In 2017, Tom Sherman discovered the 5th season of the year after nearly a decade of studying timekeeping and measurement systems. He then spent the next 3 years deconstructing the Gregorian Calendar and re-engineering a New Calendar system using modern math, science and logic that divides time evenly, precisely, and accurately, for the first time in the history of time. With humor, philosophy, and curiosity, Tom is able to expand your perception of reality and uncover new systems and patterns that are currently hiding in plain sight.

In 2017, Tom Sherman discovered the 5th season of the year after nearly a decade of studying timekeeping and measurement systems. He then spent the next 3 years deconstructing the Gregorian Calendar and re-engineering a New Calendar system using mode... Show more

Amjad N, a passionate frontend developer at Strollby, has a proven track record of helping startups bring their products to life and undertaking other personal initiatives. He has also contributed to various college club websites. Additionally, he is a seasoned hackathon participant, having not only won competitions but also mentored and judged at different technical events. Amjad actively engages with vibrant developer communities, fostering collaboration and growth within the tech ecosystem.

Amjad N, a passionate frontend developer at Strollby, has a proven track record of helping startups bring their products to life and undertaking other personal initiatives. He has also contributed to various college club websites. Additionally, he is... Show more

Alain Chiasson, is part of a DevSecOps team that has built and manages The Hashicorp Vault Enterprise system, drawing on 3 decades of "having seen it all" - helping system integrator, infrastructure owners and
software developers secure their applications.

Alain Chiasson, is part of a DevSecOps team that has built and manages The Hashicorp Vault Enterprise system, drawing on 3 decades of "having seen it all" - helping system integrator, infrastructure owners and software developers secure their appli... Show more

I am a security researcher with experience in Exploit Development and Vulnerability research. I mostly dabble around with Windows and IoT software environment to find vulnerabilities and develop exploits. I also contribute my time with infosec communities such as Null, Bsides, OWASP

I am a security researcher with experience in Exploit Development and Vulnerability research. I mostly dabble around with Windows and IoT software environment to find vulnerabilities and develop exploits. I also contribute my time with infosec commun... Show more

Tech professional from a non-Tech background. Musician. Composer.

Tech professional from a non-Tech background. Musician. Composer. Show more

Simran Harish Dhameja is an Indian Entrepreneur and public speaker who started her journey in the startup world at 19 year old. With over 8 years of experience in IT, e-commerce, and business development, she has built, scaled, and managed multiple ventures turning ideas into massively scaled businesses.

She is the Founder and CEO of Shark En, an IT and business development company that helps startups, e-commerce brands, and creators scale through technology, automation, and growth strategy .Under her leadership, Shark En has supported businesses across India in launching, scaling, and systemising their growth journeys.

As a public speaker, Simran has delivered 100+ sessions and keynotes across India — including college tours and talks for Google and the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII) she has trained and inspired thousands of students, entrepreneurs, and business owners on topics like startup growth, AI for business, scaling e-commerce , and personal brand and to young entrepreneurs and students as well on embracing technology, innovation, AI and business.

Her mission is to empower India’s youth to build scalable, tech-driven businesses and and become leaders of tomorrow through real-world education and entrepreneurial awareness.

Simran Harish Dhameja is an Indian Entrepreneur and public speaker who started her journey in the startup world at 19 year old. With over 8 years of experience in IT, e-commerce, and business development, she has built, scaled, and managed multiple ... Show more

Software Architect and Security Researcher

Software Architect and Security Researcher Show more

Krzysztof Korzela, Senior Solution Architect at Red Hat, supporting customers in their digital transformation through cloud-native solutions and DevSecOps practices. Brings over 20 years of experience in IT infrastructure across banking, telecom, and public sectors. Holds certifications including RHCA, CKA, and AWS Solutions Architect – and many more. Passionate about continuous learning and staying up to date with evolving technologies.
In his free time, he enjoys being active with his family and constantly expands his smart home to create more time for what matters most.

Krzysztof Korzela, Senior Solution Architect at Red Hat, supporting customers in their digital transformation through cloud-native solutions and DevSecOps practices. Brings over 20 years of experience in IT infrastructure across banking, telecom, and... Show more

George is VP of Engineering at loveholidays, where he's been since August 2019. Before that he held engineering positions at DRW, Forward Internet Group, ThoughtWorks and others.

