Chris is a software engineer and architect who's been building small and large distributed message driven and event sourced systems for 25+ years. He has worked in the telecom, finance, and biomedical industries delivering, supporting, and transforming mission critical systems in environments ranging from the fortune 50 to startups.

Chris is a software engineer and architect who's been building small and large distributed message driven and event sourced systems for 25+ years. He has worked in the telecom, finance, and biomedical industries delivering, supporting, and transformi... Show more

Anchal Chaudhary is a 0 to 1 AI product builder at Rite-Hite, specializing in the digital transformation of traditional manufacturing and logistics. With a keen vision for leveraging new-age technologies, Anchal has built product management from the ground up in a historically unstructured environment, demonstrating how focused effort can drive a global shift towards smarter, connected solutions. Her expertise lies in engineering processes that scale digital products, integrating AI-driven optimization, real-time analytics, and autonomous operations to address critical industry challenges.

Anchal Chaudhary is a 0 to 1 AI product builder at Rite-Hite, specializing in the digital transformation of traditional manufacturing and logistics. With a keen vision for leveraging new-age technologies, Anchal has built product management from the ... Show more

Horatiu is an R&D software engineer with 20+ years of experience in software development, mostly related to multi-tier enterprise applications. Throughout the years, as a certified Java and Spring Framework professional, he's been involved in all project lifecycle phases, from analysis, design and implementation to testing, maintenance and deployment of complex, high-impact products. The fields he contributed to address real-world business needs, in industries like Telecom and Maritime Transportation.

The activities Horatiu values the most in his work are coding and problem-solving, which he considers the true essence of engineering. In parallel, he's preoccupied with brushing up and continually improving his knowledge through studying, researching and writing technical articles. At the same time, although an individual contributor, he's focused on his responsibility to help others improve as well, with a pure, tempered and watchful attitude.

Horatiu is an R&D software engineer with 20+ years of experience in software development, mostly related to multi-tier enterprise applications. Throughout the years, as a certified Java and Spring Framework professional, he's been involved in all pro... 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

Simone is a Public Health Dietitian with the Healthy Communities team at Interior Health. She has 18 years of experience supporting food literacy education in schools and using evidence-informed approaches for teaching nutrition. Simone was a project lead for the development of the Hands on Food resource and she participated in the provincial working group that developed the Teach Food First toolkit. Simone holds a Bachelor of Sciences in Nutrition and Dietetics with the University of British Columbia and has a graduate certificate in Educational Neuroscience from the University of Calgary. She is grateful to live and work on the traditional, unceded territories of the Secwepemc peoples.

Simone is a Public Health Dietitian with the Healthy Communities team at Interior Health. She has 18 years of experience supporting food literacy education in schools and using evidence-informed approaches for teaching nutrition. Simone was a project... Show more

From Physics to People

Forget the stereotype of the physicist in corduroys; I thrive on working with people. Physics taught me systems thinking, and humans are the most complex systems of all.

Fifteen years ago in Japan, my mentor taught me the concept of "Paying Forward"—passing value to the next person rather than paying it back. After a career spanning global leadership roles, deep dives into Agile and Lean, and managing the transformation of 30+ production sites, it is time to pay it forward.

I see a disconnect: firms stuck in Agile/Lean transformations because production lacks flexibility, or efficient factories slowed down by sluggish R&D. Above all, I see leaders struggling with growing complexity.

My expertise sits in the "magic triangle" of Agile, Lean, and Leadership. Trusted by industry leaders like SBB or SAP, I help leaders and organizations navigate their specific growth journeys.

Offline: I’m a tennis club chairman, athlete, Heavy Metal enthusiast, father and reader of epic fantasy.

