Michael Laidler is a leadership speaker and resilience strategist with more than 20 years of experience navigating high-pressure roles in law enforcement. His signature philosophy, Failure F.U.E.L.S. Growth reflects his belief that adversity is not a dead end, it’s the foundation for resilience, leadership, and long-term success.

Throughout his career as a police officer, border patrol agent, federal prison executive, and entrepreneur, Michael has led teams through some of the toughest environments imaginable. His personal journey, marked by homelessness, family mental health struggles, divorce, and the emotional toll of frontline law enforcement has shaped his message: setbacks can either break you or build you.

As an MBA graduate, John Maxwell Team-certified coach, best-selling author, and international speaker, Michael blends research, leadership expertise, and lived experience to deliver actionable strategies. His Winning the Battle Between Your Ears signature keynote is built on the Failure F.U.E.L.S. Growth framework, which equips leaders to face challenges with clarity, sustain resilience, and create accountability-driven cultures.

Michael has spoken to tens of thousands worldwide, from Fortune 500 companies to government organizations and first responder agencies. His engaging keynotes empower leaders to manage stress, reduce burnout, and sharpen decision-making, driving measurable results across teams and organizations.

Michael’s mission is simple: to help leaders and organizations turn setbacks into fuel for growth, cultivating resilience and purpose that lasts far beyond the moment.

Michael Laidler is a leadership speaker and resilience strategist with more than 20 years of experience navigating high-pressure roles in law enforcement. His signature philosophy, Failure F.U.E.L.S. Growth reflects his belief that adversity is not a... Show more

Stephen Monro is an attorney in Washington State with many years of experience in law, construction, and real estate. He established the Monro Law Firm and Platinum Law Group and is admitted to practice in all Washington State Courts as well as the Western and Eastern District Federal Courts. In addition to his legal career, he holds licenses as a general contractor, real estate broker, and IRS tax preparer. For over 25 years, he has also provided pro bono services, representing individuals who would otherwise lack access to legal support, with a focus on civil litigation, personal injury, and property matters.

He was born in Seattle, Washington, in 1952. After completing his early education, he attended Central Washington University and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He later received a Juris Doctor from the University of California, Los Angeles, and went on to complete a Master of Business Administration from the Same Institution.

Before practicing law, he served in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam era. His service instilled discipline, confidence, and leadership, qualities that supported his transition into the legal field and the management of his firms.

He began practicing law in 1996 and has represented clients across Washington in both state and federal courts. Over time, his practice has operated under the Law Office of Stephen K. Monro, the Monro Law Firm, and Platinum Law Group. He is also active in professional organizations, including the Washington State Bar Association, the Washington State Association for Justice, and the American Association for Justice.

His background as a general contractor provides firsthand knowledge of construction projects, property disputes, and contracts. As a licensed real estate broker, he brings additional insight into sales transactions, contracts, and disclosures. These combined skills allow him to approach client matters with both legal and practical understanding. He also offers mediation services, with most disputes resolved efficiently and at reasonable costs.

Outside of his profession, he enjoys fishing, camping, and traveling by RV. He raises horses, including rescues, and values the preservation of wildlife and natural habitats. With nearly 50 years of marriage, the family continues to provide a strong foundation for his life and career.

Through his dedication to law, construction, real estate, and service, Stephen Monro has built a career defined by responsibility and commitment.

Stephen Monro is an attorney in Washington State with many years of experience in law, construction, and real estate. He established the Monro Law Firm and Platinum Law Group and is admitted to practice in all Washington State Courts as well as the W... Show more

I am an approver of the Koordinator community and a developer at Alibaba Cloud. Mainly insterested in device scheduling and task scheduling.

I am an approver of the Koordinator community and a developer at Alibaba Cloud. Mainly insterested in device scheduling and task scheduling. Show more

Michael Sewall is a distinguished 13-year veteran of law enforcement, renowned for his expertise in combating internet crimes against children (ICAC). As a proven leader in this critical field, he has spearheaded major operations that have successfully rescued countless children from online dangers, demonstrating unwavering commitment to protecting the most vulnerable.

