Heather currently serves as Principal Customer Experience Manager for the Microsoft 365 Customer Advocacy Group, Collaborative Applications and Platform Group at Microsoft. She leads a charter of engagement, evangelism, and growth by building strategy, programs, and connections for our community members with Microsoft. Heather is a former Microsoft MVP for Microsoft 365 Apps and Services. Over the past twenty-four years, Heather has been a marketing executive for multiple tech companies and Head Maven and Founder of her impact consultancy, Creative Maven. As a consultant, executive event producer, and fractional Chief Marketing Officer, Heather has produced thousands of events, campaigns, and experiences in the high-tech and entertainment industries. She is also a corporate and community keynote speaker who hosts and moderates in-person and online events and company meetings. Heather loves sharing stories and interviewing people. Her sassy podcast, Mavens Do It Better, features extraordinary experts who light a spark in our world and will get a reboot in 2026. Heather is a published playwright, theatre actor, director, and graduate of the University of Washington School of Drama, Seattle, Washington. Heather's Microsoft career journey is featured as the last chapter in the new book The Women of Microsoft by Miri Rodriguez and Izabela Duiwe available via your favorite publisher. Heather is originally from Michigan and Illinois and lives in Marina del Rey, California, close to LAX, so she can continue to travel and speak around the world about healthy workplaces, leveling up one's power skills, community, and diversity & inclusion.

Heather currently serves as Principal Customer Experience Manager for the Microsoft 365 Customer Advocacy Group, Collaborative Applications and Platform Group at Microsoft. She leads a charter of engagement, evangelism, and growth by building strateg... Show more

Vilas is an experienced Engineering leader who has built Platforms and products at scale. He has deep expertise in varied industries like TV/Media Streaming (Netflix, Comcast), Retail (Walmart), Fintech (Bill) and the transportation and logistics industry (Truckstop). He is an advocate for Continuous Delivery and Developer enablement.

Vilas is an experienced Engineering leader who has built Platforms and products at scale. He has deep expertise in varied industries like TV/Media Streaming (Netflix, Comcast), Retail (Walmart), Fintech (Bill) and the transportation and logistics ind... Show more

Ahmed Malgwi is a tech enthusiast, public speaker, and community builder passionate about using technology and mindset to drive growth and social impact. As Sponsorship Lead at TEDxJimeta, he helps create platforms that inspire innovation and collaboration. He advocates for digital literacy and youth empowerment, encouraging young people to think differently, build together, and use tech to create meaningful change.

Ahmed Malgwi is a tech enthusiast, public speaker, and community builder passionate about using technology and mindset to drive growth and social impact. As Sponsorship Lead at TEDxJimeta, he helps create platforms that inspire innovation and collabo... Show more

Aliho Gilbert is a Machine Learning and Android development enthusiast passionate about applying AI to solve real-world problems. He currently serves as the President of the IndabaX AI Club at Kabale University, where he leads initiatives to build capacity in AI/ML. Gilbert has worked on projects ranging from RAG-powered chatbots and AI for agriculture to AI in healthcare applications. He is also a Zindi Ambassador, helping grow Africa’s data science and AI community. His mission is to empower developers to build impactful, AI-driven solutions optimized for low-resource environments.

Aliho Gilbert is a Machine Learning and Android development enthusiast passionate about applying AI to solve real-world problems. He currently serves as the President of the IndabaX AI Club at Kabale University, where he leads initiatives to build ca... Show more

Yuan is a Senior Principal Software Engineer at Red Hat AI. Previously, he has led AI infrastructure and platform teams at various companies. He holds leadership positions in open source communities, including Argo, Kubeflow, Kubernetes, and CNCF. He's also a maintainer of many popular open source projects, including Llama Stack and XGBoost. In addition, Yuan authored three technical books and published numerous impactful papers. He's a regular conference speaker, technical advisor, leader, and mentor at various organizations.

Yuan is a Senior Principal Software Engineer at Red Hat AI. Previously, he has led AI infrastructure and platform teams at various companies. He holds leadership positions in open source communities, including Argo, Kubeflow, Kubernetes, and CNCF. He... Show more

With over 14 years in the cybersecurity industry, Jorge Litvin brings a unique perspective from his journey from a criminal lawyer specializing in cybercrime to a leading figure in cybersecurity awareness and cultural change. After his legal career, Jorge focused on bridging the gap between technical teams and executive boards across LATAM, easing crucial conversations around security initiatives and business strategy.

