Ashley René is a speaker, strategist, and founder of Presence Over Pixels, a St. Louis–based company helping people take back control of their time, focus, and relationships in a tech-dominated world. With a background in corporate leadership and a passion for human connection, Ashley René teaches professionals how to set boundaries with their devices, stay present in high-demand environments, and lead with intention - online and off. Her work lives at the intersection of wellness, leadership, and digital culture, offering practical tools for anyone looking to thrive without burning out. When she's not leading workshops or speaking on stages, Ashley René is performing with her band, Bourbon Jury, and actively engaged in the local arts scene of St Louis.

Ashley René is a speaker, strategist, and founder of Presence Over Pixels, a St. Louis–based company helping people take back control of their time, focus, and relationships in a tech-dominated world. With a background in corporate leadership and a p... Show more

I’m an expert in team, project and product management, conference speaker, public speaking coach, book author and TEDx organizer.

I work in the financial sector, leading complex tech projects - including those related to digital identity. My role sits at the crossroads of IT, business and governance, where aligning perspectives is a daily challenge. In the past I’ve built entire DevOps competence center, always with a focus on communication, agility and a solid dose of common sense. I believe in people, collaboration and context-driven decisions.

I speak at conferences across Poland and Europe, running talks and workshops on leadership, agile, communication and teamwork. I also deliver my own trainings based on the LEGO® Serious Play® methodology. I’m mentor for TEDx speakers and organizer or TEDxUniversity of Lodz / TEDxPabianice / TEDxŁódź - events that gathers big audience and strong online engagement.

I hold degrees from the University of Łódź (International Relations and HR Management), MBA from Lodz University of Technology and Illinois State University, and a postgraduate diploma in IT Project Management. Outside of work, I’m a dad of two sons – which is great preparation for agile coaching. I write humorous, educational books for kids and collect the finest corporate memes life has to offer.

I love teaching, creating, connecting – and I always ask one question: “What if we did it differently?”

I’m an expert in team, project and product management, conference speaker, public speaking coach, book author and TEDx organizer. I work in the financial sector, leading complex tech projects - including those related to digital identity. My role ... Show more

Manuel Ledezma, known in the tech community as Tester Testarudo, is a software testing and automation specialist with a strong commitment to delivering high-quality and reliable software. Over the past years, he has focused on mastering QA practices and automation strategies, working in agile and fast-paced environments.
He has contributed to leading companies such as Mediktor, AXA, Telecom Argentina, Newfold, and Mojo Marketplace, where he implemented scalable testing solutions that improved product stability and user experience.
Manuel currently serves as the QA Automation Lead at Mediktor in Barcelona, Spain, where he leads automation initiatives to ensure robust and impactful digital products.
Beyond his professional work, Manuel empowers the QA community through Tester Testarudo, his educational project dedicated to helping newcomers learn testing in a clear, practical, and accessible way.

Manuel Ledezma, known in the tech community as Tester Testarudo, is a software testing and automation specialist with a strong commitment to delivering high-quality and reliable software. Over the past years, he has focused on mastering QA practices ... Show more

Tim Rayburn is a Vice President of Consulting with Improving Enterprises, a software and project management consulting company in Dallas, TX. He is a passionate advocate of apprenticeship and mentorship in corporate environments. He has been awarded the Microsoft MVP in recognition of his expertise and community leadership 11 times. He is also a conference organizer, an author, and can be found speaking across the nation on agile processes, software design, and career management. He lives in the North Dallas area with his amazing wife Kate and their loyal dogs Dresden and Radagast.

Tim Rayburn is a Vice President of Consulting with Improving Enterprises, a software and project management consulting company in Dallas, TX. He is a passionate advocate of apprenticeship and mentorship in corporate environments. He has been awarded ... Show more

Caroline Nicole Letaru is a globally recognized Career Coach and Talent Strategist at Kazini Consults, with over 6 years of experience empowering tech professionals across 12+ countries. She is known for helping developers and emerging tech leaders unlock international opportunities through strategic career planning, skill building, and high-impact coaching.

