This is not a fictional thriller — it’s a real-life journey from covert operative to global truth-teller. In this raw and revelatory session, Bradley “Hawk” Steyn unpacks his transformation from apartheid-era intelligence operative to a whistleblower who exposed criminality and extremism within powerful state systems.
Using real-world case studies, never-before-shared stories, and visual documentation from his covert years, Bradley offers a deep-dive into the psychological, moral, and systemic toll of standing up against corruption from the inside.
He’ll walk the audience through key turning points: how intelligence was manipulated to target innocent civilians, the moment he chose truth over complicity, and the personal cost of betrayal, surveillance, and exile.
This is a high-impact, high-integrity talk for organizations navigating crisis, ethical leadership, and institutional reform.
Why it matters: In a world where disinformation and institutional mistrust are skyrocketing, this session delivers a rare inside-out perspective on how integrity — even in the darkest corridors of power — can be a catalyst for reform.

This is not a fictional thriller — it’s a real-life journey from covert operative to global truth-teller. In this raw and revelatory session, Bradley “Hawk” Steyn unpacks his transformation from apartheid-era intelligence operative to a whistleblower... Show more

Adam Strobel's Indiana journey in the IT sector spans over 26 years, marked by a distinguished executive career combining a passion for technological innovation with a deep commitment to people development. At the heart of his professional ethos is a balanced focus on fostering robust teams, optimizing operations, and achieving tangible results.

Adam embarked on his tech journey immediately after high school, diving into technology studies that laid a strong foundation for his expertise. He rapidly distinguished himself as a keen thinker and an effective problem solver, qualities that catalyzed his ascent from hands-on tech roles to leadership positions. He has steered teams and strategies for over a decade, shaping him into a pivotal figure in the technology landscape.

Starting at the ground level, Adam's early career was defined by his hands-on problem-solving approach and quick grasp of complex technical challenges. His academic background in technology gave him the tools necessary to navigate the evolving tech landscape, propelling him into management roles. Over time, his leadership skills flourished, leading him to significant executive roles where his strategic vision could be fully realized.

As the CIO/CTO of Schwarz Partners, Adam was instrumental in expanding the IT department from a modest team of 11 to a powerhouse of 100 dedicated professionals. He managed an annual IT budget of $50 million and established specialized units focusing on security, infrastructure, custom software, and IoT applications. His leadership was characterized by an exceptional team retention rate, with less than 1% turnover over five years—a testament to his ability to inspire and maintain a committed workforce.

Beyond team building, Adam's tenure at Schwarz Partners was marked by significant innovations that drove business growth and operational efficiency. He pioneered the first shared service model within the organization, facilitating synergies across various corporate entities under the Schwarz umbrella. His entrepreneurial acumen was evident when he spearheaded an internal venture that generated substantial revenue by selling software license keys to major retailers like Walmart and Best Buy.

Adam's comprehensive understanding of business and technology enabled him to lead transformative digital initiatives that enhanced operational workflows, accelerated system performance, and reduced costs. His strategic foresight and meticulous attention to detail made him a respected leader in dynamic, high-stakes environments.

Adam emerged as a formidable expert in cybersecurity, guiding multiple companies through recovery from sophisticated cyber-attacks. Adopting advanced security technologies such as Microsoft Defender ATP, SentinelOne, Pentera, and Palo Alto Networks Firewalls fortified organizational defenses against various cyber threats. His proactive and thorough approach to digital security ensured robust protection against the increasingly complex landscape of cyber risks.

Adam's innovative cybersecurity strategies extended to integrating cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to enhance threat detection and incident response. His holistic view of cybersecurity encompassed technical solutions and a deep understanding of human factors affecting digital safety. By addressing the human element, he developed comprehensive security measures that effectively mitigated a broad spectrum of cyber threats.

Throughout his career, Adam has also contributed significantly to the broader field of cybersecurity. His development of industry-leading security frameworks and advocacy for cybersecurity education have left a lasting impact on the sector. He has mentored aspiring cybersecurity professionals, sharing his insights and expertise to prepare them for future challenges.

His people-first leadership style is central to Adam's success, deeply influenced by his family values. He champions a workplace ethos of support, trust, and respect akin to a healthy family environment. His emphasis on emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and effective communication has made him a beloved mentor and leader. His dedication to fostering a positive work-life balance for his team reflects his belief that a supportive work environment is crucial for professional success and personal well-being.

