Founder, Kia-Start Up Consult, HopeFusion Africa & Civitas | Chief Project Officer, Cognitive AI Technologies Ltd

Isaac Agya Koomson (KIA) is a visionary innovation leader and entrepreneurship mentor dedicated to empowering African founders to build scalable, sustainable, and socially impactful ventures. Through Kia-Start Up Consult and HopeFusion Africa, he provides strategic mentorship, AI-driven innovation, and fundraising readiness support that help startups transform ideas into investment-ready, high-growth enterprises. His frameworks emphasize product-market fit, resilient business models, and go-to-market strategies that deliver measurable social and economic value.

As Chief Project Officer at Cognitive AI Technologies Ltd, Isaac integrates artificial intelligence and emerging technologies into entrepreneurship and ecosystem development, helping African startups leverage innovation for sustainable growth. He is also the Founder and CEO of Civitas Estate and Maintenance, a pioneering company advancing smart housing, renewable energy, and green city development to redefine Africa’s urban future.

Guided by his bold vision to reduce unemployment in Africa by 10% by 2030, Isaac champions inclusive growth through innovation, sustainability, and entrepreneurship aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. His leadership reflects a deep commitment to shaping a more prosperous, tech-driven, and equitable Africa.

Founder, Kia-Start Up Consult, HopeFusion Africa & Civitas | Chief Project Officer, Cognitive AI Technologies Ltd Isaac Agya Koomson (KIA) is a visionary innovation leader and entrepreneurship mentor dedicated to empowering African founders to bui... Show more

Afzaal Ahmad Zeeshan is a Software Engineer from Rabwah, Pakistan, currently living in The Netherlands, likes .NET Core and Node.js for regular everyday development. Afzaal Ahmad works at Adyen as a Developer Advocate.

He is an expert in Cloud, Mobile, and API development. Afzaal has experience with the Azure platform and likes to build cross-platform libraries/software with .NET Core. Afzaal is an Alibaba Cloud MVP, twice he has been awarded Microsoft MVP status for his community leadership in software development, four times CodeProject MVP status for technical writing and mentoring, and 4 times C# Corner MVP status in the same field.

Afzaal Ahmad Zeeshan is a Software Engineer from Rabwah, Pakistan, currently living in The Netherlands, likes .NET Core and Node.js for regular everyday development. Afzaal Ahmad works at Adyen as a Developer Advocate. He is an expert in Cloud, Mo... Show more

I am a young man born in 2000 and I am currently finishing my studies in computer science at the Ca' Foscari University of Venice, located in Mestre, in addition to being a full-time web developer.
In addition to studying, I love playing role-playing games, skateboarding and playing Magic the Gathering.

I am a young man born in 2000 and I am currently finishing my studies in computer science at the Ca' Foscari University of Venice, located in Mestre, in addition to being a full-time web developer. In addition to studying, I love playing role-playin... Show more

George Delp started his career as a CPA with the "big six" in the nineties, jumping on the ERP bandwagon at the turn of the century. Since then, he has been selling and implementing ERP and CRM solutions using a wide variety of products in many different industries.

For the past five years George has focused on manufacturing, specifically food, chemical and life sciences. He takes that experience and success to YAVEON Inc., the new US expansion company for YAVEON GmbH, where he is now leading efforts to recruit and enable Microsoft Dynamics 365 channel partners to sell, implement and support YAVEON's Business Central based process manufacturing solutions.

George Delp started his career as a CPA with the "big six" in the nineties, jumping on the ERP bandwagon at the turn of the century. Since then, he has been selling and implementing ERP and CRM solutions using a wide variety of products in many diffe... Show more

Telma Negreiros is an executive leader, author, keynote speaker, and executive coach with over 25 years of international experience in communications, technology, and corporate transformation.
A former CEO and Vice President, she has led global teams across Europe and the U.S., living and working in Amsterdam, Berlin, Lisbon, and New York — cities that have shaped her dynamic, cross-cultural approach to leadership and innovation.
Telma is the creator of the 7 Steps to Success™ Leadership Method and The Identity Rewire Code™, two acclaimed frameworks that empower leaders to build clarity, confidence, and impact. Her work bridges AI-driven strategy, inclusive leadership, and intentional communication, guiding organisations to thrive in an era of disruption and transformation.
Through her global keynotes and training programs, Telma helps leaders communicate with authenticity, lead with empathy, and transform with purpose.
Her belief: real transformation begins when leadership becomes unapologetically human.

