Finance & Banking

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

Yida Zhang

Yida Zhang

Yida Zhang is a senior investment analyst with extensive domain knowledge and investment experiences covering multiple sectors including Software, Internet, Consumer, and Energy. She has worked with top-tier investment firms including Fidelity, Citadel, and Squarepoint, developing profound insights into industry themes, product roadmaps, and competitive landscapes for covered sectors. She has also built a unique investment process and portfolio management framework leveraging her experiences working for diversified investment mandates.

Yida Zhang is a senior investment analyst with extensive domain knowledge and investment experiences covering multiple sectors including Software, Internet, Consumer, and Energy. She has worked with top-tier investment firms including Fidelity, Citad... Show more

Surbhi Pokharna

Surbhi Pokharna

I spent my career in designing and managing enterprise scale data solutions with fundamental building blocks of Reliability, Security, Scalability, Governance and Maintainability in business-critical private and public cloud data platforms in financial domain.
Architecting the operationalization aspect in a client facing role, delivering relational and advanced analytics solution for large scale Operational and Data Warehouse implementations with focus on learning and innovation remained a constant part of my data journey.
Currently I am leading enterprise scale cloud data migrations in SQL Server/Snowflake/Azure SQL/Managed Instance/PostgreSQL and am involved with delivery of next generation Data & AI solutions using various data platforms. Also, I am managing large on/offshore teams, applying inclusive leadership, vendor management and technical skills.
As a woman in tech and part of data community, I have advanced with grit to create an impact, work with the mindset of ‘how I can’, passion for continuous learning and delivering results.
** I am board member of the New England SQL Server User Group, part of Snowflake Data Superhero 2025 program, member of PASS, speaker in PAAS Summit/Snowflake User Group/Azure Data User Groups/Data Saturdays/SQLBits. **

I spent my career in designing and managing enterprise scale data solutions with fundamental building blocks of Reliability, Security, Scalability, Governance and Maintainability in business-critical private and public cloud data platforms in financi... 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

Pradeep Kalluri

Pradeep Kalluri

Data Engineer with 3+ years of experience building production data platforms at NatWest, Accenture, and Dpoint. Specialized in cloud-native architectures, real-time processing with Kafka and Spark, and data quality frameworks. Published technical writer on Medium, sharing practical lessons from production systems. Passionate about making data platforms reliable and trustworthy.

Data Engineer with 3+ years of experience building production data platforms at NatWest, Accenture, and Dpoint. Specialized in cloud-native architectures, real-time processing with Kafka and Spark, and data quality frameworks. Published technical wri... Show more

Deepak Saxena

Deepak Saxena

Deepak Saxena is a Vice President of Data Science at TWG Global Holdings, where he leads the design and delivery of large-scale data engineering, analytics, and AI platforms supporting investment decision-making across structured finance products including RMBS, CMBS, ABS, and CLOs.

With over a decade of experience in enterprise data systems, Deepak specializes in building cloud-native, high-performance analytics solutions using modern data platforms, distributed computing, and AI/ML techniques. His work focuses on explainable analytics, scalable data pipelines, and applying AI responsibly in financial and enterprise decision systems.

Deepak has hands-on experience across the full lifecycle of data products—from ingestion and modeling to advanced analytics, visualization, and production deployment. He actively works with technologies such as Python, Spark, SQL, cloud platforms, and modern AI/LLM frameworks to solve real-world business problems.

In addition to his industry role, Deepak is an active contributor to technical communities through conference submissions, research-oriented writing, and mentoring. His speaking interests include applied AI, data engineering at scale, explainable machine learning, and the intersection of AI and finance.

He is passionate about sharing practical insights that help organizations move from experimental AI to reliable, production-ready systems.

Deepak Saxena is a Vice President of Data Science at TWG Global Holdings, where he leads the design and delivery of large-scale data engineering, analytics, and AI platforms supporting investment decision-making across structured finance products inc... Show more

Orion Willis

Orion Willis

Orion Willis is a seasoned financial planner and the founder of Prime Wealth Advisors, a firm dedicated to providing clients with comprehensive, personalized financial planning services. With over 28 years of experience in the financial industry, he has spent his career helping individuals and families navigate the complexities of wealth management, retirement planning, estate planning, and tax strategies. His primary focus is delivering integrated financial solutions, ensuring clients achieve long-term financial security and peace of mind.

