John Volturo is an executive coach, leadership strategist, and sought-after speaker who helps leaders and organizations thrive in complex, fast-changing environments. A former global Chief Marketing Officer who drove more than $1.5 billion in revenue across multiple sectors, John brings the real-world perspective of a C-suite leader to every stage and workshop he leads.

As President of the International Coaching Federation Los Angeles and a Partner at Evolution, John has coached and developed hundreds of executives who’ve advanced to CEO, CMO, COO, and other senior roles at Microsoft, IBM, Twitter, Credit Karma, Slack, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Match Group.

John’s signature Prove Nothing™ Framework—rooted in neuroscience, vertical development, and his personal story of surviving a brain tumor—helps leaders shed outdated patterns, own their impact, and build cultures of trust and belonging.

His keynotes and workshops are known for being interactive, thought-provoking, and immediately actionable. His most popular talks include Leading Strategically in a Rapidly Changing Environment and Effective Decision Making Under Pressure, as well as Embracing Conflict to Innovate. John has been featured in Diversity Woman (cover story), DiversityComm, and Bold Journey, and has appeared on podcasts including Crafting Solutions to Conflict, Authenticity with John Volturo, and Scaling CEO with Glenn Gow.

His upcoming book, The Prove Nothing Framework: Leadership Lessons from My Brain Tumor, blends memoir and leadership insight to inspire audiences to redefine success and come home to themselves.

John Volturo is an executive coach, leadership strategist, and sought-after speaker who helps leaders and organizations thrive in complex, fast-changing environments. A former global Chief Marketing Officer who drove more than $1.5 billion in revenue... Show more

The Founder of Mastishk, an AI-powered personalised learning platform designed to empower students, teachers, and parents through intelligent assessments and adaptive learning. With a vision to make education more human, personalised, and purposeful, he is leading Mastishk’s mission to bring high-quality learning innovation to Tier-2 and Tier-3 schools in India.

Before founding Mastishk, Manoj served as Head of AI & Software Centre India at Rolls-Royce Power Systems, where he scaled a 75+ member team, delivered enterprise-grade digital transformation, and initiated AI strategy for global business units.

An Executive MBA graduate from IIT Bombay and Washington University in St. Louis, Manoj brings a rare blend of technical depth, strategic vision, and human-centred leadership, making him a sought-after speaker on AI in education, the future of learning, and leading with empathy in a digital world.

The Founder of Mastishk, an AI-powered personalised learning platform designed to empower students, teachers, and parents through intelligent assessments and adaptive learning. With a vision to make education more human, personalised, and purposeful,... Show more

Muskaan (Pearl) Juneja is the Founder of Wiseversity, a learning platform connecting mentors and learners for focused, real-world guidance. She is also the author of Unhooked: The Way to Your Higher Self and two other books on career growth and personal development. With a background in data analytics and product strategy, Pearl currently works as a Solutions Delivery Analyst at Holt CAT, combining her expertise in technology, business, and human potential to drive impact. She’s passionate about empowering individuals to grow through data, purpose, and learning.

Muskaan (Pearl) Juneja is the Founder of Wiseversity, a learning platform connecting mentors and learners for focused, real-world guidance. She is also the author of Unhooked: The Way to Your Higher Self and two other books on career growth and perso... Show more

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, 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

Gursimar, a Consultant and Google Developer Educator, is dedicated to empowering individuals through Education, Mentorship, and Open-Source. As an author for freeCodeCamp and Top Contributor, he shares his expertise globally. He's a sought-after speaker at international conferences and universities, fostering a culture of learning. His passion lies in mentoring others, evident in his roles as a Section Leader for Code in Place and Google Cloud Facilitator.

Gursimar, a Consultant and Google Developer Educator, is dedicated to empowering individuals through Education, Mentorship, and Open-Source. As an author for freeCodeCamp and Top Contributor, he shares his expertise globally. He's a sought-after spea... Show more

Chukwuemeka works on the part of technology that code doesn’t solve: people.