Throughout his career, Michael has been deeply immersed in thousands of ICAC investigations, honing investigative techniques that have set benchmarks for digital forensics and child exploitation prevention. Nationally recognized as a premier trainer, he has empowered law enforcement agencies across the country with specialized training programs, equipping officers with the tools to navigate the evolving landscape of online threats.

Driven by a profound passion for online safety and digital citizenship, Michael Sewall extends his impact beyond the badge through engaging keynote speeches and workshops. He has delivered insightful talks to parents, educators, and corporate leaders, fostering awareness and actionable strategies to safeguard families in the digital age. His dynamic presentations blend real-world experience with practical guidance, inspiring audiences to prioritize child protection in an interconnected world.

Michael Sewall's dedication to justice and education continues to shape safer online environments for generations to come.

Michael Sewall is a distinguished 13-year veteran of law enforcement, renowned for his expertise in combating internet crimes against children (ICAC). As a proven leader in this critical field, he has spearheaded major operations that have successful... Show more

Sia Ghassemi is a passionate software architect, Microsoft Azure AI MVP, and the founder of Sia Consulting GmbH, a company specializing in GDPR, Dev-Security, Cloud-Security, and AI technologies. He is a frequent speaker and workshop leader at conferences across Germany.

Sia Ghassemi is a passionate software architect, Microsoft Azure AI MVP, and the founder of Sia Consulting GmbH, a company specializing in GDPR, Dev-Security, Cloud-Security, and AI technologies. He is a frequent speaker and workshop leader at confer... Show more

Dy is the Director of Information Security for BlueHalo, a defense contractor in Albuquerque, NM. She has spent the last four years supporting the company’s CMMC program, leading the enterprise to a successful CMMC Level 2 third-party assessment this year. The last two and a half years she has overseen the development of a proactive cybersecurity program focused on compliance integrations for mergers & acquisitions. She has a Master of Science in Information Technology Management, is a CMMC Certified Practitioner (CCP), and a Provisional CMMC Assessor (CCA).

Dy is the Director of Information Security for BlueHalo, a defense contractor in Albuquerque, NM. She has spent the last four years supporting the company’s CMMC program, leading the enterprise to a successful CMMC Level 2 third-party assessment this... Show more

Jordan Koningham, a law graduate, has experience in compliance, governance, and policy. He researched electoral laws internationally, edited legal publications, and is recognised for academic excellence, with a growing interest in technology’s impact on financial services and regulatory frameworks.

Jordan Koningham, a law graduate, has experience in compliance, governance, and policy. He researched electoral laws internationally, edited legal publications, and is recognised for academic excellence, with a growing interest in technology’s impact... Show more

(Spanish version below)

Fernando Oleo Blanco (Irvise on the net) is a young engineer pasionate with libre software and mechanical engineering. Currently, he is working in the energy sector, focusing mostly in the nuclear world, with projects related to fusion energy and Gen IV nuclear reactors. At an early age, his passion of libre software soon met his studies in engineering and both sides have been complementing each other ever since. The software communities he is involved mostly with are CAD/FEM/CFD software and Ada. Additionally, he is always happy to help people learn about software and spread the word on the libre philosophy. However, mechanical engineering is not all: operating systems, music, art, decentralization, rogelikes, typography and unrestricted access to information are also part of his interests.

Fernando Oleo Blanco es un joven ingeniero mecánico e industrial. Actualmente trabaja como diseñador de sistemas nucleares, tanto para reactores de IV generación como la investigación de la fusión. El mundo del software libre le apasiona y representa uno de sus mayores hobbies. Tiene especial presencia en comunidades ingenieriles y de simulación (CAD, FEM, CFD...) y en la comunidad del lenguaje de programación Ada/SPARK. Adicionalmente, Fernando es una mente inquieta a quien le apasiona la música, los rogelikes, la tipografía y la investigación.

