I am an IT Principal a Principal Architect within the AI Center of Enablement at Cigna/Evernorth, where I lead the architecture of enterprise-scale Artificial Intelligence platforms. As an IEEE Senior Member, I specialize in bridging the gap between complex legacy ecosystems and cutting-edge Generative AI.

Currently, I am focused on building foundational Enterprise AI Platforms, including a Knowledge Graph Platform designed to tap into multimodal enterprise knowledge, and establishing AI FinOps frameworks to optimize model cost and performance. My background includes architecting GenAI underwriting and regulatory systems that process over 266 million documents annually, leveraging Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) and LLM Observability to ensure consistency and compliance.

I am also an active researcher and author, having published work on Generative AI for MES Optimization, LLM-driven Digital Manufacturing, and Edge AI for On-Site Health Risk Scoring. Beyond my corporate and academic work, I am the creator and maintainer of Syda, an open-source Python library for AI-powered synthetic data generation

I am an IT Principal a Principal Architect within the AI Center of Enablement at Cigna/Evernorth, where I lead the architecture of enterprise-scale Artificial Intelligence platforms. As an IEEE Senior Member, I specialize in bridging the gap between ... Show more

With over 15 years of experience, I have led teams in creating advanced AI systems across various sectors. In the P&C industry, I developed vision-based systems and NLP models to automate property reviews and predict home outcomes. My work in the Automotive, Payroll & HR, Financial, Telecom, Music, and Retail industries includes building predictive models using machine learning, implementing advanced vision modeling, and developing automation solutions to enhance efficiency and accuracy.

With over 15 years of experience, I have led teams in creating advanced AI systems across various sectors. In the P&C industry, I developed vision-based systems and NLP models to automate property reviews and predict home outcomes. My work in the Aut... Show more

Apurva is a Lead Computer Vision Engineer at Brambles, with over seven years of R&D experience across diverse industrial domains. At Brambles, she specializes in designing and deploying cutting-edge machine learning and computer vision IoT prototypes to enhance supply chain efficiencies. Previously, at Spectrum, she contributed to Industrial IoT R&D, focusing on machine learning for wireless access, video analytics, and predictive air quality modeling using edge device data. Her tenure at Lands’ End involved expertise in sales forecasting, pricing strategies, and product similarity analysis.
She has also conducted independent research on Large Language Models (LLMs), exploring their applications in supply chain solutions. She is also a member of the Harvard Business Review Advisory Council, a research community of business professionals. Passionate about the convergence of computer vision, NLP, and machine learning, she is dedicated to driving impactful advancements in technology and operational excellence.

Apurva is a Lead Computer Vision Engineer at Brambles, with over seven years of R&D experience across diverse industrial domains. At Brambles, she specializes in designing and deploying cutting-edge machine learning and computer vision IoT prototypes... Show more

Meet a seasoned professional known in the digital realm as @tekNorah. With over 15+ years of experience in software development and continuous process improvement, they are a strategic technical leader in the digital agency space. Hailing from Mokena, IL, @tekNorah brings a wealth of expertise primarily serving the education, government, and legal industries.

As a seasoned community leader, @tekNorah is deeply ingrained in the tech community, contributing to Drupal and Open Source Software, and serving on the leadership team for MidCamp. Their knack for organic collaboration and ideation has led to significant organizational performance improvements, making them a sought-after figure in the industry.

With a passion for innovation and a commitment to best practices, @tekNorah’s approach to systems design and change management is both meticulous and forward-thinking. Whether it's crafting tailor-designed solutions from concept to launch or coordinating intern and onboarding programs, their dedication to excellence shines through in every endeavor.

Connect with @tekNorah to tap into their expertise and collaborate on your next project. Driving innovation and efficiency gains, @tekNorah is your go-to partner for transformative solutions in the digital landscape.

Meet a seasoned professional known in the digital realm as @tekNorah. With over 15+ years of experience in software development and continuous process improvement, they are a strategic technical leader in the digital agency space. Hailing from Mokena... Show more

Bennett is a D365 Supervisor with 10 years of experience implementing Microsoft Dynamics Business Central/Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2013 ERP systems. In his background, he has specialized in working with food manufacturers in implementing the software. Bennett has specific industry knowledge around bakeries and the challenges that they face. He has worked with clients to find optimal solutions to fit their business practices. He has also worked with food companies that have had a focus on direct store delivery and worked with those clients in delivering a solution for distribution departments to fill order demands.

