Ghassan Barakat has demonstrated a rare ability to move between sectors such as finance, law, technology, and philanthropy, applying strategy while keeping community needs at the forefront. Whether launching startups, growing multi-million-dollar platforms, or supporting charitable initiatives, he has always emphasized systems that strengthen people's lives and leave a lasting legacy.

In 2022, Jason founded Nolos Cabinet Multidisciplinaire Inc., serving as Founder & CEO. Nolos was created to integrate FinTech, InsurTech, and LegalTech under a single platform. This venture aims to democratize financial and legal services, particularly for middle-class families. The company combines a Quebec-based legal firm, a notarial study, and a national financial MGA distributing solutions from Canada's leading institutions. With his leadership, Nolos has expanded through acquisitions and new partnerships. Among these was the acquisition of Skylegal in 2022, followed by creating a charitable foundation in 2023 to help families access justice and financial protection during estate and legacy planning. More recently, Jason acquired a technology firm that builds software for public and private organizations, further enhancing the B2B reach of the Nolos platform.

Before establishing Nolos, Ghassan gained experience as a Strategic Senior Consultant, working with Chubb Insurance and other major industry players. From 2003 to 2021, he was President and Principal Officer with AMF of La Capitale Services Conseils, where he grew assets under management from $300 million to over $3 billion, serving public sector employees with specialized solutions. In 2017, he became President of La Capitale Financial Security, where he expanded national operations for disability and personal finance services, redesigned compensation structures, and created an inclusive and high-performance culture. He also served as President of SSQ Financial Group Distribution, where he modernized retirement planning, oversaw post-merger alignment, and improved client experience and compliance.

Philanthropy has been a central part of Jason Barakat's life for over two decades. He has supported the Guignolet de Saint-Vincent de Paul tradition and contributed to various charitable efforts connected to public institutions and retirement planning. In 2021, he partnered with Peartree Canada to advance philanthropic planning for organizations and families. He later launched the Nolos Foundation, which is dedicated to expanding access to Justice & Family Legacy Planning. Jason is also a volunteer leader for nonprofit boards and interfaith humanitarian initiatives.

Jason studied at Concordia University, John Molson School of Business, focusing on finance, business law, and theology. He has also completed studies in securities, investments, estate planning, insurance, venture capital, and strategic philanthropy, earning certifications in these areas.

Outside of his professional accomplishments, Ghassan Barakat is a devoted husband and father of two. His family provides daily motivation and guides his values of love, faith, and responsibility, shaping his personal and professional life. With empathy, service, and humility, he remains committed to leaving a legacy for his children, his community, and future generations.

Ghassan Barakat has demonstrated a rare ability to move between sectors such as finance, law, technology, and philanthropy, applying strategy while keeping community needs at the forefront. Whether launching startups, growing multi-million-dollar pla... Show more

Brown Ofonime is a senior software engineer and a Tech social activist, born and raised in Nigeria. In around a decade, she grew a diverse exposure to cutting-edge technology frameworks to create resilient products and share best practices of software methodologies and STEM Education. In 2020, Ofonime was awarded the 2023 She Code Africa TechElle award and The 2024 CMX industry award for the best non-profit community professional award, a global Ambassador Award to Women tech network for her extensive achievements in the tech industry, and the Womentech Makers award powered by Google and she is also a chapter lead of She code Africa, Abuja Chapter, Now a Founder of Faith Tech, Africa.

Brown Ofonime is a senior software engineer and a Tech social activist, born and raised in Nigeria. In around a decade, she grew a diverse exposure to cutting-edge technology frameworks to create resilient products and share best practices of softwar... Show more

Meet a seasoned professional known in the digital realm as @tekNorah. With over 15+ years of experience in software development and continuous process improvement, they are a strategic technical leader in the digital agency space. Hailing from Mokena, IL, @tekNorah brings a wealth of expertise primarily serving the education, government, and legal industries.

As a seasoned community leader, @tekNorah is deeply ingrained in the tech community, contributing to Drupal and Open Source Software, and serving on the leadership team for MidCamp. Their knack for organic collaboration and ideation has led to significant organizational performance improvements, making them a sought-after figure in the industry.

