Humanities & Social Sciences

Esteemed speakers contributing their insights into human culture, behavior, and societal development

Chris Brousseau

Chris Brousseau

Chris is the Founder and Data Scientist at Surface Owl, where he focuses on machine learning and data science to develop a transformative decision support platform and implement digital transformation programs for clients. As an active contributor to the Bay Area's technical communities and Conference Chair of PyBay, Chris helps support the development of tech skills and our local Python and ML community.

Chris is the Founder and Data Scientist at Surface Owl, where he focuses on machine learning and data science to develop a transformative decision support platform and implement digital transformation programs for clients. As an active contributor to... Show more

Morten Rand-Hendriksen

Morten Rand-Hendriksen

Morten is a developer, designer, educator, and philosopher specializing in web standards, interaction design, and technology ethics. He has made hundreds of courses for Lynda.com and LinkedIn Learning covering design, web standards, bleeding edge technologies, and ethics, and is a popular speaker at major conferences around the globe. You may have learned WordPress, or JavaScript, or CSS grid from him, or seen him talking about surveillance capitalism and AI on TikTok. In his spare time he builds Lego space ships with his 6 year old son and dances ballroom with his wife.

Morten is a developer, designer, educator, and philosopher specializing in web standards, interaction design, and technology ethics. He has made hundreds of courses for Lynda.com and LinkedIn Learning covering design, web standards, bleeding edge te... Show more

Shebati Sengupta

Shebati Sengupta

Shebati Sengupta (they/she) is a PhD Candidate in American Studies at the University of New Mexico, with certificates in Graduate Teaching and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Their research focuses on Asian American embodiment and speculation during COVID-19. Broadly speaking, she is interested in the fictions of the nation-state, and the realities in the stories we tell each other. Shebati has taught Introduction to Politics in Popular Culture and Intro to WGSS. They also designed and taught the first Intro to Asian American Studies course ever taught at UNM. She is also involved with creative writing, and has attended retreats at VONA and Roots, Wounds, Words. She is interested in storytelling as craft, as theory, and as methodology.

Shebati Sengupta (they/she) is a PhD Candidate in American Studies at the University of New Mexico, with certificates in Graduate Teaching and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Their research focuses on Asian American embodiment and speculation d... Show more

Jacques Balolage

Jacques Balolage

I am a Deaf leader from the Democratic Republic of Congo, working at the intersection of ethical finance, disability inclusion, sustainable development, and climate justice.
As a Senior Financial Analyst and Junior Accountant, I support schools, organizations, and businesses in strengthening financial transparency and accountability.
As the Executive Director of EAI, I lead inclusive programs that amplify the voices and talents of Deaf and disabled people, centering sign language access and intersectional inclusion in leadership.
I also serve as National Coordinator of Rise for Impact (DRC), empowering youth leadership and civic engagement across Central and East Africa.
A former Youth4Climate participant, I advocate for integrating accessibility and resilience into climate action.
Certified in DEI and Leadership, I’m passionate about digital accessibility and building technology that is equitable and inclusive for all.

I am a Deaf leader from the Democratic Republic of Congo, working at the intersection of ethical finance, disability inclusion, sustainable development, and climate justice. As a Senior Financial Analyst and Junior Accountant, I support schools, org... Show more

Michèle Ruffault

Michèle Ruffault

Michèle a mené des transformations Lean et Agiles d’organisations. Au fil de ses expériences, elle a constaté l’importance du facteur humain au-delà des processus, des méthodes et des outils. Elle étudie les difficultés relationnelles et les facteurs qui les entretiennent. Son travail s’appuie sur l’approche systémique, les techniques de médiation et la communication non violente.

Michèle a mené des transformations Lean et Agiles d’organisations. Au fil de ses expériences, elle a constaté l’importance du facteur humain au-delà des processus, des méthodes et des outils. Elle étudie les difficultés relationnelles et les facteurs... Show more

Jake Truemper

Jake Truemper

Jake is an innovation-minded leader, teacher, and visual thinker whose passion is to make humans more human. He is a regular speaker at colleges, meetups and conferences. Jake has led Experience Design initiatives for more than 60 businesses across a variety of industries, including everything from fortune 500 companies to startups. Jake has built human-centered design practices for multiple prominent agencies and is currently Co-Founder of his own Human-Centered Design consultancy.

