The First Impact Fashion Designer to have her design land on the moon, Nova Lorraine has made history for fashion, sustainability and technology. Named one of the Most Inspirational Women of Web3 and AI, Nova Lorraine is an award-winning Fashion Designer and Futurist. Renowned for her design prowess, has been featured in Forbes, and Inc, with her designs featured in Essence, Italian Vogue, and "The View" to name a few.

Jamaican born Nova Lorraine, is a recipient of the Web3 Creator Future Award, the Metaverse Champion Award, and the LAMINA1 NFT Artist Award, cementing her as a trailblazer in both artistic and digital domains. Named a Top 100 Women of the Future, Nova is the author and podcast host of "Unleash Your Supernova" and Co-Host of the "AI for Creatives" podcast.

Having founded Raine Magazine in 2007, Nova has interviewed hundreds of celebrities including Kendall Jenner, Priyanka Chopra, and Mark Cuban, to name a few. She is currently building the House of Nova, the future of couture.

The First Impact Fashion Designer to have her design land on the moon, Nova Lorraine has made history for fashion, sustainability and technology. Named one of the Most Inspirational Women of Web3 and AI, Nova Lorraine is an award-winning Fashion Desi... Show more

Michael Hunger has been passionate about software development for more than 30 years.

For the last 15 years, he has been working on the open source Neo4j graph database filling many roles, most recently heading product innovation and GenAI.

As a developer Michael enjoys many aspects of software development and architecture, learning new things every day, participating in exciting and ambitious open source projects and contributing and writing software related books and articles. Michael spoke at numerous conferences and helped organize others.

Michael helps kids to learn to program by running weekly girls-only coding classes at local schools.

Michael Hunger has been passionate about software development for more than 30 years. For the last 15 years, he has been working on the open source Neo4j graph database filling many roles, most recently heading product innovation and GenAI. As ... Show more

Michael Wall has been an IT professional going back to when he had his own software store and worked with his customers with their “dose” problems. Originally hired by a small consulting firm to write web pages, he was thrust into the SysAdmin world when their lead consultant changed the passwords of all of the servers at a major pulp and paper company’s systems to 100%s$%t and walked out the door. He was sent down with a copy of UNIX for Dummies and 50 cents for the bus ride back. Fast forward a few years, he was asked if he wanted to be a DBA after successfully managing a fifty server Y2K upgrade. Since then, he’s never looked back and has survived a number of data and system challenges.
When not wrangling cats at home, he currently keeps busy with being active in the SQL Community by presenting and coordinating. He is blessed with a wonderful family and two lazy cats and keeps treading water literally down at the local pool.

Michael Wall has been an IT professional going back to when he had his own software store and worked with his customers with their “dose” problems. Originally hired by a small consulting firm to write web pages, he was thrust into the SysAdmin world... Show more

Ram is an AWS Architect at Datacom and AWS Community Builder with experience in designing environments across Data Center and Cloud platforms. He is a tech enthusiast who is passionate about collaborating for continuous learning and knowledge sharing. Additionally, Ram is deeply involved in community building as the Wellington Lead and Co-Organizer, as well as the Social Media Lead, for the AWS User Group Aotearoa, fostering engagement and knowledge sharing among AWS enthusiasts.

Ram is an AWS Architect at Datacom and AWS Community Builder with experience in designing environments across Data Center and Cloud platforms. He is a tech enthusiast who is passionate about collaborating for continuous learning and knowledge sharing... Show more

Leon Gordon, is a leader in data analytics. A current Thought Leader at the Forbes Technical Council, an Executive Contributor to Brainz Magazine, a Thought Leader in Data Science for the Global AI Hub, Microsoft Data Platform MVP based in the UK and founder of Onyx Data.

During the last decade, he has helped organisations improve their business performance, use data more intelligently, and understand the implications of new technologies such as artificial intelligence and big data.

Leon is a chair for the Microsoft Power BI – UK community group and the DataDNA data visualization community as well as an international speaker and advisor.