(Spanish version below) Fernando Oleo Blanco (Irvise on the net) is a young engineer pasionate with libre software and mechanical engineering. Currently, he is working in the energy sector, focusing mostly in the nuclear world, with projects relat... Show more

Svein har over 15 års erfaring i sikkerhetsfaget hvor brorparten av karrieren er fra forsvarssektoren. Han har blant annet jobbet i Cyberforsvaret og Etterretningstjenesten, og hatt rollen som CISO for Forsvarsdepartementet, Utenriksdepartementet, Tolletaten og Mattilsynet. I dag er han Partner i Gritera-konsernet og daglig leder for Gritera Security som leverer sikkerhetsrådgivning.

Svein har over 15 års erfaring i sikkerhetsfaget hvor brorparten av karrieren er fra forsvarssektoren. Han har blant annet jobbet i Cyberforsvaret og Etterretningstjenesten, og hatt rollen som CISO for Forsvarsdepartementet, Utenriksdepartementet, To... Show more

Noam Youngerman is CTO at Epos, an AI interpretability startup bringing cutting-edge safety techniques from academia to real-world deployment across government and critical sectors.

Previously, he led the R&D Division at Planet Nine, directing research in cybersecurity, ML explainability, and reverse engineering of AI models.

With over eight years of experience in vulnerability research, low-level reverse engineering, and cyber threat analysis, Noam combines deep technical expertise with a strategic focus on making AI safer and more transparent.

Noam Youngerman is CTO at Epos, an AI interpretability startup bringing cutting-edge safety techniques from academia to real-world deployment across government and critical sectors. Previously, he led the R&D Division at Planet Nine, directing res... Show more

Lalit Kumar Bhasin is a maintainer of OpenTelemetry C++ and OpenTelemetry Rust, with a strong focus on observability in native and systems-level environments. He has spent the past five years at Microsoft working on production-grade telemetry pipelines and open-source instrumentation. His work bridges high-performance native applications and modern observability standards, with a focus on using eBPF and Rust to push OpenTelemetry deeper into the stack.

Lalit Kumar Bhasin is a maintainer of OpenTelemetry C++ and OpenTelemetry Rust, with a strong focus on observability in native and systems-level environments. He has spent the past five years at Microsoft working on production-grade telemetry pipelin... Show more

With over 30 years in telecommunications, network, and security technology, Shawn is a seasoned cybersecurity professional who has dedicated my career to protecting organizations and empowering teams to thrive in an increasingly digital world. He is currently enrolled in the Carnegie Mellon CISO program and hold a B.S in Cybersecurity and an MBA from Western Governor's University. Shawn also hold several industry certifications to include CISSP, CISA,CISM and PMP. Shawn is the founder of the Charlotte Metro ISC2 chapter. Shawn's journey started in the U.S. Army, where he developed the discipline, resilience, and strategic insight that has guided him through complex challenges in both public and private sectors.

Shawn currently serves as the Cybersecurity Regulatory & Risk Leader for a leading insurance provider, where he focus on designing, implementing, and overseeing robust regulatory and risk program that safeguard critical assets and sensitive information. Shawn specialize in navigating and aligning with the industry's most rigorous regulatory standards, including the NYDFS Reg.500 and the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. Shawn is particularly passionate about enhancing cybersecurity maturity and creating security transformations that align seamlessly with business objectives.

Beyond technical expertise, Shawn is an active voice in the cybersecurity community. He produces a series of short, engaging videos on Governance, Risk Management, and Compliance (GRC), aimed at breaking down complex topics and making them accessible to professionals at all levels. Shawn's goal is to demystify cybersecurity, encouraging broader understanding and proactive engagement within the industry.

