With 25+ years in tech, I’ve navigated the realms of on prem and cloud infrastructure, seen the emergence of DevOps, platform engineering and cloud and I'm still grateful that I accidently ended up in this industry. What a ride. As a Principal Consultant, I lead the Development and Implementation of Platform Engineering Solutions for our customers and help them adopt modern, optimised cloud solutions. I'm passionate about breaking down barriers into tech, and am always looking to support initiatives that champion non-traditional pathways into the industry. Diversity is more than gender after all! If you're looking for a speaker or volunteer for an initiative, I’d love to be involved, let's connect!

📧 Contact Me:
🟦 BSKY: simone_au
🌐 LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonebennett
📑 Blog: https://simone-au.medium.com/

With 25+ years in tech, I’ve navigated the realms of on prem and cloud infrastructure, seen the emergence of DevOps, platform engineering and cloud and I'm still grateful that I accidently ended up in this industry. What a ride. As a Principal Cons... Show more

Samuel Fuge is a Licensed Professional Counselor, educator, and doctoral student in Counseling Psychology at Chatham University in Pittsburgh, PA. He provides counseling at Dr. Mary Berge and Associates in Johnstown, PA, where his clinical work includes trauma, grief and loss, anxiety, depression, and personality disorders. Trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), he specializes in working with first responders and other professionals in high-stress environments, combining lived field experience with evidence-based psychological care. His doctoral dissertation in progress examines the role of interpersonal relationships in mitigating burnout among paramedics.

Samuel is also an experienced educator with a strong background in both psychology and health sciences. At Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, he teaches courses that blend psychology with health-science perspectives, emphasizing critical thinking and real-world application. Prior to his counseling career, he was nationally certified as an EMS educator and taught extensively at the Conemaugh School of EMS under the direction of the late Dr. John Karduck, MD. His educational work included training paramedic students, designing integrated out-of-hospital scenarios, leading continuing education programs, and presenting to providers at the local, regional, and national levels.

Samuel’s educational journey reflects both breadth and depth. He began his career in emergency medical services at just 16 years old, completing EMT training at the Conemaugh School of EMS. He went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from West Virginia University in 2010, before returning to Conemaugh to complete paramedic training in 2011. His passion for mental health and education led him to pursue a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Messiah University, which he completed in 2021, and he is currently pursuing his PsyD in Counseling Psychology at Chatham University, with anticipated completion in 2028.

As a speaker, Samuel brings a rare dual perspective shaped by over 16 years in emergency medical services and years of clinical counseling practice. He has delivered engaging presentations across a wide range of topics—wellness, trauma, burnout, mental health treatment, resilience, and educational pedagogy—at both regional and national events, including the National Association of EMS Educators (NAEMSE) Conference. His style is research-informed yet accessible, drawing on professional expertise, teaching experience, and frontline credibility to connect with diverse audiences.

With a professional journey that bridges emergency medicine, education, and psychology, Samuel is passionate about building systems of care that promote resilience, reduce burnout, and improve well-being for both providers and the communities they serve. His work reflects a commitment to insight, empowerment, and the belief that growth happens at the intersection of education and lived experience.

Samuel Fuge is a Licensed Professional Counselor, educator, and doctoral student in Counseling Psychology at Chatham University in Pittsburgh, PA. He provides counseling at Dr. Mary Berge and Associates in Johnstown, PA, where his clinical work inclu... Show more

With a broad, multidisciplinary background in software development, architecture, product ownership, and marketing, Fernandez is a gifted technology leader. He holds degrees in informatics and computer science and a Master’s in Finance, which shaped his combined expertise in technical and business realms.

Over the past 20 years, Fernandez has overseen more than 250 projects across four continents and 25 countries, delivering technical solutions in content, commerce, mobile, and martech for some of the world’s most renowned companies. From writing code as a developer and designing systems as an architect to training teams, serving as a CTO, advising global enterprises, defining product roadmaps, and developing marketing strategies, he has taken on nearly every role in technology and digital innovation.

Fernandez has led multicultural teams of managers, content experts, engineers, strategists, and architects (he is fluent in Spanish, Portuguese, and English). His professional mission is to constantly close the gap between business vision and technical execution. His work in media, retail, banking, hospitality, telecoms, and technology has given him a comprehensive view of the possibilities and challenges businesses face in the digital age.

