Brian is a Microsoft Azure MVP, speaker, author, trainer, and .NET developer with deep expertise across cloud and application development. He holds MCSA: Web App Certification, MCSD: App Builder, and thirteen Azure and GitHub certifications, including Developer, Administrator, DevOps Engineer, Solutions Architect, Data Administrator, Security Engineer, AI Engineer, and Cosmos DB — along with multiple Fundamentals certifications. Since 2019, he has also been a Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT).

Brian earned a Master of Science in Computer Information Systems and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. Along with 25 years of development experience, he brings over 15 years of experience teaching computer science, SQL databases, object-oriented programming (C#, VB.NET, Java), and Microsoft Office in online university settings and professional training environments.

As an educator and creator, Brian has developed numerous online training courses available across multiple platforms and has authored several books with APress, including Practical Entity Framework Core 10 (with two earlier editions) and Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure Certification Companion: Hands-on Preparation and Practice for Exam AZ-204.

Brian is a Microsoft Azure MVP, speaker, author, trainer, and .NET developer with deep expertise across cloud and application development. He holds MCSA: Web App Certification, MCSD: App Builder, and thirteen Azure and GitHub certifications, includin... Show more

Michael is a member of the GraphQL Technical Steering Committee, a Microsoft MVP, and Co-Founder and CEO of ChilliCream. He is the creator of Hot Chocolate, a widely used GraphQL server and client platform for .NET, and one of the authors of the Composite Schema specification. Michael works closely with companies to design scalable GraphQL architectures and is actively shaping the future of GraphQL through open source and standards work.

Michael is a member of the GraphQL Technical Steering Committee, a Microsoft MVP, and Co-Founder and CEO of ChilliCream. He is the creator of Hot Chocolate, a widely used GraphQL server and client platform for .NET, and one of the authors of the Comp... Show more

Senior Agile Coach, Jean-Yves Klein has worn many hats: developer, project manager, program director, head of IT… This diverse background gives him a 360° view of agility — from hands-on delivery to executive strategy.

Certified in PMI, SAFe, and Disciplined Agile, he has coached teams across IT, mechanical engineering, electronics, marketing, and legal. His approach is always tailored to the team, the project, and the organization — no cookie-cutter solutions here.

A passionate educator, he has designed over 10 Serious Games, including several with LEGO, to bring Agile, SAFe, DevOps, and key roles like Product Owner and Scrum Master to life. With him, learning is hands-on, fun, and unforgettable.

Senior Agile Coach, Jean-Yves Klein has worn many hats: developer, project manager, program director, head of IT… This diverse background gives him a 360° view of agility — from hands-on delivery to executive strategy. Certified in PMI, SAFe, and ... Show more

Leslie Welch is the Principal Architect, Data & AI at SHI with over 18 years of experience in automation, data analysis and visualization, and strengthening organizations’ knowledge of data. Leslie is a Microsoft MVP and has worked end-to-end in the data arena from capture and ETL to database design/engineering to analysis and dashboard design to ML use cases with a focus on improving productivity, performance, and data quality. She has extensive experience in enterprise deployment of Power BI, both as an admin and Power BI architect, and as a trainer and technical community organizer. She is passionate about data governance, truth-telling in data, and creating collaborative environments across data practitioners and the numerous data stakeholders.

Leslie co-organizes Power BI DC and frequently attends and speaks at data community meetups in the DC metro area, including but not limited to Data Viz DC, Data Science DC, Women Who Code DC, Washington DC Power Platform User Group, and Generative AI DC. Leslie was recognized as a 2023 New Power Woman in Tech by DCA Live, and on the RealLIST Engineers 2024 as one of 15 technologists helping the DMV ecosystem grow.

Leslie Welch is the Principal Architect, Data & AI at SHI with over 18 years of experience in automation, data analysis and visualization, and strengthening organizations’ knowledge of data. Leslie is a Microsoft MVP and has worked end-to-end in the ... Show more

Joe Houghes is a leader of the Denver VMware, PowerShell, and Veeam User Groups. He is a Field Solutions Architect with Pure Storage and focuses on automating us out of typical IT operations while freeing us to perform higher-level tasks.

