Mike Gifford is an open standards and practices lead at CivicActions and a thought leader on digital accessibility in the public sector. He is also a W3C Invited Expert and recognized authoring tool accessibility expert.

Previously, he was the Founder and President of OpenConcept Consulting Inc., a web development agency specializing in building open source solutions for the open web. Mike has served as a Drupal Core Accessibility Maintainer in 2012.

Mike Gifford is an open standards and practices lead at CivicActions and a thought leader on digital accessibility in the public sector. He is also a W3C Invited Expert and recognized authoring tool accessibility expert. Previously, he was the Fou... Show more

A passionate DevOps enthusiast, I thrive on engaging in transversal activities that prioritize stability. As DevOps Community Operation Sponsor, I have been at the forefront of driving significant technical and organizational transformations towards Cloud and distributed DevOps.
My commitment to ensuring the highest availability of our services is matched by my dedication to compliance, ensuring that all processes adhere to the strictest standards and regulations.

A passionate DevOps enthusiast, I thrive on engaging in transversal activities that prioritize stability. As DevOps Community Operation Sponsor, I have been at the forefront of driving significant technical and organizational transformations towards ... Show more

KK has over 20 years of IT technologies, consulting and services. KK brings a high degree of industry knowledge and competency, with broad experiences of both application development and infrastructure architecture in business process automation, communication and collaboration space. A technology enthusiast, strong believer and loves learning and sharing on technologies, being seen and recognized as a trusted advisor to many organizations he worked with.

KK has over 20 years of IT technologies, consulting and services. KK brings a high degree of industry knowledge and competency, with broad experiences of both application development and infrastructure architecture in business process automation, com... Show more

Dr. Qazi is a highly respected data scientist, thought leader, author, mentor, and speaker with a strong background in both academia and industry. He is passionate about bridging the talent gap in emerging technologies through education, up-skilling, and industry collaboration. He believes true success lies in strong communication, an entrepreneurial mindset, and continuous learning. Through his books and educational initiatives, he helps professionals build a strong foundation in data-driven fields. His work with leading organizations across the public and private sectors has earned him widespread respect, making him a trusted mentor and a voice in technology and education.

Dr. Qazi is a highly respected data scientist, thought leader, author, mentor, and speaker with a strong background in both academia and industry. He is passionate about bridging the talent gap in emerging technologies through education, up-skilling,... Show more

With over 20 years of technology experience, Rich is a seasoned data professional and a practiced cloud architect. Two of Rich's career highlights include being in the command centers for the Billion Dollar Bracket and the Super Bowl launch of Rocket Mortgage. More recently Rich has focused on building data systems to benefit the business and its customers. Rich is an energetic speaker, having presented at over 70 conferences. Rich and his family live on 5.5 acres in rural Pennsylvania, along with a menagerie including horses, chickens, fish and toads, where any remaining time is usually spent working on a tractor.

With over 20 years of technology experience, Rich is a seasoned data professional and a practiced cloud architect. Two of Rich's career highlights include being in the command centers for the Billion Dollar Bracket and the Super Bowl launch of Rocke... Show more

With over 15 years of experience in building companies and leading teams in Product, Design and Engineering, Benjamin F. Wirtz has helped numerous people in tech become accomplished leaders in their own right. He has learned from world class leaders at organisations such as Google and Atlassian, as well as many established coaches and executives.

While sharing his strategies and processes of building products that generated over $100,000,000, he recognised the pressure on Tech teams and their Leaders to excel without adequate support.

Based on his experience of working with over 50 leadership teams at over 50 Tech companies, he crafted the Scalable Leader program, addressing the challenges that tend to overwhelm Leaders in Tech during their leadership transition and growth.

With over 15 years of experience in building companies and leading teams in Product, Design and Engineering, Benjamin F. Wirtz has helped numerous people in tech become accomplished leaders in their own right. He has learned from world class leaders ... Show more