Jake is an innovation-minded leader, teacher, and visual thinker whose passion is to make humans more human. He is a regular speaker at colleges, meetups and conferences. Jake has led Experience Design initiatives for more than 60 businesses across a... Show more

Olga Auzillaud

Olga Auzillaud

20 ans d'expérience professionnelle dont 10 dans l'Agilité (essentiellement pour les grandes comptes)
Parcours professionnel : audit organisationnel, management de projet, management du changement, Coach Agile, coach professionnel
Domaines d'expertise : coaching & formation Agile/SAFE, coaching des équipes, coaching individuel, coaching des managers, tests comportementaux (DISC, Selfie...), coaching des hauts potentiels, coaching des Points Forts Gallup (coach certifié).
Passions : patinage artistique, théâtre & improvisation, écriture & traduction

20 ans d'expérience professionnelle dont 10 dans l'Agilité (essentiellement pour les grandes comptes) Parcours professionnel : audit organisationnel, management de projet, management du changement, Coach Agile, coach professionnel Domaines d'expert... Show more

Renaldy Gatan Pramana

Renaldy Gatan Pramana

Hi, you can call me Gatan. A DevOps Engineer passionate about automation, scalability, and system reliability. I specialize in CI/CD, infrastructure as code, and monitoring, with hands-on experience in Docker, Ansible, Prometheus, and Grafana. My focus is on streamlining deployments, optimizing performance, and ensuring seamless collaboration between development and operations. Always exploring new tools and best practices to push DevOps efficiency to the next level. Let’s connect and build something great!

Hi, you can call me Gatan. A DevOps Engineer passionate about automation, scalability, and system reliability. I specialize in CI/CD, infrastructure as code, and monitoring, with hands-on experience in Docker, Ansible, Prometheus, and Grafana. My foc... Show more

Rachel Green

Rachel Green

Rachel Green is a seasoned community development and third sector leader with over 30 years’ experience spanning local government, national networks, and grassroots organisations. Beginning her journey on a village hall committee, she combined lived experience with academic study, earning a BA in Community Education and later an MScR in Health Humanities and Arts. Rachel has implemented innovative governance and planning systems, and transformed organisations into genuine member-led body. She is passionate about equity, inclusion, and ensuring communities most affected by disadvantage have a voice and agency in shaping their futures. Known for her collaborative and transparent leadership style, Rachel builds strategic partnerships across government, academia, and the third sector, advocating for holistic, person-led approaches that create meaningful, lasting change.

Rachel Green is a seasoned community development and third sector leader with over 30 years’ experience spanning local government, national networks, and grassroots organisations. Beginning her journey on a village hall committee, she combined lived ... Show more

Eduardo Spotti

Eduardo Spotti

I'm a passionate professional about business, entrepreneurship, technology, continue improving of human and technical skills to me and teams that I worked.
I'm acquired experience and knowledge in differents roles and practices that I like share and still learning from others. I was fortunate to work in the largest companies in our region and the globe. Argentine Telecom, Globant, Mercadolibre, Amazon Web Services
My mainly skill topics are SaaS, Platform engineering, SRE, Dev(Sec)Ops, Agile, Lean and Cloud Architecture.
I'm a football fan, animal lover, MMA practitioner and father of two beautiful childs.

I'm a passionate professional about business, entrepreneurship, technology, continue improving of human and technical skills to me and teams that I worked. I'm acquired experience and knowledge in differents roles and practices that I like share and... Show more

Randy Gonzales

Randy Gonzales

A native New Orleanian of Filipino descent, Randy Gonzales is a poet, writer, and community historian who researches and shares the stories of Filipino Louisiana. He is an associate professor of English at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where he holds the Dr. James Wilson/BORSF Eminent Scholar Endowed Professorship in Southern Studies. His book Settling St. Malo (UL Press, 2023) is a history of Filipino Louisiana in verse. You can find out more about Filipinos in Louisiana at www.filipinola.com and more about Randy at www.randygonzales.com.