Mentorship is central to his personal mission. Shawn is actively engaged in speaking opportunities and networking to support emerging talent, sharing insights I’ve gained from his career to help others build confidence and expertise in the cybersecurity field. Shawn committed to fostering an inclusive community where cybersecurity professionals can learn, grow, and collaborate to face tomorrow’s challenges together

With over 30 years in telecommunications, network, and security technology, Shawn is a seasoned cybersecurity professional who has dedicated my career to protecting organizations and empowering teams to thrive in an increasingly digital world. He is ... Show more

Øystein er CISO og sikkerhetsarkitekt i Defendable og jobber daglig med å sørge for at både egen virksomhet og dens kunder kan håndtere sitt risikobilde.

Øystein er utdannet Forvaltningsinformatiker fra UiO og har erfaring fra flere sektorer. Han arbeider både strategisk, taktisk og operasjonelt med å gjøre sikkerhet til en muliggjører i virksomheten med en filosofi om at sikkerhet ikke har en egenverdi - sikkerhet er en egenskap av noe annet.

Øystein er CISO og sikkerhetsarkitekt i Defendable og jobber daglig med å sørge for at både egen virksomhet og dens kunder kan håndtere sitt risikobilde. Øystein er utdannet Forvaltningsinformatiker fra UiO og har erfaring fra flere sektorer. Han ... Show more

Nemo is an open-source developer working on lifting the software supply chain security ecosystem at endoflife.date.

Nemo is an open-source developer working on lifting the software supply chain security ecosystem at endoflife.date. Show more

Mirko Boehm is a free and open source software contributor, community manager, licensing expert and researcher, with contributions to major open source projects like the KDE Desktop, the Open Invention Network, the Open Source Initiative and others. He is a visiting lecturer and researcher on free and open source software at the Technical University of Berlin. Mirko speaks English and German and lives in the Berlin area.

Mirko Boehm is a free and open source software contributor, community manager, licensing expert and researcher, with contributions to major open source projects like the KDE Desktop, the Open Invention Network, the Open Source Initiative and others. ... Show more

With my two core strengths - I'm a psychologist and a full-stack developer - I have a keen eye for both technical aspects and team dynamics. In startups or large-scale projects, my contribution extends beyond code — I’m dedicated to accompanying organizations through their digital and cultural transformations.
Passionate about DX and designing solutions that empower users and adapt to diverse environments.

With my two core strengths - I'm a psychologist and a full-stack developer - I have a keen eye for both technical aspects and team dynamics. In startups or large-scale projects, my contribution extends beyond code — I’m dedicated to accompanying orga... Show more

Courtney Guss (Director of Crisis Management, Semperis) has over 20 years of experience in cybersecurity, crisis response, and business resilience. Courtney has led cyber crisis management initiatives for a wide range of organizations, including global enterprises, government agencies, and Fortune 500 companies. She began her career in the insurance and risk management sector, working with FEMA and the NFIP, where she developed a strong foundation in emergency preparedness and crisis communications before transitioning into cybersecurity leadership roles.

Courtney previously served as a senior consultant at IBM Security, where she specialized in cyber risk quantification using the FAIR framework and advised clients on regulatory compliance, incident response, and stakeholder management. Her work has included developing and running executive-level tabletop exercises; supporting ransomware recovery efforts; advising organizations on SEC, DORA, CCOP, and CIRCIA reporting obligations; and orchestrating cross-functional response plans to major incidents. Courtney is passionate about turning chaos into order and equipping teams with the clarity, tools, and playbooks they need to act decisively under pressure.

Courtney was a co-author of the book, Practical Cybersecurity Decisions. Written and published in Singapore as an open-source framework to make cybersecurity practical and accessible for all.

Courtney Guss (Director of Crisis Management, Semperis) has over 20 years of experience in cybersecurity, crisis response, and business resilience. Courtney has led cyber crisis management initiatives for a wide range of organizations, including glob... Show more

She is an operations strategist and Web3 trailblazer with 6+ years of experience across crypto, fintech, and banking. She specializes in building scalable backend systems, designing token liquidity strategies, and solving real-world pain points like tradability, treasury management, and compliance.

