Shivendra Kumar is a results-driven supply chain and demand planning leader currently serving as Manager of Demand Planning at Amazon in Seattle. With over a decade of experience spanning technology and manufacturing sectors, he has built his expertise across logistics forecasting, automation, and operational excellence.
At Amazon, Shivendra leads a team of seven demand planners, developing ML-based forecasting products that have generated significant cost savings and revenue improvements for the Heavy & Bulky business. His innovative forecasting models have achieved remarkable accuracy improvements, including reducing forecast error from 22% to 12% WAPE, resulting in $80MM in operational cost savings. He has also created ML-driven forecasting products that helped increase revenue by approximately $40M annually.
Prior to Amazon, Shivendra held key roles at Dell Technologies as Worldwide Demand Planner for their $20B+ Enterprise Storage Business, and various operations and engineering positions at Caterpillar Inc. across multiple global locations. His career began after earning a Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology-BHU, followed by an MBA with specializations in Supply Chain, Finance & Strategy from Penn State's Smeal College of Business.
Known for his expertise in machine learning, forecasting, and process automation, Shivendra has consistently delivered measurable results through data-driven solutions and cross-functional leadership. He combines technical proficiency in Python, SQL, and advanced analytics with strong leadership skills, having coached team members to senior roles and led numerous strategic initiatives across his career.

Shivendra Kumar is a results-driven supply chain and demand planning leader currently serving as Manager of Demand Planning at Amazon in Seattle. With over a decade of experience spanning technology and manufacturing sectors, he has built his experti... Show more

Daria Fedorova is a strategic operator and trusted partner to founders building high-growth, high-stakes businesses. With over a decade of experience spanning the UAE, Europe, the US, and Asia, she has served as Chief of Staff, VP of Investor Relations, and Interim COO — scaling teams, systems, and capital across 7 markets.
As the first hire and CoS at Destinus, a pre-IPO deep-tech aerospace and defense startup, Daria led three global funding rounds totaling 120M CHF, acted as founder proxy in board and investor forums, and built the operational infrastructure that took the company from zero to 80+ people across 7 countries.
Her career spans YC-backed construction tech (Mighty Buildings), fintech (Bank 131), IoT supply chains (Cogobuy/Forbes Asia Fab 50), and M&A at Siemens Financial Services — giving her a rare cross-industry, cross-cultural lens on what it takes to build and scale ambitious companies.
Today, Daria advises founders and family offices on capital formation, operational scale-up, and international expansion, based between Madrid and Dubai.
She speaks on Chief of Staff, founder leverage, international growth, and building the operating systems that turn strategy into execution.

Daria Fedorova is a strategic operator and trusted partner to founders building high-growth, high-stakes businesses. With over a decade of experience spanning the UAE, Europe, the US, and Asia, she has served as Chief of Staff, VP of Investor Relatio... Show more

I am an AI researcher, lecturer, and tech lead at GoDaddy, driving enterprise-ready generative AI solutions. With over 10 years of ML/DL experience, I have developed more than 30 workflows, including both LLM and Agentic workflows. Additionally, I’ve published 25+ papers and built projects that generate millions in enterprise value.

I am an AI researcher, lecturer, and tech lead at GoDaddy, driving enterprise-ready generative AI solutions. With over 10 years of ML/DL experience, I have developed more than 30 workflows, including both LLM and Agentic workflows. Additionally, I’ve... 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

Amit is the Chief Analytics Officer (CAO)/Data Architect at Kanerika and has more than 20 years of experience in the field of data analytics. Amit is Microsoft's Most Valuable Professional (2023) and Power BI Community Super User since 2020.

Amit is the Chief Analytics Officer (CAO)/Data Architect at Kanerika and has more than 20 years of experience in the field of data analytics. Amit is Microsoft's Most Valuable Professional (2023) and Power BI Community Super User since 2020. Show more

Sandeep Uppalapati is a seasoned Senior Integration Engineer with over 11 years of expertise in designing, developing, and implementing enterprise-scale integration solutions. Based in the Chicago area, he specializes in Enterprise Application Integration (EAI), Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA), and cloud-based integration platforms.
Currently serving as Sr Integration Developer at Atkore in Harvey, IL, Sandeep leads the implementation of end-to-end integration solutions using cutting-edge technologies including TIBCO Business Works Container Edition, TIBCO Cloud Integration (TCI), and TIBCO Cloud Messaging. His work focuses on seamlessly connecting external vendors with internal systems through innovative integration patterns and event-driven architectures.
Throughout his career, Sandeep has demonstrated exceptional technical proficiency across multiple integration platforms including TIBCO, MuleSoft, WSO2, IBM Sterling Integrator, and Dell Boomi. He has successfully migrated legacy applications to modern cloud-native architectures, developed custom Java-based integration frameworks, and implemented robust error handling and retry mechanisms that enhance system reliability.
His previous role as Sr Integration Engineer at CEVA Logistics involved architecting supply chain and order management logistics integrations, where he managed complex implementations connecting various systems for shipment tracking, invoicing, and compliance across global operations. He has proven expertise in API development and management, having created both SOAP and REST APIs while implementing security policies and throttling mechanisms.
Sandeep holds a Master of Natural Science from Southeast Missouri State University and is a MuleSoft Certified Integration and API Associate. He brings a unique combination of technical depth and business acumen, consistently exceeding expectations by creating valuable partnerships and working effectively across all organizational levels. His expertise in Agile methodologies, CI/CD pipelines, and test-driven development makes him a valuable asset in modern DevOps-oriented environments.

