Government, Social Sector & Education

Valued individuals involved in shaping public policies, providing essential services, and promoting education, tirelessly looking to improve society and empower citizens

Jay Dwayne

Jay Dwayne

Jay Dwayne is a highly sought-after tech specialist and dedicated public servant renowned for his exceptional skills in software and systems engineering. Following previous excellent work at the ICT Authority, under the Ministry of Information, Communication and the Digital Economy in Kenya, Jay is currently driving digital transformation at the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). Jay brings a comprehensive technical toolkit spanning full-stack software and systems development, cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, mobile development, and advanced DevOps practices. His reputation as an expert is well-deserved, with numerous accolades and awards recognizing his contributions to the technology sector. With a wealth of experience and a diverse skill set, Jay is a valuable asset to any project team. His adaptability and proficiency make him an indispensable resource in the fast-paced world of modern technology, where he continues to contribute significantly to the advancement of software development and technological innovation.

As a Tech speaker, Jay has spoken at International and local conferences such as the Dublin Tech Summit, Dublin, Ireland, in May 2025, CABSAT, SATExpo & Integrate ME 2025 conference in Dubai, UAE in May, 2025. TEMS ICT Africa conference in Nairobi, Kenya in April 2025, Moonshot by Techcabal in Lagos in 2024, 2023,2022, Connected Africa Summit in Nairobi, 2024, The freelancers summit in Harare, Zimbabwe, 2023, African Congress on Cyber Security in Nairobi, 2022, MWC Series in Kigali, Rwanda, 2023 among many others including webinars and hackathons and workshops

Current Roles
Software Systems Engineer at Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA)
Jay collaborates with a multidisciplinary team of engineers in leading digital transformation initiatives at Kenya's premier tax and customs revenue agency, contributing to system optimization, automation projects, and enhancing user experiences across KRA's digital platforms.

Tech Consultant, Special Projects at United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)

• Providing technical advisory on innovation ecosystem development across Africa
• Leading technical assessment and implementation of digital platforms to connect entrepreneurial universities continent-wide
• Developing strategic frameworks for university business incubation models
• Facilitating knowledge transfer between academic institutions and industry partners
• Designing monitoring and evaluation systems to track progress toward the one-billion-startup goal
• Collaborating with university leadership to create entrepreneurship curricula integration strategies

Jay's Core Expertise

Technical Specializations
-Full-Stack Development: Expert in modern JavaScript frameworks (React, Angular, Vue.js), Node.js, TypeScript, and comprehensive front-end technologies
- Backend Engineering: Proficient in multiple languages including C#/.NET, Java, Python, Golang, with expertise in enterprise frameworks and API development
- Mobile Development: Native iOS (Swift) and Android (Kotlin/Java) development, plus cross-platform solutions with Flutter
- Cloud & Infrastructure: AWS services (EC2, Lambda, S3), Docker, Kubernetes, and modern DevOps practices
- Database Technologies: Extensive experience with SQL Server, MongoDB, PostgreSQL, Oracle, and graph databases
- DevOps & DevSecOps: CI/CD pipelines, containerization, infrastructure as code, and security integration
- Visual Design: Adobe Creative Suite mastery (AI, AE, PS, ID, Pr), Sketch, and modern design tools

Leadership & Communication
- Public Speaking: Accomplished speaker with ability to translate complex technical concepts for diverse audiences
- Visual Design: Creative problem-solving through design thinking
- Project Management: End-to-end software lifecycle management
- Cross-functional Collaboration: Stakeholder alignment and team leadership

Speaking Topics

Primary Topics
- Full-Stack Development Excellence: Modern JavaScript frameworks, API design, and scalable architecture patterns
- Cloud-Native Applications: AWS ecosystem, containerization with Docker/Kubernetes, and serverless architectures
- Mobile Development Strategy: Cross-platform development, native vs hybrid approaches, and Flutter implementation
- DevOps Transformation: CI/CD pipeline design, infrastructure automation, and team collaboration practices
- Database Architecture & Design: From SQL to NoSQL, choosing the right database for your needs
- Digital Government Services: Modernizing public sector technology and citizen-facing applications
- Visual Design in Tech: Bridging design and development for better user experiences

Secondary Topics
- Enterprise Software Development: .NET ecosystem, Java enterprise patterns, and legacy system modernization
- API Design & Integration: RESTful services, GraphQL implementation, and microservices architecture
- Testing Strategies: Comprehensive testing approaches from unit to integration testing
- Performance Optimization: Front-end performance, database tuning, and scalability planning
- Technology Leadership: Building and managing technical teams in fast-paced environments

Session Formats
- Keynote Presentations (45-60 minutes)
- Technical Deep-Dives (30-45 minutes)
- Interactive Workshops (90-120 minutes)
- Panel Discussions (30-60 minutes)
- Lightning Talks (10-15 minutes)