Nicole has led technical recruitment for global institutions such as the United Nations and UNHCR, and has coached over 500+ professionals including software engineers, PowerShell, UX designers, and AI specialists helping them transition into global careers and remote work ecosystems.

She is a seasoned international speaker who has graced renowned stages including the International AIDS Society Conference (Germany), Going Global Conference (UK), and the SCORE Conference (Tanzania). Her thought leadership earned her the Best Essay Award at the South American Business Forum (SABF) in Argentina, recognizing her voice on youth, development, and innovation.

Nicole’s work focuses on building future-proof careers for African professionals in tech. Through Kazini Consults, she leads a community-first approach that equips talents to scale their impact with confidence, clarity, and visibility.

Caroline Nicole Letaru is a globally recognized Career Coach and Talent Strategist at Kazini Consults, with over 6 years of experience empowering tech professionals across 12+ countries. She is known for helping developers and emerging tech leaders u... Show more

I help people, teams, and organizations take a step forward.
My work involves creating the conditions for actionable directions, intentional choices, and small, concrete steps to emerge. I believe change becomes possible when attention is focused on what can be done, here and now, leveraging existing resources and skills.
I help leaders, professionals, and teams clarify objectives, recognize often underutilized capabilities, and build tangible signals of progress. I use essential and targeted questions that help them think more clearly and act consistently, even in complex contexts.
My coaching work is guided by the ICF and EMCC codes of ethics: respect for the individual, responsibility, confidentiality, and attention to the impact of decisions are integral to every journey.
My experience as an Enterprise Agile Coach and in the IT world allows me to move naturally in real organizational contexts, where decisions matter and time is precious.

I help people, teams, and organizations take a step forward. My work involves creating the conditions for actionable directions, intentional choices, and small, concrete steps to emerge. I believe change becomes possible when attention is focused on... Show more

Since 1999 in IT – Practical – Simplifier – #BulletPointFree Public Speaker - Trainer - Likes sharing knowledge – Projects and changes only – Has also a technical focus – Acts as bridge between business and technology – Founded DerkIT in 2017 - Guides complex decisions and reduces them to the essence – Believes that humor, clarity, and simplicity are most important.

Since 1999 in IT – Practical – Simplifier – #BulletPointFree Public Speaker - Trainer - Likes sharing knowledge – Projects and changes only – Has also a technical focus – Acts as bridge between business and technology – Founded DerkIT in 2017 - Gu... Show more

Enthusiastic People Analytics professional and organizational sociologist with over 10 years of experience in HR and more than 5 years in Business Intelligence (BI). She is passionate about transforming HR data into actionable insights that support strategic decision-making and improve organizational performance. She holds a master’s degree in Economic and Organizational Sociology, giving her a unique perspective on the social and behavioral dimensions of workforce analytics.

Founder of ReadyHR.eu, a consultancy service that helps small and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) build practical, data-driven HR reporting and People Analytics capabilities.

Based in Kecskemét, near Budapest, Hungary, proud parent of two boys. Outside of work, she loves dancing and is dedicated to continuous learning, always exploring new tools and ideas that elevate the HR analytics profession.

Enthusiastic People Analytics professional and organizational sociologist with over 10 years of experience in HR and more than 5 years in Business Intelligence (BI). She is passionate about transforming HR data into actionable insights that support s... Show more

Benjamin Igna is the founder of Stellar Work, a consultancy helping engineering organizations rethink developer experience, productivity, and team design in the age of AI. On the Stellar Work Podcast, he sits down with some of the most compelling voices in tech and management to explore what great engineering leadership actually looks like. Beyond consulting, Ben is an active angel investor through Misty Mountain Ventures and the Association of Industrial Engineers Germany (VWI), backing early-stage founders coming out of university and helping them turn bold ideas into real companies.

