James Hurtado is a Software Automation Engineer with experience building backend systems, automation tooling, and AI-driven workflows. As a GitHub Campus Expert, he has delivered talks and workshops on Git, GitHub, Copilot, AI, and modern developer tools across multiple cities and university communitiesu. He’s also the creator of @the.james.dev, where he shares accessible programming and AI content for thousands of learners.

Most of the time, you’ll find James building tools, supporting communities, or teaching developers how to take their first steps into GitHub, automation, and AI-assisted development.

James Hurtado is a Software Automation Engineer with experience building backend systems, automation tooling, and AI-driven workflows. As a GitHub Campus Expert, he has delivered talks and workshops on Git, GitHub, Copilot, AI, and modern developer t... Show more

Bonjour, moi c’est Halima. Je suis experte en données spatiales et systèmes d’information géographique (SIG), avec plusieurs années d’expérience dans le développement et l’analyse de données.

Au cours de mon parcours, j’ai travaillé comme développeuse et analyste data, ce qui m’a permis de concevoir des solutions SIG concrètes, de l’architecture des bases de données à la visualisation interactive et aux pipelines de traitement des données.

Je suis passionnée par le potentiel des données spatiales pour comprendre, simuler et modéliser le monde réel, et j’aime partager cette expertise avec la communauté afin d’inspirer de nouvelles approches et solutions.

Bonjour, moi c’est Halima. Je suis experte en données spatiales et systèmes d’information géographique (SIG), avec plusieurs années d’expérience dans le développement et l’analyse de données. Au cours de mon parcours, j’ai travaillé comme développ... Show more

Ingeniero Cloud enfocado en AWS y arquitecturas modernas. Me gusta construir soluciones escalables, automatizar procesos y aprender constantemente nuevas tecnologías. Apasionado por el cloud, la eficiencia y el crecimiento profesional continuo.

Ingeniero Cloud enfocado en AWS y arquitecturas modernas. Me gusta construir soluciones escalables, automatizar procesos y aprender constantemente nuevas tecnologías. Apasionado por el cloud, la eficiencia y el crecimiento profesional continuo. Show more

Aswini is the Distinguished Architect for Customer Space at Walmart. He has more than 22 years of IT experience in design and development of scalable microservice and microfrontend based Web/Cloud/AI & ML Applications. His Portfolio is jam-packed with Multiple domains such as Finance, Telecom, Healthcare and E-com expanding over several high tech companies such as Cisco,Equinix, Finastera, TCS etc. During his last 7 years at walmart, he is one of the founding member for Last Mile Delivery platform ,NTransit Fleet management and Merchant Space.

He has been responsible in introducing numerous enterprise AI software products to the Walmart ecosystem, including Azure OpenAI, TenserFlow, AutoML, Databricks AI, DialogFlow and SnowFlake etc.

Aswini is a leading expert in the rapidly evolving field of generative & agentic AI, with a deep understanding of how machine learning models can be used to create transformative digital experiences. With a background in developing scalable AI-driven applications, Aswini has been instrumental in implementing generative models—such as large language models (LLMs) and creative AI solutions—across industries, from personalized content generation to AI-enhanced customer engagement. Also, Aswini specializes in AI-driven strategies which spans from deep learning and natural language processing (NLP) to computer vision and automation. Known for his strategic insights, Aswini has a keen interest in the ethical development and deployment of AI, ensuring that the transformative power of AI is used responsibly and transparently.


He has received numerous innovation awards from Walmart on Arrival deteciton Engine, Above & Beyond, Top performer award for Equinix Cloud Exchange and Cisco Group Race Award for Channel Partner Tool.

Aswini enjoys hiking, mountain biking, and painting in his spare time.