Raised in Lake Side, Arizona, Orion's interest in finance began early, which led him to pursue a degree in finance at Arizona State University. At ASU, he gained valuable experience through an internship at MetLife, where he noticed a significant gap in the financial services industry. While many people had financial planners, their advice was often fragmented, with each advisor focusing on a single aspect of their finances. This observation inspired him to establish a firm that would take a more comprehensive approach to financial planning, combining wealth management, tax planning, estate planning, and other services in one place.

In 2002, Orion founded Prime Wealth Advisors to provide clients with a holistic approach to financial planning. His firm offers a full range of services, including retirement planning, tax strategies, estate planning, and wealth management. By addressing all aspects of a client’s financial life, Prime Wealth Advisors ensures clients receive customized plans designed to meet their unique needs and goals.

As a fiduciary, Orion is committed to always acting in the best interests of his clients. He is legally obligated to put his clients’ needs ahead of his own, ensuring that every recommendation he makes benefits them, not him. This commitment to integrity and trust has earned him the loyalty and respect of his clients, who know they can rely on his guidance for sound financial decisions.

Outside of his professional life, Orion values his family and is committed to his community. He is married with two children and enjoys spending time with them whenever possible. He also actively supports local initiatives, such as the Sun City West Pickleball Club, where his contributions have helped foster growth and support for charitable efforts. Orion Willis continues to positively impact those around him through his work and personal life.

Orion Willis is a seasoned financial planner and the founder of Prime Wealth Advisors, a firm dedicated to providing clients with comprehensive, personalized financial planning services. With over 28 years of experience in the financial industry, he ... 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

Adelina Stanciu

Adelina Stanciu

Adelina is a seasoned technology leader with over 15 years of experience in agile software development across the full life cycle. Leading geographically dispersed teams across finance, e-commerce and cybersecurity, Adelina has successfully designed, developed and deployed complex, scalable applications. As an independent trainer in software architecture, Adelina is passionate about sharing knowledge through articles and thought leadership. With expertise in project planning, release management and stakeholder coordination, Adelina consistently drives high-impact results while ensuring seamless execution across teams and projects.

Adelina is a seasoned technology leader with over 15 years of experience in agile software development across the full life cycle. Leading geographically dispersed teams across finance, e-commerce and cybersecurity, Adelina has successfully designed,... Show more

Manav Kapoor

Manav Kapoor

Manav Kapoor is a seasoned product and technology leader with over 14 years of experience driving innovation at the intersection of technology, customer experience, and business strategy. He currently serves as a Senior Technical Product Manager at Amazon's Selling Partner Trust and Store Integrity organization, leading AI/ML-powered technology innovations that protect customers from sales abuse through unfair and illegitimate business practices across Amazon's global marketplace, safeguarding 300MM+ Amazon customers worldwide.
Previously, as a VP at Goldman Sachs, Manav led the fraud product team for Apple Card and spearheaded the launch of the digital High Yield Savings Account in partnership with Apple, the first banking product fully integrated into Apple's iOS ecosystem, which accumulated over $10 billion in deposits.
Manav has built a career translating complex technical challenges into customer-first innovations, spanning marketplace trust and safety, fraud detection, digital banking, and customer experience. An IEEE Senior Member and Forbes Technology Council member, he speaks on ecosystem-driven product strategy, AI governance, and responsible AI implementation in regulated industries and e-commerce.

Manav Kapoor is a seasoned product and technology leader with over 14 years of experience driving innovation at the intersection of technology, customer experience, and business strategy. He currently serves as a Senior Technical Product Manager at A... Show more

Stephan Simonidis

Stephan Simonidis

17 years of experience in reporting, data analytics and business intelligence in finance, insurance and media.

17 years of experience in reporting, data analytics and business intelligence in finance, insurance and media. Show more

Ismaël Hassane

Ismaël Hassane

Cloud Solution Architect with 10 years of experience, Ismaël specialises in data, analytics, and AI platforms. He held various positions as a developer and architect in both pre-sales and implementation roles. On a daily basis, He contributes to the technological transformation journey of a wide range of sectors across EMEA (Healthcare, Banking, Finance, Public Sector, etc).

Cloud Solution Architect with 10 years of experience, Ismaël specialises in data, analytics, and AI platforms. He held various positions as a developer and architect in both pre-sales and implementation roles. On a daily basis, He contributes to the ... Show more

Sheyinka Harry

Sheyinka Harry

Sheyinka Harry is an Agile Coach with over six years of experience helping organizations navigate messy, real-world change. She partners with product, engineering, and delivery leaders to improve delivery outcomes, build trust, and create healthy, high-performing teams.