From Physics to People Forget the stereotype of the physicist in corduroys; I thrive on working with people. Physics taught me systems thinking, and humans are the most complex systems of all. Fifteen years ago in Japan, my mentor taught me the... Show more

Com uma experiência geral de 27 anos em TI, atuando em gestão e condução de projetos, mapeamento de processos, coordenação e capacitação de equipes para o desenvolvimento de produtos digitais, integração de sistemas, migração de sistemas legados e gerenciamento de implantação. Vivência em empresas nacionais e multinacionais nas áreas de Saúde Suplementar, Mercado Financeiro, Logística, Comércio Exterior, Aviação Civil, Serviço Notarial e TI Industrial.

A variedade de projetos pela qual passei me concedeu muitas oportunidades de aprendizado e me permitiu desenvolver competências como ampla visão sistêmica, forte articulação, uma grande flexibilidade para atuar em ambientes dinâmicos e resiliência para sistemas de alta criticidade. Já pude contribuir atuando em variados papéis como Coordenador de Equipes, Gerente de Projetos, Product Owner, Scrum Master, Analista de Processos, Analista de Sistemas, Líder Técnico, Administrador de Banco de Dados e Desenvolvedor.

Meu foco principal é o comprometimento com a palavra dada e o alinhamento com o propósito e a missão da empresa, contribuindo com tudo o que aprendi ao longo da carreira para a maximização dos resultados. Busco um constante desenvolvimento técnico e cultural em tudo o que faço a fim de poder prestar um melhor serviço. Me especializei na abordagem ágil com Scrum, Kanban e DevOps, e sigo de perto a forma como as empresas têm buscado meios híbridos de gestão para atingir seus objetivos.

Com uma experiência geral de 27 anos em TI, atuando em gestão e condução de projetos, mapeamento de processos, coordenação e capacitação de equipes para o desenvolvimento de produtos digitais, integração de sistemas, migração de sistemas legados e ge... Show more

Rajendra Prasad Bandi is a distinguished Principal Engineer and internationally recognized technical expert in Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV), hybrid propulsion, and electrified powertrain systems. With nearly two decades of global experience across the United States, Europe, and Asia, he has led pioneering advancements in hydrogen fuel cell technology and sustainable mobility solutions, contributing directly to the evolution of next-generation zero-emission transportation.
Mr. Bandi has played a critical leadership role in advancing fuel cell research from conceptual stages to commercial deployment. His technical direction has enabled the development of scalable fuel cell system architectures, high-efficiency power modules, and advanced control strategies tailored to diverse power ranges and vehicle applications. His contributions have been central to the industrialization and successful rollout of production-ready FCEV platforms across multiple global markets, accelerating the availability and adoption of clean mobility technologies.
A certified DRBFM Level 4 Expert, Mr. Bandi is widely trusted for his mastery in failure mode analysis, design robustness, and risk mitigation. He has significantly enhanced product reliability through model-based engineering, multi-domain control optimization, and systematic validation frameworks. His expertise in freeze-start durability, thermal management, and extreme-climate readiness has strengthened system performance in demanding environmental conditions, ensuring the reliability of hydrogen fuel cell systems for real-world, commercial deployment.
Throughout his career, Mr. Bandi has made influential contributions to major government-funded hydrogen and mobility initiatives in the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom. His work has supported national and international energy goals, advanced the state of hydrogen innovation, and enabled industry-government collaboration on high-impact clean transportation programs. He has also authored multiple patent applications and earned prestigious innovation awards for his role in advancing fuel cell commercialization and electrified propulsion technologies.
Beyond his technical achievements, Mr. Bandi is an accomplished mentor and global collaborator. He has guided cross-functional engineering teams, shaped strategic technology roadmaps, and cultivated innovation across the fields of fuel cell systems, hybrid powertrains, and power electronics. His career reflects an enduring commitment to engineering excellence, environmental sustainability, and leadership in the transition toward zero-emission mobility.

