Speaker Bio: Dr. Anita Renee’ Johnson
Dr. Anita Renee’ Johnson is a Financial Behaviorist, Educator, and Author dedicated to transforming the way individuals and institutions understand money. She teaches Economics and Finance at the University of Maryland Global Campus, where she mentors diverse global learners, including U.S. military students, by integrating behavioral finance and cross‑cultural perspectives into financial literacy.
Dr. Johnson holds a Ph.D. in 21st-Century Finance and multiple advanced degrees in philosophy, taxation, and accounting. Her research examines financial trauma, socialization, and women’s empowerment, with a particular focus on the financial narratives of African American women. She is the author of several books, including "The Hidden Psychological Effects of Money on Black Women" and "Being Broke is Maddening," and has presented at national conferences such as the Financial Therapy Association and SFEPD’s Financial Literacy Leadership Conference.
As founder of Anita R Johnson & Associates, Inc., she has developed innovative financial education programs, retreats, and media platforms that empower communities to find their financial voice. Recognized nationally for her leadership and community impact, Dr. Johnson brings an engaging, interactive style that equips participants with practical tools to reframe financial behaviors, reduce resistance to change, and align empowerment with institutional transformation.

Speaker Bio: Dr. Anita Renee’ Johnson Dr. Anita Renee’ Johnson is a Financial Behaviorist, Educator, and Author dedicated to transforming the way individuals and institutions understand money. She teaches Economics and Finance at the University of M... Show more

Yasir Naveed Riaz is a Digital Transformation and Cybersecurity specialist with 20+ years of experience leading high-impact technology programs across fintech, digital payments, public services, and enterprise modernization in the GCC.

He has delivered mission-critical initiatives in Zero Trust architecture, cloud security, AI-driven automation, citizen experience platforms, document modernization, and secure digital payment infrastructures for major banks, government entities, and large enterprises.

Yasir is also deeply focused on AI enablement for diverse audiences — including students, parents, teachers, healthcare professionals, SMEs, and organizational leaders — helping them understand, adopt, and responsibly leverage AI in their personal and professional lives.

His expertise spans: AI readiness, cybersecurity governance, digital safety, fintech protection, public-sector modernization, enterprise architecture, and next-gen workforce skills development.

Yasir speaks passionately about bridging the gap between technology and people, empowering communities to thrive in a secure and AI-enabled digital era.

Yasir Naveed Riaz is a Digital Transformation and Cybersecurity specialist with 20+ years of experience leading high-impact technology programs across fintech, digital payments, public services, and enterprise modernization in the GCC. He has deli... Show more

Lidera la unidad de Analítica Avanzada en BANPRO Grupo Promerica (Nicaragua), donde ha desarrollado soluciones de forecasting financiero, análisis de sentimiento, segmentación geográfica, tableros ejecutivos y aplicaciones con Power Platform. Con más de 10 años de experiencia integrando ciencia de datos con inteligencia de negocio, combina R, Python y DAX para resolver problemas reales en banca y transformación digital.
Economista con formación en Dirección de Proyectos y cursa actualmente un Máster en Big Data & Analytics en OBS Business School (España).

Lidera la unidad de Analítica Avanzada en BANPRO Grupo Promerica (Nicaragua), donde ha desarrollado soluciones de forecasting financiero, análisis de sentimiento, segmentación geográfica, tableros ejecutivos y aplicaciones con Power Platform. Con más... Show more

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

Investment professional at a leading private equity firm with experience in Tech LBOs, Distressed Investing and Restructurings

Investment professional at a leading private equity firm with experience in Tech LBOs, Distressed Investing and Restructurings Show more

With over 6 years of experience in the International Software Industry, I’ve had the privilege of working with some of the biggest Fintechs in the world, also some Y Combinator-backed startups, some of which became unicorns after I joined.

Specializing in web development, I bring ideas to life and improve products by leveraging my skills to deliver seamless, user-focused solutions that get the job done in fast-paced environments.