A native New Orleanian of Filipino descent, Randy Gonzales is a poet, writer, and community historian who researches and shares the stories of Filipino Louisiana. He is an associate professor of English at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, wh... Show more

Joanne Enders

Joanne Enders

Joanne's journey, shaped by her mother's and grandmother's wisdom, exemplifies the transformative power of art. As an internationally acclaimed multimedia artist, she embodies resilience, authenticity, and personal growth. Her emotionally charged work resonates with global audiences, while her trailblazing multimedia creations captivate through digital art, AI, and photography. Joanne has two #1 internationally best-selling books, "The Creative Lifebook: Reflections On The Art Of Living A Fully Expressed Life" and “Radical Self Love: How To Ignite Your Light Through Creativity”. Showcasing her narrative talent and promoting community building and collaboration among artists, authors, and other creatives. Besides being an artist, photographer, and all-around nerd, she is a high-level Enterprise Risk Management and Compliance Director and accountant, who always looks for solutions to issues that create risks of derailing projects, movements, and cultures. Being of the viewpoint to consider, communicate, and collaborate but most importantly take action, Joanne is a doer. Her business savvy, combined with her artistic prowess, positions her as a driving force for change and inspiration. From her modest beginnings to her worldwide success, Joanne's life and creativity are testaments to growth, resilience, and authenticity.

Joanne's journey, shaped by her mother's and grandmother's wisdom, exemplifies the transformative power of art. As an internationally acclaimed multimedia artist, she embodies resilience, authenticity, and personal growth. Her emotionally charged wor... Show more

Raj Singh Rajawat

Raj Singh Rajawat

A systemic design thinker working for a better world.

A systemic design thinker working for a better world. Show more

Mija Rabemananjara

Mija Rabemananjara

Née à Madagascar, Mija Rabemananjara a grandi à la Réunion, à Bordeaux, en
région parisienne et décide de tenter l’expérience de l’Amérique du Nord en Septembre 2019 en
s’installant au Québec. Avec une forte expérience dans l’IT, elle devient coach agile en 2015 et
construit 2 cursus de formations :
 Devenir coach agile Agilopathe®
 Devenir un manager/gestionnaire agile avec Montessori Extended®

Son ambition est d’accompagner les organisations vers plus d’auto-organisation et au-delà pour
plus d’engagement, plus de performance, plus d’innovation, pour une société plus saine.

Sur son site http://lesagilopathes.com vous retrouverez ses publications, des vidéos de ses
conférences précédentes, la description de ses offres et les événements à venir !

Née à Madagascar, Mija Rabemananjara a grandi à la Réunion, à Bordeaux, en région parisienne et décide de tenter l’expérience de l’Amérique du Nord en Septembre 2019 en s’installant au Québec. Avec une forte expérience dans l’IT, elle devient coa... Show more

Ahniyah Perry

Ahniyah Perry

Born and raised in Texas, Ahniyah Perry is a community advocate renowned for her innovative ventures and steadfast commitment to social impact. Embarking on her college academic journey at the age of 15, Ahniyah demonstrated exceptional potential as a leader.

In 2017, she launched an online retail company, achieving remarkable success with a threefold increase in profits. Her entrepreneurial zeal led her to establish numerous startups, further solidifying her reputation for creative business ventures. Ahniyah's philanthropic spirit shone through with the founding of Santa's Helpers, a seasonal initiative offering free, gift-wrapping services to local community members. She currently works as an Aide for the District 6 office of Councilwoman Melissa Cabello Havrda, while also pursuing a dual master's degree in Organizational Leader and Business Administration. Her outstanding achievements earned her statewide recognition, highlighting her exceptional entrepreneurial and servant leadership qualities.

Born and raised in Texas, Ahniyah Perry is a community advocate renowned for her innovative ventures and steadfast commitment to social impact. Embarking on her college academic journey at the age of 15, Ahniyah demonstrated exceptional potential as ... Show more

Anderson Casimiro

Anderson Casimiro

IT professional since 2001. Passionate about tech and people. Founded and supported PHPSP for 12 years. Moved to Agile and management for the past years. From Brazil to Portugal, loving to write about identity and psychology.

IT professional since 2001. Passionate about tech and people. Founded and supported PHPSP for 12 years. Moved to Agile and management for the past years. From Brazil to Portugal, loving to write about identity and psychology. Show more

Eric Wamba

Eric Wamba

Eric Wamba is a speaker, coach, and author who integrates neuroscience and quantum physics to inspire personal and organizational transformation.
A former aerospace engineering graduate and science teacher, he now dedicates his work to exploring human potential.
Through his Neuro-Quantum 3A Method®, he blends predictive brain science, neuroplasticity, emotionally charged visualization, and principles from epigenetics and psychoneuroimmunology to show how thoughts, emotions, and the body shape tangible results.
He helps professionals, teams, and students break free from past loops and act within the 3–7 second window, when courage outpaces hesitation.
He believes that “emotion is the brain’s save button” and that failure is the greatest teacher of all.