Telma Negreiros is an executive leader, author, keynote speaker, and executive coach with over 25 years of international experience in communications, technology, and corporate transformation. A former CEO and Vice President, she has led global team... Show more

Comunidad en busca de brindar y fomentar un espacio donde se comparta conocimiento y se fortalezca el sector tecnológico de la región de Boyacá, Colombia

Comunidad en busca de brindar y fomentar un espacio donde se comparta conocimiento y se fortalezca el sector tecnológico de la región de Boyacá, Colombia Show more

I am Edgar Ochieng, a Data and AI Engineer at Armely. I have been deeply involved in designing and implementing AI agents for various organizations, helping them retrieve knowledge, automate workflows, and operate autonomously to enhance productivity.

I hold multiple Microsoft certifications, including:
AI-102: Designing and Implementing an Azure AI Solution
AI-900: Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals
PL-900: Microsoft Power Platform Fundamentals
DP-600: Implementing Analytics Solutions Using Microsoft Fabric

I am passionate about using AI to empower people and communities. My work with Azure AI, Copilot Studio, Microsoft Fabric, and Power BI focuses on building solutions that create real impact while mentoring and teaching others to see what’s possible. At the core, I believe technology should always serve people first.

I am Edgar Ochieng, a Data and AI Engineer at Armely. I have been deeply involved in designing and implementing AI agents for various organizations, helping them retrieve knowledge, automate workflows, and operate autonomously to enhance productivity... Show more

Microsoft technology enthusiast with 15 years of experience in SharePoint, M365, Power Platform, and related technologies.

Passionate about working with new technologies and tools, as well as sharing knowledge.

Microsoft technology enthusiast with 15 years of experience in SharePoint, M365, Power Platform, and related technologies. Passionate about working with new technologies and tools, as well as sharing knowledge. 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

Richard Hooper is an experienced Country Manager for Continia APAC with over 20 years of experience around ERP solutions. Having worked for two of the four global accounting firms, leading Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Partners and ERP vendor nationally. This has given Richard a wealth of experience in understanding the importance of automation and efficiency in business process which aligns with Continia’s solutions in optimising Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.

Richard Hooper is an experienced Country Manager for Continia APAC with over 20 years of experience around ERP solutions. Having worked for two of the four global accounting firms, leading Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Partners and ERP vendor natio... 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

Ila Sahu is a full-stack engineer at Jimdo Gmbh with 8+ years turning ideas into reality. She’s built APIs, CI/CD tooling, and even shipped a design-to-code platform(before LLMs were cool). Most recently, Ila spearheaded the accessibility overhaul of Jimdo’s flagship legacy product, Creator. She is now a passionate a11y advocate, evangelising the human and business use cases for accessibility.

Apart from work, Ila is very passionate about dogs, ukulele and fitness.

Ila Sahu is a full-stack engineer at Jimdo Gmbh with 8+ years turning ideas into reality. She’s built APIs, CI/CD tooling, and even shipped a design-to-code platform(before LLMs were cool). Most recently, Ila spearheaded the accessibility overhaul of... Show more

Being a Team Coach and a Facilitator gives me the opportunity to help teams discover new ways of working, introducing well-being, happiness, visual management, leadership at all levels, team self-organization, collaborative management, remote work and empowerment.

Being a Team Coach and a Facilitator gives me the opportunity to help teams discover new ways of working, introducing well-being, happiness, visual management, leadership at all levels, team self-organization, collaborative management, remote work an... Show more

Ashay is a seasoned product leader with 17 years of experience in the SaaS and E-Commerce space. He has a consistent track record of delivering innovative and ground breaking products in the APIs and platform space for number of companies including eBay, Intuit, Blackhawk network etc creating immense customer value.

