Information & Communications Technology

Seasoned technologists, digital innovators, and other ICT experts, dedicated to advancing the field of information and communications technology

Ixchel Ruiz

Ixchel Ruiz

Ixchel Ruiz has been developing software applications and tools since 2000. Her research interests include Java, dynamic languages, client-side technologies, and testing. As a member of the JCP Executive Committee, Java Champion, Oracle ACE Pro, Testcontainers Community Champion, CDF Ambassador, Hackergarten enthusiast, Open Source advocate, public speaker, and mentor, Ixchel is deeply committed to fostering inclusive and collaborative tech communities. She actively mentors aspiring developers and champions initiatives aimed at increasing diversity and accessibility in the technology sector.

Ixchel’s work is characterised by a relentless pursuit of innovation, a deep understanding of user needs, and an unwavering commitment to ethical technology development.

Ixchel Ruiz has been developing software applications and tools since 2000. Her research interests include Java, dynamic languages, client-side technologies, and testing. As a member of the JCP Executive Committee, Java Champion, Oracle ACE Pro, Test... Show more

Adele Carpenter

Adele Carpenter

Adele is a Software Engineer and Consultant at Trifork Amsterdam where she is working on systems for the educational sector. Most of her work day is spent in the JVM/Spring and React ecosystems, although increasingly she plays a pivotal role as trusted advisor to Trifork’s customers.

Adele is an experienced international speaker, having spoken at multiple editions of NDC, goto, Devoxx and JavaZone. As a speaker, she uses her exposure to real-world customer projects, experiences outside of tech and passion for story-telling to distill complex ideas into their essential parts. All with an air of good humour.

When she’s not at her computer or on stage, you can find her in the gym pumping some serious iron as she pursues the sport of powerlifting.

Adele is a Software Engineer and Consultant at Trifork Amsterdam where she is working on systems for the educational sector. Most of her work day is spent in the JVM/Spring and React ecosystems, although increasingly she plays a pivotal role as trust... Show more

Eric Deandrea

Eric Deandrea

Eric Deandrea is a Java Champion & Senior Principal Software Engineer at IBM on the Quarkus engineering team. Eric has over 26 years of experience designing and building Java-based solutions and developer training programs. He is a contributor to various OSS projects, including Quarkus, Spring, LangChain4j, Docling, WireMock, and Microcks, as well as a speaker at many public events and user groups around the world. Eric recently put his Quarkus and Spring knowledge to use by publishing his first book, “Quarkus for Spring Developers (https://red.ht/quarkus-spring-devs).” Outside of work, Eric enjoys boating on the lakes of New Hampshire, ice hockey, and martial arts, in which he holds a black belt in Kempo Karate.

Eric Deandrea is a Java Champion & Senior Principal Software Engineer at IBM on the Quarkus engineering team. Eric has over 26 years of experience designing and building Java-based solutions and developer training programs. He is a contributor to var... Show more

Matthew Hess

Matthew Hess

Matthew Hess is a Microsoft MVP and software engineer with CG Infinity and the organizer of the Albuquerque .NET Users Group. Matthew got his start programming using Borland’s Delphi and has been working with C# since version 2. Matthew has written software for many different industries from Legal, to Financial Services, to Biotechnology to Non-Profit. His YouTube Channel, @CSharpAristan, is meant to help programmers of all levels become better at the craft of programming in C#.

Matthew Hess is a Microsoft MVP and software engineer with CG Infinity and the organizer of the Albuquerque .NET Users Group. Matthew got his start programming using Borland’s Delphi and has been working with C# since version 2. Matthew has written s... Show more

Nicola Guglielmi

Nicola Guglielmi

I operate at the intersection of bold vision and brilliant teams. As a Principal Cloud & AI Strategist and Fractional CTO, I partner with companies to architect future-proof cloud solutions and build the high-performing engineering teams needed to execute them.