Leon Gordon, is a leader in data analytics. A current Thought Leader at the Forbes Technical Council, an Executive Contributor to Brainz Magazine, a Thought Leader in Data Science for the Global AI Hub, Microsoft Data Platform MVP based in the UK and... Show more

Sven Aelterman is a Principal Cloud Solution Architect at Microsoft, where he assists US education institutions on successfully implementing Azure projects. Prior to this, Sven was Director of IT and Lecturer in Information Systems for the Sorrell College of Business at Troy University.
In 2015, he started work with customers of Sorrell Solutions, L.L.C. (a business services firm owned by the Troy University Foundation) as Cloud Software Architect. His favorite project is the design, development, and operation of a specialized EHR for school-located vaccination clinic providers.
In 2012, he co-authored “The Art of SQL Server FILESTREAM,” published by Red Gate Books. In 2018, a second co-authored book, “SQL Server 2017 Administration Inside OUT,” was published by Microsoft Press. More recently, the updated “SQL Server 2019 Administration Inside OUT” became available.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Sven was a frequent speaker at SQL Saturdays and community events in the southeastern US.
Sven is married to Ebony, and they have a son, Edward, and a daughter, Sofia. They live in Mount Juliet, TN.

Sven Aelterman is a Principal Cloud Solution Architect at Microsoft, where he assists US education institutions on successfully implementing Azure projects. Prior to this, Sven was Director of IT and Lecturer in Information Systems for the Sorrell Co... Show more

I'm a Cloud-Native enthusiast from Rahden, Germany, who is responsible for the overall cloud architecture at @mittwald, specialising in designing and building cloud platforms on OpenStack and Kubernetes, and developing product strategies around these platforms. In my free time, you might find me coding on one of my open source pet projects, building random stuff in my home woodworking shop, travelling, or reading a good classic sci-fi book.

I'm a Cloud-Native enthusiast from Rahden, Germany, who is responsible for the overall cloud architecture at @mittwald, specialising in designing and building cloud platforms on OpenStack and Kubernetes, and developing product strategies around these... Show more

Sateesh is a Distinguished Engineer specializing in the design of large scale enterprise applications. He drives the strategic roadmap and technological advancements to enhance Observability, influencing the future direction. With his expertise in Observability and proficiency in multiple programming languages, Sateesh holds a patent for measuring user and system metrics. Outside of work, Sateesh, a nature enthusiast, enjoys hiking in National parks and exploring destination hikes worldwide.

Sateesh is a Distinguished Engineer specializing in the design of large scale enterprise applications. He drives the strategic roadmap and technological advancements to enhance Observability, influencing the future direction. With his expertise in Ob... Show more

Pete Simpkins is a seasoned technology advocate with over a decade of experience leading company-wide technology change management and adoption efforts. Currently serving as a Business Applications Architect at Omni Workspace, Pete specializes in streamlining business processes, enhancing user experiences, and fostering creativity across all organizational levels.

With a background in Architecture and Commercial Real Estate, Pete brings a unique perspective to technology integration, focusing on merging physical and digital workspaces. He combines his design background with technical expertise to drive technology adoption, support digital collaboration, and strengthen communities. His strategic vision and leadership have been instrumental in implementing and governing Microsoft 365 collaboration tools for thousands of users.

Pete is also a Regional Leader for Microsoft's Global Community Initiative and an active board member of the Minnesota Microsoft 365 User Group, where he manages marketing communications and organizes virtual and in-person events for over 2,400 members. His commitment to community and professional development is further demonstrated through his volunteer work with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation - Minnesota/Dakotas Chapter.

His passion for sharing knowledge and continuous learning makes him valuable to any conference or event.

Pete Simpkins is a seasoned technology advocate with over a decade of experience leading company-wide technology change management and adoption efforts. Currently serving as a Business Applications Architect at Omni Workspace, Pete specializes in str... Show more

Anish is a seasoned technologist with application development, system administration and architecture experience in building & transforming enterprise solutions in Telecom, Pension, Logistics and E-commerce domain. He is Senior Architect at Capgemini and has experience in Architecting Greenfield & Brownfield for Cloud, Cloud Native and DevSecOps solutions.

Anish is a seasoned technologist with application development, system administration and architecture experience in building & transforming enterprise solutions in Telecom, Pension, Logistics and E-commerce domain. He is Senior Architect at Capgemini... Show more

Muhammad Hussaini is a distinguished African technology entrepreneur and the Founder and CEO of Elclassique Technologies Ltd, a pioneering technology company delivering innovative softwares and business technology solutions across diverse industries including business, logistics, healthcare, education, agriculture, and finance.

Muhammad’s educational journey is a blend of technical expertise and business acumen. He is an associate graduate and a final year student of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He holds a certificate in Business and Information Technology from the prestigious Harvard University(HarvardX) and also a certificate in Economics and International Business from Berlin University, Germany. These rich academic background equips him with a profound understanding of the intersection between technology and business, enabling him to spearhead transformative solutions across multiple sectors.

