Thomas de Klerk works as a learning consultant and trainer at Info Support, where he spends much of his time helping people make sense of complex technology — including AI.
His background is not purely technical. Early in his career he trained as a teacher at university level, later specialising in Human Resource Development. That combination still shapes how he looks at technology today: not just in terms of what it can do, but how people think, learn and make decisions around it.
His work now sits somewhere between training, facilitation and experimentation. He designs workshops, learning journeys and the occasional escape room to explore how people actually work with tools like AI in practice.
He uses AI himself, daily — which is exactly why he keeps questioning what it does to his own thinking.

Thomas de Klerk works as a learning consultant and trainer at Info Support, where he spends much of his time helping people make sense of complex technology — including AI. His background is not purely technical. Early in his career he trained as a ... Show more

Shashank Karpal leads Education & Government Programs at KodeKloud, a widely trusted hands-on learning platform for AI-native DevOps and Cloud, used by 1.5M+ learners. He works closely with CIOs, platform engineering leaders, and L&D teams to design and scale upskilling programs that help organizations move from cloud-first foundations to production-ready AI capability.

His focus is measurable learning through zero-setup labs, AI playgrounds, and real-world, job-simulated projects that build practical skills in agents and RAG workflows. He also partners with universities and public-sector stakeholders to bring industry-relevant learning into curricula and workforce initiatives, aligning outcomes to roles, certifications, and employability.

Shashank holds an MBA in Marketing & Operations and a Bachelor of Technology in Electronics and Communication. He speaks regularly at AI, cloud, and developer forums on practical adoption, operating models, and the skills required to run AI safely at scale.

Shashank Karpal leads Education & Government Programs at KodeKloud, a widely trusted hands-on learning platform for AI-native DevOps and Cloud, used by 1.5M+ learners. He works closely with CIOs, platform engineering leaders, and L&D teams to design ... Show more

Asrar Khan is a Product Marketing Lead at Google, driving ecosystem strategy and advocacy for the Google Developer Experts (GDE) Cloud & AI program. He oversees strategic engagement for more than 700 independent technical thought leaders across 70+ countries, specializing in building high-impact developer ecosystems and aligning external advocacy with core go-to-market and product priorities. Asrar has played a crucial role in establishing bi-directional pipelines that connect early-access technical creators directly with Google’s engineering organizations—translating community signal into product roadmaps across the Cloud and AI stack. Asrar champions the "Human Stack"—empowering world-class developers not just to consume technology, but to co-create its future.

Asrar Khan is a Product Marketing Lead at Google, driving ecosystem strategy and advocacy for the Google Developer Experts (GDE) Cloud & AI program. He oversees strategic engagement for more than 700 independent technical thought leaders across 70+ c... Show more

Lauren has more than two decades of mobile engineering leadership and entrepreneurial experience who believes when you invest in people and empower healthy teams, they will build great products. She is a devx geek, entrepreneur and author of best-selling Android books who champions engineering best practices and building diverse high performing teams to deliver the best innovations to users.

Lauren has more than two decades of mobile engineering leadership and entrepreneurial experience who believes when you invest in people and empower healthy teams, they will build great products. She is a devx geek, entrepreneur and author of best-sel... 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

Chloe McAree is a Senior Software Engineer at Hamilton Robson. She has experience working on small research prototypes using cutting edge technologies, right through to building large scale web applications using multiple technology stacks. Chloe is an active member of the global tech community, she has been an AWS Community Builder for the past four years and is also a former Belfast City Lead for Women Who Code. She uses these outlets to share her learnings and experiences through blogs and other events. Chloe was named Engineer of the Year at the UK IT Awards in November 2023.

Chloe McAree is a Senior Software Engineer at Hamilton Robson. She has experience working on small research prototypes using cutting edge technologies, right through to building large scale web applications using multiple technology stacks. Chloe is ... Show more

Endrit Shaqiri is a security researcher and developer with a background in offensive security, AI, and cybersecurity research. He is pursuing graduate studies in Artificial Intelligence at Boston University and has completed graduate work in Cybersecurity Engineering and Cryptography at Istanbul Technical University.

His work focuses on the intersection of security, identity, cloud systems, and AI-driven threats. He has built research tools and prototypes exploring malware simulation, evasion techniques, OAuth abuse, and emerging attack paths in modern enterprise environments.

Endrit has presented at DEF CON 33 Demo Labs and the Red Team Village. Outside of cybersecurity, he is an international karate and kickboxing competitor, and Kosovo national team athlete.