Jay's Technical Stack

Frontend Technologies
JavaScript, TypeScript, React, Angular, Vue.js, HTML5, CSS3, SCSS/Sass, Bootstrap, Gatsby, Stencil.js, GraphQL, Firebase

Backend & Server Technologies
Node.js, Express.js, C#/.NET Core, ASP.NET, Java/Java EE, Python/Django, Golang, PHP/Laravel, Apache, NGINX

Mobile Development
Swift (iOS), Kotlin/Java (Android), Flutter, Firebase, Android Studio, Xcode

Databases
SQL Server, MongoDB, PostgreSQL, MySQL, Oracle, Neo4j, CockroachDB, SQLite

Cloud & DevOps
AWS (EC2, Lambda, S3, SQS), Docker, Kubernetes, GitLab, Git, Digital Ocean, Heroku, IBM Cloud

Design & Testing
Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, Jest, Jasmine, jUnit, Cucumber, Protractor

Development Tools
Visual Studio, VS Code, Android Studio, Xcode, Maven, Gradle

Speaking Experience
Accomplished public speaker with a proven track record of making complex technical concepts accessible to diverse audiences, from technical teams to executive stakeholders. Recognized industry expert with numerous accolades and awards for contributions to the technology sector.

Thinking of booking Jay?
Jay brings an exceptional combination of breadth and depth across the entire technology stack. His hands-on experience spans from frontend frameworks to cloud infrastructure, mobile development to enterprise systems. This comprehensive expertise, combined with his government sector experience and proven communication skills, makes him uniquely qualified to speak at conferences focused on:

- Full-Stack Development
- Cloud Computing & DevOps
- Mobile Application Development
- Enterprise Software Architecture
- Digital Transformation
- Government Technology
- Database Design & Architecture
- Modern JavaScript Frameworks
- Cross-Platform Development

Portfolio & Contact
Website: www.jaydwayne.com
Available for speaking engagements at technology conferences, corporate events, and educational institutions. Experienced in both in-person and virtual presentation formats.

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Bridging the gap between complex technical concepts and practical business solutions through innovative software engineering and clear communication.
Let's make it happen!

Jay is a trophy of God's grace, a conduit of rhema, saved by grace through faith.

Jay Dwayne is a highly sought-after tech specialist and dedicated public servant renowned for his exceptional skills in software and systems engineering. Following previous excellent work at the ICT Authority, under the Ministry of Information, Commu... Show more

Dr. Laura Borland

Dr. Laura Borland

Dr. Laura Borland, DSW, is a fatherhood advocate and founder of Dad-Ease, an ecosystem of solutions designed to promote parental parity. With a deep commitment to addressing the challenges faced by dads, she strives to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all parents. In a society where fathers are often unseen or undervalued in the parenting equation, Dr. Borland aims to spark a conversation about the importance of recognizing and supporting fathers in their parenting roles. She is also a published author and writer, where she has been featured on television, radio, podcasts, and print.

Dr. Laura Borland, DSW, is a fatherhood advocate and founder of Dad-Ease, an ecosystem of solutions designed to promote parental parity. With a deep commitment to addressing the challenges faced by dads, she strives to create a more inclusive and sup... Show more

Esmeralda Tijhoff

Esmeralda Tijhoff

Esmeralda Tijhoff is a seasoned IT professional with extensive experience in open-source technologies and government digital services. She currently serves as a Product Manager and Open Source Officer at DICTU, a service provider within the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs. In this role, Esmeralda leads the development of innovative digital solutions, emphasizing the integration of open-source methodologies to enhance collaboration and efficiency across government platforms.

An active member of the Drupal open-source community, Esmeralda was honored with the Women in Drupal award in 2024, recognizing her significant contributions and leadership. Her involvement in the community underscores her commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion within the tech industry. Esmeralda is board member of the Dutch Drupal Association and started the Network of European Drupal Associations.

Esmeralda’s professional journey reflects a dedication to leveraging open-source principles not only in software development but also in organizational practices. She advocates for transparent communication, collaborative decision-making, and empowering teams by harnessing individual talents. Her work exemplifies how adopting an open-source mindset can drive innovation and create more inclusive work environments.

Through her work at DICTU and active participation in the Drupal community, Esmeralda continues to influence the adoption of open-source strategies within the public sector, promoting sustainable and inclusive technological advancements.

Esmeralda delivers talks and workshops, and can act as panel leader.

