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

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

Benjamin Igna is the founder of Stellar Work, a consultancy helping engineering organizations rethink developer experience, productivity, and team design in the age of AI. On the Stellar Work Podcast, he sits down with some of the most compelling voices in tech and management to explore what great engineering leadership actually looks like. Beyond consulting, Ben is an active angel investor through Misty Mountain Ventures and the Association of Industrial Engineers Germany (VWI), backing early-stage founders coming out of university and helping them turn bold ideas into real companies.

Benjamin Igna is the founder of Stellar Work, a consultancy helping engineering organizations rethink developer experience, productivity, and team design in the age of AI. On the Stellar Work Podcast, he sits down with some of the most compelling voi... Show more

Markus and his teams have been working on Java IDE and database tools, frameworks, as well as on various open-source projects for 20+ years. Markus is the CEO and founder of Cyrock.AI, Inc., which is the company behind the Eclipse open-source projects EclipseStore, Eclipse Serializer, and Eclipse Data Grid, powering Cyrock.AI as the first AI Memory based on a serverless microservices architecture. He is also the editor-in-chief for the free JAVAPRO magazine and the founder and co-organizer of the Java community conference series JCON. He is an independent editor for several magazines, and loves speaking at developer conferences and user groups around the world.

Markus and his teams have been working on Java IDE and database tools, frameworks, as well as on various open-source projects for 20+ years. Markus is the CEO and founder of Cyrock.AI, Inc., which is the company behind the Eclipse open-source project... Show more

Aakash is a seasoned Engineering Leader with experience in leading complex transformations in disruptive markets. Aakash is able to broker trusted relationships quickly, coupled with a strong executive presence to influence across organizations on how to build world-class product experiences. Having the opportunity to work across many industries like Retail, Healthcare and Financial Services, Aakash has led the innovation and experimentation of many new and modern practices. Aakash is always focused on taking a data-driven approach, learning from what has worked and what has failed before. Aakash solemnly believes that everyone in an organization is capable of delivering great outcomes and focuses on enabling high-performing nimble teams.

Aakash is a seasoned Engineering Leader with experience in leading complex transformations in disruptive markets. Aakash is able to broker trusted relationships quickly, coupled with a strong executive presence to influence across organizations on ho... Show more

Md Arif Hossen is a seasoned Cloud & Platform Architect with over 21+ years of global experience in telecommunications, cloud-native transformation, and cybersecurity. He is the Founder & CEO of MetaHeed Limited, where he leads innovation in cloud architecture, AI, and blockchain technologies.

Arif has held leadership roles at multinational companies including Ericsson and Huawei, driving digital transformation across Bangladesh, Egypt, Oman, Libya, Germany, and the UK. He holds a BSc in Computer Science & Engineering from RUET, an MSc in Cloud Computing from the University of Leicester, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Cybersecurity at BUET.

A passionate community organizer and mentor, Arif leads initiatives such as Cloud Native Bangladesh and Cloud Native Rajshahi. He is a CNCF Ambassador and actively contributes to global mentorship programs including PMIBD and the Global Mentorship Initiative.

Arif speaks on topics ranging from cloud-native platforms and cybersecurity to open-source ecosystems and leadership in tech. His sessions blend deep technical insight with practical experience, making them valuable for both practitioners and decision-makers.

Md Arif Hossen is a seasoned Cloud & Platform Architect with over 21+ years of global experience in telecommunications, cloud-native transformation, and cybersecurity. He is the Founder & CEO of MetaHeed Limited, where he leads innovation in cloud ar... Show more

With nearly two decades of experience in the technology industry, I have built my career at the intersection of cloud transformation, data strategy, and enterprise modernization. I have advised organizations across Europe and Latin America on how to leverage technology as a strategic enabler of growth, efficiency, and long-term resilience.

My background combines executive leadership with deep architectural expertise. I have led initiatives spanning modern data platforms, cloud-native architectures, hybrid and multi-cloud environments, and AI-driven transformation. I specialize in aligning complex technology landscapes with business priorities, governance frameworks, and scalable operating models.

Over the course of my career, I have taken on strategic and leadership responsibilities within global technology and consulting organizations, playing a key role in shaping cloud, data, and modernization strategies for enterprise clients while building and scaling high-performing technical teams.

