Giridhar Raj Singh Chowhan is a seasoned software leader with over 17 years of international experience, including more than 13 years at Microsoft. Currently serving as a Senior Partner Solution Architect at Microsoft USA, he has built a distinguished career spanning multiple roles as Technical Program Manager, Solutions Architect, Technical Lead, and Software Engineer across diverse industries including retail, healthcare, agriculture, and manufacturing.
Throughout his tenure at Microsoft, Giridhar has been instrumental in designing and launching major cloud solutions, including Microsoft Cloud for Retail Products (Store Operations Assist, Personalized Shopping AI Agent and Store Operations AI Agent), Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare, and Microsoft Vaccination Management. His technical expertise encompasses the full Microsoft ecosystem: Dynamics 365 ERP and CRM applications, Azure services, Power Platform, AI solutions, and data integration platforms—a rare combination that positions him as a unique asset in the digital transformation landscape.
Giridhar's impact extends beyond technical contributions. He led the technical workstream for New Zealand's largest farming co-op digital transformation, one of Microsoft's top 5 global projects, generating multimillion-dollar returns. His work on COVID-19 vaccination portals for King County and Montgomery County demonstrated his ability to deliver critical solutions under pressure. He has authored comprehensive training materials published on Microsoft Learn and contributed to Well Architected frameworks for healthcare and sustainability industries.
As owner and moderator of a LinkedIn technical community with over 14,000 members, including executives from major technology companies, Giridhar actively fosters industry knowledge sharing. His expertise is recognized globally—he was ranked #77 among Microsoft Dynamics Top 100 Influential People worldwide and #6 in Asia by DynamicsWorld.co.uk in 2012.
Giridhar's extensive certification portfolio includes multiple Microsoft Dynamics, Azure, and Power Platform credentials, reinforcing his technical depth. His international experience across the USA, Canada, Germany, and New Zealand, combined with his mentorship of numerous professionals, reflects his commitment to driving innovation and developing talent in the technology sector and is an official member and expert panelist in Forbes Technology Council.

Giridhar Raj Singh Chowhan is a seasoned software leader with over 17 years of international experience, including more than 13 years at Microsoft. Currently serving as a Senior Partner Solution Architect at Microsoft USA, he has built a distinguishe... Show more

Ask Michael Schmitt what makes an organization succeed, and the answer stays the same regardless of industry: clear expectations, strong systems, capable and empowered teams, and accountability to measurable standards. That philosophy has held constant across military service, corporate healthcare, entrepreneurship, and federal technology.

He learned it first in the United States Marine Corps, where 20 years of leadership across worldwide assignments taught him that preparation and resilience determine outcomes, and that developing others matters as much as any single mission. Many of the Marines he mentored went on to lead teams of their own.

He carried the same principles into the private sector, earning top-performer recognition at Pfizer and Medtronic while operating inside strict regulatory frameworks that reward precision and ethical decision-making. When he founded Central Tox LLC, doing business as Semper Fi Labs, in 2014, he applied that thinking to building an organization, leading development of the proprietary Elevate laboratory information system and establishing a culture where operational excellence was the norm. Central Tox is the only SDVOSB holding a National MOU and an Interservice Security Agreement, and its multi-year Exceptional CPARS ratings, awarded by government evaluators, reflect consistent execution.

His work in health information technology through PHI Fortress, the only SDVOSB operating within the AWS GovCloud VA enterprise space, applies the same discipline to healthcare interoperability for veterans, earning the 2026 FORUM Innovation Award for a production-ready solution.

Michael believes that while technologies, regulations, and markets change, the fundamentals of leadership do not. Integrity, preparation, adaptability, and accountability remain the foundation of durable success. He holds two bachelor's degrees and an MBA, and he supports the Wounded Warrior Project, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, and the ASPCA.

Ask Michael Schmitt what makes an organization succeed, and the answer stays the same regardless of industry: clear expectations, strong systems, capable and empowered teams, and accountability to measurable standards. That philosophy has held consta... Show more