Esmeralda Tijhoff is a seasoned IT professional with extensive experience in open-source technologies and government digital services. She currently serves as a Product Manager and Open Source Officer at DICTU, a service provider within the Dutch Min... Show more

Eshan Chattaraj

Eshan Chattaraj

Eshan Chattaraj has his 10+ years of experience in professional industry both in Govt and private leading MNCs comprising the area of Android Development and Python Data Analytics. Eshan is also a public Speaker in where he has been invited in many prestigious oganisations and institutions like AICTE, Niser, IISER, NIT and IITs, ISI and most of the Tier 1 Colleges. Eshan is also a Research Scholar in the field of Android, ML/AI. Institutions tagged with him are like IIT, Kharagpur and The Institution of Engineers (India). Some of the Prestigious Clients he made contributions are Google, Microsoft, Wipro Tech, Capgemini, Coca-Cola, United Health, Optum, Shaadi.com, MagicBricks, Fittr etc.
He done his graduation in Computer Science Engineering and Legal background at Corporate Laws. He has given talk in prestigious organisations like IIT/IIM, IISER, NISER, ATAL, AICTE divisional, Hackathon, ISI, Atomic Research, Law Societies and GDG etc
He has been awarded and recognized from Govt of India and CID, WB

Eshan Chattaraj has his 10+ years of experience in professional industry both in Govt and private leading MNCs comprising the area of Android Development and Python Data Analytics. Eshan is also a public Speaker in where he has been invited in many p... Show more

Eric Burden

Eric Burden

Eric Burden is an IT Sr Consultant with NTT DATA Services, currently serving as the Data Conversion and Reporting lead for the state of Arkansas' CCWIS project. In this role, Eric blends his Social Work experience and deep technical know-how to ensure timely delivery and development of an effective child welfare information system. Prior to this, Eric worked with the United Way of the Mid-South (Memphis) on their Driving the Dream Initiative, aimed at deploying a shared client referral and database platform to break down service silos in the Memphis social service sector. Prior to that, he served as the Director of Data Reporting for Mississippi’s Department of Child Protection Services. Eric combines his technical expertise with his education in social work (MSW from Jackson State University) to engage process improvement from people to systems. On a personal note, Eric and his wife have two children (a son and a daughter) and a very spoiled dog. They enjoy spending time in the great outdoors, hiking, kayaking, playing in creeks, finding bugs, and gardening.

Eric Burden is an IT Sr Consultant with NTT DATA Services, currently serving as the Data Conversion and Reporting lead for the state of Arkansas' CCWIS project. In this role, Eric blends his Social Work experience and deep technical know-how to ensur... Show more

Armagan Amcalar

Armagan Amcalar

Armagan is the founder of Coyotiv GmbH, and is currently on a mission to bring a scalable and nimble engineering culture to startups and enterprises.

A software architect well versed in both the backend and frontend systems, he focuses on building resilient cloud systems. He loves open source and is the author of cote, a library for building microservices with Node.js, among many others. In his free time, he loves to hack stuff with JavaScript, ranging from musical gadgets to brain signals processing.

Armagan is a public speaker, a mentor and a lecturer. He also leads Lonca, a software craftspersonship school for women engineers, and teaches JavaScript at Coyotiv School of Software Engineering.

Armagan is the founder of Coyotiv GmbH, and is currently on a mission to bring a scalable and nimble engineering culture to startups and enterprises. A software architect well versed in both the backend and frontend systems, he focuses on building... Show more

Jen Kramer

Jen Kramer

Jen Kramer has been teaching & practicing web design for over 20 years. Most recently, she is a Lecturer at Harvard University Extension School in the Master's of Liberal Arts in Digital Media Design program, where she teaches five courses per year on front-end web development. She's also a prolific video author, creating over 40 training courses for LinkedIn Learning/Lynda.com, Frontend Masters, O'Reilly Media, and others. She earned her MS in Internet Strategy Management from Marlboro College.

Jen Kramer has been teaching & practicing web design for over 20 years. Most recently, she is a Lecturer at Harvard University Extension School in the Master's of Liberal Arts in Digital Media Design program, where she teaches five courses per year o... Show more

Dr. Ambar J. Saleh Cipolloni, EdD N/A

Dr. Ambar J. Saleh Cipolloni, EdD N/A

Dr. Ambar J. Saleh-Cipolloni is a professor at Sarasota University, where she serves as Chair of the Doctoral Dissertation Program and teaches in the distance Doctor of Education program. She is an experienced educator, researcher, and academic leader dedicated to advancing excellence in higher education, Montessori education, and teacher preparation.
Dr. Saleh-Cipolloni is the founder and owner of Montessori Global Academy, located in Ormond Beach, Florida. The academy serves students from infancy through secondary education and is accredited by the American Montessori Society (AMS) as well as nationally accredited. Through her leadership, the school promotes academic excellence, global citizenship, and authentic Montessori practices.

She is also the founder and owner of the Montessori Global Teacher Education Institute (MGTEI), a higher education institution accredited by the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE). Through MGTEI, she prepares and mentors future Montessori educators and leaders dedicated to serving children and families around the world.
Dr. Saleh-Cipolloni holds Montessori teaching certifications for the infant and toddler (0–3), early childhood (3–6), lower elementary (6–9), and upper elementary (9–12) levels. She is currently completing her Montessori Secondary certification, further expanding her expertise across the full continuum of Montessori education.
In addition to her Montessori credentials, Dr. Saleh-Cipolloni holds a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Psychology and a Master's degree in Linguistics from the University of Salamanca, one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Europe.