Rajendra Prasad Bandi is a distinguished Principal Engineer and internationally recognized technical expert in Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV), hybrid propulsion, and electrified powertrain systems. With nearly two decades of global experience acr... Show more

Jesse Stewart is a Staff Software Engineer at Western Governors University working on the Open edX platform. With a background in both software engineering and design, he focuses on building scalable systems and improving the tools and experiences used by educators, developers, and learners

Jesse Stewart is a Staff Software Engineer at Western Governors University working on the Open edX platform. With a background in both software engineering and design, he focuses on building scalable systems and improving the tools and experiences us... Show more

Soy un apasionado de la innovación tecnológica y tengo una sólida experiencia en el desarrollo y la implementación de soluciones utilizando la Power Platform de Microsoft. Durante los últimos 15 años, he liderado numerosos proyectos en los que he aprovechado al máximo las capacidades de Power Apps, Power Automate y Power BI para impulsar la eficiencia operativa y la toma de decisiones basadas en datos.
Algunos de mis logros destacados incluyen:
• Desarrollo de una aplicación personalizada de gestión de procesos internos utilizando Power Apps, que redujo los tiempos de respuesta en un 30%.
• Implementación de flujos de trabajo automatizados con Power Automate, lo que resultó en una optimización significativa de los procesos de negocio y una reducción del error humano.
• Creación de paneles de control dinámicos y visualmente atractivos en Power BI para proporcionar insights en tiempo real a los equipos de dirección, contribuyendo así a una toma de decisiones más informada.
Habilidades informáticas: Mi formación y experiencia profesional me han dotado de una amplia gama de habilidades informáticas, que van desde el desarrollo de software hasta el análisis de datos. Entre mis habilidades destacadas se encuentran:
• Diseño de interfaces de usuario intuitivas y centradas en el usuario.
• Experiencia en el diseño y mantenimiento de bases de datos relacionales y no relacionales.
• Conocimientos sólidos en análisis de datos y creación de informes.
Lidero un equipo dedicado a la entrega de soluciones tecnológicas innovadoras para nuestros clientes. Desde nuestra fundación, hemos sido pioneros en la adopción de tecnologías emergentes, incluida la Power Platform de Microsoft, para ofrecer soluciones empresariales personalizadas y eficaces. Algunos de nuestros logros notables incluyen:
• Desarrollo de aplicaciones personalizadas para empresas de diversos sectores, utilizando la Power Platform como piedra angular de nuestras soluciones.
• Colaboración con Microsoft en proyectos conjuntos para impulsar la adopción de la Power Platform en la región.

Soy un apasionado de la innovación tecnológica y tengo una sólida experiencia en el desarrollo y la implementación de soluciones utilizando la Power Platform de Microsoft. Durante los últimos 15 años, he liderado numerosos proyectos en los que he apr... Show more

I’m Prasanth Tammiraju, Technical Director at Quadrant Technologies. My core focus is Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence (AI). With over 20 years in the industry, I’ve been passionate about creating innovative solutions that leverage cloud computing to transform how businesses operate.

Technical Expertise
My experience varies across multiple cutting edge technologies
• Cloud Computing: I thrive on using cloud platforms to build scalable and efficient data analytics solutions. My goal is to help businesses seamlessly integrate, process, and analyze their data, no matter where they’re located in the world.
• Advanced Analytics and AI: I enjoy diving into complex business problems and using advanced analytics and AI to solve them. Whether it’s optimizing processes or extracting valuable insights from large datasets, I’m all in.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: I’m known for my knack for bringing together teams from different backgrounds and time zones. Leading these diverse groups to deliver impactful results for clients is something I take pride in.

Thought Leadership and Contributions
I love sharing knowledge and staying involved in the community
• Speaking Engagements: I’ve had the opportunity to speak at various events, where I aim to provide clear, practical advice and insights into the latest trends in cloud technology and analytics.
• Community Involvement: Whether through forums or writing about emerging trends, I’m committed to contributing to the analytics community and helping shape the industry’s future.

