In 2009 I started my first public accounting firm, Shurek Accounting & Tax, operating out of my bonus room upstairs and meeting clients at their homes and local Starbucks. In 2012, after picking up my first 250 or so clients, I opened my first office, hired my first employee and began to grow my practice.

Through advertising, networking and referrals, I picked up an average of 100 clients per year, consisting of a good mixture of small-to-medium sized businesses as well as individual tax clients, and had accumulated around 800 clients by my eighth year. In 2015, I started doing work for clients in the cannabis industry in various states, and after accumulating a few clients, in 2016, I created my new company, MCA Accounting Solutions/ MyCannabisAccountant.com.

After working in the cannabis space for a few years and learning of the true need of good accountants to help businesses stay in compliance, In January of 2018, I sold over 600 of my initial clients to another local accountant and shifted most of my main practice focus to cannabis accounting.

For almost the last decade, we have helped clients that own dispensaries, cultivations, processing facilities and ancillary service providers in almost every state that there is a legal cannabis program – working with over 100 licensees in most legal states.

In 2017, I was introduced to the crypto world by several clients that were involved in different aspects and activities. Since then, I have been heavily involved in mining, trading, Defi, NFTs and we have been doing accounting and taxes for clients in the space for the past several years. Seeing another niche market with a significant need, I officially formed The Crypto Accountant in 2021 to help the crypto community not only to be able to accurately represent their crypto gains and losses for tax return purposes, but also to allow for proactive and strategic tax planning based around their crypto portfolios and activities.

After working with over 1,000+ companies and individuals spanning just about every industry there is, I have developed a true understanding of not only the cannabis and cryptocurrency industries, but also the struggles and challenges it takes for businesses to survive and compete in the dynamic business environments of today. As a fellow entrepreneur, I also understand the hustle and dedication it takes to run a business, and the extra efforts it takes to do so successfully.

In 2009 I started my first public accounting firm, Shurek Accounting & Tax, operating out of my bonus room upstairs and meeting clients at their homes and local Starbucks. In 2012, after picking up my first 250 or so clients, I opened my first office... Show more

Seasoned Cyber Security Professional with experience in banking, financial and telecom domains. Worked in different geographical regions in demanding regulatory and compliance requirements. Data Security, Risk Management and Compliance being the most favoured security functions. https://www.linkedin.com/in/kumarmathialagan/

Seasoned Cyber Security Professional with experience in banking, financial and telecom domains. Worked in different geographical regions in demanding regulatory and compliance requirements. Data Security, Risk Management and Compliance being the most... Show more

I'm an experienced investment professional with a background in asset management, trading, consulting, fintech and AI.

On top of my technical background, I have developed skills and knowledge in growth strategies, scaling, marketing, and other aspects of running startups using emerging technologies.

With strong cross-functional skills, I have developed deep insights into both businesses and people.

If you are currently launching a WEB3/crypto/NFT/blockchain/AI project, I will be keen on helping you and providing you guidance.

I'm an experienced investment professional with a background in asset management, trading, consulting, fintech and AI. On top of my technical background, I have developed skills and knowledge in growth strategies, scaling, marketing, and other asp... Show more

Gordon Stein, BESc, MBA, CSC, CFEI
 
Gordon Stein is an international keynote speaker, blogger, personal finance expert and author of Cashflow Cookbook - $2 Million of Financial Freedom in 60 Easy Recipes. He delivers transformational talks that help people crush their number one stress – their finances. 
 
Building financial wellness helps his audience regain focus, balance and joy in their lives. Gordon combines his trademark wit and storytelling style to speak with employee and association groups, financial advisors and the media about a breakthrough path to financial wellness with no risk, minimal effort, minimal sacrifice and no budgeting.
 
In his earlier career, Gordon was a senior sales, marketing, and operations executive at high tech companies. While at Apple he led the Education and Enterprise segments to record sales and was a featured speaker at the Executive Briefing Centers in Toronto and Cupertino. At Rogers Communications he managed the $1.5B B2B market and built the learning and development function for 30,000 learners. Prior to that, at Dell he was responsible for the small business segment and had the second highest sales productivity worldwide.
 