Pavan Kumar Kodati is a Lead Data Engineer / Senior Data Engineer with 12+ years of professional experience in delivering enterprise-grade application solutions across Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals, Entertainment, Financial Services, Geotechnical, and Marketing & Sales industries. He has worked across all phases of the development lifecycle, with strong expertise in data engineering, cloud platforms, big data processing, AI-driven architectures, ETL/ELT pipelines, and enterprise data warehousing.
Pavan’s recent experience includes working with Citi Bank, where he designed and built AI agentic architectures using LLMs, Google Vertex AI, Claude, PyTorch, and FastAPI for Critical Data Element discovery, metadata mapping, lineage tracing, and data governance workflows. He has also developed API-driven metadata ingestion frameworks, optimized PostgreSQL schemas, and integrated scalable AI inference pipelines for enterprise applications.
Previously, at NASDAQ, Pavan led the migration of Ruby-based data pipelines to Python 3 on AWS, building scalable and secure data platforms using Lambda, S3, EMR, Glue, EC2, SNS, and IAM. He has engineered petabyte-scale data ingestion pipelines using Apache Spark, PySpark, Scala, Databricks, and Kafka, supporting both batch and real-time data processing workloads.
His experience also includes building and optimizing data solutions for Novo Nordisk, USAA, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Florida Blue, Haley and Aldrich, Sree Venkateshwara Power Controls, and Cognizant Technology Solutions. Across these roles, he has worked extensively with AWS, Azure, Hadoop, Hive, Spark, Snowflake, Redshift, Databricks, Airflow, Terraform, Docker, Kubernetes, Python, SQL, Scala, Tableau, and Power BI.
Pavan holds an MSIT and an MBA from the University of Massachusetts Boston, along with a BTECH from JNTU. His background combines strong technical expertise, cloud data engineering, AI/ML pipeline development, data governance, DevOps automation, and business-focused analytics, making him a highly experienced professional in enterprise data modernization and cloud-based analytics platforms.

Pavan Kumar Kodati is a Lead Data Engineer / Senior Data Engineer with 12+ years of professional experience in delivering enterprise-grade application solutions across Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals, Entertainment, Financial Services, Geotechnical, and ... Show more

After 9+ years of exploring the dynamic landscapes of Linux, Open Source, DevOps, Cloud, and Microservices, I have embarked on a new chapter as a Customer Success Engineer at HashiCorp. My mission? To be the advocate for our customers, ensuring they maximize their use of HashiCorp’s cutting-edge tools and continue to scale their infrastructure with confidence.

In my journey, I’ve always been driven by a passion for finding innovative solutions that transform complex challenges into success stories. From consulting and developing ideas to shaping the future as a solution architect, I’ve honed my skills to guide customers through the world of technology, all while fostering lasting relationships that deliver results

After 9+ years of exploring the dynamic landscapes of Linux, Open Source, DevOps, Cloud, and Microservices, I have embarked on a new chapter as a Customer Success Engineer at HashiCorp. My mission? To be the advocate for our customers, ensuring they ... 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

Abdulrafiu Izuafa is an AI/ML engineer, edtech entrepreneur, and Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP). As the co-founder of Notes, he is committed to bridging educational gaps across Africa and the Caribbean through AI-powered learning tools. He currently serves as a Senior AI/ML Consultant at Onyx Data, specializing in Microsoft AI and cloud technologies to drive business innovation.

Passionate about technology and education, Abdulrafiu actively shares insights with the global tech community. His expertise spans AI research, cloud computing, and developer tools, making him a sought-after speaker and mentor. Recognized for his contributions to AI accessibility and inclusive learning, he continues to push boundaries in the intersection of AI, education, and social impact.

Abdulrafiu Izuafa is an AI/ML engineer, edtech entrepreneur, and Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP). As the co-founder of Notes, he is committed to bridging educational gaps across Africa and the Caribbean through AI-powered learning tools. H... Show more

Alex Eze is the creator of Orkestra, a declarative runtime for Kubernetes operators. A former clinical pharmacist, currently an Infrastructure Engineer with the NHS. He taught himself to code after a job interview revealed a gap in his Kubernetes operator knowledge — and spent the following years closing that gap, not just for himself but for every engineer who has looked at operator boilerplate and walked away. Orkestra is the result: a runtime built on the idea that your CRD is enough.

Alex Eze is the creator of Orkestra, a declarative runtime for Kubernetes operators. A former clinical pharmacist, currently an Infrastructure Engineer with the NHS. He taught himself to code after a job interview revealed a gap in his Kubernetes ope... 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

Josefin Hahn is a certified nature mental trainer with professional roots as a lawyer in the field of renewable energies. From this time, she knows exactly what mental load, high pressure and complex decisions mean. Today, she combines nature awareness, mental self-management and mindfulness to help people achieve greater inner peace, strength and relaxed thinking – in a working world that is often fast-paced and demanding. She also works as a coach and speaker.

Josefin Hahn is a certified nature mental trainer with professional roots as a lawyer in the field of renewable energies. From this time, she knows exactly what mental load, high pressure and complex decisions mean. Today, she combines nature awarene... Show more

David Dawson is a seasoned Business Analyst with 30+ years' experience transforming business needs into technical solutions in aerospace, government, and healthcare industries. Specializing in requirements analysis, process optimization, and digital transformation, he has led implementations and agile projects at Boeing, Department of Defence, and more recently at IQVIA. Through his unique leadership style and flair, David has earned the respect of his peers which had led to him being formally recongised by receiving the Mark Donaldson VC award. He is currently completing his Masters of International Business through the Queensland University of Technology. A Polish-Australian dual citizen, he is passionate about fostering operational excellence.