Her extensive experience as a university professor, educational administrator, accreditation consultant, and school leader in the United States provides her with a unique multicultural perspective and a strong foundation in educational leadership. She has worked with Montessori and non-Montessori schools, teacher education programs, colleges, and universities, supporting institutional growth, accreditation, program development, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Above all, Dr. Saleh-Cipolloni is committed to empowering educators, supporting student success, and advancing educational innovation. She is also the proud mother of four successful young adult professionals, whose accomplishments continue to inspire her commitment to education and lifelong learning.

Dr. Ambar J. Saleh-Cipolloni is a professor at Sarasota University, where she serves as Chair of the Doctoral Dissertation Program and teaches in the distance Doctor of Education program. She is an experienced educator, researcher, and academic leade... Show more

Sandeep Kumar Chittimalli

Sandeep Kumar Chittimalli

Sandeep kumar Chittimalli is a Senior Data Scientist and AI/ML Expert specializing in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science, Earth Science, Remote Sensing, and Satellite Image Processing, with more than a decade of experience driving innovation across federal, scientific, and academic research domains. He currently serves as Chair of the IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society (GRSS), East North Carolina Section (ENCS) and is a Senior Member of IEEE GRSS, Board Member of GCSAYN, and Chair of the GCSAYN Research Committee Advisory Group, while also serving as an IET Advisor and AI Collective Research Triangle Chapter Lead. He currently leads AI/ML and data science initiatives at Synectics supporting a large federal organization in the United States and has a long-standing history of supporting high-impact federal research projects. His past contributions encompass prestigious organizations including NASA, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and the South Dakota State University (SDSU) Image Processing Laboratories. With dual master’s degrees in Electrical Engineering and Electronics, Sandeep excels in architecting scalable data science environments, automating complex workflows, processing and analyzing satellite imagery, and delivering actionable insights through advanced AI/ML model development and deployment. He brings deep expertise in applying artificial intelligence and machine learning across a wide range of scientific, technical, and operational applications, enabling data-driven solutions and enhancing mission-critical decision-making in federal and research domains. Sandeep has extensive experience working with both federal and academic research projects, successfully translating complex scientific and operational goals into innovative, scalable, and data-driven solutions. His multidisciplinary expertise enables him to bridge advanced AI/ML methodologies with Earth science, remote sensing, satellite image processing, image analysis, and scientific computing, addressing complex challenges involving large-scale and high-dimensional datasets. As an active contributor and recognized expert within the technical and research community, Sandeep has served as a judge and reviewer for numerous research, technology, and innovation events, as well as for well-known national and international conferences and peer-reviewed journals. Through these roles, he has contributed to the evaluation of research and emerging technologies across diverse areas of science, engineering, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science. He is known for providing constructive, timely, and rigorous evaluations and for supporting the recognition, advancement, and dissemination of high-quality research and innovative ideas. Through his professional leadership and community engagement, Sandeep is committed to advancing the fields of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science, Earth Observation, Remote Sensing, and intelligent systems. He remains passionate about staying at the forefront of emerging technologies and continuously exploring new ways to apply AI and data-driven approaches to solve complex real-world problems. Through technical leadership, research, mentorship, professional service, and collaboration, he continues to push the boundaries of what is possible with intelligent systems while contributing to the growth of the broader scientific, engineering, and AI communities.

Sandeep kumar Chittimalli is a Senior Data Scientist and AI/ML Expert specializing in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science, Earth Science, Remote Sensing, and Satellite Image Processing, with more than a decade of experience drivin... Show more

Postdoc Appreciation Week

Postdoc Appreciation Week

Inspired by the celebration of Postdoc Appreciation Week in the USA and the UK, the PAW Germany Coordination Team, consisting of coordinators from Hanover and Munich, played a key role in launching PAW Germany in 2022, a nationwide initiative to celebrate the incredible work of postdocs. By bringing together researchers, research institutions, postdoc coordinators and research administrators from across Germany, the PAW Coordination Team helps to create a special program of events and a social media campaign each year to celebrate the contribution of postdocs to research and academic life, and to provide a platform for sharing knowledge and experiences. Postdoc Appreciation Week Germany aims to recognise and empower postdocs to excel in their careers, drive scientific progress, make meaningful contributions to their fields, and ultimately shape a better future for science and society.

Inspired by the celebration of Postdoc Appreciation Week in the USA and the UK, the PAW Germany Coordination Team, consisting of coordinators from Hanover and Munich, played a key role in launching PAW Germany in 2022, a nationwide initiative to cele... Show more

Tony Rice

Tony Rice

A 25 year veteran of information security, Tony Rice has automated audit evidence gathering and reporting along with vulnerability management across on-prem, cloud, and lab environments for Cisco's public and private sector customers. Outside of information security, Tony helps hundreds of broadcast meteorologists around the country improve science communications and is active in STEM education leading judging for the North Carolina Science and Engineering Fair.