Aswini is the Distinguished Architect for Customer Space at Walmart. He has more than 22 years of IT experience in design and development of scalable microservice and microfrontend based Web/Cloud/AI & ML Applications. His Portfolio is jam-packed wit... Show more

As a late-diagnosed individual with combined ADHD, I've navigated a unique path that's led me to where I am today. I hold an MBA with a focus on leadership and a few professional certifications. I found my way operations and project management while in cultural exchange. My work for updating and improving business process through automation has helped me play to how my brain is wired. My diverse experiences outside my professional life extend to being a kids' ski instructor and race coach, reflecting my love for mentorship and skill development. In my free time, I'm an avid skier with an extreme fear of heights, I am making the most of the slopes and facing fears whenever I can. In the summer, I enjoy helping on my sister's farm, where we grow about 4 acres and about 10 varieties of heirloom tomatoes. I embrace the joys of outdoor life and family connections.

As a late-diagnosed individual with combined ADHD, I've navigated a unique path that's led me to where I am today. I hold an MBA with a focus on leadership and a few professional certifications. I found my way operations and project management while ... Show more

Shamsudeen Adebisi Adedokun is a cross-platform mobile developer with over 4 years of professional experience building high-quality apps using Flutter, Kotlin (for native Android), and JavaScript. He has led and contributed to mobile projects across diverse industries such as fintech, e-commerce, web 3, and logistics, delivering robust, scalable solutions for startups and established companies alike.

Beyond code, Shamsudeen is passionate about knowledge sharing and mentorship. He has served as a mentor with the Andela Learning Community and the Google Africa Developer Scholarship, where he supported aspiring developers on their learning journeys. He enjoys writing articles and technical tutorials that break down complex mobile development concepts into clear, actionable insights.

Shamsudeen Adebisi Adedokun is a cross-platform mobile developer with over 4 years of professional experience building high-quality apps using Flutter, Kotlin (for native Android), and JavaScript. He has led and contributed to mobile projects across ... Show more

Mukul Kumar Gaur is a senior technology and product engineering leader with over 16 years of experience driving large-scale innovation across airline retailing, air travel distribution, transportation, hospitality, payments, security, and telecommunications domains. He currently serves as Senior Principal – Product Engineering at Accelya US Inc., where he leads the delivery of IATA NDC-compliant airline retailing and servicing solutions for major global carriers.
Mukul is recognized for his deep expertise in airline retailing, distribution, and Passenger Service Systems (PSS), with hands-on experience designing and modernizing ATPCO-based shopping, pricing, ticketing, and ancillary services platforms. His work spans end-to-end airline workflows, including PNRs, inventory, schedules, seat maps, interline servicing, and electronic miscellaneous documents (EMDs). He has extensive integration experience with leading GDS platforms such as Galileo, Worldspan, Apollo, Travelport Universal API, and legacy airline systems, including Astral PSS.
A rare blend of technical architecture, functional leadership, and product strategy, Mukul has led complex modernization initiatives that enable airlines to transition from legacy distribution models to next-generation retailing at scale. He has spearheaded high-impact initiatives such as Cache Shopping, Anchored Search, Price-by-Passenger, and enhanced baggage retailing capabilities adopted by major airlines, including American Airlines, Lufthansa Group, Qantas, and Aer Lingus. His leadership has contributed to significant performance gains, faster time-to-market, and substantial infrastructure cost reductions.
Mukul is also a trusted industry thought leader, actively representing his organization in IATA working groups and contributing to the evolution of global standards such as NDC, One Order, and airline servicing frameworks. He collaborates closely with executive leadership, product teams, and airline stakeholders to align technology roadmaps with strategic business objectives, ensuring scalable, interoperable, and future-ready solutions.
With a strong foundation in C, C++, TPF, SQL, XML, EDIFACT, and enterprise integration architectures, combined with deep Agile delivery experience, Mukul is widely regarded as a key driver of innovation in global airline retailing. His career reflects sustained leadership, industry impact, and a consistent record of delivering mission-critical systems for some of the world’s largest travel and financial services organizations.