Joe has been the #1 speaker internationally for VMUG from 2021-2024 for virtual and in-person events. He is continually working to help & encourage the next community speaker(s) to take his place while helping to get them started.

Joe also works to evangelize the message that automation should be a focus for admins & engineers, even though it requires more in-depth thinking and focus beyond performing a task once. He knows that even though it is not always someone's default method, the result is repeatable and consistent.

Joe tries to help others understand why we should do the easy tasks better, and he challenges everyone to push themselves outside of their comfort zone and learn more about any topic of interest.

Joe is a collector of communities as a leader for three User Groups, and he's a member of various tech programs: Microsoft MVP, vExpert (Pro), Cisco Champion, Veeam Vanguard, Tanzu Vanguard, plus part of the vBrownBag crew. He tells people not to let fear keep them from sharing their knowledge with others and teaching from their unique perspective.

He's also easy to spot by the bright hat, big grin, and the loud "Howdy Y'all."

Joe Houghes is a leader of the Denver VMware, PowerShell, and Veeam User Groups. He is a Field Solutions Architect with Pure Storage and focuses on automating us out of typical IT operations while freeing us to perform higher-level tasks. Joe has... Show more

Julian Kusenberg is a Microsoft MVP and Senior Consultant at SoftwareOne AG and an expert in Microsoft 365 compliance, with a particular focus on Microsoft Purview. In his role, he supports organizations in implementing holistic security and governance strategies – from deploying sensitivity labels to Insider Risk Management, Data Loss Prevention, and eDiscovery.

With an academic background in physics from Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Julian combines analytical thinking with deep technical expertise. Previously, he worked at FTI Consulting, where he played a leading role in international Microsoft 365 compliance projects for clients across industries such as manufacturing, the public sector, healthcare, and non-profit organizations.

His focus lies in the practical implementation of compliance frameworks within Microsoft environments, the development of information protection strategies, and the intelligent use of automation and governance features. Julian is a regular speaker at conferences, known for presenting complex technical topics in a clear, structured, and practical manner.

Julian Kusenberg is a Microsoft MVP and Senior Consultant at SoftwareOne AG and an expert in Microsoft 365 compliance, with a particular focus on Microsoft Purview. In his role, he supports organizations in implementing holistic security and governan... Show more

Alison Cossette is founder and CEO of ClariTrace, where she's building graph-based intelligence for AI systems. Her work spans AI governance, physical AI, and retrieval research—she recently won "Most Impressive Project" at Physical AI Hack 2026 for a VLA-powered robot that reads books to children. Alison serves on the US NIST Generative AI Public Working Group and has studied AI and Data Science at Northwestern University at the Master's level. She speaks globally on building AI systems that are capable, controllable, and worth trusting.

Alison Cossette is founder and CEO of ClariTrace, where she's building graph-based intelligence for AI systems. Her work spans AI governance, physical AI, and retrieval research—she recently won "Most Impressive Project" at Physical AI Hack 2026 for ... Show more

Dr. Aaron N. Cutshall is a proven leader in Healthcare Informatics with 40 years of experience in application and database analysis, design, and development. He focuses on clinical quality measures and massive databases. He actively speaks nationwide at conferences and user group sessions on health informatics, data architecture, database development, analytics, and professional development topics.

Dr. Aaron N. Cutshall is a proven leader in Healthcare Informatics with 40 years of experience in application and database analysis, design, and development. He focuses on clinical quality measures and massive databases. He actively speaks nationwide... Show more

Shabnam is a business intelligence consultant and owner of ABI Cube, a company that specializes in delivering data solutions using the Microsoft Data Platform. She has over 20 years of experience and is recognized as a Microsoft Data Platform MVP for her technical excellence and community involvement.

She is passionate about helping organizations harness the power of data to drive insights and innovation. She has a deep expertise in Microsoft Analysis Services, Power BI, Azure Synapse Analytics, and Microsoft Fabric. She is also a speaker, blogger, and organizer for SQL Saturday Atlanta - BI version, where she shares her knowledge and best practices with the data community.