David Dawson is a seasoned Business Analyst with 30+ years' experience transforming business needs into technical solutions in aerospace, government, and healthcare industries. Specializing in requirements analysis, process optimization, and digital ... Show more

Christina Pepin, professionally known as Tina Pepin, serves as Executive Director of the Pepin Family Foundation and continues a third-generation commitment to philanthropy in Tampa Bay, Florida. Her leadership focuses on public safety, healthcare, education, and mental health initiatives that deliver measurable, lasting community impact. Through strategic partnerships and responsible oversight, she advances programs that support families, first responders, and healthcare professionals across the region.

Tina is guided by the example of her grandfather, who was allowed to attend college by a family he once served. That experience shaped his lifelong dedication to giving to givers. She works to uphold the mission embraced by both her father and grandfather, ensuring that their shared values of service and generosity continue across generations.

Over the years, she and her family have supported numerous charitable organizations in Tampa Bay. These include the Chief of Police Foundation, Tampa Police Department, the Suncoast PBA, Hands Across the Bay, Arise Alliance, Vincent Jackson Foundation, Hook A Hero, Operation Restore, and many others. These collaborations reflect a steady investment in public safety, youth development, healthcare services, and community partnerships.

Tina Pepin has also been actively involved with The Pepin Academies, founded in 1999 as a non-profit, tuition-free public charter school serving third through 12th-grade students, along with a transitional job training program for 18- to 22-year-old students. Nearly three decades later, the academies serve more than 1,200 students and over 850 graduates across campuses in Tampa, Riverview, and New Port Richey. Qualified students receive therapy at no cost, including access to social workers, mental health counselors, occupational therapists, physical therapists, sensory integration services, and speech language programs.

She served on the board of Pepin Academies for nearly three years and values the individualized learning approach that supports both academic progress and personal development. The environment fosters a sense of belonging and prepares students for future educational and career opportunities. The Foundation also contributes to community engagement through Pepin’s Hospitality Centre, offering space for culture and cuisine in Tampa Bay.

Christina Pepin actively supports the mission of the Pepin Heart Institute as part of the Foundation’s longstanding healthcare commitment. Established in 1986 by Tom and Arthur Pepin, the Institute focuses on research and patient-centered cardiac care aimed at eradicating heart disease. She continues to promote initiatives that improve cardiac outcomes and broaden access to advanced treatment options.

Public safety remains a central priority within the Foundation’s initiatives. Mental health and resiliency programs are designed to assist law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics, and other front-line professionals who frequently encounter traumatic events. These efforts emphasize sustainable systems of care that strengthen wellness and long-term support for first responders.

Tina Pepin believes that serving those who serve the community is essential to a strong and healthy region. During a nursing crisis in Tampa, the Foundation partnered with the University of South Florida to support young nursing professionals. It partners with the Tampa Police Department to strengthen resiliency, officer wellness, and mental health programming. It collaborates with Sun Coast Police Benevolent Association President Jonathan Vazquez and General Counsel and Executive Director Sasha Lohn, Esq., to launch a first-of-its-kind law enforcement mental health college certificate program for active and retired officers to earn college credits and an applied mental health certificate. In January 2026, she was recognized with an award for her support of Rise Tampa, the official Foundation for the Tampa Police Department.

Christina Pepin continues to foster collaboration among healthcare providers, educators, and public safety leaders throughout Tampa Bay. She has supported initiatives such as the USF Pepin Family Summer Nursing Pathway Program and the expansion of mental health resources for first responders. A 2021 graduate of Belmont University, Jack C. Massey College of Business with a Bachelor of Business Administration BBA, she also participated in the Winterline Global Education program, pitching a business venture at MIT in Boston, and studying management and international business in the United States and Asia. Through steady leadership and consistent service, she remains committed to meaningful and lasting community impact.

