Manufacturing & Industrial Materials

A roster of manufacturing and materials specialists at the forefront of innovation in the production and utilization of industrial materials

Tombozi Mbewe-Ncube

Tombozi Mbewe-Ncube

Tombozi Mbewe-Ncube is the co-founder of VT Business Consultants, a Johannesburg based firm that specialises in providing tailor made operational and financial solutions to SME’s.

A holder of a Bsc. Production Management with a post graduate qualification in Project Management, Tombozi has worked in the Logistics sector for BP Global and has extensive experience in the manufacturing sector where she peaked as Technical Lead.

Tombozi’s specialty is Product Strategy where she has niched in helping female founders navigate from product idea to market.
Business Development projects at which she has worked on include:-
Mentor: Sasol Women in Mining (South Africa-2023)
Mentor: Groupe SOS’ Oribi AfriFOODlinks (South Africa-2024)
Coach: Barrick Lumwana Business Accelerator (Zambia-2024)
Mentor:OceanHub Series 5 Business Accelarator (South Africa/Kenya-2024)

Tombozi was also a speaker at:-
The Global Mentorship Conference(2023)
African Leadership University’s Global Entrepreneurship Week Capability Lab on Startup Market Research (2024)

Tombozi is also an author of a semi-autobiographical book about the socio-economic struggles of African women.The Confident Comeback has sparked conversations that have seen her featured on several talk radio shows and news outlets such as eNCA news.

Tombozi Mbewe-Ncube is the co-founder of VT Business Consultants, a Johannesburg based firm that specialises in providing tailor made operational and financial solutions to SME’s. A holder of a Bsc. Production Management with a post graduate quali... Show more

Ornella Friggit-Konaté

Ornella Friggit-Konaté

Ornella is a French-Burkinabè Staff Software Engineer, who transitioned from nonprofit into software engineering in 2019 in order to pursue financial freedom (for her and her dog Pixel). She is passionate about craftsmanship, technical excellence, continuous learning, strategy - and shattering the myth that engineering is not creative.

Ornella is a French-Burkinabè Staff Software Engineer, who transitioned from nonprofit into software engineering in 2019 in order to pursue financial freedom (for her and her dog Pixel). She is passionate about craftsmanship, technical excellence, co... Show more

Robert Starinsky

Robert Starinsky

Bob is a published author, former business educator, occasional public speaker and seasoned business professional with over forty years of hands-on business experience. Now semi-retired, Bob currently consults with local small businesses in the Western and Northwestern suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. Bob is a well-versed subject matter expert able to speak on a wide range of topics including CRM, ERP, Process Mapping, Process Improvement, Project Management, Organizational Design, Business Strategy, Operational Management and Service Delivery.

If you need help designing, documenting, diagnosing, improving, simplifying, mistake-proofing or automating your business processes, Bob is your resource!

Bob is a published author, former business educator, occasional public speaker and seasoned business professional with over forty years of hands-on business experience. Now semi-retired, Bob currently consults with local small businesses in the Weste... Show more

Janine Robar

Janine Robar

As the State of Michigan’s Office of Future Mobility and Electrification’s (OFME) mobility innovation associate director, Janine is focused on growing Michigan’s mobility and electrification ecosystem and creating safer, more equitable and environmentally conscious transportation solutions for Michigan residents. Janine leads innovation growth initiatives at OFME including signature grant programs under the Michigan Mobility Funding Platform (MMFP) and state-wide testing assets. In addition to managing MMFP, she facilitates industry collaboration through various working groups convening subject matter experts to identify challenges in the state and develop solutions.

Prior to joining OFME, Janine was an associate director leading the mobility practice at Antenna Group, a leading cleantech communications agency. In this role, Janine focused on strategy development, media relations, and project management across account teams. Janine’s client experience spans product launches, company rebrands, high-profile public and private partnerships, market entries and crisis management. Her areas of expertise include advanced transportation infrastructure, autonomous vehicles, battery technology and growth-focused programs including incubators and accelerators.