Mukul Kumar Gaur is a senior technology and product engineering leader with over 16 years of experience driving large-scale innovation across airline retailing, air travel distribution, transportation, hospitality, payments, security, and telecommuni... Show more

Maneesh Singh is a seasoned IT executive with over 19 years of global experience across banking, hospitality, commercial, and healthcare industries. Currently serving as an Enterprise Systems Delivery Manager at Corpay Inc through Hexaware Technologies, Maneesh leads global technical infrastructure projects under the CTO’s office. His leadership is pivotal in driving initiatives around global observability, Splunk infrastructure modernization, mainframe monitoring integrations, and license utilization analytics through Power BI.
Before this, Maneesh was the Delivery Director at Tangent Services Corporation, where he successfully steered AWS cloud and on-premise application development initiatives, leading high-performing, cross-functional teams while optimizing quality, compliance, and risk management across delivery lifecycles.
During his decade-long tenure at NTT Data Inc., he held several impactful roles, including Sr. Technical Program Manager for Citibank NA and Service Delivery Leader for Honeywell. At Citibank, he led a $14M program overseeing regulatory, business, and tech compliance initiatives and managed large-scale applications leveraging AI/ML and NLP. At Honeywell, he championed the global rollout of the PROS AI-powered pricing tool across regions, significantly improving pricing accuracy and automation.
Earlier, Maneesh held roles as Sr. Technical Delivery Lead and Cloud & DevOps Engineer at Enterprise Holdings, where he transformed digital architecture for flagship rental websites like Enterprise, Alamo, and National. His work contributed to $200M+ in revenue while overseeing AEM upgrades and end-to-end DevOps transformation.
At Hilton Worldwide, he led critical releases and DevOps transitions, including implementing Hilton’s groundbreaking “Digital Key” technology, now a flagship contactless guest experience across thousands of properties.
Maneesh’s foundational experience began at Siemens Information Systems, where for over six years he led development of advanced medical imaging solutions (Syngo ArchNet, Syngo fastView), implementing enhancements in DICOM image processing and remote data sharing.
He holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Advanced Computing (C-DAC, Pune), a Master’s in Computer Applications (Punjab Technical University), and a Bachelor’s in Computer Science (Guru Nanak Dev University).
Maneesh is highly credentialed with multiple industry certifications, including PMI-ACP, AWS Solutions Architect Associate, Azure Fundamentals, and multiple Adobe and Splunk certifications. He is also a Senior Member of IEEE, a Fellow Member of IETE, and actively Contributes to community service as a cricket coach and coordinator at the North Atlanta Cricket Academy.

Maneesh Singh is a seasoned IT executive with over 19 years of global experience across banking, hospitality, commercial, and healthcare industries. Currently serving as an Enterprise Systems Delivery Manager at Corpay Inc through Hexaware Technologi... Show more

Harshavardhan Malla is an Information Systems Security Engineer at the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), supporting the security, reliability, and compliance of mission-critical government IT systems. His work focuses on infrastructure hardening, vulnerability remediation, and operational security across on-premises, hybrid, and cloud-adjacent environments.

He regularly works with established security and regulatory frameworks such as NIST and CJIS, ensuring systems meet mandated standards while remaining stable and maintainable. His interests include secure system design, compliance automation, and improving the long-term resilience of public-sector technology platforms.

In addition to his public-sector role, Harshavardhan is a 3× Co-Founder, including Digitailor, an AI-powered career optimization platform.

Harshavardhan Malla is an Information Systems Security Engineer at the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), supporting the security, reliability, and compliance of mission-critical government IT systems. His work focuses on infrastructure har... Show more

Babatunde Esanju is a Software Engineer at TixTrack, where he builds enterprise-grade ticketing solutions focusing on .NET, Azure, and scalable architectures. With over 9 years of experience across FinTech, InsurTech, Remittance, and Entertainment, he has also served as CTO for multiple startups. He is the founder of TechNaija.FM, a podcast amplifying African voices in technology with over 3 episodes and 1,000+ listeners across Africa and the UK. Babatunde has led the development of platforms such as GenCapita (investment and securities trading), Hustle9ja (artisan marketplace), and PayBridge SDK (a unified payments SDK for NET). Passionate about community-driven innovation, he shares insights on .NET, clean architecture, and developer tools, inspiring the next generation of developers to build impactful solutions.