George is VP of Engineering at loveholidays, where he's been since August 2019. Before that he held engineering positions at DRW, Forward Internet Group, ThoughtWorks and others. Show more

Chiamaka Ichoku is a Senior Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations Functional Consultant with experience leading Procure-to-Pay and financial transformation projects across Europe. She blends business understanding with process design to help organisations simplify operations and unlock measurable value. Chiamaka is passionate about empowering teams, improving user experiences, and making digital transformation human, practical, and accessible.

Chiamaka Ichoku is a Senior Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations Functional Consultant with experience leading Procure-to-Pay and financial transformation projects across Europe. She blends business understanding with process design to help organisation... Show more

Sachin is a Senior Software Engineer who spends his days wrangling Golang, AWS, Kubernetes, and the occasional Friday deployment he immediately regrets. He’s built and scaled backend systems for teams that like their platforms fast, reliable, and (mostly) drama-free.

Over the years, he’s worked on everything from multi-tenant migrations and CI/CD pipelines that actually behave, to backend services that don’t wake him up at 3 AM. He loves clean architecture, simple solutions to messy problems, and developers who write good commit messages.

When Sachin isn't deep in code, you’ll find him experimenting with side projects, helping teammates level up, or trying (and failing) to keep his local dev environment perfectly organized.

Sachin is a Senior Software Engineer who spends his days wrangling Golang, AWS, Kubernetes, and the occasional Friday deployment he immediately regrets. He’s built and scaled backend systems for teams that like their platforms fast, reliable, and (mo... Show more

Sean Alaback is Head of Development and Solutions Architecture at Fragomen’s Global Development Lab, where he leads a global team of engineers and architects building scalable, cloud-native platforms that power Fragomen’s immigration and mobility solutions. Sean focuses on empowering teams through clarity, collaboration, and accountability. He drives the firm’s transition from monolithic to distributed systems, fostering innovation grounded in security, compliance, and technical excellence while aligning technology strategy with global business goals.

Sean Alaback is Head of Development and Solutions Architecture at Fragomen’s Global Development Lab, where he leads a global team of engineers and architects building scalable, cloud-native platforms that power Fragomen’s immigration and mobility sol... Show more

I'm a product leader with nearly 20 years of experience building AI-driven products at companies like Microsoft, Nuance, and TripAdvisor. I specialize in pre-Product Market Fit, working in high-uncertainty contexts where strategy, speed, and clarity are critical.

I'm a product leader with nearly 20 years of experience building AI-driven products at companies like Microsoft, Nuance, and TripAdvisor. I specialize in pre-Product Market Fit, working in high-uncertainty contexts where strategy, speed, and clarity ... Show more

As a certified professional coach and enterprise agile coach, I support leaders, managers, and teams in driving sustainable transformation across industries and cultures. With 15+ years of experience, I bring an integrative approach that blends agile frameworks, systems thinking, neuroscience, positive psychology, sociology, and collective intelligence.

I help organizations surface implicit team dynamics, assess their maturity, and design tailored strategies to foster collaboration, performance, and meaningful impact. I’ve worked with clients in the tech, retail, and public sectors — including scale-ups and organizations navigating crisis or restructuring.

My coaching and facilitation style is grounded, pragmatic, and focused on real-life challenges. I create safe spaces for reflection and experimentation, while making complex concepts accessible and actionable. I strongly believe in embodied agility — an agility that embraces tension, context, and human complexity.

As a speaker, I share case-based insights, tools to align strategy with action, and systemic lenses to better understand organizational behavior. My sessions are designed to spark awareness and equip participants with ideas they can implement immediately.

I’m particularly passionate about helping leaders “connect the dots” between strategic intent and collective execution — and about enabling teams to grow through clarity, ownership, and trust.

As a certified professional coach and enterprise agile coach, I support leaders, managers, and teams in driving sustainable transformation across industries and cultures. With 15+ years of experience, I bring an integrative approach that blends agile... Show more

Nitin Kumar is the Director of Data Science and GenAI at Marriott International, where he leads large-scale AI initiatives spanning marketing, customer engagement, and operational excellence. His work focuses on bringing Generative AI and intelligent agentic systems from concept to enterprise deployment, enabling real business impact across diverse functions. He is also an active speaker and contributor at leading AI and data science forums, sharing insights on innovation, governance, and the future of AI in business transformation.