Today, as Head of Data & AI at ENCAMINA, I define and lead the strategic direction of data and artificial intelligence team, ensuring technological excellence and measurable business impact while building high-performance teams prepared for the next wave of digital transformation.

With nearly two decades of experience in the technology industry, I have built my career at the intersection of cloud transformation, data strategy, and enterprise modernization. I have advised organizations across Europe and Latin America on how to ... Show more

Anastasiia Gubska is the first Deaf CNCF Ambassador and Lead Software Engineer at Chase UK, focusing on cloud native ecosystems and software delivery best practices.

Anastasiia enjoys sharing practical insights on Argo and advocating for accessibility and inclusion in open source. She actively contributes to the CNCF Deaf and Hard of Hearing Working Group (DHHWG) and leads Deaf in Cloud Native, a global community that supports Deaf signing technologists through collaboration, knowledge sharing, and visibility.

Anastasiia Gubska is the first Deaf CNCF Ambassador and Lead Software Engineer at Chase UK, focusing on cloud native ecosystems and software delivery best practices. Anastasiia enjoys sharing practical insights on Argo and advocating for accessibi... Show more

Hi 👋🏼 I'm a Microsoft BizApps MVP who’s passionate about Power Platform governance, security, and developer experience. I love supporting teams as they build robust, enterprise-ready applications and thrive on helping others, collaboration, and fostering strong technical communities. Lately, I’m exploring how AI-assisted development—what some like to call “Vibe Coding”—is changing how we build apps in the enterprise world. I’m especially focused on what good governance, security, and developer experience mean in this rapidly evolving landscape, always aiming to empower organizations and individuals to push the limits of the Microsoft ecosystem together.

Hi 👋🏼 I'm a Microsoft BizApps MVP who’s passionate about Power Platform governance, security, and developer experience. I love supporting teams as they build robust, enterprise-ready applications and thrive on helping others, collaboration, and fos... Show more

Lahiru Ratnayaka is a Vice President in Engineering at a leading financial institution in Singapore, specializing in AI and Agentic Systems. He focuses on building enterprise-grade agentic applications—from early prompt engineering to scalable, production-ready architectures—bridging the gap between experimentation and real-world deployment.

Lahiru Ratnayaka is a Vice President in Engineering at a leading financial institution in Singapore, specializing in AI and Agentic Systems. He focuses on building enterprise-grade agentic applications—from early prompt engineering to scalable, produ... Show more

Santhosh is a results-oriented Senior Software Architect with over 18 years of experience leading and delivering innovative software solutions for enterprises specialising in financial institutions and cloud migration.

Over the last decade, Santhosh has worked with several leading Financial Institutions, such as JP Morgan Chase, Fidelity, and Visa, helping their teams accelerate their journey to the Cloud and modernise their application stacks while adhering to strict security requirements and regulatory guidelines.

He specializes in application modernization and cloud-native architectures and is keenly interested in achieving cost efficiency through innovative use of cloud-native and managed services.

With a penchant for AI and ML, he has spearheaded multiple innovative solutions on adopting Generative AI models and tools for real-world solutions while ensuring the solutions are built responsibly and securely.

Santhosh is a results-oriented Senior Software Architect with over 18 years of experience leading and delivering innovative software solutions for enterprises specialising in financial institutions and cloud migration. Over the last decade, Santho... Show more

Marcelo S. Ancelmo has 25 years (and counting) of IT experience and has done a bit (or would it be a byte) of everything. A good old-fashioned troublemaker, he started his professional career as a Java programmer, fell in love with architecture (a passion he still pursues today), dove into middleware (with no regrets), built high-performing teams, and explored infrastructure and operations. Deeply engaged in the tech community, Marcelo joins Meetups wherever he goes, teaming up with JUGs, helping organize events when time allows, and contributing to working groups and committees. Along the way, he’s delivered consulting, training, mentorship, and conference talks.

Today, he's Head of Solution Architecture at KPMG Switzerland, helping the company drive its digital transformation toward sustainable business agility, fueled by Architecture and DevOps, learning everything possible and enjoying the bumps along the ride.

