Shawn Dorward is the Chief Operating Office at Innovia Consulting and a seasoned business and technology leader with over 25 years of experience in ERP and CRM implementations. His expertise spans a wide range of industries and organizations—from small family-owned businesses to complex global deployments—driving digital transformation and delivering measurable business value.

Recognized as a 10-time Microsoft MVP for Business Applications, Shawn is deeply passionate about helping businesses maximize efficiency and ROI through strategic use of technology. His dedication to the Microsoft Dynamics community is evident in his frequent speaking engagements at user groups, conferences, and online events across the U.S.

Shawn shares practical insights and productivity tips through his popular blog www.LifeHacks365.com, covering Dynamics 365 (including Dynamics GP and Business Central) and Office 365 tools like Excel and Outlook.

Embracing the next wave of innovation, Shawn is currently exploring the power of AI and Microsoft Copilot. Through his platform www.TheWorldsOkayestShawn.com, he documents his journey with podcasts, blog posts, and life hacks—all designed to help others save time, increase efficiency, and navigate their own Copilot adventures.

Shawn Dorward is the Chief Operating Office at Innovia Consulting and a seasoned business and technology leader with over 25 years of experience in ERP and CRM implementations. His expertise spans a wide range of industries and organizations—from sm... Show more

Juliana Smith is a multi‑award‑winning data expert with a background in Physical Oceanography. For over 15 years she has explored the stories hidden within data. Since 2020 she has specialised in analytics engineering and data design. Juliana translates complex datasets into accessible, actionable insights through thoughtful modelling, intuitive structures, and purposeful visual communication. Her work champions WCAG‑aligned accessibility, precision, and clarity, bridging the gap between raw data and human understanding to empower confident, informed decision‑making.

Juliana Smith is a multi‑award‑winning data expert with a background in Physical Oceanography. For over 15 years she has explored the stories hidden within data. Since 2020 she has specialised in analytics engineering and data design. Juliana transla... Show more

Simon is a Microsoft MVP and Senior Cloud Consultant at CloudWay, recognized globally as a leading voice in modern endpoint management, Microsoft Intune, and security in Entra ID.

As an international speaker, Simon is recognized for delivering engaging sessions that combine in-depth technical expertise with practical guidance, inspiring IT professionals to rethink how they manage and secure endpoints in today’s cloud-first world. His expertise and thought leadership have made him a trusted resource at major conferences and events worldwide.

Beyond the stage, Simon extends his influence through writing and community contributions, sharing strategies and best practices that help organizations thrive in the ever-changing landscape of endpoint and cloud management.

Driven by a passion for empowering others with knowledge, Simon continues to shape the conversation on modern workplace technology, ensuring IT leaders and practitioners are equipped to meet the challenges of tomorrow.

Simon is a Microsoft MVP and Senior Cloud Consultant at CloudWay, recognized globally as a leading voice in modern endpoint management, Microsoft Intune, and security in Entra ID. As an international speaker, Simon is recognized for delivering eng... Show more

Mike Maadarani is a Microsoft Copilot & M365 MVP, a board member of the Microsoft Global Community Initiative, and a Cloud Solutions Architect who has been providing strategic solutions surrounding architecture, planning, migration and governance for medium to large-scale organization. With 30 years of IT industry experience, Mike spent the last few years managing and delivering collaboration solutions to a wide range of mid to large scale projects. He is an evangelist and visionary where he can and provide the business and technical leadership required for delivering successful global Microsoft 365 projects. This has giving him the opportunity to work with great talented colleagues and people who I have a lot of respect for their passion and dedication.

He is an active member in the Microsoft 365 community and have spoken in many Microsoft conferences, local events, and corporate functions.

Mike Maadarani is a Microsoft Copilot & M365 MVP, a board member of the Microsoft Global Community Initiative, and a Cloud Solutions Architect who has been providing strategic solutions surrounding architecture, planning, migration and governance for... Show more

Fallen into the Microsoft ecosystem during my first professional experiences (with Windows Mobile at the time - some years ago), I then took the turn of Cloud and AI with my first projects around the Bot Framework. Today, I work mainly on projects on Azure and on AI topics. My DMs on twitter or LinkedIn are open to discuss solutions!