For more than 12 years, he has built and run teams for international organisations funded by major donors such as USAID, the Global Fund, the Gates Foundation and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. As Country HR Manager at Wildlife Conservation Society and Nutrition International, he led people practice across Anglophone and Francophone West and Central Africa, from safeguarding training for forest rangers to retreats for more than 200 staff across two countries. He sat on country management teams, moved international staff across borders, and worked with UK colleagues to keep contracts fair and consistent for people working between Europe and Africa under very different labour laws.

He is known for unblocking careers. At one organisation, staff had waited up to eight years for promotion. He led the work that cleared it: more than 14 promotions, four moves into senior leadership, and a smooth succession from a Country Director of 30 years to a leader still in post today.

As an Independent Policy Advisor, he works on digital and AI governance across Africa, with engagements from GITEX Africa in Marrakech to the Africa CISO Summit in Nairobi. His question for tech teams is simple: when algorithms start deciding about people, who is accountable?

Chukwuemeka works on the part of technology that code doesn’t solve: people. For more than 12 years, he has built and run teams for international organisations funded by major donors such as USAID, the Global Fund, the Gates Foundation and the Lon... Show more

Khurram Chughtai is a strategic counsel, legislative researcher and educator in law, policy and governance whose work connects legal practice with the governance of technological change. He is the Founder and Chief Strategic Counsel of KSC.JUSNREM, bringing more than two decades of professional experience since 2003 across corporate and commercial law, constitutional and administrative matters, legislative reform and public policy. A former law officer in the Office of the Advocate General, Punjab, he brings practical experience of public institutions and the exercise of legal authority to his research on digital governance.

He has 15 years of teaching experience, including visiting lectureships at Quaid-e-Azam Law College, Lahore, and Bahria University, Islamabad. His teaching has covered Cyber Law, Technology Law, Cybersecurity Law and Policy, electronic evidence and intellectual property, alongside constitutional law and public-interest litigation. This sustained engagement with legal education connects emerging technologies to the legal questions they raise for courts, regulators, businesses and citizens.

His research record begins in 2002, with early work on Borderless Crimes and Governance of Cyberspace in Pakistan. During 2002–2004, he worked as a Research Coordinator and Research Associate within the ADB / Asia Foundation Access to Justice and Innovation in Legal Education programmes, including research on introducing cyberspace laws into the LL.B. curriculum. His subsequent work combines doctrinal and comparative legal research with legislative drafting, institutional analysis and applied policy development.

His digital-rights advocacy includes a 2013 public-interest petition before the Supreme Court of Pakistan seeking the timely and transparent introduction of 3G services. He pleaded that internet access formed part of constitutionally protected rights to life, education, business, and the receipt and communication of information. The petition connected these rights with the State’s responsibility to modernise telecommunications and maintain an effective regulator. The proceedings subsequently addressed the 3G and 4G spectrum auctions. This work connects his early cyberspace research and teaching with practical constitutional advocacy.

His research and writing span privacy and data protection, digital rights, cybersecurity, digital assets, digital constitutionalism and sovereignty, public finance, health security and institutional accountability. His work includes data-protection law research beginning in 2005 and proposed legislative frameworks for digital ecosystems and digital assets in 2021. These enquiries draw on experience in legal practice, public service and institutional reform.

His current programme includes the developing manuscripts JUS.automica: Jurisprudence of Intelligent Order (https://jus-automica.digital), Reconstituting Public Power, The Constitution of Fiscal Order, and Code, Law and Capital. Alongside these works, he is developing policy papers on Sovereign, Legislative, Judicial and Governance Intelligence. Together, they examine how institutions understand their mandates, organise knowledge, exercise judgment and remain accountable as data and computational systems become part of public decision-making. Research and public drafts can be explored at https://ksc-jusnrem.io/research.

His digital work translates these enquiries into research environments and legal-information tools. It includes Qanun Maps beta, a developing legislative-intelligence and legal-source mapping initiative (https://jusnrem.legal); Constitution.codes, a public constitutional-information demonstrator (https://constitution.codes); and JUS.smart, a legal-technology and governance-intelligence initiative begun in 2015 (https://jus-smart.digital). He showcased JUS.smart at the IGF Village in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2024. These projects explore access to law, the relationship between legal texts and institutional mandates, and the preservation of sources, legal meaning and routes of review.