Benjamin Igna is the founder of Stellar Work, a consultancy helping engineering organizations rethink developer experience, productivity, and team design in the age of AI. On the Stellar Work Podcast, he sits down with some of the most compelling voi... Show more

Andres Sepulveda Morales is the founder of Red Mage, a specialized technology agency focusing on the intersection of deep engineering and community impact. A former corporate software engineer with 8+ years of experience, Andres translates complex technical expertise into accessible, community-driven solutions.

His consulting proficiency has been widely recognized; in 2025, he was named one of Contra’s Best Software Consultants to Hire for English and Spanish markets. He is a trusted partner for platforms like Lovable and SureLink, and a recognized expert for cutting-edge development tools including Bolt.new and Framer.

Andres is highly dedicated to advancing AI literacy in the community. As Treasurer and Advisory Board Member for the Rocky Mountain AI Interest Group (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit), he founded the Fort Collins chapter and helped the organization serve over 6,400 participants at 200+ events across Colorado in 2025 alone.

Andres Sepulveda Morales is the founder of Red Mage, a specialized technology agency focusing on the intersection of deep engineering and community impact. A former corporate software engineer with 8+ years of experience, Andres translates complex te... Show more

Aubrey Wade is a seasoned consulting professional, speaker, certified coach and counselor, and blogger with a passion for transforming workplace relationships and driving positive change. Based in Memphis, TN, she specializes in helping organizations improve processes, build strong teams, and guide C-suite leaders in driving company-wide transformation. With a proven and successful hands-on, results-driven approach, Aubrey isn’t afraid to challenge the status quo to help companies reach their full potential.

Armed with a degree in Psychology and over 20 years of experience in technology, Aubrey has successfully partnered with multiple Fortune 300 companies to enhance team dynamics, streamline processes, and deliver consistent, successful releases. Her expertise spans organizational transformation, enterprise reporting, and optimizing performance at all levels.

Outside of her consulting work, Aubrey is a devoted wife, sister, and mother to three daughters, and she enjoys speaking and teaching across the country. Her greatest passion is helping people grow — starting with herself.

Aubrey Wade is a seasoned consulting professional, speaker, certified coach and counselor, and blogger with a passion for transforming workplace relationships and driving positive change. Based in Memphis, TN, she specializes in helping organizations... Show more

Neha Lagoo Ratnakar is a tiny speaker with a big name and an even bigger message. Her talks are part wakeup call and part kick in the behind.

Neha’s bestselling book, Back on Your Feet (Goodreads 4.5, Amazon 4.7) has helped hundreds of women start their career comeback journey and she’s spent hours directly coaching them.

But throughout her career spanning 8 countries, and her work as the Head of Education at a non-profit in Europe, she was shocked to hear that it was difficult for leaders to bridge the gender numbers despite their best intentions.

So Neha made it her mission to help organisations bridge this gap and support women on their journey.

What she has to say may offend you, could provoke you, but will definitely make you think. If you’re looking for a keynote speaker who can talk from authentic global experiences infused with actionable insights, then Neha is your choice.

Neha Lagoo Ratnakar is a tiny speaker with a big name and an even bigger message. Her talks are part wakeup call and part kick in the behind. Neha’s bestselling book, Back on Your Feet (Goodreads 4.5, Amazon 4.7) has helped hundreds of women star... Show more

Ben Greenberg is the Developer Relations Lead at Arbitrum and has been recognized by Docker as a Docker Captain. He serves on the board of Ruby Central and is deeply involved in the open-source community. Before moving into software development, Ben spent a decade in adult education, community organizing, and non-profit management. He writes regularly about the intersection of technology, ethics, and community, and is the author of numerous technical articles and publications, including his latest book, Vector Search with JavaScript.

Ben Greenberg is the Developer Relations Lead at Arbitrum and has been recognized by Docker as a Docker Captain. He serves on the board of Ruby Central and is deeply involved in the open-source community. Before moving into software development, Ben ... Show more

Andreas is a technological humanist. Starting at NASA, Andreas designed systems from scratch to support science missions. Then in Zambia, he built medical informatics systems to apply technology for social good. Now with Neo4j, he is democratizing graph databases to validate and extend our intuitions about how the world works. Everything is connected.