Endrit Shaqiri is a security researcher and developer with a background in offensive security, AI, and cybersecurity research. He is pursuing graduate studies in Artificial Intelligence at Boston University and has completed graduate work in Cybersec... Show more

Denis is a DevOps Architect and Software Engineer based in Lomé, Togo. He builds and operates bare-metal Kubernetes clusters for sovereign digital infrastructure, working daily with Ansible, Kubespray, and the full cloud-native stack without a managed control plane in sight. At the application layer, he designs fine-grained authorization models with OpenFGA for multi-tenant platforms under data residency mandates. He organizes the Cloud Native Community Group in Lomé, teaches distributed systems and machine learning at local universities, and is the author of a book on Machine Learning. Currently exploring research in distributed systems architecture, Denis is an open-source contributor who believes Africa should build its own cloud-native expertise not just consume someone else’s.

Denis is a DevOps Architect and Software Engineer based in Lomé, Togo. He builds and operates bare-metal Kubernetes clusters for sovereign digital infrastructure, working daily with Ansible, Kubespray, and the full cloud-native stack without a manage... Show more

José David Verbel es un arquitecto de soluciones cloud y líder en transformación tecnológica con más de 15 años de experiencia. Como Director de Desarrollo, ha implementado exitosamente cultura DevOps y optimizado ciclos mediante metodologías ágiles. Certificado AWS Solutions Architect Associate, integra seguridad, infraestructura como código y prácticas DevOps para acelerar entrega de valor. Participa como mentor en TalentoTECH y MisionTic de MinTIC Colombia, compartiendo conocimiento en desarrollo, cloud y DevOps. Su presencia en DevOpsDays, AWS Summit refleja su compromiso con la innovación tecnológica continua.

José David Verbel es un arquitecto de soluciones cloud y líder en transformación tecnológica con más de 15 años de experiencia. Como Director de Desarrollo, ha implementado exitosamente cultura DevOps y optimizado ciclos mediante metodologías ágiles.... Show more

Fort de mon expérience en accompagnement de projets et d’équipes, j’ai décidé de m’engager dans le coaching et la formation, métiers tournés vers l’individu, le collectif, et le vivre ensemble.

J’agis pour une vie plus simple, plus humaine, plus respectueuse. Je suis profondément convaincu par le potentiel de chacun et que nous avons tous en nous la force de réaliser nos projets.

Fort de mon expérience en accompagnement de projets et d’équipes, j’ai décidé de m’engager dans le coaching et la formation, métiers tournés vers l’individu, le collectif, et le vivre ensemble. J’agis pour une vie plus simple, plus humaine, plus r... Show more

Stella Smiljkovic is CEO & Founder of Feedbacktime, where privacy-first technology drives human-centered transformation. Drawing from over 15+ years of experience in corporate innovation in the Automotive and Energy domain, she advises emerging tech leaders, startups and investment teams. She combines her engineering expertise with strategic foresight to help organizations navigate digital transformation. Her current focus includes cybersecurity, ethical tech development, and human-AI-hybrid workforces.

Stella Smiljkovic is CEO & Founder of Feedbacktime, where privacy-first technology drives human-centered transformation. Drawing from over 15+ years of experience in corporate innovation in the Automotive and Energy domain, she advises emerging tech ... Show more

With five years of experience in the IT industry, Martina maintains the same drive for continuous learning that defined the start of her career.

Currently serving as a Cloud & Data Engineer at Datwave (BIP Group), her core focus involves Google Cloud, software development, and microservices management. Recently, she have dedicated significant effort to the field of GenAI, exploring innovative ways to integrate it effectively into functional workflows.

With five years of experience in the IT industry, Martina maintains the same drive for continuous learning that defined the start of her career. Currently serving as a Cloud & Data Engineer at Datwave (BIP Group), her core focus involves Google Cl... Show more

I am a technology and professional services leader with 23+ years of experience driving enterprise GRC, data modernization, and analytics transformation programs across the financial services and healthcare industry. I currently leads large-scale data modernization and analytics enablement initiatives at DTCC, focused on AI-ready governance, regulatory auditability, and cloud data transformation. Previously, led global GRC SaaS implementations for Fortune 500 organizations at MetricStream, delivering risk, compliance, audit, and third-party risk programs across highly regulated environments. My expertise spans AI-driven governance, enterprise risk management, data controls and scalable analytics platforms that improve operational resilience and decision-making in financial markets. I am passionate about harnessing AI to make GRC proactive rather than reactive.

I am a technology and professional services leader with 23+ years of experience driving enterprise GRC, data modernization, and analytics transformation programs across the financial services and healthcare industry. I currently leads large-scale dat... Show more

Keith Sanders spent his early years attending Raleigh-Broughton High School, where he developed an interest in teamwork and community responsibility. During that time, he became aware of the importance of helping others during emergencies and difficult situations. After graduating from high school, he attended North Carolina State University. His experience there helped strengthen his understanding of leadership, communication, and cooperation while encouraging his interest in public safety and emergency response work.