Pragmatic, people-focused, and deeply systems-oriented, Sheyinka designs and resets delivery operating models while facilitating tough conversations across product, tech, and business. She has guided teams and leaders through low trust, burnout, inconsistent delivery, and the misapplication of Agile, always balancing culture, people, and outcomes.

Her experience spans the US, Latin America, and the Caribbean, including regulated and high-stakes environments in finance, e-commerce, and payments. Sheyinka is passionate about helping organizations achieve measurable results while empowering teams to thrive sustainably.

Sheyinka Harry is an Agile Coach with over six years of experience helping organizations navigate messy, real-world change. She partners with product, engineering, and delivery leaders to improve delivery outcomes, build trust, and create healthy, hi... Show more

Venkata K Chaitanya Dhullipala

Venkata K Chaitanya Dhullipala

Venakata is a Senior Manager in Software Engineering at Capital One, with a strong foundation in backend systemts, AI/ML and financial technologies. Formerly at JPMorgan Chase. Holds Master's degree in Business Analytics and Information Management, and is passionate about blending technology with leadership to drive impactful innovation.

Venakata is a Senior Manager in Software Engineering at Capital One, with a strong foundation in backend systemts, AI/ML and financial technologies. Formerly at JPMorgan Chase. Holds Master's degree in Business Analytics and Information Management, a... Show more

Thelma Dike

Thelma Dike

Thelma is a Senior Product Designer and aspiring Tech Operator with a reputation for solving hard problems in high-stakes environments. Her expertise lies in translating complex technical requirements into intuitive user experiences.

Her career spans the African FinTech landscape, including work with Flutterwave and Chipper Cash, where she focused on product growth and user retention. Beyond FinTech, Thelma has carved a niche in technical consulting for complex systems. She served as a design consultant for Apple, redesigning legacy applications for battery engineers, and collaborated with Verizon R&D (in partnership with Nvidia) on the user experience for AI infrastructure in media.

Passionate about the future of tech, she recently returned to the classroom to teach AI in secondary schools and is authoring a book on Artificial Intelligence for teenagers. She is currently documenting her career pivot from craft-focused design to operational leadership.

Thelma is a Senior Product Designer and aspiring Tech Operator with a reputation for solving hard problems in high-stakes environments. Her expertise lies in translating complex technical requirements into intuitive user experiences. Her career sp... Show more

Rama Mohan Reddy Pilli

Rama Mohan Reddy Pilli

Rama Mohan Reddy Pilli is a seasoned Data & AI Architect with deep expertise in large-scale distributed data systems, modern lakehouse architecture, and real-time analytics engineering. With extensive experience at Kard Financial and Dell EMC, he has led mission-critical initiatives that modernize data platforms, optimize compute at scale, and enable high-throughput AI and analytics workloads.

Rama specializes in building multi-petabyte Databricks Delta Lakehouse ecosystems, architecting medallion-modeled pipelines using Delta Live Tables, Auto Loader, Photon, and Spark 3.x performance tuning. He has engineered real-time merchant intelligence systems, high-scale segmentation APIs, and EKS-based microservices powered by AWS S3, IAM Roles for Service Accounts, ALB ingress, and Terraform-first infrastructure. He is recognized for delivering multimillion-dollar impact through cost-efficient cloud designs, Z-Ordering and Liquid Clustering optimization, and resilient ETL frameworks supporting millions of users.

An IEEE Senior Member and SAS Eminent Fellow, Rama actively contributes to global technology awards as a judge and speaks on scalable AI architectures, data engineering automation, and next-generation lakehouse design.

Rama Mohan Reddy Pilli is a seasoned Data & AI Architect with deep expertise in large-scale distributed data systems, modern lakehouse architecture, and real-time analytics engineering. With extensive experience at Kard Financial and Dell EMC, he has... Show more

Marco Kelderman

Marco Kelderman

Marco Kelderman is een ervaren Enterprise Architect bij AZL, met meer dan 25 jaar ervaring in de financiële sector. Hij behaalde een Master Degree in Enterprise IT Architecture aan de Antwerp Management School. Gedurende zijn carrière heeft Marco verschillende grote bedrijfstransformaties ontworpen

Marco Kelderman is een ervaren Enterprise Architect bij AZL, met meer dan 25 jaar ervaring in de financiële sector. Hij behaalde een Master Degree in Enterprise IT Architecture aan de Antwerp Management School. Gedurende zijn carrière heeft Marco ve... Show more

Domingos Dias

Domingos Dias

Domingos Dias é bacharel em Engenharia Informática pela UGS e está a concluir a monografia de Licenciatura em Análise e Desenvolvimento de Sistemas.