Babatunde Esanju is a Software Engineer at TixTrack, where he builds enterprise-grade ticketing solutions focusing on .NET, Azure, and scalable architectures. With over 9 years of experience across FinTech, InsurTech, Remittance, and Entertainment, h... Show more

Especialista em Transformação Ágil & Gestão de Produtos Digitais com 20+ anos de experiência em TI, sendo mais de uma década liderando projetos e produtos, dos métodos tradicionais ao ágil escalado (SAFe). Atuação estratégica na intersecção entre negócios, tecnologia e pessoas, com foco em: Gestão de produtos digitais (do discovery à entrega contínua); Otimização de resultados (KPIs, OKRs e métricas de performance); Liderança de equipes multidisciplinares (potencializando competências); Transformação ágil (implementando SAFe em ambientes complexos). Com o meu trabalho transformo obstáculos em eficiência e dados em decisões estratégicas, com foco em resultados mensuráveis e equipes de alta performance e incrivelmente engajadas.

Especialista em Transformação Ágil & Gestão de Produtos Digitais com 20+ anos de experiência em TI, sendo mais de uma década liderando projetos e produtos, dos métodos tradicionais ao ágil escalado (SAFe). Atuação estratégica na intersecção entre neg... Show more

Executiva com sólida experiência em transformação digital, agilidade organizacional e gestão de produtos e projetos, atuando em empresas de médio e grande porte nos segmentos de tecnologia, educação e serviços. Possui visão integrada de negócios e tecnologia, com forte capacidade de conectar estratégia, stakeholders e times técnicos. Especialista em metodologias ágeis, governança, inovação e desenvolvimento de equipes multidisciplinares, alia sólida formação acadêmica — com Mestrado em Ciência da Computação e especializações em gestão de pessoas e coaching — a uma atuação focada em resultados, eficiência operacional e liderança de alta performance.

Executiva com sólida experiência em transformação digital, agilidade organizacional e gestão de produtos e projetos, atuando em empresas de médio e grande porte nos segmentos de tecnologia, educação e serviços. Possui visão integrada de negócios e te... Show more

Mandar Chiplunkar is a product leader with over 14 years of experience driving digital transformation across insurance, logistics, and retail tech. He has built and launched AI-powered solutions, including a domain-trained Copilot for insurance advisors that blends large language models with real-world business workflows. Passionate about making technology practical and human-centered, Mandar focuses on turning complex systems into tools that empower people and deliver measurable impact.

Mandar Chiplunkar is a product leader with over 14 years of experience driving digital transformation across insurance, logistics, and retail tech. He has built and launched AI-powered solutions, including a domain-trained Copilot for insurance advis... Show more

With an M.Sc. in Organization Innovation and Entrepreneurship, I've leveraged my expertise to work as a Consultant for 4 years. With more than 8 years of experience in ERP systems, my focus has been on optimizing supply chain management and finance operations.