Now, as the CEO of a prominent cybersecurity firm that excels in GRC and Human Risk Management, operating across LATAM, Jorge's ability to demystify complex cybersecurity issues for a non-technical audience has made him a sought-after speaker and consultant. He is also an accomplished author, enlightening over 100,000 followers on social media about digital risks and trends.

With over 14 years in the cybersecurity industry, Jorge Litvin brings a unique perspective from his journey from a criminal lawyer specializing in cybercrime to a leading figure in cybersecurity awareness and cultural change. After his legal career, ... Show more

Awarded the BQF Excellenteer accolade by HRH The Princess Royal at Wembley Stadium in March 2025, and named the Lean Competency System Global Champion 2025, I am passionate about building high-performing cultures where people leadership, continuous improvement, and operational excellence thrive.

Alongside receiving a Global Recognition Award™ 2025 for outstanding impact in leadership and continuous improvement, I bring over 25 years of hands-on experience leading transformation across industries, including major tenures with Amazon and Royal Mail, proving that when people thrive, performance follows.

As a globally recognised voice in Leadership and Continuous Improvement, I hold elite qualifications including Lean Mastery (MBB), Lean Six Sigma Post-HBO Black Belt (Post-Bachelor’s level – ISO 18404), and Lean Leader (ISO 18404). My leadership philosophy combines CI principles with core role-model behaviours, driving lasting high performance and meaningful cultural change.

I am the author of The Emergence of an Unexpected Leader and Building the Bridge to Inspirational Leadership, and host of the multi-award-nominated Ever-So-Lean Podcast, where I simplify complex CI concepts into actionable insights that inspire and enable real progress.

My frameworks — such as The Bridge to Inspirational Leadership — help leaders engage, inspire, and elevate teams, achieving sustainable results. Whether transforming large-scale operations or coaching individuals, I build environments where people and performance thrive together.

A finalist for Excellence in People Development & Engagement at the Excellence Awards 2025, I’ve developed the Ever-So-Lean Learning Series and Rising Stars™ Programmes, accredited initiatives that equip emerging leaders and change professionals with the mindset, skills, and confidence to drive long-term success.

My passion is unlocking potential, in individuals and organisations alike, removing barriers to success and creating spaces where people feel valued, respected, and empowered to drive meaningful change.

Whether leading transformation, coaching executives, or shaping the next generation of leaders, I bring clarity, energy, and authenticity to every engagement.

If you’re ready to unlock your people’s full potential and build a culture of excellence, let’s talk.

Awarded the BQF Excellenteer accolade by HRH The Princess Royal at Wembley Stadium in March 2025, and named the Lean Competency System Global Champion 2025, I am passionate about building high-performing cultures where people leadership, continuous i... Show more

Rebecca is a hands-on, human-centered, collaborative organizational change leader interested in developing great teams and culture, co-creating large-scale strategic vision, driving value nimbly, and a believer in integrating change strategies to develop organizational resiliency and competitive edge. She has 5+ years in cross-industry OCM for ERP implementations and tech adoption, as well as over 10 years in strategic and business communications, including 6 years of bilingual business communication & advocacy.

Rebecca is a hands-on, human-centered, collaborative organizational change leader interested in developing great teams and culture, co-creating large-scale strategic vision, driving value nimbly, and a believer in integrating change strategies to dev... Show more

Anand Chowdhary is a technology entrepreneur, designer, and engineer. He is the co-founder of FirstQuadrant, an AI sales platform funded by Y Combinator. He is one of the world's top open source contributors, awarded as a GitHub Star in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. He is also a consultant and advisor to several startups.

He has been featured in Forbes 30 Under 30 (Asia 2018), Het Financieele Dagblad (Dutch Financial Times)’s list of 50 most-innovative entrepreneurs and professional under 35 in the Netherlands, and in publications such as TechCrunch, The Next Web, HuffPost, Hindustan Times, and Time Out magazine.