É certificado internacionalmente pela Camunda como Professional Developer em orquestração e automação de processos.

Iniciou a sua carreira como desenvolvedor Java, migrando para typescript(Angolar ~10), php e frameworks deste, participando no desenvolvimento e implementação de sistemas como SIGHOSP e MEDANGOLA, utilizados em instituições como o Hospital Geral dos Cajueiros, Hospital Josina Machel, Unicargas, ENDE, entre outras clínicas e organizações.

Ao longo da sua trajetória, trabalhou para o Standard Bank Angola, Banco Keve e BCI, estes dois últimos atuando como consultor pela empresa Selenium.

É cofundador da ANDROMEDA, responsável pelo desenvolvimento e licenciamento, junto à AGT e APD, do sistema de faturação, logística e contabilidade MULTIGEST.

Atualmente, exerce funções como consultor e arquiteto de soluções de automação para uma multinacional(INM).

Foi vencedor do primeiro Hackathon do Standard Bank Angola, já colaborou em projetos open source e tornou-se o primeiro angolano a ter um conector aprovado e disponibilizado no marketplace oficial da Camunda (Alemanha).

Domingos Dias é bacharel em Engenharia Informática pela UGS e está a concluir a monografia de Licenciatura em Análise e Desenvolvimento de Sistemas. É certificado internacionalmente pela Camunda como Professional Developer em orquestração e automa... Show more

Avira Avira

Avira Avira

Avira is a Cyber threat Intelligence enthusiast with deep experience in banking cybersecurity. She focuses on building automated defense capabilities, enhancing SOC operations, and strengthening enterprise resilience against evolving threats. Active in regional cyber communities, Avira also shares insights through workshops and career talks on threat landscapes and security automation.

Avira is a Cyber threat Intelligence enthusiast with deep experience in banking cybersecurity. She focuses on building automated defense capabilities, enhancing SOC operations, and strengthening enterprise resilience against evolving threats. Active ... Show more

Jonna Keller

Jonna Keller

With a career spanning more than 25 years, Jonna Keller has become a trusted figure in wealth management as the Managing Partner and Owner of First Security Investment Inc. (FSI), a Sarasota, Florida-based financial services firm. FSI focuses on helping families protect and grow their wealth through tailored financial strategies involving insurance, estate planning, and portfolio management. Her approach prioritizes understanding each client’s goals, market conditions, and risk appetite over offering financial products.

Keller’s dedication to her clients runs deep. She always puts their best interests above commission-driven transactions or fees. This commitment has allowed her to cultivate long-lasting relationships based on transparency and trust. Clients rely on her for unbiased advice to secure their financial futures.

Serving primarily high-net-worth individuals, Keller offers an independent viewpoint on wealth management. She emphasizes education and mentorship, guiding clients through complex financial decisions with personalized plans shaped by her extensive investment experience. Her style is clear, direct, and free of hidden agendas.

A significant aspect of Keller’s expertise is family wealth planning. Jonna Keller helps clients design strategies that protect assets and enable smooth wealth transfer across generations. This involves tools such as asset protection trusts, wills, estate distribution plans, and tax-deferred insurance policies. Her plans also account for unexpected life events and long-term care, ensuring clients are prepared for a range of possibilities.

Tax reduction planning is a key component of FSI's services. Keller and her team work proactively to minimize tax burdens during clients’ working years and into retirement. This includes balancing capital gains and losses, advising on the timing of withdrawals from retirement accounts such as 401(k)s and IRAs, and helping clients manage tax brackets through long-term versus short-term capital gains strategies.

Retirement income planning is another critical area in which Keller provides tailored solutions. She assesses each client’s financial picture to develop reliable cash flow distribution plans. These strategies typically combine passive and active income streams, savings plans, and asset management tailored to individual needs.

Estate planning support is crucial for many of Keller’s clients, who often have diversified portfolios that include investments, real estate, and cash. She assists families in valuing their estates accurately and developing strategies to distribute assets efficiently while minimizing tax impacts.