With a passion for innovation and a commitment to best practices, @tekNorah’s approach to systems design and change management is both meticulous and forward-thinking. Whether it's crafting tailor-designed solutions from concept to launch or coordinating intern and onboarding programs, their dedication to excellence shines through in every endeavor.

Connect with @tekNorah to tap into their expertise and collaborate on your next project. Driving innovation and efficiency gains, @tekNorah is your go-to partner for transformative solutions in the digital landscape.

Meet a seasoned professional known in the digital realm as @tekNorah. With over 15+ years of experience in software development and continuous process improvement, they are a strategic technical leader in the digital agency space. Hailing from Mokena... Show more

Anish S. Nair is a dynamic and accomplished Corporate Trainer with a rich background in an extensive array of programming languages and cutting-edge technologies. Armed with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, he played a pivotal role as one of the founding members of Logix Space Technologies Pvt. Ltd, contributing to its establishment as a prominent startup specializing in technical and corporate training.

As a founding member, Anish spearheaded the development of Logix Space Technologies, focusing on technical and corporate training. His leadership played a crucial role in the creation of SAFE KIDS, an innovative application that garnered attention from the Kerala State Government and is now implemented in schools across the state.

Anish possesses extensive expertise in a wide range of technologies, including Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Blockchain, MEAN Stack / FullStack Technologies, Big Data, Internet Of Things, iOS, Android, Java, PHP, Python, MongoDB, Cloud Computing, Vue.js, React, Angular, React Native, DART, Google Flutter, and more. He specializes in Mobile and Web app development.

Anish holds the prestigious title of a certified REDHAT Engineer with dual certifications of RHCE & RHCSA, showcasing his proficiency in Linux system administration. Leading the training department at Logix Space Technologies Pvt. Ltd and Link Ur Codes, Anish has been a beacon of knowledge, specializing in full-stack and mobile app development. His training sessions have impacted renowned companies such as Samsung , Harman Kardon, iPrimed (Bengaluru), Reflections, Nest Digital, Prodapt Technologies (Bengaluru), SigniFy (Bengaluru) and many more.

Anish is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of tech enthusiasts, working with students of all ages and backgrounds. His programs, "Women Who Code" and "Coding for Kids," are designed to empower women in coding and introduce young minds to the exciting world of programming and development.

He served as a jury panel member for two events in the Reboot Kerala Hackathon 2020, organized by ASAP Kerala, showcasing his commitment to fostering innovation and creativity in the tech community. Additionally, he is a Board of Studies member at the autonomous college SBCE, Kerala, contributing to curriculum development and academic advancements in emerging technologies.

Anish has a proven track record of delivering engaging, informative, and interactive training sessions. With excellent communication skills, he can explain complex technical concepts in a clear and concise manner, making them accessible and easy to retain. His adaptive training style suits the diverse needs of different audiences, reflecting his passion for sharing knowledge and helping others develop their skills in technology

Anish S. Nair is a dynamic and accomplished Corporate Trainer with a rich background in an extensive array of programming languages and cutting-edge technologies. Armed with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, he played a pivotal role as one of ... Show more

Amy has enjoyed over 26 years working with people in a number of contexts and sectors.

In the last 13 years, she has founded and grown two companies – Alpha Inclusion Ltd and CHMLN Ltd.

Facilitating a culture change with her established teams at Alpha, she transformed it over two years and enjoys watching it thrive and grow as a truly values-based organisation. Not just words on a wall.

In addition to remaining as owner and Director at AlphaIC, Amy, alongside her team of CHMLN Associates, consults, trains and develops leadership programmes for companies and organisations.

Her clients have included high performing teams in the education, finance and legal sectors and a number in local and central Government, including at No. 10 Downing Street.

