Region & Country

Valued speakers who focus on the geopolitical and cultural aspects of different regions and countries, exploring topics like regional development, international relations, and cultural identity

Andrew Crotty

Andrew Crotty

Andy Crotty is a TS/SCI-cleared cybersecurity professional with over a decade of experience in cyber threat detection, incident response, and security engineering across federal, financial, and enterprise environments. He currently serves as Sr CTI Analyst 3 with Leidos, supporting the Department of Homeland Security in a 24x7x365 NOSC environment. In this role, Andy leads high-impact investigations, develops and optimizes detection logic aligned to MITRE ATT&CK, and mentors junior analysts to strengthen operational readiness and cyber defense capabilities.

A U.S. Army Warrant Officer with over 15 years of military service, Andy has led teams in advanced persistent threat (APT) analysis, cyber threat hunting, and defensive operations for the Department of Defense. His civilian career includes senior roles in security operations for Wells Fargo and the State of Arizona Department of Homeland Security, where he enhanced detection strategies, streamlined incident response workflows, and strengthened enterprise security postures.

Beyond his operational work, Andy is passionate about cybersecurity community engagement and mentorship. At DEFCON 33, he served as a staff member for Noob Village, where he coordinated community-focused activities including volunteer outreach, CTF raffle setup, and securing sponsors to provide prizes. Through his YouTube channel GingerHacker and mentorship initiatives, Andy continues to guide aspiring cybersecurity professionals, sharing practical insights on breaking into the field, building technical skills, and navigating a rapidly evolving threat landscape.

Andy Crotty is a TS/SCI-cleared cybersecurity professional with over a decade of experience in cyber threat detection, incident response, and security engineering across federal, financial, and enterprise environments. He currently serves as Sr CTI A... Show more

Felicia Sephodi

Felicia Sephodi

Felicia is a Software Engineer passionate about making tech accessible and empowering developers. She drives innovation, fosters continuous learning, and challenges conventions to help others unlock their potential in tech and beyond.

Felicia is a Software Engineer passionate about making tech accessible and empowering developers. She drives innovation, fosters continuous learning, and challenges conventions to help others unlock their potential in tech and beyond. Show more

Sandeep Kanabar

Sandeep Kanabar

Sandeep is a software engineer from India focused on distributed systems, observability, and debugging complex production failures. A frequent speaker, he enjoys turning real-world lessons into practical, reusable patterns - especially where traditional debugging breaks down.

He co-chairs the Merge Forward Deaf and Hard of Hearing Working Group, advocating for accessibility in open source. Living with sensorineural hearing loss since age 14, he navigates tech through lip-reading and captioning.

Sandeep is a software engineer from India focused on distributed systems, observability, and debugging complex production failures. A frequent speaker, he enjoys turning real-world lessons into practical, reusable patterns - especially where traditio... Show more

Edo Maland

Edo Maland

Senior offensive security consultant with over a decade of hands-on experience in penetration testing, adversarial simulation and red teaming. He regularly manages and leads cyber offensive teams, executing complex and unique security engagements. He is also the author of several widely used open-source tools (TheFatRat, Sudomy, etc) and developed penetration testing linux distribution system from scratch (DracOs Linux)

He holds multiple industry certifications in the offensive security domain, including OSCE3, OSCP+, OSWP, KLCP, ECPTX, EWPTX and CRT(PEO), among others. He is an active speaker at cybersecurity events, including DEFCON 34, PHTALKS, and ROOTCON 20 and regularly manages and leads cyber offensive teams, executing complex and unique security engagements.

Senior offensive security consultant with over a decade of hands-on experience in penetration testing, adversarial simulation and red teaming. He regularly manages and leads cyber offensive teams, executing complex and unique security engagements. He... Show more

Fernando Chiquiza

Fernando Chiquiza

Bogotano que desde el año 2010 trabaja como consultor en área de colaboración y productividad enfocándose en el uso eficaz de las herramientas tecnológicas, especialmente en productos Microsoft, MVP hace 11 años con amplia experiencia diseñando y desarrollando soluciones tecnológicas, líder de la comunidad @PointCollCom, director de @PointCollOrg. Actualmente dedicado a proyectos de adopción de Inteligencia artificial Microsoft en ENCAMINA.

