Gary Gordhamer has dedicated his professional career to exploring the enterprise application landscape and the digitization of business processes. Over the past three decades, he has gained extensive technical expertise in Oracle database, e-Business suite, middleware, and related technologies. His professional background encompasses a diverse range of industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, utilities, and government. Gary is an Oracle ACE Director and is a frequent presenter at Oracle Conferences. Additionally, he is the author of “Oracle Database Performance Tuning: Pocket Solution Guide Series For Upgrading Oracle Databases.”

Gary Gordhamer has dedicated his professional career to exploring the enterprise application landscape and the digitization of business processes. Over the past three decades, he has gained extensive technical expertise in Oracle database, e-Business... Show more

Jeppe is a Senior Engineer at the LEGO Group. He has a background as a software engineer with a focus on Kubernetes and platform engineering.

Jeppe is a Senior Engineer at the LEGO Group. He has a background as a software engineer with a focus on Kubernetes and platform engineering. Show more

Adina Cristocea, M.A., Trainer for Diversity and Inclusion and Participation Peer Counselor at EUTB® (Complementary independent participation counselling), combines her background in psychology of excellence, coaching and instructional design to discuss strategies for building inclusive digital products. Her personal and professional experience in participation policies and programs informs her approach to creating accessible and engaging digital experiences for neurodiverse users.

Adina Cristocea, M.A., Trainer for Diversity and Inclusion and Participation Peer Counselor at EUTB® (Complementary independent participation counselling), combines her background in psychology of excellence, coaching and instructional design to disc... Show more

Mr. Abrar Hussain is a young researcher in the field of probiotics and pursuing his Ph.D. degree from ICCBS, University of Karachi. Mr. Hussain, received his master degree in chemistry/ biochemistry from university of Peshawar, Pakistan. He also obtained C.T. (certified teacher), B.Ed. and M.Ed. degree in Science education from Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad, Pakistan. Recently he completed M.Phil./MS degree in biochemistry from HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry, ICCBS, University of Karachi. He completed his M.Phil. thesis on the "Molecular assessment and validation of the selected enterococcal strains as probiotics". Currently, he is pursuing his Ph.D. in the probiogenomics analysis of probiotic. So far his contribution in the field is the indication of bright future as he published articles in probiotics and delivered lecture and participating in conferences to explore the field of probiotics.
He is also a professional speaker and delivered numerous lectures on different topics. Attending seminars, conferences, and participation in scientific events are the marking agents of his enthusiasm. He is also writing blogs on both scientific and social or religious perspectives. He has more than 100 participation certificate, delivered more than a dozen lectures and present his views in different conferences.
His research skills are also shaping his personality. He has strong research skills and is able to work in a team and independently. He also trained many internships students in his laboratory and also guide multiple students across the country for their scientific writing.
In short, Mr. Hussain is a man of rule, has keen interest for science, have excellent research, writing, and presentation skills. He fell more than happy to helps other students and guide them in their careers.

Mr. Abrar Hussain is a young researcher in the field of probiotics and pursuing his Ph.D. degree from ICCBS, University of Karachi. Mr. Hussain, received his master degree in chemistry/ biochemistry from university of Peshawar, Pakistan. He also obta... Show more

Keynote: The Science of Self-Leadership: How Self-Regulation Drives Higher Performance

Lauren Cartigny is an Executive Coach (ICF PCC) and Leadership Trainer specialising in Self-Leadership for sustainable high-performance to reduce risks of burnout, increase engagement and deliver results.

She guides Founders, CEO and Executives to better understand themselves and master their mind-body connection, so they can lead from a place of well-being rather than survival, to preserve their health, their relationships and create a sustainable high-performance culture.

Drawing on 11 years in international tech sales at LinkedIn, Equinix, and Rackspace, Lauren brings commercial business acumen to her work. She bridges neuroscience, business psychology, and mindfulness with corporate methodologies to deliver results by solving people led issues in companies.

Lauren works with Executives across Europe from her base in London, and is fluent in French and English.