With over 6 years of experience in the International Software Industry, I’ve had the privilege of working with some of the biggest Fintechs in the world, also some Y Combinator-backed startups, some of which became unicorns after I joined. Specia... Show more

Nataliia Petryshak is an experienced Product Manager and Business Analyst with over 13 years of experience across diverse industries, including IT product development, SME banking, and financial analysis. Her adaptable approach has allowed her to excel in various project phases, from initial concept to successful launch, in both startup and corporate environments. Has BA resource management and educational initiatives leadership experience. Currently pursuing an MBA in Technology Management (TUHH, Hamburg, Germany), Nataliia is passionate about leveraging data-driven insights, fostering cross-functional collaboration and knowledge sharing, and driving innovation across different domains.

I am a true detective at heart, with a passion for uncovering real needs and solving complex problems. As a trainer, lecturer, and mentor, I’ve shared my expertise in Business Analysis and Product Management, supporting Women in Tech globally and mentoring Ukrainian scientists through the Seeds of Bravery project.

In my professional life, I try to focus on sustainable leadership,ethical innovation and AI, demonstrating how technology can be leveraged responsibly to deliver real-world, impactful solutions.

Nataliia Petryshak is an experienced Product Manager and Business Analyst with over 13 years of experience across diverse industries, including IT product development, SME banking, and financial analysis. Her adaptable approach has allowed her to exc... Show more

Richard is a lead developer and chapter lead at Rabobank. He has more than 30 years of experience working both in the U.S. and in Europe. Richard has worked on numerous projects from small to large-sized companies and has developed software tools and enterprise applications for finance, medical, logistics, business services, and database mining. He has an MBA from a U.S. AACSB-certified school which he hopes can help companies build better products and provide better services with the goal of increasing quality, customer satisfaction, and ultimately higher profitability.

Richard is a lead developer and chapter lead at Rabobank. He has more than 30 years of experience working both in the U.S. and in Europe. Richard has worked on numerous projects from small to large-sized companies and has developed software tools and... Show more

I am working as a Data Analyst.

I am working as a Data Analyst. Show more

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

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

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

Nancy Amandi is a data engineer at a FinTech company. She began her career as a data analyst. She quickly made a name for herself in the Nigerian data industry through her insightful articles and impressive performances in hackathons, where she often emerged as a winner.

Her passion for community involvement led her to actively participate in various data communities, including the Data Engineering Community, Young Data Professionals, and Women in Data Africa. In these groups, she not only assisted fellow professionals with technical challenges but also helped stimulate some important discussions by asking insightful questions.

Her significant contributions were recognized when she received the Fast Rising Star award from the Young Data Professionals Community. Outside of work, Nancy enjoys watching light horror and thriller K-dramas, Sci-Fi movies, and data-related books.

Nancy Amandi is a data engineer at a FinTech company. She began her career as a data analyst. She quickly made a name for herself in the Nigerian data industry through her insightful articles and impressive performances in hackathons, where she often... Show more

Shachi Sayata is a distinguished financial technology professional and Vice President at Barclays Investment Bank, renowned for her expertise in quantitative risk management and technical product development. At Barclays, Shachi spearheaded the development of an innovative margin model for managing large-scale interest rate derivatives portfolios exceeding $1 billion in market value. Her work has significantly enhanced the bank's risk management capabilities, setting new standards for precision and reliability in derivatives trading.

Prior to her tenure at Barclays, Shachi led the design of a sophisticated risk management system for Credit Default Swap (CDS) Index Options at ICE Clear Credit. This groundbreaking initiative enabled secure and efficient clearing of complex credit derivatives, ensuring market stability and revolutionizing risk management in the credit derivatives market.

Shachi's contributions extend to developing a cross-asset margining model aligned with the International Swaps and Derivatives Association's (ISDA) Standard Initial Margin Model (SIMM). Her work has revolutionized managing cross-asset risks, accommodating the intricate interrelationships between asset classes such as FX, equity, commodity, and credit.