Adam Strobel's career is a compelling narrative of technological mastery, leadership excellence, and a profound commitment to the human side of IT. His holistic approach to leadership and innovation continues to inspire and shape the technology landscape, making him a paragon of effective and humane executive leadership in the IT industry.

Adam Strobel's Indiana journey in the IT sector spans over 26 years, marked by a distinguished executive career combining a passion for technological innovation with a deep commitment to people development. At the heart of his professional ethos is a... Show more

Dr. Christine Izuakor is the Founder and CEO of Cyber Pop-up, a platform connecting businesses to certified cybersecurity experts on-demand. Prior to that, she spent a decade leading Fortune 100 cyber functions. Christine earned a Ph.D. in Security Engineering, becoming the youngest student and first African American woman to do so. A proud Houston native, she earned a Masters degree in Information Security from the University of Houston. Dr. Izuakors’ research has been presented on international stages from South Korea to Italy. Her rapid growth in the tech industry landed her features in Crains, Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and more.

Dr. Christine Izuakor is the Founder and CEO of Cyber Pop-up, a platform connecting businesses to certified cybersecurity experts on-demand. Prior to that, she spent a decade leading Fortune 100 cyber functions. Christine earned a Ph.D. in Security E... Show more

Samant Kumar is a seasoned multiple award-winning Portfolio Manager and Agile Program Manager at Capgemini, boasting over 20+ years of extensive experience in Agile Program/Project Management and software solution delivery across diverse domains. His professional journey is marked by a rich repertoire of certifications including SAFe SPC, PMIACP,ICP-ACC, A-CSM, CSM, and CSPO, solidifying his reputation as an agile champion.

Having previously contributed to IBM, Samant has cultivated a career focused on agile coaching,leadership, and management across product, program, and project dimensions. His proficiency spans agile tools, virtual collaboration tools, and career guidance, underscoring his commitment to achieving successful project outcomes and nurturing team excellence.

Samant's educational background includes a postgraduate degree in Finance and Marketing, complementing his Bachelor of Technology credentials. Actively engaged in the Agile community, he is a distinguished speaker at Agile/PM conferences like Agile 2024, PMI Houston 50th conference and Expo, Texas A&M, NorthEastern, Rice University Symposiums,Key note speaker at Judge at Johns Hopkins Product management club (JHPMC)-Product competition and Many PMI chapters Houston, Katy, woodlands, and Austin. His contributions have earned him recognition such as the Globee Award 2024, Claro award, Ctoday The Most Pioneering Agile Program Manager of the year 2024, Global Recognition award, Passion vista The Most admired Global Indian , Toastmasters International Best table topics speaker award along with numerous accolades from Capgemini and IBM.Samant is a fellow member of The Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers (IETE), THREWS Fellow member, Royal fellow(IOASD) member and SAS Eminent Fellow member. He also hold Harvard Business Review (HBR) Advisory council member, PEX Process network advisory council, University of Houston (Industry Advisory Board Nominated), Project Management Institute (PMI), Houston VP Program nominated. Samant has also served as a judge in prestigious events like the Stevie Award, Globee Award, Claro award, Judge at ReImagine education, Multiple Hackathons like Hackrice 14 at Rice University,Texas, MHacks at Michigan University, NASA International App challenge, Judge at Johns Hopkins Product management club (JHPMC)-Product competition, Hack UTD University of Texas, Dallas and HackUTA at UT Arlington, Science and Engineering Fair (TXSEF), and Science Exhibition of
Houston. Committed to mentorship, he actively participates in programs at Katy ISD School District, Texas, and adplist.org. Samant has contributed to several publications featured in prominent platforms such as Scopus,UT Dallas Project Management Symposium, IGI Global Publishing, Dzone, and PEX Process network. Agile Book chapter published in Scopus and IGI global.
Samant Kumar's multidimensional expertise and dedication establish him as a great asset in the domains of Agile and project management, embodying leadership and innovation in his
professional endeavors.

Samant Kumar is a seasoned multiple award-winning Portfolio Manager and Agile Program Manager at Capgemini, boasting over 20+ years of extensive experience in Agile Program/Project Management and software solution delivery across diverse domains. His... Show more

Ever since his youth, Sebastian has been passionate about technology products.