Fallen into the Microsoft ecosystem during my first professional experiences (with Windows Mobile at the time - some years ago), I then took the turn of Cloud and AI with my first projects around the Bot Framework. Today, I work mainly on projects on... Show more

Hey guys, my name is Truls and I do security-related stuff mostly detection, automation and security engineering.

My experience spans from system- and network-administration, penetration testing experience and SOC, mainly security and automation engineering. I'm a Microsoft MVP in SIEM&XDR and spent most of my time off work either experimenting with some technical stuff or playing video games. I'm very curious and love to learn new thing, but my favorite thing is talking about or hearing others talk about things they tried that didn't work.

Hey guys, my name is Truls and I do security-related stuff mostly detection, automation and security engineering. My experience spans from system- and network-administration, penetration testing experience and SOC, mainly security and automation ... Show more

Richard Martens has been involved in information technology for more than 20 years. He started as a web developer using the Oracle database as no more than data storage. Richard has been responsible for major European multilingual websites and has been working with the Oracle database since 2000. During those years, he developed himself using a multitude of technologies and specialised in PL/SQL and Oracle APEX. Richard has been working primarily with PLSQL and APEX since 2005. With APEX, he combines the things he loves most: the Oracle database and web technologies.

Richard Martens has been involved in information technology for more than 20 years. He started as a web developer using the Oracle database as no more than data storage. Richard has been responsible for major European multilingual websites and has be... Show more

With more than 2 decades of customer experience, a long history in Microsoft products, Michael is a Cloud Architect who enjoys sharing his experience with the community and help the community grow.
During the last years, Michael was working with customers in Microsoft Teams topics, Microsoft 365 implementations overall and since 2022 he's also working with his customers in different Microsoft Viva projects.
Since more than seven years Michael has its own company, working with the focus on Microsoft topics, Change-Management and Project-Management. He's also a Microsoft MVP for Microsoft 365 Apps and Services since 2021.

With more than 2 decades of customer experience, a long history in Microsoft products, Michael is a Cloud Architect who enjoys sharing his experience with the community and help the community grow. During the last years, Michael was working with cus... Show more

Julia is a Software Global Black Belt at Microsoft, helping large-scale organizations accelerate dev workflows through pragmatic, end-to-end platform engineering. With a background as a Software Engineer, Dev Lead, and Cloud Solution Architect, she speaks fluent developer and management—and knows how to bridge the gap without losing either side in translation.

She’s a big-picture thinker who also loves to understand the details. Web and frontend will always have a place in her ❤️.

Outside work, Julia is a gamer, a proud fahrradmaus, and a former quarterback for a women’s American football team (yes, really).

Julia is a Software Global Black Belt at Microsoft, helping large-scale organizations accelerate dev workflows through pragmatic, end-to-end platform engineering. With a background as a Software Engineer, Dev Lead, and Cloud Solution Architect, she s... Show more

As a Senior Solutions Architect at Pulumi with over 15 years of experience in the IT industry, including roles at the Schwarz Group and W&W Versicherungen, I bring extensive expertise with an end-user and enterprise focus. Currently working for a startup while collaborating with enterprise clients has further enriched my experience!

I began my career as a Java backend developer, transitioned to frontend development, and ultimately specialized in CI/CD and DevOps. Working with ANT and Cruise Control to switch to Jenkins and Microsoft Team Foundation Server added some traumas on top! But as they say, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

I have now embraced the dynamic world of DevOps and Platform Engineering, leveraging cloud technologies and Kubernetes.

Recently, I have been exploring AI to find ways to make myself redundant in the future.

As a Senior Solutions Architect at Pulumi with over 15 years of experience in the IT industry, including roles at the Schwarz Group and W&W Versicherungen, I bring extensive expertise with an end-user and enterprise focus. Currently working for a sta... Show more

With a passion for open source, Cody is a software engineer and open source advocate who enjoys connecting people with technology through talks, workshops, and collaboration. Since becoming an international speaker in 2022, he has presented on topics ranging from Node.js and web development to virtualization, embedded Linux, and software-defined vehicles. His goal is always the same: making complex technical topics practical, engaging, and accessible.