Nitin Kumar is the Director of Data Science and GenAI at Marriott International, where he leads large-scale AI initiatives spanning marketing, customer engagement, and operational excellence. His work focuses on bringing Generative AI and intelligent... Show more

Arpan Gohe is the Founder and CEO of TechRooot Technology, a leading digital marketing and AI automation company dedicated to empowering businesses with intelligent solutions. Specializing in AI-powered automation, digital marketing strategy, and LinkedIn lead generation, Arpan has enabled startups and organizations to streamline their workflows and drive exponential growth through practical, technology-driven approaches.

As an AI educator, Arpan has trained hundreds of students and professionals in web development, business automation, and artificial intelligence. His expertise makes complex technical topics accessible to both technical and non-technical audiences, with a focus on hands-on learning and real-world applications. Through TechRooot Technology, Arpan has successfully designed and deployed solutions that automate up to 80% of manual processes for organizations, resulting in significant gains in efficiency and customer engagement.

Arpan’s skill set encompasses AI-powered marketing, lead generation, personal branding strategies, and full-stack web development. Proficient in modern technologies such as React, TypeScript, Python, and multiple AI automation platforms, Arpan is passionate about democratizing the power of AI for small businesses and emerging enterprises. His innovative projects, like the AI-driven workplace safety application Bsafe, demonstrate his commitment to practical digital transformation.

In addition to building automation solutions, Arpan actively contributes to India’s tech community as a mentor, conference speaker, and digital content creator. He is dedicated to knowledge sharing, professional development, and leveraging technology to create a positive business impact. When not focused on technology, Arpan enjoys networking at conferences, photography, and exploring emerging trends in business automation.

Arpan Gohe is the Founder and CEO of TechRooot Technology, a leading digital marketing and AI automation company dedicated to empowering businesses with intelligent solutions. Specializing in AI-powered automation, digital marketing strategy, and Lin... Show more

I am currently in my final year studying B.Sc. in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, with a strong interest in how machines can learn and make decisions. I have hands-on experience with various Machine Learning projects and enjoy sharing my knowledge with others. I’ve given talks at college events and love breaking down complex topics into simple, fun explanations. My goal is to make this session interactive and help everyone understand the basics of Machine Learning, even if you’re new to it. Let’s explore the world of AI together.

I am currently in my final year studying B.Sc. in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, with a strong interest in how machines can learn and make decisions. I have hands-on experience with various Machine Learning projects and enjoy sharing m... Show more

Over the course of his career, Craig Bonn has dedicated more than thirty years to developing strategies that help investors participate in opportunities outside of traditional markets. He focuses on alternative investments, private equity, and pre-IPO companies. Today, he is the Managing Partner of Harley Capital LLC, an independent broker-dealer, and the Managing Member of Edge Partners LLC, which organizes Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) for accredited investors seeking access to late-stage private companies. His professional record includes exposure to various industries—technology, healthcare, energy, and consumer markets—and early involvement in companies such as Facebook, Databricks, and Anthropic.

Craig’s path began in New York, where he was born and raised, before pursuing his undergraduate education at the University of Hartford. Soon after completing his degree, he joined Lehman Brothers. Working at the firm placed him amid global financial activity, where he learned to evaluate risk, manage portfolios, and advise clients across diverse situations. While the environment was demanding and competitive, it also revealed to him the limitations of conventional financial instruments. He observed that not every client’s long-term goals could be met through traditional markets alone, which inspired him to look more closely at alternatives.

Guided by this insight, Craig established Harley Capital LLC. He aimed to create an independent, transparent, and long-term client service firm. Harley Capital grew into a boutique investment company, serving high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and trusts. Clients of Harley Capital benefit from carefully selected opportunities in areas such as private equity and pre-IPO investments, which are often beyond the reach of conventional investors. The firm emphasizes diversification, clear communication, and fiduciary responsibility as central to its mission.