Andreas is a technological humanist. Starting at NASA, Andreas designed systems from scratch to support science missions. Then in Zambia, he built medical informatics systems to apply technology for social good. Now with Neo4j, he is democratizing gr... Show more

If you're comfortable with the status quo, you won't enjoy listening to Stephen Parkins.

Stephen is a seasoned innovation strategist, executive coach and business leader with over two decades of experience turning uncertainty into opportunity.

With a career spanning roles as an energy trader, global head of innovation, and startup founder, Stephen has worked with companies of all sizes - from agile one-person ventures, to European scale-ups, to multinational corporations with over 100,000 employees.

As the founder of Culturedge®, Stephen advises medium to large enterprises on building the structures and strategies they need to embed innovation, take manageable risks and achieve exponential growth.

As the co-founder of Strategy Quest, Stephen gives companies the opportunity to co-design AI-powered business simulations and wargames - to strengthen their resilience and decision-making under uncertain conditions.

Known for pushing boundaries and telling executives not what they want, but what they need to hear – Stephen has helped redesign flagship products like ABN AMRO Bank's Tikkie and established global innovation frameworks at organisations like SGS.

A polyglot and global citizen, Stephen has lived in five countries and speaks five languages, bringing an international perspective to every new challenge.

If you're comfortable with the status quo, you won't enjoy listening to Stephen Parkins. Stephen is a seasoned innovation strategist, executive coach and business leader with over two decades of experience turning uncertainty into opportunity. ... Show more

Brian Madden is a renowned workplace AI strategist, future of work expert, and dynamic speaker with over 30 years of experience in digital transformation. As a Technology Officer and Futurist at Citrix, he's at the forefront of helping organizations navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of AI in the workplace.

Expertise & Current Focus
• Workplace AI strategy and implementation
• Future of work and digital workplace transformation
• AI's impact on employee productivity and HR practices
• Ethical considerations of AI in the workplace
• Bridging the gap between technology and human resources

Career Highlights
• Currently a VP, Technology Officer & Futurist, Citrix
• Creator of the Workplace AI Strategy Guide project, a comprehensive, continuously-updated resource for organizations adapting to AI
• Author of 6 books and over 2,000 articles on technology and workplace transformation
• Founder of BriForum, the largest vendor-neutral End-User Computing conference (2005-2016)
• Former Distinguished Technologist at VMware, focusing on the Future of Work
• Creator and leader of multiple influential tech community programs (Citrix CTP, VMware EUC vExperts)

Speaking and Thought Leadership
• Delivered 1000+ talks worldwide on technology's impact on work and productivity
• Ranked #1 speaker at major tech conferences multiple times
• Regular contributor to discussions on AI ethics, productivity, and workplace dynamics
• Passionate about democratizing knowledge and fostering inclusive tech communities

Brian's unique blend of technical expertise, strategic insight, and engaging presentation style makes him an ideal speaker for conferences exploring the intersection of AI, HR, and the future of work. He excels at breaking down complex technological concepts in humorous and relatable ways for diverse audiences, from C-suite executives to HR professionals and IT teams.

Brian Madden is a renowned workplace AI strategist, future of work expert, and dynamic speaker with over 30 years of experience in digital transformation. As a Technology Officer and Futurist at Citrix, he's at the forefront of helping organizations ... Show more

I'm a UX researcher and designer specializing in e-commerce optimization and neuroscience-driven user experience. As the founder of Intuera, I combine UX, CRO, and behavioral science to uncover how people actually think, decide, and trust online.
My work explores how design decisions shape user behavior, influence purchase confidence, and reduce friction across the customer journey. By optimizing cognitive load, clarity, and interaction patterns, I help brands increase conversions while building long-term trust.

I'm a UX researcher and designer specializing in e-commerce optimization and neuroscience-driven user experience. As the founder of Intuera, I combine UX, CRO, and behavioral science to uncover how people actually think, decide, and trust online. M... Show more

Brad Nelson is the host of The Agile for Agilists Podcast and the author of I Think, Therefore I Know: Scientific Thinking for Unscientific Organizations. Based in Metro Detroit, he brings 15+ years of experience helping teams deliver meaningful value while navigating uncertainty in complex systems.