Muhammad is the Founder of Elx Academy, an academy dedicated to nurturing innovation and technology-driven entrepreneurship in Africa. Through Elx Academy, he empowers aspiring entrepreneurs with the skills and mindset needed to drive transformative change across the continent and has participated in both national and international technology and business conferences within and outside Africa including WETEX and WBS Dubai 2024.

His leadership extends to his tenure as the President of the Ahmadu Bello University Developers Club, where he fostered a vibrant community of tech enthusiasts committed to creative problem-solving and collaboration through technology and creativity.

Muhammad’s achievements have been widely recognized. He received an Award of Excellence as the Tech Entrepreneur of the Year 2023 and Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 from the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University. He was also honored with an Award of Excellence by the World Entrepreneurs Day, Zazzau Version 2024, celebrating his contributions to entrepreneurship and innovation. Furthermore, he has won the 2024 SME100 Nigeria 25Under25 Award under the Financial Technology category.

He is the author of "From Ideas to Impact: Fueling Students' Creativity," a book that inspires young innovators to harness their creativity for meaningful societal contributions. In addition to his entrepreneurial ventures, Muhammad leads the DeltalSat-X satellite project, aiming to revolutionize Africa’s space industry by leveraging cutting-edge satellite technology.

Muhammad’s unwavering passion for technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship positions him as a leading force in shaping the future of Africa’s tech ecosystem. His vision continues to inspire and empower individuals and organizations to thrive in the evolving digital landscape.

Muhammad Hussaini is a distinguished African technology entrepreneur and the Founder and CEO of Elclassique Technologies Ltd, a pioneering technology company delivering innovative softwares and business technology solutions across diverse industries ... Show more

Most leaders are great at what they do, but struggle to get their teams fully bought in. When communication lacks clarity and charisma, even the most talented teams become disconnected, unmotivated, and underperforming. I help leaders become clear, charismatic communicators, so their people feel aligned, inspired, and ready to execute at a high level.
Through keynotes and leadership workshops, I teach the practical skills behind magnetic leadership, how to show up with presence, build trust quickly, and drive real engagement. My approach is shaped by a decade of leading a high-performing team in the high-pressure world of NYC real estate, where results depended on influence, not just expertise.
If your team is capable but not clicking, I help you bridge the gap between authority and connection, so your culture thrives and your people show up for more than just a paycheck.

Most leaders are great at what they do, but struggle to get their teams fully bought in. When communication lacks clarity and charisma, even the most talented teams become disconnected, unmotivated, and underperforming. I help leaders become clear, c... Show more

Catherine Pepper, MLIS, MPH, is a Senior Associate Professor for the Department of Medical Education and teaches in evidence-based medicine and interprofessional education courses. She retired from the Medical Sciences Library at Texas A&M University in August 2022 as the Regional Services Coordinator and holds the rank of tenured Associate Professor Emerita. Based in Austin, TX, as medical librarian for the Round Rock campus of the Texas A&M Health Science Center, Cathy also served as the liaison librarian for HSC campuses and residencies in locations outside of College Station, including Houston, Corpus Christi, Temple, Dallas, and McAllen. She has taught evidence-based medicine/practice for medical, nursing, and public health students and a credit-bearing course on public health informatics.

Cathy earned her master's degree in Library and Information Science at the University of Texas and her Master of Public Health in health informatics at the University of North Texas Health Science Center. Cathy is a graduate from the CDC’s Public Health Informatics Fellowship Program (PHIFP) and was recognized for outstanding service to the Informatics Office at the Coordinating Center for Infectious Diseases. Cathy’s primary research has focused on qualitative studies on teaching evidence-based medicine.

Catherine Pepper, MLIS, MPH, is a Senior Associate Professor for the Department of Medical Education and teaches in evidence-based medicine and interprofessional education courses. She retired from the Medical Sciences Library at Texas A&M University... Show more

Stefan Baumgartner is an architect and developer based in Austria. He is the author of "TypeScript in 50 Lessons" (Smashing Magazine, 2020) and "The TypeScript Cookbook" (O'Reilly, 2023). In his spare time, he organizes ScriptConf and Rust Linz. Stefan enjoys Italian food, Belgian beer, and British vinyl records.