Craig further extended his professional focus through Edge Partners LLC. At Edge Partners, he applies the SPV model to give accredited investors structured participation in pre-IPO and late-stage venture opportunities. Organized under a Delaware Series LLC, the firm is efficient and flexible while maintaining thorough due diligence. Edge Partners has prioritized investments in fields such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, robotics, and software, which are industries positioned for long-term growth. He oversees acquiring securities in private companies and holding them until liquidity events such as acquisitions or public offerings occur.

His approach to investing emphasizes three pillars: disciplined risk management, appropriate timing, and a long-term vision. Craig believes that successful outcomes require choosing companies with potential and structuring the investments to safeguard participants. His preference for SPVs reflects this philosophy, providing both access to growth and a framework that manages risk.

Beyond pre-IPO markets, Craig has been active in natural gas mineral funds, venture partnerships, hospitality REITs, and specialized financing. His involvement includes WhiteHawk Energy and investments in Outstanding Foods, Braemar Hotels and Resorts, Prospect Capital, and Urica Therapeutics. Each reflects his practice of assessing industries, market conditions, and company fundamentals before committing capital.

Craig has remained committed to philanthropy and community involvement outside his professional roles. He supports organizations such as Pink Aid and Fred’s Team, which fund cancer research and health initiatives. His contributions include both financial support and participation in awareness-building events.

Craig has lived with his wife in Westport, Connecticut, for over 25 years. He is a runner who has completed five marathons, including the New York Marathon. He also enjoys traveling and gaining perspective by engaging with different cultures and economies.

Balancing his career achievements with philanthropy and personal pursuits, Craig Bonn continues to follow a path that reflects dedication, long-term vision, and community engagement.

Over the course of his career, Craig Bonn has dedicated more than thirty years to developing strategies that help investors participate in opportunities outside of traditional markets. He focuses on alternative investments, private equity, and pre-IP... Show more

Randolph P. (Randy) Johnston, MCS, has been a leading figure in technology for over 40 years. Inducted into the Accounting Hall of Fame in 2011, he has remained a Top 25 Thought Leader in Accounting from 2011 through 2024. His continued influence in the profession is highlighted by his recognition in the 2024 Accounting Today Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting—his twenty-first consecutive year on that list. In addition, Randy authors a monthly column and hosts a weekly podcast for The CPA Practice Advisor contributes to the Journal of Accountancy, writes for various accounting and technology publications, and has published numerous books.

He has founded and still owns multiple ventures, including K2 Enterprises in Hammond, Louisiana, and Network Management Group, Inc. (NMGI) in Hutchinson, Kansas. For four decades, NMGI has provided services to CPA firms and has been the largest managed service provider for the CPA profession in North America. Randy’s wife, four children, and seven grandchildren share his passions for theatre, music, travel, golf, skiing, snorkeling, and model trains. His background as a college instructor, management and technology consultant, and advisor to the accounting community informs today’s presentation.
Contact Randy at randy@k2e.com, randyj@nmgi.com, 620-664-6000 x 112, via www.randyjohnston.com, www.technologybestpractices.com, www.nmgi.com, or www.k2e.com.

Randolph P. (Randy) Johnston, MCS, has been a leading figure in technology for over 40 years. Inducted into the Accounting Hall of Fame in 2011, he has remained a Top 25 Thought Leader in Accounting from 2011 through 2024. His continued influence in ... Show more

Michelle Elliott is a passionate advocate for authentic leadership, with over 28 years of experience in education. Known for her empowering presence, and deep belief in the power of vulnerability, she helps women embrace leadership without compromising their values or voice.

Currently serving as the hiring manager at San José Unified School District, her work focuses on creating welcoming spaces where women and other staff can show up fully—and lead with both strength and humanity.

Michelle brings a refreshing perspective on what it means to lead as a woman today: not by hiding vulnerability, but by using it to connect, inspire, and drive meaningful change.

