP since 9 years, I am a Book author, international speaker and Microsoft technologies trainer. As a speaker, I deliver over 30 technical sessions annually, in both online and in-person formats, in both French and English.

Seyfallah Tagrerout, 12 years of Experience – CEO at STC Consulting SARL Switzerland | Team Lead | Cloud and Security Architect, Microsoft Regional Director | Microsoft MVP Security since 2015, Speaker and book Author. He is extremely highly and... Show more

Matteo Emili is a Director of Software Engineering at Avanade UK and Ireland, leading the talent in Software Engineering and always looking at new ways of applying technology to solve business problems.

He is a passionate Agile advocate and a technologist at heart, a Cloud Architect who is always driven by using technology as a vehicle for change and continuous improvement.
A Microsoft MVP since 2010 (currently in the Azure DevOps and GitHub category), he enjoys sharing back as much as he can with the worldwide technical communities – especially about Agile and DevOps.

He founded several User Groups around Europe and he is a regular speaker at meetups and conferences.

Matteo Emili is a Director of Software Engineering at Avanade UK and Ireland, leading the talent in Software Engineering and always looking at new ways of applying technology to solve business problems. He is a passionate Agile advocate and a tech... Show more

Self-taught and passionate Senior Software Engineer with a hands-on approach to building scalable, production-grade AI and data systems.

Experienced across the stack — from architecture design to deployment — with a strong focus on performance, reliability, and clean architecture.

Holds an M.Sc. in Financial Mathematics from Bar-Ilan University.

Self-taught and passionate Senior Software Engineer with a hands-on approach to building scalable, production-grade AI and data systems. Experienced across the stack — from architecture design to deployment — with a strong focus on performance, re... Show more

Dr Booma Poolan Marikannan – Microsoft AI MVP, GenAI SME, Group Manager, Data & AI, Avanade, Charlotte, NC,USA
Dr Booma, a seasoned technologist with over a decade of extensive experience in the realms of technology and leadership, stands at the helm as the Microsoft AI MVP, AI Solution Architect, GenAI SME, Group Manager, Data & AI, Avanade, Charlotte, NC,USA. Her illustrious career has spanned more than 14 years, during which she has been a stalwart contributor to the conception and realization of groundbreaking GenAI solutions. With each endeavor, she adeptly illustrates the transformative potential of GenAI, casting a luminous spotlight on its profound implications for businesses.
Her contributions in this domain have earned her international acclaim, as she stands as a revered luminary in the field. Notably, she has been bestowed with the prestigious title of "Microsoft Most Valuable Professional in AI Platform(MVP-AI)", "Young Women Scientist" by the esteemed institution, HumCen, a testament to her unwavering dedication and exemplary work. Further enhancing her standing as a trailblazer, Dr Booma has been honored as an "Outstanding Researcher/Academician" by Women Icon, a tribute to her relentless pursuit of excellence.
Beyond her remarkable achievements, Dr Booma frequently imparts her profound wisdom and experience through the written word, sharing her erudition in the field of Artificial Intelligence through insightful articles and engaging tech discussions.
Notably, Dr Booma's dedication extends beyond her professional achievements. She is deeply committed to raising diversity and inclusivity within the world of technology. As a mentor to budding talent, she emphasizes the profound significance of inclusivity and equity, championing the cause of underrepresented voices and championing the principles of fairness and opportunity for all. Her indomitable spirit and achievements serve as an enduring inspiration to the world of technology and beyond.

Dr Booma Poolan Marikannan – Microsoft AI MVP, GenAI SME, Group Manager, Data & AI, Avanade, Charlotte, NC,USA Dr Booma, a seasoned technologist with over a decade of extensive experience in the realms of technology and leadership, stands at the hel... Show more

Hi, I’m Richard. I am the Co-Founder and CTO of MILL5. I live and work in the Boston area. I enjoy working on the bleeding edge of technology including AI/ML, IoT, Azure, SaaS, Mobile, and more. My goal is to inspire others to innovate using software.

Hi, I’m Richard. I am the Co-Founder and CTO of MILL5. I live and work in the Boston area. I enjoy working on the bleeding edge of technology including AI/ML, IoT, Azure, SaaS, Mobile, and more. My goal is to inspire others to innovate using softwar... Show more