Shabnam is a business intelligence consultant and owner of ABI Cube, a company that specializes in delivering data solutions using the Microsoft Data Platform. She has over 20 years of experience and is recognized as a Microsoft Data Platform MVP for... Show more

Steven took up several roles over the past 20+ years, from junior developer to team lead and architect. Currently coaching software engineers at AllPhi where he hones both the hard technical skills and the softer people skills that are necessary to succeed as a consultant.

Main technical interests are architecture, distributed systems and api design.

When it comes to non-technical subjects he focuses on sharing knowledge and help others grow to become successful software engineers and consultants.

In his free time he likes to sport, play chess and boardgames, and tame his 2 kids.

Steven took up several roles over the past 20+ years, from junior developer to team lead and architect. Currently coaching software engineers at AllPhi where he hones both the hard technical skills and the softer people skills that are necessary to s... Show more

Ron Dagdag brings over 25 years of experience as a software artisan to his role as Research Engineering Manager at Thomson Reuters, where he leads teams to develop transformative AI solutions. In addition to his professional responsibilities, Ron is an active member of the tech community, recognized as a Microsoft MVP in AI, Mixed Reality, and IoT. Ron is an international speaker, sharing his knowledge at industry events, and remains an active maker and tinkerer with a passion for Augmented Intelligence.
🚀 Code > Create > Coach > Repeat.

Ron Dagdag brings over 25 years of experience as a software artisan to his role as Research Engineering Manager at Thomson Reuters, where he leads teams to develop transformative AI solutions. In addition to his professional responsibilities, Ron is ... Show more

I am an a Microsoft MVP and workplace architect who specializes in Intune and modern workplace solutions for medium to large enterprises. Passionate about learning and sharing knowledge, Speaks at conferences around the world, aiming to deliver sessions that inspire and encourage meaningful discussions. Outside of work, rocks out to the favorite bands and crushes functional fitness challenges—because who says IT pros can’t be hardcore in every sense?

I am an a Microsoft MVP and workplace architect who specializes in Intune and modern workplace solutions for medium to large enterprises. Passionate about learning and sharing knowledge, Speaks at conferences around the world, aiming to deliver sessi... Show more

Jan Ketil is an Microsoft MVP since 2016 and are working as a COO and Principal Cloud Architect at CloudWay in Norway. He has been working in the industry for Microsoft Partners and Microsoft for more than 25 years. He loves to speak about anything around Endpoint Management, Identity, Security and Automation. He is also the lead for both community conferences Workplace Ninjas Norway and Nordic Virtual Summit. Jan Ketil has presented at large industry conferences like Microsoft Ignite, Microsoft Inspire, MMS, TechMentor HQ, Experts Live Europe, WPNinja and NIC Conference in Oslo. He is also a regular speaker at various User Group events across Europe.

Jan Ketil is an Microsoft MVP since 2016 and are working as a COO and Principal Cloud Architect at CloudWay in Norway. He has been working in the industry for Microsoft Partners and Microsoft for more than 25 years. He loves to speak about anything a... Show more

I am a Father, International Speaker, Software Engineer, and Architect at Visionet Deutschland GmbH, currently living in Germany. My interests range from technology to travel. I am also interested in coaching, entrepreneurship, reading, vlogging and programming.

I am a Father, International Speaker, Software Engineer, and Architect at Visionet Deutschland GmbH, currently living in Germany. My interests range from technology to travel. I am also interested in coaching, entrepreneurship, reading, vlogging and ... Show more

Carol is a Cloud Architect with a strong focus on security and observability, boasting over 7 years of experience in cloud-native technologies. She is an open-source contributor to Kubernetes, OpenTelemetry, Kubernetes Release, and CNCF Glossary. Carol is an active member of the community, serving as a TAG Lead in Operational Resilience, CNCF Ambassador, AWS Community Builder, and Cloud Native chapter organizer, together with KCD events in Brazil.