Anand Chowdhary is a technology entrepreneur, designer, and engineer. He is the co-founder of FirstQuadrant, an AI sales platform funded by Y Combinator. He is one of the world's top open source contributors, awarded as a GitHub Star in 2021, 2022, 2... Show more

I am Henny Speelman, and I am deeply passionate about data, visualizations, storytelling, and AI. My work involves creating those pivotal ‘aha moments’. Helping you to uncover new possibilities through clear and impactful data communication via reporting and data storytelling.

As the founder of the A.R.T. model (Attention, Recognize, Takeaway), I bring a unique perspective on how your brain processes information and how you can craft visualizations that inspire action. My mission is to empower you with tools like Power BI and visualization techniques, ensuring that the right graph is created for the right audience and the right purpose.

Through my sessions, I aim to inspire you with how data shapes our perception and demonstrate how you can create clever data decisions.

I am Henny Speelman, and I am deeply passionate about data, visualizations, storytelling, and AI. My work involves creating those pivotal ‘aha moments’. Helping you to uncover new possibilities through clear and impactful data communication via repor... Show more

Shreya Gupta is a dynamic AI leader, founder, mentor, and published author with over 11 years of experience in entrepreneurship, AI research, and product development. With a background in founding startups and leading AI initiatives, Shreya brings real-world experience to address the challenges of trust and adoption in Artificial Intelligence.

As the Founder and CEO of AIVahan International, a Data and AI Research and Consulting Firm, and CTO and Co-Founder of Vishnu Systems, which provides cybersecurity solutions for AI-enabled Medtech and Healthtech applications, Shreya drives the development of AI-driven solutions across industries such as healthcare, finance, and public sector.

Shreya has collaborated with top-tier brands like WebMD, Latham & Watkins, Internet Brands, and Medscape, contributing to AI product development, machine learning, and AI governance. She is featured in The Science Blog, Virtual Beings, and University of Southern California news, and is dedicated to democratizing AI, making this transformative technology accessible to all, not just elite corporations.

As an AI mentor, Shreya has mentored thousands of industry professionals and students in Data Science and AI, empowering them to transition into the field. She is also a keynote speaker and judging panelist at AI events, advocating for ethical AI and human-centric technology.

She is also a published author, having co-authored the bestselling book Revitalize for the Soul: Stories of Love and Resilience. She also holds a patent and 5 research papers in the fields of Artificial Intelligence, Security, MedTech, Machine Learning, Data Science, IoT, and Healthcare. She is committed to "Building Bots with a Heart", integrating empathy into AI to improve human experiences.

Shreya’s mission is to humanize AI, leveraging AI literacy and empathy to create intelligent systems that solve real-world problems, while fostering inclusive growth through her mentorship and public speaking.

Shreya Gupta is a dynamic AI leader, founder, mentor, and published author with over 11 years of experience in entrepreneurship, AI research, and product development. With a background in founding startups and leading AI initiatives, Shreya brings re... Show more

Jon, Co-founder of Marketeery, brings 20+ years of experience in Microsoft, MSPs, Tech Partners, and ISVs to boost business growth. Recognized as a partner community pioneer, Jon excels in social media, SEO, and AI as it impacts partners. He enjoys, crafting engaging content, and collaborating with designers. His tech, sales, and marketing expertise accelerates campaign success, making him a sought-after speaker at Microsoft-focused events.

Jon, Co-founder of Marketeery, brings 20+ years of experience in Microsoft, MSPs, Tech Partners, and ISVs to boost business growth. Recognized as a partner community pioneer, Jon excels in social media, SEO, and AI as it impacts partners. He enjoys, ... Show more

Ko Turk is a Software Architect, Java Engineer, and Community Lead with more than 15+ years of experience in development, architecture, speaking, and mentoring.

🦊 Voxxed Days Amsterdam conference organiser
👥 JUGLeader @CodeLabJUG
🫶🏻 JFall Programme Committee Member, DevoxxBE Community reviewer

🧑‍💻 Working @CodeLab, assignment @Rabobank.

🎤 Conference speaker, speaks about everything around Java (ok and Typescript 😄)

✍🏻 Loves to blog, and writing articles for the Dutch Java Magazine.