Marcelo S. Ancelmo has 25 years (and counting) of IT experience and has done a bit (or would it be a byte) of everything. A good old-fashioned troublemaker, he started his professional career as a Java programmer, fell in love with architecture (a pa... Show more

William is a CNCF Ambassador and Linkerd Ambassador currently working at Mirantis as Global Field CTO. He’s focused on helping customers designing, building, and running their initiatives on Edge, AI and Platform Engineering. He wore many hats in the IT world, Engineering, Pre-Post sales, Product Owner and Consulting. from HPC, Storage to Distributed Systems.
William enjoys volunteering in several Cloud Native groups and organizing the KCD Netherlands events.

William is a CNCF Ambassador and Linkerd Ambassador currently working at Mirantis as Global Field CTO. He’s focused on helping customers designing, building, and running their initiatives on Edge, AI and Platform Engineering. He wore many hats in the... Show more

Deexith is a thought leader in the Automation of Data Engineering space utilizing innovative technology tools, resulting in achieving saving in time and huge cost savings for the companies.
Working as a data engineer consultant. Have exposure to data analytics automation, how to leverage cloud services for data analytics and reducing error. Great proponent for democratizing data in the organization and pushing forward the agenda of enterprise analytics.

Deexith is a thought leader in the Automation of Data Engineering space utilizing innovative technology tools, resulting in achieving saving in time and huge cost savings for the companies. Working as a data engineer consultant. Have exposure to dat... Show more

CTO at Digitouch Fintech Solutions and passionate about gadgets and technology! He deals with development on mobile platforms, program since the age of 6 and knows a bit everything that revolves around the computer world (desktop, web, mobile development; CMS development, database, system administration).

CTO at Digitouch Fintech Solutions and passionate about gadgets and technology! He deals with development on mobile platforms, program since the age of 6 and knows a bit everything that revolves around the computer world (desktop, web, mobile develop... Show more

Especialista FinOps con 7 años de experiencia liderando implementaciones técnicas, operaciones en la nube (AWS, AZURE, GCP) y gestión de soporte técnico para clientes de diferentes sectores, resolviendo casos técnicos con la colaboración de equipos internos y externos. Ganadora de la presea Jóvenes con Valores, y del primer lugar del premio Daniel Cosío Villegas, autora de 7 libros sobre tecnología y FinOps. Cuenta con todas las certificaciones de la FinOps Foundation

Especialista FinOps con 7 años de experiencia liderando implementaciones técnicas, operaciones en la nube (AWS, AZURE, GCP) y gestión de soporte técnico para clientes de diferentes sectores, resolviendo casos técnicos con la colaboración de equipos i... 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

Data enthusiast on a mission to make cost effective data platforms accessible to all while navigating the whims of an ADHD-powered mind – it's a bit like juggling flaming torches while riding a unicycle, but he makes it work!

Data enthusiast on a mission to make cost effective data platforms accessible to all while navigating the whims of an ADHD-powered mind – it's a bit like juggling flaming torches while riding a unicycle, but he makes it work! 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

Hartmut is a software engineer and tech lead with a strong passion for architecture, data streaming, and distributed systems. He has designed and delivered solutions for mission-critical platforms, working with clients including HSBC, NEX Group plc, Raiffeisen Switzerland, Deutsche Bahn, and eu-LISA. Hartmut is driven by a desire to see the bigger picture and excels at aligning engineering teams through clear, compelling architectural designs.

Hartmut is a software engineer and tech lead with a strong passion for architecture, data streaming, and distributed systems. He has designed and delivered solutions for mission-critical platforms, working with clients including HSBC, NEX Group plc, ... Show more

I help teams modernize apps and platforms in the Microsoft ecosystem—Azure, GitHub, Power Platform, and identity (Microsoft Entra)—with a bias toward real-world constraints and practical outcomes. I’ve spent 20+ years building and advising solutions across manufacturing, healthcare, insurance, and financial services.

My sessions are story-driven and demo-heavy: less “cloud mythology,” more “here’s the pattern, here’s the pitfall, here’s the fix.” Recent topics include practical GPT/agent builds, Microsoft Fabric in real workloads, secure identity, and modern delivery pipelines.