Keynote: The Science of Self-Leadership: How Self-Regulation Drives Higher Performance Lauren Cartigny is an Executive Coach (ICF PCC) and Leadership Trainer specialising in Self-Leadership for sustainable high-performance to reduce risks of burno... Show more

Sachin Prasad is a Technical Program Director of Product Management at IBM, where he leads the platform strategy for large-scale, cloud-native Data and AI systems. With more than two decades of experience in enterprise software and distributed systems, he has played a central role in designing and scaling platforms that support data engineering, machine learning, and AI workloads across highly regulated industries, including finance, healthcare, telecommunications, and government.

In his current role, Sachin is responsible for shaping the technical direction of a shared Data and AI platform that underpins dozens of independent services and product teams. His work spans platform architecture, scalability, multi-tenancy, isolation models, security, compliance, and operational resilience. He works closely with engineering, design, sales, and field teams to translate complex enterprise requirements into scalable, cloud-native capabilities that can be operated reliably at global scale.

Sachin has deep expertise in cloud-native system design, including horizontal and vertical autoscaling, GPU-backed workloads, and resource optimization for mixed training and inference use cases. His work has addressed challenges such as remote data planes, workload isolation, and shared versus dedicated infrastructure models, balancing efficiency with performance, security, and regulatory constraints. He is particularly focused on the operational aspects of AI systems, including runtime selection, inference optimization, lifecycle management, and governance, enabling organizations to move AI solutions from experimentation into production with confidence.

Sachin Prasad is a Technical Program Director of Product Management at IBM, where he leads the platform strategy for large-scale, cloud-native Data and AI systems. With more than two decades of experience in enterprise software and distributed system... Show more

Piyushi Sharma is a Customer Success Support Manager and Senior Business Analyst with over 17 years of experience in managing, developing, and implementing customized solutions to address critical business challenges. She currently leads a Customer Success Support team at IQVIA, where she oversees patient analytics and practitioner analytics operations, driving customer satisfaction through prompt issue resolution and cross-functional collaboration.
Throughout her career, Piyushi has developed deep expertise in pharmaceutical commercial engagement models, including digital and multi-channel strategies, healthcare data analytics, and business intelligence. She has served as a subject matter expert in patient solutions and product management, implementing and delivering SaaS products configured to pharmaceutical client requirements. Her experience spans the full spectrum of analytical and BI projects, from requirements gathering and business process modeling to user acceptance testing and stakeholder training.
Piyushi holds a Master of Science in Business Intelligence and Analytics from Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia and a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management from the Institute of Productivity and Management in India. She also earned a Diploma in Advanced Computing from the Center for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC). Her technical proficiencies include Power BI, SQL Server Management Studio, Jira/Confluence, Smartsheet, Intercom and advanced data validation methodologies.
Prior to her work in healthcare analytics, Piyushi held leadership positions in banking at Axis Bank, Deutsche Bank, and Citibank, and served as an Adjunct Professor at VIVA Institute of Management and Research in Mumbai.

Piyushi Sharma is a Customer Success Support Manager and Senior Business Analyst with over 17 years of experience in managing, developing, and implementing customized solutions to address critical business challenges. She currently leads a Customer S... Show more

I'm a Bioinformatics Engineer who turned to Microsoft Solutions when exploring the possibilities of improving the interaction between clinics/hospitals and their patients.
Years after, I still continue my journey in Power Platform, developing with Canvas Apps and Power Automate to show the power of no-code/low-code.

I'm a Bioinformatics Engineer who turned to Microsoft Solutions when exploring the possibilities of improving the interaction between clinics/hospitals and their patients. Years after, I still continue my journey in Power Platform, developing with ... Show more

I am a Senior Android Developer at Capital One. I hold a Master of Science in Computer Engineering from Northwestern University. My strong academic background fuels my passion for hardware and computer engineering, and I continually seek to apply those principles to enhance the performance of Android applications.

Beyond my role at Capital One, I am dedicated to education and mentorship. I am an Adjunct Professor of Computer Science at the Katz School of Science and Health, teaching a graduate-level course on mobile development. As a selected speaker for the Grace Hopper Conference, I led a workshop for over 200 participants on Android development, sharing my knowledge and encouraging others to explore the field. Outside of work, I enjoy running, hot yoga, triathlons, and gardening.