Bogotano que desde el año 2010 trabaja como consultor en área de colaboración y productividad enfocándose en el uso eficaz de las herramientas tecnológicas, especialmente en productos Microsoft, MVP hace 11 años con amplia experiencia diseñando y des... Show more

Dev Agrawal

Dev Agrawal

I build and teach how to build awesome fullstack applications. I'm a core team member of Solid.js, and I make content on YouTube and Twitch. I talk about web development, architecture, reactive programming, home brewing coffee, and heavy metal music.

I build and teach how to build awesome fullstack applications. I'm a core team member of Solid.js, and I make content on YouTube and Twitch. I talk about web development, architecture, reactive programming, home brewing coffee, and heavy metal music. Show more

Dr. Neda Maria Kaizumi

Dr. Neda Maria Kaizumi

Dr. Neda Maria Kaizumi is a distinguished technology expert at the intersection of AI development, global compliance, and international regulations. With a doctorate in Organizational Behaviour. She combines a rich academic foundation with practical insights. She has further honed her expertise through the Business Analytics and Data Science executive program at Harvard Business School.

Dr. Kaizumi is ISO standards committee member, and she shapes AI governance and compliance frameworks, advocating ethical AI aligned with global standards like the EU AI Act and beyond.

An accomplished author, public speaker, and advocate for ethical AI development, Dr. Kaizumi integrates her technical acumen and business expertise to empower organizations navigating the complex global landscape of AI governance. With a deep understanding of regulatory frameworks and their impact on technology, Dr. Kaizumi is a leading voice in fostering innovation that aligns with compliance and sustainability.

Dr. Neda Maria Kaizumi is a distinguished technology expert at the intersection of AI development, global compliance, and international regulations. With a doctorate in Organizational Behaviour. She combines a rich academic foundation with practical ... Show more

Harry Arce

Harry Arce

Harry Arce is a Microsoft AI and Data strategist helping organizations become frontier firms by transforming data into business value through AI, analytics, and intelligent applications. With more than 20 years of experience, including 18+ years leading enterprise transformation at Intel, he bridges emerging technology and real-world outcomes. Harry advises customers across healthcare, financial services, insurance, and other regulated industries on AI adoption, governance, cloud architecture, and modernization. Known for combining deep technical expertise with a consultative approach, he helps organizations innovate confidently while building secure, scalable, and responsible AI foundations.

Harry Arce is a Microsoft AI and Data strategist helping organizations become frontier firms by transforming data into business value through AI, analytics, and intelligent applications. With more than 20 years of experience, including 18+ years lead... Show more

Angela Trego

Angela Trego

Dr. Angela Trego is a rocket scientist turned Confidence & Communication Expert and the #1 bestselling author of Squashing the Imposter Syndrome. She has trained thousands of professionals across six continents to strengthen confidence as a skill so they can communicate more effectively, lead more boldly, and contribute at their full potential. Her core message is simple: confidence is a skill that can be learned, practiced, and strengthened.

Her work focuses on imposter syndrome, soft skills development, mentoring, and practical leadership tools that translate across industries. In addition, she specializes in faculty development and training university educators. She focuses particularly on STEM and engineering fields to implement evidence-based confidence-building strategies, engaged teaching practices, and classroom management approaches that increase student motivation and belonging.

Dr. Trego works with institutions to strengthen teaching effectiveness while reducing faculty burnout. Before dedicating her career to speaking, teaching, and coaching, she held technical and senior leadership roles at Fortune 500 companies across multiple industries and around the globe. She now brings that real-world leadership perspective into both industry and academia.

Whether working with executives, faculty, or emerging leaders, Dr. Trego's mission is simple: equip people with the confidence and skills to thrive.