With a passion for open source, Cody is a software engineer and open source advocate who enjoys connecting people with technology through talks, workshops, and collaboration. Since becoming an international speaker in 2022, he has presented on topics... Show more

For the past decade, Sebastian has been a member of the ISV Solutions team at proMX AG. During this time, proMX’s project and resource management tool, proRM Fast Start, has won numerous awards. Sebastian was one of proMX’s liaisons to Microsoft’s Dynamics 365 Project Operations development team, thus gaining exceptionally thorough knowledge of the product almost since its first release. He has proven his Power Platform expertise in several successful implementation projects for proMX's international customers.

In addition to his technical leadership, Sebastian now also orchestrates proMX’s AI and Innovation investments, identifying emerging technologies and turning them into real-world solutions for business impact. His unique blend of hands-on product experience and strategic foresight makes him a sought-after speaker at industry events.

For the past decade, Sebastian has been a member of the ISV Solutions team at proMX AG. During this time, proMX’s project and resource management tool, proRM Fast Start, has won numerous awards. Sebastian was one of proMX’s liaisons to Microsoft’s Dy... Show more

Holger is a principal architect with over 20 years of experience in designing workplace solutions, specializing in Microsoft Power Platform and Microsoft Azure.

He shares his expertise and knowledge about the Power Platform, particularly on Copilot Studio, with the community through blogging and speaking at events.

Holger is a principal architect with over 20 years of experience in designing workplace solutions, specializing in Microsoft Power Platform and Microsoft Azure. He shares his expertise and knowledge about the Power Platform, particularly on Copilo... Show more

Raphael Manke is an AWS Hero and full-stack developer with many years of experience in developing applications in the AWS cloud. At Dash0 he is responsible for integrating AWS telemetry data into the platform.

Raphael Manke is an AWS Hero and full-stack developer with many years of experience in developing applications in the AWS cloud. At Dash0 he is responsible for integrating AWS telemetry data into the platform. Show more

Hi, I’m Achraf Ben Alaya a Cloud and Azure Architect, Microsoft MVP, Microsoft Certified Trainer, and DevSecOps Engineer.

Today, my work focuses on designing and delivering modern cloud architectures, helping organizations build secure, scalable, and reliable solutions on Microsoft Azure. With a strong background in .NET, Xamarin, full-stack development, DevOps, and security practices, I bring both architectural vision and hands-on technical experience to every project.

As a lifelong learner, I believe that growth comes from continuous improvement and knowledge sharing. Beyond my work as an architect, I’m passionate about helping the tech community better understand Azure, Cloud, DevOps, and DevSecOps through practical content, training, and real-world insights.

My goal is to simplify complex technologies, share what I learn, and inspire others to keep growing in their own cloud and technology journeys.

Whether you’re an architect, developer, DevOps engineer, cloud enthusiast, or someone exploring modern technology, welcome to my space.

Website: achrafbenalaya.com

YouTube: Achraf Ben Alaya

Hi, I’m Achraf Ben Alaya a Cloud and Azure Architect, Microsoft MVP, Microsoft Certified Trainer, and DevSecOps Engineer. Today, my work focuses on designing and delivering modern cloud architectures, helping organizations build secure, scalable,... Show more

Harshavardhan Bajoria is a Product Manager for AI & Innovation at Unstop, where he builds AI-driven products at the intersection of artificial intelligence and cloud computing. He is a GitHub Campus Expert Alumni, a LeetCode Knight, and holds 18 professional certifications — 7x Microsoft Certified, 5x Oracle Certified, 5x Google Certified, and GitHub Certified. A Top 5% Speaker on Sessionize, Harshavardhan is a regular voice at tech conferences and community meetups, sharing his experience building AI products and working with cloud platforms.

Harshavardhan Bajoria is a Product Manager for AI & Innovation at Unstop, where he builds AI-driven products at the intersection of artificial intelligence and cloud computing. He is a GitHub Campus Expert Alumni, a LeetCode Knight, and holds 18 prof... Show more

Microsoft MVP and Torc Ambassador with a focus on Web Development: JavaScript, TypeScript, CSS, SVG, Angular, React, React-Native, Vue, and Ionic. I commonly speak about Cloud CI/CD, Quality Engineering, Best Practices, and Front-End Technologies.