Starting as a programmer in his parents' basement, over the years he worked as developer, tech lead, product manager & head of product for companies like Sixt, SHARE NOW and Daimler.

He has successfully helped hundreds of product managers and leaders to excel in their jobs and companies to shift their operational model from project to product.

He is currently the CPO @ Product Masterclass, a tech product consultancy with a focus on helping product managers to built better products and product/business leaders to transform their organization from project to product.

Ever since his youth, Sebastian has been passionate about technology products. Starting as a programmer in his parents' basement, over the years he worked as developer, tech lead, product manager & head of product for companies like Sixt, SHARE N... Show more

Ben Opit (aka Beno) is a Microsoft Dynamics Business Manager for APAC based in Sydney, Australia. With extensive experience in driving digital transformation and business growth, Beno has led various high-impact projects. His expertise spans multiple industries, enabling him to provide tailored solutions that meet unique sector needs.

Beno collaborates with top Dynamics partners in APAC to showcase their expertise and enhance their digital presence. He has successfully organized and participated in numerous events, earning recognition within the industry for his ability to manage complex projects and deliver impactful presentations.

With a passion for continuous learning and innovation, Beno is dedicated to helping businesses leverage the full potential of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. His commitment to excellence and customer-centric approach make him a valuable asset to any organization looking to thrive in the digital age.

Ben Opit (aka Beno) is a Microsoft Dynamics Business Manager for APAC based in Sydney, Australia. With extensive experience in driving digital transformation and business growth, Beno has led various high-impact projects. His expertise spans multiple... Show more

I am Mufees Mohammed. I am an Software Engineering Undergraduate from Open University of Sri Lanka. I am focused on learning AI, Blockchain and Game Development too. Currently i have good knowledge on MERN stack and have little knowledge on Gen AI too

I am Mufees Mohammed. I am an Software Engineering Undergraduate from Open University of Sri Lanka. I am focused on learning AI, Blockchain and Game Development too. Currently i have good knowledge on MERN stack and have little knowledge on Gen AI to... Show more

After two decades in product and customer operations, Jeff now helps independent professionals build sustainable businesses that serve their life goals. His FOSSA Agile Business Development framework is a framework helps solo business owners achieve more while doing less.

Jeff's approach balances practical systems with mindfulness principles, creating workflows that respect natural rhythms instead of fighting against them. His clients consistently report not just business growth, but reclaimed time and reduced stress.

He believes great success doesn't always require great sacrifice, and that sometimes the most important skill is knowing when to stop.

After two decades in product and customer operations, Jeff now helps independent professionals build sustainable businesses that serve their life goals. His FOSSA Agile Business Development framework is a framework helps solo business owners achieve ... Show more

Results-driven, high-performing strategist with 30+ years experience; successfully cultivating and growing their brands around the world, increasing economic profit while making a positive impact on society.

Rosemarie has a proven track record of managing strategic relationships to delivering optimal results in high-growth environments through initiatives that exceed performance targets and yield measurable outcomes.

She is an avid skier, hiker, wilderness enthusiast, safety advocate, SAR volunteer, producer of the Hawaii SAR Con and leads the PONO Group.

Understanding the necessity of the solid foundation required for any type of organization/team to achieve optimal performance at an any level, Rosemarie is passionate about creating a positive impact on communities sharing her knowledge and experiences to helping others.

Rosemarie has also been a teacher and practitioner of meditation, mindfulness, breathe-work, quantum physics, Kabbalah and yoga both on and off the mat for over 20 years.

Results-driven, high-performing strategist with 30+ years experience; successfully cultivating and growing their brands around the world, increasing economic profit while making a positive impact on society. Rosemarie has a proven track record of... Show more

Tomiwa is a software engineer and talent sourcer dedicated to helping people navigate and grow in the tech industry. With a background in software development and talent strategy, she has spent the past few years building tools, teaching sourcing, and mentoring aspiring tech professionals.

Beyond her work in engineering, Tomiwa works closely with startups founders and growing teams, helping them find the right talent to bring their vision to life. She is committed to mentorship and knowledge-sharing, ensuring that more people have access to opportunities in tech.

For Tomiwa, tech is more than just building software—it’s about creating pathways, solving real problems, and making space for more voices in the industry.