Bala Srinivas Pillarisetty is an accomplished software engineering leader with over 18 years of experience in building and scaling large-scale distributed systems, data processing platforms, and consumer-facing applications. He has demonstrated expertise in driving technology transformation and delivering high-impact solutions across industries such as eCommerce, SaaS, digital marketing, and subscription management. Known for his strong platform mindset and leadership capabilities, Bala excels at managing globally distributed teams and aligning technology with business goals to support growth, monetization, and operational efficiency. His passion lies in architecting resilient, scalable platforms that deliver engineering excellence in high-growth, dynamic environments.
Currently serving as the Director of Engineering at DocuSign, Bala leads a team of 50 members and is responsible for driving digital innovation across e-commerce and digital marketing platforms. He has played a key role in scaling SaaS growth, enhancing customer experiences, and implementing data-driven product roadmaps. He also collaborates with chief architecture teams to establish best practices for microservices and scalable data platforms. Previously, at Walmart Labs, he led the architecture of Walmart's omnichannel product catalog and developed high-performance catalog search services. Bala's expertise extends to creating patented solutions in content catalog intelligence, real-time data streaming, and subscription management engines.
Earlier in his career, Bala held positions at Symantec Corporation, where he worked on dynamic malware analysis services and large-scale data processing, and at Cisco Systems, where he led projects in supply chain risk management and digital transformation. He also contributed to enterprise-level financial services technology solutions at Virtusa Pvt. Ltd.
Bala holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science & Engineering from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad, India, and is a certified Sun Certified Java Programmer (SCJP). His professional accomplishments include multiple patents in distributed systems, content catalog management, and inventory optimization. Bala has been recognized as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) at Infosys and has presented at various industry conferences. Outside of work, he is actively involved in community service, including volunteering with the Red Cross and contributing to leadership programs with the National Cadet Corps (NCC) and Scouts.

Bala Srinivas Pillarisetty is an accomplished software engineering leader with over 18 years of experience in building and scaling large-scale distributed systems, data processing platforms, and consumer-facing applications. He has demonstrated exper... 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

Troy Zakari Walker is a visionary leader whose work bridges corporate strategy with social impact. As President of Zakari Walker Group (ZWG) and CEO of Impact Nation Community Services, Troy heads a consulting firm and nonprofit organization that empowers underserved communities, strengthens organizational strategy, and drives economic and social transformation.

With over a decade of experience in behavioral health, reentry programming, and fatherhood advocacy, Troy is recognized for his trauma-informed, evidence-based practices that enable individuals and families to achieve lasting stability. At ZWG, he consults on program development, strategic planning, and grant writing, helping organizations secure essential funding and enhance operational efficiency. His entrepreneurial spirit has expanded ZWG's reach into real estate, film production, and exclusive events, fostering professional and community networking.

In the public sphere, Troy’s leadership extends to his candidacy for the U.S. Senate, where he advocated for social equity, economic opportunity, and systemic change. As a sought-after speaker, he shares insights on corporate strategy, innovation, and social responsibility, inspiring leaders to align their business goals with impactful community outcomes. Through his work, Troy Zakari Walker is committed to blending corporate success with social consciousness, positioning him as a transformative figure in business and social innovation.

Troy Zakari Walker is a visionary leader whose work bridges corporate strategy with social impact. As President of Zakari Walker Group (ZWG) and CEO of Impact Nation Community Services, Troy heads a consulting firm and nonprofit organization that emp... 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

Passionate Technologist | Developer Advocate (Aspiring) | Speaker

A results-driven software engineer with a strong background in Java, Spring Boot, REST APIs, and SQL, now expanding expertise into emerging technologies, cloud computing, DevOps, and AI/ML. With a keen interest in developer advocacy, I am committed to bridging the gap between technology and community by sharing insights, building projects, and delivering impactful talks.

Experienced in designing and implementing scalable applications, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and leveraging modern software development practices. I strive to empower developers by sharing knowledge and fostering innovation.

🔹 Areas of Interest: Java, Cloud Technologies (AWS/Azure/GCP), DevOps, Kubernetes, Microservices, Open Source, AI/ML, Developer Relations (DevRel)
🔹 Looking for Speaking Opportunities on: Software Engineering Best Practices, Emerging Tech Trends, Open Source, Developer Productivity

Passionate Technologist | Developer Advocate (Aspiring) | Speaker A results-driven software engineer with a strong background in Java, Spring Boot, REST APIs, and SQL, now expanding expertise into emerging technologies, cloud computing, DevOps, an... 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

Being actively involved with the SaaS and Open Source industry, Shruti has a good hold on everything eCommerce and has expertise in framing content, including web content, web marketing, and guest posts. Staying updated with industry activities, she delivers the right content to help the end audiences grow their ecommerce sales. Ms. Tiwari Shruti is a proud Ambassador at Women Techmakers and leads the content marketing and partner collaboration between CedCommerce and the Grow Big Initiative.

Being actively involved with the SaaS and Open Source industry, Shruti has a good hold on everything eCommerce and has expertise in framing content, including web content, web marketing, and guest posts. Staying updated with industry activities, she ... Show more

As an accomplished professional with over 9+ years of academic and industrial experience in business development, I have gained extensive exposure in international business. I have conducted numerous face-to-face meetings, visited clients and customers, and participated in exhibitions and seminars in over 15+ countries. I have also been fortunate to attend several conferences and close multiple sales deals, allowing me to gain a deep understanding of the market, import/export, and various technical aspects of different markets and products.

In addition to my expertise in sales management, project management, people management, communication, and team building, I also have experience in digital marketing, brand building, online ads, Facebook and Google, website creation, and content writing. As a visiting faculty member, mentor, and career advisor, I have trained numerous teams and individuals, helping them to develop their skills and achieve their career goals.