A 25 year veteran of information security, Tony Rice has automated audit evidence gathering and reporting along with vulnerability management across on-prem, cloud, and lab environments for Cisco's public and private sector customers. Outside of info... Show more

Jeremy Schenk

Jeremy Schenk

Dr. Jeremy Schenk is the Associate Vice President for Operations and Services in the Division of Student Affairs at Northwestern University. Jeremy oversees Student Affairs Administration and Finance, Assessment and Planning, the Norris University Center, Division Services (including Marketing, Dining, IT, Special Projects, and Safe Ride), division vendor contracts, and division facilities. He received a bachelor’s in social work, master’s in education administration and foundation, and his doctorate in educational leadership and policy analysis. Jeremy’s dissertation explored the relationships between departmental leadership and the engagement, job satisfaction, skill development, and retention to the field of new professionals in Student Affairs.

Prior to his current position, Dr. Schenk served as the Executive Director of the Norris University Center at Northwestern University, Director of the University Commons and Activities Office at Virginia Commonwealth University; the Associate Director of the Plaster Student Union and Director of the Office of Student Engagement at Missouri State University, Assistant Director for Student Organizations and Programming at Illinois State University, and a Residence Hall Director at Illinois State University.

Dr. Schenk has served in a variety of volunteer roles within the Association of College Unions International (ACUI) including President Elect, President, and Past President. He has also served two terms as an At Large Member on the Board of Trustees, has led the processes for the development of the 2016, 2019, and 2021 ACUI strategic plans, and is a recipient of the ACUI Presidential Award for Distinguished Service. Jeremy’s research focus is community and space design, customer service, team development, strengths based leadership, transformational leadership, supervision, strategic planning, organizational health, organizational change and transition management, and has served on several university external review teams.

Dr. Jeremy Schenk is the Associate Vice President for Operations and Services in the Division of Student Affairs at Northwestern University. Jeremy oversees Student Affairs Administration and Finance, Assessment and Planning, the Norris University Ce... Show more

Oluwabusola Adeleke

Oluwabusola Adeleke

A Full-Stack engineering leader and a Certified Associate Cloud Architect with 9 years of experience in software engineering, leading cross-functional teams across finance, e-commerce, logistics, digital marketing, and healthcare. Delivered enterprise-grade web applications for clients in Nigeria, Kenya, Sierra Leone, and the United Kingdom. Expertise in React, Node.js, Python Flask, and cloud platforms. Proven ability to analyze customer needs, build high-quality software, and empower businesses. Active community advocate, passionate about tech education.

A Full-Stack engineering leader and a Certified Associate Cloud Architect with 9 years of experience in software engineering, leading cross-functional teams across finance, e-commerce, logistics, digital marketing, and healthcare. Delivered enterpris... Show more

Natanael Turco

Natanael Turco

Abogado especializado en cibercrimen y evidencia digital (UBA), e investigador certificado (TRM-CI). Comenzó su camino profesional en la industria de medios de pago, luego sumó experiencia en derecho comercial y desde hace algunos años trabaja en el Ministerio Público Fiscal de la Nación. Allí combina técnica jurídica e investigación avanzada para colaborar con el equipo en la investigación y litigio de causas penales.

Abogado especializado en cibercrimen y evidencia digital (UBA), e investigador certificado (TRM-CI). Comenzó su camino profesional en la industria de medios de pago, luego sumó experiencia en derecho comercial y desde hace algunos años trabaja en el ... Show more

Andy Tran

Andy Tran

As a technical leader at the Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific—a vital arm of the Department of the Navy dedicated to delivering innovative technology for U.S. and allied military operations— Andy Tran specializes in the intersection of advanced communications and cybersecurity.

Andy Tran spearheaded the research, development, and deployment of 5G cellular systems across the Navy and Marine Corps, specifically enhancing communications capabilities at the tactical edge of the battlefield. Beyond deployment, they have conducted rigorous analysis on the vulnerabilities of emerging wireless technologies to ensure that security frameworks and specifications remain robust against evolving threats. Committed to operational efficiency, [Your Name] also developed critical automation tools to streamline the upgrading of networking systems, allowing infrastructure to adapt seamlessly to new requirements and evolving military needs.

As a technical leader at the Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific—a vital arm of the Department of the Navy dedicated to delivering innovative technology for U.S. and allied military operations— Andy Tran specializes in the intersection of advanc... Show more

Portia Richardson

Portia Richardson

Portia Richardson is a transformational leadership and education speaker, social impact strategist, educator, and founder who helps leaders and educators lead well, strengthen culture, and create meaningful impact without losing themselves in the process.

As the Founder and Executive Director of Tumaini DC, Portia brings more than 15 years of experience across education, nonprofit leadership, entrepreneurship, and community development. Her work has reached thousands of students, educators, and leaders across the U.S. and globally, with a focus on developing people, strengthening school and organizational culture, and creating environments where people can thrive.