Additionally, Janine previously led the overall b2b and b2c marketing communications strategy for Shift Transit, a mobility operations startup focusing on first/last-mile micromobiltiy solutions. Janine has also held multiple positions at leading automotive b2b publication, Automotive News including integrated marketing manager and conference specialist. While at Automotive News Janine planned and executed large-scale conferences and events for industry executives as well as integrated marketing campaigns and custom content for industry partners. In 2019, Janine was honored with the Automotive News Tony Merpi Award for Leadership & Innovation for her efforts in streamlining cross-functional processes.

A longtime cycling enthusiast and advocate, she is passionate about helping organizations develop accessible and equitable mobility solutions. Janine holds a Bachelor of Science in Communication and Marketing from Eastern Michigan University and lives on the eastside of Detroit.

As the State of Michigan’s Office of Future Mobility and Electrification’s (OFME) mobility innovation associate director, Janine is focused on growing Michigan’s mobility and electrification ecosystem and creating safer, more equitable and environmen... Show more

Mark Westra

Mark Westra

Mark is Digital Marketing Manager at Fygi (House Of HR). He combines extensive experience in digital marketing and recruitment with a keen eye for AI and tech innovations. Early 2025, his talent for making complex technology understandable was recognized with the title 'The Netherlands' Most Influential Recruitment Marketer'. Mark approaches every challenge with a mix of expertise, humor, and a down-to-earth attitude. His relentless pursuit of emerging trends and practical applications places him at the forefront of innovation in recruitment and hr.

Mark is Digital Marketing Manager at Fygi (House Of HR). He combines extensive experience in digital marketing and recruitment with a keen eye for AI and tech innovations. Early 2025, his talent for making complex technology understandable was recogn... Show more

Francisco Junior

Francisco Junior

Francisco Júnior é mestrando em Transformação Digital, graduado em Ciência da Computação e possui um MBA em Governança de TI. Com mais de 20 anos de experiência, é especialista em gestão de pessoas, transformação digital e inovação. Detém certificações como ITIL Expert, ISO 20k Consult e Manager, Agile People Coach e Agile People Business Agility. Desde 2014, atua como Gerente de Atendimento na Rede Nacional de Ensino e Pesquisa (RNP). Foi reconhecido como Profissional do Ano em 2023, e sua equipe foi premiada como a melhor do Brasil em 2022 pela HDI. Ele também é uma referência no LinkedIn como Top Voice em Estratégia e Gestão de TI.

Francisco Júnior é mestrando em Transformação Digital, graduado em Ciência da Computação e possui um MBA em Governança de TI. Com mais de 20 anos de experiência, é especialista em gestão de pessoas, transformação digital e inovação. Detém certificaçõ... Show more

Stacey McLennan-Waldal

Stacey McLennan-Waldal

Stacey is the Director of Generative AI at ATB, where she leads the charge in exploring and implementing GenAI solutions. With a background in Cloud, Data, and AI from PwC, she brings extensive experience in solving business challenges and delivering tangible value through AI. A Calgary native with deep roots in the local business community, she's passionate about the transformative potential of GenAI, viewing it as a cultural shift akin to the internet's arrival and just the beginning of the AI revolution (drawing inspiration from Dr. Ajay Agrawal). Connect with her to discuss the future! (she/her)

Stacey is the Director of Generative AI at ATB, where she leads the charge in exploring and implementing GenAI solutions. With a background in Cloud, Data, and AI from PwC, she brings extensive experience in solving business challenges and deliverin... Show more

Joe Fecarotta

Joe Fecarotta

Joe Fecarotta has been part of Agile since 2007, moving from development to project management and then ultimately agile coaching. He's used to working in large organizations such as Boeing, Accenture, and HP to bring agility and value. Frustrated by his inability to change large systems, Joe decided to get a Masters Degree in Organizational Development in 2008 and it changed him instead. Now he works in applying good change management techniques in helping organizations with their work through a generally positive disposition and a lot of coffee.