* Owner of Code Squid, LLC.
* Senior Solutions Developer II (Front-End) at Leading EDJE, Inc.

"Learning from my mistakes over the decades, I feel that I have become a solid programmer." -- Me

Microsoft MVP and Torc Ambassador with a focus on Web Development: JavaScript, TypeScript, CSS, SVG, Angular, React, React-Native, Vue, and Ionic. I commonly speak about Cloud CI/CD, Quality Engineering, Best Practices, and Front-End Technologies. ... Show more

Enabling people to create meaningful connections with their customers through technology is what drives me. Over the years, I’ve learned that real impact doesn’t come from tools alone, but from aligning people around a shared goal and giving them the confidence and space to contribute.

That belief is what originally drew me to the Power Platform and it’s exactly why AI is a natural next step, not a change in direction. Where low-code empowered business teams to build apps, automate processes, and generate insights themselves, AI takes this a step further by amplifying human capability rather than replacing it.

I’m motivated by working closely with end users, understanding their challenges, and turning their ideas into practical solutions, whether that’s through apps, automation, or intelligent agent. The technology evolves, but my focus stays the same: empowering people to shape their own success, together.

Enabling people to create meaningful connections with their customers through technology is what drives me. Over the years, I’ve learned that real impact doesn’t come from tools alone, but from aligning people around a shared goal and giving them the... Show more

From web application development from 2009 to SharePoint and Office 365 from 2012 since 2019 fully on the road with Azure.
I plan and implement cloud environments for mid-market and large enterprises, focusing mainly on compliance with governance criteria and clean implementation of networks & network security.
During implementation, I rely on Azure Bicep and Terraform as IaC tools and bring clients up to the required level of knowledge.

Microsoft MVP for Azure Networking

Certified Azure Solution Architect; DevOps Engineer Expert; Azure Network Engineer; Azure Administrator

From web application development from 2009 to SharePoint and Office 365 from 2012 since 2019 fully on the road with Azure. I plan and implement cloud environments for mid-market and large enterprises, focusing mainly on compliance with governance cr... Show more

Samir Makwana empowers enterprises and government agencies to harness the full power of Microsoft Cloud—and especially its cutting-edge AI stack—to build secure, value-driven businesses. With 17 years as a software developer, pre-sales engineer, and solution architect, he’s architected end-to-end IT transformations that blend security, automation, and collaboration.

A true AI evangelist, Samir designs PoCs and production systems leveraging Azure AI services (Cognitive Services, Azure OpenAI, Semantic Kernel), Copilot Studio, and Power Platform AI—applying deep prompt engineering, vector search/RAG patterns, and grounding techniques to deliver next-gen user experiences. He’s integrated generative AI agents into Office 365 and custom apps, automated workflows with Power Automate and Logic Apps, and secured data with Zero Trust and Microsoft Purview.

As Founder & Principal Architect of Cloudtrify Inc., Samir crafts both short- and long-term cloud-native and AI solutions that drive ROI, user adoption, and maintainability—always with responsible AI and compliance top-of-mind.

Samir Makwana empowers enterprises and government agencies to harness the full power of Microsoft Cloud—and especially its cutting-edge AI stack—to build secure, value-driven businesses. With 17 years as a software developer, pre-sales engineer, and ... Show more

Pedro Sousa is Head of Cloud at Valtech, a global digital agency that helps organizations modernize and innovate through technology. He leads the Cloud engineering discipline across Valtech's Europe Delivery Hub, owning capability strategy, technical standards, and the AI-driven transformation of cloud engineering practices while developing talent across the sub-region.
A Microsoft Azure MVP, Pedro brings more than 30 years of IT experience designing and leading scalable, secure, cloud-first solutions across Microsoft and AWS platforms. Passionate about knowledge sharing, he mentors professionals and teams to accelerate their cloud adoption journeys. A frequent public speaker and community contributor, Pedro enjoys exploring the intersection of development and cloud innovation — always seeking new ways to make technology a driver of real business transformation.