Available for keynotes, consulting, coaching, and short courses. Every engagement is customized to the client's specific audience, language, and goals. Participants don't just hear these tools. They practice them in the room and carry them out the door as confidence they can actually use. Discover more at www.angelatrego.com

Dr. Angela Trego is a rocket scientist turned Confidence & Communication Expert and the #1 bestselling author of Squashing the Imposter Syndrome. She has trained thousands of professionals across six continents to strengthen confidence as a skill so ... Show more

Rutger Roffel

Rutger Roffel

Rutger Roffel is Head of AI at New Nexus, working with manufacturing, healthcare, and public sector clients across the Netherlands. His focus: what it actually takes to get AI past the pilot stage. Clean data, data sovereignty, no black boxes, and adoption led by the people using it, not the tool. He speaks on why most AI pilots stall and what makes the rest stick.

Rutger Roffel is Head of AI at New Nexus, working with manufacturing, healthcare, and public sector clients across the Netherlands. His focus: what it actually takes to get AI past the pilot stage. Clean data, data sovereignty, no black boxes, and ad... Show more

Carsten Meilbak

Carsten Meilbak

Carsten Meilbak is a Microsoft MVP for Microsoft Teams and an experienced IT architect specializing in Microsoft Teams, meeting rooms, and telephony. With more than 15 years of experience in Microsoft communications — and several years in the telecom industry before that — Carsten brings a practical, real-world perspective to modern collaboration, enterprise voice, and hybrid meeting experiences.

His work focuses on helping organizations design, implement, and optimize Microsoft Teams solutions that connect people across locations, devices, and meeting spaces. Carsten has deep experience with Teams Phone, enterprise voice, session border controllers, Teams Rooms on both Windows and Android, and the wider ecosystem of certified meeting room devices and AV technologies.

Over the years, Carsten has worked with customers ranging from smaller national organizations to large international enterprises and public sector organizations, including municipalities and ministries. His implementation experience spans many industries, geographies, and deployment models — from remote advisory and design work to hands-on onsite implementation.

Carsten is passionate about making technology work in the room — not just on paper. He enjoys bridging the gap between Microsoft 365, Teams, telephony, network infrastructure, and AV hardware, ensuring that meeting rooms are reliable, intuitive, and ready for the way people actually collaborate.

As a speaker, Carsten is known for combining technical depth with practical examples from real deployments and lab testing. He regularly shares knowledge with the Microsoft Teams community on topics such as Teams Rooms, Teams Phone, meeting room architecture, device management, and the evolving role of AI and Copilot in meetings.
His core areas of expertise include:

• Microsoft Teams Phone and enterprise voice
• Microsoft Teams Rooms for small, medium, and large meeting spaces
• Meeting room architecture across Windows and Android platforms
• Session Border Controllers, gateways, and telephony integration
• AV, network, and device management for modern collaboration spaces
• Contact center and operator solutions integrated with Microsoft Teams

Carsten’s goal is to help organizations create communication and meeting experiences that feel simple for users, while being technically robust, secure, and manageable for IT.

Carsten Meilbak is a Microsoft MVP for Microsoft Teams and an experienced IT architect specializing in Microsoft Teams, meeting rooms, and telephony. With more than 15 years of experience in Microsoft communications — and several years in the telecom... Show more

Bartosz Sypytkowski

Bartosz Sypytkowski

OSS contributor since 2013. Co-creator of Yrs: a library for building cross-platform, cross-language, collaborative applications. In the past: core team member of Akka.NET and F# GraphQL Server. Area of expertise: P2P, CRDTs, Databases and Distributed Systems.

OSS contributor since 2013. Co-creator of Yrs: a library for building cross-platform, cross-language, collaborative applications. In the past: core team member of Akka.NET and F# GraphQL Server. Area of expertise: P2P, CRDTs, Databases and Distribute... Show more

Cédric Mendelin

Cédric Mendelin

As a seasoned full-stack developer with more than 10 years of experience, Cédric is fuelled by a passion for .NET, Azure and especially AI! He is dedicated to crafting valuable and secure solutions for end users generating true business value. Located in Basel, Switzerland.