Joe Fecarotta has been part of Agile since 2007, moving from development to project management and then ultimately agile coaching. He's used to working in large organizations such as Boeing, Accenture, and HP to bring agility and value. Frustrated by... Show more

Richard Wilson

Richard Wilson

With over 20 years of experience, Richard has navigated diverse environments, from factory floors to Fortune 500 boardrooms. Richard's focus is on helping organizations identify and implement effective business and technical solutions that deliver immediate positive impact by implementing tactical solutions aimed at achieving strategic goals. He is a veteran of 6 startups and one IPO.

With over 20 years of experience, Richard has navigated diverse environments, from factory floors to Fortune 500 boardrooms. Richard's focus is on helping organizations identify and implement effective business and technical solutions that deliver im... Show more

Onno van der Horst

Onno van der Horst

Solution architect in Boston that focuses on Data & AI Technology

Solution architect in Boston that focuses on Data & AI Technology Show more

Svetlana Dimovski, PhD

Svetlana Dimovski, PhD

Svetlana Dimovski, Ph.D., ICF-PCC, NBC-HWC, is a professional executive coach, Kellogg Executive Scholar in Leadership, and Chopra Center Certified Instructor in Primordial Sound Meditation

Svetlana Dimovski, Ph.D., ICF-PCC, NBC-HWC, is a professional executive coach, Kellogg Executive Scholar in Leadership, and Chopra Center Certified Instructor in Primordial Sound Meditation Show more

Martin Krockert

Martin Krockert

- 10 Jahre Erfahrung als Systemintegrator in Produktionsunternehmen
- Dr. Ing. im Produktionskontext mit dem Thema: "Sich selbst organisierende Produktionsplanung und -steuerung"
- Co-Founder der Impact Labs GmbH, wo wir die nächste Generation von Sprachschnittstellen entwickeln. Wo wir mit Leidenschaft daran arbeiten die Interaktion zwischen Mensch und Maschine zu verbessern.

- 10 Jahre Erfahrung als Systemintegrator in Produktionsunternehmen - Dr. Ing. im Produktionskontext mit dem Thema: "Sich selbst organisierende Produktionsplanung und -steuerung" - Co-Founder der Impact Labs GmbH, wo wir die nächste Generation von ... Show more

Mandali Khalesi

Mandali Khalesi

Mandali is focused on embedded and cloud enabled AI software. He is a software executive based in Tokyo Japan for the last 10 years. Prior to Renesas, he was General Manager in charge of Automated Driving Mobility at Toyota, and concurrently Vice President of Automated Driving at Toyota's autonomy software subsidiary Woven by Toyota. Before Toyota, he was head of APAC at a European automotive infotainment software supplier.

Mandali is focused on embedded and cloud enabled AI software. He is a software executive based in Tokyo Japan for the last 10 years. Prior to Renesas, he was General Manager in charge of Automated Driving Mobility at Toyota, and concurrently Vice Pre... Show more

Holger Lüke

Holger Lüke

Holger is co-founder and CEO of the dicobis Group. He came into contact with Microsoft Dynamics NAV for manufacturing and supply chain in the 2000s and decided to stay in the Microsoft community. After a great time at Yaveon, he decided to go his own way in the Microsoft Dynamics business. He is fascinated by the Microsoft Dynamics Business Central integration for logistics solutions, self-driving machines, and production machines along the retail supply chain.

Holger has founded 8 companies and sold 5 in his career. Through his extensive experience, he brings enormous added value to other companies. In addition to Microsoft topics, his areas of expertise include developing and implementing successful business strategies, optimizing business processes, and identifying growth opportunities.
With his practical experience, Holger can help companies increase efficiency, implement innovative solutions, and achieve sustainable growth. He also offers unique insights into the challenges and opportunities of entrepreneurship, which is particularly beneficial for start-ups and growing companies.

Holger lives with his family in the Ruhr area. In his free time, you can find Holger on his board or on his bike. He is a passionate kitesurfer, mountain biker and snowboarder.