Amy has enjoyed over 26 years working with people in a number of contexts and sectors. In the last 13 years, she has founded and grown two companies – Alpha Inclusion Ltd and CHMLN Ltd. Facilitating a culture change with her established teams ... Show more

Jeff Harry combines positive psychology and play to heal workplaces, help teams build psychological safety and assist individuals in addressing their biggest challenges through embracing a play-oriented approach to work. Jeff was selected by BambooHR & Engagedly as one of the Top 100 HR Influencers and has been featured in the NY Times, Mashable, Upworthy, Shondaland, & Wired. Jeff has worked with Google, Microsoft, Southwest Airlines, Adobe, the NFL, Amazon, and Facebook, helping their staff to infuse more play into the day-to-day.

Jeff Harry combines positive psychology and play to heal workplaces, help teams build psychological safety and assist individuals in addressing their biggest challenges through embracing a play-oriented approach to work. Jeff was selected by BambooH... Show more

Shivaram K R is an innovator, researcher, and serial entrepreneur. He focuses on the impact of emerging technologies on humanity through his key strengths: initiative, innovation and implementation. He has 20 years of hands-on experience in Artificial Intelligence. He is a domain expert in multiple emerging technologies and has built 11 tech startups to solve the world’s problems. He is currently the Co-founder and CEO of Hue Learn.

Alumni of IIT Delhi, he has 10 years of experience in algorithmic trading and quantitative research. He has built High Frequency Trading strategies and Cross Asset Investment Strategies during his tenure in Bank of America, Edelweiss and Societe Generale. He created a robotics lab to do research on AI, robotics, 3D printing, IoT and other emerging technologies. He started his entrepreneurial journey in 2014 from his lab. He uses the first principles approach to build his startups. He has built products that use AI to solve problems in the domain of commodity trading, genomics, education, drone delivery, high-frequency trading and healthcare. He has advised government bodies and the World Economic Forum on the impact of emerging technologies. He is a TEDx speaker and has spoken at various global forums such as Green Accelerator at Davos during the World Economic Forum Annual Event, COP28 on use of AI in Education.

Shivaram K R is an innovator, researcher, and serial entrepreneur. He focuses on the impact of emerging technologies on humanity through his key strengths: initiative, innovation and implementation. He has 20 years of hands-on experience in Artificia... Show more

As a dynamic Product Designer and Product Owner, I’ve led the end-to-end design and strategy of transformative digital products across Africa, US and in the UK. I previously served as a Product Designer at Torus Mara, where I crafted inclusive fintech and crypto payment experiences that power economic freedom. I also lead product at Lovebox Africa, a tech for good platform reimagining community giving. From scaling early concepts into polished, user-centered platforms to overseeing agile product teams, my work reflects a deep commitment to intentional design, cultural relevance, and high-performance product systems. I’m passionate about creating scalable solutions that solve real-world problems while enabling underserved users to thrive.

I’m also an open-source contributor with Women Coding Community, where I volunteer and collaborate on inclusive tech solutions, and a design mentor at Veet, empowering aspiring designers and product owners across the globe. My prior speaking engagements span product strategy, design systems, tech-for-good, and community-led innovation. I bring fresh, global insight into building cross-cultural, impact-driven digital products, and I’m driven to share this knowledge to inspire the next generation of product leaders. Whether on stage or in workshops, I deliver talks that prompt, equip, and empower audiences to build boldly and build products that solve real life problems.

As a dynamic Product Designer and Product Owner, I’ve led the end-to-end design and strategy of transformative digital products across Africa, US and in the UK. I previously served as a Product Designer at Torus Mara, where I crafted inclusive fintec... Show more

Sebastian Brandt is a Senior Cloud Engineer and Lead Online Platform at Tchibo, responsible for the technical backbone of the company's e-commerce platform. Passionate about operational excellence, he leads his team in operating a scalable and secure cloud infrastructure that enables product teams to deliver software quickly and safely. Outside of work, Sebastian serves his community as a volunteer lifeguard and instructor for the DLRG. Speaker sample (2nd): https://youtu.be/hiATPZ067Pc

Sebastian Brandt is a Senior Cloud Engineer and Lead Online Platform at Tchibo, responsible for the technical backbone of the company's e-commerce platform. Passionate about operational excellence, he leads his team in operating a scalable and secure... Show more

Léonce Pidy est chercheuse en informatique à l’Université de Douala, spécialisée dans les réseaux ad hoc véhiculaires (VANETs) et l’application de l’intelligence artificielle à la mobilité urbaine durable dans les pays en développement. Ses recherches portent sur la conception de protocoles de routage intelligents, l’optimisation du contrôle des feux de circulation et l’intégration de l’IA pour améliorer la fluidité, la sécurité et la durabilité des systèmes de transport.