Keller holds professional designations, including Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®) and Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC®), in addition to Series 7, 63, and 65 securities registrations. She has served as Chair of the Women’s Leadership Council and received accolades, including the AssetMark National Community Inspiration Award.

Beyond her professional work, Keller is deeply engaged in philanthropy. She volunteers extensively with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Sarasota County and has been recognized for her dedication. She also contributes to fundraising efforts for arts and education nonprofits such as the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe and the Sarasota Pops Orchestra.

Outside her career and volunteer efforts, Jonna Keller enjoys spending time with loved ones, traveling, maintaining an active lifestyle, and cooking with fresh local ingredients. Her life reflects a commitment to integrity, thoughtful financial planning, and meaningful community involvement.

With a career spanning more than 25 years, Jonna Keller has become a trusted figure in wealth management as the Managing Partner and Owner of First Security Investment Inc. (FSI), a Sarasota, Florida-based financial services firm. FSI focuses on help... Show more

Cyril Uket

Cyril Uket

I’m Cyril Uket, a passionate builder with over 8 years of experience in software development. I specialize in creating innovative, scalable solutions that solve real-world challenges.

I’m currently the Co-founder of MYAZA, a fintech company on a mission to unify Africa’s payment systems and make cross-border transactions seamless, affordable, and inclusive for individuals and businesses across the continent.

Driven by curiosity and a love for problem-solving, I’m always exploring how technology can connect people, improve lives, and shape the future of finance in Africa.

🚀 Interests: Fintech, cross-border payments, financial inclusion, AI in finance, startup growth
🎮 Outside of work, I enjoy gaming, movies, and exploring creative tech projects.

I’m Cyril Uket, a passionate builder with over 8 years of experience in software development. I specialize in creating innovative, scalable solutions that solve real-world challenges. I’m currently the Co-founder of MYAZA, a fintech company on a m... 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

Hernan Huwyler

Hernan Huwyler

Hernan Huwyler is a Global Risk Management Executive and the Academic Director at IE Law and Business School (Executive Education). With a dual background as an MBA and CPA, Hernan specializes in the intersection of Law, Technology, and Quantitative Risk.

He focuses on "translating" complex regulatory frameworks (EU AI Act, GDPR, ISO 42001) into actionable architectures for engineering and business teams. Unlike traditional compliance officers, Hernan advocates for data-driven risk management, moving beyond "heatmaps" to utilize Monte Carlo simulations, convolution models, and Python-based risk quantification.

Hernan has led Risk, Control, and Audit functions for major multinational corporations across Europe and the Americas. He writes and speaks extensively on Adversarial AI, Algorithmic Auditing, and the financial quantification of Cyber Risk. Past keynote venues include Risk Awareness Conferences (>2,000 risk managers), IIA and ISACA Summits, ProcureCom Europe, IKN Madrid, IE University, and closed-door sessions for international organizations and national regulators. Hernan’s talks consistently rank in the top 5% of conference feedback scores because he makes complex security requirements, business needs and regulations feel like a competitive advantage.

Speaking Topics:

AI Governance: Implementing ISO 42001 and navigating the EU AI Act.
Risk Quantification: Why "Impact x Probability" fails and how to use convolution models.
Adversarial AI: Balancing transparency with security to prevent data poisoning.
AI ROI: Risk-adjusted financial modeling for Generative AI deployments.

Ready-to-Submit Talk Proposals:

Session 1: The Technical/Quant Talk

Title: Kill the Heatmap: Quantifying AI Risk with Python & Monte Carlo Simulations
Abstract: Most organizations manage AI risk using colorful 5x5 "heatmaps." This is mathematically flawed and dangerous for high-stakes AI deployment. In this talk, we will ditch the gut-check methodology. I will demonstrate how to use convolution and Monte Carlo simulations to model the "tail risk" of AI hallucinations and regulatory fines. You will leave with a method to calculate the actual financial exposure of your models—no expensive GRC software required, just math and logic.

Session 2: The Governance/Security Talk

Title: The Transparency Trap: How to Audit AI Without Creating Vulnerabilities
Abstract: New standards like ISO/IEC 12792 demand AI transparency, but in the age of Adversarial Machine Learning, "oversharing" is a security vector. If you reveal your full architecture and training sources, you invite data poisoning and model inversion attacks. This session outlines a "Tiered Disclosure Architecture." We will discuss how to route specific data to auditors, regulators, and users differently, ensuring compliance with the EU AI Act without handing the keys to bad actors.