Through KSC.JUSNREM (https://ksc-jusnrem.io) and its Governed Intelligence Commons (https://ksc-jusnrem.space), he brings this work into public inquiry and interdisciplinary dialogue. His approach connects Evolutionary Intelligence, Strategic Intelligence and Anticipatory Intelligence. At IGF 2026, he is convening discussions around JUS.automica and the proposed Intelligent Institutional Act Test, alongside the Global Observatory of Intelligent Public Institutions initiative. His central concern is how technological capability can strengthen institutional judgment while preserving lawful authority, responsibility, rights and effective remedies.

Khurram Chughtai is a strategic counsel, legislative researcher and educator in law, policy and governance whose work connects legal practice with the governance of technological change. He is the Founder and Chief Strategic Counsel of KSC.JUSNREM, b... Show more

Dr Paweł Kowalski is an attorney-at-law and an assistant professor at the Faculty of Law of SWPS University in Warsaw, where he teaches AI Law and Global Laws on Artificial Intelligence. Since March 2025 he has been Plenipotentiary of the President of the National Bar Council of Attorneys-at-Law for New Technologies, and he co-authored the 2025 Recommendations of the National Bar of Attorneys-at-Law on the use of AI-based tools. His work covers AI law in the legal professions and public administration, including the EU AI Act, data protection and professional secrecy, and the responsibility of management boards for deploying AI. He founded LuminAI Institute and is President of its Management Board.

Dr Paweł Kowalski is an attorney-at-law and an assistant professor at the Faculty of Law of SWPS University in Warsaw, where he teaches AI Law and Global Laws on Artificial Intelligence. Since March 2025 he has been Plenipotentiary of the President o... Show more

Sarah K. Heeter disrupts traditional business paradigms as a formidable entrepreneur, policy strategist, and advocate for values-driven leadership. With 15+ years mastering the intersection of marketing excellence and operational innovation, she commands respect as founder and CEO of Podfox Media, a globally recognized force in digital influence, and as the incisive host of Big Brave Business, where her top-ranked conversations challenge conventional wisdom on ethical commerce and revolutionary leadership.
As the former Director of Public Policy for the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Phoenix Chapter and a distinguished Public Policy educator at Arizona State University, Sarah shapes tomorrow's business landscape by championing integrity-centered governance and inclusive decision-making frameworks. Her keynotes and expert panels deliver actionable strategies that transform how organizations approach leadership, ethics, and sustainable growth in an increasingly complex marketplace.

Sarah K. Heeter disrupts traditional business paradigms as a formidable entrepreneur, policy strategist, and advocate for values-driven leadership. With 15+ years mastering the intersection of marketing excellence and operational innovation, she comm... Show more

Merav Mofaz is part of the fast-track PhD program for excellent students in Tel Aviv University, conducting a study that deals with continuous monitoring and early detection of health and wellbeing related events using smartphones and smartwatches. Merav is an excellence award-winning lecturer in the Faculty of Engineering. In addition, she works as data scientist in Microsoft Education group where she develops advanced models for personalized learning and diagnosing at-risk students.

Merav Mofaz is part of the fast-track PhD program for excellent students in Tel Aviv University, conducting a study that deals with continuous monitoring and early detection of health and wellbeing related events using smartphones and smartwatches. M... Show more

Sameer is a certified corporate secretary (equivalent to ICSA, UK NARIC and MACS), lawyer and global public policy practitioner, with cross-sectoral experience working at the intersection of policy, society, sustainability, and technology. He is currently working with the National Internet Exchange of India under the Internet Governance Division of the Ministry of Electronics and IT. During his professional journey, he has collaborated and liaised with diverse stakeholders across the technical community, civil society, private sector, academia, government/intergovernmental organisations. He also led multiple dialogues and engagements in advancing multistakeholder and multilateral dialogues across cross-functional sectors on a wide range of emerging public policy issues, including APTLD85/89/90, ICANN85, Asia-Pacific/South-east Asia/ Singapore/India IGF, Universal Acceptance Day, Indo-German as well as published and presented multiple research papers and articles nationally, regionally and globally to create an open, stable, free, doable, interoperable, reliable, secure, inclusive, and sustainable digital ecosystem.