Approach and Impact
My approach is a blend of deep technical expertise and a strategic outlook
• Spotting Emerging Trends: I’m always looking ahead to stay on top of technological advancements, especially in cloud computing and analytics. This forward-thinking perspective is key to staying relevant and innovative in this fast-evolving field.

I’m Prasanth Tammiraju, Technical Director at Quadrant Technologies. My core focus is Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence (AI). With over 20 years in the industry, I’ve been passionate about creating innovative solutions that leverage cloud co... Show more

I help small and large teams build useful things by applying best practices in solution architecture design and fostering communication between builders and business stakeholders.

I help small and large teams build useful things by applying best practices in solution architecture design and fostering communication between builders and business stakeholders. Show more

Karthikeyan Ramdass is a seasoned cybersecurity professional with over 18 years of experience securing mission-critical systems for leading Fortune 500 companies across industries including aviation, finance, automotive, and technology. He has played a pivotal role in protecting organizations such as Southwest Airlines, Wells Fargo, Morgan Stanley, Toyota Motors North America, AIG, Cognizant, Salesforce, and Deluxe Corporation.

Specializing in application security, vulnerability management, secure architecture, and supply chain defense, he has led the design and implementation of enterprise-scale security frameworks, CI/CD pipelines, and advanced security testing solutions. His expertise spans SAST, DAST, SCA, zero-day vulnerability management, and penetration testing, ensuring compliance with global standards such as NIST CSF, PCI DSS, and OWASP Top 10.

Karthikeyan Ramdass is a seasoned cybersecurity professional with over 18 years of experience securing mission-critical systems for leading Fortune 500 companies across industries including aviation, finance, automotive, and technology. He has played... Show more

I am a dedicated Software Engineer with extensive experience in designing and developing data-intensive cloud-based applications. I specialize in backend development and possess strong proficiency in Python, SQL, Django, Flask, FastAPI, Docker, CI/CD, Kubernetes, AWS, and GCP. Additionally, I have a solid background in creating applied AI applications that integrate machine learning models into practical use cases. My skill set includes leveraging technologies such as speech-to-text, natural language understanding, response generation, and text-to-speech, along with backend integration and real-time analytics.

I am a dedicated Software Engineer with extensive experience in designing and developing data-intensive cloud-based applications. I specialize in backend development and possess strong proficiency in Python, SQL, Django, Flask, FastAPI, Docker, CI/CD... Show more

Reidar J. Boldevin is a Principal Consultant with Fortytwo Technologies where he works in the intersection beteen identity, security, AI and strategy.

Reidar's experience spans over more than decades, and while he has primarily worked as a consultant, he has also spent time internally as an architect. Most of his work has been based in Norway, but he has been fortunate to travel extensively worldwide. His consulting projects has led him to work in the United States, across Europe, and in the Middle East.

Throughout his career, he has gained experience across multiple sectors. He has worked in the public sector, with several defense contractors, and within financial technology. He has served as a consultant for companies in retail, various technology firms, airlines, and numerous banks and financial institutions. While a technologist at heart, he has recently taken on roles as a team leader and project manager. Reidar has gradually transitioned towards the business side of technology, frequently taking on assignments that position him at the intersection of IT and business.

Reidar J. Boldevin is a Principal Consultant with Fortytwo Technologies where he works in the intersection beteen identity, security, AI and strategy. Reidar's experience spans over more than decades, and while he has primarily worked as a consult... Show more