Michelle Elliott is a passionate advocate for authentic leadership, with over 28 years of experience in education. Known for her empowering presence, and deep belief in the power of vulnerability, she helps women embrace leadership without compromis... Show more

I am a seasoned Information Technology professional with a passion for harnessing tech to drive positive impact. I leverage my expertise to create innovative solutions that benefit my community, workplace, and daily life. Currently serving as a Systems and Finance Officer at Modern Home Interiors, I am dedicated to driving digital transformation, implementing technology solutions to enhance operational efficiency, productivity, and decision-making. With a strong enthusiasm for technology and a commitment to excellence, I utilize tech to foster community growth and stay at the forefront of innovation, continuously updating my skills and knowledge to stay ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

I am a seasoned Information Technology professional with a passion for harnessing tech to drive positive impact. I leverage my expertise to create innovative solutions that benefit my community, workplace, and daily life. Currently serving as a Syst... Show more

I help organizations use modern management methods and frameworks such as Flight Levels, Kanban, Leadership Circle Profile, and others to drive meaningful change within an organization to become an awesome workplace and deliver the best to its customers.

I help organizations use modern management methods and frameworks such as Flight Levels, Kanban, Leadership Circle Profile, and others to drive meaningful change within an organization to become an awesome workplace and deliver the best to its custom... Show more

Shivam is a Senior Product Designer at eBay’s core AI team, based in Berlin, shaping the future of e-commerce. Prior to eBay he worked on leading the designs efforts for couple of AI driven initiatives at Trivago, global leader in travel tech. He advocates for a human-centered approach to AI, emphasizing the critical balance between technology and empathy in shaping user experiences. Before trivago, he contributed to Sprinklr, helping to redefine unified customer experience management. He also interned at Microsoft.

Shivam is a Senior Product Designer at eBay’s core AI team, based in Berlin, shaping the future of e-commerce. Prior to eBay he worked on leading the designs efforts for couple of AI driven initiatives at Trivago, global leader in travel tech. He adv... Show more

I'm a developer using the .NET ecossystem for more than 20 years, providing solutions for e-commerce, callcenters, healthcare and all kind of business where IT can make the difference.
6x Microsoft MVP on Developer Technologies category, I love to contribute and help other people on software development.
Also, I spend some time playing drums too :)

I'm a developer using the .NET ecossystem for more than 20 years, providing solutions for e-commerce, callcenters, healthcare and all kind of business where IT can make the difference. 6x Microsoft MVP on Developer Technologies category, I love to c... Show more

Working in the industry since 2000 from embedded systems for railway systems to insurance, e-commerce and major sports event broadcasting

Working in the industry since 2000 from embedded systems for railway systems to insurance, e-commerce and major sports event broadcasting Show more

Hey there! I'm Catherine Jones, CEO and Transaction Coach at Zuzi Strategies, where I guide clients through high-stakes transactions as a coach, business advisor, and mentor all rolled into one. With over 25 years of experience navigating complex deals, I've been involved in transactions exceeding $72 billion. From debt restructuring with two restraining orders blocking the deal to managing transactions during a coup and counter-revolt, I've even closed deals while governments were in complete turmoil!

My career has spanned the globe, dealing with everything from managing transactions during political upheavals to assessing how deal disclosures might impact presidential elections in an island nation. I'm fluent in Spanish and interned on the Supreme Court of Argentina. And if you think US deals are wild, try negotiating international transactions while governments are in turmoil!

I've recently transitioned to transaction coaching, recognizing that much of my time was spent delving into the psychology of deals. I was even called an "expensive therapist" by a legal client! I serve as a sounding board and advisor to clients going through the emotional roller coaster of high-stakes transactions, keeping my clients true to their end goals and values in that chaos.

Now, I'm thrilled to share my expertise with you. Join me at "Unlocking Your Startup Toolbox: Mastering the Mix of Funding Tools for Success" in the Money Track, where I'll explain the variety of funding options available to startups (it's not just loans and VCs) and how to navigate the funding maze, drawing from my own wild deal experiences and those of others. Let's explore actionable insights together and pave the way for your startup's success.

And don't miss me in the Fun Track at "The Ultimate Entrepreneurial Challenge: Pivot, Balance, Succeed" where we'll put entrepreneurial skills to the test in a completely different way!

Oh, and when I'm not coaching clients through transformational deals, you can find me exploring the Western Slope, capturing moments through my lens, or lost in a good book. Let's connect, learn, and thrive together in Colorado's vibrant startup community!