Currently, as a Director of Product management at ebay, Ashay is modernizing the overall listing platform with a modern tech stack that enables a highly resilient platform with improved listing experience for sellers and enables listings that convert better. He and his team are also re-envisioning the public API offerings from eBay by modernizing the framework and simplifying the overall selling APIs for external Developers. Ashay also leads the charter to bring use the power of generative AI and supercharge the no-code listing tools for small business to list with minimal hassle.

In the past experience, Ashay was leading the overall charge of the external developer experience and API ecosystem for QuickBooks product at Intuit, helping small Business to efficiently run their business using multiple business products. At Blackhawk Network, Ashay pioneered the Omni-commerce APIs and revamped operations platform (orders, refunds, chargebacks etc) for the company to expand strategic partnerships and help developers build a native experience of gift card offerings.

Beyond professional achievements, Ashay serves on a product strategy advisory board, is an active member of organizations like IEEE, PDMA and engages actively with the product community!

Ashay is a seasoned product leader with 17 years of experience in the SaaS and E-Commerce space. He has a consistent track record of delivering innovative and ground breaking products in the APIs and platform space for number of companies including e... Show more

His mission is to empower executives to thrive in rapidly
changing environments, helping them evolve, lead with
greater impact, and drive successful organizational
transformations.

With 25 years of international experience, Pablo has lived
in the United Kingdom, Finland, and Spain and has
worked with clients worldwide. Pablo distinguishes himself
through his exceptional ability to identify blind spots that
leaders cannot see on their own, combining
methodological rigor with strategic intuition to design
personalized interventions that transform obstacles into
opportunities and executives into catalysts for change.

As a thought leader in transformational leadership, he
delivers high-impact talks and workshops that reveal the
uncomfortable truths separating ordinary managers from
extraordinary leaders.

His mission is to empower executives to thrive in rapidly changing environments, helping them evolve, lead with greater impact, and drive successful organizational transformations. With 25 years of international experience, Pablo has lived in ... Show more

Dominic O Norton is an experienced, impact-driven social entrepreneur and the founder of Missing Black People, a comprehensive tech-enabled platform that brings awareness to missing black people cases worldwide, which has been featured in BBC, ITV, The Independent, Vice UK, and RT. With a professional background in technical product management and a postgraduate diploma in Business Administration & Management from the University of London, Dominic utilises his experience to build impact-driven initiative and to help over 11,000 entrepreneurs on TikTok do the same using “No Code”. As a fellow of On Deck and creator-in-residence for #100DaysofNoCode, Dominic is highly experienced in software development which has led him to becoming a guest lecturer in University of California, All Nations University, APTech Computer Education in Uganda and more. His latest exciting venture includes U.S. based inside voices, a retention product for employees of color that is backed by the acclaimed Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator and featured in business insider and CNBC.

Dominic O Norton is an experienced, impact-driven social entrepreneur and the founder of Missing Black People, a comprehensive tech-enabled platform that brings awareness to missing black people cases worldwide, which has been featured in BBC, ITV, T... Show more

Dave is interested in search (information retrieval), discovery, and knowledge management. He has worked in IT for 25+ years both on the coding and system sides. He currently works primarily in Python and TypeScript with prior experience in (vanilla) JavaScript, PHP, and C#/VB.NET. He loves HTML and tolerates CSS.

Dave is interested in search (information retrieval), discovery, and knowledge management. He has worked in IT for 25+ years both on the coding and system sides. He currently works primarily in Python and TypeScript with prior experience in (vanilla)... Show more

A professional with more than 15 years of experience in human resources, focused on promoting development through a modern, effective, and technological strategy.

Profesional con más de 15 años de experiencia en recursos humanos, orientado a potenciar el desarrollo a través de una estrategia moderna, eficaz y tecnológica.

Profissional com mais de 15 anos de experiência em recursos humanos, focado em promover o desenvolvimento por meio de uma estratégia moderna, eficaz e tecnológica.

A professional with more than 15 years of experience in human resources, focused on promoting development through a modern, effective, and technological strategy. Profesional con más de 15 años de experiencia en recursos humanos, orientado a poten... Show more

Eli Dean is the Chief Executive Officer of NordX and Bitlink IT, where they lead innovative strategies in technology solutions and digital transformation. With a proven track record in steering high-growth companies, Eli combines visionary leadership with a results-driven approach, driving both organizations toward excellence in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.