I am a Senior Android Developer at Capital One. I hold a Master of Science in Computer Engineering from Northwestern University. My strong academic background fuels my passion for hardware and computer engineering, and I continually seek to apply tho... Show more

Xinjiang Shao is a Principal Software Engineer at The Aspen Group, where he works on large-scale healthcare digital platforms spanning patient scheduling, analytics, and compliance-sensitive web experiences. His work focuses on building production-ready systems that bridge modern AI capabilities with existing enterprise and healthcare infrastructure.

Xinjiang Shao is a Principal Software Engineer at The Aspen Group, where he works on large-scale healthcare digital platforms spanning patient scheduling, analytics, and compliance-sensitive web experiences. His work focuses on building production-re... Show more

Mena Cárdenas is an international Keynote speaker, Master Mindset & Results Coach, recognized by Yahoo Finance as one of the Top 10 Mentors to Follow in 2021.

At 17, Mena Cárdenas arrived in Canada as a refugee - without money, without speaking English, and with the emotional weight of fleeing terrorist attacks that devastated her family in Colombia. What could have been the end of her story became the beginning of an extraordinary transformation.

Fueled by resilience and relentless ambition, Mena rebuilt her life from the ground up. She became a manager at one of Canada’s largest banks, competed in a bodybuilding competition, and checked off every traditional marker of success. But behind the accolades, she felt empty - disconnected from herself and her deeper purpose.

That awakening led her on a new journey - not of chasing success, but of becoming the version of herself who could sustain it with fulfillment.

Mena Cárdenas is an international Keynote speaker, Master Mindset & Results Coach, recognized by Yahoo Finance as one of the Top 10 Mentors to Follow in 2021. At 17, Mena Cárdenas arrived in Canada as a refugee - without money, without speaking En... Show more

"With over 8 years navigating the dynamic landscapes of Linux, DevOps, and Cloud, Gourav is a technologist who believes that great architecture is timeless. Currently a Customer Success Engineer at HashiCorp, and previously a Technical Account Manager at AWS, he possesses a rare dual-expertise in both the platform (AWS) and the tooling (Terraform/Sentinel) required to build enterprise-scale infrastructure.

Just as the architects of old solved impossible challenges with discipline and vision, Gourav is dedicated to guiding modern enterprises through their own complex cloud migrations. Passionate about transforming technical friction into success stories, he joins us to demonstrate how ancient wisdom and modern code can come together to achieve victory in the cloud."

"With over 8 years navigating the dynamic landscapes of Linux, DevOps, and Cloud, Gourav is a technologist who believes that great architecture is timeless. Currently a Customer Success Engineer at HashiCorp, and previously a Technical Account Manage... Show more

Giovanni Giamminola is a strategic advisor, author, and researcher specialising in AI-driven
management, cognitive governance, and strategic transformation. He brings over twenty years of
executive experience as CEO in Europe and North America, having led entrepreneurial and
multinational organisations operating at multi-billion-euro scale.
He holds a degree in Economics from Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan and completed
executive education programs at Harvard Business School. His professional background combines
hands-on leadership experience with deep expertise in the design and implementation of large-scale
digital and AI-enabled transformation initiatives, with a specific focus on how artificial intelligence
reshapes decision-making, governance structures, and leadership practices.
Giovanni works with boards and senior leadership teams to design advanced decision architectures
that integrate artificial intelligence, cognitive models, and organisational systems, with the objective
of improving the quality, robustness, and accountability of strategic reasoning in complex
environments.
He is the founder of Systemic Zero, the framework underpinning his work on Cognitive
Governance: a discipline focused on governing hybrid human–AI decision systems and preserving
managerial agency in the age of intelligent machines. His work explores how organisations can
move beyond AI as a productivity tool and treat it as a structural component of strategic cognition.
Giovanni is the author of The Augmented Manager (https://a.co/d/2h5pyox) and The Augmented
Brand, and his publications contribute to the international debate on how AI is redefining strategy,
leadership, competitive positioning, and models of organisational governance. He regularly
contributes to executive education initiatives and public forums on AI, leadership, and the future of
management.