Tomiwa is a software engineer and talent sourcer dedicated to helping people navigate and grow in the tech industry. With a background in software development and talent strategy, she has spent the past few years building tools, teaching sourcing, an... Show more

I’m a Senior Cloud Solution Architect with a passion for leading implementation projects that empower client companies, ensure successful user adoption, and drive business growth. In my six years with Microsoft, I’ve led the founding of our Customer Success Unit and currently oversee strategy, engagement, and projects for key public sector accounts.

Technology is always evolving to meet new market and user demands. With over 20 years of experience developing and executing projects for both public and private sector accounts, I know what it takes to meet those demands. I employ data-driven, stakeholder-centric approaches to surpass user expectations surrounding solution implementation and change management. I further utilize data insights to deliver customized solutions and tools while also ensuring high user adoption rates and empowering client teams through customized training programs.

My belief that “none of us is as smart as all of us” directly influences my interactions with clients, executive leadership, and cross-functional teams. When I work with clients, I listen carefully to form an in-depth understanding of their current and future needs and bring Microsoft teams together to produce effective, applicable solutions. Seeing the immense value MS solutions have added to organizations motivates me to continue driving project success and delivering measurable results for Microsoft and our clients.

I’m a Senior Cloud Solution Architect with a passion for leading implementation projects that empower client companies, ensure successful user adoption, and drive business growth. In my six years with Microsoft, I’ve led the founding of our Customer ... Show more

I'm an experienced digital professional who has been working with the internet since 1995. My career has ranged from web development management to online marketing to inner sourcing. I have worked for element14.com (part of Premier Farnell), Elsevier, ebookers, and HSBC prior to coming to Shell.

I have a PhD in Creative Writing (University of Southampton, 2010); I was awarded my PhD in Engineering at Loughborough in 2024. My engineering thesis specifically related to how online communities can drive product innovation, and how innovative behaviours can be measured to drive actions.

I'm an experienced digital professional who has been working with the internet since 1995. My career has ranged from web development management to online marketing to inner sourcing. I have worked for element14.com (part of Premier Farnell), Elsevi... Show more

I work as a quality assurance engineer for web applications, software, mobile, and, in the past, SIM and USIM. I do the testing activity for the application frontend, website, backend system, and all the parts that form the product.
Passionate about automation (Playwright, Cypress, Nightwatchjs, Selenium, CasperJS, JMeter, SoapUI) and always open to new methods and technologies.

Coding (Java, PHP, Javascript, typescript), scripting, DB are some of my knowledge, together with everything needed to improve the final product.

My code is 100% gluten free

I work as a quality assurance engineer for web applications, software, mobile, and, in the past, SIM and USIM. I do the testing activity for the application frontend, website, backend system, and all the parts that form the product. Passionate about... Show more

Chief Collaborate Officer of "Civic Tech Zen Chiba," an alliance of civic tech organizations in Chiba Prefecture.

Chief Collaborate Officer of "Civic Tech Zen Chiba," an alliance of civic tech organizations in Chiba Prefecture. Show more

Will is a co-founder of Plot Tech, driving the company's mission to revolutionise the new home build sector. With 10+ years of experience in building technology products, Will brings expertise in developing innovative solutions tailored to the industry's unique challenges. Will's attention to detail have been instrumental in the creation of PlotSnag, Plot Tech's flagship product that automates defect capture processes, streamlines operations, and improves quality control, achieving accreditation by industry regulators. Will is not new to the startup scene, having launched businesses of which were reported on by the BBC for supporting small business maintain sales during the pandemic.

Will is a co-founder of Plot Tech, driving the company's mission to revolutionise the new home build sector. With 10+ years of experience in building technology products, Will brings expertise in developing innovative solutions tailored to the indust... Show more

Apasionado de la tecnología, pero ante todo padre.

Galardonado con el MVP en la categoría de development technologies

Me gusta colaborar en la medida de lo posible con la comunidad, sobre todo subiendo vídeos para la comunidad hispana en mi canal de Youtube.

Actualmente estoy desempeñando tareas de Arquitecto de software en Prodware, aplicando buenas practicas en flujos de trabajo.

Llevo bastante tiempo colaborando con proyectos para Microsoft, donde cada día es un reto

Apasionado de la tecnología, pero ante todo padre. Galardonado con el MVP en la categoría de development technologies Me gusta colaborar en la medida de lo posible con la comunidad, sobre todo subiendo vídeos para la comunidad hispana en mi can... Show more

Andy is a Data Platform MVP and SQL Server DBA that has managed databases in the healthcare, finance, e-commerce, and non-profit sectors. He has over 13 years of experience supporting high-volume, highly-available OLTP environments with demanding performance needs.