Sameer is a certified corporate secretary (equivalent to ICSA, UK NARIC and MACS), lawyer and global public policy practitioner, with cross-sectoral experience working at the intersection of policy, society, sustainability, and technology. He is curr... 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

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

労働省（現 厚生労働省）に入省し、ハローワークの基幹業務システムの更改などに携わる。大和総研ビジネス・イノベーション（現 大和総研）では、2011〜2015年度に総務省・内閣官房のマイナンバー制度の調査研究や、中間サーバーの整備支援・利活用の検討に従事。アクセンチュアで電力・ガス会社のIT戦略を担当した後、住宅ローン会社でオペレーション改革やコンシューマー向けWebサービスの立ち上げを、パーソルホールディングスでグループのIT戦略とアジャイル推進を担う。現在はGovTech東京で東京都庁の約600の業務システムのクラウド転換の伴走支援をリードし、副業で自治体向けのコンサルティングや、生成AI・RAGの構築・内製化支援を行っている。

労働省（現 厚生労働省）に入省し、ハローワークの基幹業務システムの更改などに携わる。大和総研ビジネス・イノベーション（現 大和総研）では、2011〜2015年度に総務省・内閣官房のマイナンバー制度の調査研究や、中間サーバーの整備支援・利活用の検討に従事。アクセンチュアで電力・ガス会社のIT戦略を担当した後、住宅ローン会社でオペレーション改革やコンシューマー向けWebサービスの立ち上げを、パーソルホールディングスでグループのIT戦略とアジャイル推進を担う。現在はGovTech東京で東京都庁の約60... Show more

Elit Cenk Alp is a Software Architect and technology professional with 15+ years of experience in enterprise software, financial technology, public-sector platforms, distributed systems, and infrastructure automation.

His experience spans software architecture, hands-on engineering, and technical leadership across complex enterprise projects. His current focus is enterprise AI, particularly conversational systems combining intent and entity recognition, multi-model orchestration, security controls, API integration, and dynamic user interfaces.

He is passionate about transforming conversational AI from response-generating chatbots into systems that securely execute real-world services and transactions.

Cenk also has an academic background in machine learning and computer vision, with published research on human activity recognition using HMM and LSTM models. He mentors early-career software developers through collaborative engineering programs.

Elit Cenk Alp is a Software Architect and technology professional with 15+ years of experience in enterprise software, financial technology, public-sector platforms, distributed systems, and infrastructure automation. His experience spans software... Show more

Dr. Jacklyn Sanders is an Assistant Professor of the Practice and Extension Specialist at Prairie View A&M University, where her work focuses on student success, mentorship, leadership development, and community health education. She previously served as Interim Associate Dean for Academic Programs in the College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (CAFNR).

Dr. Sanders coordinates mentoring initiatives designed to support students across critical stages of their collegiate experience, including first-year transition, peer mentoring, career development, and preparation for life beyond college. Her work includes leadership with the PAWS Mentoring Program and CAFNR’s Mentor Collective initiatives, where she develops mentor training, engagement strategies, and structured opportunities that strengthen students’ sense of belonging, confidence, professional development, and academic success.

A passionate educator and mentor, Dr. Sanders is committed to creating intentional pathways that inform, empower, and elevate students while preparing them to lead, serve, and succeed in their educational and professional pursuits.