From navigating the chaos of 24/7 crypto markets to leading go-to-market strategies for emerging tokens, Ekanshi brings hands-on insights that aren’t found in textbooks or Twitter threads. She’s been instrumental in launching token ecosystems, setting up market-making infrastructure, and educating audiences on the lesser-discussed realities of crypto ops—including the scams, loopholes, and lessons no one talks about.

When she’s not working behind the scenes, she’s on the mic—decoding complexity, sharing case studies, and sparking real conversations about what it takes to make crypto work beyond the hype.

Topics she covers:

-Token Ops & Liquidity Playbooks
-Web3 Treasury & Inventory Management
-Crypto Taxation & Indian Compliance Realities
-Market Making from the Ground Up
-De-Risking Crypto Projects Operationally
-Tradability & Regulatory Blind Spots

She is an operations strategist and Web3 trailblazer with 6+ years of experience across crypto, fintech, and banking. She specializes in building scalable backend systems, designing token liquidity strategies, and solving real-world pain points like ... Show more

Alison Schrag is a partner at Sherman Atlas Sylvester & Stamelman LLP, where she focuses her practice on trusts and estates planning and administration. She guides families, entrepreneurs, and fiduciaries through trust and estate planning, contested account proceedings, and related proceedings. The firm operates in New York and New Jersey, providing services across a range of areas, including estate planning, corporate law, internal investigations, banking and financial services, litigation, and tax planning.

With nearly twenty years of experience, she is admitted to practice in both New York and New Jersey. She began her career as a litigation associate, representing financial institutions and corporate trustees in fiduciary and commercial proceedings. Before joining her current firm, she was a partner at a New York-based trust and estate practice, where she gained deep experience advising families and fiduciaries. In that role, she worked closely with clients to create long‑term planning strategies and advocated for their interests when contested proceedings arose.

Alison Schrag of New York works closely with families, entrepreneurs, and owners of closely held or mid‑sized businesses to design and implement tailored estate and trust planning strategies. She focuses on ensuring that these strategies reduce taxes, facilitate the orderly distribution of assets, and anticipate potential incapacity. By providing her clients with an understanding of their options, she guides them toward making informed decisions that align with their long-term objectives and personal circumstances. Her clients range from first‑generation entrepreneurs and owners of family businesses to those with charitable interests or cross‑border planning needs.

She has deep experience representing executors, trustees, personal representatives, and beneficiaries in contested proceedings, including contested account proceedings and contested kinship hearings. In contested proceedings, she works closely with families to protect their interests and advocate for their rights. In contested kinship hearings, she guides families through presenting genealogical evidence and testimony required to confirm their right to inherit. In every matter she handles, she ensures that her clients have a voice and that their interests are represented and protected.

Alison Schrag is a trusted voice in the area of trust and estate planning. She is frequently invited to speak to wealth advisory firms and their clients about core estate planning strategies, federal and state tax considerations, advanced planning for high‑net‑worth families, and succession planning for family‑owned businesses. She earned her BA from Colgate University, graduating with honors, and her JD from Brooklyn Law School, where she served as an editor of the Brooklyn Law Review and was a member of the Moot Court Honor Society. She has dedicated time to charitable efforts, serving as a crisis counselor and supporting food pantries and coat drives throughout New York. She lives in New York with her husband and two sons and spends her free time traveling, hiking, running, and volunteering.

Alison Schrag is a partner at Sherman Atlas Sylvester & Stamelman LLP, where she focuses her practice on trusts and estates planning and administration. She guides families, entrepreneurs, and fiduciaries through trust and estate planning, contested ... Show more

Erin Relford is an accomplished engineer, creative writer, and content producer with a remarkable 25-year career showcasing deep domain expertise across geotechnical, oil and gas, waste management, media and entertainment, healthcare, robotics, and professional services.