Giovanni Giamminola is a strategic advisor, author, and researcher specialising in AI-driven management, cognitive governance, and strategic transformation. He brings over twenty years of executive experience as CEO in Europe and North America, h... Show more

Annie Phan is a data and AI leader transforming how modern enterprises scale impact through data analytics, AI/ML innovation, and digital operations.
At Diligent Corporation, she serves as Head AI Solution Architect, driving enterprise-wide AI transformation across Sales, Marketing, Legal, and Finance. Annie leads the design and deployment of secure, AI-powered solutions built to automate complex knowledge retrieval and workflows. Her work focuses on architecting scalable AI stacks, ensuring responsible deployment within a governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) context, and integrating AI into core enterprise systems to drive measurable business outcomes.
At Fanatics Collectibles, she led one of the company’s most ambitious digital transformation programs, owning product strategy and delivery for dozens of AI/ML applications supporting hundreds of users across design, production, and business operations. Her work spans cross-functional stakeholder management, agile delivery, generative AI onboarding tooling, and KPI design—driving widespread adoption and lasting operational change.
Previously, Annie served as a Data & AI expert at McKinsey & Company, helping clients in real estate, healthcare, and consumer sectors unlock substantial business value. She led McKinsey’s Advanced Industries AI & Analytics Squad, building capabilities across hundreds of client engagements, and drove global go-to-market execution for Rewired: The McKinsey Guide to Outcompeting in the Age of Digital and AI, reaching thousands of executives across dozens of countries.
Annie is a Founding Member of the AI Think Tank, an international community advancing AI thought leadership and innovation, a member of the Forbes Business Council, recognized for her contributions to technology leadership, and a member of Hackathon Raptors—a prestigious community of seasoned experts and leaders in the field of technology and AI dedicated to advancing innovation and impactful solutions. She is a published thought leader with articles on data talent, analytics translation, governance, and AI-driven change management featured in Forbes, HackerNoon, and DZone. Annie serves as a judge for global tech awards, including Globee Awards and Business Intelligence Group, and speaks frequently on data and AI strategy at industry events and universities, including Brown University.
Annie holds a Master’s in Data Science and a Bachelor’s in Economics & Development Studies from Brown University, graduating magna cum laude. She is fluent in English, Vietnamese, and Spanish.

Annie Phan is a data and AI leader transforming how modern enterprises scale impact through data analytics, AI/ML innovation, and digital operations. At Diligent Corporation, she serves as Head AI Solution Architect, driving enterprise-wide AI trans... Show more

Maryam Umar is a Digital Health Researcher at the Centre for Digital Transformation of Health, University of Melbourne. With a deep-rooted background in community advocacy, Maryam specializes in bridging the gap between innovative technology and equitable healthcare delivery. Her work focuses on ensuring that the digital transformation of health systems is not only technologically advanced but also socially inclusive and community-centred.
At the University of Melbourne, Maryam leverages her expertise to explore how digital interventions can be designed to serve diverse populations, particularly those in underserved or marginalized communities. By combining rigorous research methodologies with the heart of an advocate, she strives to create digital health solutions that are as accessible as they are impactful.

Maryam Umar is a Digital Health Researcher at the Centre for Digital Transformation of Health, University of Melbourne. With a deep-rooted background in community advocacy, Maryam specializes in bridging the gap between innovative technology and equi... Show more

As a Business Development Manager at TDK Technologies, Jen focuses on building authentic partnerships within the custom software space. Beyond the tech world, she is a dedicated advocate for mental health, serving on the Board of Directors for NAMI St. Louis and co-chairing NAMIWalks St. Louis. A frequent contributor to Women We Admire (WWA), Jen is passionate about sharing insights on professional growth, including her signature approach to 'Small Wins' in business and life.

