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 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 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 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 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 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

When Douglas Beaven deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan, with the 993rd Transportation Company, he expected combat dangers. He didn't expect to bring home a deadly enemy.

Now, Douglas and Heather are bringing the discipline and resilience they learned in uniform to the domestic frontlines.

Their forthcoming book, Hard to Swallow: Don't Let Dying Kill You is woven together from journal entries, voice recordings, medical records, and public documents. By alternating between Douglas's and Heather's perspectives, the book captures the devastating diagnosis in real time, with all the uncertainty and urgency of events as they actually unfolded.

More than a medical memoir, Hard to Swallow: Don’t Let Dying Kill You is as much a rallying cry for accountability as it is a tribute to the devotion that gives us life when medicine alone cannot.

When Douglas Beaven deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan, with the 993rd Transportation Company, he expected combat dangers. He didn't expect to bring home a deadly enemy. Now, Douglas and Heather are bringing the discipline and resilience they le... Show more

Mari Anne’s housing career began in 1999 as a resident advisor for a privately-owned residence hall on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus. She joined University Housing in 2004 and has held a variety of roles with an eye toward student service during her 22 year tenure. As the director of Housing Information & Marketing, she leads residence hall occupancy management, marketing, communications, and assessment. In addition, Mari Anne champions strategic initiatives to support both students and staff who call University Housing home. Most recently she partnered with other housing executives to implement a culture & climate action plan focusing on staff support structures and developing the next level of strategic leaders in University Housing. Mari Anne received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Communication & Political Science and a Master of Education with an emphasis in Leadership: Training & Development from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Mari Anne has served as an external consultant on occupancy management and assignment operations, is a certified facilitator for Crucial Conversations and regularly collaborates to train others in providing excellent customer service within the campus community.

Mari Anne’s housing career began in 1999 as a resident advisor for a privately-owned residence hall on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus. She joined University Housing in 2004 and has held a variety of roles with an eye toward studen... Show more

Myself Venkata Suresh Babu Kamma a Senior Oracle ERP Cloud Architect with over 20+ years of experience designing, implementing, and governing large-scale enterprise ERP systems across public sector, transportation, higher education, utilities, and regulated capital-program environments.
I am specializes in Oracle ERP Cloud Project Portfolio Management (PPM), Grants Management, Project Costing, Project Billing, Contracts, General Ledger, and Subledger Accounting, with a governance-first architectural approach. My work emphasizes embedding compliance, audit readiness, predictive forecasting, and long-term sustainability directly into ERP system design.
I have led and advised ERP initiatives involving federal and state grants, multi-year capital and infrastructure programs, multi-entity funding structures, and high-scrutiny audit environments. I am expertised with spans both greenfield Oracle ERP Cloud implementations and modernization of complex legacy ERP environments.

I have contributed an enterprise ERP architect focused on governance-driven system design for public sector organizations. My work integrates funding structures, execution controls, financial integration, and predictive oversight into scalable ERP architectures that support long-term accountability and public stewardship. My Original contributions synthesizes his architectural models and governance frameworks developed through hands-on leadership of complex ERP initiatives.

Myself Venkata Suresh Babu Kamma a Senior Oracle ERP Cloud Architect with over 20+ years of experience designing, implementing, and governing large-scale enterprise ERP systems across public sector, transportation, higher education, utilities, and re... Show more

Blake Haygood started teaching high school math in 2007 and later moved into gifted education. As GT Coordinator for Austin ISD, he focuses on: advocacy for gifted learners, curriculum, family/community outreach, and program development and accountability. Blake volunteers extensively with both the Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented and the Profoundly Gifted Retreat—presenting at conferences, supporting committees, and serving on their respective boards. Blake was a 2018 ELP and Advocate for the Gifted in 2022.

Blake Haygood started teaching high school math in 2007 and later moved into gifted education. As GT Coordinator for Austin ISD, he focuses on: advocacy for gifted learners, curriculum, family/community outreach, and program development and accountab... Show more

After a 35-year career in education, Nancy McCarville retired in July 2026 with a passion for helping individuals and teams reach their full potential. Her career began as a high school Art teacher, where she quickly realized her desire to have a greater impact on student success beyond the classroom. This led her back to school to earn her 7-12 Special Education endorsement, spending four years supporting students with diverse learning and behavioral needs.