As a seasoned full-stack developer with more than 10 years of experience, Cédric is fuelled by a passion for .NET, Azure and especially AI! He is dedicated to crafting valuable and secure solutions for end users generating true business value. Locate... Show more

Michael Forrester

Michael Forrester

Michael Rishi Forrester is AI Workforce Transformation Lead, FDE and AI-Native Programs, at Accenture LearnVantage, where he leads forward deployed engineer training and enterprise AI adoption: upskilling engineers and the organizational change AI-native work demands. Thirty years across operations, DevOps and cloud. He builds MCP servers and grounds his sessions in real Kubernetes clusters. Speaker at KubeCon + CloudNativeCon, DevOpsDays, SREday, LLMday and KCD. michaelrishiforrester.com

Michael Rishi Forrester is AI Workforce Transformation Lead, FDE and AI-Native Programs, at Accenture LearnVantage, where he leads forward deployed engineer training and enterprise AI adoption: upskilling engineers and the organizational change AI-na... Show more

Maarten Mulders

Maarten Mulders

Since 2015, Maarten has taken the stage over 70 times at 40+ events across 20 countries, inspiring audiences with his practical insights and passion for technology.

His experience spans:
* Community-driven events: local meetups and Java User Groups;
* Top-tier international conferences: including JavaOne, Devnexus, JavaZone, multiple Devoxx editions, and J-Fall;
* Private engagements: in-house company events and guest lectures at both primary and professional education institutions.

Beyond speaking, Maarten actively shapes the developer and speaking communities. He spent three years on the J-Fall Program Committee, and now mentors upcoming speakers through the NLJUG Speaker Mentoring Programme and Info Support’s internal Speaking Community.

Since 2015, Maarten has taken the stage over 70 times at 40+ events across 20 countries, inspiring audiences with his practical insights and passion for technology. His experience spans: * Community-driven events: local meetups and Java User Gro... Show more

Margarita Naumova

Margarita Naumova

Magi Naumova is an SQL Server Architect and Consultant, speaker and trainer, Microsoft Certified Master, MVP, MCT, Founder of SQL Master Academy, and founder and CEO Of Inspirit Data Platform Consulting Company in Bulgaria and Norway, founder, and the leader of Bulgarian SQL & BI User group and Azure Analytics User Group BG. She has more than 25 years SQL Server training and consulting experience. Magi is a former member of Microsoft Services Worldwide Technical Leadership Team. Currently she speaks, writes, trains and consults people on SQL Server and MS Fabric Data Platform. She is MVP for 15 years in a row. Her unique SQL Master Academy training program has helped hundreds of specialists to feel knowledgeable in their daily work or to find an inspirational career path in the world of SQL Server.

Magi Naumova is an SQL Server Architect and Consultant, speaker and trainer, Microsoft Certified Master, MVP, MCT, Founder of SQL Master Academy, and founder and CEO Of Inspirit Data Platform Consulting Company in Bulgaria and Norway, founder, and th... Show more

José Carlos Chávez

José Carlos Chávez

José Carlos Chávez is a Security Software Engineer at Okta and an OWASP Coraza co-leader. He enjoys working in Security, building AI (sustainable) automations, designing APIs and building distributed systems. While not working with code, you can find him sipping on kombuchas or enjoying his children.

José Carlos Chávez is a Security Software Engineer at Okta and an OWASP Coraza co-leader. He enjoys working in Security, building AI (sustainable) automations, designing APIs and building distributed systems. While not working with code, you can find... Show more

Emma Beckett

Emma Beckett

Emma’s story is anchored in two worlds that rarely meet: elite sport and enterprise transformation. While building a professional football career, she developed deep, practical expertise in large-scale programmes for FTSE and global brands. Her grounding across AI, ERP, CRM and HCM ecosystems positions her as a trusted partner to Microsoft, Dayforce and organisations that want to navigate transformation with discipline, risk awareness and genuine quality control.

Her sporting pedigree shapes her perspective. She sees transformation through the same lens as high-performance football: preparation, drills and strategy come first, and shortcuts simply cost you later. She is known for a direct, engaging style that cuts through jargon and gets to the truth of how programmes succeed or fail. Her talks blend sharp insight with authenticity, humour and sports logic, giving both technical and functional audiences something they can use the moment they leave the room.