Currently serving as Executive Director of Technology in VML, Fernandez is focused on the future of content, marketing, and automation platforms, investigating how companies can produce, distribute, and profit from emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, composable architectures, and data-driven personalization.

With a broad, multidisciplinary background in software development, architecture, product ownership, and marketing, Fernandez is a gifted technology leader. He holds degrees in informatics and computer science and a Master’s in Finance, which shaped ... Show more

Specializes in CPython internals, optimization, and high-performance computing. Driven by GPU acceleration, CPU vectorization. Evolved from ML systems to CPython core research engineer. 8+ years leading teams in AI, maths, and physics. PyCon speaker: Free Threading: Future of CPython. Lecturer at Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology – top 1 Russian university. Open to talks and collaboration.

Specializes in CPython internals, optimization, and high-performance computing. Driven by GPU acceleration, CPU vectorization. Evolved from ML systems to CPython core research engineer. 8+ years leading teams in AI, maths, and physics. PyCon speaker:... Show more

I am a Tech Lead Software Engineer at Cisco ThousandEyes, specializing in observability to ensure our customers can effectively monitor their products. My recent work involves using OpenTelemetry to stream telemetry data, enhancing network visibility and performance for our clients.

I actively participate in the tech community, frequently attending conferences and meet-ups to share knowledge and stay abreast of industry trends.

I am a Tech Lead Software Engineer at Cisco ThousandEyes, specializing in observability to ensure our customers can effectively monitor their products. My recent work involves using OpenTelemetry to stream telemetry data, enhancing network visibility... Show more

13 years at Deutsche Telekom, 10 years as Enterprise Architekt, 2 years Reorganisation Telekom IT CoreTeam, 2 years IT@Motion Stream "Culture of Trust" CoreTeam, 2,5 years People Lead Chapter Business Analyst, founded Passioneers in January 2025

13 years at Deutsche Telekom, 10 years as Enterprise Architekt, 2 years Reorganisation Telekom IT CoreTeam, 2 years IT@Motion Stream "Culture of Trust" CoreTeam, 2,5 years People Lead Chapter Business Analyst, founded Passioneers in January 2025 Show more

Vinnie brings over 20 years of global expertise in the Product and Delivery space, having worked with more than 100 teams and trained over 800 professionals. She has worked across sectors like IT and Business Agility, particularly in HR, Marketing, and Finance.
Her work has led to significant improvements in efficiency, cost reduction, and cultural transformation by enhancing communication and engagement.

She makes this happen by helping product and delivery leaders overcome challenges that impact team performance, delivery speed, and product success. By applying systems thinking, team dynamics expertise, and agile principles and practices, she works with leaders to align outcomes ensuring sustainable results.

Her industry expertise includes mining, engineering, retail, education, automotive, security, government, energy, oil and gas and financial services. She has a robust background in Project Management, Delivery, Product, HR, Start-ups, and Strategy.

As an active member of the agile community and an international conference speaker, Vinnie is renowned for delivering actionable insights through engaging storytelling and humour. Her extensive international and cross-cultural experience enriches her dynamic approach.

Vinnie brings over 20 years of global expertise in the Product and Delivery space, having worked with more than 100 teams and trained over 800 professionals. She has worked across sectors like IT and Business Agility, particularly in HR, Marketing, a... Show more

Senior Microsoft Data Platform Professional with a masters in business analytics, and multiple Microsoft/AWS certifications. Kristina has provided Leadership and Data Solutions for over 20 years for domestic and global organizations with a special passion in health informatics, finance, and manufacturing. Nicknamed "Data Generalist" for her ability to quickly pivot, Kristina has held data roles across the spectrum including Data Architect, Data Engineer, DBA, Developer, BI Specialist, Consultant, Data Analyst, Database Manager, Coach, and more. Her current role is Lead Data Architect for Kent Corporation's Global Divisions Data and the Analytics & Data Management Team, as well as serving on their Center of Cloud Excellence (CCoE) board. Her current technical passion is Microsoft Fabric and Machine Learning Technologies.