Bennett is a D365 Supervisor with 10 years of experience implementing Microsoft Dynamics Business Central/Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2013 ERP systems. In his background, he has specialized in working with food manufacturers in implementing the software. ... Show more

Deniz "Den" Mutlu is a Senior Cyber Security Engineer, Microsoft Security MVP and Director, member of the ext-board at Swiss Post cybersecurity in Switzerland. He specializes in Blue Teaming strategies, SOC implementation, SIEM architectures, and deploying Microsoft Security solutions.

Previously, Deniz worked as a System & Network Engineer, managing various projects with Microsoft Solutions for 10 years. For nearly a decade, he has specialized in cybersecurity, consulting to improve clients' security posture and implement robust security solutions.

In 2020, Deniz joined Hacknowledge, establishing its first Microsoft Team. He is passionate about Microsoft security solutions, particularly Microsoft Defender XDR, Microsoft Sentinel. Deniz supports clients with a practical, threat-based approach, helping them audit, configure, and improve their security environments.

Additionally, Deniz enjoys sharing his cybersecurity and Microsoft solutions expertise as a lecturer at various universities and schools.

Deniz "Den" Mutlu is a Senior Cyber Security Engineer, Microsoft Security MVP and Director, member of the ext-board at Swiss Post cybersecurity in Switzerland. He specializes in Blue Teaming strategies, SOC implementation, SIEM architectures, and dep... Show more

Mehdi is a senior software developer and system architect. Since 2000, he has been responsible for the design, implementation, and development of several different systems in the field of office automation, CRM, healthcare management, and automation in industry and logistics solutions. Mehdi specifically works in the field of software development based on .NET technology. Mehdi is a staunch fan of object-oriented programming. Since 2016, Mehdi has worked more or less with cloud computing systems.

Mehdi is a senior software developer and system architect. Since 2000, he has been responsible for the design, implementation, and development of several different systems in the field of office automation, CRM, healthcare management, and automation... Show more

Having loved NAV/BC as a user, Aldeen has taken her experiences and learnings from the Food Manufacturing and Operations world and transformed them into valuable insights. Now as a Senior Consultant and Trusted Business Advisor, she continues to challenge the boundaries of technology and employ innovative solutions to empower users and drive real business results.

Having loved NAV/BC as a user, Aldeen has taken her experiences and learnings from the Food Manufacturing and Operations world and transformed them into valuable insights. Now as a Senior Consultant and Trusted Business Advisor, she continues to chal... Show more

•Team Manager | Sr. Solution Architect on the Dynamics SMB Delivery team at Stoneridge Software
•25+ years of experience in functional consulting for Dynamics implementations and upgrades, as well as directly supporting SMB clients for Dynamics GP, CRM, and Business Central
•Microsoft certifications:
• Microsoft Certified Trainer
• Microsoft Business Central
• Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Sales

•Team Manager | Sr. Solution Architect on the Dynamics SMB Delivery team at Stoneridge Software •25+ years of experience in functional consulting for Dynamics implementations and upgrades, as well as directly supporting SMB clients for Dynamics GP, ... Show more

Masaharu Kanda began his career as an electrical and embedded software engineer. He worked on the development of Blu–ray–compatible optical drives, taking responsibility for electrical design and firmware development. Later, he contributed to the development of cloud gaming servers, focusing on Linux device drivers.
After that, he joined another startup, where he was involved in project management and the development of edge AI applications.
He is currently at NTT, Inc., participating in the IOWN concept and working on the design of a disaggregated computing controller.

Masaharu Kanda began his career as an electrical and embedded software engineer. He worked on the development of Blu–ray–compatible optical drives, taking responsibility for electrical design and firmware development. Later, he contributed to the dev... Show more

Chris Watson is a Manager at RSM US LLP with deep expertise in Microsoft Teams and Dynamics 365 Contact Center. He has worked with Microsoft Teams since 2017 and has architected and overseen deployments across Healthcare, Education, Financial Services, and Manufacturing. Chris has been a Dynamics 365 Contact Center architect since its release, specializing in contact center architecture, integration, and enterprise-scale implementations.

Chris Watson is a Manager at RSM US LLP with deep expertise in Microsoft Teams and Dynamics 365 Contact Center. He has worked with Microsoft Teams since 2017 and has architected and overseen deployments across Healthcare, Education, Financial Service... Show more

I have over 28 years' experience with ERP software packages with applications ranging from textiles to general manufacturing to process manufacturing to engineer to order. I have been working with Dynamics AX/D365 for over 20 years and have in-depth knowledge of X++ development in addition to experience with trade and logistics, projects, production, and security within D365. I am certified in D365 with the MB-500 and MB-330 certifications.