Christina Pepin, professionally known as Tina Pepin, serves as Executive Director of the Pepin Family Foundation and continues a third-generation commitment to philanthropy in Tampa Bay, Florida. Her leadership focuses on public safety, healthcare, e... Show more

Supriya Medapati is a technology and product leader with over 16 years of experience driving innovation at the intersection of artificial intelligence, data science, and digital products. She currently leads Product Management, UX Design, and Research for Alexa Personalization and Proactive Experiences at Amazon, where she develops large-scale AI-driven conversational systems used by more than 100 million customers. Her work focuses on advancing conversational intelligence, contextual recommendations, and multimodal experiences powered by large language models.
Previously, Supriya served as Vice President of Product and Growth at Qure.ai, a Sequoia-funded healthcare AI company, where she led the neurocritical care product portfolio and launched AI-powered radiology and telehealth products deployed across more than 100 hospitals globally. Earlier in her career at Sabre, she spent a decade building and scaling digital commerce and airline technology platforms that generated significant revenue for global airline partners.
Supriya holds an MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management as a Sloan Fellow, where she was awarded the Dean’s Fellowship, and a BTech in Biotechnology from IIT Madras. She has been recognized through global hackathons, published work in AI and machine learning, and speaking engagements on AI innovation in healthcare and technology.

Supriya Medapati is a technology and product leader with over 16 years of experience driving innovation at the intersection of artificial intelligence, data science, and digital products. She currently leads Product Management, UX Design, and Researc... Show more

I am an iOS developer at the MSU Apple Developer Academy, where I built a production Vision Pro cardiac emergency training simulator in partnership with Henry Ford Health. The app integrates a real-time C++ physiology engine, AHA ACLS-compliant scenarios, and is the only app of its kind on visionOS.

I am an iOS developer at the MSU Apple Developer Academy, where I built a production Vision Pro cardiac emergency training simulator in partnership with Henry Ford Health. The app integrates a real-time C++ physiology engine, AHA ACLS-compliant scena... Show more

Paul Innella, CEO of TDI, is a globally recognized cybersecurity executive with over 30 years of experience advising critical infrastructure, government, and enterprise organizations. He pioneered Cybersecurity Performance Management (CPM), a strategic approach to measuring cybersecurity effectiveness in operational environments. Paul has guided top institutions including DARPA, the U.S. Navy, Deutsche Bank, and the IMF. His insights have appeared in Forbes, Financial Times, CNBC, and ABC News. He holds CISSP-ISSMP, CISM, and NSA IAM certifications and completed executive programs at Cambridge, IMD, and Edinburgh Business School. He also chairs White Hat USA, supporting Children’s National Medical Center.

Paul Innella, CEO of TDI, is a globally recognized cybersecurity executive with over 30 years of experience advising critical infrastructure, government, and enterprise organizations. He pioneered Cybersecurity Performance Management (CPM), a strateg... Show more

Dr. James C. Rodríguez, MSW, CADC
President & Chief Executive Officer, Fathers & Families Coalition of America
Author | Founder, Borinqueño Within Press | Certified Executive Coach | Clinical Social Worker | Veteran | Researcher | Policy Architect | Curriculum Developer | International Trainer

"I am a Boricua. A dad. A soldier. A professional social worker. An advocate. A teacher. A professor. A counselor. And a friend. And with every role, I lead with love and serve with purpose."

Biography
Dr. James C. Rodríguez, MSW, CADC, is a globally celebrated architect of fatherhood engagement, social policy reform, and transformative leadership development. For over four decades, he has shaped public health, child welfare, mental health, and professional education—building bridges across disciplines, communities, and continents. His career is defined by multidimensional leadership and a relentless pursuit of equity, healing, and opportunity for all. A proud father, soldier, social worker, and visionary educator, he has devoted his life to helping people rediscover hope, dignity, and purpose. His reach spans early childhood education, public health, leadership development, and fatherhood advocacy—fields that, in his hands, become pathways toward healing and intergenerational equity.

"Insights give way to dreams—developing vision—creating purpose that ends in your why."

Foundations: Service, Resilience, and Cultural Identity
Born into a low-income household and shaped by the adversity of the child welfare system, James began his journey at age 17 as a U.S. Army Combat Medic. By 22, he became one of the youngest Substance Abuse Counselors in the Department of Defense, retiring with honors and meritorious distinction in the reserves. Over more than two decades of military service, he developed expertise in trauma response, behavioral health, and law enforcement. This experience forged his devotion to discipline, compassion, and advocacy for the vulnerable.

James's service has been recognized at the highest levels: he is the recipient of the Presidential Lifetime Call to Service Award (President Barack Obama), Points of Light Award (President George H. W. Bush), Meritorious Service Medal (U.S. Department of Defense), and Congressional Certificates from Maxine Waters, Sheila Jackson-Lee, Barbara Lee, and Diane E. Watson. He is deeply honored by the Ceremonial Elder Proclamation from the Qutekcak Native Tribe of Alaska, the National Social Worker Leadership Resolution (FFCA), and hundreds of additional accolades from national, state, tribal, and community organizations.