In her free time, Kristina runs the Kansas City SQL Server User Group and was a lead organizer for SQL Saturday Atlanta (7+ years). She has spoken at large conferences and small user groups both internationally and here in the US on topics including AI, the Microsoft Data Platform, and neurodiversity.

Senior Microsoft Data Platform Professional with a masters in business analytics, and multiple Microsoft/AWS certifications. Kristina has provided Leadership and Data Solutions for over 20 years for domestic and global organizations with a special pa... Show more

With over 13 years in the IT industry, I’ve built my career at the intersection of technology, global business strategy, and people empowerment.

I joined WorkWithPlus in 2013, starting in support and later leading the Support and Customer Experience teams. That hands-on journey shaped my deep understanding of customer needs, product value, and long-term relationships - all of which now guide my role as Chief Commercial Officer, where I lead sales and commercial strategy in 35+ countries, always striving to build lasting relationships that empower our clients, partners, and community.

As a Computer Engineer with a Master’s in Computer Science, I combine a strong technical foundation with expertise in sales strategy, customer success, and partner ecosystems. This allows me to understand complex systems, lead product conversations with clarity, and bridge business and technology in meaningful ways. I see AI as a key enabler to build smarter, more inclusive, and more efficient experiences.

I’m passionate about multicultural leadership, with a style centered on inclusion, adaptability, and lasting impact. To strengthen these skills, I completed the Cultural Awareness for Global Business course at MIT and the Strategic Sales Management Program at ESADE. I’m also a Santander W50 Leader and a proud Google Women Techmakers Ambassador.

With over 13 years in the IT industry, I’ve built my career at the intersection of technology, global business strategy, and people empowerment. I joined WorkWithPlus in 2013, starting in support and later leading the Support and Customer Experien... Show more

Steven Wright is a seasoned technology professional with over two decades of experience in the software and data industry. As a former Field CTO, Steven has built his career at the intersection of database performance, artificial intelligence, and STEM education. Now in a post-retirement phase, he focuses on helping others navigate technological change and discover new opportunities in evolving job markets.

An active mentor and supporter of startups, Steven is deeply committed to community initiatives. With a knack for making complex topics accessible and a genuine enthusiasm for helping others succeed, Steven’s presentations are both insightful and inspiring.

Steven Wright is a seasoned technology professional with over two decades of experience in the software and data industry. As a former Field CTO, Steven has built his career at the intersection of database performance, artificial intelligence, and ST... Show more

Jade Emmanuel is a Visionary Strategist specialising in unlocking clarity and driving emboldened action across the enterprise.

Currently, as a Senior Data & AI Consultant, she doesn't just design systems; she is a catalyst who challenges assumptions, guiding key decision makers to confront the unknown and build for what's next.
Also a data and commercial advisor to founder entrepreneurs, she delivers high-value output to lean startups with data and customer-centric insights that drive mission aligned commercial goals .

Jade is renowned for asking the right questions that unveil the key problems to solve or strongest opportunities to pursue; translating the complexity of AI and data transformation—from agentic AI architectures to enterprise governance—into clear actionable solution roadmaps, compelling narratives that resonate from the technical floor to the executive board.

Her focus is always on measurable impact, ensuring that strategic clarity leads to successful organisational change and growth.

Jade Emmanuel is a Visionary Strategist specialising in unlocking clarity and driving emboldened action across the enterprise. Currently, as a Senior Data & AI Consultant, she doesn't just design systems; she is a catalyst who challenges assumpti... Show more

Sebastiano is an engineering leader passionate about helping others grow in their careers. Sebastiano is currently a Director of Engineering at Upwork, and over the years, he has led multiple teams at companies like Pinterest, Paypal, Snap, and Spotify in domains ranging from shopping and crypto to messaging, video creation, and ads. Sebastiano is an avid listener of leadership, management, and wellness podcasts.
Sebastiano received an MS in Software Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Milan and an Executive MBA from the Quantic School of Business and Technology.