Custom Software Development - Business Development Manager at TDK Technologies (tdktech.com)
NAMI St. Louis - Board Member, NAMIWalks St. Louis co-chair (namistl.org)
Society for Information Management (SIM) member, SIM Women, #SheLeadsTech
Women We Admire (WWA) contributor, member, presenter

As a Business Development Manager at TDK Technologies, Jen focuses on building authentic partnerships within the custom software space. Beyond the tech world, she is a dedicated advocate for mental health, serving on the Board of Directors for NAMI S... Show more

Silvia Triboni is a lawyer with an MBA in Public Management from the Getúlio Vargas Foundation. She has a degree in Sustainability and Human Responsibility from the University of Lisbon and in Coaching and Mentoring from the Getúlio Vargas Foundation.

She is a lecturer, consultant and journalist focusing on the theme of active longevity and intergenerational harmony in companies, in Brazil and Portugal, and has lectured in several countries. She is columnist and international correspondent for companies linked to the interests of people 50+, working in Brazil and Portugal.

An activist against ageism, she is director of the StopIdadism Association in Portugal.

A writer, she has launched the book Employability 50+ in Portugal and Brazil, which presents useful information and strategies for a successful career in maturity, and Intentional Longevity®, with a foreword by Dr Alexandre Kalache, a book aimed at encouraging the conscious construction of a life with purpose, healthy habits and choices.

In his Centenarian Expedition project, he has explored the Blue Zones® and other regions where their inhabitants are exceptionally healthy and long-lived, in order to publicise good practices to his audience.

Silvia Triboni is a lawyer with an MBA in Public Management from the Getúlio Vargas Foundation. She has a degree in Sustainability and Human Responsibility from the University of Lisbon and in Coaching and Mentoring from the Getúlio Vargas Foundation... Show more

Parul is a highly experienced keynote speaker with a flair for making DEI talks exciting again. She delivers informative and engaging talks on neurodiversity, sometimes with a bit of a twist; by using concepts from nostalgic video games!

Parul has delivered keynote talks at LeadDev London, Leeds Digital Festival, Manchester Tech Festival and RecFest.

Parul is a highly experienced keynote speaker with a flair for making DEI talks exciting again. She delivers informative and engaging talks on neurodiversity, sometimes with a bit of a twist; by using concepts from nostalgic video games! Parul ha... Show more

Jeremy Chapeau is a Founding Engineer at SubImage, building a graph-based cybersecurity platform. He brings a unique perspective to cloud security, forged from his experience as a former Communications Officer in the French Navy, including service on nuclear ballistic missile submarines. Transitioning from the depths of secure naval operations to the complexities of cloud environments, Jeremy has led security teams at a healthcare startup, managed SOC teams, and conducted Red Team engagements for the Ministry of Armies. He is an active open-source contributor and maintainer of Cartography (CNCF), and frequently shares insights on operational rigor, threat modeling, and cloud defense strategies at industry conferences. Jeremy combines deep operational experience with a passion for building resilient, secure systems and fostering strong security cultures.

Jeremy Chapeau is a Founding Engineer at SubImage, building a graph-based cybersecurity platform. He brings a unique perspective to cloud security, forged from his experience as a former Communications Officer in the French Navy, including service on... Show more

Jason D. Mays is a mental performance coach, speaker, and training facilitator—and the founder of Cognitecture, LLC—helping athletes, coaches, and professionals build the *mental architecture* to think, lead, and execute at a championship level. With nearly three decades in basketball across college and high school, Coach Mays has coached a National Championship team, guided programs to multiple Final Fours, and led an undefeated 33–0 season that earned him Kentucky Coach of the Year honors.

Today, he translates elite coaching lessons into practical frameworks organizations can apply immediately—building Culture-of-Champions standards, strengthening confidence and composure under pressure, and reframing setbacks into setups. Known for high-energy delivery rooted in faith, discipline, and accountability, Coach Mays equips audiences with tools for sustainable performance, not just motivation.