Portia speaks at the intersection of transformational and servant leadership, educator wellness, school climate and culture, social-emotional learning, purpose, and sustainable impact. She brings the perspective of someone who has been in the classroom, built organizations, led teams, coached leaders, and worked alongside communities.

Her style is honest, relatable, practical, and rooted in real experience. Whether speaking to educators, school and district leaders, executives, or social impact organizations, Portia challenges people to think beyond what they accomplish and pay attention to how they lead, how people experience their leadership, and the culture they create along the way.

Her core belief is simple: We transform organizations and communities by first transforming the way we lead and care for people—including ourselves.

Portia Richardson is a transformational leadership and education speaker, social impact strategist, educator, and founder who helps leaders and educators lead well, strengthen culture, and create meaningful impact without losing themselves in the pro... Show more

Neringa Young

Neringa Young

Neringa Young is the Founder of Build Stuff conferences, which she personally manages – recruiting and working with the team, looking for the partners, creating marketing strategies and implementation of the conference promotion. She is also helping with logistics and creating the content of the event. For each year she invites 80 leading speakers from the Tech industry from around the world to come to the Baltics for this 5-day event.
The success of her leadership is seen through the results of the event which every year attracts more than 1400 software developers, with the same participants returning every year as the event grows.
Outside of the workplace, Neringa is involved with initiatives like Women Go Tech where she mentors young women, providing them with advice and direction for their careers in the tech sector.
She is the founder and manager of FIX.Events which runs meetings, training, conferences, private and public events for private & corporate clients.
During her university studies, she was simultaneous working as a Telemarketing sales representative. In just 2 years (2009), she was promoted on the basis of good results to become the Sales team lead at Lintel. At the age of 22, she was responsible for over 100 telemarketing sales managers. Her responsibilities included – hiring staff, training staff, coaching, organizing work across the wider team and implementing company sales strategies.
At AB TEO (now Telia), she initiated, formed and managed a team that is composed of both technical- and sales-personnel to boost sales in line with the company’s sales strategy. Her responsibilities included human resource management – hiring staff, training, coaching, organizing teamwork and working with sales strategies.
During the time she was working at AB TEO, she also published her Master thesis on an HR Topic: "Coaching for the Development of Organizational Personnel (Case of an X Organization, Lithuania)"; 2012 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON EDUCATION REFORM AND MANAGEMENT, INNOVATION (ERMI 2012), VOL 1 Pages: 54-60 Published: 2013; Conference: International, Conference on Education Reform and Management Innovation (ERMI 2012) Location: Shenzhen, PEOPLES R CHINA Date: DEC 04-05, 2012.

Neringa Young is the Founder of Build Stuff conferences, which she personally manages – recruiting and working with the team, looking for the partners, creating marketing strategies and implementation of the conference promotion. She is also helping ... Show more

Sergej Gil

Sergej Gil

Sergej Gil is currently an Expert for LXD Facilitation and Research-Related Teaching and Learning at the University of Cologne. There, he is part of the Innovation Platform for Future-Relevant Competencies. Prior to that, he was E-Learning Manager at the Kolping University of Applied Sciences for Health and Social Affairs.

Sergej Gil is currently an Expert for LXD Facilitation and Research-Related Teaching and Learning at the University of Cologne. There, he is part of the Innovation Platform for Future-Relevant Competencies. Prior to that, he was E-Learning Manager at... Show more

Evelyne Akello

Evelyne Akello

Analytical thinker driven by fast-paced learning platforms in higher education with a significant experience of over five years in statistical modeling and quantitative data analyses utilizing R, SPSS, Excel, Tableau, Power Bi, MPlus, AMOS, Dbeaver, and SAS

Experienced in qualitative research methodologies including leading and participating in multisite collaborations and liaison responsibilities

Analytical thinker driven by fast-paced learning platforms in higher education with a significant experience of over five years in statistical modeling and quantitative data analyses utilizing R, SPSS, Excel, Tableau, Power Bi, MPlus, AMOS, Dbeaver, ... Show more

Iss Kodous

Iss Kodous

Participants will leave with:
Strategies to maintain motivation and enthusiasm as educators.
Insights into why game mechanics are so engaging.
Practical, classroom-ready gamification techniques that work across age groups.
Simple ideas to help students become active, resilient, and motivated learners.

Participants will leave with: Strategies to maintain motivation and enthusiasm as educators. Insights into why game mechanics are so engaging. Practical, classroom-ready gamification techniques that work across age groups. Simple ideas to help st... Show more

Sarah Russell

Sarah Russell

Sarah Russell is VP of Marketing at EducationDynamics, where she has spent 17 years at the intersection of search behavior, audience data, and marketing strategy. She leads SEO, paid media, social, and creative teams serving higher education institutions nationwide.

Sarah is best known for work that pioneers actionable strategies in a quickly evolving marketing landscape. She developed Signal Engineering, a framework for making brands legible to AI systems.