➡️ Website: http://koturk.nl/

Ko Turk is a Software Architect, Java Engineer, and Community Lead with more than 15+ years of experience in development, architecture, speaking, and mentoring. 🦊 Voxxed Days Amsterdam conference organiser 👥 JUGLeader @CodeLabJUG 🫶🏻 JFall Pr... Show more

Christian Schneider ist Data & Analytics Evangelist bei der Dataciders GmbH und CEO der Dataciders QuinScape GmbH. Er war langjährig als Consultant in internationalen Großprojekten tätig und kennt die vielfältigen Herausforderungen von Digitalisierungsprojekten und die Entwicklung von Datenstrategien aus der praktischen Arbeit. Im Rahmen der strategischen Ausrichtung im Umfeld Data & AI ist er als Autor und Speaker rund um das Thema Data Excellence tätig.

Christian Schneider ist Data & Analytics Evangelist bei der Dataciders GmbH und CEO der Dataciders QuinScape GmbH. Er war langjährig als Consultant in internationalen Großprojekten tätig und kennt die vielfältigen Herausforderungen von Digitalisierun... Show more

With over 15 years in the cybersecurity field, I’ve built a career that spans roles from SOC analyst to leadership positions in security engineering, threat intelligence, detection engineering, incident response, and forensics. I’ve had the privilege of managing global teams and implementing cutting-edge security programs, always with a focus on automation to streamline and enhance security operations.

Currently, as a technical advisor, I leverage my deep expertise to help organisations tackle their most complex cybersecurity challenges. My passion for security automation has driven success in the teams I've led, turning tough situations into success stories.

Notable milestones in my career include receiving the "Threat Seekers of the Year" award and creating the LEAD Threat Intelligence Framework—both of which reflect my dedication to pushing the boundaries of cybersecurity.

Beyond my technical work, I’m committed to sharing knowledge through conference speaking engagements and my Security Automation Blog, fostering a community of learning and innovation in the field. Let's connect, learn, and build stronger defenses together

With over 15 years in the cybersecurity field, I’ve built a career that spans roles from SOC analyst to leadership positions in security engineering, threat intelligence, detection engineering, incident response, and forensics. I’ve had the privilege... Show more

Hey! I’m Pascal, a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) and Head of Modern Work at Campana & Schott. I am passionate about guiding organizations in their digital transformation with Microsoft 365.

My dedication to M365 and close collaboration with Microsoft’s product group as an MVP in M365 Copilot and Microsoft Viva drives everything I do.

Over the past few years, I’ve learned how to lead digital transformation successfully, focusing not only on technical aspects but also on benefiting end users.

Microsoft’s dynamic environment excites me and is the foundation of my work today: unlocking the potential of M365 in large organizations. My main areas of focus are:
🔹 M365 Copilot: Preparing employees for AI transformation and ensure the usage.
🔹 Microsoft Viva: Enhancing employee experience because your team makes the difference.
🔹 Modern work: Adopting a strategic and holistic approach for a sustainable workplace.

Besides working on customer projects, I share my insights on LinkedIn and speak at conferences and held keynotes.

In my weekly newsletter, #CopilotYourDay, we explore the immense potential of Microsoft’s AI technology, Copilot.

I live in Winterthur, Switzerland with my wonderful fiancée.
When not working, I enjoy working out at the gym. I played ice hockey for over 20 years, including with the Swiss National Team as a junior.

The winning mindset and team spirit remain essential elements in my daily work — together, we can achieve anything!

Hey! I’m Pascal, a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) and Head of Modern Work at Campana & Schott. I am passionate about guiding organizations in their digital transformation with Microsoft 365. My dedication to M365 and close collaborati... Show more

Hi there! 👋 I’m a Data Engineer, BI and UX Consultant with a passion for building end-to-end data solutions that drive business decisions. Whether it’s on-premise or in the cloud, I design efficient pipelines, craft insightful KPIs, and ensure businesses have the tools they need to unlock the power of their data. My mission is to make analytics not just functional but intuitive and impactful because great insights deserve great design. 🚀

Hi there! 👋 I’m a Data Engineer, BI and UX Consultant with a passion for building end-to-end data solutions that drive business decisions. Whether it’s on-premise or in the cloud, I design efficient pipelines, craft insightful KPIs, and ensure busin... Show more

Joel brings 25 years of global experience, supporting Fortune 500 companies and thousands of participants. He specializes in empowering leaders and teams with effective communication skills, fostering more impactful collaboration and motivation. His expertise lies in enabling individuals to authentically influence others towards deeper business relationships, fostering trust and enhancing engagement.