I have over 28 years' experience with ERP software packages with applications ranging from textiles to general manufacturing to process manufacturing to engineer to order. I have been working with Dynamics AX/D365 for over 20 years and have in-depth ... Show more

Frank Maier is the CEO of DynamicsGlobalProjects GmbH and has been involved in the Microsoft Dynamics ecosystem for over two decades. He began his career as a developer, quickly advancing to consultant and project manager roles. His passion has always been large-scale international ERP implementations with Business Central and NAV.

Frank was formerly CEO of OctoCon AG and, following its successful acquisition, served on the executive team of YAVEON GmbH. Since 2003, he has also been a board member of Directions EMEA, helping shape the future of the Dynamics partner community.

He lives with his wife and children in the countryside of Southern Germany.

Frank Maier is the CEO of DynamicsGlobalProjects GmbH and has been involved in the Microsoft Dynamics ecosystem for over two decades. He began his career as a developer, quickly advancing to consultant and project manager roles. His passion has alway... Show more

As a Cloud & AI Solutions Engineer at Microsoft and a Telecommunications Engineer by trade, I design highly complex technical architectures that drive real business value. Beyond the cloud, I am a Quantum Computing enthusiast, dedicated to understanding and leveraging the next frontier of technology to solve complex, global problems.

As a Cloud & AI Solutions Engineer at Microsoft and a Telecommunications Engineer by trade, I design highly complex technical architectures that drive real business value. Beyond the cloud, I am a Quantum Computing enthusiast, dedicated to understand... Show more

Jim is a Data Engineer 4 for Blueprint Technologies. He lives just outside of Pittsburgh, PA in a small suburb called South Park. He loves working with all things Azure(ARM templates, Azure SQL Database, SQL on IaaS). He is an avid collector of retro video games! He was a member of the Idera ACE program for 2018.

Jim is a Data Engineer 4 for Blueprint Technologies. He lives just outside of Pittsburgh, PA in a small suburb called South Park. He loves working with all things Azure(ARM templates, Azure SQL Database, SQL on IaaS). He is an avid collector of retro... Show more

Possui graduação em Sistemas de Informação pela Universidade Federal de Viçosa (2014) e mestrado em Informática pela Universidade de Brasília (2017), atualmente Dourando em Ciências da Computação na UnB. Tem experiência na área de Ciência da Computação, com ênfase em Sistemas de Informação, atuando principalmente nos seguintes temas: Java, C#, mobile, web e negócios. Professor universitário na Unieuro e Analista de Sistemas IV no CNI

Possui graduação em Sistemas de Informação pela Universidade Federal de Viçosa (2014) e mestrado em Informática pela Universidade de Brasília (2017), atualmente Dourando em Ciências da Computação na UnB. Tem experiência na área de Ciência da Computaç... Show more

Luigi is a managing attorney at Lone Star Legal Aid. Their teams help appeal evictions, publish disaster content, and make legal information accessible to self-representing persons (SRLs) across the state of Texas. SRLs have access to legal interviews and document assembly, text reminders and information about eviction appeals, and videos explaining legal topics. Visitors are guided to targeted information about real property, landlord/tenant, employment, benefits, and other legal topics.

Luigi is a managing attorney at Lone Star Legal Aid. Their teams help appeal evictions, publish disaster content, and make legal information accessible to self-representing persons (SRLs) across the state of Texas. SRLs have access to legal interview... Show more

As a Senior Manager at Protiviti, I leverage my 12+ years of experience in ERP consulting to deliver hands-on application expertise to key stakeholders. I am a Microsoft MVP (Business Application) and a Certified Scrum Master (CSM), with a proven track record of implementing Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations solutions across diverse industries.

I am passionate about streamlining business processes, enhancing service innovation, and enabling customer value. I have successfully led and contributed to multiple projects involving finance, operations, supply chain, and retail modules, using agile methodologies and Six Sigma tools. I am also skilled in Microsoft products and business analysis, and I constantly seek to expand my knowledge and skills in the rapidly evolving field of Microsoft Dynamics 365.

As a Senior Manager at Protiviti, I leverage my 12+ years of experience in ERP consulting to deliver hands-on application expertise to key stakeholders. I am a Microsoft MVP (Business Application) and a Certified Scrum Master (CSM), with a proven tra... Show more