Gordon holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Western University, and an MBA from the Rotman School of Business. He has also completed the Canadian Securities Course and the U.S. Certified Financial Education Instructor designation from the National Financial Education Council. He has volunteered with the Western Alumni Board, the Western Engineering Dean’s Advisory Council and the Crescent School Board of Governors. He is currently a member of the National Financial Educators Council and the National Speakers Association. His content is used for CE credits with the Financial Planning Association.
 
In his free time, Gordon is a downhill ski racer, sailor, fitness enthusiast and not-yet-great (ok, not even good) guitar player. His thoughts on personal finance can be found at cashflowcookbook.com.

Gordon Stein, BESc, MBA, CSC, CFEI   Gordon Stein is an international keynote speaker, blogger, personal finance expert and author of Cashflow Cookbook - $2 Million of Financial Freedom in 60 Easy Recipes. He delivers transformational talks that h... Show more

In search of the holy grail how to find a balance between decentralised economy and regulation.

In search of the holy grail how to find a balance between decentralised economy and regulation. Show more

Sofie Blakstad, author of the groundbreaking book Fintech Revolution and CEO of hiveonline, is a respected authority on blockchain, CBDCs, digital assets and economics. She is driving alternative value systems based on tokenisation of social and natural capital in multiple countries. Sofie also advises international organisations including the UN, NGOs, Central Banks and commercial banks and chairs the FI and Fintech Industry Advisory Committee for the Edinburgh Futures Institute.

As Founder of hiveonline, a multiple award-winning blockchain-based community finance platform Sofie Blakstad has hands-on experience supporting unbanked farmers in developing economies. Previously, she built financial technology and businesses for eight major international banks in over 60 countries. She has written multiple research papers on blockchain and DLT for humanitarian and sustainable impact.

Sofie Blakstad, author of the groundbreaking book Fintech Revolution and CEO of hiveonline, is a respected authority on blockchain, CBDCs, digital assets and economics. She is driving alternative value systems based on tokenisation of social and natu... Show more

My name is Sunday Ndu. A graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University. I have been building FinTech android applications for more than 2 years. I have about 5years of mobile development experience.

My name is Sunday Ndu. A graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University. I have been building FinTech android applications for more than 2 years. I have about 5years of mobile development experience. Show more

A seasoned AppSec Consultant who successfully rolled out DevSecOps program for 1200+ developers, with application security assessment experience in Banking, Insurance, Manufacturing, Telecom and Retail domains with clients from APAC, USA, Europe and India.

A seasoned AppSec Consultant who successfully rolled out DevSecOps program for 1200+ developers, with application security assessment experience in Banking, Insurance, Manufacturing, Telecom and Retail domains with clients from APAC, USA, Europe and... Show more

Olugbemiga Bamiji (also known as Gbenga Bamiji) is a fellow chartered accountant with expertise and speaking capacity in the areas of Emerging markets and emerging economy, breaking new markets, managing emotional intelligence, assurance, finance, internal audit outsourcing,risk management, business development, business process, policy management, leadership, Strategy, Market and Business Intelligence and Customer Insights Analysis for business decisions

Olugbemiga Bamiji (also known as Gbenga Bamiji) is a fellow chartered accountant with expertise and speaking capacity in the areas of Emerging markets and emerging economy, breaking new markets, managing emotional intelligence, assurance, finance, i... Show more

Background is in entrepreneurial accounting/finance/business management in the context of small business, nonprofit, and venture-backed startups. I've been on both ends of the entrepreneurial investment table.

Background is in entrepreneurial accounting/finance/business management in the context of small business, nonprofit, and venture-backed startups. I've been on both ends of the entrepreneurial investment table. Show more

A highly experienced, client facing technologist, with a strong track record of building complex mission-critical financial platforms through the delivery of multiple interlinked projects and workstreams. I bring a background as a software developer and technical architect, a deep understanding of the financial services sector - covering both trading and risk - and a strong academic background, including a computer science degree and an MBA. I also have an interest in financial and economic history, and am working towards a PhD in the subject.