Joel thrives to lead engaging and interactive sessions based on 'Learn, Laugh, and Do!'

When you communicate effectively, people feel heard, seen, and understood- mutual respect is created, and you start connecting and unlocking the motivators for you and the other.

Drawing from his background as a former professional actor and improviser- Joel brings unique tips and activities for everyone to practice and implement.

You can listen to or watch Joel as the host of "The Great Canadian Leadership" and "This Feels Right" Podcasts and YouTube – interviewing leaders and experts on influencing and communications skills."

Joel brings 25 years of global experience, supporting Fortune 500 companies and thousands of participants. He specializes in empowering leaders and teams with effective communication skills, fostering more impactful collaboration and motivation. His ... Show more

Ashita is a Google Developer Expert (Dart & Flutter), WTM Ambassador, Google Summer of Code (GSoC) Org Admin, GDE Impact Award 2025 winner & Google Open Source Award 2023 recipient (Flutter). She is the founder of Flutter Gems (https://fluttergems.dev), a visual package discovery platform that has helped more than 2 million Flutter developers across the globe. She is also the creator of API Dash (https://github.com/foss42/apidash), an award winning open source cross-platform API client built completely using Flutter. She loves helping fellow developers, runs a FOSS developers community and has delivered more than 60+ talks on AI/ML and Flutter in reputed international conferences such as Flutter Global Summit, Flutter Vikings, Flutter Festival, Google DevFest, Flutter Forward Extended, etc.

Ashita is a Google Developer Expert (Dart & Flutter), WTM Ambassador, Google Summer of Code (GSoC) Org Admin, GDE Impact Award 2025 winner & Google Open Source Award 2023 recipient (Flutter). She is the founder of Flutter Gems (https://fluttergems.de... Show more

Almudena is of a mathematical vocation and has been dedicated to performance engineering for 18 years. Almudena has worked on projects with high traffic and high availability from online television platforms, job portals, security proxies, and now a European retailer. For 15 years, she has been actively involved in the dissemination of DevOps and performance culture in Spain. She is also an activist for the integration of female talent in STEM as an ambassador for Girls in Tech Spain.

Almudena is of a mathematical vocation and has been dedicated to performance engineering for 18 years. Almudena has worked on projects with high traffic and high availability from online television platforms, job portals, security proxies, and now a ... Show more

Changing the world, one solution at a time!

Passionate about automation and building a business to support clients on their digitisation/optimisation journeys while working with the youth in preparation for their entry into industry.

Enjoys dabbling in software development, automation, IOT, advanced analytics, data engineering and business intelligence while currently working towards completing a PhD that focuses on automation. Currently focusing on learning how businesses are formed and how the longevity of business functions are maintained.

Competencies include a high level of computer literacy, programming in various languages with newly acquired sales and business acumen.

Changing the world, one solution at a time! Passionate about automation and building a business to support clients on their digitisation/optimisation journeys while working with the youth in preparation for their entry into industry. Enjoys da... Show more

David is the Open Source Program Office Manager at Dynatrace, where he leads open-source strategy, governance, and security efforts. He works closely with engineering teams to drive adoption and community growth for projects like Keptn, OpenFeature, and OpenTelemetry.
With 10+ years of experience in cloud-native and open-source, David specializes in aligning teams, shaping strategy, and building industry partnerships with companies like Google and Spotify. As a CNCF Ambassador and active member of the InnerSource Commons and TODO Group, he champions open collaboration and helps organizations navigate the open-source landscape.
Passionate about data-driven impact, David focuses on accelerating adoption, growing communities, and organizing industry events that bring people together.