Holger is co-founder and CEO of the dicobis Group. He came into contact with Microsoft Dynamics NAV for manufacturing and supply chain in the 2000s and decided to stay in the Microsoft community. After a great time at Yaveon, he decided to go his own... Show more

Ed Parsons

Ed Parsons

Ed Parsons is a Digital Geographer and Keynote Speaker.

He is currently Google’s Open Data Lead.

Ed was Google’s Geospatial Technologist, with responsibility for evangelising Google’s mission to organise the world’s information using Geography. In this role he maintains links with Governments, Universities, Research and Standards Organisations which are involved in the development of Geospatial Technology. Ed also leads Google’s efforts in maintaining a healthy Open Data Ecosystem in Europe.

Ed Parsons is a Digital Geographer and Keynote Speaker. He is currently Google’s Open Data Lead. Ed was Google’s Geospatial Technologist, with responsibility for evangelising Google’s mission to organise the world’s information using Geography.... Show more

Sean Glaze

Sean Glaze

Sean Glaze is a leadership and workplace culture speaker and author who delivers engaging experiences that ignite team performance.

Sean’s engaging conference keynotes and custom team building programs have helped clients like Cisco, John Deere, the CDC, and Emory University to increase collaboration, boost productivity, and build more positive and profitable workplace cultures.

As a successful basketball coach, Sean gained valuable insights on turning talent into teamwork – and now he travels around the country to share those lessons. Sean’s books, Rapid Teamwork, The 10 Commandments of Winning Teammates, and Staying Coachable are entertaining parables that help accelerate the growth of leaders and their teams!

Sean Glaze is a leadership and workplace culture speaker and author who delivers engaging experiences that ignite team performance. Sean’s engaging conference keynotes and custom team building programs have helped clients like Cisco, John Deere, ... Show more

Olaf Kropp

Olaf Kropp

Olaf ist seit über 30 Jahren in der IT tätig. In seinen Anfängen befasste er sich mit IT-Infrastrukturthemen im Microsoft Umfeld. Später kamen Themen wie Servicemanagement und Prozessautomatisierung hinzu. Als anfänglicher Cloud Skeptiker ist er heute überzeugter Anhänger dieser Technologien, da sie Standardtechniken einfach und schnell verfügbar machen.
Jedoch ist es wichtig bei aller Schnelllebigkeit und Innovation den Anwender nicht zu vergessen. Er ist ein wesentlicher, wenn nicht der Bestandteil in einem Projekt.

Ein besonderes Steckenpferd ist die Prozessautomatisierung, da diese mit den größten Mehrwehrt in Unternehmen bring. Hier hat Olaf über die letzten Jahre hinweg diverse Projekte realisiert.

Mit wachsender Cloudifizierung gewinnt auch das Thema IT-Sicherheit zunehmend an Bedeutung. Der zweite Schwerpunkt in Olafs Tätigkeitsfeld. Hier ist es Ihm wichtig Lösungen zu schaffen die optimale Sicherheit gewährleisten und gleichzeitig für den Anwender praktikabel sind. Lösungen die, die Arbeit behindern werden am Ende nicht akzeptiert, unterwandert und schwächen sogar die IT-Sicherheit.

Olaf ist seit über 30 Jahren in der IT tätig. In seinen Anfängen befasste er sich mit IT-Infrastrukturthemen im Microsoft Umfeld. Später kamen Themen wie Servicemanagement und Prozessautomatisierung hinzu. Als anfänglicher Cloud Skeptiker ist er heut... Show more

Marcelo Rosalen

Marcelo Rosalen

With over 20y of experience in IT and business, across high-tech companies like Microsoft, Oracle and Cisco, I'm a Principal Cloud Solution Architect for Dynamics 365 Customer Service and Contact Center at Microsoft. I leverage my pre-sales and post-sales skills to help customer globally to transform their customer experience engagement and service operations with Microsoft stack.