Architect of Systems Change: Building Movements, Securing Hope
As founder and CEO of the Fathers & Families Coalition of America (FFCA), Dr. Rodríguez transformed a grassroots Arizona network into an international force with offices in California and Puerto Rico, and active partnerships across North America, the Caribbean, Africa, Europe, and Australia. He was instrumental in creating one of the nation's first TANF-funded fatherhood programs, a model that generated over $75 million in resources and has been replicated nationwide. Under his leadership, FFCA's International Families & Fathers Conference—now in its 27th year—has become a global destination for educators, policymakers, and innovators, advancing justice and family well-being.

A founding steering committee member of the Fatherhood Research & Practice Network (FRPN) at Temple University, James has shaped federal research and policy, serving as principal investigator and senior research consultant on projects for the Office of Refugee Resettlement, CDC, NIMH, and the Oregon Center for Applied Science. His work has driven advances in public health, trauma-informed care, and family resilience.

Signature Curriculum Development and Thought Leadership
James is a master architect of transformational curricula and professional development, including the Advanced Practitioner Credential™ Course (NASW Arizona-approved), OAR Leadership Institute™ (Ownership • Accountability • Responsibility), FFCA DiSC Model™, Ikigai & The Power of Kintsugi™, and SAMHSA-approved Fatherhood and Mental Health Curriculum. He also developed the Strengthening Families Through Nurturing Leadership model. His trainings are lauded for blending cognitive science, neuroplasticity, emotional intelligence, trauma-informed care, and actionable leadership strategies, and have reached over 30,000 professionals—social workers, educators, clinicians, nonprofit leaders, and public officials—across the U.S. and four continents. Over 85% of program graduates report improved outcomes, including higher client engagement and service completion.

Certified as an Executive Coach, Master Trainer for The John R. Wooden Course™, Certified DiSC® Trainer, Life Coach, Ikigai Coach, and Schema Therapy Practitioner, Dr. Rodríguez's leadership development institutes have set new standards for excellence in behavioral health and family services.

Academic Impact, Mentorship, and Global Teaching
Dr. Rodríguez's educational reach is extraordinary. He has served as faculty, lecturer, or keynote at:

University of Southern California
Arizona State University
Morehouse College
Howard University
Columbia University
Yale University
University of Houston
Clark Atlanta University
Mesa Community College
Central Arizona College
Cornell University
Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico
University of the West Indies (Jamaica)
University of Guelph (Canada)
Malcolm X College
Sobo Tribal Nation
Navajo Nation
Qutekcak Native Tribe (Alaska)
Numerous First Nations and international partners
He developed and directed over 30 undergraduate and graduate courses, established statewide programs, and has keynoted and taught from Ivy League classrooms to tribal communities. He serves on the editorial board of PHYLON: The Clark Atlanta University Review of Race and Culture, which he joined upon the appointment of Dr. Obie Clayton, Jr., and supports scholarship on race, family, and social change.

Policy Leadership, Board Service, and Community Engagement
Dr. Rodríguez's policy influence extends to every level of government. He has developed legislation for Connecticut's Fatherhood Initiative, served on Arizona and California TANF/family-strengthening task forces, and advised the New York City Mayor's Fatherhood Advisory Council, DYCD, and ACS. He has shaped policy in partnership with SAMHSA, Region II Head Start, the State of Maryland, and the National Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health. He has provided expert testimony before the U.S. House Ways & Means Committee. He collaborates with Congressman Danny K. Davis and hosts national Fireside Policy Roundtables on equity, child support, and education reform.

His board service is cross-sectoral and visionary, including:

100 Black Men – Arizona Chapter
AGAPE Adoption Agency
Maricopa County Human Services
Fatherhood Corrections Network
Black Family Preservation Institute
And numerous national, state, and tribal boards
Public Health, Equity, and Systems Innovation
James has led multiple national initiatives addressing mental health equity, early childhood wellness, and culturally responsive care—serving Latino, African American, Somali, First Nations, and other underserved communities. His work with the Somali Association of Arizona, the Hispanic/Latino and African American Parent Depression Research Project, and tribal partners has been recognized for its transformative impact on systems and inclusion.

Author, Storyteller, and Purpose-Driven Advocate
As founder of Borinqueño Within Press and author of the forthcoming The Purpose Within—Rise Out of the Ashes Like the Phoenix, Dr. Rodríguez's story is a testament to resilience, hope, and the enduring power of purpose. He weaves together memoir, leadership philosophy, and spiritual reflection, inspiring audiences to discover their own capacity to lead and transform.