Her expertise as a governance, risk, and compliance professional in Cybersecurity and IT audit has been instrumental in shaping successful programs for renowned organizations such as The Walt Disney Company, Warner Bros., 21st Century Fox, and Mattel, Inc. Currently, a Senior Privacy Engineer at Google, Erin’s expansive portfolio spans speculative markets and emerging products in Robotics, Health, and AI. A distinguished speaker and thought leader in Robotics Privacy, Erin served as privacy lead for projects at Deepmind, Waymo, X, Intrinsic, Mineral, and Everyday Robots, and published her robotics privacy framework, developed at Google, with the International Association of Privacy Professionals.

She notably advised on groundbreaking products such as PaLM-SayCan, Google’s first Class I medical device DermAssist, and is a recipient of the 2023 EnCore Award. She has also been featured on PBS' Roadtrip Nation, Google's Coursera Cybersecurity Certificate course, and at SXSW. Her diverse endeavors at Google encompass go-to-market strategy for internal tooling solutions, AI principles red teaming, data observability and ethics, CSAM trust and safety, and various regulatory compliance initiatives including the Digital Markets Act, EU Data Act, and EU AI Act.

Beyond her technical role, Erin is a dedicated contributor to the tech community, serving as an on-air talent for Women Techmakers, Google, and AnitaB.org. Her external engagement extends to highly selective cohorts such as Stanford's Fall 2024 Ethics, Technology and Public Policy for Practitioners, Harvard Law's inaugural 2025 AI and the Law Executive Education program, and the Aspen Policy Academy's Influencing AI From The Outside program.

Erin Relford is an accomplished engineer, creative writer, and content producer with a remarkable 25-year career showcasing deep domain expertise across geotechnical, oil and gas, waste management, media and entertainment, healthcare, robotics, and p... Show more

Tanya Dadasheva is a co-founder of Ainekko: a 100% open-source company on a mission to democratize how “the machine learning community collaborates on models, datasets, and applications” and helping “the AI community building the future” have more choices than just a single (albeit awesome!) walled garden. She is an ex-VC @Almaz Capital with broad open source investments, ex-OSS policy maker, working to integrate developing countries into the global scene, ex-mission driven entrepreneur helping tech companies affected by the wars to leverage OSS for freedom of tech from politics. She grew up in the worlds that inherited legacy setups and mentality that required fighting a lot of inertia just to focus on the fun and excitement of creating tech. So now she’s on a mission to create a space where it’s not required, building an economically viable, decentralized, self-governed, developer-centric “Open Source AI” future. She’s not afraid of big problems, big swings and big failures and shares all about them in her blog.

Tanya Dadasheva is a co-founder of Ainekko: a 100% open-source company on a mission to democratize how “the machine learning community collaborates on models, datasets, and applications” and helping “the AI community building the future” have more ch... Show more

Cristian is Technical Product Owner and Data Protection Officer at Elastisys. He reviews data protection regulations and security best practices, to translate those into Kubernetes and Cloud Native solutions. He gathered over 20 years of experience acting variously as an on-call network engineer, cloud architect and teacher. You can follow him on LinkedIn, where I post about topics at the intersection of information security and Kubernetes. When coming out of the clouds, Cristian enjoys indoor climbing.

Cristian is Technical Product Owner and Data Protection Officer at Elastisys. He reviews data protection regulations and security best practices, to translate those into Kubernetes and Cloud Native solutions. He gathered over 20 years of experience a... Show more

Wes Shields, Principal and founder of Synthminds.AI, leads a team of 15 experts, propelling clients' AI strategies and objectives with ethical and innovative solutions. Under his stewardship, his full-service Artificial Intelligence agency provides bespoke services that exceed their strategic needs to an extensive list of clientele from academia to various industries including aviation, customer service, legal, marketing, logistics, education and technology. He was named one of the first 18 global “OpenAI Experts”, an endorsement awarded and recognized formally by OpenAI. Shields' exemplary work has earned him and his Synthminds team the "Expert-Vetted" AI Consultant accolade from Upwork, a title conferred on the top 1% of the 18 million professionals on the platform.