Shachi's visionary leadership and innovative approach have established her as a trusted leader in financial technology, consistently driving high-impact initiatives that enhance operational efficiency and market stability.

Shachi Sayata is a distinguished financial technology professional and Vice President at Barclays Investment Bank, renowned for her expertise in quantitative risk management and technical product development. At Barclays, Shachi spearheaded the deve... Show more

Victor hopes to be part of the solution that drives value for a sustainable and inclusive digital economy across the world.
Having worked in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Seychelles, Mauritius, Botswana and Ethiopia, Victor will continue to contribute to financial systems development projects through MojaLoop Foundation, where he hopes to resolve financial challenges that affect the bottom of the pyramid, micro and small enterprises.
With over 25 years in banking, 10 years in not-for-profit, and a total of 35 years collaborating with key players in Government and non-government organizations in the Financial Sector, Victor has made a tremendous impact in Digital Finance, Payments Systems, Policy & Regulation, Social Protection, Affordable Housing and Data. His most wins over the years include leading the collaborative Payment Association of Kenya team mandated to regulate retail payments per the NPS Act to delivering the 1st digital credit solution (M-Shwari) that changed the face of consumer credit to having designed the Inua Jamii Choice model and then engaged with key decision-makers in the implementation of the solution.
thought leadership to the sector, Victor was instrumental in the development of the Medium-Term Plan II & III for the financial sector as per vision 2030 for the National Treasury. Victor was instrumental in the development of the Central Bank of Kenya’s Vision & Strategy 2022 to 2032. In addition, Victor conceptualised and designed the Pesalink solution before developing a business case and finally having the Kenya Bankers Association invest in the solution

Victor hopes to be part of the solution that drives value for a sustainable and inclusive digital economy across the world. Having worked in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Seychelles, Mauritius, Botswana and Ethiopia, Victor will continue to contribute to... Show more

Economista, Universidad de Lima; MsC Computación, Universidad de Chile. CEO & Founder de Inka Strategies. Relator y consultor internacional de ALIDE (Asociación Latinoamericana de Instituciones Financieras para el Desarrollo) en temas de gobernanza, calidad, gestión del cambio cultural, transformación digital, IA Generativa y Automatización de Procesos. Académico de pre y post grado en universidades chilenas y extranjeras.

Economista, Universidad de Lima; MsC Computación, Universidad de Chile. CEO & Founder de Inka Strategies. Relator y consultor internacional de ALIDE (Asociación Latinoamericana de Instituciones Financieras para el Desarrollo) en temas de gobernanza, ... Show more

25 years in the Financial Services industry, 12 of those years focused on data.

25 years in the Financial Services industry, 12 of those years focused on data. Show more

I'm a seasoned product leader and VP of Product currently at a fintech company operating across Africa. With over a decade of experience in managing globally distributed teams, im specialize in building inclusive cultures, mentoring high-performing teams, and driving product innovation. My expertise spans team leadership, organizational strategy, and scaling operations in diverse markets.

I'm a seasoned product leader and VP of Product currently at a fintech company operating across Africa. With over a decade of experience in managing globally distributed teams, im specialize in building inclusive cultures, mentoring high-performing t... Show more

Thorsten has been a consultant and key account manager in the Dynamics environment for 25 years. Previously, he was employed in industry as a financial controller. After 15 years of project business at various VARs, he has now been in charge of CKL Software GmbH for 10 years.

Thorsten has been a consultant and key account manager in the Dynamics environment for 25 years. Previously, he was employed in industry as a financial controller. After 15 years of project business at various VARs, he has now been in charge of CKL S... Show more

Joris is a seasoned technology enthusiast whose journey began with early explorations on Microsoft DOS. From navigating command lines to launching games, his curiosity has evolved into a passion for making a significant impact in the tech world.

As the Lead Developer of an international team at ING, he plays a pivotal role in ensuring seamless and secure transactions through Bancontact, Payconiq, and Wero payments. With a commitment to excellence, Joris drives innovation and efficiency, enhancing the customer experience globally.