Personal Values, Humanity, and Enduring Legacy
Above all, Dr. Rodríguez is a father, grandfather, and mentor. He draws daily inspiration from his children—Antonio (Cassandra), Amber Rodríguez-Young, LMSW (Daric), and Jazmín Rodríguez—and his grandchildren, Ariston and Adalena. His life and work are an expression of core values: love, empathy, humility, and a drive to uplift others. Whether leading a boardroom, inspiring a conference, or building coalitions for social change, James delivers wisdom, practical strategies, and hope—leaving every audience moved to action.

"Leadership is not about titles. It is about being water—shaping, flowing, and giving life wherever you go." — Bruce Lee.

If your organization seeks a keynote speaker, leadership institute facilitator, or strategic advisor who brings unparalleled experience, intellectual rigor, cultural fluency, and a proven record of impact, Dr. James C. Rodríguez is the transformative presence your audience deserves.

Contact:
james.rodriguez@fathersandfamiliescoalition.org
www.fathersandfamiliescoalition.org

"Never The End, Never Goodbye, Just I love You." – Your Friend, James

Dr. James C. Rodríguez, MSW, CADC President & Chief Executive Officer, Fathers & Families Coalition of America Author | Founder, Borinqueño Within Press | Certified Executive Coach | Clinical Social Worker | Veteran | Researcher | Policy Architect ... Show more

Sheena Yap Chan is a Wall Street Journal bestselling author, keynote speaker, strategist, and award-winning podcaster renowned for her expertise in elevating leadership and self-confidence through media. She is the founder and host of the acclaimed podcast, The Tao of Self-Confidence, where she interviews women about their journeys to self-confidence. With over one million downloads, her podcast ranks among the top 0.5% most popular shows globally and features over 800 interviews, including conversations with celebrities and eight-figure CEOs. Sheena's influence extends beyond podcasting. Her debut book, The Tao of Self-Confidence: A Guide to Moving Beyond Trauma and Awakening the Leader Within, published by Wiley, is a Wall Street Journal and Publishers Weekly bestseller. It is also recognized as one of the top 20 best self-confidence books of all time by Book Authority, the world's leading site for book recommendations. Her work has been featured on prominent platforms such as MindValley, FOX, NBC News, and the Manila Times. Sheena is dedicated to closing the gender confidence gap through her training and programs, aiming to elevate women into leadership roles across all industries. She has delivered impactful speeches for organizations like Live Nation, NASA, and UKG, sharing her insights on self-confidence and leadership.

Sheena Yap Chan is a Wall Street Journal bestselling author, keynote speaker, strategist, and award-winning podcaster renowned for her expertise in elevating leadership and self-confidence through media. She is the founder and host of the acclaimed p... Show more

I’m passionate about turning data into insight and technology into transformation. With a laser focus on client experience, I thrive at the intersection of innovation and impact—helping organizations unlock the full potential of their data through cloud-native solutions and intelligent analytics.
Whether leading strategic initiatives or diving deep into technical design, I’ve partnered with clients across industries to accelerate cloud adoption, envision high-value use cases, and build differentiators that drive real business outcomes. From AWS to Azure, IBM Cloud to GCP, I bring a multi-cloud perspective and a hands-on approach to every engagement.
I love sharing knowledge and sparking ideas—delivering workshops, webinars, hackathons, and technical enablement sessions that empower teams to think bigger and build smarter.

I’m passionate about turning data into insight and technology into transformation. With a laser focus on client experience, I thrive at the intersection of innovation and impact—helping organizations unlock the full potential of their data through cl... Show more

David is a consulting professional with multiple years in developing reports using business intelligence techniques. Specializing in the Business Intelligence and Project Management space with extraordinary depth in Data Analysis, Data Modeling, Data Visualizations, Portfolio Management, and Expert in the use of Power BI.

David’s experience is specialized in Manufacturing, Consumer Goods, Education, and Medical Supply. But he has worked in many other industries as well.

David is a consulting professional with multiple years in developing reports using business intelligence techniques. Specializing in the Business Intelligence and Project Management space with extraordinary depth in Data Analysis, Data Modeling, Data... Show more

Dr. Todd Walls, DM, MBA (Human Resource Management & Healthcare Management), MSW, is a Human Resource (HR), learning and development (L&D), privacy, governance, and workforce systems consultant. A former federal Privacy Officer, he holds the Certified Information Privacy Professional - U.S. Government (CIPP/G) and Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM) and brings cross-functional experience spanning HR, L&D, organizational development, privacy, compliance training, employee engagement, accessibility, disability inclusion, workforce data, regulated environments, and prior Air Force information systems/security duties, including service as a Terminal Area Security Officer, Computer Workgroup Manager, and Client Server Administrator.

Todd is a frequent conference and workshop speaker whose experience includes regional HR conferences, national and regional disability inclusion programs, national privacy law compliance training, and invitations to speak internationally on privacy law compliance and information security. He has developed and delivered privacy, compliance, accessibility, reasonable accommodation, and organizational learning content for diverse adult audiences, including large federal training audiences.