Nancy's ability to understand people, read body language, and navigate challenging situations inspired her to pursue a Master's degree in Educational Administration. For the next 21 years, she served as a Dean of Students, leading efforts in student discipline, Special Education services, policy development, community engagement, and collaborative partnerships with parents, law enforcement, juvenile court systems, and school activity programs.

Throughout her career, Nancy observed that whether in schools, businesses, or organizations, success is built on the same foundation: effective communication, shared goals, mutual respect, and an understanding of individual strengths. She has worked with countless students, families, educators, and professionals who felt stuck, uncertain, or disconnected from their purpose.

After a 35-year career in education, Nancy McCarville retired in July 2026 with a passion for helping individuals and teams reach their full potential. Her career began as a high school Art teacher, where she quickly realized her desire to have a gre... Show more

Mary Foster is the Heritage and Cultural Arts Program Manager for the City of Allen, Texas, where she oversees programming and interpretation at Allen Heritage Village and supports preservation and interpretation efforts at the historic Allen Cemetery. Her work brings together historic preservation, public programming, community engagement, and parks and recreation to connect residents with the history of their community.

Foster holds a bachelor’s degree in History from the University of Texas at Tyler and previously served as a museum curator at the 1859 Goodman-LeGrand House and Museum, where she curated exhibits and developed educational programs. She also served as Campaign Director for United Way of Smith County, supporting fundraising efforts for 26 local nonprofit organizations.

With nearly a decade of experience working across museums, history, parks and recreation, and nonprofit organizations, Foster is particularly interested in local and recent history, historic cemeteries, urban archaeology, and finding creative ways to make history meaningful and accessible to the communities where it happened.

Mary Foster is the Heritage and Cultural Arts Program Manager for the City of Allen, Texas, where she oversees programming and interpretation at Allen Heritage Village and supports preservation and interpretation efforts at the historic Allen Cemeter... Show more

Mr. Cruz is an associate who provides planning and strategic services to colleges and universities. Mr. Cruz brings a diverse range of experiences from across the entire education sector, with expertise in business operations and information technology management. A strong collaborator and relationship developer, Mr. Cruz is driven toward identifying solutions that create a bridge between institutional knowledge, strategic partnership, and operational success.

Mr. Cruz is an associate who provides planning and strategic services to colleges and universities. Mr. Cruz brings a diverse range of experiences from across the entire education sector, with expertise in business operations and information technolo... Show more

Tanmay S Dikshit
Founder – Cyber Sanskar
is a highly energetic keynote speaker, master trainer, and cyber-intelligence thought leader with over 25+ years of international-level experience in advanced technologies and digital innovation ecosystems. He regularly delivers mission-critical training to military personnel, intelligence units, detectives, and security forces, and is a trusted spokesperson on Cyber Industry & Digital Transformation at leading organizations, universities, and institutions. He actively contributes to academia as a Board of Studies Member and Member of the Departmental Advisory Board, shaping industry-aligned curricula. He has received prestigious Hall of Fame recognition as an Information Security Researcher for responsibly reporting security vulnerabilities across 50+ internal systems of reputed international organizations. His expert insights are regularly featured on reputed radio stations, newspapers, print media, and national TV news channels, and today many of students trained under his guidance are successfully working across the global cyber and technology ecosystem, building impactful careers and strong professional reputations worldwide.

Tanmay S Dikshit Founder – Cyber Sanskar is a highly energetic keynote speaker, master trainer, and cyber-intelligence thought leader with over 25+ years of international-level experience in advanced technologies and digital innovation ecosystems. ... Show more

Shari is an Educational Diagnostician, doctoral student, and parent of a child with a learning disability. Her professional and personal experiences shape her commitment to improving IEP quality and student progress. Her doctoral research focuses on strengthening IEP development, alignment, progress monitoring, and the systems that support meaningful instruction for students with disabilities.