Stefan Baumgartner is an architect and developer based in Austria. He is the author of "TypeScript in 50 Lessons" (Smashing Magazine, 2020) and "The TypeScript Cookbook" (O'Reilly, 2023). In his spare time, he organizes ScriptConf and Rust Linz. Stef... Show more

Dan Rochon, founder of the Consistent and Predictable Income (CPI) Community, believes that with the right tools, mentorship, and training, you can learn to influence human behavior and achieve your fullest potential—and you can inspire others to do the same.

By teaching his clients and students how to “Teach to Sell,” Dan helps professionals - just like you - create a continuous flow of leads and transactions so you have No Broke Months, transform yourself into an all-star seller, and scale your businesses to the point where you have the freedom to step back and have real control over your future without ever missing a beat.

One of Dan's proudest accomplishments is his own track record of having “No Broke Months” in real estate sales since 2008, with an average of ten monthly sales.

He is also a certified NLP practitioner and the author of

Real Estate Evolution:

The Ten-Step Guide to CPI - Consistent and Predictable Income and

Think and Grow Rich: Increase Your Influence,

Avoid the #1 Sales Mistake and Get What You Want.

And as you might imagine,

Dan is a constant student of human experience and potential.

Dan Rochon, founder of the Consistent and Predictable Income (CPI) Community, believes that with the right tools, mentorship, and training, you can learn to influence human behavior and achieve your fullest potential—and you can inspire others to do ... Show more

Cuento con más de 25 años de experiencia como consultora financiera y de proyectos, incluyendo 10 años como Directora de ERP en cliente final dentro del sector de la ingeniería (Grupo TSK, S.A.), tras haber liderado previamente la implantación como Business Consultant en Prodware.

Mi carrera comenzó en Softect-Ibermática, donde trabajé con el ERP Navision y formé parte del equipo que desarrolló el vertical Iberbuilding, una solución especializada para el sector de la construcción.

Actualmente, trabajo en Ayesa como Directora de Proyecto y Consultora Principal en la implantación de Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations (D365FO) en la constructora CALAF. Lidero el proceso de migración e implantación desde Iberbuilding (basado en Navision) hacia una nueva plataforma dentro del ecosistema Microsoft Dynamics, alineada con el crecimiento y la evolución estratégica de la organización. Este cambio supone dar el salto de una solución orientada a PYMEs a una herramienta robusta y escalable diseñada para grandes compañías, como es D365FO, capaz de soportar operaciones complejas y multisite con altos niveles de automatización e integración.

Una trayectoria siempre vinculada a la implantación y gestión de proyectos, con una visión estratégica del área financiera dentro del sector de la ingeniería y la construcción.

Cuento con más de 25 años de experiencia como consultora financiera y de proyectos, incluyendo 10 años como Directora de ERP en cliente final dentro del sector de la ingeniería (Grupo TSK, S.A.), tras haber liderado previamente la implantación como B... Show more

Senior backend engineer who thrives on blending structure and creativity, whether coding or storytelling. Passionate about “using your powers for good”, she is volunteering as a software engineer in several organizations, such as Midaat. She cares deeply about wildlife, and volunteered at both the Wildlife Hospital and the Haibulans. She is currently volunteering for the Haibulans as tech consultant.

Senior backend engineer who thrives on blending structure and creativity, whether coding or storytelling. Passionate about “using your powers for good”, she is volunteering as a software engineer in several organizations, such as Midaat. She cares de... Show more

Gerardo Arroyo es Chief Technology Officer Cloud en Novacomp, con más de 20 años de experiencia en el sector tecnológico como desarrollador, consultor y empresario. Su misión es diseñar, implementar y gestionar la arquitectura cloud de clientes, optimizando rendimiento, seguridad y escalabilidad. LinkedIn
Apasionado por AWS y la Inteligencia Artificial Generativa, Gerardo cuenta con 9 certificaciones AWS y es reconocido como AWS Community Builder y líder de grupo de usuarios. A través de su blog personal comparte experiencias reales con AWS, desde arquitecturas cloud hasta implementaciones prácticas de IA Generativa. Gerardo
Su expertise técnico se centra en Amazon Bedrock, LangChain, arquitecturas de nube avanzadas y soluciones de IA Generativa para empresas. Gerardo ha liderado transformaciones tecnológicas significativas, como la modernización de aplicaciones Java utilizando Amazon Q Developer.
Orador frecuente en conferencias tecnológicas, comparte conocimientos sobre Cloud Computing, Generative AI y optimización de costos en AWS.