Mayur Kumar Mittapally is a strategic Program Manager and Solution Architect with over 18 years of IT experience, specializing in SAP HCM, Time Management, and Global Payroll solutions. Currently serving as Program Manager for HR Innovation and Experience Productivity at Delta Air Lines, Mayur has successfully led complex, enterprise-wide HR transformations across diverse global markets, including APAC, the Middle East, and North America.
With deep expertise in SAP HCM (SuccessFactors), including Employee Central and cloud integration technologies, Mayur has built a reputation for modernizing legacy systems and delivering seamless, integrated HR solutions that enhance both operational efficiency and employee experience. His technical leadership spans 6+ years, during which he has consistently delivered projects on time and on budget, while maintaining the highest standards of stakeholder satisfaction.
A practitioner of Servant Leadership, Mayur excels at aligning technology solutions with strategic business objectives particularly in aviation IT operations. His data-driven approach leverages advanced analytics to optimize workforce management and deliver measurable business outcomes.
Beyond his professional achievements, Mayur demonstrates a strong commitment to community service as a dedicated blood and plasma donor with the American Red Cross, contributing more than 15 life-saving donations.
In 2024, Mayur was nominated for Delta Air Lines' prestigious Chairman’s Club, recognizing him among the company’s top 100 performing employees for his exemplary service, leadership, and embodiment of the "Delta Difference." His passion for mentoring and building high-performing teams has made him a respected leader who fosters collaboration, innovation, and continuous growth within organizations.

Mayur Kumar Mittapally is a strategic Program Manager and Solution Architect with over 18 years of IT experience, specializing in SAP HCM, Time Management, and Global Payroll solutions. Currently serving as Program Manager for HR Innovation and Exper... Show more

Cass Cooper is a leadership strategist and keynote speaker specializing in executive sensemaking during restructures, rapid growth, AI integration, and operating model shifts—where clarity, trust, and execution all matter.

With more than two decades of experience across sales, organizational development, and leadership advisory work, Cass is known for translating complexity into decision-ready insight. Her work sits at the intersection of people systems, communication, and organizational performance, helping leaders move beyond symptoms to address the underlying dynamics that stall execution and erode trust.

Through insight-driven keynotes and leadership intensives, Cass challenges the idea of “soft skills” as secondary, reframing emotional intelligence, judgment, and accountability as core business capabilities. Her approach focuses on strengthening what already works, closing execution gaps, and building people-centered systems that scale without adding drag.

Cass holds a Bachelor of Arts in Women’s and Gender Studies from DePaul University and a Master of Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma. Known as The Chaos Whisperer, she brings a grounded, pragmatic perspective to global stages—equipping leaders to make better decisions under pressure in complex, fast-changing, and AI-driven environments.

Watch Cass’s keynote sizzle reel: https://youtu.be/v4qc7uooWmk

Cass Cooper is a leadership strategist and keynote speaker specializing in executive sensemaking during restructures, rapid growth, AI integration, and operating model shifts—where clarity, trust, and execution all matter. With more than two decad... Show more

Driven by a Big-Picture mindset, I bridge design-first thinking with open-source and AI innovation. Specialising in building human-centred systems that empower communities, startups, and independent professionals to scale with clarity and confidence.

Driven by a Big-Picture mindset, I bridge design-first thinking with open-source and AI innovation. Specialising in building human-centred systems that empower communities, startups, and independent professionals to scale with clarity and confidence. Show more

Scalable cloud systems, Microservices

Scalable cloud systems, Microservices Show more

Jeffrey Roe is a software/hardware engineer from Ireland. He builds public transport systems and lectures in the design innovation department at Maynooth University. In his free time, he loves to experiment with bubble machines, bone conduction technology, IoT devices, and anything that involves LEDs. As a firm believer in the power of making and creativity, Jeffrey co-runs Dublin Maker, an annual festival that showcases the best of the maker community. He is also heavily involved with Tog, Dublin’s hackerspace, which provides a collaborative environment for people to work on their projects. He is also an amateur radio enthusiast, constantly exploring new ways to integrate technology into his projects.

Jeffrey Roe is a software/hardware engineer from Ireland. He builds public transport systems and lectures in the design innovation department at Maynooth University. In his free time, he loves to experiment with bubble machines, bone conduction techn... 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

Will Martin is the EMEA Evangelist at Dremio with experience as a data engineer, academic, solutions architect, and software developer. He has spent 15+ years collaborating with companies and organisations across EMEA and APAC, including roles at CERN, BMT, Deloitte, and Tamr. Beginning with a background of statistical analysis in particle physics, his professional journey has spanned multiple industries, including banking, shipping logistics, entertainment, healthcare, defence, and customer 360.