Shari is an Educational Diagnostician, doctoral student, and parent of a child with a learning disability. Her professional and personal experiences shape her commitment to improving IEP quality and student progress. Her doctoral research focuses on ... Show more

Nicole Walker is the Assistant Director of Outreach and Engagement at Louisiana State University's Center for Academic Success, where she leads campus-wide initiatives focused on student success, academic engagement, and belonging. She oversees outreach programming, develops academic success workshops, coordinates bridge and transition programs, and collaborates with campus partners to create meaningful support systems for undergraduate students.

Prior to her work in higher education, Nicole served as a speech-language pathologist, bringing a student-centered approach and strong foundation in communication, learning, and development to her work. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Sciences from the University of South Alabama and a Master of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Louisiana State University. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Research with a concentration in Higher Education Administration at LSU.

Nicole serves as President of the Louisiana College Learning Center Association (LCLCA), where she works to advance collaboration and professional development among learning center professionals across the state. Her research interests include college readiness, bridge programs, academic support services, student persistence, and the role of learning centers in promoting student success.

A frequent presenter at regional and national conferences, Nicole enjoys sharing practical, evidence-informed strategies that higher education professionals can immediately apply on their own campuses. Her presentations blend research, real-world experience, and interactive learning to create engaging sessions that leave participants with actionable ideas and renewed enthusiasm for supporting students.

Nicole Walker is the Assistant Director of Outreach and Engagement at Louisiana State University's Center for Academic Success, where she leads campus-wide initiatives focused on student success, academic engagement, and belonging. She oversees outre... Show more

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

Mojeed began his journey in global sustainability after winning a national climate change contest, which led to a UNESCO-sponsored research tour in Germany. There, he worked alongside Nigeria’s Ministries of Environment and Education, supported by leaders like then-Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, gaining firsthand experience in driving real-world impact at the intersection of policy and global challenges.

Building on that foundation, after having his Bachelor's in Mathematics, he pursued a Master’s in Informatics & Analytics, where he earned a perfect CGPA. He has applied his skills at companies such as Deloitte and KPMG, leading machine learning innovation projects that bridged technology with business transformation.

Today, as CEO of DataGlobal Hub & AI Every Time, he has extended that mission into Data & AI education and accessibility. I have hosted Global Data & AI conferences featuring leaders from OpenAI, Microsoft, Google, and Amazon; partnered with organizations like Microsoft, Packt, and DataCamp; and empowered thousands worldwide through education. Their work has been published on Business Insider, Yahoo News, and more than 900 media outlets globally. This unique blend of sustainability, academic excellence, corporate innovation, and global entrepreneurship positions him to lead a mission-driven company shaping the future of Data and AI. He is also the Chief Data Officer (CDO) of The Strategemist.

He is not just building a company, he is leading a movement born from lived experience, fueled by technical depth, and sustained by a mission to create impact that matters.

Mojeed began his journey in global sustainability after winning a national climate change contest, which led to a UNESCO-sponsored research tour in Germany. There, he worked alongside Nigeria’s Ministries of Environment and Education, supported by le... Show more

Ebony Lawrence is an instructional designer/curriculum developer with Amazon Web Services (AWS). She likes to refer to herself as an “accidental instructional designer,” as her academic background is deeply rooted in public health (BS in health education and MS in health administration), and epidemiology (DrPH). The transition was a natural step, and she has since gained over a decade of valuable experience in higher education, corporate training development, and management consulting. In 2020, Ebony obtained her CPTD and, despite her non-traditional entry into the field, she’s leaned on her diverse background and skills to build her brand.

Ebony Lawrence is an instructional designer/curriculum developer with Amazon Web Services (AWS). She likes to refer to herself as an “accidental instructional designer,” as her academic background is deeply rooted in public health (BS in health educa... Show more

I'm a local government official in the Information Department of the City of Hiroshima. I'm a leading expert on DX human resource development for local government officials and hold a Master of Science in Instructional Systems. I'm currently a doctoral student at the Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, Hiroshima City University, researching DX skill surveys of local government officials and developing an individualized optimal learning system based on instructional design theory. I previously served as a board member of the Japan Registered Information Security Specialist Association (JP-RISSA), having completed my term.