Deepak Bajaj is an IT consulting professional with over 23 years of experience delivering enterprise-scale ERP and supply chain transformation initiatives across pharmaceutical, manufacturing, and high-technology industries. His career spans senior roles as a Business Systems Analyst, Oracle SCM Functional Consultant, and Project/Delivery Lead, with a consistent focus on architecting and implementing mission-critical supply chain solutions.
He specializes in Oracle E-Business Suite (11i/R12) and Oracle Fusion Cloud Supply Chain Management, with deep functional expertise across Procure-to-Pay (P2P) / Source-to-Pay (S2P), Order Management including Purchasing, iProcurement, Shipping, Bill of Materials (BOM), and Work in Process (WIP). His work supports complex, end-to-end enterprise processes, including Order-to-Cash (O2C) and Forecast/Demand-to-Plan, enabling improved operational visibility, control, and execution.
Across multiple large-scale engagements, Deepak has led full lifecycle ERP initiatives, encompassing requirements definition, gap analysis, solution architecture, system configuration, integrations, testing (SIT/UAT), user enablement, cutover planning, and post-go-live stabilization. His experience extends beyond implementation to long-term system optimization and managed services support, contributing to sustainable operational performance.
In his recent engagement, Deepak serves as the Order Management Lead for the implementation of Oracle Fusion Order Management at Altera, a semiconductor manufacturing company based in San Jose, California. Altera, formerly part of Intel and now operating as an independent entity following its acquisition by a private investment firm (with Intel retaining a minority stake), is undergoing a significant enterprise transformation initiative.
As part of this initiative, Deepak Bajaj serves as the Order Management Lead as a consulting specialist from HCL Technologies, supporting the implementation of Oracle Fusion Order Management. In this capacity, he is responsible for leading the functional design and implementation of complex order orchestration, fulfillment workflows, and system integrations within Oracle Fusion SCM—requirements characteristic of high-technology and semiconductor manufacturing environments.
Deepak holds an MBA from IIT Delhi and a Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering, complemented by advanced education in artificial intelligence and machine learning for business applications. He also maintains multiple professional certifications, including Oracle Fusion, Oracle E-Business Suite, ITIL® 4, Agile and Project Management, and AWS Cloud Solution Architect – Associate, reflecting sustained professional development and cross-disciplinary expertise.

Deepak Bajaj is an IT consulting professional with over 23 years of experience delivering enterprise-scale ERP and supply chain transformation initiatives across pharmaceutical, manufacturing, and high-technology industries. His career spans senior r... Show more

General Manager of Coesiva, a strategic consulting firm working with Italian manufacturing SMEs. I help business owners and managers identify where their time is wasted and how applied AI can remove that friction — not as a tool, but as a method.

I built a personal AI assistant with 60+ specialized skills that runs my daily workflow: email triage, delegation tracking, meeting prep, daily planning. Not to work more — to stop doing what didn't require my expertise.

12+ years advising organizations from CNA (Italy's largest artisan confederation) to multinationals (Generali, Epasa-Itaco, Regione Emilia-Romagna).
Certified Temporary Manager. Currently speaking on AI adoption patterns in Italian SMEs.

General Manager of Coesiva, a strategic consulting firm working with Italian manufacturing SMEs. I help business owners and managers identify where their time is wasted and how applied AI can remove that friction — not as a tool, but as a method. ... Show more

Michelle Francis is a seasoned technology professional specializing in enterprise systems and digital transformation within the manufacturing sector. At Lindsay Corporation, she leads initiatives that integrate Microsoft Dynamics 365, Power Platform, and AI-driven solutions to streamline operations and enhance business efficiency. With extensive experience in system analysis, process optimization, and change management, Michelle focuses on bridging the gap between IT and business teams to deliver scalable, secure, and innovative solutions. Her work emphasizes practical adoption strategies that drive measurable ROI and sustainable growth.

Michelle Francis is a seasoned technology professional specializing in enterprise systems and digital transformation within the manufacturing sector. At Lindsay Corporation, she leads initiatives that integrate Microsoft Dynamics 365, Power Platform,... Show more

Alain (Al) Schneiter is one of the scopewyse founders and an Microsoft Secuirty MVP. As an experienced solutions architect he is supporting clients and partners in training, concepts, designs and implementations using cloud solutions from Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365. Alain is focused on Microsoft Technologies, especially on Microsoft 365 Security, Identity and Compliance. He supports communities with his Microsoft 365 know-how. He is a regular speaker at national & international events and conferences and drives a local user groups with focus on security services based on the Microsoft products.

Alain (Al) Schneiter is one of the scopewyse founders and an Microsoft Secuirty MVP. As an experienced solutions architect he is supporting clients and partners in training, concepts, designs and implementations using cloud solutions from Microsoft A... Show more

Sahith Vibudhi is a Founding Software Engineer at Dots (Y Combinator S21), where he builds payments, tax compliance, and fraud detection infrastructure. Previously, he designed global manufacturing data systems at Tesla and helped scale Darwinbox from its earliest engineering team to unicorn status. He is also the creator of DataPup, an open-source AI-powered database client, and VibeTree, an open-source vibecoding tool.