My reputation for being industrious, diligent, and resourceful has helped me become a sales tactician, leading a team of dedicated professionals. I am skilled in strategic planning, budgeting, branding, and product launching, which has helped me develop a reputation for delivering results and exceeding expectations.

Over the course of my career, I have successfully launched numerous products and services, built strong relationships with clients, partners, and stakeholders, and identified and pursued new business opportunities.

As an accomplished professional with over 9+ years of academic and industrial experience in business development, I have gained extensive exposure in international business. I have conducted numerous face-to-face meetings, visited clients and custome... Show more

Solution Architect specialized in Microsoft Power Platform, I’ve had the opportunity to experience this journey from every angle: end user, project manager, business stakeholder, and now architect and strategic deployment leader in large organizations.

I’ve been at the forefront of rolling out Power Platform in complex environments, aligning technological innovation with business goals. In other words: not just building apps, but driving transformation and creating measurable business value.

Throughout my career, I’ve led governance programs, deployed Power Apps solutions to support international initiatives, guided the adoption of AI within business teams… and built communities (4,000 people strong) dedicated to sharing best practices and fostering a sustainable Power Platform culture.

Today, I’d like to share a candid field story: the keys to leveraging Power Platform as a true strategic transformation lever, the practices that really work (and the pitfalls I’ve personally stumbled into 😅)… with one promise: you’ll leave with concrete ideas — and maybe a fresh perspective on your Excel files.

Solution Architect specialized in Microsoft Power Platform, I’ve had the opportunity to experience this journey from every angle: end user, project manager, business stakeholder, and now architect and strategic deployment leader in large organization... Show more

Cloud-passionate web developer, at work I write Rails+Angular apps, at home I curate an (history) podcast and three cats.

Cloud-passionate web developer, at work I write Rails+Angular apps, at home I curate an (history) podcast and three cats. Show more

I'm a consultant focused on business intelligence, data engineering, and cloud architecture, mainly using Microsoft Azure. I’ve worked across industries like manufacturing, pharma, and media, building modern data platforms and automating infrastructure with Terraform. My experience spans the full data lifecycle—from ingestion to visualization. I hold several Azure certifications and enjoy turning complex data problems into practical, cloud-based solutions.

I'm a consultant focused on business intelligence, data engineering, and cloud architecture, mainly using Microsoft Azure. I’ve worked across industries like manufacturing, pharma, and media, building modern data platforms and automating infrastructu... Show more

Praveen Kumar Myakala is a software engineer and researcher with a deep interest in innovation, education, and applied data science. He holds a Master’s degree in Data Science from the University of Colorado Boulder and has authored research in areas spanning AI, federated learning, and decentralized systems. Through writing, mentoring, and practical work, he focuses on building solutions that balance technical excellence with human impact.

Praveen Kumar Myakala is a software engineer and researcher with a deep interest in innovation, education, and applied data science. He holds a Master’s degree in Data Science from the University of Colorado Boulder and has authored research in areas... Show more

Callian is a passionate DevSecOps Engineer with a developmental background rooted in securing systems.

His journey is marked by continual curiosity, and he is enthusiastic about embracing new challenges that contribute to personal and organizational growth.

As an unwavering learner and leader of the DevSecCon Cape Town community, Callian is dedicated to fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing within the DevSecOps and Application Security space.

Callian is a passionate DevSecOps Engineer with a developmental background rooted in securing systems. His journey is marked by continual curiosity, and he is enthusiastic about embracing new challenges that contribute to personal and organizatio... Show more

Théo Mahy-Ma-Somga, is an author, producer, and screenwriter known for his unique storytelling and visionary direction. He has won multiple Best Screenplay Awards and earned 12 nominations at international film festivals, establishing his reputation in independent cinema.
Théo Mahy-Ma-Somga now looks to help solopreneurs and early-stage founders who feel disconnected from their brand uncover the emotional arc that makes everything click.
Through his cinematic storytelling system, he helps individuals find the story you’re really here to tell, shape it into a bold, structured brand voice and share it with clarity across content, offers, and pitches.
This is real story work. The kind that builds connection, drives growth, and makes people remember you.

Théo Mahy-Ma-Somga, is an author, producer, and screenwriter known for his unique storytelling and visionary direction. He has won multiple Best Screenplay Awards and earned 12 nominations at international film festivals, establishing his reputation ... Show more

Je me suis essayé à beaucoup de sports collectifs. Petit, c’était le football ! Puis, un célèbre numéro 23 m’a attiré, entraîné vers le basket, puis ce fut le volley. J’aimais la beauté de ces sports et surtout leurs ballets de sauts. En déménageant à Toulouse pour des études de Chimie, j’ai eu un vrai coup de cœur pour ce qui est resté ma grande passion : le rugby. C’est aussi, à Toulouse que j’ai découvert le handball, sport roi dans les universités françaises et qui partage avec le rugby, la même recherche de l’intervalle.