I'm a local government official in the Information Department of the City of Hiroshima. I'm a leading expert on DX human resource development for local government officials and hold a Master of Science in Instructional Systems. I'm currently a doctor... Show more

I am passionate about creating a sense of belonging and social-emotional wellbeing in schools for both children and adults. I've served in public education for over 25 years as a primary classroom teacher, site administrator, independent study program designer and leader, charter school administrator. I’ve worked in district office administration, and most recently as a county office specialist serving Sonoma and Mendocino Counties. I also serve as a coach for 21CSLA and have coached teachers and leaders in many capacities for 15 years. I am trained as a Resilience Coach with Dovetail Learning, and as a trainer for Mental Health First Aid. I am a professional photographer and laser maker, and in my spare time, I enjoy practicing yoga, cooking nutritious food, and traveling to new places.

I am passionate about creating a sense of belonging and social-emotional wellbeing in schools for both children and adults. I've served in public education for over 25 years as a primary classroom teacher, site administrator, independent study progra... Show more

As the Associate Director of Event Logistics & Student Development at the University of South Florida’s Marshall Student Center, Patrick oversees event logistics, audio/visual production, building operations, budget management, and an extensive team of student leaders and employees. Patrick leads daily operations for high‑impact campus events, manages multimillion‑dollar budgets, directs technology & equipment upgrades, and implements the S.E.E.D. Student Development Curriculum, fostering meaningful student growth aligned with University Objectives & Values.

Patrick is a higher education leader known for elevating student experiences, strengthening operational excellence, and delivering seamless event and facility logistics. With more than a decade of progressive leadership across student affairs, event management, and residential education, he brings a holistic, people‑centered approach to developing teams, optimizing systems, and creating environments where students and staff thrive.

As the Associate Director of Event Logistics & Student Development at the University of South Florida’s Marshall Student Center, Patrick oversees event logistics, audio/visual production, building operations, budget management, and an extensive team ... Show more

Dr. Ashley Y. Carpenter is a scholar and leader in the field of gifted education, currently serving as a Clinical Assistant Professor and the Director of Professional Development and Publications at the Center for Gifted Education (CFGE) at William & Mary. Her work is defined by a commitment to equity and excellence, focusing on bridging the gap between academic research and classroom practice. Her leadership in the field was recently recognized with the prestigious 2024 Early Leader Award from the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC), honoring her significant contributions to the growth and development of gifted and talented children.
Dr. Carpenter’s expertise lies at the intersection of underserved gifted populations, twice-exceptional (2e) learners, and the impact of socioeconomic status on talent development. At CFGE, she spearheads national and international professional development initiatives, training educators to implement research-based curricula and inclusive identification practices. She also serves as a key researcher for Project BUMP UP, a federally funded Javits grant focused on increasing math proficiency for high-potential students in high-poverty schools.
A former middle school teacher for 14 years, Dr. Carpenter brings a practical, practitioner-oriented lens to her work. She is a frequent speaker at local and national conferences, where she advocates for the "hidden" gifted student. Through her various roles, Dr. Carpenter continues to foster educational environments where diverse talents are not only recognized but meticulously nurtured.

Dr. Ashley Y. Carpenter is a scholar and leader in the field of gifted education, currently serving as a Clinical Assistant Professor and the Director of Professional Development and Publications at the Center for Gifted Education (CFGE) at William &... Show more

IT instructor and vocational training (FPE) trainer with more than 20 years of professional experience in technology. My background spans software development, systems, Cloud, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.

I currently focus on technical training and continuous learning, combining hands-on experience with technologies such as AWS, Azure, Python, C#/.NET, DevOps and Infrastructure as Code.

I am particularly interested in making complex technical concepts practical and accessible, helping learners develop skills they can apply to real-world IT environments.

IT instructor and vocational training (FPE) trainer with more than 20 years of professional experience in technology. My background spans software development, systems, Cloud, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. I currently focus on technic... Show more

Project and Digital Transformation Leader with over 8 years of experience driving modernization and operational efficiency in the public sector. Expert in the implementation of governance frameworks (COBIT, ISO 27001) and cybersecurity, essential to ensure operational continuity and the protection of citizens’ sensitive data. Proven track record in public sector digitalization, positioning a municipality among the top 2 nationwide, and cybersecurity speaker.