Engagée dans la transmission du savoir, Léonce est également enseignante d'informatique. Elle s’investit activement dans la formation et l’accompagnement des étudiants au sein de l'université de douala et de JFN(hightech university institute), tout en menant ses travaux de recherche au sein du laboratoire ISDM.

En dehors du milieu académique, Léonce est présidente fondatrice de Dare to be Women Tech, une association qui œuvre pour l’autonomisation des femmes et des jeunes à travers les STEM, en lien avec les Objectifs de Développement Durable (ODD). Elle est aussi ambassadrice Zindi, Co-organisatrice indabax-Cameroun et directrice des communautés de Kmer-AI, où elle contribue à promouvoir l’IA responsable et inclusive au Cameroun.

Animée par la conviction que l’IA peut transformer la mobilité et l’inclusion sociale en Afrique, Léonce aspire à bâtir des solutions technologiques adaptées aux réalités locales, en conciliant rigueur scientifique, innovation et impact social.

Léonce Pidy est chercheuse en informatique à l’Université de Douala, spécialisée dans les réseaux ad hoc véhiculaires (VANETs) et l’application de l’intelligence artificielle à la mobilité urbaine durable dans les pays en développement. Ses recherche... Show more

Renzo Wouters is enterprise architect bij het Ministerie van Justitie en Veiligheid in Nederland. Met meer dan 15 jaar ervaring in enterprise architectuur, richt hij zich op het verbeteren van samenwerking binnen het publieke domein — met name binnen de Strafrechtketen. Renzo werkt aan de ontwikkeling van een waardegedreven en interoperabel digitaal ecosysteem dat publieke dienstverlening versterkt en maatschappelijke meerwaarde centraal stelt. Hij combineert conceptuele modellering (zoals DEMO) met visie op publieke waarde en ecosystemisch denken.

Renzo Wouters is enterprise architect bij het Ministerie van Justitie en Veiligheid in Nederland. Met meer dan 15 jaar ervaring in enterprise architectuur, richt hij zich op het verbeteren van samenwerking binnen het publieke domein — met name binnen... Show more

Michelle Elliott is a passionate advocate for authentic leadership, with over 28 years of experience in education. Known for her empowering presence, and deep belief in the power of vulnerability, she helps women embrace leadership without compromising their values or voice.

Currently serving as the hiring manager at San José Unified School District, her work focuses on creating welcoming spaces where women and other staff can show up fully—and lead with both strength and humanity.

Michelle brings a refreshing perspective on what it means to lead as a woman today: not by hiding vulnerability, but by using it to connect, inspire, and drive meaningful change.

Michelle Elliott is a passionate advocate for authentic leadership, with over 28 years of experience in education. Known for her empowering presence, and deep belief in the power of vulnerability, she helps women embrace leadership without compromis... Show more

Jorge O. Ramirez has over 25 years of experience in early childhood education, working across a wide range of programs including Pacific Oaks Children’s School, Head Start, state preschool, Preschool Collaborative Classrooms (special education), district center programs, faith-based programs, laboratory schools, and private schools. His work with diverse populations and families has shaped his commitment to equity, advocacy, and community-centered practices in early childhood education.
Jorge began his academic journey at East Los Angeles College, earning an A.A. in Liberal Studies, followed by a B.A. in Child Development and a Multiple Subject Preliminary Credential from California State University, Los Angeles. He later earned an M.A. in Education from the University of Southern California’s Rossier School of Education, where his work emphasized advocacy and research-based practice in Early Childhood Education. Jorge is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Early Childhood Education at Pacific Oaks College, with research focused on developing tools and strategies that promote social-emotional development and emotional competence in young children.
He currently serves as Professor at Pacific Oaks College, where he prepares students for leadership roles in child development and education. In addition, he teaches Child Development courses at California State University, Los Angeles and at East Los Angeles College, where he supports students pursuing the Early Childhood Education field.
As a mentor with the California Early Childhood Mentor Program, Jorge guides students from ELAC, CSULA, USC, Rio Hondo College, and CSU Fullerton, offering professional mentorship and strategies for success in the field. His teaching and research are centered on advocacy, equity, and supporting the holistic development of all children.
Jorge believes that by equipping educators with knowledge, compassion, and practical strategies for social change and empower communities for all children.