Les sports individuels ne m’ont jamais attiré, j’aimais partager les victoires, les défaites, la difficulté d’un entraînement, atteindre quelque chose que je ne pourrai viser seul. Certes, j’aimais m’entraîner seul, acquérir plus de technique, répéter les gestes pour plus de maîtrise, plus de réflexes mais en pensant à l’aventure, aux résultats d’une équipe.

Cela me guide encore beaucoup aujourd’hui dans ma vie de coach. J’accorde beaucoup d’importance à l’équipe qui est au service d’un produit, d’un service : beaucoup d’importance aux interactions au sein de l’équipe, au cadre mis en place ou à mettre en place.

Je me suis essayé à beaucoup de sports collectifs. Petit, c’était le football ! Puis, un célèbre numéro 23 m’a attiré, entraîné vers le basket, puis ce fut le volley. J’aimais la beauté de ces sports et surtout leurs ballets de sauts. En déménageant ... Show more

Charos is a Lead developer specializing in Outsystems, AI integration, and AWS cloud solutions. With more than 7 years of experience in different industries, she has built solutions that connect cloud solutions to low-code tools, AI integration, and developed solutions for clients worldwide. Passionate about sharing knowledge, Charos regularly writes about AI and low-code, ways of optimizing integration and real use case scenarios to help developers build smarter, faster, and more resilient applications.

Charos is a Lead developer specializing in Outsystems, AI integration, and AWS cloud solutions. With more than 7 years of experience in different industries, she has built solutions that connect cloud solutions to low-code tools, AI integration, and ... Show more

I try to find and do the hard things before they get harder.
Believe in building guard-rails and than patching potholes later. Make the secure obvious and the insecure difficult.
Build trust through a bias towards action and enablement.

I try to find and do the hard things before they get harder. Believe in building guard-rails and than patching potholes later. Make the secure obvious and the insecure difficult. Build trust through a bias towards action and enablement. Show more

Ganesh is a public speaker, mentor, and software engineer who is passionate about AI and cloud technology.

Ganesh is a public speaker, mentor, and software engineer who is passionate about AI and cloud technology. Show more

I am a Data scientist passionate about building intelligent systems that drive business value and social impact.

I am a Data scientist passionate about building intelligent systems that drive business value and social impact. Show more

I am a passionate anime fan and an avid learner, always striving to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of cloud technology. With over 3 years of experience in IT and 2+ years working with AWS Cloud, I am committed to leveraging cloud solutions to drive innovative business outcomes. Holding 12 AWS certifications, I am constantly expanding my knowledge and actively contribute to the tech community through blogs and discussions on LinkedIn. Outside of work, I enjoy playing cricket, balancing my professional pursuits with personal passions.

I am a passionate anime fan and an avid learner, always striving to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of cloud technology. With over 3 years of experience in IT and 2+ years working with AWS Cloud, I am committed to leveraging cloud solutions to ... Show more

Ulrich helps software companies build cost-effective, secure, and resilient SaaS offerings on AWS. He is also part of the AWS's OpenSearch community and supports customers in building their search and analytics workloads using Amazon OpenSearch Service. Before joining AWS, Ulrich spent over 10 years in different software engineering roles.

Ulrich helps software companies build cost-effective, secure, and resilient SaaS offerings on AWS. He is also part of the AWS's OpenSearch community and supports customers in building their search and analytics workloads using Amazon OpenSearch Servi... Show more

Emily van Putten is an experienced IT professional with nearly 18 years of expertise in technology and digital transformation. She combines her technical knowledge – recognized with four consecutive Microsoft MVP awards – with a passion for diversity, inclusion, and human-centered innovation. As a board member of Dutch Women in Tech and a passionate speaker, Emily brings technology to life by connecting it to societal themes such as ethics, authenticity, and inclusion.

Beyond her work in IT, Emily shares her unique perspectives and insights through podcasts and publications. She explores technology from unexpected angles, offering sharp analyses of how IT solutions shape our world – and how they can become more inclusive. Her publications are known for their personal touch and their ability to make challenging topics accessible and relevant to a wide audience.

What sets Emily apart is her ability to combine vulnerability and authenticity with technical depth. In her sessions, she challenges participants to think beyond technical possibilities and view technology as a tool to address societal challenges. With an interactive and inspiring approach, she motivates professionals and organizations to use technology as a force for positive change.

Emily van Putten is an experienced IT professional with nearly 18 years of expertise in technology and digital transformation. She combines her technical knowledge – recognized with four consecutive Microsoft MVP awards – with a passion for diversity... Show more