With an M.Sc. in Organization Innovation and Entrepreneurship, I've leveraged my expertise to work as a Consultant for 4 years. With more than 8 years of experience in ERP systems, my focus has been on optimizing supply chain management and finance o... Show more

Passionate about maps, data and technology with extensive experience in working with BI class systems as well as ERP, BPM and CRM. He started his adventure with data over a quarter of a century ago. Connected with Krakow in Poland - always and rather forever. Born with the option of analyzing data and topographical space. Thanks to his extensive knowledge and experience, he helps to save hundreds of hours needed to successfully implement the planned project within the given time and budget. He loves demanding implementations, if there is such a need, he trains and broadens horizons - his own and clients', obtaining their satisfaction and contentment. By the way, he enjoys observing and disseminating IT knowledge. Actually he is Microsoft Certified Trainer and leader of Cracow Power BI & Fabric User Group (#KRPBIFUG). He helps attendees take the first step to becoming a speaker, shares his experience during few user group meetings and sometimes conferences (SQLDay or Global Power BI and Fabric Summit). Seasonally, in his free time, he rides a bike and skis, and throughout the year he plays football and raises three of his children.

Passionate about maps, data and technology with extensive experience in working with BI class systems as well as ERP, BPM and CRM. He started his adventure with data over a quarter of a century ago. Connected with Krakow in Poland - always and rather... Show more

Carsten has done Microsoft communication for more than 15 years – before that many years in the telco industry. Working with meeting rooms has become his new passion.
Carsten is also Microsoft MVP in Teams and Mesh

Carsten has done Microsoft communication for more than 15 years – before that many years in the telco industry. Working with meeting rooms has become his new passion. Carsten is also Microsoft MVP in Teams and Mesh Show more

Having loved NAV/BC as a user, Aldeen has taken her experiences and learnings from the Food Manufacturing and Operations world and transformed them into valuable insights. Now as a Senior Consultant and Trusted Business Advisor, she continues to challenge the boundaries of technology and employ innovative solutions to empower users and drive real business results.

Having loved NAV/BC as a user, Aldeen has taken her experiences and learnings from the Food Manufacturing and Operations world and transformed them into valuable insights. Now as a Senior Consultant and Trusted Business Advisor, she continues to chal... Show more

Hello everyone, my name is Sophia Solomon and I am a Developer Advocate at Elastic.

Hello everyone, my name is Sophia Solomon and I am a Developer Advocate at Elastic. Show more

Starting as a Python programmer, I chose to transition into a Scrum Master role—driven by my passion for active listening and cultivating human connections—before specializing as an Agile Coach, with a laser focus on OKRs as a Global Partner at OKRs.com.

Partnering with organizations, I foster agile mindsets to stay ahead of the curve and unlock untapped potential. Drawing on my Agile Coaching expertise, I guide teams to simplify complexity and deliver meaningful results through tailored practices. With OKRs.com, I empower leaders to turn strategy into actionable goals, amplifying focus, alignment, and transparency across their teams.

My mission? To build workplaces where people flourish and companies hit the mark—combining purpose, progress, and performance.

Starting as a Python programmer, I chose to transition into a Scrum Master role—driven by my passion for active listening and cultivating human connections—before specializing as an Agile Coach, with a laser focus on OKRs as a Global Partner at OKRs.... Show more

Vinay Gurram is a seasoned technology leader with over two decades of progressive experience in software engineering and IT. He currently serves as Director of Software Engineering at Radial Inc., where he has played a pivotal role in transforming the company’s Order Management System (OMS) from a monolithic IBM Sterling platform into a microservices-based, event-driven architecture.
At Radial, Vinay has led end-to-end implementations of OMS solutions for major clients across retail, e-commerce, and omnichannel fulfillment sectors. His expertise spans microservices architecture, event-driven systems, MongoDB, Spring Boot, Kafka, and IBM Sterling Multi Channel Fulfillment (MCF). He has successfully designed and built comprehensive order orchestration, inventory, and merchandise management flows, while guiding teams through cloud migrations and performance optimization initiatives.
Before joining Radial, Vinay worked as a Technical Manager at HCL Technologies, providing e-commerce and multichannel commerce solutions as part of the Smarter Commerce Center of Excellence. His work focused on order and inventory management, warehouse management, and process optimization using IBM Sterling technologies.
Earlier in his career, he held key technical roles at Best Buy and Accenture, where he led the design and customization of order management workflows, optimized system performance, and contributed to major modernization initiatives, including transitioning legacy systems to WebSphere Portal-based applications.
Vinay holds a Master’s degree in Computer Applications from Osmania University, Telangana, India, graduating with First Class with Distinction.