Jorge O. Ramirez has over 25 years of experience in early childhood education, working across a wide range of programs including Pacific Oaks Children’s School, Head Start, state preschool, Preschool Collaborative Classrooms (special education), dist... Show more

Dr. Roland Nolte is an international leadership expert and keynote speaker with over 13 years of experience leading global teams of hundreds and even thousands. His focus: restoring humanity as the true driver of motivation, collaboration, and sustainable success in organizations. As the founder of re:HUMAN, he combines practical leadership insights with the latest findings from psychology, sociology, and organizational research.

Beyond the stage, Roland lives what he teaches: as a father of four, a farm owner, and someone who understands stress not from theory but from real life. His keynotes inspire leaders and organizations to build trust, foster resilience, and achieve clarity in times of uncertainty. With his mix of academic depth and personal authenticity, he empowers audiences to navigate the future of work with confidence and humanity.

Dr. Roland Nolte is an international leadership expert and keynote speaker with over 13 years of experience leading global teams of hundreds and even thousands. His focus: restoring humanity as the true driver of motivation, collaboration, and sustai... Show more

Yigakpoa is an open-source advocate and technologist working at the intersection of open data, accessibility, digital equity, and sustainability. At CHAOSS Project Yiga serves as a co-chair of the project management team and a maintainer in the Accessibility team - helping improve metrics for assessing the health and sustainability of open-source communities. As COO at CLENT Africa, she collaborates using open-source climate data platforms and energy access tools for community-driven resilience and environmental justice. She also works on civic tech initiatives that enhance government transparency using open data. Asides from contributing to and leading at various open source projects, Yiga is a global speaker and mentors marginalized persons trying to find their way in tech.

Yigakpoa is an open-source advocate and technologist working at the intersection of open data, accessibility, digital equity, and sustainability. At CHAOSS Project Yiga serves as a co-chair of the project management team and a maintainer in the Acces... Show more

Emmanuel Hyacinth is a dedicated tech educator and the Tech Lead of Techstars Hub, a non-profit organization committed to empowering the younger generation with technological skills in Lagos State, Nigeria. Born on October 27, 1991, in Anambra State, Emmanuel is the first born in a family of six, who faced early adversity with the loss of three siblings and his mother. Despite these challenges, his passion for technology was ignited at a young age when he assisted his aunt, a teacher, with tasks involving PowerPoint and MS Word, laying the foundation for his future in tech.
Initially pursuing a career as a teacher, Emmanuel's curiosity and drive led him to learn coding seven years ago. Recognizing the exponential growth of the tech industry and the scarcity of skilled manpower in his region (Nigeria), he founded Techstars Hub. This initiative aims to bridge the gap in tech education in underserved communities, particularly where access to technology is limited. Under his leadership, Techstars Hub has grown from a small group of five students to a thriving community that now impacts numerous young minds.
By leveraging open source tools and resources, Emmanuel has overcome significant barriers—such as limited access to laptops, unreliable electricity, and the challenge of balancing tech classes with regular schoolwork—to provide high-quality education in areas like cybersecurity, graphics designing, frontend and backend development, and more. His work not only makes tech education accessible but also aligns with the principles of open source: collaboration, accessibility, and community building.
In his presentation, Emmanuel will share his journey and the transformative power of open source in education, joined by some of his students who will testify to how these initiatives have shaped their aspirations and careers in tech. A married father of two, Emmanuel continues to be a beacon of hope and innovation, proving that with passion and perseverance, one can turn adversity into opportunity.