A dedicated mentor and motivator, Joris thrives on sharing knowledge and inspiring colleagues to reach their full potential. Continuous improvement is at the heart of his professional ethos, with a daily focus on personal and team growth.

Outside of work, he enjoys quality time with friends and family, engaging in sports, and running. A tech-savvy individual, Joris also indulges in home automation projects and self-hosted IT solutions, blending a love for technology with everyday life.

Joris is a seasoned technology enthusiast whose journey began with early explorations on Microsoft DOS. From navigating command lines to launching games, his curiosity has evolved into a passion for making a significant impact in the tech world. A... Show more

Yamini Kannan is a Network Engineer at Jane Street Capital with a Master's in Information Systems from NYU. She has extensive experience in network infrastructure at leading companies including Meta and Cisco, focusing on automation and network reliability improvements. Currently specializing in financial services infrastructure, she brings expertise in cloud security and FinTech applications. She holds multiple Cisco certifications and has a strong background in network engineering and cybersecurity.

Yamini Kannan is a Network Engineer at Jane Street Capital with a Master's in Information Systems from NYU. She has extensive experience in network infrastructure at leading companies including Meta and Cisco, focusing on automation and network relia... Show more

I am Adam from Seyfor OneCore - Sales & Partnership Manager for OneCore Leasing Software. I help implementation partners to grow in the complex world of financial services ISV solutions.

I am Adam from Seyfor OneCore - Sales & Partnership Manager for OneCore Leasing Software. I help implementation partners to grow in the complex world of financial services ISV solutions. Show more

Global Audit and Risk Leader with over 18 years of experience in internal auditing, cybersecurity, technology risk, and enterprise governance within banking, capital markets, and multilateral development institutions. Proven track record of leading strategic audit transformations, driving innovation in risk-based audit methodologies, and advising C-suite executives and Boards. Currently serving as Chief Information Technology Auditor at the African Development Bank Group, with direct involvement in institutional governance, strategic planning, and oversight of a multinational audit team. Known for championing technology integration in audit, promoting agile methodologies, and strengthening organizational resilience.

Global Audit and Risk Leader with over 18 years of experience in internal auditing, cybersecurity, technology risk, and enterprise governance within banking, capital markets, and multilateral development institutions. Proven track record of leading s... Show more

Vishal Gangarapu is an accomplished finance transformation leader with over 13 years of experience driving revenue growth and operational efficiency through data-driven strategies. Currently serving as Executive Director of Finance Data Analytics & Transformation at Mizuho Financial Group, Vishal leads enterprise-wide initiatives to modernize financial operations and integrate advanced analytics into strategic decision-making.
Throughout his career at organizations including Dell Technologies, Goldman Sachs, and North Highland Worldwide Consulting, Vishal has consistently delivered measurable business impact—from implementing pricing optimization models that increased margins by 50 basis points to developing financial data intelligence strategies that improved market share by 120 basis points. His expertise spans financial planning, data analytics, business architecture, and digital transformation across multiple industries.
A strategic thinker with technical acumen, Vishal leverages his skills in financial modeling, SQL, Python, EPM and business intelligence tools to translate complex data into actionable insights. His innovative approach to financial strategy has resulted in millions in cost savings and revenue generation for global organizations.
Vishal holds an MBA in Finance from Texas A&M University and a Bachelor of Technology from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras. He is a certified Scuba diver and avid traveler who has visited 44 US states and 10 countries.

Vishal Gangarapu is an accomplished finance transformation leader with over 13 years of experience driving revenue growth and operational efficiency through data-driven strategies. Currently serving as Executive Director of Finance Data Analytics & T... Show more

10+ years of Exp

10+ years of Exp Show more

I am an experienced Product Owner at ING with a strong background in IT and a passion for agile leadership. Throughout my career, I’ve specialized in designing and implementing platform solutions and automation strategies that drive efficiency, reduce operational complexity, and elevate customer experience within the financial industry.