Sebastiano is an engineering leader passionate about helping others grow in their careers. Sebastiano is currently a Director of Engineering at Upwork, and over the years, he has led multiple teams at companies like Pinterest, Paypal, Snap, and Spoti... Show more

Growth Coach for professionals and Businesses | Startup Mentor | Scaling Impact-Driven Leadership Without Burnout | International Keynote Speaker | Peak Performance for Leaders in AI age

Growth Coach for professionals and Businesses | Startup Mentor | Scaling Impact-Driven Leadership Without Burnout | International Keynote Speaker | Peak Performance for Leaders in AI age Show more

Focused on Developer Productivity at Microsoft, Philippe supports his customers on a daily basis in their Platform Engineering implementation with GitHub and Microsoft tools.
Based in Strasbourg, and with 20 years experience in development, he is active community contributor, speaker and meetup organizer. Apart from tech, Philippe is always happy to talk about outdoor sports, CrossFit with a drink.

Focused on Developer Productivity at Microsoft, Philippe supports his customers on a daily basis in their Platform Engineering implementation with GitHub and Microsoft tools. Based in Strasbourg, and with 20 years experience in development, he is ac... Show more

A brilliant, talented, self-taught, ambivert who loves attending and speaking at conferences. I enjoy tinkering with small board computers like raspberry pis.

☕ If you see me around, don't hesitate to come say hi!
🏒 Hockey player since I was 7
💻 Programming since I was 14
✏️ Writer / Blogger
🎹 Pianist
🦺 First Responder
🧶 Fiber Art
♟️ Chess Player

A brilliant, talented, self-taught, ambivert who loves attending and speaking at conferences. I enjoy tinkering with small board computers like raspberry pis. ☕ If you see me around, don't hesitate to come say hi! 🏒 Hockey player since I was 7 ... Show more

I advise my clients to be proactive in adopting new Microsoft technologies that help them to reach business needs and to accomplish their goals.

Nuno Arias Silva has more than 20 years working on IT, with a Master in Information Technologies, last projects have more focus on Office 365, Infrastructures and Security within Microsoft Infrastructure Products.

Biography

Solutions Architect Manager at Inetum – Modern Workplace Lead – Microsoft Solutions Architect – MVP Office Apps and Services and MCT at Inetum (Microsoft Gold Partner) for Microsoft Office 365, Exchange, Private Cloud, Infrastructure, Active Directory, SQL and Auditing Microsoft Products, support at pre-sales and sales areas.
Specialist in Office 365, with a focus on Exchange, Virtualization, and System Center: With more than 20 years of experience in Datacenter Architectures, Nuno has 40+ certifications (MCT, MCSE, MCITP, MCSA, and MCTS among others). Experience in enterprise environments: He has worked in several industries, including Aerospace, Transportation, Energy, Manufacturing, Financial Services, Government, Health Care, Telecoms and IT Services, Gas-Oil companies in different countries and continents. Assisted Microsoft in the development of workshops and special events and case studies, and as a speaker at several Microsoft events. Contributes to several articles and publications in various blogs and communities.

I advise my clients to be proactive in adopting new Microsoft technologies that help them to reach business needs and to accomplish their goals. Nuno Arias Silva has more than 20 years working on IT, with a Master in Information Technologies, last... Show more

Roger delivers smart, strategic Microsoft 365 solutions that connect technology, organization, and culture. As a Senior Cloud Advisor specializing in Copilot, Modern Work, Security, and Compliance, he helps businesses navigate their digital transformation—with clear strategy, hands-on expertise, and a sharp focus on what really matters. His home base? techtask consulting, a boutique Swiss IT consultancy.

Roger delivers smart, strategic Microsoft 365 solutions that connect technology, organization, and culture. As a Senior Cloud Advisor specializing in Copilot, Modern Work, Security, and Compliance, he helps businesses navigate their digital transform... Show more

Rakesh is a visionary, innovator, and technical leader, who has worked in the computer software industry for around 14 years. After completing his bachelor's in engineering from India and Master's from the USA, he worked for big enterprises like Zscaler, Microsoft, CISCO, Dell, and others, where he led multiple product development in the networking space. He loves to call himself a 'full-stack network software engineer', as he has worked on all the layers of networking; be it VOIP, Secure Calls, WebRTC, Switch NOS, SDN, Programmable data plane, data center underlay network, network observability and many more. At present, he is leading an 'industry-first' network security product development at Microsoft. He is also a security researcher and was awarded by Facebook in 2013, for exposing a deep vulnerability in their stack. Rakesh is also an innovator and researcher. He collaborates closely with universities, IEEE, and open-source communities and gives back his wealth of knowledge and ideas in terms of technical contributions and papers. Rakesh is an avid painter and a people person who endorses best practices and great culture in the workspace.