Session 3: The Business/Strategy Talk

Title: The Real Cost of Intelligence: A Risk-Adjusted Framework for AI ROI
Abstract: Companies are deploying Generative AI based on productivity hype, but they are ignoring the "OpEx Iceberg"—model drift, inference costs, and liability reserves. This talk presents a financial framework for calculating the true ROI of AI. We will cover how to factor in the "Risk Delta" (new risks vs. automated risks), calculate the Levelized Cost of AI (LCOAI), and determine when to build vs. buy based on process uniqueness. A session for leaders who need to justify the cloud bill to the CFO.

Hernan Huwyler is a Global Risk Management Executive and the Academic Director at IE Law and Business School (Executive Education). With a dual background as an MBA and CPA, Hernan specializes in the intersection of Law, Technology, and Quantitative ... Show more

Arpit Gupta

Arpit Gupta

Visionary CTPO who led teams across Amazon, Yahoo, Oracle and have held leadership roles at Walmart, Indeed, Coupang etc Currently CTPO with Actionable Analytics a TaaS firm leveraging Gen AI, cloud, data to provide exceptional CX to enterprises across the world. Focus on eCom, FinTech, Telco, AdTech, EdTech and HealthTech

Visionary CTPO who led teams across Amazon, Yahoo, Oracle and have held leadership roles at Walmart, Indeed, Coupang etc Currently CTPO with Actionable Analytics a TaaS firm leveraging Gen AI, cloud, data to provide exceptional CX to enterprises acro... Show more

Matthew J Smith

Matthew J Smith

Matthew J Smith has built a professional path centered on investment leadership and operational experience across the energy, power, and data center industries. With nearly twenty years of work, he has developed a practical understanding of how financial strategy connects to real-world performance. His background includes responsibilities in both hedge funds and public companies, allowing him to approach decisions with balance and clarity. Through every stage, he has focused on steady progress and responsible management.

He started his career as an analyst, where he gained valuable experience in studying companies, assets, and market cycles. In these early roles, he learned how to evaluate financial data, forecast potential results, and assess business risks. Those lessons shaped his careful and structured way of thinking about investments. His time in these positions provided him with the tools to interpret economic patterns and enhance his ability to make informed, disciplined decisions in complex environments.

Matthew advanced into senior research and portfolio management roles within established investment firms. His work focused on the industrial and energy sectors, where changing market trends demanded thoughtful analysis. By concentrating on the relationships between cyclical and long-term market forces, he refined an approach that valued consistent research and sound judgment. His contributions supported institutional portfolios managing significant assets, where he maintained an emphasis on careful evaluation, long-term focus, and risk control in rapidly evolving markets.

He carried those principles into his own firm when he founded Deep Basin Capital. As Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer, he created a strategy that combined detailed industry analysis with teamwork and structured processes. Matthew led efforts in recruiting, technology development, and investment execution, prioritizing investor trust at every step. Under his guidance, the firm grew and ultimately completed its operations successfully, reflecting his commitment to disciplined leadership and long-term value creation.

He later extended his experience into the public company space, serving as both a board member and Chief Financial Officer for a merchant power and data center operator. In this capacity, he managed financial reporting, operational planning, and asset oversight during a period of organizational challenge. His steady leadership supported financial recovery, strategic development, and a sale that provided strong results for stakeholders. The experience strengthened his understanding of governance and operational responsibility.

Matthew J Smith continues to value community involvement alongside professional work. He founded a food drive that helps families in need and has sustained the initiative over several years with consistent local support. Outside of his career, he enjoys sports, outdoor activities, and creative projects that balance his demanding professional life. His outlook combines financial understanding, operational discipline, and a genuine commitment to steady improvement. He remains focused on making meaningful contributions to both his field and the community.

Matthew J Smith has built a professional path centered on investment leadership and operational experience across the energy, power, and data center industries. With nearly twenty years of work, he has developed a practical understanding of how finan... Show more

Ram Ghadiyaram

Ram Ghadiyaram

Ram Ghadiyaram is a seasoned Data Analytics & AI professional, mentor, and innovator with over 20 years of extensive software engineering experience in Big Data, Analytics, and Fintech. He has led major data initiatives at global financial institutions, consistently delivering transformative solutions that harness the power of large-scale data processing. Ram’s technical acumen is highlighted by his recognition as an Apache Spark , Scala Gold Badge award, reflecting his deep expertise in distributed computing and high-performance analytics. He also holds multiple gold badges on Stack Overflow, underscoring his commitment to technical excellence and community-driven knowledge sharing. Driven by curiosity and a passion for innovation, Ram continues to shape the future of Data engineering and AI in the financial sector and beyond.