Sarah builds teams as well as strategies. She has designed and built the multi-agent AI infrastructure her teams use for market research, search intelligence, and content production, and established EducationDynamics' center of excellence for performance marketing.

Sarah Russell is VP of Marketing at EducationDynamics, where she has spent 17 years at the intersection of search behavior, audience data, and marketing strategy. She leads SEO, paid media, social, and creative teams serving higher education institut... Show more

Hillary Makori

Hillary Makori

Hillary Makori Bsc. Software Engineering , Freelance Software Engineer, Technology Consultant, and Founder of Software Consultants a digital solutions company dedicated to helping organizations leverage technology to improve efficiency, innovation, and service delivery.
With expertise spanning Artificial Intelligence (AI), Software Engineering, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems, Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, Data-Driven Solutions, and Digital Transformation, Hillary specializes in designing and implementing smart technology solutions that solve real-world challenges across multiple industries.
Through Software Consultants, Hillary works with schools, universities, hospitals, banks, businesses, and community organizations to develop and deploy modern digital systems that streamline operations, enhance decision-making, and create sustainable growth. His solutions include school management systems, hospital information systems, banking and financial technology solutions, inventory and accounting platforms, customer management systems, workflow automation tools, and customized enterprise software applications.
Passionate about the future of intelligent technology, Hillary champions the adoption of Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies to transform the way organizations operate. He helps institutions integrate AI into their daily workflows through AI-powered automation, intelligent data analysis, prompt engineering, digital assistants, and responsible technology adoption strategies that enhance human potential.
His technical expertise includes building cloud-based applications, scalable software platforms, web and mobile applications, database management systems, enterprise solutions, and secure digital infrastructures that support organizations in becoming more agile, connected, and future-ready.
Hillary is known for simplifying complex technological concepts and transforming them into practical solutions that audiences can immediately apply. His sessions combine real-world case studies, live demonstrations, interactive learning, and hands-on experiences, empowering professionals, educators, entrepreneurs, and leaders with the knowledge needed to thrive in the digital era.
Beyond software development, Hillary is passionate about using technology as a tool for social impact ; empowering institutions, businesses, and communities through innovation, automation, and accessible digital solutions.
His vision is simple: to bridge the gap between technology and people by creating intelligent systems that make organizations smarter, faster, and ready for the future.

Hillary Makori Bsc. Software Engineering , Freelance Software Engineer, Technology Consultant, and Founder of Software Consultants a digital solutions company dedicated to helping organizations leverage technology to improve efficiency, innovation,... Show more

Katia Izmerli Reed

Katia Izmerli Reed

Katia Reed is an AI Literacy Lead, EAL Coordinator, and Mandarin Teacher at North American International School in Dubai, where she designs and delivers the school's AI Literacy curriculum for secondary students across Grades 6 to 12. She is a member of the UAE AI Think Tank and a recognised UAE AI Changemaker.
Katia has facilitated sold-out workshops on custom AI tools and PBL with AI at the Common Core Virtual Boot Camp, drawing over 80 attendees per session, and delivered a fully booked session at the Dubai Teaching Conference.
She builds and deploys classroom-facing and school-wide platforms using vibe coding tools, including a digital escape room series on AI ethics, a streamlined whole-school lesson planning workflow powered by AI, a whole-school EAL assessment platform, a distance learning platform for teachers, and a suite of leadership and administration tools built entirely without traditional coding. Her work sits at the intersection of AI literacy, inclusive pedagogy, and practical school leadership.
She is the developer of the AI Ethics Escape Trails platform and shares open-access tools and classroom AI practice with a growing educator audience on LinkedIn.

Katia Reed is an AI Literacy Lead, EAL Coordinator, and Mandarin Teacher at North American International School in Dubai, where she designs and delivers the school's AI Literacy curriculum for secondary students across Grades 6 to 12. She is a member... Show more

Mosongo Danfold

Mosongo Danfold

Mosongo Danfold is a Tech Policy Advocate & Cybersecurity and Forensics Engineer. He is the founder of TECH.PATHS, an initiative that equips African youth with digital literacy, mentorship, and pathways into technology careers. Often referred to as a tech diplomat and statesman, he works at the intersection of cybersecurity, digital governance, and youth empowerment. His work bridges technical cybersecurity expertise with practical policy design, always advocating for ethical, sovereign, and inclusive digital futures. The role of young Africans in shaping the continent's technology agenda.

Mosongo Danfold is a Tech Policy Advocate & Cybersecurity and Forensics Engineer. He is the founder of TECH.PATHS, an initiative that equips African youth with digital literacy, mentorship, and pathways into technology careers. Often referred to as a... Show more

Kelsey Ratcliffe

Kelsey Ratcliffe

Kelsey Ratcliffe is the Founder of KR Criminal Profiling & Analysis and a commercial security consultant with over 15 years of law enforcement experience. A former Lieutenant, child abuse investigator, hostage negotiator, and incident commander, she specializes in workplace violence prevention, behavioral threat assessment, de-escalation strategies, and employee wellness.