Recognized as an accomplished strategist and speaker in the field of AI, he is also the host of the popular podcast, 'How to Talk to AI.' He has a notable presence on Promptbase.com, the premier prompt sales marketplace, where his prompts rank him amongst the top 200 worldwide.

Shields possesses an impressive academic portfolio, holding an MS in Operations Research from the Naval Postgraduate School, an MBA from the Mason School of Business at The College of William & Mary, and a BS in Economics from the esteemed United States Naval Academy. His contributions to academic research, particularly in the domains of complex network science and logistics technology integration, have been published and recognized, earning him graduate certifications from both the Kegan-Flagler School of Business at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and the Naval Postgraduate School.

For more insights into his professional pursuits and areas of interest, visit https://synthminds.ai/.

Wes Shields, Principal and founder of Synthminds.AI, leads a team of 15 experts, propelling clients' AI strategies and objectives with ethical and innovative solutions. Under his stewardship, his full-service Artificial Intelligence agency provides b... Show more

Felipe is a leading advanced analytics and data visualization consultant and partner helping teams build, manage and enhance their data science, analytics and data visualization capabilities. He is also an experienced instructor in data science, analytics, machine learning and data visualization delivering both online and face-to-face training. He received an M.Phil. in Electrical and Information Engineering with specialization in Learning Analytics from The University of Sydney and is also a Certified Google Cloud Platform Engineer. Felipe also served as the data visualization and storytelling advisor for the South Australian Health Department’s Commission on Excellence and Innovation in Health Clinical Informatics Group, in Australia. Felipe is also a v/blogger, recognized internationally for his thought leadership, having articles ranked #1 in Google search and referenced by many sources and students from leading educational institutions. For more, visit: feliperego.com.au

Felipe is a leading advanced analytics and data visualization consultant and partner helping teams build, manage and enhance their data science, analytics and data visualization capabilities. He is also an experienced instructor in data science, anal... Show more

Hacker. Strategist. Reluctant Adult.

Cody Kretsinger used to be the problem. Now he helps solve them.

A former black hat hacker turned cybersecurity strategist, Cody has spent the past decade leading Red, Blue, and Purple teams—attacking, defending, and occasionally arguing with himself somewhere in between. He’s navigated high-stakes breaches, built security programs from scratch, and explained (more than once) why clicking “Enable Macros” should probably be a felony.

Cody’s stage presence is sharp, candid, and refreshingly real. He’s delivered no-fluff, war story-packed talks at top security conferences like GrrCon and BSides—blending uncomfortable truths with the kind of humor that makes infosec folks both laugh and wince. He’s also a co-founder of a nonprofit dedicated to helping cybersecurity professionals stay ahead of emerging threats.

Today, Cody works with MSPs, MSSPs, and security teams that are done being reactive and ready to fight smarter. He brings real-world tactics, razor-sharp insight, and a steady hand when things go sideways.

No buzzwords. No fluff. The kind of strategy you only get from someone who once broke the rules to learn them.

Hacker. Strategist. Reluctant Adult. Cody Kretsinger used to be the problem. Now he helps solve them. A former black hat hacker turned cybersecurity strategist, Cody has spent the past decade leading Red, Blue, and Purple teams—attacking, defen... Show more

Experienced in developing solutions across jurisdictions and verticals, Vlad is a co-founder in entities ranging from regtech and IT concierge to asynchronous delivery of digitalized knowledge; he aims to tackle complex corporate challenges through interactivity and gamification.

Experienced in developing solutions across jurisdictions and verticals, Vlad is a co-founder in entities ranging from regtech and IT concierge to asynchronous delivery of digitalized knowledge; he aims to tackle complex corporate challenges through i... Show more

I am a dedicated software engineer specializing in Linux packages, with a deep passion for security, open source, and Python. I break down complex security challenges into clear, accessible insights. I have presented a well-received talk at DevConf India, where I helped engineers and students understand vulnerabilities with live demos. I have also volunteered to organize tech conferences and hackathons, nurturing a collaborative community that drives innovation and continuous learning.