Gerardo Arroyo es Chief Technology Officer Cloud en Novacomp, con más de 20 años de experiencia en el sector tecnológico como desarrollador, consultor y empresario. Su misión es diseñar, implementar y gestionar la arquitectura cloud de clientes, opti... Show more

Elizabeth Guevara , emprendedora mexicana con más de 20 años de experiencia en tecnología, fundadora de 'Venta Casa México,' y Coach Inmobiliario Proptech, Tecnología y Bienestar.

Speaker internacional impulsa el empoderamiento a través del uso de tecnología guiando emprendedores y cualquier persona que busque transformar su negocio en esta era digital.

Maestra en Administración de Negocios, Licenciada en Informática, Perito Valuador, certificada en Marketing Digital y Asesoría Inmobiliaria.

Elizabeth Guevara , emprendedora mexicana con más de 20 años de experiencia en tecnología, fundadora de 'Venta Casa México,' y Coach Inmobiliario Proptech, Tecnología y Bienestar. Speaker internacional impulsa el empoderamiento a través del uso d... Show more

Soy un profesional con más de 21 años de experiencia liderando proyectos de transformación digital y diseño de arquitecturas cloud en entornos complejos y altamente regulados. He trabajado como asesor de CTOs y CIOs en sectores como banca y telecomunicaciones, impulsando la modernización tecnológica mediante soluciones híbridas y multicloud (Azure, AWS), automatización y metodologías ágiles. Mi enfoque combina visión estratégica con una sólida base técnica, orientado siempre a mejorar la eficiencia operativa y acelerar la innovación en las organizaciones.

Soy un profesional con más de 21 años de experiencia liderando proyectos de transformación digital y diseño de arquitecturas cloud en entornos complejos y altamente regulados. He trabajado como asesor de CTOs y CIOs en sectores como banca y telecomun... Show more

Saravanan is an Architect working at Rabobank, Netherlands and one of the leads of the Growing Greener (Sustainability) community in the bank.

He has more than 22 years of experience in diverse IT and business roles with different banks across the world.

His passion is in Architecture, IT sustainability and Green Software and how we can generate more interest among the IT community in sustainable software.

Saravanan is an Architect working at Rabobank, Netherlands and one of the leads of the Growing Greener (Sustainability) community in the bank. He has more than 22 years of experience in diverse IT and business roles with different banks across th... Show more

Experienced MS Dynamics 365 Business Central Practice Lead with 12+ years of expertise in implementation, upgrades, integrations, and support development projects. Proven success across diverse domains, including Trading, NGOs, Manufacturing, IT, Financial Services, Banking, and Automobile industries. Adept at delivering solutions across multiple geographies, including Australia, the USA, GSS, the UK, and Europe.

Experienced MS Dynamics 365 Business Central Practice Lead with 12+ years of expertise in implementation, upgrades, integrations, and support development projects. Proven success across diverse domains, including Trading, NGOs, Manufacturing, IT, Fin... Show more

Software Engineer, Architect, and open-source contributor with over 11 years of experience in Angular, React, and full-stack development. Creator of Limitless Angular, a library that simplifies Angular-Sanity CMS integration. Passionate about clean architecture, performance, and AI-driven automation, I actively share my knowledge through talks, workshops, and open-source contributions. 🚀

Software Engineer, Architect, and open-source contributor with over 11 years of experience in Angular, React, and full-stack development. Creator of Limitless Angular, a library that simplifies Angular-Sanity CMS integration. Passionate about clean a... Show more

After finishing his education as a software developer in 2011, Patrick worked for a small company. There he was able to work on the further development of a 50 year old software for real estate management. He gained a broad knowledge of programming languages (Cobol, VB6, Delphi, C#) and practices.

After that, he moves to the Business Central area in 2017. He uses the prior knowledge to think "out of the box" in Business Central.

You can read his ideas on his blog https://patrickschiefer.com

After finishing his education as a software developer in 2011, Patrick worked for a small company. There he was able to work on the further development of a 50 year old software for real estate management. He gained a broad knowledge of programming l... Show more

Visionary leader and architect of innovative business models, Mauro Rojas brings over 23 years of experience in the creative industry. For nearly two decades, he has been at the helm of Eonminu® Brands Laboratory™, an initiative dedicated to redefining brand development through regenerative creativity, experimentation, and conceptual reinvention.