A highly experienced, client facing technologist, with a strong track record of building complex mission-critical financial platforms through the delivery of multiple interlinked projects and workstreams. I bring a background as a software developer ... Show more

Fernando Leitzelar is a senior SharePoint Evangelist and Vice-president with a Large Financial Institution. As a consultant he regularly interfaced with clients and development teams to design SharePoint-based solutions. Fernando has progressively held SharePoint positions ranging from developer and administrator to Architect and Manager. He has been a SharePoint Saturday Speaker since 2010, having worked extensively on designing and architecting sophisticated SharePoint based applications. He maintains expertise in Office 365, Azure, SharePoint 2019/2016/2013/2010/2007/2003, BI and Machine Learning Solutions.

Fernando Leitzelar is a senior SharePoint Evangelist and Vice-president with a Large Financial Institution. As a consultant he regularly interfaced with clients and development teams to design SharePoint-based solutions. Fernando has progressively he... Show more

Former federal prosecutor specializing in money laundering and terrorist financing. Currently at Partner in the White Collar Defense and Investigations Group at Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP.

Former federal prosecutor specializing in money laundering and terrorist financing. Currently at Partner in the White Collar Defense and Investigations Group at Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP. Show more

Florian Lenz is a Microsoft Azure MVP and Cloud Architect with over 10 years of experience building secure, scalable cloud platforms on Microsoft Azure. He specializes in Azure Landing Zones, DevSecOps, Infrastructure as Code, and cloud-native architectures, and has worked across industries including energy, finance, retail, and software.
As a speaker, author, and content creator, Florian shares practical lessons from real-world projects through conference talks, articles, and his YouTube channel—helping engineers and teams design systems that are secure, maintainable, and built for long-term success.

Florian Lenz is a Microsoft Azure MVP and Cloud Architect with over 10 years of experience building secure, scalable cloud platforms on Microsoft Azure. He specializes in Azure Landing Zones, DevSecOps, Infrastructure as Code, and cloud-native archit... Show more

Josh has been interested in computers since he was five years old. He has worked professionally as a developer, engineer, director, and architect for over 20 years. He considers himself a lifelong learner. He ​loves mentoring and working with others. His passion is seeing others progress through their careers.

Josh has led large product development initiatives for multiple financial services organizations. This has included migrating from desktop applications to the web and from on-premise to the cloud.

Josh has been interested in computers since he was five years old. He has worked professionally as a developer, engineer, director, and architect for over 20 years. He considers himself a lifelong learner. He ​loves mentoring and working with othe... Show more

David is an Associate Director with Protiviti Canada and a 10-time Microsoft 365 & Security MVP with 25 years of experience working within information technology. For 20 years, David has assisted organizations to collaborate efficiently and effectively within SharePoint and Microsoft 365. David assists companies to understand their compliance needs and how to protect their data. He has helped organizations build data protection programs to safeguard their most sensitive information while ensuring the business can collaborate and work with their content. Over the past 25 years, David has built a great deal of experience in a wide variety of areas in IT, ranging from Desktop\Server support to development in C++ and .NET technologies. He has added value to many clients in several sectors, including utilities, government, banking, and agriculture.

David is a knowledgeable and sought-after international speaker within IT circles and is consulted regularly by companies formulating their digital workplace strategies and compliance platforms.

David blogs at http://daviddrever.com

David is an Associate Director with Protiviti Canada and a 10-time Microsoft 365 & Security MVP with 25 years of experience working within information technology. For 20 years, David has assisted organizations to collaborate efficiently and effective... Show more

Your friendly neighbourhood Data Engineer. My background is in Finance, but I have had the pleasure to be working in IT for the past 8 or so years. In my daily life, I design and build scalable data solutions in the Azure cloud.