With over a decade of hands-on experience in Digital Transformation, I specialize in Google Cloud Platform, Generative AI (Vertex AI), and complex multi-cloud architectures. I don't just talk theory, I have built Cloud Business Units from scratch and led mission-critical migrations in fast-paced sectors like Oil & Gas.
My philosophy is simple: an elite strategy is useless without an elite team to execute it, so I build the team first, knowing that the results will follow.
As a passionate advocate for open knowledge, I am a Google Cloud Authorized Trainer, a Google Developer Expert (GDE) for Cloud, and the Community Lead for GDG Campobasso.
Whether I am live-coding a Gen AI agent or sharing insights on the dynamics of engineering leadership, I bring energy, clarity, and deep real-world experience to the stage. I love connecting with people who are eager to challenge the status quo and push the boundaries of what technology can solve.

I operate at the intersection of bold vision and brilliant teams. As a Principal Cloud & AI Strategist and Fractional CTO, I partner with companies to architect future-proof cloud solutions and build the high-performing engineering teams needed to ex... Show more

Luca Torresi

Luca Torresi

As a Cloud Engineer with a strong focus on Microsoft On-premises and Cloud solutions, I specialize in Hybrid and Cloud infrastructures.
With extensive hands-on experience in a wide range of IT solutions. including server management, Fortinet Security Technologies, Antivirus solutions, backup systems, and advanced network solutions, I bring a well-rounded expertise to every project.

Over the years, I’ve developed a deep understanding of cloud technologies, consistently delivering reliable and scalable solutions that meet business needs.
My adaptability and commitment to learning ensure that I stay at the forefront of this ever-evolving industry.

I believe that my greatest strength lies in my ability to quickly acquire new skills, allowing me to continuously innovate and improve the solutions I provide.

As a Cloud Engineer with a strong focus on Microsoft On-premises and Cloud solutions, I specialize in Hybrid and Cloud infrastructures. With extensive hands-on experience in a wide range of IT solutions. including server management, Fortinet Securi... Show more

Homer Gaines, CPACC

Homer Gaines, CPACC

I'm a designer, UI engineer, and certified accessibility professional with over 30 years of experience. With a background in behavioral psychology and neurology, I focus on leading, promoting, and advancing accessibility at every stage in the product development lifecycle.

I'm a designer, UI engineer, and certified accessibility professional with over 30 years of experience. With a background in behavioral psychology and neurology, I focus on leading, promoting, and advancing accessibility at every stage in the product... Show more

Niels Tanis

Niels Tanis

Niels Tanis has got a background in .NET development, pentesting and security consultancy. He is Microsoft MVP and has been involved in breaking, defending and building secure applications. He joined Veracode in 2015 and right now he works as a security researcher on a variant of languages and technologies related to Veracode’s Binary Static Analysis service. He is married, father of two and lives in a small village just outside Amersfoort, The Netherlands.

Niels Tanis has got a background in .NET development, pentesting and security consultancy. He is Microsoft MVP and has been involved in breaking, defending and building secure applications. He joined Veracode in 2015 and right now he works as a secur... Show more

Barun Acharya

Barun Acharya

Barun likes hacking on low level stuff and fiddling around developer toolings. He currently works as a Software Engineer, simplifying OpenTelemetry Auto Instrumentation at Odigos and is a maintainer for KubeArmor, CNCF Sandbox project. He loves to speak at conferences talking about Open Source, Cloud Native, Observability and Security. He is a proud CNCF Ambassador. He has been associated and am actively mentoring with programs like Google Summer of Code and LFX Mentorship.

Barun likes hacking on low level stuff and fiddling around developer toolings. He currently works as a Software Engineer, simplifying OpenTelemetry Auto Instrumentation at Odigos and is a maintainer for KubeArmor, CNCF Sandbox project. He loves to s... Show more

ChengHao Yang

ChengHao Yang

Currently a co-organizer of the Cloud Native Taiwan User Group (CNTUG), a Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) Ambassador, and a Kubestronaut.
Besides maintaining a personal website, I have also spoken at or volunteered for community events such as Kubernetes Community Day, GDG DevFest, and Golang Taiwan.
Member of Kubernetes and Kubernetes SIGs, a code reviewer for the Kubespray project, and having served as a Release Signal Shadow for the Kubernetes v1.32 and v1.33.

Currently a co-organizer of the Cloud Native Taiwan User Group (CNTUG), a Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) Ambassador, and a Kubestronaut. Besides maintaining a personal website, I have also spoken at or volunteered for community events such... Show more

Denis Selimovic

Denis Selimovic

I am an enthusiastic Power BI user, Speaker, Power BI Super User, co-organizer of the Fabric User Group Switzerland and Microsoft MVP.