Sandeep Uppalapati is a seasoned Senior Integration Engineer with over 11 years of expertise in designing, developing, and implementing enterprise-scale integration solutions. Based in the Chicago area, he specializes in Enterprise Application Integr... Show more

Abdullah fatimah is a passionate technology professional and data enthusiast dedicated to driving innovation and empowering the next generation of women in tech. With experience in data analytics, community engagement, and technology advocacy, she focuses on using data as a tool for problem solving and inclusive growth She has contributed to several technology communities and initiatives, where she mentors and supports young talents, particularly women, to break barriers and embrace opportunities in STEM. Her work bridges the gap between technical expertise and social impact, making her a strong voice for diversity and inclusion in Africa’s growing digital economy.

Abdullah fatimah is a passionate technology professional and data enthusiast dedicated to driving innovation and empowering the next generation of women in tech. With experience in data analytics, community engagement, and technology advocacy, she fo... Show more

Ganpati Goel is a Global Supply Chain Leader specializing in strategic sourcing, supplier industrialization, and cost engineering within the automotive and advanced manufacturing sectors. With over four years of cross-border experience spanning the United States and India, he has demonstrated exceptional ability in managing high-value electrical and mechanical commodities while driving operational excellence across global supply networks.

Currently serving as a Senior Global Supply Chain Manager at Lucid Motors, Ganpati leads sourcing initiatives for critical components including magnetics, connectors, and power systems. He has successfully resolved complex supplier challenges, mitigated supply disruptions, and delivered measurable cost savings through advanced should-cost modeling, contract renegotiations, and global benchmarking strategies.

Ganpati Goel is a Global Supply Chain Leader specializing in strategic sourcing, supplier industrialization, and cost engineering within the automotive and advanced manufacturing sectors. With over four years of cross-border experience spanning the U... Show more

Justin Mclean is a highly experienced professional with over 30 years in web application development, education, and community work, and is an active contributor to open source software. Justin is a renowned speaker at conferences worldwide and currently serves as the Community Manager at Datastrato. He mentors projects in the Apache Software Foundation and holds positions as VP of the ASF Incubator, and is an ASF board member.

Justin Mclean is a highly experienced professional with over 30 years in web application development, education, and community work, and is an active contributor to open source software. Justin is a renowned speaker at conferences worldwide and curre... Show more

Philippa Burgess is a geospatial intelligence and data analytics professional who helps organizations bring location into their Microsoft Fabric and Power BI workflows. She holds a Master of Science in Human Security and Geospatial Intelligence from the University of Southern California (USC), a Master of Planning in Urban Planning, a Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Science and Technology (GIST) from USC, and is currently completing a Master of Studies in Law (MSL) with a Privacy Law and Cybersecurity Certificate.

She specializes in integrating ArcGIS GeoAnalytics for Microsoft Fabric with modern lakehouse architectures, enabling data and BI teams to enrich existing datasets with spatial context, scalable geoprocessing, and advanced geospatial models. In her sessions, Philippa shows data engineers, analysts, and BI developers how to design end-to-end geospatial pipelines in Fabric—using Spark-enabled GeoAnalytics functions, OneLake-backed data engineering, and semantic models that light up interactive mapping in Power BI.

Drawing on applied work in disaster risk, critical infrastructure, and cyber-physical security, she demonstrates concrete patterns for joining tabular business data with real-world geography, performing large-scale spatial analysis in Fabric notebooks, and delivering location-aware insights through ArcGIS for Power BI visuals. Philippa is the founder of GeoCyber Systems LLC and an active community speaker, helping the Microsoft data ecosystem unlock “the where” in their data with Fabric, Power BI, and ArcGIS GeoAnalytics.

She is a Women Techmakers Ambassador, Esri YPN Ambassador, Gold Microsoft Student Ambassador, NICE Cybersecurity Career Ambassador, and Favikon Partner.