Eli Dean is the Chief Executive Officer of NordX and Bitlink IT, where they lead innovative strategies in technology solutions and digital transformation. With a proven track record in steering high-growth companies, Eli combines visionary leadership... Show more

I am is a seasoned User Experience Designer with a strong focus on automotive UX, human factors, and digital accessibility. With over 4 years of industry experience, I currently contribute to the UX team at Maruti Suzuki, where we craft intuitive and meaningful in-vehicle experiences that blend technology, human behavior, and design innovation. Their expertise lies in designing digital ecosystems that not only meet user needs but also drive broader business and societal impact.

In 2024, I delivered a well-received talk at UX India on enhancing user experience in automobiles, a session that sparked widespread discussions on the future of mobility design. Beyond professional projects, I am passionate about mentoring young designers, promoting accessibility in digital spaces, and pushing the boundaries of user-centered innovation in complex industries like automotive and connected mobility.
Outside of work, I am a photography enthusiast, an avid non-fiction reader, and a traveler who loves exploring diverse cultures and ideas. This unique blend of technical expertise, user empathy, and a visionary outlook positions me as a strong voice for how design can act as a transformational force for people, businesses, and the planet.

I am is a seasoned User Experience Designer with a strong focus on automotive UX, human factors, and digital accessibility. With over 4 years of industry experience, I currently contribute to the UX team at Maruti Suzuki, where we craft intuitive and... 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

Bill is vice president of product management at Cloudera, responsible for Open Data Lakehouse product strategy and Apache Iceberg integration with all Cloudera Data Platform (CDP) form factors. Bill also leads Apache Hive product roadmap and adoption. Most recently, Bill was responsible for solution management for SAP HANA Data Platform and SAP HANA Cloud. Prior to that he led product management for Sybase Replication Server.

Bill is vice president of product management at Cloudera, responsible for Open Data Lakehouse product strategy and Apache Iceberg integration with all Cloudera Data Platform (CDP) form factors. Bill also leads Apache Hive product roadmap and adoption... Show more

Born and grown in the beautiful Sardinia in Italy, he moved to Zurich to complete his studies at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology. After working there on delay tolerant networks with Android devices as a research assistant, he focused on backend development on the JVM and scalable, resilient software architectures in the cloud. He is a Certified Kubernetes Application Developer, conference speaker and he is currently working as a Freelance Consultant after the important experience at Red Hat.

Born and grown in the beautiful Sardinia in Italy, he moved to Zurich to complete his studies at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology. After working there on delay tolerant networks with Android devices as a research assistant, he focused on bac... Show more

Cindy Rowe is a professional speaker, trainer, and entrepreneur passionate about transforming workplaces and communities through kindness. She was recognized as one of the Top 50 Women Speakers of 2024. She has built two thriving businesses from scratch and is a leading voice for positivity in her community.
Leveraging her sales, marketing, and organizational communication expertise, Cindy empowers leaders with practical strategies to boost employee morale, drive business growth, and create a culture of kindness. When not captivating and inspiring audiences, she empowers entrepreneurs as the Chief Marketing Rockstar at Cindy Rowe Marketing and champions kindness with her kindness apparel line as the Founder and CEO of Be Kind Crew.

Cindy Rowe is a professional speaker, trainer, and entrepreneur passionate about transforming workplaces and communities through kindness. She was recognized as one of the Top 50 Women Speakers of 2024. She has built two thriving businesses from scra... Show more

I'm passionate about open-source software and actively contribute to improving software supply chain security, with a strong focus on SBOM (Software Bill of Materials) tooling. I collaborate on projects like sbommv, sbomqs, and sbomasm — all open-source tools maintained by Interlynk, a company committed to advancing OSS and security practices. Previously, I contributed to Kyverno, a Kubernetes-native policy engine, and its associated policies repository.