Jason D. Mays is a mental performance coach, speaker, and training facilitator—and the founder of Cognitecture, LLC—helping athletes, coaches, and professionals build the *mental architecture* to think, lead, and execute at a championship level. With... Show more

Kushal Pokhrel is a globally engaged technology leader and applied AI researcher, bridging the domains of network engineering, cybersecurity, and intelligent systems. With a strong foundation in enterprise infrastructure and over five years of industry experience, he architects robust ICT solutions for Australian telecommunications and consulting sectors. Recognized as a Google Developer Expert in Machine Learning, he collaborates with leading researchers and institutions to develop and publish cutting-edge work in computer vision, generative models, and large language models—contributing to journals like Cybernetics and Systems and conferences such as ACIIDS and Springer LNCS. His academic journey, marked by distinction and awards, reflects his deep commitment to knowledge, earning him invitations as a guest speaker and mentor at institutional showcases. Kushal’s project portfolio spans medical AI systems, adversarial security for LLMs, and multimodal model evaluation—merging research precision with practical innovation. As a passionate educator and speaker, he empowers the next generation of data scientists through structured, real-world teaching. Driven by curiosity and purpose, Kushal consistently pushes the boundaries between academic excellence, open innovation, and scalable technological impact.

Kushal Pokhrel is a globally engaged technology leader and applied AI researcher, bridging the domains of network engineering, cybersecurity, and intelligent systems. With a strong foundation in enterprise infrastructure and over five years of indust... Show more

Your system keeps the data unsafe. You cannot unsee it.

I’m Nikhil, a hands-on Cybersecurity leader and AI Advisor with over 15 years of blending technical expertise with strategic insights.

My journey spans product security, cloud security, application security, data security, DevSecOps, OT security, and AI security.

Here’s what I offer under Be4Breach & Atheon AI:

1. Be4Breach is a company I started in 2021 as a specialized cybersecurity consulting firm to help startups and enterprises in:

• Implementing our proprietary "Security-by-Design" framework that has strengthened cloud, IoT, blockchain, and AI infrastructures, reducing breach vulnerabilities by an average of 73%.

• Turning regulatory requirements (ISO, GDPR, HIPAA) into strategic advantages through our "Beyond Compliance" methodology, enabling clients to accelerate market entry while maintaining robust security postures.

• Providing fractional CISO services and security roadmapping for growth-stage companies, establishing security as a business enabler rather than a cost center.

Our team of 20 security professionals operates from our Pune headquarters, delivering specialized security services that have helped over 75 companies across APAC turn them secure.

[https://be4breach.com]

2. Aethon AI is an elite AI consulting firm that transforms business challenges into competitive advantages through:

• Architecting and implementing enterprise-grade AI solutions that have generated measurable ROI for 75+ companies across industries, turning AI from buzzword to bottom-line impact.

• Delivering specialized AI capabilities (NLP, computer vision, predictive analytics) through our proprietary "AI-as-a-Service" model that eliminates the need for in-house AI teams while accelerating time-to-market by an average of 68%.

• Developing secure, scalable AI frameworks that grow with your business needs, ensuring AI investments deliver sustained value rather than technical debt.

Our team of AI architects, engineers, and developers function as your extended AI department, building production-ready AI features or complete AI-powered products to integrate seamlessly with your technology.

[https://www.aethonai.com]

I’m also building one of India’s largest tech communities - FutureGPT.

An open-source, fast-growing of 22,000+ individuals focused on exploring and innovating with the Internet of Things (IoT) and emerging technologies, including Electronics-Embedded, 5G, Wireless, Data Science, AI-ML, Cybersecurity, Blockchain, VR/AR, etc.

Your system keeps the data unsafe. You cannot unsee it. I’m Nikhil, a hands-on Cybersecurity leader and AI Advisor with over 15 years of blending technical expertise with strategic insights. My journey spans product security, cloud security, a... Show more

Ben Wolfley began his cybersecurity career as a Cybersecurity Officer in the Utah National Guard and served as the executive officer for the Utah National Guard’s Cyber Protection Team. On the civilian side he worked and consulted across financial services, healthcare, big tech, and automotive, focusing on cloud security, application security, AI security, and AI-driven automation.