As a CRM and Contact Center SME, I work as a technical advisor for customers, partners and sales team to help then to realize value on D365 Contact Center solution and all the technical aspects on the Microsoft platform.

With over 20y of experience in IT and business, across high-tech companies like Microsoft, Oracle and Cisco, I'm a Principal Cloud Solution Architect for Dynamics 365 Customer Service and Contact Center at Microsoft. I leverage my pre-sales and post-... Show more

Angela Schuchardt

Angela Schuchardt

Angela began her IT career more than 20 years ago by writing newsletter articles about technology within Stewart Title Guaranty Company. After almost 9 years at Stewart, she wanted to try her hand at consulting. Since that time, Angela has consulted within the infrastructure and software space, including the past 7 years at Sparkhound, which has allowed the opportunity to delve in to Microsoft products. She loves working with customers to align business strategy and long-term roadmaps with customer-focused technical soltions. She and her husband Eric reside in Houston and are busy parents to 2 amazing kids. She loves entertaining, making creative custom cakes, and cheering on her daughter's competitive softball team wherever the tournaments take them!

Angela began her IT career more than 20 years ago by writing newsletter articles about technology within Stewart Title Guaranty Company. After almost 9 years at Stewart, she wanted to try her hand at consulting. Since that time, Angela has consulted ... Show more

Paul Hylenski

Paul Hylenski

Paul Hylenski is an accomplished Aerospace Business Leader based in Maryland. Paul started his leadership journey during his time in the United States Marine Corps. With over 20 years of experience in the aerospace industry, Paul is passionate about leadership and human dynamics. Paul has implemented psychological safety and social engineering principles to create environments where individuals can thrive.
As a thought leader, Paul has written numerous articles on human-centric leadership and maintains a popular LinkedIn newsletter dedicated to the subject. He has also authored books such as "Culture Change through Environment Change," "Coaching for Growth," and "Error-Proofing Humans." These publications showcase his expertise and provide guidance for aspiring leaders in the aerospace industry.
With a track record of success and a genuine commitment to empowering others, Paul Hylenski continues to make significant contributions to aerospace manufacturing. His leadership philosophy and dedication to human dynamics inspire positive and transformative change within organizations.

Paul Hylenski is an accomplished Aerospace Business Leader based in Maryland. Paul started his leadership journey during his time in the United States Marine Corps. With over 20 years of experience in the aerospace industry, Paul is passionate about... Show more

William Atkins, E.I.

William Atkins, E.I.

Will Atkins is a graduate of Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology earning a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He joined Tank Industry Consultants as a project engineer, preparing engineering reports for the rehabilitation of water storage tanks. Will has written nearly 50 technical reports addressing the condition of water storage tanks. These reports included recommendations for safety, sanitary, and aesthetic improvements to meet applicable industry standards. Will is familiar with OSHA regulations, American Water Works Association standards, and individual state regulations concerning water storage tanks.

Will Atkins is a graduate of Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology earning a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He joined Tank Industry Consultants as a project engineer, preparing engineering reports for the rehabilitation of water storag... Show more

Hussein Loubani

Hussein Loubani

I am an AI researcher at the CIAD Laboratory at UTBM in France, working on computer vision, robotics, and applied AI. My work focuses on deploying vision-based and intelligent robotic systems in real industrial environments, with a strong emphasis on robustness, scalability, and seamless integration into existing systems. My research spans perception for robotics, multi-sensor fusion, and deep learning for visual inspection.

I am an AI researcher at the CIAD Laboratory at UTBM in France, working on computer vision, robotics, and applied AI. My work focuses on deploying vision-based and intelligent robotic systems in real industrial environments, with a strong emphasis on... Show more

Mark Munson

Mark Munson

Mark brings over 25 years of industry experience to include sales, marketing, customer service and operational management. Mark has owned and operated several organizations and always focused on delivering high quality, high value solutions to his clients. For the past 20 years, Mark has focused his efforts on servicing the distribution and manufacturing sectors and delivering solutions based on the Microsoft stack that drives innovation and competitive advantage for his clients.