Pedro Sousa is Head of Cloud at Valtech, a global digital agency that helps organizations modernize and innovate through technology. He leads the Cloud engineering discipline across Valtech's Europe Delivery Hub, owning capability strategy, technical... Show more

Engineering leader with over a decade of experience in software development and a proven track record of leading teams through modernisation initiatives, high-pressure deliveries, and the kind of challenges where the easy answer doesn't exist. I stay close to architecture and strategy not to make every decision, but to protect my teams, challenge the right assumptions, and represent engineering credibly at every level.

I care deeply about psychological safety and technical rigour — because I believe the best work happens when people feel ownership, trust each other, and know their manager is fully in it with them.

I actively experiment with emerging technologies — including AI tools — to understand their real value before adopting them at scale. Less hype, more signal.
Microsoft MVP in Developer Technologies, author of "Software Architecture for Web Developers" book, and international speaker with 50+ conference appearances — because sharing what we learn is part of the job.

You can see my work in here:

https://medium.com/@ghidersa-mihaela
https://www.amazon.com/Software-Architecture-Web-Developers-professionals/dp/1803237910
https://sessionize.com/mihaela-roxana-ghidersa

Engineering leader with over a decade of experience in software development and a proven track record of leading teams through modernisation initiatives, high-pressure deliveries, and the kind of challenges where the easy answer doesn't exist. I st... Show more

Namrata Agrawal is a technology professional and speaker exploring the intersection of AI, sustainability, and digital innovation. She is passionate about how emerging technologies can solve real-world challenges and create meaningful business and societal impact. Her speaking interests include AI, digital transformation, sustainability, accessibility, emerging technologies, and responsible innovation.

Namrata Agrawal is a technology professional and speaker exploring the intersection of AI, sustainability, and digital innovation. She is passionate about how emerging technologies can solve real-world challenges and create meaningful business and so... Show more

John is a Principal Consultant at ControlPlane, where he helps some of the world's most security-conscious organizations build and assure mission-critical platforms. He is a member of the in-toto Steering Committee and a maintainer of its Witness and Archivista sub-projects. He also serves as a co-chair of the CNCF's TAG Security. Within the OpenSSF, John is a member of the inaugural Ambassador cohort and contributes to several initiatives, including the SBOMit project.

John is a Principal Consultant at ControlPlane, where he helps some of the world's most security-conscious organizations build and assure mission-critical platforms. He is a member of the in-toto Steering Committee and a maintainer of its Witness and... Show more

The last wave of Power Platform was about building apps. The next one is about building agents and that's where I now spend my time.

I'm a Power Platform Solution Architect and Microsoft MVP in Auckland, working AI-first: designing agentic solutions that actually do the work, not just chat about it. That means Copilot Studio agents wired into real business processes, Model Context Protocol (MCP) on Dataverse to give those agents grounded, governed access to enterprise data, and M365 Copilot extended so it works the way an organisation actually operates.

What I bring: • Agentic solution design Copilot Studio, autonomous and triggered agents, and the orchestration patterns that make them reliable in production • MCP + Dataverse connecting agents to trusted enterprise data with the right grounding and governance, not bolt-on prompts • M365 Copilot extensibility agents, plugins and connectors that extend Copilot into real workflows • The architecture underneath Dynamics 365 CE, Power Apps and Power Automate, so the AI layer sits on solutions that hold up • Recognised at the edge of this work

Microsoft MVP and part of the team behind the attempted Guinness World Record at the Microsoft Agent Hack

I think and build in the open sharing the experiments, the dead ends and the "hang on, what if I tried it this way?" moments, because this space is moving too fast to learn any other way.

📌 Open to select engagements in agentic AI on the Microsoft stack Copilot Studio, MCP/Dataverse, M365 Copilot. If you're trying to move from Copilot demos to agents that deliver, let's talk DM me.

The last wave of Power Platform was about building apps. The next one is about building agents and that's where I now spend my time. I'm a Power Platform Solution Architect and Microsoft MVP in Auckland, working AI-first: designing agentic solutio... Show more

Christian Alexander Schreiber is the CEO & Founder and Lead Architect of nVibes, a next-generation social platform focused on responsible AI, privacy, trust and European digital sovereignty.

With more than 30 years of experience in IT consulting, software architecture, Microsoft technologies and digital transformation, he helps organizations understand how modern cloud, AI and business applications can be designed securely, responsibly and with measurable business value.