Vinay Gurram is a seasoned technology leader with over two decades of progressive experience in software engineering and IT. He currently serves as Director of Software Engineering at Radial Inc., where he has played a pivotal role in transforming th... Show more

Meet Brad Foot, the Chief Operations Officer and Fenwick Apps Product Manager. A true champion of quality, Brad has dedicated over 20 years to developing, implementing and supporting Navision/Nav/Business Central with unwavering precision.

Brad is on a mission to deliver the highest standards to his clients. He approaches every project with a determination to find solutions and leave no challenge unmet. With his sharp mind and focus, he is a force to be reckoned with in the world of technology.

But don't let Brad's relentless pursuit of perfection fool you, he's also got a playful side. In his off-hours, you'll find him indulging his creative side with intricate woodworking projects or revving the engine of his beloved Datsun 260z. Whether he's tackling a new project or sharing a laugh with friends, Brad always makes time for a good time.

Meet Brad Foot, the Chief Operations Officer and Fenwick Apps Product Manager. A true champion of quality, Brad has dedicated over 20 years to developing, implementing and supporting Navision/Nav/Business Central with unwavering precision. Brad is... Show more

Jianyu Wang serves as the maintainer of the Koordinator community and a Senior Development Engineer at Alibaba Cloud, where he leads the architecture and development of Alibaba Cloud’s 10K-GPU-scale cluster scheduling system powering large-scale AI training infrastructure. His technical expertise spans heterogeneous device scheduling (GPU/NPU/RDMA/NUMA-aware) and distributed task scheduling, with extensive hands-on experience in optimizing scheduling performance, resource isolation, topology-aware placement, and scalability for production AI clusters at scale.

Jianyu Wang serves as the maintainer of the Koordinator community and a Senior Development Engineer at Alibaba Cloud, where he leads the architecture and development of Alibaba Cloud’s 10K-GPU-scale cluster scheduling system powering large-scale AI t... Show more

Chirag Gajiwala is an AWS-certified Software Engineer with over nine years of experience in data engineering, machine learning, and cloud security. His expertise lies in building big data workflows, integrating data via ETL processes, and applying machine learning models for clustering, classification, and anomaly detection. Skilled in cloud-based data engineering on AWS and Azure, Chirag has developed robust data pipelines and security frameworks, contributing to cloud infrastructure cost savings, improving efficiency of data pipelines and also improved security posture of the data workflows.
Currently, as a Member of the Technical Staff at Nutanix, Chirag leads data strategy initiatives, achieving notable success with $10 million in cost savings through data center consolidation and automation. His work in enhancing data workflows, developing ML models for product security, and leveraging neural networks has enhanced hardware recommendations and security analysis by up to 20%. Chirag’s previous roles include impactful work at Secureapp Technologies and Santander Bank, where he focused on statistical analytics, fraud detection, and credit risk reporting for consumer finance products, improving reporting times by two weeks and increasing customer engagement by 15% during peak seasons.
Chirag holds an M.S. in Information Systems from Northeastern University and a B.E. in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Mumbai University. His certifications and technical skills include AWS Security Specialty, SQL, Python, and expertise in data visualization with Tableau, making him a versatile professional equipped to drive innovation in data engineering and cloud security.

Chirag Gajiwala is an AWS-certified Software Engineer with over nine years of experience in data engineering, machine learning, and cloud security. His expertise lies in building big data workflows, integrating data via ETL processes, and applying ma... Show more

Product Engineer and AI/ML specialist with a dual focus on automotive component design (ADAS, electronic switches, SCCM) and applied machine learning for autonomous driving systems. Combines 10+ years of automotive engineering expertise (thermal testing, DFMEA, design release) with advanced AI/ML capabilities in sensor fusion, reinforcement learning, and synthetic data generation for next-gen vehicle systems.