He is a SHRM chapter President-Elect, national keynote presenter, former IAPP CIPP/G Certification Advisory Board member, and published thought leader in HR Executive, HR.com, Training Industry, and International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP), including articles on employee data trust, employee voice, workforce systems, privacy law compliance, incident response, and NoSQL database vulnerabilities.

Dr. Todd Walls, DM, MBA (Human Resource Management & Healthcare Management), MSW, is a Human Resource (HR), learning and development (L&D), privacy, governance, and workforce systems consultant. A former federal Privacy Officer, he holds the Certifie... Show more

With an in-depth understanding of industry trends and best practices, she aims to align business goals with IT capabilities by delivering scalable and sustainable solutions that encourage innovation and support long-term organizational success. Her role entails collaborating with partners and customers to comprehend their challenges and devising customized cloud strategies and solutions to enhance performance, security, and cost-efficiency.
She is Microsoft Certified Trainer and passionate about writing technical blogs and whitepapers, having co-authored white paper and several blogs based on real-world engagements. In her free time, she enjoys discussing emerging technologies.
Outside of work, she enjoys cooking, kayaking, and hiking.

With an in-depth understanding of industry trends and best practices, she aims to align business goals with IT capabilities by delivering scalable and sustainable solutions that encourage innovation and support long-term organizational success. Her r... Show more

Carl loves building better-than-expected software. He believes it comes out of teams running thoughtful processes, being clever, being funny, and being great humans. His ideas are built on 20 years of experience as everything: tester, developer, team lead, instructor, and head of engineering. He has mentored dozens of people of all ages in effective tools for thinking and how to behave as great "builders" regardless of their role. He has given talks on AI, building software with empathy, and breakthrough innovation for software teams.

Carl loves building better-than-expected software. He believes it comes out of teams running thoughtful processes, being clever, being funny, and being great humans. His ideas are built on 20 years of experience as everything: tester, developer, team... Show more

Daniela Petruzalek is a developer relations engineer at Google focused on Google Cloud Platform. Her specialisation is backend development and data engineering. She has previously worked at companies like JPMorgan, Oracle and ThoughtWorks. On her spare time she contributes to open source, plays video games and pets random cats on the streets.

Daniela Petruzalek is a developer relations engineer at Google focused on Google Cloud Platform. Her specialisation is backend development and data engineering. She has previously worked at companies like JPMorgan, Oracle and ThoughtWorks. On her spa... Show more

Jade Emmanuel is a Visionary Strategist specialising in unlocking clarity and driving emboldened action across the enterprise.

Currently, as a Senior Data & AI Consultant, she doesn't just design systems; she is a catalyst who challenges assumptions, guiding key decision makers to confront the unknown and build for what's next.
Also a data and commercial advisor to founder entrepreneurs, she delivers high-value output to lean startups with data and customer-centric insights that drive mission aligned commercial goals .

Jade is renowned for asking the right questions that unveil the key problems to solve or strongest opportunities to pursue; translating the complexity of AI and data transformation—from agentic AI architectures to enterprise governance—into clear actionable solution roadmaps, compelling narratives that resonate from the technical floor to the executive board.

Her focus is always on measurable impact, ensuring that strategic clarity leads to successful organisational change and growth.

Jade Emmanuel is a Visionary Strategist specialising in unlocking clarity and driving emboldened action across the enterprise. Currently, as a Senior Data & AI Consultant, she doesn't just design systems; she is a catalyst who challenges assumpti... Show more

Sanjay works with organizations of all sizes to optimize their operations and enhance customer engagement through Microsoft Dynamics 365 and the Power Platform. With over twenty years of experience leading digital transformation initiatives, Sanjay specializes in aligning business processes with cutting-edge technology to deliver impactful solutions.

Sanjay works with organizations of all sizes to optimize their operations and enhance customer engagement through Microsoft Dynamics 365 and the Power Platform. With over twenty years of experience leading digital transformation initiatives, Sanjay s... Show more

Smridhi Gupta is a Tech Analyst at Citibank specializing in secure LLM systems, RAG reliability, and AI evaluation frameworks. Previously a Research Intern at AIISC, she has authored six peer-reviewed publications spanning transformer-based medical imaging, enterprise AI, and applied machine learning research. Her work focuses on building trustworthy, production-ready AI systems that bridge research and real-world deployment. She is also a tech creator sharing insights on AI, development, and emerging technologies with a growing community of 6.5K+ followers.

Beyond research and engineering, she is the organizer of JS Community, where she has led 4+ offline tech events in the past four months in Pune, building a growing developer ecosystem with 350+ signups and an average footfall of 100+ attendees per meetup.