I'm passionate about open-source software and actively contribute to improving software supply chain security, with a strong focus on SBOM (Software Bill of Materials) tooling. I collaborate on projects like sbommv, sbomqs, and sbomasm — all open-sou... Show more

Dr. Fanny Jimenez specializes in the psychology of personality, social relationships and organizational behavior. She is VP Performance & Collaboration at the newly formed PREMIUM-GRUPPE (Politico, WELT, Business Insider) after having worked as the head of the Career & Science Department as well as the head of the Audio Department at Business Insider Germany. Fanny studied psychology and neuroscience in Berlin and the USA before completing her doctorate at the International Max Planck Research School/Humboldt University in Berlin. She is hosting the weekly psychology podcast "Never Mind – Psychologie in 15 Minuten".

Dr. Fanny Jimenez specializes in the psychology of personality, social relationships and organizational behavior. She is VP Performance & Collaboration at the newly formed PREMIUM-GRUPPE (Politico, WELT, Business Insider) after having worked as the h... Show more

Pradeep Kumar is Director of Engineering at Rakuten Viki, where he leads the Product-Services group, overseeing software architecture, platform strategy, and engineering execution for a global streaming service with a significant international audience. He specializes in scalable and resilient system design, aligning technology strategy closely with product vision and business objectives. Passionate about engineering leadership, Pradeep actively fosters developer effectiveness, encourages operational excellence, and champions sustainable architectural practices.

Pradeep Kumar is Director of Engineering at Rakuten Viki, where he leads the Product-Services group, overseeing software architecture, platform strategy, and engineering execution for a global streaming service with a significant international audien... Show more

Business Analyst depuis 11 ans, d'abord chez Amadeus IT Group puis chez Sopra Steria, l'agilité fait partie de ma vie depuis près de 5 ans.
Passionné de nouveautés et de nouvelles technologies, je suis toujours partant pour essayer des nouvelles méthodes et progresser.

Business Analyst depuis 11 ans, d'abord chez Amadeus IT Group puis chez Sopra Steria, l'agilité fait partie de ma vie depuis près de 5 ans. Passionné de nouveautés et de nouvelles technologies, je suis toujours partant pour essayer des nouvelles mét... Show more

I'm an experienced Data Engineer with a strong background in cloud-based solutions & Databricks Champion. Currently, I'm working as a Data Engineer and Solution architect at Plain Concepts, where I've played a key role in designing and fine-tuning big data + AI solutions across different industries.

Lately, I have been focusing on data governance as I believe it is the new challenge that Data professionals will need to tackle for accurate and reliable solutions.

I'm an experienced Data Engineer with a strong background in cloud-based solutions & Databricks Champion. Currently, I'm working as a Data Engineer and Solution architect at Plain Concepts, where I've played a key role in designing and fine-tuning bi... Show more

Derek M. Scheller Jr. – Cybersecurity Leader | Veteran | Advocate for Empowerment Through Security

Derek M. Scheller Jr. is a seasoned cybersecurity professional with over 13 years of experience spanning offensive security, cyber defense, and strategic consulting. A U.S. Army and Air National Guard veteran, Derek now serves as the Practice Manager of Security Engineering at Stratascale, where he leads high-performing teams in delivering cutting-edge cloud and hybrid security solutions.

His career journey—from tactical military operations to corporate cybersecurity leadership—has shaped his mission-driven approach to technology, leadership, and resilience. Derek holds top industry certifications, including CISSP, OSCP, and multiple SANS designations (GREM, GPYC, GCIH, GCED, GSEC), and specializes in vulnerability management, red/purple teaming, SIEM optimization, and security program development.

Beyond his technical expertise, Derek is a passionate educator and mentor. He hosts two widely respected podcasts—"Security Happy Hour" and "Walk With Me"—aimed at guiding newcomers into cybersecurity and inspiring personal growth. He also collaborates with schools to bring cybersecurity education to the next generation.

A compelling and relatable speaker, Derek brings authenticity, practical insight, and a deep sense of purpose to every engagement. Whether he's discussing threat detection, burnout in security teams, or the human side of cyber leadership, Derek connects with audiences through his real-world experience and passion for making security a force for good.

Derek M. Scheller Jr. – Cybersecurity Leader | Veteran | Advocate for Empowerment Through Security Derek M. Scheller Jr. is a seasoned cybersecurity professional with over 13 years of experience spanning offensive security, cyber defense, and stra... Show more