I work as Principal Consultant, trainer and mentor in the area of Business Intelligence in Switzerland.
I have been lucky enough to work with Power BI since its release in 2015 and gain experience in many interesting projects since the beginning. In my blog WhatTheFact.bi I write about everything related to Power BI, best practices, share tips and look forward to exchange with you!

I am an enthusiastic Power BI user, Speaker, Power BI Super User, co-organizer of the Fabric User Group Switzerland and Microsoft MVP. I work as Principal Consultant, trainer and mentor in the area of Business Intelligence in Switzerland. I have... Show more

Pawel Piwosz

Pawel Piwosz

Docker Captain. DevOps Institute Ambassador. CD.Foundation Ambassador.
Engineer, leader, mentor, speaker.

My focus is on CALMS. I am building better understanding of DevOps as driver for the organization.

I am devoted to IaC, Serverless and CI/CD. I authored the framework for design the CI/CD: https://www.cicd.run/

Co-author of CI/CD Design Patterns book.

Host DevOps In Agile Way and OhMyCloud! Youtube channels.

Docker Captain. DevOps Institute Ambassador. CD.Foundation Ambassador. Engineer, leader, mentor, speaker. My focus is on CALMS. I am building better understanding of DevOps as driver for the organization. I am devoted to IaC, Serverless an... Show more

Sammy Deprez

Sammy Deprez

Sammy is a seasoned consultant with an extensive background in diverse industries and over a decade of experience. With a specialization in the Microsoft Stack, he has successfully undertaken and delivered numerous projects across sectors such as finance, healthcare, and beyond.

In 2015, Sammy made a significant shift in his career by redirecting his focus towards Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Recognizing the transformative potential of these emerging technologies, he dedicated himself to mastering their applications and staying at the forefront of the field. His deep understanding of AI and its practical implications has allowed him to contribute significantly to the advancement of organizations he has been involved with.

In 2017, Sammy played a pivotal role in the launch of a new company that specializes in leveraging Artificial Intelligence and Microsoft tools to maximize organizations' potential. His expertise and leadership were instrumental in establishing the company as a prominent player in the AI landscape. Through his strategic insights and hands-on involvement, Sammy has helped numerous businesses harness the power of AI to drive innovation, improve operational efficiency, and achieve sustainable growth.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Sammy is a passionate advocate for AI education and community building. He serves as a board member of the global AI community, where he actively contributes to fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing, and networking opportunities among professionals in the field. As an esteemed international speaker, Sammy frequently shares his expertise and insights at industry conferences, seminars, and workshops, inspiring and educating audiences about the transformative potential of AI.

Sammy's commitment to excellence and his contributions to the AI community have been recognized with the prestigious MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award in AI since 2021. This accolade further underscores his dedication, expertise, and impact in the field, cementing his position as a trusted advisor and thought leader in the intersection of AI and business.

With his vast experience, deep knowledge, and unwavering passion for AI, Sammy continues to shape the future of organizations by unlocking their potential through cutting-edge technologies, and inspiring others to embark on their own AI journeys.

Sammy is a seasoned consultant with an extensive background in diverse industries and over a decade of experience. With a specialization in the Microsoft Stack, he has successfully undertaken and delivered numerous projects across sectors such as fin... Show more

Jakub Scholz

Jakub Scholz

Jakub is a CNCF Ambassador and a Senior Principal Software Engineer at Red Hat. He has long-term experience with Kubernetes, streaming, and messaging. Currently focuses mainly on Apache Kafka and its integration with Kubernetes. He is one of the founders and maintainers of the Strimzi project, which provides tooling for running Apache Kafka on Kubernetes. Before joining Red Hat, he worked as a messaging and solution architect in the financial industry.