Emmanuel Hyacinth is a dedicated tech educator and the Tech Lead of Techstars Hub, a non-profit organization committed to empowering the younger generation with technological skills in Lagos State, Nigeria. Born on October 27, 1991, in Anambra State,... Show more

Analista de TI do Prodest desde 2011 e atualmente atuo como Gerente de Sistemas, liderando quatro supervisões técnicas e dez times de desenvolvimento, totalizando cerca de 70 profissionais. Tenho ampla experiência em desenvolvimento de soluções Web com .Net e C#, gestão de produtos, liderança de projetos estratégicos e coordenação de equipes de sustentação e desenvolvimento de software voltados à gestão pública.

Ao longo de mais de 20 anos na área de TI, atuei tanto no setor público quanto na iniciativa privada, adquirindo experiência em diversas tecnologias, áreas de negócio e perfis de clientes. Também contribui para a formação de novos profissionais como professor presencial e tutor em cursos de Educação a Distância.

Sou graduado em Sistemas de Informação e especialista em Desenvolvimento Web, com pós-graduação na área.

Analista de TI do Prodest desde 2011 e atualmente atuo como Gerente de Sistemas, liderando quatro supervisões técnicas e dez times de desenvolvimento, totalizando cerca de 70 profissionais. Tenho ampla experiência em desenvolvimento de soluções Web c... Show more

Connar McCasland is an instructor at the University of West Florida Center for Cybersecurity. Her career spans public and private sectors, particularly excelling in cybersecurity for county and city government entities. Before her teaching career, she held a leadership role in local government, where she spearheaded a county’s cybersecurity program. There, she led and organized significant cybersecurity projects and assisted smaller government offices with their cybersecurity programs. While in this role, employees often told her that cybersecurity was “only IT’s problem” and “too difficult to understand.” Since then, she has made it her mission to show people how critical cybersecurity is in the current digital age and make it accessible and easy to understand. Before working for the Center, she worked for Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX), where she traveled across the U.S. and its territories, training IT departments, emergency management, first responders, and average citizens in cybersecurity and cyber preparedness. Beyond her professional achievements, Connar actively works to empower and promote other IT and cybersecurity professionals, participating in international organizations such as ISACA and Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS). She holds a B.A.S. in Cybersecurity from Pensacola State College and an M.S. in Information Assurance and Cybersecurity with a specialization in Network Defense from Capella University. She serves on the Board of Directors for the nonprofit IT Gulf Coast and is the Social Media Coordinator for the WiCyS Florida Affiliate.

Connar McCasland is an instructor at the University of West Florida Center for Cybersecurity. Her career spans public and private sectors, particularly excelling in cybersecurity for county and city government entities. Before her teaching career, sh... Show more

Roni Habib is a speaker, author, and expert in helping leaders, educators, and parents become happier, more resilient, more connected to their purpose, and more playful. The founder of EQ Schools, he speaks and leads workshops in organizations nationally and abroad. His dynamic keynotes leave audiences laughing, insightful, elevated, and inspired to take action.

Early in his career, Roni struggled with the high stresses and demands of teaching, even losing touch with why he wanted to be a teacher in the first place. It was so painful that he finally discovered the power of integrating improv, mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and positive psychology in his own life as well as at work and felt called to share this new approach with the world.

In the last decade with EQ Schools, Roni has taught and inspired thousands of Teachers, Principals, Superintendents, Administrators, Business Leaders, and Parents.

Prior to earning his Masters of Education and teaching credential at Harvard University, he lived in Israel and Belgium. Most importantly though, Roni has a huge heart and loves helping people.

Roni Habib is a speaker, author, and expert in helping leaders, educators, and parents become happier, more resilient, more connected to their purpose, and more playful. The founder of EQ Schools, he speaks and leads workshops in organizations nation... Show more

Anuradha Tibile is a powerhouse of creativity and passion, with a voice that can captivate any audience. She has not just mastered the art of storytelling with a degree in Journalism & Mass Communication, but has also been an amazing keynote speaker at various GDG events.