Will Martin is the EMEA Evangelist at Dremio with experience as a data engineer, academic, solutions architect, and software developer. He has spent 15+ years collaborating with companies and organisations across EMEA and APAC, including roles at CER... Show more

Rich Turasky is a commercial real estate investor, entrepreneur, and executive with more than three decades of experience in investment management, finance, and development. Throughout his career, he has worked with private and institutional equity partners while building companies designed for long-term performance. As Founder and CEO of the Capital Companies, he has guided more than 100 investments across multiple states.

His real estate portfolio spans office, industrial, retail, and multifamily assets that collectively serve over 1,000 tenants. He has led acquisition strategy, capital formation, development execution, and ongoing asset management with a focus on disciplined underwriting and operational consistency. His leadership emphasizes measured growth, strong governance, and alignment between investors and operating teams.

In addition to real estate, Rich has founded, led, and served on the executive boards of more than 20 operating companies across industries, including plastic manufacturing, pharmaceutical development, aviation, beverage distribution, brokerage, and commercial lending. His involvement has often combined financial sponsorship with active strategic oversight, enabling businesses to scale responsibly.

He has participated in private and public mergers and initial public offerings totaling approximately $2 billion in recent years. Acting as a founding shareholder and executive board member in several transactions, he has contributed to acquisition planning, capital markets strategy, and corporate governance during periods of significant expansion.

Born in 1970, Rich earned his Bachelor of Arts from Bradley University in 1992. He later completed executive education programs at Harvard University to strengthen his strategic leadership perspective. He has also served as a featured speaker at the University of Illinois, presenting on entrepreneurship, investment strategy, and real estate development.

Early in his career, he represented major Chicago area operating companies in complex commercial real estate transactions while identifying promising private investment opportunities. Over time, his expertise expanded to include multi-state portfolio oversight, mergers and acquisitions, and sophisticated deal structuring. Among his development accomplishments is the Huntley SPEC Industrial project.

Rich Turasky was honored with the 2006 Entrepreneurial Award from the Business Ledger in recognition of his leadership and impact. He remains engaged in philanthropic efforts supporting the Elgin United Way and the Dundee Township Boys and Girls Club. An instrument-rated pilot, he applies the same discipline and focus in aviation that he brings to business leadership.

Rich Turasky is a commercial real estate investor, entrepreneur, and executive with more than three decades of experience in investment management, finance, and development. Throughout his career, he has worked with private and institutional equity p... Show more

Manas Khanna is a senior engineering leader responsible for DevOps, Cloud Infrastructure, IT, and Cybersecurity at Veryon, an aviation-focused SaaS organization. He specializes in building scalable engineering systems, defense-in-depth security programs, and operational governance that enable teams to move fast without compromising quality or safety.

With extensive experience leading global platform and DevOps transformations, Manas focuses on solving real delivery challenges through policy-as-code, automation, and systems thinking. He is passionate about reducing human bias in release processes and designing CI/CD pipelines where quality and security are enforced by the system, not dependent on individual discretion.

He regularly speaks on DevSecOps, identity, and engineering governance, and is an active contributor to community initiatives focused on accessibility and technology leadership.

Manas Khanna is a senior engineering leader responsible for DevOps, Cloud Infrastructure, IT, and Cybersecurity at Veryon, an aviation-focused SaaS organization. He specializes in building scalable engineering systems, defense-in-depth security progr... 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

Igor builds probabilistic programming and real-time inference systems in Elixir. His current project, eXMC, is an open-source PyMC-style framework running MCMC sampling on Nx/EXLA across 88 cores for live financial signal processing. Before Elixir, three decades of systems architecture across telecom, finance, and manufacturing — from ITMO (St. Petersburg) to Wayne State (Detroit) to production systems that had to work on Monday morning. He believes the best runtime for numerical computing was designed for telephone switches.