Dr. Jacklyn Sanders is an Assistant Professor of the Practice and Extension Specialist at Prairie View A&M University, where her work focuses on student success, mentorship, leadership development, and community health education. She previously serve... Show more

I started my career as a school counselor in New Jersey and spent 16 years in schools before moving into program management. A lot of what I learned there still applies, especially when a project’s real problem turns out to be about people rather than process.
At Capital Technology Group (CTG), I manage a federal technology modernization project for Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, replacing the legacy user systems for two of its research facilities with a single cloud-based platform. The work includes data migration, role-based access control, and knowledge transfer so the lab’s own developers can maintain the system after handoff. I also provide PMO support on a DHS USCIS DevSecOps contract, where I lead Agile Scrum ceremonies and sprint planning. Across both, I handle stakeholder management, risk tracking, and client reporting with government clients, internal teams, and subcontractors.
Inside CTG, I co-chair the Agile Center of Excellence, building templates, onboarding toolkits, and training for program managers, scrum masters, and business analysts. I also designed and piloted a Transitional Manager program for new hires, interview technical candidates, and support staff through the security clearance process.
Before CTG, I worked on USAID institutional support contracts. As Senior Program Manager on a $41.6M contract with a 36-person team, I handled financial forecasting, staffing, and performance management, earned strong CPARS ratings, and led a full contract closeout within 30 days of a stop work order. Earlier, as an Operations Manager on a $95M contract, I oversaw recruitment, compliance, and HR operations, and helped manage a vendor network of more than 100 small businesses, universities, and consultants.
At the National Center for Women & IT (NCWIT), I directed a national program, managed partnerships with Microsoft, Google, Apple, and Salesforce, and secured grant funding and sponsorships. I also served as project manager for the Microsoft Guide to Inclusive Computer Science Education.
I’ve written 12 books, mostly for kids and school counselors. I was New Jersey School Counselor of the Year in 2017, and William Paterson University named me one of its “50 Alumni Under 50.” I mentor WPU students through the Pesce Family Mentoring Institute.
I hold PMP and CSPO certifications. When I’m not working, I’m usually riding rail trails on my bicycle.

I started my career as a school counselor in New Jersey and spent 16 years in schools before moving into program management. A lot of what I learned there still applies, especially when a project’s real problem turns out to be about people rather tha... Show more

Patrick Henley has served as the Director of Human Resources and Risk Management with the Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority for more than seven years. He has worked in various HR and Risk Management leadership roles for more than 20 years. Additionally, he teaches courses in HR, Management, & Technology at the college level. Patrick earned his bachelor’s in psychology from Kennesaw State University, a master’s in business administration from Troy University, and recently earned a doctorate in business administration at the Florida Institute of Technology. He holds both the SPHR & SHRM-SCP certifications.

Patrick Henley has served as the Director of Human Resources and Risk Management with the Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority for more than seven years. He has worked in various HR and Risk Management leadership roles for more than 20 years. Additio... Show more

Dr. Terza Lima-Neves is a scholar, author, and community advocate. She is professor of political science at Johnson C. Smith University. Her research interests focus on African diasporas, gender and community building. Lima-Neves has published 2 edited volumes focused on Cabo Verde, gender, and diaspora relations. Terza is also the cofounder and executive director of Poderoza International Conference on Cabo Verdean women. She lives in Charlotte, NC.

Dr. Terza Lima-Neves is a scholar, author, and community advocate. She is professor of political science at Johnson C. Smith University. Her research interests focus on African diasporas, gender and community building. Lima-Neves has published 2 edit... Show more

Khadijah El-Usman is a digital rights advocate, legal practitioner, researcher, and policy expert leading Paradigm Initiative’s (PIN) Anglophone West Africa programs. As Senior Programmes Officer, she drives policy advocacy, strategic litigation, and capacity-building to advance internet freedom, digital rights, across the region.
With expertise in data governance, artificial intelligence, elections, and women’s rights online, Khadijah has successfully led coalition responses to legislation, policy dialogues, and digital security training for civil society, journalists, and the judiciary. She is also a first responder on PIN’s Ripoti platform, supporting victims of digital rights violations.