Product Engineer and AI/ML specialist with a dual focus on automotive component design (ADAS, electronic switches, SCCM) and applied machine learning for autonomous driving systems. Combines 10+ years of automotive engineering expertise (thermal test... Show more

Solutions Engineer focused on cloud-native architecture and developer experience, with a strong passion for developer productivity, testing, and fast feedback in the inner loop. Former Customer Success Engineer for Testcontainers Cloud and Quality Architect. Open-source contributor and conference speaker with a bias toward practical demos, testing, and real-world engineering problems.

Solutions Engineer focused on cloud-native architecture and developer experience, with a strong passion for developer productivity, testing, and fast feedback in the inner loop. Former Customer Success Engineer for Testcontainers Cloud and Quality Ar... Show more

Gareth Thomas is an electrical engineer (control), community builder, and technology enthusiast with a passion for turning emerging ideas into practical, scalable solutions. Known for his strong coding skills and ability to bring people together, Gareth sits at the intersection of engineering excellence and vibrant tech communities.

He is a driving force behind PyData Eindhoven and played a key role in bringing JuliaCon to Eindhoven, helping position the city as a hub for scientific computing and modern data tooling. As a regular meetup organizer, Gareth has built and nurtured spaces where developers, researchers, and industry practitioners connect, learn, and collaborate.

Professionally, Gareth previously worked at MathWorks, gaining deep experience in technical computing and developer-facing tooling. He later founded his own company, focused on embracing new technologies, modernizing Python ecosystems, Python version migrations, and building robust testing strategies—helping teams move fast without breaking things. Currently he is working at ProRail through CGI, after helping ASML change the world one nanometer at a time.

Beyond code and consulting, Gareth is also the host of his own podcast, where he explores software engineering, open source, community leadership, and the real-world challenges of adopting new technologies.

Whether he’s shipping code, organizing events, or sparking conversations, Gareth is driven by one core belief: great software is built by strong communities, curious minds, and a willingness to evolve.

Gareth Thomas is an electrical engineer (control), community builder, and technology enthusiast with a passion for turning emerging ideas into practical, scalable solutions. Known for his strong coding skills and ability to bring people together, Gar... Show more

Zakiya Davidson is a graduate researcher at North Carolina A&T State University whose work sits at the intersection of artificial intelligence, federated learning, blockchain systems, and equity-centered technology design.

Currently working with Dr. Patooghy and collaborating faculty, Zakiya is contributing to research initiatives focused on blockchain-enabled federated learning (BCFL) for two critical domains: improving maternal health equity in underserved communities and strengthening defenses against data poisoning attacks in Agricultural IoT systems. Her work investigates how privacy-preserving, fairness-aware AI systems can be designed to protect data sovereignty while improving model reliability and equitable outcomes.

Zakiya brings over 20 years of experience in data engineering and enterprise analytics across industries including media, logistics, and marketing. She is currently pursuing advanced graduate studies in data analytics and machine learning, with a long-term research agenda centered on ethical AI, distributed systems, and the development of resilient AI infrastructures for marginalized communities.

Her work reflects a commitment to positioning NC A&T as a leader in AI fairness, privacy-preserving computation, and applied research that advances both technological innovation and social impact.