Hey there! I'm Catherine Jones, CEO and Transaction Coach at Zuzi Strategies, where I guide clients through high-stakes transactions as a coach, business advisor, and mentor all rolled into one. With over 25 years of experience navigating complex dea... Show more

Bahar is a Flutter developer and co-founder at Altogether startup, a pioneering law tech platform designed to serve persons with disabilities. With a passion for inclusive design and innovation, Bahar played a pivotal role in leading her team to victory as the 1st place winner at the Global BeChangeMaker 2023 Competition held in Dublin, Ireland organized by WorldSkills and HP Foundation. Drawing on her extensive experience, Bahar has actively collaborated with persons with disabilities to identify and address accessibility challenges within Flutter applications. Through direct engagement and rigorous testing, she has managed to enhance accessibility and ensure adherence to legal compliance guidelines. Furthermore, Bahar also has a background in legal compliance complementing her technical expertise.

Bahar is a Flutter developer and co-founder at Altogether startup, a pioneering law tech platform designed to serve persons with disabilities. With a passion for inclusive design and innovation, Bahar played a pivotal role in leading her team to vict... Show more

Aleja es una profesional multidisciplinaria con formación en desarrollo web y emprendimiento en startups. En sus 5 años de experiencia, ha demostrado su capacidad para adaptarse a nuevos desafíos y liderar equipos de alto rendimiento desde Growth Marketing hasta Inteligencia Artificial. Como mentora y conferencista, comparte su conocimiento para empoderar a emprendedores tecnológicos y acelerar la adopción de la IA. Es una activa líder y embajadora de comunidades como GOYN Bogotá, AWS Women Colombia, Women TechMakers y Notion Colombia; también disfruta de viajar, crear contenido y conectar con su comunidad.

Aleja es una profesional multidisciplinaria con formación en desarrollo web y emprendimiento en startups. En sus 5 años de experiencia, ha demostrado su capacidad para adaptarse a nuevos desafíos y liderar equipos de alto rendimiento desde Growth Mar... Show more

Angela Bing Victorio, a seasoned technical lead with over 20 years of software development experience. She specializes in cloud migrations, micro-services architecture, CI/CD pipelines and creating efficient and scalable solutions for complex business needs. Angela has extensive industrial experience in systems for airline operations, financial industry, services and applications for passenger travel , distributed control systems for power plants, and social networking startups.

Angela Bing Victorio, a seasoned technical lead with over 20 years of software development experience. She specializes in cloud migrations, micro-services architecture, CI/CD pipelines and creating efficient and scalable solutions for complex busines... Show more

Wes Shields, Principal and founder of Synthminds.AI, leads a team of 15 experts, propelling clients' AI strategies and objectives with ethical and innovative solutions. Under his stewardship, his full-service Artificial Intelligence agency provides bespoke services that exceed their strategic needs to an extensive list of clientele from academia to various industries including aviation, customer service, legal, marketing, logistics, education and technology. He was named one of the first 18 global “OpenAI Experts”, an endorsement awarded and recognized formally by OpenAI. Shields' exemplary work has earned him and his Synthminds team the "Expert-Vetted" AI Consultant accolade from Upwork, a title conferred on the top 1% of the 18 million professionals on the platform.

Recognized as an accomplished strategist and speaker in the field of AI, he is also the host of the popular podcast, 'How to Talk to AI.' He has a notable presence on Promptbase.com, the premier prompt sales marketplace, where his prompts rank him amongst the top 200 worldwide.

Shields possesses an impressive academic portfolio, holding an MS in Operations Research from the Naval Postgraduate School, an MBA from the Mason School of Business at The College of William & Mary, and a BS in Economics from the esteemed United States Naval Academy. His contributions to academic research, particularly in the domains of complex network science and logistics technology integration, have been published and recognized, earning him graduate certifications from both the Kegan-Flagler School of Business at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and the Naval Postgraduate School.

For more insights into his professional pursuits and areas of interest, visit https://synthminds.ai/.

Wes Shields, Principal and founder of Synthminds.AI, leads a team of 15 experts, propelling clients' AI strategies and objectives with ethical and innovative solutions. Under his stewardship, his full-service Artificial Intelligence agency provides b... Show more