Brad Nelson is the host of The Agile for Agilists Podcast and the author of I Think, Therefore I Know: Scientific Thinking for Unscientific Organizations. Based in Metro Detroit, he brings 15+ years of experience helping teams deliver meaningful valu... Show more

Jason has spent almost twenty years in the tech industry. In that time, they've been a teacher, a test engineer, a development manager, a software engineer, and performed one ill-advised attempt at program management. Today they're working in engineering advocacy, helping people find new ways to think about our industry. They live with their husband in the drizzly paradise of Seattle. Ask them about board games, community-building, puzzle design, queer theory, or anything you're deeply excited by.

Jason has spent almost twenty years in the tech industry. In that time, they've been a teacher, a test engineer, a development manager, a software engineer, and performed one ill-advised attempt at program management. Today they're working in enginee... Show more

Jo is a DevRel Engineer at Deno. She is passionate about improving developer experience, teaching good use of JS and TS and building sparkly, wearable, internet connected tech. She mentors junior developers, advocates for mental health awareness and is devoted to improving the diversity and inclusivity of the tech industry.

Jo is a DevRel Engineer at Deno. She is passionate about improving developer experience, teaching good use of JS and TS and building sparkly, wearable, internet connected tech. She mentors junior developers, advocates for mental health awareness and ... Show more

Elena is a highly-rated professional speaker with 20+ years of experience as a leadership coach, group facilitator and collegiate faculty member. Elena works with groups, individuals, and organizations to amplify their authenticity and empower them to become effective leaders. Elena is the President of and Lead Consultant with Marquetti Consulting.

Elena is a highly-rated professional speaker with 20+ years of experience as a leadership coach, group facilitator and collegiate faculty member. Elena works with groups, individuals, and organizations to amplify their authenticity and empower them t... Show more

Mauro Bennici is active in the R&D area of Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Natural Language Generation (NLG). He is a Data Scientist, Professional Scrum Master (PSM), Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT), and .NET foundation member. Member of the SME Focus Group on Ethics and Artificial Intelligence, European Community.

Mauro Bennici is active in the R&D area of Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Natural Language Generation (NLG). He is a Data Scientist, Professional Scrum Master (PSM), Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT), and .NET foundation member. Member of the ... Show more

Thijs is a DevOps engineer and front-end development enthusiast at Xebia. With a unique edge as an AI-powered developer, Thijs integrates cutting-edge AI tools into his development process. This allows him to improve code quality, boost productivity, and be any profession, ensuring that his projects stay ahead of the curve.

Thijs is a DevOps engineer and front-end development enthusiast at Xebia. With a unique edge as an AI-powered developer, Thijs integrates cutting-edge AI tools into his development process. This allows him to improve code quality, boost productivity,... Show more

Dr. Jodie Burchell is the Developer Advocate in Data Science at JetBrains, and was previously a Lead Data Scientist at Verve Group Europe. She completed a PhD in clinical psychology and a postdoc in biostatistics, before leaving academia for a data science career. She has worked for 9 years as a data scientist in both Australia and Germany, developing a range of products including recommendation systems, analysis platforms, search engine improvements and audience profiling. She has held a broad range of responsibilities in her career, doing everything from data analytics to maintaining machine learning solutions in production. She is a long time content creator in data science, across conference and user group presentations, books, webinars, and posts on both her own and JetBrain's blogs.

Dr. Jodie Burchell is the Developer Advocate in Data Science at JetBrains, and was previously a Lead Data Scientist at Verve Group Europe. She completed a PhD in clinical psychology and a postdoc in biostatistics, before leaving academia for a data s... Show more

After a decade in social work, Magali decided to change course and became a web developper. She tries to find a delicate balance between the technical aspects of the job (fun !), the creativity (fun too !) and trying to follow her ethics and change the culture of the industry (the less fun aspects of it anyway) by being an advocate and an activist. She recently chose to specialize in web accessibility by joining Access42.