Philippa Burgess is a geospatial intelligence and data analytics professional who helps organizations bring location into their Microsoft Fabric and Power BI workflows. She holds a Master of Science in Human Security and Geospatial Intelligence from ... Show more

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional MVP AI | NASA Citizen Scientist; TCS Utilities Data and Analytics Practice Lead and Energy Trading and Risk Management Practice Lead | AWS Community Builder

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional MVP AI | NASA Citizen Scientist; TCS Utilities Data and Analytics Practice Lead and Energy Trading and Risk Management Practice Lead | AWS Community Builder Show more

Alain (Al) Schneiter is one of the scopewyse founders and an Microsoft Secuirty MVP. As an experienced solutions architect he is supporting clients and partners in training, concepts, designs and implementations using cloud solutions from Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365. Alain is focused on Microsoft Technologies, especially on Microsoft 365 Security, Identity and Compliance. He supports communities with his Microsoft 365 know-how. He is a regular speaker at national & international events and conferences and drives a local user groups with focus on security services based on the Microsoft products.

Alain (Al) Schneiter is one of the scopewyse founders and an Microsoft Secuirty MVP. As an experienced solutions architect he is supporting clients and partners in training, concepts, designs and implementations using cloud solutions from Microsoft A... Show more

Mentor at Primus Data

Mentor at Primus Data Show more

Aakash has built and scaled the EdTech startup Jovian (YC S21), taught millions of learners online, and authored several open-source projects. He previously worked at Twitter, and holds a
computer science degree from IIT Bombay. He is currently based in San Francisco where he does consulting work with AI startups and builds agentic AI applications.

Aakash has built and scaled the EdTech startup Jovian (YC S21), taught millions of learners online, and authored several open-source projects. He previously worked at Twitter, and holds a computer science degree from IIT Bombay. He is currently base... 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

Tiankai Feng is a Data & AI leader, musician, and optimist. As Director of Data & AI Strategy at Thoughtworks and author of "Humanizing Data Strategy" & "Humanizing AI Strategy", he brings 13+ years of experience in analytics, governance, and transformation. Passionate about the human side of technology, he makes data and AI more approachable—and even fun—through music, memes, and fresh perspectives.

Tiankai Feng is a Data & AI leader, musician, and optimist. As Director of Data & AI Strategy at Thoughtworks and author of "Humanizing Data Strategy" & "Humanizing AI Strategy", he brings 13+ years of experience in analytics, governance, and transf... 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

I've spent 25+ years proving a thesis most organisations resist: that value lives at the edges, not the centre. The best talent isn't where you expect it. The best ideas don't come from headquarters. And the biggest returns come from reconceiving how work gets done — not optimising how it's always been done.

My route in was making things — directing commercials, editing, VFX, hanging from helicopters to get the shot. That hands-on creative background shapes everything I do now: I don't theorise about transformation, I build it. From a startup that moved high-end visual effects off six-figure hardware onto the desktop, to a globally-distributed operation spanning 1,000+ people across seven countries, built years before remote work went mainstream. Same pattern each time: find value trapped behind an artificial barrier, build the mechanism to release it.

Now I focus on what happens when AI meets real operations — not the demo, but the deployment.

I speak about operational transformation, growth, culture, AI beyond the proof-of-concept, and the patterns that repeat every time new capability demands new ways of working.

I've spent 25+ years proving a thesis most organisations resist: that value lives at the edges, not the centre. The best talent isn't where you expect it. The best ideas don't come from headquarters. And the biggest returns come from reconceiving how... 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

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

Preetham is an innovative software engineer and technical architecture specialist with over a decade of experience delivering transformative digital solutions for government and enterprise organizations. Currently serving as a Technical Architecture Specialist at the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), he leads critical infrastructure projects that modernize how government agencies serve citizens and manage operations.
His expertise spans cloud-native architecture, enterprise application development, and large-scale system integration. At PennDOT, Preetham has architected and implemented several high-impact platforms, including the Find My Ride Transportation Eligibility System serving over 100,000 users across 67 counties, and the Integrated Security Attribute Management Solution (iSAM) managing access for 35,000+ employees across 200+ critical systems. These initiatives have collectively generated millions in cost savings while dramatically improving operational efficiency and user experience.
Preetham's technical proficiency encompasses modern cloud platforms (AWS, Azure), containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes), and enterprise frameworks (Spring Boot, MuleSoft, Apache Kafka). He consistently demonstrates expertise in security implementation, compliance standards (ADA/WCAG), and data-driven performance optimization. His projects routinely achieve remarkable results – reducing processing times by up to 68%, cutting operational costs by hundreds of thousands annually, and maintaining enterprise-grade reliability with 99.9% uptime.
With educational credentials including a Master's in Management Information Systems from the University of Illinois at Springfield (3.92 GPA) and experience spanning from Amazon India to specialized government technology consulting, Preetham brings a unique blend of technical depth and strategic vision to complex digital transformation challenges. His passion for leveraging technology to create scalable, secure solutions positions him as a valuable leader in modern software architecture and implementation.