Mark is a popular and sought-after speaker and has presented at events to include the SMART Manufacturing Conference, the Business and Marketing Alliance, Georgia Tech Manufacturing Symposium, multiple Georgia Industry Association Annual Meetings and several Microsoft conferences, among others. Mark holds a B.A. in Economics from the University of Georgia.

Mark brings over 25 years of industry experience to include sales, marketing, customer service and operational management. Mark has owned and operated several organizations and always focused on delivering high quality, high value solutions to his cl... Show more

John Hepworth

John Hepworth

John has been working in the medical device manufacturing space for more than 15 years. Over the last five years his focus has shifted to cybersecurity of medical devices. During this time he has been a volunteer for both the Biohacking Village at DEFCON and the Healthcare Hacking Community at Saintcon.

John has been working in the medical device manufacturing space for more than 15 years. Over the last five years his focus has shifted to cybersecurity of medical devices. During this time he has been a volunteer for both the Biohacking Village at ... Show more

Michael Strauss

Michael Strauss

Founder & CEO | Empowering Data Teams with dbt

Michael is a data engineer specializing in data analysis and founder of IDEX.Q. He is respoinsible for the full.stack implementation of data products from the data source to the final dashboard with dbt, Databricks and the Microsoft Ecosystem.
As former Accountant and Controller he understands the needs of the business and transfer that into clean backend structures and driver based KPIs.

💜 for Data Analytics!
💜 for Power BI
💜 for dbt

Founder & CEO | Empowering Data Teams with dbt Michael is a data engineer specializing in data analysis and founder of IDEX.Q. He is respoinsible for the full.stack implementation of data products from the data source to the final dashboard with d... Show more

Nancy Orben

Nancy Orben

With over 25 years of experience, Nancy is a CPA who specializes in software consulting for wholesale distribution and manufacturing companies. Among her services are accounting and operations process reviews, software evaluation/selection, training, implementation, integration and data conversion. Nancy has worked with over 20 different accounting, inventory and manufacturing software products and loves to convert data. Nancy is certified in QuickBooks Desktop, QBO and Enterprise as well as several inventory software products. She has received these awards: Top 100 Insightful Accountant 2014-2018, 2020-2022 Top Desktop ProAdvisor 2017

With over 25 years of experience, Nancy is a CPA who specializes in software consulting for wholesale distribution and manufacturing companies. Among her services are accounting and operations process reviews, software evaluation/selection, training,... Show more

Cam Casher

Cam Casher

I am currently an engineer based in Denver, CO

I am currently an engineer based in Denver, CO Show more

Miquella de Boer

Miquella de Boer

Program manager on-premises data gateway.

Program manager on-premises data gateway. Show more

Nadia Bendjedou

Nadia Bendjedou

Nadia is a vice president of Oracle E-Business Suite Strategy, with cross suite responsibility; go to market initiatives, and customer, partner and field enablement activities. Nadia joined Oracle back in 1991 and her main objective is to help customers understand the value that each release of the Oracle E-Business Suite brings to them.

Nadia is a three-time recipient of the Oracle Applications User Group 'Ambassador of the Year' Award (2007, 2009, 2010) and received the Oracle Applications User Group Lifetime Service Award in 2011. Nadia has also received the UK Oracle User Group (UKOUG) Inspiring Speaker Award (for UKOUG 2011 Conference). More recently in 2023, Nadia received: (1) UKOUG Best Apps Speaker of the Year Awards and (2) UKOUG Lifetime Achievement Award.

Nadia is a vice president of Oracle E-Business Suite Strategy, with cross suite responsibility; go to market initiatives, and customer, partner and field enablement activities. Nadia joined Oracle back in 1991 and her main objective is to help custom... Show more

Jospin Aime Acquilas Zeppio

Jospin Aime Acquilas Zeppio

Pavement Engineer

Pavement Engineer Show more

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