Kelsey helps organizations identify concerning behaviors before they escalate into violence, develop practical prevention strategies, and create safer environments for employees, customers, and stakeholders. Her presentations combine real-world experience, behavioral science, and actionable de-escalation tools that audiences can immediately apply in the workplace.

She has delivered training to construction, corporate, educational, and community audiences on topics including workplace violence prevention, behavioral indicators of risk, conflict de-escalation, and resilience through mindfulness practices.

Kelsey Ratcliffe is the Founder of KR Criminal Profiling & Analysis and a commercial security consultant with over 15 years of law enforcement experience. A former Lieutenant, child abuse investigator, hostage negotiator, and incident commander, she ... Show more

Aminata Sanogo

Aminata Sanogo

I am a logistics professional and project manager committed to Internet governance, digital inclusion, and capacity building in Africa. As the Organizational Secretary for the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Côte d’Ivoire, I help coordinate multistakeholder initiatives that bring together various stakeholders to address digital issues. I also participate in projects led by House of Africa Côte d’Ivoire and civil society organizations, with a particular focus on artificial intelligence governance, digital rights, innovation, youth empowerment, and digital transformation. Drawing on my experience in project management and stakeholder engagement, I am committed to promoting inclusive digital policies and strengthening cooperation for sustainable digital development in Africa.

I am a logistics professional and project manager committed to Internet governance, digital inclusion, and capacity building in Africa. As the Organizational Secretary for the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Côte d’Ivoire, I help coordinate multis... Show more

Jason Scott Quinn

Jason Scott Quinn

I’m a NYC-based professional actor, improv comedian, and adjunct instructor. I’ve appeared in theatres all over the country performing in everything from Shakespeare to Neil Simon to Shrek: The Musical. You may have even seen me dancing in my underwear on One Tree Hill or co-starring in commercials with NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon or the Roaming Gnome. Improv comedy is my passion and I can be seen making audiences, my scene partners, and myself laugh regularly at some of the best and worst improv shows in New York City.

As an educator, I have taught Acting, Improvisation, Public Speaking, Communication Studies at too many colleges to mention. I also teach and coach acting, improv, and applied improv for theatres, private groups, and individuals, and in the corporate space.

I’m known at Collegiate Empowerment for connecting with participants from the toughest mandatory audiences to passionate student leaders to coaching participants through my comedy, passion, high energy, and enthusiasm. Within CE, I’m known for focusing on what students want and need, being a kickass teammate and making weird faces during team meetings.

I’m a NYC-based professional actor, improv comedian, and adjunct instructor. I’ve appeared in theatres all over the country performing in everything from Shakespeare to Neil Simon to Shrek: The Musical. You may have even seen me dancing in my underwe... Show more

David R Hankes

David R Hankes

David is a catalyst leader with a strong executive presence and a passion for building networks that inspire confidence and drive innovation. His decades in public sector IT have defined his approach to inclusive innovation, ensuring that products, features, and infrastructure are not only high-quality but also valuable to individuals, businesses, and communities. David’s expertise includes DevOps, user experience (UX), service design, and accessibility. These skills enable him to enhance transparency, increase productivity, deliver value, and boost customer engagement.

David holds an M.S. in Human-Computer Interaction from DePaul University and is a certified Government Chief Information Officer (CGCIO) by Rutgers/PTI. He actively participates in several professional organizations: the Special Interest Group on Computer-Human Interaction (SIGCHI), the Government Management Information Science (GMIS), and the Service Design in Government Community of Practice. Additionally, he has served as a mentor in the General Services Administration (GSA) User Experience Community of Practice.

David is a catalyst leader with a strong executive presence and a passion for building networks that inspire confidence and drive innovation. His decades in public sector IT have defined his approach to inclusive innovation, ensuring that products, f... Show more

Victor Kithinji

Victor Kithinji

Mark Kithinji is a software engineer and co-founder of an AI-driven agriculture platform focused on improving decision-making for farm managers across African contexts. His work centers on building production systems under real-world constraints, including limited infrastructure, incomplete datasets and strict cost ceilings.

He has led the development of data-driven and cloud-based solutions ranging from high-concurrency web platforms to machine learning systems tailored for smallholder agriculture. His recent work explores practical approaches to model design, system resilience and translating complex technical outputs into usable insights for non-technical users.

Mark is particularly interested in how architectural decisions change when constraints are treated as requirements rather than limitations.

Mark Kithinji is a software engineer and co-founder of an AI-driven agriculture platform focused on improving decision-making for farm managers across African contexts. His work centers on building production systems under real-world constraints, inc... Show more

Alexandre Corsi Abdalla

Alexandre Corsi Abdalla

CEO | Palestrante | Head de Agilidade & Inovação | Professor | Conselheiro.

CEO | Palestrante | Head de Agilidade & Inovação | Professor | Conselheiro. Show more

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