Jakub is a CNCF Ambassador and a Senior Principal Software Engineer at Red Hat. He has long-term experience with Kubernetes, streaming, and messaging. Currently focuses mainly on Apache Kafka and its integration with Kubernetes. He is one of the foun... Show more

Esther Barthel

Esther Barthel

Esther Barthel has worked in different roles and functions as an IT consultant after she finished her Master’s degree in Computer Science in 1997. She soon discovered that End User Computing combined servers, desktops, and user experience technologies into one and specialized in virtualization solutions, like Microsoft Remote Desktop Services, Citrix Virtual Apps & Desktops and Azure Virtual Desktops

Esther works as a Senior Solutions Architect at cognition IT, where she combines her passion for designing and implementing End User Computing (EUC) solutions with her love for DevOps, using Infrastructure-as-Code, PowerShell scripting, REST APIs, and JSON payloads for process automation of managing infrastructure focused resources (both on-premises and Cloud).

Ever since she hosted introduction days for technical female student candidates Esther has shared her passion and knowledge for IT. She has also been a strong advocate of diversity and inclusion as one of the founders of the CUGC Women in Tech mentorship program.

In addition to her Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) award, Esther is also awarded as a Nerdio Valued Professional (NVP), and Parallels VIPP.

Esther Barthel has worked in different roles and functions as an IT consultant after she finished her Master’s degree in Computer Science in 1997. She soon discovered that End User Computing combined servers, desktops, and user experience technologie... Show more

Michael Niehaus

Michael Niehaus

Michael Niehaus is a Programme Director and Master Inventor at 2Pint Software, working on device management and OS deployment technologies. Previously, Michael spent 16 years at Microsoft working on MDT, Windows as a Service, Windows Autopilot, and related management and deployment technologies. Prior to that, he spent 14 years working as an IT pro.

Michael Niehaus is a Programme Director and Master Inventor at 2Pint Software, working on device management and OS deployment technologies. Previously, Michael spent 16 years at Microsoft working on MDT, Windows as a Service, Windows Autopilot, and r... Show more

Kenny (Baas) Schwegler

Kenny (Baas) Schwegler

I believe in collaborative software design where *‘every voice shapes the software’*. Leveraging a domain-driven design approach with Team Topologies, I facilitate clearer communication between stakeholders and software creators by collaborative modelling and deep democracy, decoding complexities, resolving conflicts and ensuring software remains agile to business demands.

As an independent software consultant and trainer, I specialise in technical leadership, software architecture, and sociotechnical system design. I work with organisations and teams to design and build sustainable and resilient software architecture.

I believe in collaborative software design where *‘every voice shapes the software’*. Leveraging a domain-driven design approach with Team Topologies, I facilitate clearer communication between stakeholders and software creators by collaborative mod... Show more

Samuel Shaw

Samuel Shaw

Sam has been in the technology space professionally for a decade after dabbling as a developer while working in academia. His spare time is spent trying new things or in the gym fighting. Most recently the focus being Krav Maga and Kung Fu.

Sam has been in the technology space professionally for a decade after dabbling as a developer while working in academia. His spare time is spent trying new things or in the gym fighting. Most recently the focus being Krav Maga and Kung Fu. Show more

PJ Hagerty

PJ Hagerty

PJ Hagerty is a well-known figure in the tech industry, particularly within the developer relations and DevOps communities. He is recognized for his work as a developer advocate, community builder, writer, and speaker. PJ founded DevRelate.io, a company focused on helping tech organizations build communities and enhance developer relations. He has a strong presence in the open-source and tech communities, often speaking at conferences and producing content on topics such as software development, DevOps, and community engagement.

PJ Hagerty is a well-known figure in the tech industry, particularly within the developer relations and DevOps communities. He is recognized for his work as a developer advocate, community builder, writer, and speaker. PJ founded DevRelate.io, a comp... Show more

Eberhard Wolff

Eberhard Wolff

Eberhard Wolff has 20+ years of experience as an architect and consultant - often on the intersection of business and technology. He is Head of Architecture at SWAGLab. As a speaker, he has given talks at international conferences and as an author, he has written more than 100 articles and books e.g. about Microservices and Continuous Delivery. His technological focus is on modern architectures – often involving Cloud, Domain-driven Design, and Microservices.