Eric Wamba is a speaker, coach, and author who integrates neuroscience and quantum physics to inspire personal and organizational transformation. A former aerospace engineering graduate and science teacher, he now dedicates his work to exploring hu... Show more

Stephen Morris

Stephen Morris

Stephen is an author, speaker and accomplished and award-winning leader with over twenty years of experience in complex, uncertain and high-scale technical organisations.

Across diverse sectors, including information technology, healthcare, banking, insurance, manufacturing, and government, Stephen has a track record of driving real success, backed by hands-on achievements and industry recognition.

Leadership highlights
• C-Suite leader during a period of extraordinary growth, achieving 400% YoY
• Leadership coach for a 300-million-dollar international software rollout
• Mentor and consultant for an international leadership team managing over 750 professionals through an organisational transformation
• Strategist for the successful launch of 50+ commercial cloud-based products and services, shaping the future of business technology

Awards
• Most Influential Business Leader, 2016 Agile Awards
• Most Improved Agile Team, 2016 Agile Awards
• Best Leadership and Agile Coaching Provider, 2020 UK Enterprise Awards

Stephen is an author, speaker and accomplished and award-winning leader with over twenty years of experience in complex, uncertain and high-scale technical organisations. Across diverse sectors, including information technology, healthcare, banki... Show more

Bonita Pannell

Bonita Pannell

Bonita Pannell brings over 30 years of experience in healthcare and currently serves as the Director of Community Outreach at UPMC Women’s Magee Hospital. In this role, she acts as a liaison between the hospital and the community, working to enhance access to care, broaden care options, and foster meaningful partnerships. A passionate advocate for the BIPOC community, Pannell develops and leads initiatives aimed at raising awareness and promoting self-empowerment. Her initiatives include organizing Community Health Fairs featuring on-site health screenings, hosting Maternal Health educational baby showers, and providing ongoing mentoring and support groups.
Pannell is an active member of several UPMC councils, including the Diversity Council, the Family Advisory Council, and the Community Doula & Birth Worker Advisory Board, where she advocates for policy changes that strengthen trust and collaboration between healthcare providers and the community. Additionally, she serves as the Director of the UPMC Affiliate Council of Girls on the Run, a national nonprofit organization focused on empowering girls in grades 3 through 8 by strengthening their social, emotional, physical, and behavioral skills. The program operates at 64 school sites and serves over 1,500 girls annually.
Before joining UPMC, Bonita was part of the Gateway Health Plan case management team, where she managed insurance authorizations and cases for individuals with special needs. She also served as the General Manager for Hospice Care of Pittsburgh and Viator Hospice, overseeing care for terminally ill patients for 16 years and Director of Lutheran Senior Life Home Care.
Bonita holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Waynesburg University, a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Bachelor’s degree in Health Science from Slippery Rock University. She is also a licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and earned a certificate in Project Management from Villanova University.
A devoted mother, Bonita has two children—Aaron Burden and Tyler-Nicole Pannell—as well as two bonus children, Teona Williams and Brandon Pannell. She is an active member of Triumph Church, where she serves as a Deacon and the Coordinator of the Usher Ministry. Bonita is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Alpha Alpha Omega Chapter.

Bonita Pannell brings over 30 years of experience in healthcare and currently serves as the Director of Community Outreach at UPMC Women’s Magee Hospital. In this role, she acts as a liaison between the hospital and the community, working to enhance ... Show more

Chris Hetzler

Chris Hetzler

Hello! I'm a Solution Architect at Eide Bailly LLP, a top-notch accounting and business advisory firm, and a proud Featured Fabric Partner. I love working with clients and teams to craft and deliver innovative solutions to business challenges using Microsoft technologies and platforms.

With over 20 years of experience in software engineering, I hold master's degrees in both software engineering and data science. I'm also certified in over 20 industry areas, including Microsoft Solution Architect certifications for Azure, Power Platform, and Dynamics.

My expertise spans across Microsoft Azure, Microsoft Dynamics, Microsoft Fabric, Power Platform, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Development frameworks, tools, and DevOps, as well as major open-source development platforms. I specialize in designing and implementing no-code, low-code, and custom solutions, and I thrive on leading and collaborating with both on-shore and off-shore development teams to drive innovation and deliver customer value.