Based in Milwaukee, available nationwide—and frequently in Europe (Nordics/Baltics, incl. Stockholm & Riga). I’m also the creator of the biweekly LinkedIn newsletter Tech Trekking, connecting emerging tech to what actually works in the field

I help teams modernize apps and platforms in the Microsoft ecosystem—Azure, GitHub, Power Platform, and identity (Microsoft Entra)—with a bias toward real-world constraints and practical outcomes. I’ve spent 20+ years building and advising solutions ... Show more

Naga Santhosh Reddy Vootukuri, a seasoned professional with over 17+ years at Microsoft, reflects on his journey from India to the USA. Graduating from Sreenidhi Institute of Science and Technology in 2008, he now serves as a Senior Software Engineering Manager for Azure SQL. His role involves leading his team through software development cycles, ensuring successful product launches.

Currently, Naga focuses on a significant initiative in Azure SQL Deployment, emphasizing high availability for SQL customers during feature rollouts. Previously, he managed Master Data Services (MDS) within SQL Server, gaining community connections and contributing actively to Microsoft forums.

Aside from technical responsibilities, Naga engages in Microsoft hackathons and mentors junior engineers, finding fulfillment in guiding their career paths. He also champions diversity and inclusion, advocating for equality within the tech industry. Naga sees himself not only as a technical leader but also as a catalyst for positive change at Microsoft.

Naga Santhosh Reddy Vootukuri, a seasoned professional with over 17+ years at Microsoft, reflects on his journey from India to the USA. Graduating from Sreenidhi Institute of Science and Technology in 2008, he now serves as a Senior Software Engineer... Show more

Diponkar Paul has over 15 years of experience in the IT industry, specializing in Business Intelligence, Big Data, and Data Warehousing. Currently serving as Director of Data Platform and Engineering at JARVIS, Canada, he has a proven track record of designing and developing medium- to large-scale data warehouses and delivering business-critical analytical solutions. Diponkar is deeply involved in shaping modern enterprise data strategies, particularly in the transformative era of Generative AI.

He is leading the Toronto Data Professionals Community (former Toronto PASS user group). He has a diverse background and has been working and studying in different Geo locations including Canada, Denmark, the UK, and Sweden. He writes a technical blog, writes articles on , medium, SQLServerCentral, and, does public speaking. His remarkable contributions to the community earned him the Microsoft Data Platform MVP award.

Diponkar Paul has over 15 years of experience in the IT industry, specializing in Business Intelligence, Big Data, and Data Warehousing. Currently serving as Director of Data Platform and Engineering at JARVIS, Canada, he has a proven track record of... Show more

Mihaly Kavasi is a Microsoft Certified Trainer, Fast Track Recognised Solution Architect for Power BI, and Founder of OneDayBI — a UK consultancy helping small and mid-sized businesses turn data into daily decisions.

Over a decade of enterprise data work, most recently as Group Manager Delivery Lead and Trainer at Avanade (Microsoft's largest global partner), shapes how he speaks: practical, jargon-free, and grounded in what actually ships. He has spoken at Data Scotland, Budapest BI Forum, and runs selfservicebi.co.uk — a blog read by data analysts and decision makers on AI-assisted report development, governance, and what it really takes to make Self-Service BI work in practice.

Recent talks cover building context for AI agents in Power BI, sub-agent architectures for report development, and the operational realities of governance at SME scale.

Mihaly Kavasi is a Microsoft Certified Trainer, Fast Track Recognised Solution Architect for Power BI, and Founder of OneDayBI — a UK consultancy helping small and mid-sized businesses turn data into daily decisions. Over a decade of enterprise da... Show more

Brij Mohan is Vice President - Software Development at LPL Financial, where he leads teams building enterprise-scale AI/ML solutions with a focus on Generative AI and Agentic AI systems. With over 25 years of experience architecting distributed systems in financial technology, he specializes in designing scalable multi-agent architectures that combine the flexibility of microservices with the intelligence of autonomous AI agents.

Brij's expertise spans the full spectrum of modern AI and microservices development, from designing agentic workflows and orchestration patterns to implementing MLOps practices and cloud-native architectures on AWS. His work focuses on practical patterns for agent communication, state management, and coordinating complex AI workflows in enterprise environments.

Brij is passionate about sharing real-world lessons from implementing AI systems at scale and helping developers bridge the gap between agentic AI theory and production-ready solutions.