Your friendly neighbourhood Data Engineer. My background is in Finance, but I have had the pleasure to be working in IT for the past 8 or so years. In my daily life, I design and build scalable data solutions in the Azure cloud. Show more

Andreas Wolter is a leading data security expert and founder of Sarpedon Quality Lab. Previously, as a Program Manager for Azure SQL and SQL Server at Microsoft, he led the revamp of SQL Server’s permission system and designed the external authorization framework for Microsoft Purview—now also used by Azure databases in Microsoft Fabric.
Andreas served on Microsoft’s security review board, where he analyzed threat models for SQL Server and Azure SQL features, drove changes to ensure other features complied with the Principle of Least Privilege (PoLP) and also led the last major overhaul of SQL vulnerability assessment in Microsoft Defender for SQL.
One of only seven Microsoft Certified Solutions Masters (MCSM) for the Data Platform worldwide, and a former Microsoft MVP, Andreas brings over 25 years of experience. He has spoken at international conferences for more than 15 years and helps customers improve performance, availability, and security while reducing costs through optimized licensing and resource usage across SQL Server deployments on-premises, in Azure, Google Cloud, and AWS.

Andreas Wolter is a leading data security expert and founder of Sarpedon Quality Lab. Previously, as a Program Manager for Azure SQL and SQL Server at Microsoft, he led the revamp of SQL Server’s permission system and designed the external authorizat... Show more

Marcus is a platform engineer at Monzo, a UK based bank committed to making money work for everyone, helping build their infrastructure platform. His main area of focus in recent years has been around Go, Kubernetes, containers and DevOps but originally started out as a web developer and JavaScript enthusiast. A self-described “tinkerer”, when not building Kubernetes solutions, Marcus likes to dabble with 3D printing and experimenting with smart home tech.

Marcus is a platform engineer at Monzo, a UK based bank committed to making money work for everyone, helping build their infrastructure platform. His main area of focus in recent years has been around Go, Kubernetes, containers and DevOps but origina... Show more

Sandra is a Microsoft MVP, speaker, and entrepreneur driven by one question: how can digital work feel more intuitive, motivating, and human? As founder of a company rooted in gaming and interactive experiences, she brings game thinking into the Microsoft ecosystem—from Microsoft 365 and Copilot experiences to Business applications and Collaboration workflows. Sandra translates proven game UX patterns into adoption-friendly solutions that help people navigate complexity with confidence.

Beyond technology, Sandra is a passionate community builder. She actively creates spaces where people connect, learn, and grow and she is especially committed to helping new speakers find their voice. Because her own speaker journey started late, she knows how intimidating the stage can feel. As a woman in tech, she also understands what it takes to be seen and taken seriously, and she mentors others to step forward, build confidence, and shape their own path in the community.

Sandra is a Microsoft MVP, speaker, and entrepreneur driven by one question: how can digital work feel more intuitive, motivating, and human? As founder of a company rooted in gaming and interactive experiences, she brings game thinking into the Micr... Show more

I’m a Lead software engineer and architect with a background in biotechnology. I specialize in modernizing legacy systems, transforming them into scalable, efficient, and maintainable solutions. I focus on applying Domain-Driven Design (DDD) principles to create software that not only meets technical requirements but also aligns with business goals.

I have experience designing modular, cloud-ready architectures and using techniques like microservices and event-driven design to solve complex challenges. I’m passionate about continuous learning and improvement, and I enjoy mentoring teams and promoting best practices in software development. My approach combines deep technical knowledge with a practical understanding of business objectives, ensuring that the solutions I deliver are both effective and future-ready.

I’m a Lead software engineer and architect with a background in biotechnology. I specialize in modernizing legacy systems, transforming them into scalable, efficient, and maintainable solutions. I focus on applying Domain-Driven Design (DDD) principl... Show more

Alberto Acerbis is a hands-on software architect with a strong background in distributed systems. Recognized as a Microsoft MVP in .NET technologies, he actively contributes to the tech community.
In his role, Alberto helps customers transform their ideas into robust and scalable solutions. Beyond his professional work, he is a passionate technical speaker, having delivered numerous sessions at conferences over the years.
His dedication to knowledge-sharing extends to the communities he has founded and actively participates in, fostering collaboration and continuous learning in the tech ecosystem.
Outside of technology, Alberto enjoys mountain activities in all seasons and has a keen interest in philosophy and other disciplines beyond the tech world.