I'm known for my exceptional communication skills, which allow me to connect with both technical and non-technical audiences at all levels. I've had the pleasure of presenting at several industry conferences, including the Fabric Community Conference, Microsoft Ready, Microsoft Convergence, and StarWest / East.

In my spare time, I enjoy indulging in my interests in U.S.A. Swimming, space exploration, science, engineering, and Lego. I'm passionate about creating software that solves real problems and makes a positive impact.

Hello! I'm a Solution Architect at Eide Bailly LLP, a top-notch accounting and business advisory firm, and a proud Featured Fabric Partner. I love working with clients and teams to craft and deliver innovative solutions to business challenges using M... Show more

Giovanni Valli

Giovanni Valli

Giovanni is Head of Agile Transformation at Entain Italy. He spent the last 6 years as an Agile Coach consultant, after leading for 7 years digital products development in a multinational company. His focus is on building autonomy, aligning culture and execution, and enabling sustainable change.

Giovanni is Head of Agile Transformation at Entain Italy. He spent the last 6 years as an Agile Coach consultant, after leading for 7 years digital products development in a multinational company. His focus is on building autonomy, aligning culture a... Show more

Sarah Burne James

Sarah Burne James

I am a data scientist and AI architect with a specialism in speech processing and natural language processing. I have broad experience of incorporating AI into solutions, especially virtual assistants. In my current role, I help clients adopt watsonx Assistant for Z, enabling them to power up their mainframe operations with AI.

I am particularly interested in ethical and inclusive technology. Technology plays an ever increasing role in our world, and it will take collaboration and thoughtful design from across all sectors to make sure it works for everyone. I have led work on Coercive Control Resistant Design as part of IBM’s Academy of Technology, which was featured on BBC News.

I am a data scientist and AI architect with a specialism in speech processing and natural language processing. I have broad experience of incorporating AI into solutions, especially virtual assistants. In my current role, I help clients adopt watson... Show more

Andreas Stenhall

Andreas Stenhall

I'm Andreas Stenhall and my work passion is the Windows client in combination with security. I do consulting, I produce and teach my own courses, I lecture and I present, and my formal work title is principal workplace architect and advisor at Coligo in Stockholm, Sweden. I'm also proud to be a Microsoft MVP since 2009. I have presented at BUILD, TechEd in the US and Europe and regional TechDays and various user groups and other events.

I'm Andreas Stenhall and my work passion is the Windows client in combination with security. I do consulting, I produce and teach my own courses, I lecture and I present, and my formal work title is principal workplace architect and advisor at Coligo... Show more

Pierdomenico Reitano

Pierdomenico Reitano

Passionate about front-end development and UX, I turn interfaces into smooth and effective experiences. Naturally curious, I also explore ‘under the hood’ code to refine every step of the process. I talk about development, design, and team collaboration with a sprinkle of humor and plenty of nerdy analogies.

Passionate about front-end development and UX, I turn interfaces into smooth and effective experiences. Naturally curious, I also explore ‘under the hood’ code to refine every step of the process. I talk about development, design, and team collaborat... Show more

David Aronchick

David Aronchick

I am CEO and co-founder of Expanso, the company behind the distributed compute platform Bacalhau. This means I spend most of my time helping humans to convince machines to be smarter. I am only moderately successful at this.

Previously, I led product management for Kubernetes on behalf of Google, launched GKE, and co-founded the Kubeflow project, and led Open Source ML Strategy at Azure. I have also worked at Protocol Labs, Amazon and Chef and co-founded three startups.

I am CEO and co-founder of Expanso, the company behind the distributed compute platform Bacalhau. This means I spend most of my time helping humans to convince machines to be smarter. I am only moderately successful at this. Previously, I led prod... Show more

Kayla Ooms

Kayla Ooms

Kayla Ooms has been serving as the Social Media Specialist at Purdue University Northwest since 2022. In her role, she manages the university's primary social media platforms, coordinates marketing events, and oversees digital marketing assets. Kayla is passionate about using marketing and public relations to achieve significant results in the digital landscape. With a strong background in social media management, she enjoys creating engaging content and developing strategic campaigns to enhance the Purdue Northwest brand and foster meaningful connections with current students, prospective students, parents, alumni, and the community.