She's a skilled orator who has held audiences spellbound with her speeches, and her knack for crafting visually compelling communication materials shines through in everything she does.

Anuradha is a true changemaker, driven by a desire to use her skills to make a positive impact on the world. Whether it's through her oratory, her leadership, or her creative communication skills, she's constantly pushing boundaries and inspiring others.

Sparked by a passion for technology, she embarked on her professional journey by joining Google Women Techmakers on April 24, 2023. Since then, she has blossomed within the industry, actively contributing to the prestigious Tensor Flow group & Google Developer Groups.

Anuradha Tibile is a powerhouse of creativity and passion, with a voice that can captivate any audience. She has not just mastered the art of storytelling with a degree in Journalism & Mass Communication, but has also been an amazing keynote speaker ... Show more

Erin Mikail Staples is a very online individual passionate about facilitating better connections online and off. She’s forever thinking about how we can communicate, educate and elevate others through collaborative experiences.

Currently, Erin is a Senior Developer Community Advocate at Label Studio. At Label Studio — she empowers the open source community through education and advocacy efforts. Outside of her day job, Erin is a comedian, graduate technical advisor, content creator, triathlete, avid reader, and dog parent.

Most importantly, she believes in the power of being unabashedly "into things" and works to help friends, strangers, colleagues, community builders, students, and whoever else might cross her path find their thing.

Erin Mikail Staples is a very online individual passionate about facilitating better connections online and off. She’s forever thinking about how we can communicate, educate and elevate others through collaborative experiences. Currently, Erin is ... Show more

Nathan is a Project Manager at WebFirst, specializing in Drupal development for federal agencies like NIH, HHS, DHS, and DOL. Passionate about USWDS compliance, digital modernization, and AI tools, Nathan brings his experience in higher-ed tech, and government sectors building Drupal, WordPress, and cloud solutions. He holds a Master’s in Technology Management from Georgetown University and is a board member at WPCampus.

Nathan is a Project Manager at WebFirst, specializing in Drupal development for federal agencies like NIH, HHS, DHS, and DOL. Passionate about USWDS compliance, digital modernization, and AI tools, Nathan brings his experience in higher-ed tech, and ... Show more

Richard Lewington is an award-winning communications consultant, University of Cambridge English Examiner, and international keynote speaker with over 20 years’ experience spanning education, disruptive technologies (AI, AR/MR), international relations, and political affairs.

Currently a Senior Consultant at Globizant and AI Language Consultant for Preply, Richard has advised governments, corporations, and NGOs on digital strategy, public affairs, and cross-cultural engagement. His career includes roles as Global Corporatel Communications & PR Manager at Ria Money Transfer, Political Advisor to the Comunidad de Madrid, and Global Strategic Communications Manager at Blockchain International Training.

A Certified Microsoft Innovative Educator and Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Richard is a recognised advocate for educational technology, specialising in augmented/mixed reality, AI adoption, and blockchain/fintech innovation.

Richard has been featured in The Times, BBC, El País, El Correo, El Debate, ABS-CBN, Espejo Público and has bylines in El País, National Geographic, NASDAQ, The Sun.

He has delivered keynote sessions at high-profile events including:

Codemotion – Rome, Italy
VRX Europe – Amsterdam, Netherlands
DevConf Poland – Krakow, Poland
Google GDG DevFest LA – Los Angeles, USA
Stretch Leadership Conference – Budapest, Hungary
B.I.T. Blockchain – Berlin, Germany
IRCEELT – Tbilisi, Georgia
The Holography Conference – Minsk, Belarus
Global AI/MR Bootcamp – Madrid, Spain
Secure ID – Riga, Latvia

…plus engagements in Greece, Japan, Portugal, and Ukraine.

Richard’s work blends strategic communication expertise with a deep understanding of how emerging technologies can transform learning, governance, and international collaboration.