His work connects strategic leadership with hands-on architecture. Christian speaks about AI-ready Azure platforms, Business Central partner solutions, responsible AI adoption, privacy-by-design, agentic AI, platform trust and the practical realities of building secure digital products.

As an international speaker, he brings a clear, practical and business-focused perspective to technical audiences, partners and decision-makers. His sessions combine real-world architecture, product-building experience and a strong belief that the future of digital platforms must be human-centered, sovereign and trustworthy.

Christian Alexander Schreiber is the CEO & Founder and Lead Architect of nVibes, a next-generation social platform focused on responsible AI, privacy, trust and European digital sovereignty. With more than 30 years of experience in IT consulting, ... Show more

I help organizations design, build, and optimize secure, scalable Microsoft Azure platforms that deliver measurable business results.
For over 20 years, I’ve guided enterprise leaders and product teams through high-stakes cloud adoption, complex migrations, and performance optimization, combining deep technical expertise with a calm, collaborative style that keeps teams focused and projects on track.

My work includes:

- (Enterprise) cloud adoption & migration – ensuring smooth transitions with minimal risk
- Cost optimization & performance tuning – making Azure investments more efficient
- Security & compliance – protecting business-critical systems and data
- Platform engineering & landing zones – building robust foundations for innovation

I’ve been honored with nine consecutive Microsoft MVP awards for my contributions to the global Azure and .NET community. Outside client projects, I speak at international conferences and run workshops that turn complex cloud concepts into actionable insights.
Recent events include VS Live, NDC, Techorama Netherlands & Belgium; DevSum Sweden, Future Tech and Update Conf

Now, as founder of LoekD Consultancy BV, I partner with organizations ready to accelerate their Azure or software journey, whether that means starting fresh or unlocking more value from what you already have, accelerated with the power of AI.

Contact me for full projects, workshops or sparring sessions.

Let’s connect:
- LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/loekd
- GitHub: github.com/loekd
- BlueSky: bsky.app/profile/loekd.com

I help organizations design, build, and optimize secure, scalable Microsoft Azure platforms that deliver measurable business results. For over 20 years, I’ve guided enterprise leaders and product teams through high-stakes cloud adoption, complex mig... Show more

Computer engineer with 15 years of experience in implementing business intelligence, engineering, and data analytics solutions. I love learning new things, pushing technology further, and collaborating on exciting projects that add value at all levels.

Computer engineer with 15 years of experience in implementing business intelligence, engineering, and data analytics solutions. I love learning new things, pushing technology further, and collaborating on exciting projects that add value at all level... Show more

Fabian Bader is a Cyber Security Architect and Microsoft MVP from Germany. His main focus is on security research and security cloud solutions and works mainly with Microsoft technologies. From the cloud to on-premises he loves to automate stuff with PowerShell.

Besides being a speaker at conferences and community events, he blogs at "cloudbrothers.info" and hosts "Purple Elbe Security User Group" and "Hamburg PowerShell User Group".

❤️ PowerShell and Security 🛡️

Fabian Bader is a Cyber Security Architect and Microsoft MVP from Germany. His main focus is on security research and security cloud solutions and works mainly with Microsoft technologies. From the cloud to on-premises he loves to automate stuff with... Show more

Microsoft Business Applications & M365 MVP and a loud 😜 advocate for Accessibility, Neurodiversity, Mental Health and Inclusion.

Passionate about technology and delivering amazing and innovative solutions, but also ensuring that all users can use and enjoy - no matter the disability, neurodiversity, or technical expertise.

Very open and vocal about my many years (too many!) of working in the industry, and not hiding my own challenges and battles with Mental Health, Neurodiversity, and Disability.

Outside of tech you will find a proud Nerd & Geek who loves Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Technology and more. A family man and a massive petrol head and sports fan (F1, MotoGP, WEC, Rugby, Cricket... to name just a few) - oh, and a massive collector of Funko Pops and Lego!

Microsoft Business Applications & M365 MVP and a loud 😜 advocate for Accessibility, Neurodiversity, Mental Health and Inclusion. Passionate about technology and delivering amazing and innovative solutions, but also ensuring that all users can use... Show more