Kayla Ooms has been serving as the Social Media Specialist at Purdue University Northwest since 2022. In her role, she manages the university's primary social media platforms, coordinates marketing events, and oversees digital marketing assets. Kayla... Show more

Ana Sarmiento

Ana Sarmiento

Ana Sarmiento is a Growth Product Manager and AI evangelist with over a decade of experience bridging technical innovation and human-centered design. She has led projects in personalization, data strategy, and automation, helping cross-functional teams translate data into decisions. Ana is also the founder of Cabana Media, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting AI literacy in underserved communities, where she creates programs that empower seniors, immigrants, neurodivergent and BIPOC individuals to engage with AI as creators, not just consumers. Her mission is to build technology that tells stories, drives equity, and inspires the next generation of builders.

Ana Sarmiento is a Growth Product Manager and AI evangelist with over a decade of experience bridging technical innovation and human-centered design. She has led projects in personalization, data strategy, and automation, helping cross-functional tea... Show more

Afolake Odubote

Afolake Odubote

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

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

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

Estelle Bailly

Estelle Bailly

With over 20 years of experience in the video gaming industry, primarily in leadership roles, I've managed multicultural teams, fostering a diverse and inclusive environment.

Like any journey, mine has had its share of challenges, including imposter syndrome, redundancy and burnout. But these experiences have only strengthened my determination and deepened my understanding of the struggles others may face.
This journey has also led me and my family to move from Paris, France, to Brighton, UK, marking a significant life and career change!

Today, I share my insights on overcoming self-doubt and reclaiming empowerment at various conventions. In addition to public speaking and team workshops, I offer one-on-one coaching sessions in a supportive, empowering, and non-judgemental environment.

I live in Brighton and, when I'm not coaching, you can find me training for running events, chasing after my two mischievous dogs, or playing detective to figure out what my teenagers are up to (hey, no one's perfect, right?).

With over 20 years of experience in the video gaming industry, primarily in leadership roles, I've managed multicultural teams, fostering a diverse and inclusive environment. Like any journey, mine has had its share of challenges, including impost... Show more

Matthew Pothoff

Matthew Pothoff

Matthew Pothoff is a dedicated individual from Dubuque County, Iowa, whose life is defined by hard work, curiosity, and passion. Growing up, he found joy in sports such as baseball, football, basketball, and tennis, each of which shaped his character and developed his teamwork skills. His appreciation for history and craftsmanship led him to collect military rifles, where his interest in both mechanical design and historical context continues to grow.

Raised in Epworth, Iowa, Matthew attended Western Dubuque High School after spending his early education years in Catholic school. The structured environment taught him values of respect, focus, and perseverance. These formative lessons became the foundation for his professional and personal life. His upbringing in a close-knit community instilled in him an appreciation for tradition, discipline, and the value of self-improvement through hard work.

After high school, he pursued a degree in Criminal Justice at Hawkeye Community College, which deepened his sense of integrity and responsibility. Professionally, he began working in the automotive industry, where he developed hands-on skills and a strong work ethic. Now employed as a paint line laborer in a metal fabrication company, he applies coatings with precision, ensuring each product meets quality standards while maintaining a high level of craftsmanship.

Sports remain an enduring part of his life and identity. Baseball was his first love, one that he played until he turned nineteen. Throughout high school, he stayed active in football, basketball, and tennis, finding motivation and purpose through competition. Matt Pothoff still follows his favorite teams—the St. Louis Cardinals, Green Bay Packers, and Cleveland Cavaliers—remaining an enthusiastic supporter of the games he grew up loving.

Beyond athletics, his fascination with firearms and military history reflects his curiosity about the intersection of technology and human innovation. Collecting surplus military rifles allows him to connect with historical eras and craftsmanship from around the world. He takes pride in understanding the function and history behind each piece, exploring the strategies and stories that shaped military development over time.

Outside of work, Matthew enjoys outdoor activities like hunting, camping, and hiking. He values time spent in nature for its balance and clarity, often engaging in deer and turkey hunts. Health and fitness are also priorities for him, as he experiments with new diets and routines to stay active. His lifestyle reflects discipline, passion, and respect for both history and the natural world.

Matthew Pothoff is a dedicated individual from Dubuque County, Iowa, whose life is defined by hard work, curiosity, and passion. Growing up, he found joy in sports such as baseball, football, basketball, and tennis, each of which shaped his character... Show more

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