Eberhard Wolff has 20+ years of experience as an architect and consultant - often on the intersection of business and technology. He is Head of Architecture at SWAGLab. As a speaker, he has given talks at international conferences and as an author, h... Show more

Ivar Grimstad

Ivar Grimstad

Ivar Grimstad is the Jakarta EE Developer Advocate at Eclipse Foundation. He is a Norwegian Java Champion and JUG Leader based in Sweden.

Besides advocating the Jakarta EE technologies, Ivar is contributing to the Jakarta EE specifications as well as being the PMC Lead for Eclipse Enterprise for Java (EE4J). He is also one of the specification leads for Jakarta MVC and represents Eclipse Foundation on the JCP Executive Committee.

Ivar is also involved in a wide range of other open-source projects and communities. He is a frequent speaker at International developer conferences.

Ivar Grimstad is the Jakarta EE Developer Advocate at Eclipse Foundation. He is a Norwegian Java Champion and JUG Leader based in Sweden. Besides advocating the Jakarta EE technologies, Ivar is contributing to the Jakarta EE specifications as well... Show more

Andrej Pashchenko

Andrej Pashchenko

Andrej Pashchenko started his IT career in the early 1990s and has been working with Oracle Database since 1999. Over the past 15 years, he has focused on consulting, supporting customer projects in the areas of data warehousing, data modeling, ETL, and SQL performance. He has been actively sharing his knowledge since 2011 through blogging, speaking at international conferences, and teaching, helping others get the best out of Oracle Database. For his technical expertise and his long-standing commitment to knowledge sharing, Oracle has recognized him as an Oracle ACE Pro.

Andrej Pashchenko started his IT career in the early 1990s and has been working with Oracle Database since 1999. Over the past 15 years, he has focused on consulting, supporting customer projects in the areas of data warehousing, data modeling, ETL, ... Show more

Christian Weyer

Christian Weyer

Christian Weyer is co-founder and CTO of Thinktecture AG. As a Microsoft MVP, Google GDE, and Microsoft RD, he is an engaged and passionate speaker at various software conferences and events worldwide. For more than 25 years, his heart has always been with the latest technologies and how to apply them reasonably to ISV and enterprise solutions.

Christian Weyer is co-founder and CTO of Thinktecture AG. As a Microsoft MVP, Google GDE, and Microsoft RD, he is an engaged and passionate speaker at various software conferences and events worldwide. For more than 25 years, his heart has always bee... Show more

Talia Asghar

Talia Asghar

Taley’a is a software engineer, having exposure to working in the product ecosystem for the more than seven years.
She has experience in diverse web and mobile technologies. She enjoys simplifying problems and making the user experience better for the product users.
She is an active contributor in the community and loves speaking at community events and conferences. Apart from this, she likes reading, art, and hiking to explore nature.

Taley’a is a software engineer, having exposure to working in the product ecosystem for the more than seven years. She has experience in diverse web and mobile technologies. She enjoys simplifying problems and making the user experience better for t... Show more

Cristhian Fernandez

Cristhian Fernandez

I'm a Solutions Architect with over 20 years of experience in software development, primarily focused on designing and delivering solutions using the Microsoft technology stack.

I've worn many hats throughout my career, but my passion lies in helping organisations build impactful systems, most recently leveraging Dynamics 365 and the Power Platform. I enjoy guiding customers in unlocking the full potential of these tools and driving real value from their digital transformation efforts.

As an active member of the Power Platform community, I’m always eager to share knowledge, connect with others, and keep learning. I’ve been honoured to receive the Microsoft MVP award in recognition of these contributions—an achievement that’s as rewarding as the friendships and experiences the community brings.

I'm a Solutions Architect with over 20 years of experience in software development, primarily focused on designing and delivering solutions using the Microsoft technology stack. I've worn many hats throughout my career, but my passion lies in help... Show more

Santhana Lakshmi Ponnurasan

Santhana Lakshmi Ponnurasan

Lakshmi is a Microsoft MVP (Data Platform) and a Certified Power BI Data Analyst, currently working in the Institutional Effectiveness department at Missouri University of Science and Technology. She is passionate about creating creative and innovative Power BI reports that not only make data pop but also provide actionable insights. She was a Finalist in the Microsoft Power BI DataViz World Championships 2025, showcasing her ability to combine technical expertise with storytelling. An engaging speaker, she frequently speaks about all things Power BI at user groups and conferences, and also shares tips and best practices on her Medium blog.