Carol is a Cloud Architect with a strong focus on security and observability, boasting over 7 years of experience in cloud-native technologies. She is an open-source contributor to Kubernetes, OpenTelemetry, Kubernetes Release, and CNCF Glossary. Car... Show more

Clarissa Rodrigues is graduated by University of Vale dos Sinos (UNISINOS), specialist in Software Engineering by Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) and master student in Applied Computing by UNISINOS. With more than 10 years of IT experience, she has been working in different roles and companies, such as a Business Analyst at SISPRO, ADP, SAP and most current Technical Quality & Program Manager at Uber. On her journey, she has been advocated for quality inside QAs work to make sure goods and services are designed, developed, and made to meet or exceed customers’ expectations and requirements.

Clarissa Rodrigues is graduated by University of Vale dos Sinos (UNISINOS), specialist in Software Engineering by Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) and master student in Applied Computing by UNISINOS. With more than 10 years of IT exper... Show more

As Developer Advocate, helping developers build production-ready AI applications. With a background spanning data analytics, machine learning, and developer education, she specializes in making complex AI concepts accessible through hands-on tutorials, open-source projects, and live demos.

She creates practical resources for RAG systems, agentic workflows, and multimodal applications—focusing on code that developers can deploy immediately. As a conference speaker and workshop instructor, she bridges the gap between cutting-edge AI research and real-world implementation.

As Developer Advocate, helping developers build production-ready AI applications. With a background spanning data analytics, machine learning, and developer education, she specializes in making complex AI concepts accessible through hands-on tutorial... Show more

Carey Payette is a Principal Engineer at Financial Finesse, an Azure AI MVP, Microsoft Certified Trainer and part of the Progress Ninja community. Known for turning cutting-edge AI concepts into practical, production-ready solutions, she specializes in architecting intelligent, agentic systems, ensuring AI system and data security, and designing scalable platforms that solve real-world problems. She brings additional depth through her work in machine learning, IoT, and data analytics. Carey combines deep technical expertise with a passion for creating impactful, forward-thinking technology.

Carey Payette is a Principal Engineer at Financial Finesse, an Azure AI MVP, Microsoft Certified Trainer and part of the Progress Ninja community. Known for turning cutting-edge AI concepts into practical, production-ready solutions, she specializes ... Show more

Solution Architect and Community Builder dedicated to scaling high-performance ecosystems. Currently leading the Panama JUG, I bridge the gap between Java-based enterprise stability and Cloud Native innovation. My expertise lies in architecting scalable, maintainable systems for mission-critical sectors like banking and logistics.

Solution Architect and Community Builder dedicated to scaling high-performance ecosystems. Currently leading the Panama JUG, I bridge the gap between Java-based enterprise stability and Cloud Native innovation. My expertise lies in architecting scala... Show more

Waste is a bug.

Matt “Kelly” Williams is the founder of Making Software Greener and CEO of the Sustainable IT Manifesto Foundation. He helps engineers see how architecture, DevOps, and AI shape performance, cost, and sustainability—and why they’re really the same problem.

With over three decades in IT, Kelly has worked across DevOps, cloud computing, and software architecture. He serves on the advisory board of the Green Computing Foundation and speaks internationally about sustainable software, developer agency, and the hidden inefficiencies that shape modern systems.

He has always wanted to be a Renaissance person; perhaps one day he will be. In the meantime, he explores sustainable computing, photography, tabletop game design, weaving, cooking, and wandering the mountains near Loveland, Colorado.

Systems remember every decision we make.

Waste is a bug. Matt “Kelly” Williams is the founder of Making Software Greener and CEO of the Sustainable IT Manifesto Foundation. He helps engineers see how architecture, DevOps, and AI shape performance, cost, and sustainability—and why they’re... Show more

I'm Mahendran Selvakumar, a Cloud Native technologist and Open Source advocate with deep experience in Kubernetes, AWS, and HashiCorp tools and Service Mesh. I'm a HashiCorp Ambassador, Linkerd Ambassador, AWS Community Builder. I organize the AWS West Midlands, West Midlands HashiCorp, and Cloud Native Birmingham user groups.