She is co-founder and president of Compositech, an organization advocating for the inclusion of women and non-binary people in tech. She also is the founder and president of La Première Ligne, a feminist magazine created by tech women and non-binary people. She has a dog, Trufa and talks either way too much about her (according to people) or way not enough (according to herself).

After a decade in social work, Magali decided to change course and became a web developper. She tries to find a delicate balance between the technical aspects of the job (fun !), the creativity (fun too !) and trying to follow her ethics and change t... Show more

Jet works on bridging AI and cloud native at Solo.io. He is a computer engineering student at the University of Toronto and has a growing track record in open source. In his free time, he researches how AI can enhance collective intelligence at MIT. He enjoys reading literature and discussing philosophy.

Jet works on bridging AI and cloud native at Solo.io. He is a computer engineering student at the University of Toronto and has a growing track record in open source. In his free time, he researches how AI can enhance collective intelligence at MIT. ... Show more

Software engineer with 10+ years under his belt. At Chattermill, he turns AI research into real-world products. A fan of diving deep into black boxes, he has unusual hobby of writing regular expressions by hand and arguing about their speed. When he’s not coding, he shares knowledge as a university instructor, speaker, and meetup organiser.

Bookworm, hiker, history nerd - ask him about Napoleon!

Software engineer with 10+ years under his belt. At Chattermill, he turns AI research into real-world products. A fan of diving deep into black boxes, he has unusual hobby of writing regular expressions by hand and arguing about their speed. When he’... Show more

Results - driven Cybersecurity Engineer with diverse experience across Healthcare, Banking, Public, and Telecom sectors, cross-functional project guidance and stakeholder support, security architecture strategy, application security, predictive analytics, and enterprise risk management. Adept at designing and implementing scalable solutions, driving automation, and delivering quantifiable value and innovation.

Results - driven Cybersecurity Engineer with diverse experience across Healthcare, Banking, Public, and Telecom sectors, cross-functional project guidance and stakeholder support, security architecture strategy, application security, predictive analy... Show more

Cybersecurity professional with experience in Penetration Testing and Cyber Threat Intelligence. With a strong background in security assessments across diverse environments, I have developed expertise in risk evaluation, application and system security, privacy, and technical project management. My passion for social engineering enables me to approach security from a unique angle, bridging human and technical vulnerabilities to strengthen defense strategies.
Currently, I focus on Cyber Threat Intelligence, analyzing emerging threats and attacker behavior to enhance proactive security measures. I have also begun a master’s program in Criminology and Criminal Behavior to deepen my specialization in cybercriminal profiling, combining technical indicators with behavioral insights to better understand adversaries and improve prevention and response. In parallel, I’m pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Psychology to further strengthen my understanding of human behavior, decision-making, and the social dynamics that influence cyber risk.

Cybersecurity professional with experience in Penetration Testing and Cyber Threat Intelligence. With a strong background in security assessments across diverse environments, I have developed expertise in risk evaluation, application and system secur... Show more

Lea Hildermeier ist Projektmanagerin im HFD/CHE und dort u.a. für den Think Tank "Well-Being und Mental Health im digitalen Zeitalter an Hochschulen" zuständig. Zuvor studierte sie Anglistik, Erziehungswissenschaft und Psychologie an der Universität Bielefeld.
Als DigitalChangeMaker der Kohorte 2024 engagierte sich Lea in den Bereichen studentische Partizipation, Student Wellbeing und dem Einsatz von Künstlicher Intelligenz in der Hochschulbildung. Seit September 2024 engagiert sich Lea im Common Grounds Forum, damit junge Menschen ihre Stimme in bildungs- und digitalpolitischen Anliegen einbringen können.

Lea Hildermeier ist Projektmanagerin im HFD/CHE und dort u.a. für den Think Tank "Well-Being und Mental Health im digitalen Zeitalter an Hochschulen" zuständig. Zuvor studierte sie Anglistik, Erziehungswissenschaft und Psychologie an der Universität... Show more