Preetham is an innovative software engineer and technical architecture specialist with over a decade of experience delivering transformative digital solutions for government and enterprise organizations. Currently serving as a Technical Architecture ... 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

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

I am a visionary leader and dynamic public speaker with over a decade of experience in the tech industry. A native of Nigeria, the Giant of Africa located in the western part of the continent, I have earned a reputation for driving innovation and delivering exceptional results in product strategy, development, and management. My expertise spans research, entrepreneurship, and technological innovation, making me a sought-after voice on topics ranging from Big Data Management to scaling digital products.

As a speaker, I am known for my passion for innovation and my ability to translate complex technical concepts into impactful insights. My talks inspire audiences to embrace cutting-edge technology while maintaining a strong focus on user-centered design and operational excellence. Whether addressing tech professionals or business leaders, my goal is to empower others to drive meaningful change and make lasting contributions to the tech landscape.

I am a visionary leader and dynamic public speaker with over a decade of experience in the tech industry. A native of Nigeria, the Giant of Africa located in the western part of the continent, I have earned a reputation for driving innovation and del... Show more

AI Engineer and PhD student focused on Information Retrieval systems

AI Engineer and PhD student focused on Information Retrieval systems Show more

Manager of AI and Legal Technology Adoption at an international AmLaw 200 law firm, where she helps professionals turn Microsoft 365 Copilot and generative AI into meaningful, human-centered transformation.
A seasoned speaker and trainer with nearly two decades of experience, Mel has been presenting for as long as she has been training. She delivers engaging, practical sessions in both English and Spanish, connecting with global audiences through clarity, energy, and real-world relevance. Her background spans legal technology, innovation, logistics, and aviation, allowing her to bridge business, technology, and culture with ease.
She is the co-founder of Rockstar Women in AI & Security and SabIAs, and an Advisor at Altruva.AI.
Her mission is simple: to make AI adoption human, inclusive, and transformative. One connection. One prompt. One match at a time.

Manager of AI and Legal Technology Adoption at an international AmLaw 200 law firm, where she helps professionals turn Microsoft 365 Copilot and generative AI into meaningful, human-centered transformation. A seasoned speaker and trainer with nearly... Show more

Eva Panadero is a Senior Software Engineer at Novatec, specializing in backend development with technologies such as Spring Boot, Java, Kotlin, and Nest.js, as well as microservices, databases, containers, and automation with GitHub Actions. She holds a master’s degree in Cybersecurity and Privacy, along with certifications as a cybersecurity professional and in Management 3.0.

With over 10 years of experience, she combines a solid technical background with a creative and innovative approach. She is actively involved in initiatives like "Seré Ingeniera", encouraging girls to pursue technical careers through workshops and hands-on projects. Currently, she is also developing two new initiatives focused on digital education and cybersecurity.

"This is my story." (FFX)

Eva Panadero is a Senior Software Engineer at Novatec, specializing in backend development with technologies such as Spring Boot, Java, Kotlin, and Nest.js, as well as microservices, databases, containers, and automation with GitHub Actions. She hold... Show more

With over a decade of dynamic experience across leadership development, diversity and inclusion, and human resources, Sheila Vance-Tisby is a recognized thought leader and speaker in the areas of leadership, women’s leadership, emotional intelligence, and organizational transformation. Sheila's career spans multiple industries, where she has spearheaded high-impact programs that cultivate resilience, foster effective leadership, and promote equity in the workplace.

As the Founder and Principal Consultant for Rebel Leader Lab, Sheila designs and delivers bespoke leadership development programs for organizations looking to accelerate talent growth and foster emotional intelligence within their teams. Having consulted for major companies such as Amazon Web Services, New Balance, and Georgia Tech Research Institute, she brings firsthand knowledge of how to lead teams through transformative change, manage conflict, and build emotionally intelligent leaders. Her leadership programs have been implemented by companies across the U.S., and her impact continues to resonate within the corporate world.

A frequent speaker at conferences and corporate events, Sheila captivates audiences with her powerful insights on emotional intelligence, leadership resilience, and mediation techniques. She is known for blending practical strategies with inspirational storytelling, leaving her audiences empowered to lead with empathy, resolve conflicts, and create inclusive work environments.

With a strong educational foundation including an MBA from Concordia University and over 10 years of progressive leadership experience, Sheila’s expertise positions her as a top speaker for organizations committed to developing future leaders and fostering workplace excellence.

With over a decade of dynamic experience across leadership development, diversity and inclusion, and human resources, Sheila Vance-Tisby is a recognized thought leader and speaker in the areas of leadership, women’s leadership, emotional intelligence... Show more