Richard Lewington is an award-winning communications consultant, University of Cambridge English Examiner, and international keynote speaker with over 20 years’ experience spanning education, disruptive technologies (AI, AR/MR), international relatio... Show more

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

Todd Fletcher is a cybersecurity consultant and PhD student with over 25 years of experience in IT leadership, network, application, public government IT leadership, and security engineering. He currently works as a Professional Services Principal Consultant at CrowdStrike, a leading provider of cloud-native endpoint and workload protection solutions.

As a consultant, he assists information security teams from various sectors to assess their security posture, and develop plans to close security gaps while achieving technical and executive success. He is skilled in agile project management, systems automation, SIEM, SOAR, penetration tools, and security program development based on the NIST framework. He also conducts cloud security and automation with Azure DevSecOps.

In addition to his consulting role, he is pursuing a PhD in cyberpsychology, where he explores the psychological aspects of cybersecurity, such as user behavior, motivation, trust, and risk perception. He is passionate about pushing the boundaries of how to drive successful security initiatives from both a technical and psychological perspective with organizations across many industries.

Todd Fletcher is a cybersecurity consultant and PhD student with over 25 years of experience in IT leadership, network, application, public government IT leadership, and security engineering. He currently works as a Professional Services Principal Co... Show more

Marion Jones is a global voice for resilience, reinvention, and radical truth. Once an Olympic champion, her story took a sharp turn after public failure and personal loss. Rather than disappear, she chose to rise — not for applause, but for alignment.

Today, she shares her journey to help others reclaim their truth, rebuild self-worth, and lead with authenticity. She’s been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show, GMA, The Today Show, and Fox’s Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test. Marion speaks at leadership summits, colleges, DEI events, and healing spaces with powerful presence and practical tools.

Marion Jones is a global voice for resilience, reinvention, and radical truth. Once an Olympic champion, her story took a sharp turn after public failure and personal loss. Rather than disappear, she chose to rise — not for applause, but for alignmen... Show more

Shubhangi is a Product and DevRel person who has built a mental health startup and leads a community of 27000+ techies.

She has been leading diversity initiatives in India since 2018 wherein she has empowered underrepresented groups through active mentorship. She leads Google Developer Groups Noida and Women Techmakers Delhi. She is a GitHub Campus Expert who was invited to attend GitHub Universe 2024. She has given 20+ talks including D&I talks at Google DevFest and MLH Hackcon.

She believes technology has the power to reach an equitable world, her communities focus on going Beyond The Binary. Google Developer Groups Noida is the first community to have an equitable diversity ratio in all meetups and events. She also works on inclusion of the queer community in technical spaces.
When she's not at a meetup, she leads support groups and photo walks around Delhi!

Shubhangi is a Product and DevRel person who has built a mental health startup and leads a community of 27000+ techies. She has been leading diversity initiatives in India since 2018 wherein she has empowered underrepresented groups through active... Show more

Head of the Open Source Office and Incubation at Intersect
"The Open Source Guy"

Head of the Open Source Office and Incubation at Intersect "The Open Source Guy" Show more

I’m passionate about remixing education and technology to create digital solutions that transform learning and expand the reach of educational institutions. I have experience in product strategy, user-centered design, and data analysis, with a focus on developing experiences that engage students and educators while fostering educational innovation.

My work is driven by a forward-looking vision, aiming to anticipate trends and explore the use of artificial intelligence and design to enhance the educational experience. I believe in the transformative power of education and am dedicated to creating products that connect people to new learning opportunities.

I’m passionate about remixing education and technology to create digital solutions that transform learning and expand the reach of educational institutions. I have experience in product strategy, user-centered design, and data analysis, with a focus ... Show more

I am a developer and AI/ML specialist and educator with expertise in machine learning applications and a strong interest in image processing and analysis. Leading AI-focused initiatives like ML paper reading and writing clubs, I emphasize collaborative learning and open-source practices. Passionate about interdisciplinary AI applications, my work explores accessibility, productivity, and sustainability. I actively contribute to community-driven AI/ML events.

I am a developer and AI/ML specialist and educator with expertise in machine learning applications and a strong interest in image processing and analysis. Leading AI-focused initiatives like ML paper reading and writing clubs, I emphasize collaborati... Show more