Rakesh is a visionary, innovator, and technical leader, who has worked in the computer software industry for around 14 years. After completing his bachelor's in engineering from India and Master's from the USA, he worked for big enterprises like Zsca... Show more

I’m an AI/ML engineer and researcher who loves turning complex ideas into practical real-world solutions, who thrives on building smart, scalable systems , from an intelligent automation to advanced AI modeling pipelines. I don’t just experiment with models, I deploy them, optimize them, and make them work where it matters. Over the past four years, I’ve worked across industries retail automation, aviation, and neuroscience building systems that blend innovation with impact. I’m passionate about computer vision, generative AI, and making cutting-edge tech accessible to developers everywhere.

I’m an AI/ML engineer and researcher who loves turning complex ideas into practical real-world solutions, who thrives on building smart, scalable systems , from an intelligent automation to advanced AI modeling pipelines. I don’t just experiment with... Show more

Data scientist and AI Engineer expert with over 5 years of experience in the AI, Data & Robotics fields. A developer behind various national-level AI & Data Solutions innovations, including Generative AI technologies such as Large Language Models, Multimodal, and Multi-Agent systems.

Data scientist and AI Engineer expert with over 5 years of experience in the AI, Data & Robotics fields. A developer behind various national-level AI & Data Solutions innovations, including Generative AI technologies such as Large Language Models, Mu... Show more

Matthew started working on the Web in '95 at an experimental dance company in Ottawa Canada. This became an obsession with bleeding edge technologies. His decades of experience in the technology sphere as a project manager and Web application architect segued into joining the Drupal community in 2007. He has spoken at numerous tech conferences. Saunders was on the Drupalcon Denver organizing committee, is Director of Drupalcamp Colorado, and helped found the Drupal Event Organizing Working Group. Matthew recently left Pfizer as Delivery Lead for the Health Care Provider Portal and is looking for his next challenge. He runs a consultancy at https://www.jamesmatthewsaunders.ai. He is an activist in neurodiversity. Matthew recently joined amazee.io as their AI Ambassador.

Matthew started working on the Web in '95 at an experimental dance company in Ottawa Canada. This became an obsession with bleeding edge technologies. His decades of experience in the technology sphere as a project manager and Web application archite... Show more

Ingeniero Informático, desarrollador desde los 90 (C/C++), networking y seguridad perimetral (Cisco, Palo Alto), Desarrollo para ciberseguridad (C++, Rust,Python).
Hefesto de los hackers

Ingeniero Informático, desarrollador desde los 90 (C/C++), networking y seguridad perimetral (Cisco, Palo Alto), Desarrollo para ciberseguridad (C++, Rust,Python). Hefesto de los hackers Show more

Gilberto has spent over a decade shaping technical developer education worldwide. To date, he's made complex concepts accessible to over 100,000 students and engineers through both online learning platforms and in-person experiences.

At Codecademy, he authored and launched several of their foundational courses. Since then, he's worn multiple hats as both product manager and technical content creator at industry leading companies, including MongoDB, Domino Data Lab, Plaid, and Snowflake.

Gilberto is passionate about crafting exceptional developer experiences and educational resources. He frequently writes about data engineering, AI, and application development.

Connect with him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gilberto-hernandez/

Gilberto has spent over a decade shaping technical developer education worldwide. To date, he's made complex concepts accessible to over 100,000 students and engineers through both online learning platforms and in-person experiences. At Codecademy... Show more

I'm addicted to details and obsessed with how things work: from Cloud services to human relationships. Since my first Hello World in RPG Maker, I have come to believe that being an Engineer is much more than coding.

I'm currently an Engineering Manager at Mollie, where I focus on helping teams collaborate effectively and deliver impactful solutions.