Zakiya Davidson is a graduate researcher at North Carolina A&T State University whose work sits at the intersection of artificial intelligence, federated learning, blockchain systems, and equity-centered technology design. Currently working with D... Show more

Nikki Maginn is a powerhouse at the intersection of engineering excellence and
human-centered leadership. A nuclear engineer, pilot, and former Division I athlete from the
University of Tennessee, she brings a rare blend of grit, curiosity, and compassion to every
stage she steps on. Nikki holds a B.S. in Nuclear Engineering and has complemented her
technical foundation with advanced leadership and management training throughout her career.
Currently, Nikki is the founder of Inside Out Engineering, a groundbreaking initiative that delivers
emotional intelligence training to engineers in industry, academia, and beyond. She is also an
advisor and coach to organizations seeking to build cultures of accountability, trust, and
innovation through people-first leadership.
Her career path spans high-stakes roles across the nuclear, logistics, and technology sectors.
As Director of Program Management at the largest material handling and logistics manufacturer
in the country, she drove multimillion-dollar cross-functional programs while cultivating cultures
of accountability, trust, and psychological safety. Prior to that, she held executive leadership
roles in the nuclear startup space, directing engineering operations for small modular reactor
development. Here Nikki negotiated nuclear fuel contracts, built partnerships with global nuclear
suppliers, ran new product development to ensure the ultimate safety and program performance
in one of the most demanding technical environments on earth.
In parallel with her technical and leadership work, Nikki has been a lifelong advocate for mental
health and emotional well-being in STEM. She has conducted research and facilitated programs
on emotional intelligence, resilience, and workplace culture, translating insights from psychology
and behavioral science into actionable tools for engineers and technical leaders. She has also
founded and led mentorship programs, women’s networks, and engineering education outreach
initiatives, ensuring that the next generation of engineers—especially women in STEM—enter
the field with both the technical expertise and human skills to thrive.
Nikki speaks and writes on topics ranging from courageous leadership and emotional
intelligence in technical fields to building mentorship cultures and leading with authenticity in
male-dominated industries. Her story challenges traditional notions of leadership—and reminds
us that empathy is not a soft skill; it is a core skill for the future of work.

Nikki Maginn is a powerhouse at the intersection of engineering excellence and human-centered leadership. A nuclear engineer, pilot, and former Division I athlete from the University of Tennessee, she brings a rare blend of grit, curiosity, and com... Show more

I’m Hüseyin Karagöz, a Software Architect and Android developer who first met Kotlin through Android — long before it became the community standard. Over the years, I’ve built countless Android apps, and Jetpack Compose became my creative playground for designing expressive, declarative, and scalable UIs.

That curiosity eventually led me to Kotlin Multiplatform and Compose Multiplatform, where I now focus on building intelligent, shared architectures that extend beyond Android — unifying experiences across mobile, web, and desktop. Lately, I’ve been exploring how AI reasoning can interact with server-defined UI systems, creating adaptive, context-aware interfaces that evolve dynamically in real time.

Beyond development, I’m a core GDG Istanbul and DevFest Istanbul organizer. I love mentoring developers, fostering collaboration, and helping shape events that bring ideas to life. My recent talk, “When the UI Starts Thinking,” reflects my ongoing mission to push the boundaries of what’s possible with Kotlin — to build apps that don’t just run… they think.

I’m Hüseyin Karagöz, a Software Architect and Android developer who first met Kotlin through Android — long before it became the community standard. Over the years, I’ve built countless Android apps, and Jetpack Compose became my creative playground ... Show more

Ron Veen is a seasoned software engineer with extensive experience ranging from Microservices to mainframes. His passion for software engineering and architecture has been his guiding force throughout his career. With over 20 years of expertise in the JVM and the Java ecosystem, Ron is an Oracle Certified Java Programmer (OCP) and a certified Sun Business Component Developer (SCBCD/OCPBCD).

A dedicated Java enthusiast, Ron also has a keen interest in alternative JVM languages, particularly Kotlin. At Team Rockstars IT, he serves as a Special Agent and lead developer, frequently speaking at international conferences. Ron is the author of books on Java Cloud-native migrations with Jakarta EE and on Virtual Threads, Structured Concurrency, and Scoped Values. He has also co-written a book on Kotlin.

Ron Veen is a seasoned software engineer with extensive experience ranging from Microservices to mainframes. His passion for software engineering and architecture has been his guiding force throughout his career. With over 20 years of expertise in th... Show more