Andy is also co-organizer of SQL Saturday events in Boston, and the founder of the BostonSQL User Group. He blogs at am2.co, and as a guest blogger at SqlPerformance.com

Andy lives just outside Boston, Massachusetts, USA with his husband and their two dogs.

Andy is a Data Platform MVP and SQL Server DBA that has managed databases in the healthcare, finance, e-commerce, and non-profit sectors. He has over 13 years of experience supporting high-volume, highly-available OLTP environments with demanding per... Show more

I am Chief Digital Officer for iCubed, a leading Microsoft Gold Partner, currently living in Milan, Italy.

We help customers build fantastic and innovative applications, drive the digital transformation of their business, thought cloud, web, mobile, and new technologies. I'm also responsible for the learning division, thanks to my 20 years of expertise in this area.

I'm Microsoft Regional Director for Italy, helping customers to be in touch with Microsoft, and Microsoft ASP.NET MVP since 2002.

In 1998 I founded and I'm currently serving as network manager for ASPItalia.com, the largest Italian dev community, counting about 70,000 users. I'm publishing code since 1998 with open source license, driving the Microsoft ecosystem in Italy to exchange more broadly.

I'm a well-known professional author with 30 published books, and a speaker at the main developer-focused events worldwide.

I'm the organizer of CommunityDays.it, the most important community conference in Italy, with 1,000+ participants every year.

I'm very passionate about design and home automation.

Benvenuto

I am Chief Digital Officer for iCubed, a leading Microsoft Gold Partner, currently living in Milan, Italy. We help customers build fantastic and innovative applications, drive the digital transformation of their business, thought cloud, web, mobil... Show more

Me? I'm the Chief Architect at Editec, a sports betting/lottery company based in Europe that does business across 20+ African countries.

Me? I'm the Chief Architect at Editec, a sports betting/lottery company based in Europe that does business across 20+ African countries. Show more

Mostafiz Rahman is a young entrepreneur from Dhaka, Bangladesh who is currently working as Engineering Director at Durbin Labs Limited.
He is a Full Stack Software Engineer with 6+ years of professional experience in developing high performance, scalable and fault tolerant solutions. He has hands on experience of designing, developing and managing APIs, multi-tier web applications and cross platform mobile applications that are being used by hundreds of thousands of users.
He has a proven track record of engineering, entrepreneurship and leadership. He co-founded the startup Durbin Labs Limited back in 2014 with two other partners which has now become a company of 25+ bright minds.

Mostafiz Rahman is a young entrepreneur from Dhaka, Bangladesh who is currently working as Engineering Director at Durbin Labs Limited. He is a Full Stack Software Engineer with 6+ years of professional experience in developing high performance, sc... Show more

📌Professional Fashion and Prints Designer with Russian and Italian education
📌Member of Botanical Art Society
📌Curator of fashion events and exhibitions
📌Scientific researcher in fashion and Arts, Master of Fashion design
📌Ambassador of Fashion Education

📌Professional Fashion and Prints Designer with Russian and Italian education 📌Member of Botanical Art Society 📌Curator of fashion events and exhibitions 📌Scientific researcher in fashion and Arts, Master of Fashion design 📌Ambassador of Fas... Show more

Josh has been building software for over 10 years, most of that time with Rails due to its simplicity and power. Josh lives in Kansas, USA with his wife, 5 children and 2 cats. In addition to building web applications with Rails he like to write Go, herd Linux servers, and feed his insatiable desire to learn.

Josh has been building software for over 10 years, most of that time with Rails due to its simplicity and power. Josh lives in Kansas, USA with his wife, 5 children and 2 cats. In addition to building web applications with Rails he like to write Go, ... Show more

With 20+ years of experience in software development and technical leadership, I’ve progressively evolved into a strategic role where I bridge engineering excellence with product vision.

I specialize in delivering scalable, high-impact web solutions by leveraging cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. My focus is on driving value beyond code—prioritizing performance, reliability, and business alignment.