Emma’s story is anchored in two worlds that rarely meet: elite sport and enterprise transformation. While building a professional football career, she developed deep, practical expertise in large-scale programmes for FTSE and global brands. Her groun... Show more

Alan Barasch

Alan Barasch

Alan worked in the IT realm for large and small companies from 1971 until 2019 and still tries to keep current with changing trends. Worked at most companies in St Louis for 2 weeks or more and up to 8 years.

In Alan’s spare time, he volunteers with a local organization that sends him to the homes of the elderly (older than himself) to fix their computers.

Alan is currently a member of the Board of Governors of The Collectors Club (NY), along with being their webmaster and membership chair, Webster Groves (MO) Stamp Club, secretary-treasurer of the APS Writers Unit #30, and the secretary of the Gastronomy on Stamps Study Group.

Alan speaks to several clubs each year on a host of topics such as “Computers and Technology on Stamps”, “Bread!”, “Penguins on the Stamps of Falkland Islands”, “An Alphabet of Topicals – Ideas for Collectors”, and “Pachyderms”.

Alan worked in the IT realm for large and small companies from 1971 until 2019 and still tries to keep current with changing trends. Worked at most companies in St Louis for 2 weeks or more and up to 8 years. In Alan’s spare time, he volunteers wi... Show more

Rita Sabri

Rita Sabri

Rita Sabri is a cybersecurity educator and researcher working at the intersection of AI security and applied threat modeling. She holds an M.S. in Computer Science from the University of Pennsylvania and teaches Cybersecurity. She is committed to expanding access, awareness, and curriculum development in cybersecurity education across underserved communities, with a long-term interest in supporting the growth of AppSec practice and framework adoption across North Africa, particularly Morocco, and the broader MENA region.

Rita Sabri is a cybersecurity educator and researcher working at the intersection of AI security and applied threat modeling. She holds an M.S. in Computer Science from the University of Pennsylvania and teaches Cybersecurity. She is committed to exp... Show more

Clément Raussin

Clément Raussin

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 & AI at Qim info in Switzerland.
My role is to support cultural and technological transformations to overcome the challenges of Cloud Native platforms.

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

Snigdha Kashyap

Snigdha Kashyap

A Software Development Engineer with over three years of experience specialising in software development (majorly backend) and cloud technology. I have contributed to robust, scalable systems across various tech stacks in previous roles at Freecharge Payments and Airtel Payments Bank. With a zeal for building efficient, user-centric applications. A problem-solver and avid technologist.

A Software Development Engineer with over three years of experience specialising in software development (majorly backend) and cloud technology. I have contributed to robust, scalable systems across various tech stacks in previous roles at Freecharge... Show more

Vaibhav Gujral

Vaibhav Gujral

Vaibhav Gujral is a hands-on technology leader with 20+ years of experience in software engineering, cloud architecture, and enterprise AI. As a Principal Architect at Capgemini, he leads teams of architects and engineers to modernize large application portfolios and build generative AI solutions for Fortune 500 clients in banking, insurance, and beyond. He is a seven-time Microsoft MVP (Azure & Microsoft Foundry) and a Microsoft Certified Trainer. Since 2019, he has organized the Omaha Azure User Group — 100+ sessions and counting. Through his talks and writing, he shares practical, experience-driven insights on cloud, AI, and engineering leadership.

Vaibhav Gujral is a hands-on technology leader with 20+ years of experience in software engineering, cloud architecture, and enterprise AI. As a Principal Architect at Capgemini, he leads teams of architects and engineers to modernize large applicati... Show more

Clive Akporube

Clive Akporube

Clive Akporube is a technology and cybersecurity leader focused on security architecture, adversary simulation, AI-enabled systems, and organizational resilience. He is the founder of KERNEL, a cybersecurity capability verification system designed to evaluate how people and organizations perform under realistic operational conditions.

His work spans cybersecurity strategy, security engineering, technical operations, and the design of systems that translate security principles into measurable execution. He has led cybersecurity and technology initiatives across startups, consulting engagements, and technical education, working across security architecture, incident response, governance, application and infrastructure security, and operational resilience.