Lakshmi is a Microsoft MVP (Data Platform) and a Certified Power BI Data Analyst, currently working in the Institutional Effectiveness department at Missouri University of Science and Technology. She is passionate about creating creative and innovati... Show more

Pasha Finkelshteyn

Pasha Finkelshteyn

Years of experience in software engineering and the team's leading roles combined with his passion for Java made Pasha know all the hidden details in this IT niche. As a Developer Advocate for @Bellsoft, he educates the public on the latest software tools built by BellSoft and helps to create and test instruments for developers. He writes in Kotlin, speaks at conferences, composes a new articles, or maintains his pet projects.

Years of experience in software engineering and the team's leading roles combined with his passion for Java made Pasha know all the hidden details in this IT niche. As a Developer Advocate for @Bellsoft, he educates the public on the latest software ... Show more

Onyinye Madubuko

Onyinye Madubuko

Onyinye is an IT professional with substantial work experience in the Information Technology industry. Her expertise lies in digitally transforming organizations via modernized communications, advising intelligent strategies to adopt hybrid workplaces, and promoting creative solutions to collaborate effectively. She has successfully led multiple projects across the Modern Workplace technology across various sectors.
She is passionate about innovations in Information Technology, technical research, and investigative studies which has led to her collaboration in publishing journal and conference papers on IEEE.

Onyinye is an IT professional with substantial work experience in the Information Technology industry. Her expertise lies in digitally transforming organizations via modernized communications, advising intelligent strategies to adopt hybrid workplace... Show more

Edine Olijve-Watkinson

Edine Olijve-Watkinson

I’m Edine, a passionate advocate for Microsoft 365 technologies, with a particular focus on SharePoint Online, Teams, Copilot, Purview, and the modern workplace. I thrive on simplifying complex concepts, making them accessible to IT professionals and business users alike.

With 9 years of experience in the Microsoft ecosystem, I specialize in helping organizations unlock the full potential of their digital workplace. Whether it’s streamlining collaboration, getting the most out of Copilot, enhancing intranet experiences, or optimizing Microsoft 365 adoption, my goal is to empower teams with the right tools and knowledge to work smarter.

I’m Edine, a passionate advocate for Microsoft 365 technologies, with a particular focus on SharePoint Online, Teams, Copilot, Purview, and the modern workplace. I thrive on simplifying complex concepts, making them accessible to IT professionals and... Show more

Taha Bouhsine

Taha Bouhsine

I am Taha Bouhsine, from a small town near Agadir, currently based in San Francisco, USA, trying to decipher the magic of AI and create cheesy-titled papers for the AI research community.

I am an AI/ML Google Developer Expert, I tend to be a generalist having experience working on different types of tasks in software engineering, machine learning engineering, research engineering, and electrical engineering while specializing in Deep Learning with a focus on Multimodality Deep Learning, Representation Learning, and Continual Learning. I published research papers on Machine Learning applied to different fields including aviation safety, civil engineering, security, and remote sensing.

I had the honor of founding a GDSC UIZ in Agadir. Together with my team, we organized over 90 events that reached more than 2,000 people. I am also the founder of MLNomads, a research community dedicated to collaborating on ML research projects on nights and weekends. I am also one of the Organizers of the new GDG Agadir team. I also enjoy the creation of small videos explaining different concepts in Machine Learning.

Apart from my community work, I'm a football enthusiast, just like any other Moroccan. I love watching our national team's matches and also playing football myself. I also enjoy cycling and swimming, and in the past, I used to practice karate, I participated in multiple international competitions. I enjoy writing poetry both in English and Arabic, which I use as a personal journal and self-reflecting way to understand myself and look for ways to improve myself. I also enjoy recording voice-overs of different poetries I like and also those ones I write, as well as recording podcasts that only my friends listen to. Recently, I started challenging myself to learn guitar and to learn how to play gnawa music over the guitar instead of the ganbri.

I am Taha Bouhsine, from a small town near Agadir, currently based in San Francisco, USA, trying to decipher the magic of AI and create cheesy-titled papers for the AI research community. I am an AI/ML Google Developer Expert, I tend to be a gener... Show more

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