I’ve led cross-functional teams using modern tech stacks (Spring Boot, Kotlin, Java, GraphQL, Kubernetes) and DevOps practices (CI/CD with Git), achieving key engineering outcomes such as:
• MTBF > 90 days
• Carryover < 5%
• 0% Post-Release Defects & Rollback Rate

As a mentor and team lead, I align technical growth with business goals, empowering engineers to take ownership of delivery and innovation. I’m consistently praised by internal stakeholders for delivering solutions that require minimal rework and closely align with evolving business needs.

My scope also includes product gap analysis, UX/UI collaboration, Agile/Scrum leadership, and backlog prioritization. These experiences have naturally led me toward a Technical Product Owner path—where I aim to translate complex technical possibilities into user-centered, commercially viable product outcomes

With 20+ years of experience in software development and technical leadership, I’ve progressively evolved into a strategic role where I bridge engineering excellence with product vision. I specialize in delivering scalable, high-impact web solutio... Show more

Jeevarajan Kumar (Jeeva) is a Solution Architect at Velrada and a Microsoft Business Applications MVP.

Based in Auckland, he is a tech enthusiast, active speaker and community leader with a strong passion for technology. Jeeva is the co-organizer of the Auckland Power Platform User Group, as well as user groups in Singapore and Tamil Nadu, India. He also serves on the global organizing committee for the Global Power Platform Bootcamp.

Jeevarajan Kumar (Jeeva) is a Solution Architect at Velrada and a Microsoft Business Applications MVP. Based in Auckland, he is a tech enthusiast, active speaker and community leader with a strong passion for technology. Jeeva is the co-organizer... Show more

I am a cloud technology expert and DevOps advocate with extensive experience in IT and platform engineering. My mission is to drive innovation through automation, reliability, and scalable architectures. I am passionate about sharing knowledge and building open, collaborative communities that empower engineers to create resilient and efficient systems. Technology should be accessible, transparent, and a force for progress—where everyone has the tools to contribute and grow.

I am a cloud technology expert and DevOps advocate with extensive experience in IT and platform engineering. My mission is to drive innovation through automation, reliability, and scalable architectures. I am passionate about sharing knowledge and bu... Show more

Technology leader | Head of Backend Cloud Guild at Check Point Software Technologies, Ltd.

Technology leader | Head of Backend Cloud Guild at Check Point Software Technologies, Ltd. Show more

Sou Fernando, analista de tecnologia e, há um ano, assumi o papel de Agile Coach no Banestes.
Meu foco é aplicar metodologias e frameworks ágeis como Scrum, SAFe e Kanban para otimizar a performance das equipes e aprimorar nossos processos, incentivando uma cultura de colaboração e eficiência.
Trabalho diretamente com os times, adaptando as práticas ágeis às necessidades específicas do banco, o que nos permite alcançar entregas mais consistentes e de qualidade.
Gosto de mentorar e fortalecer o aprendizado contínuo, contribuindo para a transformação digital da nossa instituição.

Sou Fernando, analista de tecnologia e, há um ano, assumi o papel de Agile Coach no Banestes. Meu foco é aplicar metodologias e frameworks ágeis como Scrum, SAFe e Kanban para otimizar a performance das equipes e aprimorar nossos processos, incentiv... Show more