As founder and president of the Association of Entrepreneurs of Ecuador, Mauro actively fosters entrepreneurial spirit and innovation, solidifying his role as a key figure in Ecuador’s business landscape. His extensive portfolio spans multiple industries, featuring successful projects across diverse sectors. Currently, Mauro focuses on the knowledge economy and digital media, fields where his work continues to create meaningful and lasting impact.

Mauro has shared his projects and ideas on international platforms, including entrepreneurship conferences, art exhibitions, creativity workshops, and specialized publications. His insights have resonated with audiences in Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, China, Ecuador, the United States, Portugal, and Türkiye, highlighting his global influence.

Today, Mauro leverages his expertise as a business coach, brand strategist, executive mentor, entrepreneurship trainer, and digital artist, driving innovation and excellence. His commitment to redefining industries and creating avant-garde business solutions underscores his transformative approach.

Visionary leader and architect of innovative business models, Mauro Rojas brings over 23 years of experience in the creative industry. For nearly two decades, he has been at the helm of Eonminu® Brands Laboratory™, an initiative dedicated to redefini... Show more

Stephanie is a Forbes-featured author of the best-selling networking book, Confident Introvert and host of the podcast/event series, redefining what it means to be successful with less hustle and more fun, meaning and wellness, Holistic Ambition. Stephanie has helped thousands of people celebrate their strengths, step into their authentic confidence, and make meaningful connections through building out community over 1k in-person events at organizations like YPOSF, speaking at places like Harvard University, years behind-the-scenes at TEDx, and 1:1 coaching.

Stephanie is a Forbes-featured author of the best-selling networking book, Confident Introvert and host of the podcast/event series, redefining what it means to be successful with less hustle and more fun, meaning and wellness, Holistic Ambition. Ste... Show more

Anna Khayet is a trusted growth strategist and marketing advisor to hundreds of tax and accounting firms across North America. As the head of marketing for Padgett Advisors, a leading franchise network of over 250 firms, Anna helped architect a sweeping brand transformation and launched new digital platforms that drove franchise growth and revitalized firm reputation across the network.

Prior to Padgett, Anna led marketing at industry-defining Fintechs like Bill.com, Rho, Ignition, CPA.com (the digital arm of the AICPA), Enova (NYSE: ENVA), and SoFi, where she scaled campaigns with $50M+ budgets and delivered growth that took originations to $18BN. She began her career at American Express and, after earning her MBA from Columbia University, helped expand Google Cloud’s presence in the SMB market.

Today, through her consultancy, Mastermind, Anna combines the latest in marketing strategy, automation, and storytelling to help modern firms and Fintechs build trusted brands and future-proof their growth. She’s passionate about empowering accountants to stand out in an increasingly digital, competitive world — and ensuring they build businesses with staying power.

Anna Khayet is a trusted growth strategist and marketing advisor to hundreds of tax and accounting firms across North America. As the head of marketing for Padgett Advisors, a leading franchise network of over 250 firms, Anna helped architect a sweep... Show more

Mike Allton is an AI Consultant & Trainer, host of The AI Hat Podcast, and international keynote speaker & author at The Social Media Hat, where he has been educating businesses and organizations on the best use of social media & content marketing for reaching and converting target audiences. He has spent over a decade in digital marketing and brings an unparalleled level of experience and excitement to the fore, whether he's delivering a presentation or leading a workshop.

Since 2011, Mike has excelled at helping his community understand the nuance and best practices involved in utilizing social platforms, leveraging social media management tools, and creating 10X content. He has established a reputation for being able to explain complex tools or topics in easy-to-understand ways, all while bringing a necessary sense of overall brand strategy and business purpose.

As the founder of The AI Hat, Mike provides hands-on training and strategic consulting to businesses in the St. Louis area and beyond, helping them navigate the complexities of AI and harness its power to drive success. Through The AI Hat Podcast, Mike shares insights from top AI experts and explores practical applications of AI for businesses of all sizes.

When he isn’t writing yet another blog post, Mike also serves as the Chief Storyteller at Agorapulse where he strengthens relationships with customers, social media educators, influencers and partner brands.

Allton is also the co-author of The Ultimate Guide to Social Media Marketing, available wherever books are sold.