I’ve delivered talks at DevOps Live, HashiTalks, Hashicorp User Groups and other industry events, focusing on Kubernetes,platform engineering, secure infrastructure, and service mesh adoption. I also mentor students through free AWS and Terraform training and publish technical blogs on https://devopstronaut.com to make Cloud Native and Open Source technologies more accessible.

I'm Mahendran Selvakumar, a Cloud Native technologist and Open Source advocate with deep experience in Kubernetes, AWS, and HashiCorp tools and Service Mesh. I'm a HashiCorp Ambassador, Linkerd Ambassador, AWS Community Builder. I organize the AWS We... Show more

Kaitlyn Concilio is an engineering leader who started playing with computers since she first telnetted into the library to reserve books in first grade. She’s passionate about building and leading vibrant, cross-functional teams and helping developers grow and find joy in their work. With deep experience in design and writing, she’s programmed her way through stints in journalism, nonprofits, higher education and healthcare, both as an internal team member and through consultancy.

Kaitlyn Concilio is an engineering leader who started playing with computers since she first telnetted into the library to reserve books in first grade. She’s passionate about building and leading vibrant, cross-functional teams and helping developer... Show more

Steve Yonkeu is a backend software engineer dedicated to delivering excellence in architecture, performance, and modularity. For over 5 years he has been leading teams and projects and open source communities worldwide. Steve is also the founder of Django Cameroon and Python Cameroon communities today. He is also an organizer at PyCon Africa and speaker at PyConUS.

Steve Yonkeu is a backend software engineer dedicated to delivering excellence in architecture, performance, and modularity. For over 5 years he has been leading teams and projects and open source communities worldwide. Steve is also the founder of D... Show more

Vaibhav Gujral is a seasoned cloud and AI leader with over 20 years of IT experience, specializing in architecting scalable, resilient cloud platforms. His career is distinguished by deep expertise in designing and implementing sophisticated, large-scale cloud ecosystems that underpin enterprise innovation. He is adept at leveraging DevOps principles and AI-driven technologies to architect solutions that generate significant business value.

Mr. Gujral's contributions to the field have been widely recognized. He has been awarded the Microsoft MVP title six times for his expertise in both the Azure Platform and AI Foundry. He is also a Fellow of the BCS (The Chartered Institute for IT), a member of the Forbes Technology Council, and a Senior Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Committed to professional development within the tech community, he founded and leads two influential meetup groups in Omaha. He further shares his expertise through his technical blog, vaibhavgujral.com, and as a frequent speaker at industry events.

Vaibhav Gujral is a seasoned cloud and AI leader with over 20 years of IT experience, specializing in architecting scalable, resilient cloud platforms. His career is distinguished by deep expertise in designing and implementing sophisticated, large-s... Show more

Microsoft MVP | Sessionize Top 3% speaker 2022 & 2023

Jon specialises in Microsoft 365 with over 10 years of experience in consultancy and pre-sales; Jon is passionate about Microsoft products and especially enjoys the Microsoft Defender and Intune suites.

Jon particularly likes discussing Microsoft Security and Windows 365 and holds a Microsoft MVP in Intune and Windows 365.

Microsoft MVP | Sessionize Top 3% speaker 2022 & 2023 Jon specialises in Microsoft 365 with over 10 years of experience in consultancy and pre-sales; Jon is passionate about Microsoft products and especially enjoys the Microsoft Defender and Intun... Show more

Håkan holds a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master’s degree in Leadership and Organizational behavior. He has also taken courses on university level in psychology, interaction design and human-computer interaction. He has 25 years’ experience of software development in various positions such as developer, tester, architect, project manager, scrum master, practice manager and team lead.

Håkan is Chairman of the Norwegian .NET User Group Oslo (NNUG) and is active as an Ambassador for Oslo AI, the local chapter for the global City.AI community. In addition, he is the co-founder of AI42, an online school for learning about AI and Data Science and the Azure User Group Sweden, a meetup focused on Azure.

Håkan is a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) in AI, a Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) and a MCT Community Lead.

Currently Håkan is working as an AI Evangelist at Sopra Steria.