Ram Ghadiyaram is a seasoned Data Analytics & AI professional, mentor, and innovator with over 20 years of extensive software engineering experience in Big Data, Analytics, and Fintech. He has led major data initiatives at global financial institutio... Show more

Sergiu Petean

Sergiu Petean

I have a proven track record in transforming, scaling and managing large and distributed organisations operating in complex regulatory environments. What sets me apart is my ability to drive change at the intersection of business and technology. With a legacy of scaling engineering teams and managing complex transformations, I excel in integrating strategic thinking with hands-on expertise in AI, DevOps, and cloud solutions.

Over the last 15 years I have built and led engineering teams in Financial Services and Insurance, cloud infrastructure and startups. I also contributed to global communities such as Linux Foundation and Cloud Native Computing Foundation(CNCF), co-authored several research papers on AIOps and Decision Making and publicly spoken on different events such as Kubecon, Deloitte NextGen(AI) Cloud Transformation Summit and Cloud Native Days.

I have a proven track record in transforming, scaling and managing large and distributed organisations operating in complex regulatory environments. What sets me apart is my ability to drive change at the intersection of business and technology. With... 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

Josh Burgess

Josh Burgess

Josh Burgess is a FinTech founder and accomplished software engineer in EdTech who combines cutting-edge technical expertise with strategic entrepreneurial acumen to architect solutions. As the Founder and CEO of Mudget, Josh is pioneering an AI-powered bookkeeping and expense-tracking platform that empowers individuals to achieve financial control through data-driven insights and positive psychology.

With expertise spanning full-stack development, cloud architecture, and machine learning, Josh holds AWS certifications in Solutions Architecture, Development, and Machine Learning and more. His got-to tech-stack encompasses Golang, TypeScript, Python, Rust, AWS, Kubernetes, and React. Currently pursuing a Master's in Software Engineering from Penn State while drawing upon his Business Administration foundation from the University of Pittsburgh, Josh represents the intersection of academic rigor and real-world application. As a graduate of a startup accelerator program, he brings proven entrepreneurial methodology to the challenge of bridging complex technical innovations with transformative consumer experiences.

Josh has delivered compelling insights on expert panels about leveraging artificial intelligence to catalyze business growth and drive disruptive innovation. His authoritative perspective stems from intensive hands-on experience architecting AI-powered products that elegantly solve complex everyday challenges in FinTech and EdTech. Through Mudget, he exemplifies how sophisticated development practices and intelligent AI implementation can democratize financial tools for consumers.

Josh Burgess is a FinTech founder and accomplished software engineer in EdTech who combines cutting-edge technical expertise with strategic entrepreneurial acumen to architect solutions. As the Founder and CEO of Mudget, Josh is pioneering an AI-powe... 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

Natalie Cook

Natalie Cook

Natalie Cook is the founder of Finance Fight Club, an Outsourced CFO & Financial Services firm dedicated to empowering small business owners with financial clarity and strategic guidance. With extensive experience in financial management, Natalie has guided over 50 small businesses to transform their operations, achieve sustainable profitability, and build confidence in their financial decisions. Specializing in cash flow optimization, strategic planning, and due diligence for business transactions, she brings a unique blend of expertise and accessibility to her work.

A passionate speaker and educator, Natalie is known for breaking down complex financial concepts into practical, actionable insights for entrepreneurs and business leaders. Her recent engagements include workshops like the Small Business KPI Workshop and live sessions on cash flow management. As a trusted advisor, she helps business owners move beyond gut feelings to data-driven decisions.

Natalie is committed to making finance approachable, often drawing from her deep industry knowledge across professional services, construction, SaaS, and manufacturing. Outside of her professional life, she is dedicated to supporting small business communities and fostering financial literacy.

Natalie Cook is the founder of Finance Fight Club, an Outsourced CFO & Financial Services firm dedicated to empowering small business owners with financial clarity and strategic guidance. With extensive experience in financial management, Natalie has... Show more

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