Mallikarjuna Muchu is a results-driven Cloud DevSecOps Engineer with more than 20 years of comprehensive IT experience, specialising in CI/CD automation, cloud engineering, security integration, and large-scale infrastructure delivery. He is highly regarded for designing and building scalable, robust, and highly available systems that support complex enterprise environments. His expertise spans Azure, AWS, DevSecOps tooling, infrastructure as code, Kubernetes orchestration, and end-to-end automation. Throughout his career, Mallikarjuna has led the development and optimisation of CI/CD pipelines using GitLab, Jenkins, Azure DevOps, Bitbucket, and CloudBees Jenkins, supporting modern application stacks including Java, Python, .NET, Angular, Drupal, PEGA, and microservices. He has deep experience integrating SAST and DAST tooling such as SonarQube, Trivy, Qualys, Contrast, and Tidelift to enforce strong security and quality gates across delivery workflows. His hands-on skills extend to artefact management (JFrog, ACR, ECR), containerization (Docker, Kaniko), and deploying applications to AKS and EKS using Helm and ArgoCD. Mallikarjuna is highly skilled in infrastructure automation, leveraging Terraform, ARM templates, and Ansible to provision and manage cloud resources with reliability and consistency. His SRE experience includes implementing observability solutions with Prometheus, Grafana, Azure Monitor, and OpenTelemetry to gain full visibility into application performance and system health. He also brings strong scripting capabilities in Bash, Python, and PowerShell, often developing automation to streamline deployments, extract pipeline metrics, and enhance DevOps insights. His professional experience spans major organisations such as the U.S. Department of Labour, BlueCross BlueShield, and NielsenIQ, where he delivered CI/CD modernisation, Kubernetes-based deployments, cloud resource provisioning, security governance, and performance engineering. He has also led QA and RPA initiatives earlier in his career, building automation with Blue Prism, UiPath, Automation Anywhere, Selenium, and UFT, bringing a unique full SDLC perspective that strengthens his DevSecOps leadership. Mallikarjuna holds multiple industry certifications, including Terraform Associate (2024), AWS Cloud Practitioner, Microsoft Azure Administrator, Azure DevOps Engineer Expert (AZ-400), and several RPA platform certifications. He also holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science. Known for his communication skills, analytical mindset, and ability to solve complex technical challenges, he consistently delivers high-quality solutions that enhance automation, security, and operational efficiency.

Mallikarjuna Muchu is a results-driven Cloud DevSecOps Engineer with more than 20 years of comprehensive IT experience, specialising in CI/CD automation, cloud engineering, security integration, and large-scale infrastructure delivery. He is highly r... Show more

I am a youth advocate passionate about leadership, financial empowerment, and youth development in Africa.

I serve as the Regional Administrator of the maiden West Africa Women Speakers’ Forum (WAWS) and the Bourse Jackie Scholarship, providing leadership and educational opportunities for young Africans.

I am a youth advocate passionate about leadership, financial empowerment, and youth development in Africa. I serve as the Regional Administrator of the maiden West Africa Women Speakers’ Forum (WAWS) and the Bourse Jackie Scholarship, providing le... Show more

Qishen Sam Liang
samliangsk@gmail.com | https://www.linkedin.com/in/qishen-sam-liang/

EDUCATION
University of California, Santa Barbara | September 2019-June 2023
Bachelor of Arts, Asian American Studies
Honors: Distinction in Asian American Studies & College of Letters & Science Highest Honors

University of Southern California | August 2023-May 2025
Master of Science, Computer Science (Computer Networks)

University of California, Santa Barbara | September 2019-June 2023
Bachelor of Science, Computer Science

RELEVANT RESEARCH & PROJECT EXPERIENCE
Researcher | UCSB Department of Asian American Studies | August 2022-June 2023
Research Project: The Transformation of Asian and Asian American Stereotypes and Representations in the United States

Conducted media content analysis to investigate how dominant narratives about Asians and Asian Americans have been constructed to serve shifting national interests and maintain racial hierarchies.
Analyzed a diverse range of sources, including magazine articles like “How to Tell Japs from the Chinese,” political cartoon “The Honorable Fifth Column,” and COVID-19 anti-Asian news reports.
Argued that while modes of expression evolve, the underlying hegemonic frameworks of stereotype persist, demonstrating the shift from overt to subtle forms of representation in the modern era.
This research, which drew upon frameworks of racial formation and stereotype theory, culminated in a 30 pages paper and a departmental presentation.

Project Manager & Game Developer | University of Southern California | January 2025-May 2025
Project: Area 31: A Horror Maze Game

Led the design and development of a 2D narrative game in C# and Unity, gaining practical experience in the creation of interactive media and player-driven storytelling.
Engineered systems for managing player state and progression, directly informing research into how player agency and interactive systems shape understandings.
Managed the project lifecycle using Agile methodologies, demonstrating leadership in a collaborative, creative-technical environment.

SKILLS & INTERESTS
Research Areas: Asian American Studies, Games, Stereotypes, Computer Networking, Security
Technical Skills: Python, Unity, C#, Git, Data Curation, Data Analysis
Languages: English (Fluent), Mandarin (Fluent), Cantonese (Fluent)

Qishen Sam Liang samliangsk@gmail.com | https://www.linkedin.com/in/qishen-sam-liang/ EDUCATION University of California, Santa Barbara | September 2019-June 2023 Bachelor of Arts, Asian American Studies Honors: Distinction in Asian American ... Show more