Keith Sanders of Raleigh later pursued firefighter training through Western Wake Fire Rescue. He completed Firefighter Training I and II, gaining the technical knowledge and physical preparation required for emergency response duties. The training focused on organization, teamwork, and the ability to remain calm during stressful situations. This stage of his life became an important step toward entering active firefighting service and provided the experience needed for future responsibilities in public safety operations.

Keith served as a firefighter from 1999 through 2003, responding to emergencies that required focus, preparation, and reliable teamwork. During those years, he worked in demanding situations where quick decision-making and communication were essential. The experience shaped many of the values that continued guiding his life after his firefighting career ended. Although he stepped away from active service in 2003, he remained connected to emergency response efforts and continued supporting community-focused projects whenever possible.

Keith Sanders of North Carolina became more involved in nonprofit organizations and volunteer outreach after transitioning out of the fire service. He supported groups including Rise Against Hunger, A Place at the Table, Artspace, and Project Reach Out. In addition to nonprofit involvement, he participated in church outreach programs and cancer fundraising efforts throughout the state. Much of his volunteer work involved practical assistance and direct participation in projects that supported local communities and individuals facing challenges.

Keith participated in relief efforts during late 2024 after hurricanes caused significant damage in parts of the North Carolina mountains. During those operations, he helped transport water and support rescue-related activities connected to emergency recovery work. His firefighting background remained valuable in situations requiring physical effort and organized teamwork. The experience reflected his continued willingness to assist communities during emergencies and showed how his earlier training continued influencing his actions years later.

Sanders has also explored interests outside public service through appearances in films such as Shades of Grey, French Exit, and Tears of a Clown. Although acting was not the primary focus of his career, those opportunities enabled him to work in creative environments and broaden his experience. Alongside those interests, he remains active through running, biking, and soccer. He has completed several races in the Raleigh area and maintains a lifestyle centered on outdoor activity and physical fitness.

Keith Sanders continues to enjoy spending time along North Carolina’s coastal waters during the warmer months of the year. Boating and fishing remain important parts of his routine, providing balance alongside his volunteer work and community involvement. Fishing has become one of the activities he values most because it allows him to relax while remaining active outdoors. His steady dedication to volunteer service, emergency support, and local outreach continues to reflect the practical values and strong sense of responsibility that have guided his life over the years.

Keith Sanders spent his early years attending Raleigh-Broughton High School, where he developed an interest in teamwork and community responsibility. During that time, he became aware of the importance of helping others during emergencies and difficu... Show more

Hi, I’m Matthias Braun,
a Cloud IT Architect and Microsoft MVP for Azure IaC with over 20 years of experience. My mission: equipping companies with future-proof, automated, and secure cloud solutions - technically excellent and delivering real business value.

My focus is on Azure, Infrastructure as Code with Terraform, CI/CD pipelines, and sustainable cloud architectures. Everything I present is based on real-world projects and directly applicable.

What drives me? Making complex topics accessible and translating technology into real business impact, whether it’s about landing zones, cloud migrations, or DevOps.

Off stage, you’ll often find me behind the camera capturing the Milky Way, runnning, or spending time outdoors with my family.

Hi, I’m Matthias Braun, a Cloud IT Architect and Microsoft MVP for Azure IaC with over 20 years of experience. My mission: equipping companies with future-proof, automated, and secure cloud solutions - technically excellent and delivering real bus... Show more

Minh is all over the map, lavishing attention on everything from taquerías in California to cornfields in Ohio to alleys in Vietnam. He organizes the mapping community in San José, advises OpenHistoricalMap, and supports core OpenStreetMap software development.

Minh is all over the map, lavishing attention on everything from taquerías in California to cornfields in Ohio to alleys in Vietnam. He organizes the mapping community in San José, advises OpenHistoricalMap, and supports core OpenStreetMap software d... Show more

I have been passionate about development since I was very young, with over eight years of deep involvement in the cloud-native ecosystem.
After applying my expertise at the highest levels of the French government, I joined Qim info as Head of the Cloud & DevOps at Qim info in Switzerland.
My role is to support cultural and technological transformations to overcome the challenges of Cloud and DevOps.

I am the founder of Photon, a globally recognized iPad application for managing lighting in cinema, concerts, and theater.
I combine technical expertise with a strong understanding of artistic needs to deliver innovative and high-performance lighting management solutions.