I'm addicted to details and obsessed with how things work: from Cloud services to human relationships. Since my first Hello World in RPG Maker, I have come to believe that being an Engineer is much more than coding. I'm currently an Engineering Ma... Show more

George is a Microsoft industry veteran, spanning over two decades of the ever changing and fluctuating data platform world. George is accustomed to seeing the world through multiple lenses as his roles have spanned the gambit of junior analyst all the way through to architect, enterprise and solutions advisory, executive, and eventually Microsoft Platform (now former) business owner. Having been involved with now hundreds of solutions and projects, George's perspectives are expansive and high adept at pattern recognition.

While no industry focus has ever been apparent, George has spent recent times primarily in the logistics, trucking, IoT and Telematics vertical where he feels data and process are at their least predictable and therefore most challenging.

George is a Microsoft industry veteran, spanning over two decades of the ever changing and fluctuating data platform world. George is accustomed to seeing the world through multiple lenses as his roles have spanned the gambit of junior analyst all th... Show more

I have over 8 years of experience in the IT field and am currently pursuing a PhD in Machine Learning in Healthcare at the University of Newcastle, Australia. I have also been honoured to receive prestigious fellowships, including the CMIE and WOS-C Scientist.

I have over 8 years of experience in the IT field and am currently pursuing a PhD in Machine Learning in Healthcare at the University of Newcastle, Australia. I have also been honoured to receive prestigious fellowships, including the CMIE and WOS-C ... Show more

Hi colleagues!

I’m Vladimir Afanasev, a database professional with over 10 years of experience in database development, performance optimization, and team leadership. Currently, I lead a team of DB experts at Barclays. I thrive on solving complex challenges like enhancing performance monitoring, optimizing workflows, and mitigating risks, while also fostering a collaborative and motivated team environment.

Sharing knowledge is something I’m deeply passionate about. With my expertise in SQL Server, Oracle, and cloud platforms like Microsoft Azure and GCP, I love exploring advanced topics and making them accessible and actionable for others.

I’m excited about the opportunity to be a speaker at your event. I enjoy engaging with like-minded professionals and delivering sessions that combine real-world insights with technical depth. I look forward to contributing to the learning experience and sparking great discussions about SQL Server’s advanced capabilities.

Hi colleagues! I’m Vladimir Afanasev, a database professional with over 10 years of experience in database development, performance optimization, and team leadership. Currently, I lead a team of DB experts at Barclays. I thrive on solving complex ... Show more

I am a Senior Researcher at Bruno Kessler Foundation and Chief Scientific Officer at Pulse.io. I obtained my PhD in November 2023 from the Faculty of Computer Science at the Free University of Bolzano. During my PhD, I was a Visitor Researcher at MIT Connection Science and a Visiting Ph.D. Student at CSIC-IFISC. I am currently working on socially aware foundation models, human-intelligent agents cooperation and spatially-aware deep learning for urban, transportation and mobility.

I am a Senior Researcher at Bruno Kessler Foundation and Chief Scientific Officer at Pulse.io. I obtained my PhD in November 2023 from the Faculty of Computer Science at the Free University of Bolzano. During my PhD, I was a Visitor Researcher at MI... Show more

En 25 ans de travail dans l'IT, j'ai rapidement migré du DEV COBOL (reconversion en 1999, après Master 2 en Océanologie Biologique) vers la collaboration avec le client, en tant que BA et MOA puis PO. Quelques missions en analyse fonctionnelle, audit organisation et pas mal de conduite du changement. En 2021, retour en agilité avec le rôle de PO et actuellement en analyse fonctionnelle pour modélisation BPM / workflow.

En 25 ans de travail dans l'IT, j'ai rapidement migré du DEV COBOL (reconversion en 1999, après Master 2 en Océanologie Biologique) vers la collaboration avec le client, en tant que BA et MOA puis PO. Quelques missions en analyse fonctionnelle, audit... Show more

Driven by a Big-Picture mindset, I bridge design-first thinking with open-source and AI innovation. Specialising in building human-centred systems that empower communities, startups, and independent professionals to scale with clarity and confidence.

Driven by a Big-Picture mindset, I bridge design-first thinking with open-source and AI innovation. Specialising in building human-centred systems that empower communities, startups, and independent professionals to scale with clarity and confidence. Show more