I am a dedicated software engineer specializing in Linux packages, with a deep passion for security, open source, and Python. I break down complex security challenges into clear, accessible insights. I have presented a well-received talk at DevConf I... Show more

Bet es Tech lead en Nu, el neobanco más grande de LATAM, donde transforma líneas de código en productos financieros que usan millones. Con background en full stack y pasión por el backend, disfruta resolver retos complejos con soluciones elegantes. Fintech lover, fan del Clojure y creyente del poder del software bien hecho.

Bet es Tech lead en Nu, el neobanco más grande de LATAM, donde transforma líneas de código en productos financieros que usan millones. Con background en full stack y pasión por el backend, disfruta resolver retos complejos con soluciones elegantes. F... Show more

Andrew Byer Attorney was born in 1962 in Jersey City, New Jersey, into a family enriched by his Italian immigrant mother's heritage. This bicultural environment, which included significant time spent in Italy, ingrained a deep appreciation for diverse cultures, influencing his aspirations and later career in international law. He pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at Columbia University, graduating in 1984, and his global perspective was further enhanced by a semester abroad in France.

After completing his Juris Doctor at Syracuse University College of Law in 1987, Andrew began his legal career in South Florida. His initial role was as Lease Administrator and Legal Counsel at Miracle Marketplace in Coral Gables, where he honed his skills in commercial law by managing lease negotiations and tenant relations.

In 1990, Andrew's career path shifted toward international business when he assumed the role of Director of Operations for Maria Pia, an Italian shoe manufacturer, in closing its U.S. operations. His fluency in Italian and comprehensive legal knowledge were crucial in overseeing the orderly shutdown of the company's American presence. He continued to build on this international experience from 1991 to 1994 as General Counsel and Director of International Sales at Intracorp, Inc., a firm that developed video gaming software. In this role, Andrew was pivotal in securing licensing deals with Hollywood studios, allowing for the creation of video games based on popular films, which dramatically expanded the company’s reach into global markets.

In 1994, leveraging his extensive legal and international business experience, Andrew founded the Law Offices of Andrew Alexander Byer. His practice specialized in helping European companies enter and thrive in the U.S. market, offering legal guidance and strategic business insights. His multilingual skills and deep understanding of cross-border transactions made his firm a valuable asset to its clients.

Driven by his love for high-quality audio, Andrew opened Magnum Opus Audio in 2007, a Fort Lauderdale boutique specializing in high-end audio and home theater systems. As the retail landscape evolved, he shifted his entrepreneurial focus to real estate, founding AJ&J Holdings, LLC, and later Bozhlona, Inc. in 2024, focusing on property management.

Outside his professional life, Andrew is an active philanthropist, mainly engaged in animal welfare and community service initiatives. Today, Andrew Byer significantly contributes to his industry and community, utilizing his vast experience in law, business, and real estate.

Andrew Byer Attorney was born in 1962 in Jersey City, New Jersey, into a family enriched by his Italian immigrant mother's heritage. This bicultural environment, which included significant time spent in Italy, ingrained a deep appreciation for divers... Show more

Glenda R. Snodgrass has been President, lead consultant and project manager at The Net Effect since the company's inception in 1996. She is a Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), CMMC Certified Professional (CCP), CMMC Certified Assessor (CCA) and Lead CCA, specializing in helping organizations meet their security and compliance requirements. She has conducted numerous workshops covering GLBA, PCI DSS, HIPAA, FAR 52.204-21, DFARS 252.204-7012, NIST 800-171, NIST CSF and CMMC. Her dynamic personality and effective teaching style have made her a sought-after public speaker and corporate trainer for more than twenty years.

Glenda R. Snodgrass has been President, lead consultant and project manager at The Net Effect since the company's inception in 1996. She is a Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), CMMC Certified Professional (CCP), CMMC Certified Assessor (C... Show more