With seven years of experience in AI, Ben now runs Atlantium AI, where he helps organizations enhance their security operations with AI, secure the AI systems they build, and publishes free AI security educational resources for the community.

Ben Wolfley began his cybersecurity career as a Cybersecurity Officer in the Utah National Guard and served as the executive officer for the Utah National Guard’s Cyber Protection Team. On the civilian side he worked and consulted across financial se... Show more

Sidd Ahmed is the Founder & Chief Executive Officer of VDart Group, a global technology and talent solutions company built on the philosophy of people, purpose, and planet. With no traditional corporate background, Sidd founded VDart and scaled it into a USD 240+ million enterprise, employing 4,000+ professionals across 12 countries and serving industries including automotive, manufacturing, healthcare, energy, and financial services.

As Group CEO, Sidd also leads multiple ventures, VDart Digital, VDart BPM, Vouch, BeRecognized, Hidden Curve, and Verified ID ,driving expansion across key global markets such as Japan, Australia, Malaysia, and the UAE.

Under his leadership, VDart has earned consistent global recognition, including eight consecutive appearances on the Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing Companies in the U.S. list, NMSDC National Supplier of the Year (2023), Toyota Diverse Supplier of the Year, Great Place to Work® Certification, and the Atlanta Business Chronicle Pacesetter Award.

Sidd’s individual honors include "Trailblazer of the Year – GMSDC (2025), Most Admired CEO – Atlanta Business Chronicle (2025), Leader of Change – Times of India, and the Global Entrepreneur Award – CII-Yi.

Beyond business, Sidd is the founder of Project Sidd, through which he has inspired 150,000+ students in person and built a global digital community of over 3 million followers. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Georgia Education Foundation, contributing to education and workforce development initiatives.

A purpose-driven leader and compelling speaker, Sidd Ahmed is widely recognized for transforming business success into meaningful, scalable impact.
Note : He requires an honorarium for conference speaking engagements , negotiable based on scope and travel.

Sidd Ahmed is the Founder & Chief Executive Officer of VDart Group, a global technology and talent solutions company built on the philosophy of people, purpose, and planet. With no traditional corporate background, Sidd founded VDart and scaled it in... Show more

Lars is the Field CTO at Elastisys, makers of Welkin, the application platform for software critical to society. He holds a PhD in computer science and has an extensive background in cloud computing since 2008. He has worked in both industry and academia, contributing to the cloud computing field both via open source projects via his research on cloud capacity management. Lars is an appreciated public speaker as he can speak both to C-suite decision makers about what matters to leadership as well as developers about advanced Kubernetes features that make them more efficient, and everything in-between.

Lars is the Field CTO at Elastisys, makers of Welkin, the application platform for software critical to society. He holds a PhD in computer science and has an extensive background in cloud computing since 2008. He has worked in both industry and acad... Show more

Markus Westergren is a staff engineer with over 20 years of experience. During his work with large backend projects, Markus has repeatedly seen the big impact code quality has on the outcome of the projects and the careers of the developers working on them. Because of that, Markus focuses on helping professional Java back-end developers write maintainable code so that they become sought-after experts in the software development industry. Follow Markus on Bluesky at @maswen.bsky.social.

Markus Westergren is a staff engineer with over 20 years of experience. During his work with large backend projects, Markus has repeatedly seen the big impact code quality has on the outcome of the projects and the careers of the developers working o... Show more

Technology Modernization Leader with over 25 years of experience partnering with C-suites around digital strategy and transformation of their global enterprises into modern businesses translating data into actionable insights.

Deep expertise in cutting edge technology solutions built on Human Centered Product Engineering, Data Science & Statistics, Cloud platforms, Big data, AI & Analytics, and Generative AI/ML algorithms.

Technology Modernization Leader with over 25 years of experience partnering with C-suites around digital strategy and transformation of their global enterprises into modern businesses translating data into actionable insights. Deep expertise in cu... Show more

Matt Garman is The Corporate Adventurer - an inspiring speaker who blends thrilling adventures with significant business acumen to empower individuals and organisations. Drawing on over 30 years of experience of building teams for endurance events such as swimming the English Channel and rowing across the Atlantic Ocean, Matt demonstrates how life’s unconventional lessons, combined with his experience growing and successfully selling 2 of his own technology companies, often surpass traditional classroom learning.