I am an experienced Product Owner at ING with a strong background in IT and a passion for agile leadership. Throughout my career, I’ve specialized in designing and implementing platform solutions and automation strategies that drive efficiency, reduc... Show more

Daniel Pries is a polyglot engineering manager who loves the science of telling electrons how to behave across a metal substrate, so that it brings people together. Whether its creating experiences for customers, solving unique technology problems, or coaching engineers to be the best versions of themselves.

For 8 hours a day, I have the unique privilege of running a DevEx and Tooling organization at M&T Bank. I spend the other 16 hours on many amazing adventures and side quests with my wife and our five amazing children.

Daniel Pries is a polyglot engineering manager who loves the science of telling electrons how to behave across a metal substrate, so that it brings people together. Whether its creating experiences for customers, solving unique technology problems, ... Show more

IT consulting and corporate professional with strongly positive attitude and significant experience
- Business intelligence modeling, using various tools, with 10+ years of finance industry knowledge
- Strong business orientation and strategic sense with hands-on experience in building and managing very efficient teams, leading successful organization wide projects, acting as key player and facilitator of significant organizational changes
- Embracing and interested in advanced technology and analytical methods used to create real value in organization’s decision making process
- More than a decade of development experience in databases and object oriented programming, using tools like Microsoft SQL Server, .NET, Oracle, Informatica, Business Objects and Tableau

Fluent with English and using German as a working language. I'm also experienced in holding lectures, conference presentations as well as trainings.

Interested in B- and C-level positions in banking, and CTO and similar roles in other industries.

IT consulting and corporate professional with strongly positive attitude and significant experience - Business intelligence modeling, using various tools, with 10+ years of finance industry knowledge - Strong business orientation and strategic sens... Show more

Martin is a Cyber & AI specialist at Jyske Bank with 20+ years of experience across blue-team defense, red-team offense, security architecture, and leadership. His driving passion is to rethink security and solve cyber challenges the right way—shifting the asymmetric advantage from attackers to defenders.

Martin is a Cyber & AI specialist at Jyske Bank with 20+ years of experience across blue-team defense, red-team offense, security architecture, and leadership. His driving passion is to rethink security and solve cyber challenges the right way—shifti... Show more

Laurens is a technology and innovation enthusiast with an academic background in humanities. He is passionate about linguistics, effective communication, and fostering collaboration to drive business value. Laurens aims to combine these competences to get the right people in the same room to work together and create innovative solutions.

As Product Owner of the EKS and AKS platforms at NN Group, a leading Dutch financial enterprise, Laurens leads a team focused on platform engineering. The team's goal is to deliver more than just a container runtime, as they are building a standardized platform for building platforms. Their mission is to deliver a universal and extensible cloud-native API in order to improve the developer experience on the platform.

Laurens is a technology and innovation enthusiast with an academic background in humanities. He is passionate about linguistics, effective communication, and fostering collaboration to drive business value. Laurens aims to combine these competences t... Show more

With over 8 years of experience at the intersection of audit, cybersecurity, and data analytics, Jessica specializes in user access governance and privileged access management within financial institutions. She has spearheaded strategic initiatives integrating IT general controls with advanced analytics to enhance detection and mitigation of cyber risks. Currently, she drives cross-functional collaboration between audit and cybersecurity teams to strengthen organizational defenses.

With over 8 years of experience at the intersection of audit, cybersecurity, and data analytics, Jessica specializes in user access governance and privileged access management within financial institutions. She has spearheaded strategic initiatives ... Show more

With over 18 years of experience in the IT software industry as a Technology Leader, I am an dedicated to spearheading digital transformation initiatives using cutting-edge technologies like AI, microservices ,APIs and .net. My role has involved driving impactful projects for major corporations, focusing on developing transformative software solutions primarily in the sectors of B2B banking, media, and healthcare.

With over 18 years of experience in the IT software industry as a Technology Leader, I am an dedicated to spearheading digital transformation initiatives using cutting-edge technologies like AI, microservices ,APIs and .net. My role has involved dr... Show more