Project and Digital Transformation Leader with over 8 years of experience driving modernization and operational efficiency in the public sector. Expert in the implementation of governance frameworks (COBIT, ISO 27001) and cybersecurity, essential to ... Show more

Named the 2025 ACSA Special Education Administrator of the Year, Dr. Julie Hong is an award-winning educational leader, author, and systems designer with over 21 years of experience across general, special, and alternative education. She currently serves as Director of Instructional Support, Innovation, and Competitive Advantage at the Riverside County Office of Education, where she leads systems that unify Alternative Education, Special Education, and career pathways through student-centered, future-ready design. She is the author of Toward Pedagogy-First AI Integration: A Conceptual Framework Grounded in Relevance to Rigor Flow and Pedagogy in the Loop. Her work advances a human-centered approach to AI integration that aligns with UNESCO’s emphasis on ethical, inclusive, and human-centered AI in education. She has led transformative change across three school districts and two county offices, building instructional coherence in diverse settings. Her work centers on AI Integrated Learning, Project-Based Learning, Universal Design for Learning, and Design Thinking. Dr. Hong also serves as Vice President of Membership for ACSA Region XIX, Past President-Elect of the SWAA Charter, board member for Mosaic Legacy, and CAAPLE mentor to aspiring administrators. She is known for Sparking Joy in Education and reimagining schools through purpose, people, and possibility.

Named the 2025 ACSA Special Education Administrator of the Year, Dr. Julie Hong is an award-winning educational leader, author, and systems designer with over 21 years of experience across general, special, and alternative education. She currently se... Show more

Michael Grajera is a Software Engineer and AI/ML Systems Lead at Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL), where he develops AI-enabled software and developer tooling for complex operational systems. His work focuses on applying artificial intelligence to real-world engineering problems, including retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), local language models, developer productivity, and trustworthy AI.

Alongside his industry work, Michael is pursuing a PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Utah State University, where his research focuses on reliable activity intelligence and human-AI decision support in operational environments. His research emphasizes explainable AI, uncertainty quantification, and human-in-the-loop systems that help people make better decisions rather than replacing them.

Michael enjoys bridging the gap between AI research and practical software engineering. His presentations focus on lessons learned from building AI systems that engineers can actually deploy, maintain, and trust in production

Michael Grajera is a Software Engineer and AI/ML Systems Lead at Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL), where he develops AI-enabled software and developer tooling for complex operational systems. His work focuses on applying artificial intelligence to rea... Show more

Dr. Monifa McKnight is an accomplished executive leader, governance strategist, and former Superintendent of Montgomery County Public Schools, one of the largest school districts in the United States. With more than 25 years of experience leading complex institutions, she is known for guiding organizations through high-stakes transitions, strengthening governance, and building resilient, people-centered leadership cultures. As Founder of McKnight Lotus Leadership Group, she advises executives and boards on leadership strategy, crisis navigation, and sustainable performance. She also serves as a leadership coach for the University of Maryland’s Central Office Leadership Academy (COLA) and holds board roles with Bowie State University, Africa University, and the National Capital Area Council of Scouting America.

Dr. Monifa McKnight is an accomplished executive leader, governance strategist, and former Superintendent of Montgomery County Public Schools, one of the largest school districts in the United States. With more than 25 years of experience leading com... Show more

Motivated by entrepreneurship and innovation. Currently positioned as an Agilist and Innovation Consultant, with more than 15 years of experience in the area of Consulting and Agile Project Management. I also worked as a University Professor, Lecturer, collaborating in the main Brazilian public bodies; as well as in the main companies in Portugal.

Master in Computer Engineering and Web Technology and Postgraduate in Software Engineering and Project Management.

Motivated by entrepreneurship and innovation. Currently positioned as an Agilist and Innovation Consultant, with more than 15 years of experience in the area of Consulting and Agile Project Management. I also worked as a University Professor, Lecture... Show more

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