David is the Open Source Program Office Manager at Dynatrace, where he leads open-source strategy, governance, and security efforts. He works closely with engineering teams to drive adoption and community growth for projects like Keptn, OpenFeature, ... Show more

Lirone Glikman is an international speaker, bestselling author, and consultant on business networking and personal branding using AI, and business development for startups and high-tech companies. She has consulted and spoken to developers, founders, and women leaders in 27 countries, sharing her methodology for achieving business results through authentic connections.

She is the author of the amazon bestseller "The Super Connector's Playbook". With over 20 years of global experience across Europe, Australia, and the U.S., she brings both corporate and startup perspectives to the tech world. Lirone contributes to leading global magazines and serves as an executive director at a UN-affiliated NGO supporting the Sustainable Development Goals.

Lirone Glikman is an international speaker, bestselling author, and consultant on business networking and personal branding using AI, and business development for startups and high-tech companies. She has consulted and spoken to developers, founders,... Show more

Paulien (a Microsoft 365 cloud Consultant & Business Applications MVP) started her career as a SharePoint developer. When she had to create a Power App for a client she was sold and started working as a Power Platform developer. She now is a Microsoft cloud Consultant at Qubix. Where she can combine her love for Power Platform and development.

Paulien (a Microsoft 365 cloud Consultant & Business Applications MVP) started her career as a SharePoint developer. When she had to create a Power App for a client she was sold and started working as a Power Platform developer. She now is a Microsof... Show more

Angel Tucker is a bestselling author, award-winning Personality Strategist, and Certified Human Behavior Consultant (C.H.B.C.) who has been inspiring audiences across North America for nearly three decades. As an expert personality profiler, she empowers people to “read” others in 60 seconds or less using the DISC Model of Human Behavior. This insight transforms communication, strengthens relationships, and drives both personal and professional success.
Angel’s dynamic presentations blend humor, science, and real-world application, equipping audiences to reduce conflict, build trust, and create win-win interactions in every area of life. Her bestselling book Stop Squatting With Your Spurs On became a national bestseller the month it was released, and her award-winning children’s series The Four Pals teaches kids to appreciate personality differences early on.
A highly sought-after speaker and media resource, Angel has worked with top organizations including Wal-Mart, EXIT Realty, the U.S. Air Force, and San Diego State University, helping teams and leaders maximize human potential with DISC.

Angel Tucker is a bestselling author, award-winning Personality Strategist, and Certified Human Behavior Consultant (C.H.B.C.) who has been inspiring audiences across North America for nearly three decades. As an expert personality profiler, she empo... Show more

Jan is a developer advocate and full-stack developer at Superface. He is enthusiastic about teaching web development, making developers' lifes easier, and studying obscure histories of computing. He lives in Prague, Czech Republic.

Jan is a developer advocate and full-stack developer at Superface. He is enthusiastic about teaching web development, making developers' lifes easier, and studying obscure histories of computing. He lives in Prague, Czech Republic. Show more

I’m a strategic consultant, learning designer, and gamification expert with over 20 years of experience helping organisations drive social and environmental impact through experiential learning. I've had the privilege to work with over 40 organisations and train more than 2,000 individuals across three continents, creating transformative learning experiences that build 21st-century skills.

My work bridges gamification with sustainability, equipping purpose-driven organisations to achieve measurable impact through playful and experiential approaches. I’m passionate about fostering a world of equal rights and opportunities where diverse, active citizens work towards an inclusive, innovative, and sustainable future.

If you’re a purpose-driven organisation, an educator, or a changemaker seeking to amplify your impact and cultivate future-ready skills, let’s explore how we can make a difference together. I’m ready to collaborate and bring lasting change. Let’s change the world together!

I’m a strategic consultant, learning designer, and gamification expert with over 20 years of experience helping organisations drive social and environmental impact through experiential learning. I've had the privilege to work with over 40 organisatio... Show more

Ana Neri is a Senior Software Engineer specializing in live streaming and large-scale user flow on one of the major finance education platforms. She utilizes NestJS, Typescript, NodeJS, and Serverless in her work. Ana has been recognized as a Women Tech Makers Ambassador by Google, leads the NodeBR community, and volunteers at Womakerscode. She creates technical content on her social media channels and showcases her skills as a heavy metal bassist and gym rat.