Smridhi Gupta is a Tech Analyst at Citibank specializing in secure LLM systems, RAG reliability, and AI evaluation frameworks. Previously a Research Intern at AIISC, she has authored six peer-reviewed publications spanning transformer-based medical i... Show more

My name is KirtiKumar Anandrao Ramchandani, and I'm a cybersecurity researcher. I specialize in securing browsers and kernels and am passionate about making the internet a safer place for everyone. I have received World Record as the Youngest Cyber Security Researcher and Tech Savvy Award.

My name is KirtiKumar Anandrao Ramchandani, and I'm a cybersecurity researcher. I specialize in securing browsers and kernels and am passionate about making the internet a safer place for everyone. I have received World Record as the Youngest Cyber S... Show more

Elisa Schön specializes in making the invisible dynamics of workplaces visible. Working at the intersection of psychology and organizational design, she helps leaders navigate rapid change without burning out their teams.

Her perspective is shaped by over a decade of hands-on People & Culture leadership. As Chief People Officer at GotPhoto and CHRO at UMI/Volkswagen, she guided teams through the messy realities of scaling from 10 to over 100 people - gaining a front-row seat to how cognitive overload affects high performers.

To better understand the mechanics behind this stress, Elisa is currently pursuing a B.Sc. in Clinical Psychology at Medizinische Hochschule Brandenburg. She uses this grounding in neuroscience to translate academic research into practical, everyday frameworks for leaders.

Today, Elisa balances her role as a Senior HR Business Partner at Der Tagesspiegel with a private coaching practice dedicated to building resilience in high-stakes environments. She operates on a simple premise: Emotions are valuable data, and in an AI-driven world, safeguarding our brain health is the ultimate competitive advantage.

Elisa Schön specializes in making the invisible dynamics of workplaces visible. Working at the intersection of psychology and organizational design, she helps leaders navigate rapid change without burning out their teams. Her perspective is shaped... Show more

Mohamed Amine DHIAB is a 29-year-old Senior Software & AI Engineer at Get Mika GmbH in Berlin, where he builds AI-powered accounting applications using agentic systems.

With over 7 years of experience in Machine Learning & AI, Mohamed previously served as Senior ML Engineer at Konfuzio and AI Research Scientist at TU Berlin's DAI-Labor, developing ML models for AI-assisted pathology and production systems. His technical expertise spans Computer Vision, NLP, NLU, X-AI, MLOps, and full-stack development with modern TypeScript frameworks.

As a former Founding Engineer & CTO, Mohamed combines deep technical skills with leadership experience, specializing in deploying cutting-edge ML models into production and building scalable web applications. He's passionate about applying AI to solve real-world business challenges.

Mohamed Amine DHIAB is a 29-year-old Senior Software & AI Engineer at Get Mika GmbH in Berlin, where he builds AI-powered accounting applications using agentic systems. With over 7 years of experience in Machine Learning & AI, Mohamed previously s... Show more

Ralph is the Director of Security of Gridlock Security (GridlockSec) - a company he founded that focuses on cybersecurity consulting services. He has 10 years experience in the industry as a Security Consultant/Pentester/Security Researcher for a few companies such as Microsoft, NCC Group, Hewlett-Packard (HP), Forward Security, and Ernst & Young (E&Y).
His expertise is mainly Web, Mobile, and Network Pentesting, Threat Modelling, Security Architecture Review, and Security Design Reviews. When he was a Senior Security Engineer at Microsoft, he dealt with security architecture reviews, security design reviews, threat modelling, security research, code reviews, and pentesting on the dedicated product he is directly working on with 100+ software engineers. The threat modelling practice he had daily done with his software engineers had helped secure the product and promoted a culture of secure coding and engineering of the said software.

He is also a major active contributor and a member of the working group for the OWASP Application Security Verification Standard (ASVS) project, making the standard better for fellow pentesters and developers alike.

He trained attendees at BSides Vancouver 2025, BSides Orlando 2025 and BSides Luxembourg 2026 for the same workshop, "Threat Modelling Starter Training" which had been well received. He has presented his talk entitled, "OWASP ASVS: A Methodical and Practical Approach to Application Security Testing" on OWASP AppSec Pacific Northwest conference (PNW) 2024 in Vancouver, BC Canada. He has also presented a similar presentation aimed for beginners delivered online at HackStop Cybersecurity Summit 2024 held in Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Ralph is the Director of Security of Gridlock Security (GridlockSec) - a company he founded that focuses on cybersecurity consulting services. He has 10 years experience in the industry as a Security Consultant/Pentester/Security Researcher for a few... Show more