Mike Allton is an AI Consultant & Trainer, host of The AI Hat Podcast, and international keynote speaker & author at The Social Media Hat, where he has been educating businesses and organizations on the best use of social media & content marketing fo... Show more

Johnathon Smith is a seasoned Architectural Consultant for Xelseor LLC, a boutique software consultancy focused on .NET engineering, cloud-native architecture, open-source software, and modern software delivery practices. With over 15 years of experience spanning enterprise systems, microservices architecture, and frontend innovation, Johnathon brings a practical, developer-first perspective to software design.

He’s led engineering teams through the evolution of .NET, from WebForms and WCF to .NET Core and the bleeding edge of .NET Aspire. His work spans mission-critical systems in healthcare, finance, aerospace, and education technology—driving results with scalable microservices, CQRS, event-driven architectures, and clean domain modeling.

Johnathon’s recent talks tackle real-world engineering tradeoffs, including the case against AutoMapper, modular monoliths with versioning strategies, and building microservices without building regrets. Whether discussing fluent validations or the future of distributed .NET, he brings a rare combination of deep technical insight, hard-earned battle scars, and just the right amount of sarcasm.

Outside consulting and code, he’s passionate about developer mentorship, OSS contributions, and helping other technologists sharpen their craft. He’s based in Melbourne, FL, and Consults for Xelseor LLC full-time—when he’s not refactoring legacy systems or convincing teams to use MediatR properly.

Johnathon Smith is a seasoned Architectural Consultant for Xelseor LLC, a boutique software consultancy focused on .NET engineering, cloud-native architecture, open-source software, and modern software delivery practices. With over 15 years of experi... Show more

Mark Adams has dedicated the past 25 years to transforming neglected and hazardous properties across California. As the President of California Receivership Group (CRG), he has played a pivotal role in using health and safety receiverships to rehabilitate properties that pose significant risks to their communities. Throughout his career, Adams has been appointed by 179 state and federal judges to manage the rehabilitation of over 360 properties in 36 counties and 126 cities. Recently, his efforts have expanded beyond California to include projects in Tennessee, Virginia, Texas, and Wisconsin.

Health and safety receiverships are critical for addressing properties that have fallen into disrepair, particularly when other enforcement methods have failed. Adams has effectively used this process to ensure that properties fund their rehabilitation, alleviating the financial burden of taxpayers. His work addresses various complex issues, including fire damage, structural instability, unpermitted construction, and other serious environmental risks to the occupants and the community.

In 1999, Mark Adams became the first receiver appointed under the California Health and Safety Code, marking a significant milestone in his career. This appointment was made to tackle the deteriorating conditions at a 66-unit apartment complex, where neglect had tragically led to the death of an infant. This case motivated him to establish CRG to solve the problem of unsafe and neglected properties.

Throughout his career, Adams has been recognized for his contributions to property rehabilitation. In 2022, Loyola Marymount University (LMU) honored him with the "Distinguished Entrepreneurial Alumnus Award," the Los Angeles Business Journal recognized CRG as an outstanding family-owned business.

Before founding CRG, Adams played a key role in the Blue Ribbon Citizens Committee on Slum Housing. His work on the committee was instrumental in expanding the City of Los Angeles's slum-housing inspection program, bringing attention to the widespread neglect by slumlords who had failed to address essential maintenance, leaving many apartments in unsafe and unhealthy conditions.

Mark Adams's extensive experience in real estate finance and public service provided a solid foundation for his receivership work. Before CRG, he held leadership positions at Civitas Housing Company and De Miranda Management, where he managed affordable housing projects. He also served as Director of Public Affairs at Fannie Mae and worked as an attorney specializing in corporate and housing finance.

Beyond his professional achievements, Adams has mentored many of California's health and safety receivers and is a sought-after speaker at housing conferences. His work has also influenced significant legal decisions, including a landmark ruling by the California Supreme Court that upheld health and safety receiverships as a vital tool for improving communities.

Born in Chicago and raised in Los Angeles, he has deep roots in his community. He and his wife Janis have been married for nearly 35 years and have three children, two of whom attended Harvard. They are also proud grandparents to six grandchildren. Adams is an avid supporter of the Los Angeles Dodgers and is known for his commitment to family and his sense of humor.

Mark Adams's legacy is defined by his unwavering dedication to improving communities through his work with CRG. His efforts have made a lasting impact, revitalizing neighborhoods and addressing some of California's most challenging property issues and beyond.

Mark Adams has dedicated the past 25 years to transforming neglected and hazardous properties across California. As the President of California Receivership Group (CRG), he has played a pivotal role in using health and safety receiverships to rehabil... Show more