Clive has also directed large-scale technical programs, including the Africa pilot of Google × GOMYCODE BuildWithAI across five hackerspaces. His interests include adversary simulation, AI and security automation, operational resilience, human security capability, and the systems that determine whether organizations can execute under pressure.

Clive Akporube is a technology and cybersecurity leader focused on security architecture, adversary simulation, AI-enabled systems, and organizational resilience. He is the founder of KERNEL, a cybersecurity capability verification system designed to... Show more

Emily Maina

Emily Maina

I help organizations cut through the noise around AI and focus on what actually works.

As an AI and digital strategy speaker, I work with founders, teams, and professionals to adopt AI in practical, ethical, and results-driven ways. My sessions combine strategy, examples from the field, and audience interaction to drive clarity and confidence.

I speak on AI adoption, digital growth, leadership in the AI era, and the skills businesses need to stay competitive.

I help organizations cut through the noise around AI and focus on what actually works. As an AI and digital strategy speaker, I work with founders, teams, and professionals to adopt AI in practical, ethical, and results-driven ways. My sessions co... Show more

Ahmed Ali

Ahmed Ali

I have been writing Android apps since the Eclipse days in 2012, combining over 13 years of professional and hobbyist experience. I'm also passionate about creating open-source tools that help developers and sharing knowledge to empower the community

I have been writing Android apps since the Eclipse days in 2012, combining over 13 years of professional and hobbyist experience. I'm also passionate about creating open-source tools that help developers and sharing knowledge to empower the community Show more

Nishanth Shreepad

Nishanth Shreepad

Software Architect at Applied Information Sciences (AIS) with 15+ years of experience delivering enterprise solutions across Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Power Platform, Azure, and AI-powered technologies.
Passionate about helping organizations transform business processes, modernize digital workplaces, and unlock value through innovative technology solutions.
I enjoy exploring emerging technologies, sharing knowledge, and continuously learning as the Microsoft ecosystem evolves.

Software Architect at Applied Information Sciences (AIS) with 15+ years of experience delivering enterprise solutions across Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Power Platform, Azure, and AI-powered technologies. Passionate about helping organizations trans... Show more

Thabang Ledwaba

Thabang Ledwaba

An Engineer that has been in the industry for just over 10 years, with a keen interest in optimization in technology as well as developer relations with regards to training and building effective teams

An Engineer that has been in the industry for just over 10 years, with a keen interest in optimization in technology as well as developer relations with regards to training and building effective teams Show more

Samuel Bastiat

Samuel Bastiat

SM @Tlse

Samuel alias S@M est un gentil organisateur d'Agile Tour Toulouse depuis 2021.
Depuis ses débuts, il souffre dans des organisations inhumaines et a longtemps re-inventé des cadres d'organisation, en détournant les modèles imposés pendant 10 ans, avant de réellement comprendre l’Agilité en la pratiquant en équipe, puis en la diffusant.

Depuis sa découverte des communautés vivantes hors entreprise, S@M se plaît à y participer et depuis 2022, en complément d'organisation et facilitation d'y ajouter de l'animation souvent autour des Liberating Structures et des jeux agiles

SM @Tlse Samuel alias S@M est un gentil organisateur d'Agile Tour Toulouse depuis 2021. Depuis ses débuts, il souffre dans des organisations inhumaines et a longtemps re-inventé des cadres d'organisation, en détournant les modèles imposés pendant... Show more

Didas Mbarushimana

Didas Mbarushimana

Didas Mbarushimana is a software engineer based in Kigali, Rwanda, building AI agents on Google Cloud with Gemini, Vertex AI and the Agent Development Kit. He is currently building an open-source AI support agent for local businesses, focused on making grounded, affordable GenAI work in resource-constrained markets.

Didas leads Open Source Kigali, React Rwanda and Django Rwanda, growing developer communities across Rwanda and the region. His open source journey, from DRC to Kenya to Rwanda, was featured by the Eclipse Foundation in 2026. He speaks English, French and Swahili.

Didas Mbarushimana is a software engineer based in Kigali, Rwanda, building AI agents on Google Cloud with Gemini, Vertex AI and the Agent Development Kit. He is currently building an open-source AI support agent for local businesses, focused on maki... Show more

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