Sahith Vibudhi is a Founding Software Engineer at Dots (Y Combinator S21), where he builds payments, tax compliance, and fraud detection infrastructure. Previously, he designed global manufacturing data systems at Tesla and helped scale Darwinbox fro... Show more

Head of Development at Traefik Labs, the company behind Traefik, the popular cloud-native Gateway Controller, and Traefik Hub, a comprehensive API Management solution for Kubernetes.
Responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Gateway API in Traefik.

Head of Development at Traefik Labs, the company behind Traefik, the popular cloud-native Gateway Controller, and Traefik Hub, a comprehensive API Management solution for Kubernetes. Responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Gateway API i... Show more

As Principal AI Strategist at Sikich, a leading professional services firm providing transformative business solutions, Ray leverages over 36 years of experience in the IT industry. Having served as a systems architect for complex CRM implementations utilizing Microsoft technologies, he now focuses on guiding organizations toward productive, responsible, and impactful use of AI technologies, particularly Generative AI. Passionate about innovation, Ray has been a featured speaker at numerous Microsoft centered events including SummitNA 2025, and served on the advisory board for the ExtremeCRM event series, shaping strategic content and contributing significantly to the Microsoft Dynamics community.

As Principal AI Strategist at Sikich, a leading professional services firm providing transformative business solutions, Ray leverages over 36 years of experience in the IT industry. Having served as a systems architect for complex CRM implementations... Show more

I have over 13 years of experience working in the technology field. I am a Systems Information Engineer by profession and hold a Master's degree in Project Management. I am accredited as a Professional Scrum Master, PMP, Agile Coach, and Business Enterprise Practitioner.

Currently, I work as an Agile Coach for the company I am employed by, as well as an independent consultant.

I have over 13 years of experience working in the technology field. I am a Systems Information Engineer by profession and hold a Master's degree in Project Management. I am accredited as a Professional Scrum Master, PMP, Agile Coach, and Business Ent... Show more

Dr. Adrian Hermes is an interdisciplinary researcher and professor working at the intersection of Industrial Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Operations Research, Mathematical Optimization, Computer Science, and Data Analytics. With a strong foundation in engineering and mathematical sciences and extensive international research experience, his work emphasizes the development of rigorous theoretical models together with practical design and implementation methodologies that translate advanced analytical concepts into real-world impact. His collaborations with international research teams span diverse application domains—including transportation systems, supply chains and logistics, forestry planning, systems engineering, viticulture and enology, and biological applications—where quantitative modeling plays a central role. His core expertise focuses on the formulation and solution of complex combinatorial and industrial optimization problems using mathematical programming and network optimization, supported by hybrid strategies that integrate heuristics and metaheuristics with exact, approximation, and stochastic optimization techniques.

Alongside his optimization research, Dr. Hermes brings a decade of experience in data analysis and data science across both scientific and industrial environments. His work centers on statistical modeling, machine learning, and advanced data analytics to extract actionable and interpretable insights from complex datasets. By combining statistical theory with computational implementation and modern analytical workflows, he contributes to interdisciplinary projects where data-driven methodologies support model validation, system understanding, and strategic decision-making. This integration of theoretical rigor with applied analytics enables him to bridge optimization and data science, delivering robust, evidence-based solutions across diverse application domains.

Dr. Adrian Hermes is an interdisciplinary researcher and professor working at the intersection of Industrial Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Operations Research, Mathematical Optimization, Computer Science, and Data Analytics. With a strong foundat... Show more

Heikki is an Expert Lead Developer at OP Pohjola working with OP's internal Development Portal based on Spotify's Backstage.

Heikki is an Expert Lead Developer at OP Pohjola working with OP's internal Development Portal based on Spotify's Backstage. Show more

John Paul (JP) is an Associate Professor at George Washington University in the Department of Engineering Management and Systems Engineering. His research focuses on understanding how consumer preferences, market dynamics, and policy affect the emergence and adoption of low-carbon technologies, such as electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies. He also studies the critical relationship between the US and China in developing and mass producing these technologies. He has expertise in discrete choice modeling, conjoint analysis, survey design, exploratory data analysis, interview-based research methods, the R programming language, China, and the global electric vehicle industry. He speaks fluent Mandarin Chinese and has conducted extensive fieldwork in China. John holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Engineering and Public Policy from Carnegie Mellon University and a B.S. in Engineering Science and Mechanics (ESM) from Virginia Tech.

John Paul (JP) is an Associate Professor at George Washington University in the Department of Engineering Management and Systems Engineering. His research focuses on understanding how consumer preferences, market dynamics, and policy affect the emerg... Show more