Ana Neri is a Senior Software Engineer specializing in live streaming and large-scale user flow on one of the major finance education platforms. She utilizes NestJS, Typescript, NodeJS, and Serverless in her work. Ana has been recognized as a Women T... Show more

Gunnard began in software development during the Dot Com boom of the 2000s in Atlanta, Ga. The rapidly changing landscape of technology and needs created an environment full of learning opportunities -- beginning with Perl and quickly moving to PHP. He specializes in the modernization of legacy applications, APIs and creating modern development team solutions.

Gunnard Believes in FOSS and has contributed to projects such as Wordpress, The Devil Box, and DischordPHP. As an author, Gunnard has written multiple articles for php[Architect] magazine as well as 2 books from APRESS Publishing on PHP 8. Gunnard has also been a notable speaker at multiple conferences such as MadisonPHP, longhornPHP, Techlahoma and Chaos Carnaval.

You may find him at gunnard.org, @gunnard@phpc.social on Mastoodn, @gunnard on twitter or his pseudonym @ansivideos on youtube. Gunnard currently lives in the north Georgia mountains with his wife, two boys, 12 chickens and 3 goats.

Gunnard began in software development during the Dot Com boom of the 2000s in Atlanta, Ga. The rapidly changing landscape of technology and needs created an environment full of learning opportunities -- beginning with Perl and quickly moving to PHP. ... Show more

Toby Wagstaff is a highly skilled writer, editor, and script consultant with extensive experience in the fields of entertainment and conversational AI. Originally from the United Kingdom, he earned first-class honors in Philosophy and Modern Languages (Italian) from the University of Oxford. Now residing in New York, he continues to push the boundaries of creative storytelling and technology.

During his academic journey, Toby spent a formative year in Rome, where he attended the Università degli Studi Roma Tre. While there, he immersed himself in cinema and art history, volunteered as a teaching assistant, and directed a production of The Importance of Being Earnest. His time in Rome also allowed him to develop a passion for photography and work as an English tutor, further broadening his skill set.

After completing his degree at Oxford, Toby launched his career in London's film industry. He started by working in script analysis and production coordination at Studio 8 Productions and Peace Arch Films. His practical experience was further enhanced by an internship in post-production on the BBC series Monarch of the Glen, where he gained hands-on experience in film editing, sound mixing, and color correction.

In 2004, Toby gained his first significant production experience on the feature film Shadows in the Sun, starring Harvey Keitel and Joshua Jackson. Filmed in Tuscany and London, he served as an assistant to the producers and a translator and even took on the role of an on-screen double for the lead actor.

Later that year, Toby moved to the US to join Fierce Entertainment as a Creative Executive. In this role, he was instrumental in developing the company's first in-house feature, War, starring Jet Li and Jason Statham. His contributions also led to the expansion of the company's buyers' rep operation. Recognizing his passion for writing, Toby transitioned to a role at Original Content, where he focused on discovering and mentoring new screenwriting talent.

Toby Wagstaff eventually shifted to full-time screenwriting, with his first spec script, Arena, being optioned by Summit Entertainment in 2008. Over the years, he has continued to write and sell screenplays in various genres, including thrillers like The Day I Die and YA dramas like Break My Bones. His assignments have also included projects such as the graphic novel adaptation Shrapnel and romantic comedy rewrites for television.

In recent years, Toby has applied his writing expertise to the field of conversational AI. He has been involved in training and refining AI models for a leading tech company, using his creative skills to explore new possibilities in this emerging field. Although he believes AI will never replace the human touch in creative writing, he is excited about its potential to enhance access to information and address global challenges.

Outside of his professional life, Toby Wagstaff is passionate about music, photography, fencing, and nature exploration. He has played guitar and bass in various bands since his teenage years and was a top-ranked youth fencer in the UK, representing Oxford University. In his free time, he enjoys capturing dramatic landscapes with his 35mm SLR camera.

Toby Wagstaff is a highly skilled writer, editor, and script consultant with extensive experience in the fields of entertainment and conversational AI. Originally from the United Kingdom, he earned first-class honors in Philosophy and Modern Language... Show more