Alberto Acerbis is a hands-on software architect with a strong background in distributed systems. Recognized as a Microsoft MVP in .NET technologies, he actively contributes to the tech community. In his role, Alberto helps customers transform their... Show more

As a Microsoft MVP and Principal AI Architect, I lead a transformative wave, evangelizing AI agents and Low-Code solutions to help organizations achieve high-value business transformation. With over 20 years of experience in this role, I have successfully designed and implemented integrated enterprise solutions that leverage AI Factory, AI/Copilot, Power Platform, Dataverse, Microsoft 365, SharePoint, and Azure technologies.

My passion is to support business visionaries in achieving significant and sustainable results by applying my expertise in Artificial Intelligence, Adoption and Change Management, Enterprise Architecture, Cloud Services, and Low-Code Solutions. I also enjoy giving back to the community as an organizer of the Global AI St. Louis Chapter. I hold multiple awards/certifications, including Microsoft MVP and Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT). CPMAI (Cognitive Project Management for AI), Project Management Professional (PMP), Advanced Project Management, Microsoft Certified Professional.

As a Microsoft MVP and Principal AI Architect, I lead a transformative wave, evangelizing AI agents and Low-Code solutions to help organizations achieve high-value business transformation. With over 20 years of experience in this role, I have success... Show more

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

Vivek Yadav is an Enterprise Solutions Architect at FlutterFlow and a Google Developer Expert (GDE) for Flutter & Dart, with 8+ years of experience building and scaling production-grade mobile applications.

He has worked across startups, mid-size companies, and large enterprises, leading architecture and delivery of real-world apps. One of his published applications has surpassed 20+ million downloads on the App Store and Play Store, reflecting his strong focus on scalability, performance, and maintainable front-end architecture.

Vivek is deeply involved in the Flutter ecosystem as a speaker, mentor, and educator. He regularly helps teams and developers move from framework knowledge to product-ready engineering, covering topics such as Flutter architecture, FlutterFlow, front-end best practices, and building apps at scale.

As a speaker, Vivek is known for practical, experience-driven talks that bridge the gap between development and product thinking—helping audiences ship better apps with confidence.

Vivek Yadav is an Enterprise Solutions Architect at FlutterFlow and a Google Developer Expert (GDE) for Flutter & Dart, with 8+ years of experience building and scaling production-grade mobile applications. He has worked across startups, mid-size ... Show more

Rob was a SQL Server DBA with a passion for PowerShell, Azure, Automation, and SQL (PaaS geddit?). Now he just helps people make things. He is a Data Platform MVP and an Azure MVP, a PowerShell Conference Europe organiser, and maintainer of many open-source projects. He has spoken at and volunteered at many Data and PowerShell events all over the world. He is a proud supporter of the Data and PowerShell communities.

He relishes sharing and learning and can be found doing both via Social Medias and his blog. He spends most of his time looking at a screen and loves to solve problems. He knows that looking at a screen so much is bad for him because his wife tells him so. Thus, he is often out riding his bike as his eyes are not good enough to play cricket any more.

He has a fabulous beard

Rob was a SQL Server DBA with a passion for PowerShell, Azure, Automation, and SQL (PaaS geddit?). Now he just helps people make things. He is a Data Platform MVP and an Azure MVP, a PowerShell Conference Europe organiser, and maintainer of many open... Show more

Sammy is a seasoned consultant with an extensive background in diverse industries and over a decade of experience. With a specialization in the Microsoft Stack, he has successfully undertaken and delivered numerous projects across sectors such as finance, healthcare, and beyond.

In 2015, Sammy made a significant shift in his career by redirecting his focus towards Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Recognizing the transformative potential of these emerging technologies, he dedicated himself to mastering their applications and staying at the forefront of the field. His deep understanding of AI and its practical implications has allowed him to contribute significantly to the advancement of organizations he has been involved with.