I have been passionate about development since I was very young, with over eight years of deep involvement in the cloud-native ecosystem. After applying my expertise at the highest levels of the French government, I joined Qim info as Head of the C... Show more

A PhD and expert in Applied Economics and Strategic Marketing, Andrea Saravalle combines a solid academic career at three leading Italian universities (Bologna, Brescia, Ancona) with extensive consulting work for national brands. Specializing in market analysis and positioning strategies, he helps organizations navigate technological and structural changes through a deep understanding of stakeholders' real needs. He is a member of the "Industry, Territory, Environment" research group at the University of Bologna. As a speaker, he brings to the stage a vision that combines strategy and sustainability, guiding companies towards growth that is both innovative and profitable.

A PhD and expert in Applied Economics and Strategic Marketing, Andrea Saravalle combines a solid academic career at three leading Italian universities (Bologna, Brescia, Ancona) with extensive consulting work for national brands. Specializing in mark... Show more

Manjula Rathnayaka is a Director of Engineering at WSO2 with over 14 years of experience in software engineering and platform architecture, including nearly a decade specializing in cloud-native technologies. He has contributed to designing multi-tenant platforms using Kubernetes and CNCF tools, with current efforts to open-source this work through OpenChoreo. He has built SaaS platforms on AWS, GCP, and Azure, and holds CKA, CKAD, and CKS certifications. His focus areas include declarative abstractions, Control Plane / Data Plane separation, and developer experience.

Manjula Rathnayaka is a Director of Engineering at WSO2 with over 14 years of experience in software engineering and platform architecture, including nearly a decade specializing in cloud-native technologies. He has contributed to designing multi-ten... Show more

Lisa Vanderlip is an AI value realization leader who helps organizations prove whether their AI was worth what it cost. Over twelve years at Microsoft she co-founded FastTrack's at-scale adoption approach, built two commercial M365 business-value offers Microsoft sold as products, and served as a global SME on Microsoft's Responsible AI team. She is Founder & Managing Principal of WyseMinds Advisors, helping Fortune 500 and other clients attain key outcomes from their AI investments, creator of the AI VALUE Framework, and publisher of the AI Value Report.

Lisa Vanderlip is an AI value realization leader who helps organizations prove whether their AI was worth what it cost. Over twelve years at Microsoft she co-founded FastTrack's at-scale adoption approach, built two commercial M365 business-value off... Show more

Currently, I am working as a Staff Engineer at Axa France for the past year and half. I worked as a Technical Leader/Senior Software Engineer at Axa France for 3 and a half years. I started at Axa France 5 years ago.

I am an experienced engineer with a proven track record in IT. I am proficient in Java/JEE/Spring/SpringBoot, Python, PostgreSQL, Webmethods, ODM, SOA concepts, statistical modeling, and Prolog. I hold a solid engineering background with a degree in Computer Engineering and Statistics focused on systems and network engineering, software engineering, and financial engineering from Polytechnique Lille.

Previously, I worked for SNCF for 4 years, and before that, for Capgemini for 2 and a half years.

Currently, I am working as a Staff Engineer at Axa France for the past year and half. I worked as a Technical Leader/Senior Software Engineer at Axa France for 3 and a half years. I started at Axa France 5 years ago. I am an experienced engineer w... Show more

Hina is a technical leader with extensive experience in designing and developing scalable, high performance applications. She holds Master’s in Information Systems and Bachelor’s degree in computer science engineering and has demonstrated her technical expertise in roles at Cisco Systems, VMware and Cloudhealth technologies, excelling in areas like cloud-based microservices, big data platforms and building SaaS solutions.

Hina is a technical leader with extensive experience in designing and developing scalable, high performance applications. She holds Master’s in Information Systems and Bachelor’s degree in computer science engineering and has demonstrated her technic... Show more

Adam Jorgensen is the founder of Everest Partners and a growth operator for data and AI services CEOs scaling $10M to $100M. He co-founded Pragmatic Works, sold it into 3Cloud, and ran the data and AI business through 12x growth and the 2026 sale to Cognizant. Former President of PASS and author of nine books on the Microsoft data platform.

Adam Jorgensen is the founder of Everest Partners and a growth operator for data and AI services CEOs scaling $10M to $100M. He co-founded Pragmatic Works, sold it into 3Cloud, and ran the data and AI business through 12x growth and the 2026 sale to ... Show more

Griselda is a systems engineer who has been working as a staff software developer at Jalasoft for around +7 years. She is passionate about education, which is why she is a trainer at the Jala University bootcamp at a Latin American level, teaching front-end technologies and Angular. She is a Women Techmakers ambassador and the lead organizer of the GDG Cochabamba and Angular Bolivia communities. She holds a postgraduate degree in Information Technology Management, which has been very useful in leading teams and creating projects. When she's not coding, Griselda plays with her kittens, enjoys watching movies and series, traveling, hanging out with her friends, and doing CrossFit.