Igor builds probabilistic programming and real-time inference systems in Elixir. His current project, eXMC, is an open-source PyMC-style framework running MCMC sampling on Nx/EXLA across 88 cores for live financial signal processing. Before Elixir, ... Show more

Venkata Kundavaram is an IT Development Manager with 19 years of experience delivering enterprise-scale solutions across integrations, data engineering, business intelligence, and modern web applications. He specializes in architecting and building scalable systems using Microsoft technologies, including .NET, ASP.NET Core, Azure, BizTalk Server, Microsoft Logic Apps, Azure Functions, APIs, Service Bus, and Event Hub.
Currently, Venkat leads enterprise application development and cloud modernization initiatives at Goodwill–Easter Seals Minnesota. His work includes designing RESTful APIs, building real-time and hybrid integrations, migrating on-premises applications and data platforms to Azure, and implementing CI/CD pipelines using Azure DevOps. He has extensive hands-on experience with Azure Data Factory, Azure Data Lake Gen2, Azure SQL, Azure Data Warehouse, SSIS, SSRS, and Power BI, as well as strong expertise in SQL Server performance tuning and ETL optimization.
Previously, Venkat held technical roles at organizations including Italent (Abhra), TESCO HSC, Covansys, Exensys Software Solutions, Commerce Velocity, and Foerster Bhupathi International. Across these roles, he worked on large-scale ETL systems, BizTalk-based enterprise integrations, web application development, database design, and production support for global clients in retail, finance, and logistics domains.
Venkat holds a Master’s degree in Information Technology from Manipal University and a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Sri Venkateshwara University. He is also a Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD) with deep experience in Agile-Scrum delivery environments and mentoring technical teams.

Venkata Kundavaram is an IT Development Manager with 19 years of experience delivering enterprise-scale solutions across integrations, data engineering, business intelligence, and modern web applications. He specializes in architecting and building s... 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

Srinivasarao Challagundla is an accomplished IT leader and enterprise technology professional with over 15 years of experience spanning systems architecture, Oracle EPM solutions, enterprise automation, and large-scale logistics and e-commerce platforms. His career progression reflects a strong blend of hands-on technical expertise and strategic leadership, with a consistent focus on delivering scalable, high-impact solutions across global organizations.
Currently serving as an IT Manager at GXO Logistics in the United States, Srinivasarao leads complex automation and robotics initiatives that modernize omnichannel fulfillment operations. He has overseen the deployment of large-scale collaborative robotics systems integrated with warehouse management platforms, delivering measurable gains in efficiency, accuracy, and operational cost savings.
Previously, Srinivasarao held senior technical and architectural roles at Tech Mahindra, where he led and contributed to multiple high-impact Oracle Hyperion and Oracle FCCS implementations for public sector, financial services, telecom, and enterprise clients across India, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. His work has supported financial planning, forecasting, consolidation, and regulatory reporting for multi-entity, multi-GAAP environments, including central banks, port authorities, telecom operators, and diversified conglomerates.
His technical expertise includes Oracle Hyperion Planning, Essbase, Financial Management (HFM), Oracle Financial Consolidation and Close Cloud Service (FCCS), Oracle Data Integrator (ODI), enterprise system integrations, and automation-driven process optimization. He is recognized for his ability to bridge business and technology stakeholders, design resilient architectures, and deliver audit-ready, enterprise-grade solutions.
Srinivasarao holds a Master’s degree in Information Technology, an MBA, and multiple Oracle certifications. He has received several professional awards for delivery excellence, innovation, and client impact throughout his career.

Srinivasarao Challagundla is an accomplished IT leader and enterprise technology professional with over 15 years of experience spanning systems architecture, Oracle EPM solutions, enterprise automation, and large-scale logistics and e-commerce platfo... Show more