In 2017, Sammy played a pivotal role in the launch of a new company that specializes in leveraging Artificial Intelligence and Microsoft tools to maximize organizations' potential. His expertise and leadership were instrumental in establishing the company as a prominent player in the AI landscape. Through his strategic insights and hands-on involvement, Sammy has helped numerous businesses harness the power of AI to drive innovation, improve operational efficiency, and achieve sustainable growth.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Sammy is a passionate advocate for AI education and community building. He serves as a board member of the global AI community, where he actively contributes to fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing, and networking opportunities among professionals in the field. As an esteemed international speaker, Sammy frequently shares his expertise and insights at industry conferences, seminars, and workshops, inspiring and educating audiences about the transformative potential of AI.

Sammy's commitment to excellence and his contributions to the AI community have been recognized with the prestigious MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award in AI since 2021. This accolade further underscores his dedication, expertise, and impact in the field, cementing his position as a trusted advisor and thought leader in the intersection of AI and business.

With his vast experience, deep knowledge, and unwavering passion for AI, Sammy continues to shape the future of organizations by unlocking their potential through cutting-edge technologies, and inspiring others to embark on their own AI journeys.

Sammy is a seasoned consultant with an extensive background in diverse industries and over a decade of experience. With a specialization in the Microsoft Stack, he has successfully undertaken and delivered numerous projects across sectors such as fin... Show more

Budha is the Director of Product Ecosystem at Tyk, where he leads product education, ecosystem expansion, and adoption of open standards. He is the co-creator of the API platform maturity model, course instructor, conference speaker, and host of Tyk's annual LEAP conferences.

As the elected board chair of the OpenAPI Initiative, he is responsible for increasing membership, defining the value proposition, and driving the adoption of OAS, Arazzo, and Overlays.

Part product strategist, part developer advocate, and part storyteller, he’s on a mission to remove friction from API ecosystems by breaking down tech complexities preferably with a great metaphor and a well-placed pun.

Budha is the Director of Product Ecosystem at Tyk, where he leads product education, ecosystem expansion, and adoption of open standards. He is the co-creator of the API platform maturity model, course instructor, conference speaker, and host of Tyk'... Show more

David Campbell is Head of AI Security at Scale AI, where he architects and leads some of the most advanced AI red teaming and resilience programs in the world. A two-decade veteran of Silicon Valley, David built his career at the intersection of infrastructure, security, and developer experience before becoming one of the industry’s most trusted voices on AI risk.

He pioneered Discovery, one of the first and largest large-scale AI Red Teaming platforms deployed across governments and Fortune 100 companies. His work has shaped how organizations probe, stress-test, and harden generative models against real adversaries, operational failures, and emergent behavior.

David’s expertise is sought globally. He has briefed the U.S. Congress, the White House, U.K. Parliament, NATO, Korea AISI, UK AISI, Qatar NCSA, and senior public-sector leaders on AI risk, misuse, and national resilience. He is a founding member of OWASP AIVSS and a core member of AIUC-1, the industry consortium defining how enterprises evaluate, insure, and underwrite AI systems. He also contributes to collaborative defense efforts such as CISA’s JCDC.AI series on AI-driven cyber threats.

Before Scale, David shaped platform security and engineering culture at Uber, DoorDash, and Nest Labs, where he built systems and practices that scaled to thousands of engineers. Across his career, he has been recognized for turning fragmented engineering environments into resilient, high-trust, high-standards organizations.

Today, David helps companies bridge the gap between rapid AI innovation and enterprise-grade safety. His mission is simple: align technology with the future of the business, and ensure that AI systems are deployed responsibly, securely, and with confidence.

David Campbell is Head of AI Security at Scale AI, where he architects and leads some of the most advanced AI red teaming and resilience programs in the world. A two-decade veteran of Silicon Valley, David built his career at the intersection of infr... Show more

Enterprise architect with multiple job experiences in different fields, from banking to aerospace, with a spice of DevOps and other less known methodologies

Enterprise architect with multiple job experiences in different fields, from banking to aerospace, with a spice of DevOps and other less known methodologies Show more