Khadijah El-Usman is a digital rights advocate, legal practitioner, researcher, and policy expert leading Paradigm Initiative’s (PIN) Anglophone West Africa programs. As Senior Programmes Officer, she drives policy advocacy, strategic litigation, and... Show more

Chris Hidalgo is an Information Security professional with 10 years of academic service experience and 6 years working with information systems. Having completed degrees in Economics and Information Science, Chris' career trajectory has focused on understanding how people decide, evaluate, and trust solutions in their business
operations. In his free time, Chris enjoys gaming, wrangling cats, and doting with his
wife over their son.

Chris has presented talks for the 2022 Tandem KEYS conference, the 2024 BSides
Austin conference, and two talks for the StudyGRC Youtube channel. He also
volunteers as co-lead for the Public Speaking Masters group in the Simply Cyber
Community.

Chris Hidalgo is an Information Security professional with 10 years of academic service experience and 6 years working with information systems. Having completed degrees in Economics and Information Science, Chris' career trajectory has focused on un... Show more

I’m an educator, speaker and psychology-informed consultant with a background in psychology, educology, marketing and business. I was born in Lithuania and have lived in Malta, Greece and Portugal, which means I don’t assume there is one universal experience of being a woman.

My talks glue together psychology, research, cultural observation, real stories and humour, and challenge the norms we were taught to obey without questioning.
I’m not there to give women 10 steps to become a better version of themselves, optimise their morning routine or finally learn how to balance everything. ChatGPT can generate a pretty good list in seconds.
I’m much more interested in sharing a real-life experience they will be talking about after the conference is over.

I’m an educator, speaker and psychology-informed consultant with a background in psychology, educology, marketing and business. I was born in Lithuania and have lived in Malta, Greece and Portugal, which means I don’t assume there is one universal ex... Show more

公立千歳科学技術大学 情報システム工学科 准教授．博士（理工学）．
大学の技師として学習支援システムの企画・設計・開発・運用・保守を担当した後，2013年から研究職に移り，2024年より現職。千歳市バスロケーションシステム（〜2022）などの開発を経て，現在はシステム開発手法，プログラミング教育の研究に従事。
2015年からJavaユーザーグループ北海道を立ち上げ、スタッフとともに年4回のイベント開催に取り組む。

公立千歳科学技術大学 情報システム工学科 准教授．博士（理工学）． 大学の技師として学習支援システムの企画・設計・開発・運用・保守を担当した後，2013年から研究職に移り，2024年より現職。千歳市バスロケーションシステム（〜2022）などの開発を経て，現在はシステム開発手法，プログラミング教育の研究に従事。 2015年からJavaユーザーグループ北海道を立ち上げ、スタッフとともに年4回のイベント開催に取り組む。 Show more

Emerald Akhaumere, a 22-year-old Nigerian trailblazer, is rewriting the narrative in the world of technology. Her journey began at the age of 15, fueled by an unquenchable passion for tech and a fierce determination to make a difference.

Emerald's tech odyssey has been nothing short of remarkable. Her early involvement in SWENext kindled her love for the field, setting the stage for an incredible transformation. From these roots, she ascended to become a Collegiate Member and a Collegiate Club Lead, championing inclusivity in STEM.

Emerald's accomplishments in the SWE Recruitment Challenge, where she clinched top positions multiple times, speak volumes about her zeal for SWE's mission and the advancement of women in tech. She believes that innovation thrives in diversity, and she's a living testament to this ideology.

But her journey didn't stop there. Emerald's commitment transcends borders; she proudly serves as a SWE Global Ambassador, amplifying the organization's impact and values globally. She's passionate about fostering a global community that empowers women to thrive in the tech universe.

As the newly appointed GDSC Lead at BAZE University, Emerald is poised to make an indelible mark. Her leadership and dedication are set to empower a new generation of tech enthusiasts.

Emerald's story is a testament to the incredible potential that emerges when passion meets dedication. She's breaking barriers, paving the way for underrepresented voices in tech, and proving that age is no limit when it comes to making waves in the world of technology.

Emerald Akhaumere, a 22-year-old Nigerian trailblazer, is rewriting the narrative in the world of technology. Her journey began at the age of 15, fueled by an unquenchable passion for tech and a fierce determination to make a difference. Emerald's... Show more