Griselda is a systems engineer who has been working as a staff software developer at Jalasoft for around +7 years. She is passionate about education, which is why she is a trainer at the Jala University bootcamp at a Latin American level, teaching fr... Show more

Currently a design engineer at a large financial services company with 20 years of experience in device management on a variety of platforms. Focused on automation and leadership. I have held many different positions over the years as a technician, consultant, architect, and leader on the business and technology sides. I enjoy the constant challenge of IT, and the fast pace of change. Married with 4 children, hike, run, musician.
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Currently a design engineer at a large financial services company with 20 years of experience in device management on a variety of platforms. Focused on automation and leadership. I have held many different positions over the years as a technician, c... Show more

I am a passionate open-source advocate and currently serve as the Open Source Community Manager at Oky, helping to build inclusive, participatory spaces of period tracking for girls. I am also an Open Source Fact-Checking Community Facilitator at Climate+Tech, using tech to fight misinformation and support climate action.

With over four years of experience in community building and public speaking, I have led initiatives, mentored developers, and organized events that bring people together around impactful technology. I am also a GitHub Campus Expert and a Torc Ambassador, actively supporting developer growth across Africa and beyond.

At my foundation, I am a hands-on Android developer with a growing enthusiasm for web development. I love developing mobile applications using Kotlin, Android Studio, and other SDKs and geeking out now and then about building responsive web experiences with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, Currently learning React. Whether code or community, my goal is simple: to harness tech as an agent of empowerment.

I thrive in collaborative spaces, enjoy contributing to open-source projects, and constantly seek new ways to learn, teach, and grow. Whether it's building apps, sharing knowledge on stage, or sparking conversations online, I am all about making a positive impact through technology.

I am a passionate open-source advocate and currently serve as the Open Source Community Manager at Oky, helping to build inclusive, participatory spaces of period tracking for girls. I am also an Open Source Fact-Checking Community Facilitator at Cli... Show more

Nikhil is a seasoned tech professional with extensive experience working at leading organizations like Intuit, Social Finance (SoFi), and InComm Payments. Specializing in building scalable systems and implementing cutting-edge integrations, Nikhil Kassetty has been instrumental in delivering impactful solutions that enhance efficiency, security, and user experiences across financial services.

With a good foundation in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), Nikhil has designed and implemented intelligent systems that leverage data insights to drive automation, improve decision-making, and personalize user experiences. His expertise extends to creating predictive models, enhancing fraud detection systems, and optimizing operations with AI-driven analytics.

Also, his proficiency in cloud technologies, system architecture, and data-driven applications enables him to tackle complex challenges and pioneer innovations in the ever-evolving tech landscape. Nikhil Kassetty is passionate about harnessing technology to create transformative solutions that shape the future of financial services.

Nikhil is a seasoned tech professional with extensive experience working at leading organizations like Intuit, Social Finance (SoFi), and InComm Payments. Specializing in building scalable systems and implementing cutting-edge integrations, Nikhil Ka... Show more

I am an experienced software developer and engineering leader, who loves learning and sharing.

I am an experienced software developer and engineering leader, who loves learning and sharing. Show more

John Scott helps organizations turn AI from concept into capability. As a Principal Cloud Solution Architect at Microsoft Federal, he leads adoption of Power Platform and Copilot Studio across large government environments—designing agent-based solutions that automate processes, enhance decision-making, and deliver measurable mission impact.

John Scott helps organizations turn AI from concept into capability. As a Principal Cloud Solution Architect at Microsoft Federal, he leads adoption of Power Platform and Copilot Studio across large government environments—designing agent-based solut... Show more

Amber Vanderburg is a multi-award winning businessperson, keynote speaker, author, and founder of the international learning development company, The Pathwayz Group, which has led 800,000+ learners in more than 75 countries in action-focused learning journeys. Amber's history in talent development includes authoring top-reviewed online learning courses for platforms such as LinkedIn Learning, Lecturio, and PluralSight, acting as Director of a national education leadership company, and coaching with professional sports team academies in Asia. In 2022, she published her first business adventure book "Uniquely Better" about building higher team performance.

Speaking engagements:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMNcx7Jwk9Sp6WxuvrfOOBqdP9440SKl0

Amber Vanderburg is a multi-award winning businessperson, keynote speaker, author, and founder of the international learning development company, The Pathwayz Group, which has led 800,000+ learners in more than 75 countries in action-focused learning... Show more