Brij Mohan is Vice President - Software Development at LPL Financial, where he leads teams building enterprise-scale AI/ML solutions with a focus on Generative AI and Agentic AI systems. With over 25 years of experience architecting distributed syste... Show more

An Engineer that has been in the industry for just over 10 years, with a keen interest in optimization in technology as well as developer relations with regards to training and building effective teams

An Engineer that has been in the industry for just over 10 years, with a keen interest in optimization in technology as well as developer relations with regards to training and building effective teams Show more

I've spent the last 20 years analyzing data. I started in pharmaceutical research as a biostatistician, moved into data science working on sensitivity analysis and AI-powered forecasting systems, then managed a data science team delivering analytics across mobility, energy, e-commerce, and finance.

Now as a freelance Power BI analyst, I specialize in dashboards that executives actually use. I'm a judge for the Power BI DataViz World Championships and speak about the gap between technically correct reports and ones people open twice. My talks focus on matching dashboard architecture to how different roles work with data - from C-level quick status checks to analyst deep dives.

I speak both languages: numbers and business decisions. I live in Germany and work with clients across Europe and the US.

I've spent the last 20 years analyzing data. I started in pharmaceutical research as a biostatistician, moved into data science working on sensitivity analysis and AI-powered forecasting systems, then managed a data science team delivering analytics ... Show more

Dr. Akshay Mittal is an accomplished IT professional with over a decade of experience as a full-stack developer and a strong interest in leadership. Currently, Akshay works at PayPal, focusing on building scalable, innovative solutions within a high-performing technical environment. He graduated with a PhD from the University of the Cumberlands, researching cloud-native technologies utilizing AI/ML methods.

With extensive experience as a consultant across diverse teams, Akshay quickly adapts to emerging technologies and excels at tackling new challenges. He holds certifications in AWS and GCP and actively mentors aspiring technologists. Akshay regularly contributes to the tech community through speaking engagements on cloud-native development and integrating AI/ML in modern software solutions. His passion lies in fostering community growth, technology leadership, and continuous learning.

Dr. Akshay Mittal is an accomplished IT professional with over a decade of experience as a full-stack developer and a strong interest in leadership. Currently, Akshay works at PayPal, focusing on building scalable, innovative solutions within a high-... Show more

Chief Security Officer of Sparkoo Technologies Ireland | Huawei Cloud Europe, leading cybersecurity and compliance strategy across the EU.
With 10+ years of experience in offensive security, IoT risk, and secure software delivery, he has driven NIS2 compliance programmes, global incident response frameworks, and DevSecOps transformation initiatives.
Tommy has held senior roles at CFP Energy, ASLAN Technology Services, Cloudten Industries, and Deloitte, delivering complex security operations and regulatory alignment projects across multiple industries. A recognised thought leader in DevSecOps and emerging technology risk, he combines expertise in penetration testing, adversary simulation, and secure cloud architectures with regulatory knowledge spanning GDPR, DORA, and NIS2. He holds credentials from ISC2, SABSA, Applied Risk, HashiCorp, and EC-Council, and is passionate about advancing secure innovation in cloud and critical infrastructure.

Chief Security Officer of Sparkoo Technologies Ireland | Huawei Cloud Europe, leading cybersecurity and compliance strategy across the EU. With 10+ years of experience in offensive security, IoT risk, and secure software delivery, he has driven NIS... Show more

Dan is a CPA with over 30 years of experience in the ERP industry. During this time, he has worked in many different roles allowing him to truly understand the complete industry. The combined experience of marketing, sales, presales, consulting and training allows him to provide a truly unique perspective to prospects and customers.

Most recently he has specialized in Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain, Business Intelligence and Power Platform, helping customers and partners understand their pains with reporting and analyzing the volumes of data they have. He has helped them identify proper solutions so they can truly gain value from their data.

In addition, Dan is an Adjunct Professor of Business teaching Accounting Information Systems and Data Analytics. He is also the leader of the Southern California Dynamics 365 user group.

He is a frequent speaker and presenter at Microsoft and other related industry conferences and events including Microsoft Convergence, AXUG Summit, Microsoft Technical Conference and Power BI World Tour. He was recently recognized as a DUG Product Expert Superhero.

Dan is a CPA with over 30 years of experience in the ERP industry. During this time, he has worked in many different roles allowing him to truly understand the complete industry. The combined experience of marketing, sales, presales, consulting and t... Show more