Håkan holds a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master’s degree in Leadership and Organizational behavior. He has also taken courses on university level in psychology, interaction design and human-computer interaction. He has 2... Show more

Joe Griffin is CEO of proMX UK Limited, a Microsoft Inner Circle partner within the proMX group of companies. As a holder of over 40+ Microsoft technical certifications covering the entire Microsoft cloud stack, including Dynamics 365, Power Platform, Microsoft Azure, Artificial Intelligence and more, Joe is a seasoned professional, technical architect and trainer, with a passion for implementing effective technology solutions. Joe's experience covers a variety of industries, including energy, managed services, retail, print & direct mail and the UK utility sector. Joe has been a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) since 2020, and contributes regularly at conferences and user groups across the globe. When Joe is not working, he enjoys reading, learning about history, walking, video games and catching up with the latest film and TV shows.

Joe Griffin is CEO of proMX UK Limited, a Microsoft Inner Circle partner within the proMX group of companies. As a holder of over 40+ Microsoft technical certifications covering the entire Microsoft cloud stack, including Dynamics 365, Power Platform... Show more

As a Green Software Advocate and Tech Sustainability Consultant, my mission is helping companies and professionals build more sustainable, low-carbon digital solutions. Since discovering technology's environmental impact in early 2023, I've become a recognized speaker at major tech conferences and co-founded Green Software Italia community. I believe in responsible technology that creates positive impact for both businesses and the environment.

As a Green Software Advocate and Tech Sustainability Consultant, my mission is helping companies and professionals build more sustainable, low-carbon digital solutions. Since discovering technology's environmental impact in early 2023, I've become a ... Show more

Chris Woodruff, also known as Woody, is an Independent Consultant and brings nearly three decades of industry expertise, having launched his career before the first .COM boom. Renowned for his contributions to software development and architecture, Woody is a regular speaker at international conferences, where he shares his deep knowledge on topics ranging from database development to APIs and web technologies. He is a Microsoft MVP in .NET and Web Development.

A dedicated mentor, Woody thrives on guiding fellow developers and enhancing their skills through his talks, written work, and digital content. He co-hosts the popular "Breakpoint Show" podcast and YouTube channel, which he uses to connect with and educate the tech community. He is also writing a book covering network programming with C# and .NET.

Woody's interests extend beyond his professional life, adding a personal touch to his character. He is a passionate bourbon enthusiast, often embarking on adventures along the Bourbon Trail in search of unique finds to savor and share with friends. Family time is a cherished part of his life, and he often shares insights from his professional journey on his blog at https://woodruff.dev. To stay updated on his latest projects and adventures, follow him on Twitter at @cwoodruff and Mastodon at https://mastodon.social/@cwoodruff, where he shares his thoughts and experiences, fostering a sense of connection with his audience.

Chris Woodruff, also known as Woody, is an Independent Consultant and brings nearly three decades of industry expertise, having launched his career before the first .COM boom. Renowned for his contributions to software development and architecture, W... Show more

Everyone has their niche in the world where they find the most joy and fulfillment. For me that has become Accessibility. Some of my experience comes from my personal ordeals I have gone through as I have steadily learned more about what makes my brain tick and what makes my joints throw a temper tantrum. My professional experience has helped me along the way because it is where I learned just how diverse the options were for accommodations, treatment, and more.

I was initially thrown into the deep end during my amazing journey with the American Printing House for the Blind's Internal IT department. I gained insight to some of the struggles caused when environments, processes, technology, and attitudes are not accessible. However, I also experienced great joy every time I managed to help make someone's day easier by helping them be more independent and confident in themselves. Since then, I have held many other Accessibility related roles and made it my mission to spread Accessibility awareness. I've done so through by improving Code Louisville's Accessibility policies and coursework as a mentor, speaking at domestic & international events, providing support online, and so much more. I plan to continue to do what I can for as long as I am able.

Everyone has their niche in the world where they find the most joy and fulfillment. For me that has become Accessibility. Some of my experience comes from my personal ordeals I have gone through as I have steadily learned more about what makes my bra... Show more