From his early days as a 16 year old crew member on a commercial fishing boat to leading businesses and mentoring leaders, Matt Garman’s story highlights resilience and growth. His talks always offer practical insights, vulnerability, and inspiration to help audiences overcome challenges, think creatively, and lead effectively.

A published author of multiple books, including the latest, An Unconventional Journey Into Leadership, Matt Garman shares thought-provoking ideas that challenge conventional leadership models. Matt is available for keynotes, workshops, and panels, speaking on topics such as resilience, unconventional leadership, and real-world success strategies.

Matt Garman is The Corporate Adventurer - an inspiring speaker who blends thrilling adventures with significant business acumen to empower individuals and organisations. Drawing on over 30 years of experience of building teams for endurance events s... Show more

Since early 2020, George Drazenovic has been a faculty member at University Canada West (UCW) in Vancouver, BC, where he has taught subjects including accounting, finance, entrepreneurship, and corporate strategy. He also served as Chair of Undergraduate Programs for nearly four years. Before his academic career, he worked in the private sector, leading various ventures in the junior public markets.

His professional experience spans HR management, recruiting, industry partnerships, business development, financial reporting, capital budgeting, strategic planning, capital markets, regulatory compliance, and investment valuation. He began his role at UCW as an MBA instructor and was later promoted to Associate Professor. In 2021, he was appointed Chair, reporting directly to the VP of Academics. By the end of 2024, student enrollment and faculty numbers had increased more than tenfold under his leadership. He oversaw program strategy, curriculum updates, academic governance, industry outreach, budgeting, and compliance.

He was responsible for managing three undergraduate programs: the Associate of Arts, the Bachelor of Commerce (ACBSP-accredited), and the Bachelor of Arts in Business Communications. These programs supported over 5,500 students and more than 200 faculty members. He served as a voting member on several committees, including Senate, Curriculum, Governance and Standards, Quality Assurance, Admissions Appeals, and Undergraduate Program Working Committees. He completed the consent renewal for each program and contributed to the development and redesign of numerous courses.

He introduced academic leadership roles that supported faculty growth and strengthened student outcomes. He aligned the accounting curriculum with the CPA Western School of Business and added new certification-aligned and technology-focused courses. His efforts brought improvements in curriculum structure, scheduling systems, and the implementation of a new learning management platform. He also mentored faculty, supported DEI initiatives, launched student engagement activities such as Pitch Night, and expanded professional partnerships.

Before joining UCW, he held roles as CFO, CEO, and Director in multiple public companies. He led mining exploration projects and helped secure funding and support for pharmaceutical research and early-stage clinical trials.

George Drazenovic continues to contribute his knowledge and leadership across education, industry, and research with focus and integrity.

Since early 2020, George Drazenovic has been a faculty member at University Canada West (UCW) in Vancouver, BC, where he has taught subjects including accounting, finance, entrepreneurship, and corporate strategy. He also served as Chair of Undergrad... Show more

Rashonda Harris is an executive advisor, speaker, and founder of Purple Sheep Consulting, with more than 25 years of experience in research administration, compliance, and institutional leadership.

She has served in senior and interim leadership roles across higher education and healthcare research environments, guiding organizations through audit readiness, operational redesign, workforce development, and complex change initiatives.

Rashonda’s work centers on strengthening systems that are often overlooked—departmental research administration, post-award operations, and leadership pipelines—while helping institutions reduce risk and build sustainable practices.

Known for her clear, practical, and human-centered approach, she speaks on leadership, compliance, mentorship, and the unseen dynamics that shape professional advancement. Rashonda brings both strategic rigor and lived experience to every room she enters.

Rashonda Harris is an executive advisor, speaker, and founder of Purple Sheep Consulting, with more than 25 years of experience in research administration, compliance, and institutional leadership. She has served in senior and interim leadership r... Show more