Marija Todosovska works as a Data Scientist at Sixt, based in Munich, Germany. She works with Time Series Forecasting and Predictive Modelling, building models, modelling data and deploying in a productionalised infrastructure. Using her knowledge of Data Science, every day she works hands-on to deal with the challenges of modelling data in the travel industry. In the past, she has worked with Time Series Forecasting and Predictive Modelling in the Financial Sector, as well as Natural Language Processing.

Marija Todosovska works as a Data Scientist at Sixt, based in Munich, Germany. She works with Time Series Forecasting and Predictive Modelling, building models, modelling data and deploying in a productionalised infrastructure. Using her knowledge of... Show more

Neringa Young is the Founder of Build Stuff conferences, which she personally manages – recruiting and working with the team, looking for the partners, creating marketing strategies and implementation of the conference promotion. She is also helping with logistics and creating the content of the event. For each year she invites 80 leading speakers from the Tech industry from around the world to come to the Baltics for this 5-day event.
The success of her leadership is seen through the results of the event which every year attracts more than 1400 software developers, with the same participants returning every year as the event grows.
Outside of the workplace, Neringa is involved with initiatives like Women Go Tech where she mentors young women, providing them with advice and direction for their careers in the tech sector.
She is the founder and manager of FIX.Events which runs meetings, training, conferences, private and public events for private & corporate clients.
During her university studies, she was simultaneous working as a Telemarketing sales representative. In just 2 years (2009), she was promoted on the basis of good results to become the Sales team lead at Lintel. At the age of 22, she was responsible for over 100 telemarketing sales managers. Her responsibilities included – hiring staff, training staff, coaching, organizing work across the wider team and implementing company sales strategies.
At AB TEO (now Telia), she initiated, formed and managed a team that is composed of both technical- and sales-personnel to boost sales in line with the company’s sales strategy. Her responsibilities included human resource management – hiring staff, training, coaching, organizing teamwork and working with sales strategies.
During the time she was working at AB TEO, she also published her Master thesis on an HR Topic: "Coaching for the Development of Organizational Personnel (Case of an X Organization, Lithuania)"; 2012 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON EDUCATION REFORM AND MANAGEMENT, INNOVATION (ERMI 2012), VOL 1 Pages: 54-60 Published: 2013; Conference: International, Conference on Education Reform and Management Innovation (ERMI 2012) Location: Shenzhen, PEOPLES R CHINA Date: DEC 04-05, 2012.

Neringa Young is the Founder of Build Stuff conferences, which she personally manages – recruiting and working with the team, looking for the partners, creating marketing strategies and implementation of the conference promotion. She is also helping ... Show more

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Jimoh Oluwadamilola Alimat

I am a 21-year-old Geology student at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria, with a deep-rooted passion for exploring the Earth, from its rocks to its vast natural systems and an even deeper commitment to empowering young people to figure life out early, regardless of their course of study or background.

As someone navigating both the world of geosciences and the realities of life as a young Nigerian, I understand the confusion, pressure, and uncertainty many students and recent graduates face. Whether it’s choosing the right career path, handling job rejections, or feeling unprepared for the future, I’ve been there, and I’m here to help others move forward with clarity and confidence.

My passion lies at the intersection of geoscience education, youth empowerment, and sustainable development. I believe that geosciences are not just about studying the Earth, but about understanding the role we play in preserving it, and equipping the next generation with the mindset and skills to lead in this mission.

Through speaking, writing, and mentoring, I help students and graduates unlock their potential, discover purpose-driven careers, and position themselves for global opportunities, especially in a world transitioning toward cleaner, more sustainable energy systems.

I’m driven by a vision: to raise a generation of young Africans who are scientifically informed, socially aware, and strategically prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the future both in geoscience and beyond.

Jimoh Oluwadamilola Alimat I am a 21-year-old Geology student at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria, with a deep-rooted passion for exploring the Earth, from its rocks to its vast natural systems and an even deeper commitment to empowering y... Show more

Bipul Adhikari is a senior software engineer with over five years of experience, currently working at the intersection of user experience and infrastructure automation. At Red Hat and IBM, Bipul has been a key contributor to OpenShift Data Foundation (ODF) — a product that brings Ceph to Kubernetes via Rook. His work spans both the UI layer and the Kubernetes operator, enabling seamless deployment, management, and monitoring of storage systems in cloud-native environments.

Bipul Adhikari is a senior software engineer with over five years of experience, currently working at the intersection of user experience and infrastructure automation. At Red Hat and IBM, Bipul has been a key contributor to OpenShift Data Foundation... Show more

Maria Betancourt Thompson, Ed.D., is a distinguished expert in transformational leadership, instructional equity, and school culture. Her journey from homelessness and trauma due to domestic abuse and family mental illness has profoundly shaped her mission. Maria's "True North" is child-centered, dedicated to ensuring that the educational system serves every child, regardless of their challenges. Her inspiring "First Generation" story, from school custodian to district director, reflects her resilience and dedication. As a child, Maria helped her hard-working immigrant parents clean the school she attended, contributing to the family's livelihood and influencing her drive and work ethic.

Fluent in Spanish, English, and French, Maria has an extensive background in education, having served as a classroom teacher, dean, assistant principal, school principal, and district director. She currently holds the position of State Leadership Development Chair for the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA). Maria is a prolific author and creator, with numerous published articles, photographs, presentations, and over $13 million in successful grant writing to her credit.

Maria is renowned for her ability to help school and district leaders discover their “why” and apply it to their work, combining heart and humor to engage and inspire. She is passionate about transforming educational environments and is unafraid to challenge the status quo to remove barriers and ensure access for all students. Her focus is on maximizing educator talent to achieve grade-level or better learning outcomes for every student.

An avid hiker, photographer, and traveler, Maria enjoys creating lasting memories with family and friends. She currently works for the Charter Oak Unified School District and resides in the San Gabriel Valley with her husband Mark, son Michael, and cherished pets, Daisy the Cattle Dog and Winnie-Pooh the Adventure Pug.

Maria Betancourt Thompson, Ed.D., is a distinguished expert in transformational leadership, instructional equity, and school culture. Her journey from homelessness and trauma due to domestic abuse and family mental illness has profoundly shaped her m... Show more

Pan African Social entrepreneur & NFT enthusiast currently based in Botswana. Co-Founder of a Innovative Data , Web3 & Design startup Dawu Tech & Co- founder of NFTsAfrica.com
I'm a social entrepreneur with a dream to educate, empower and develop African communities through sustainable NFT projects and bridge the gap helping Africa leapfrogg into new technologies, currently focused on SADC region and beyond.
I have been taking part in empowerment projects for over 18 years ranging from Hip hop art and culture movements in South Africa to facilitating beadwork Culture & Tourism projects for and by women in need in Zimbabwe. Art has been a form of self-expression especially where words have failed me. .

Pan African Social entrepreneur & NFT enthusiast currently based in Botswana. Co-Founder of a Innovative Data , Web3 & Design startup Dawu Tech & Co- founder of NFTsAfrica.com I'm a social entrepreneur with a dream to educate, empower and develo... Show more

Durante varios años, trabajé como DevOps en una consultora, colaborando en proyectos para grandes clientes. Hace dos años, tuve la oportunidad de unirme al equipo del Banco Santander, donde ahora soy administrador de sistemas y especialista en infraestructura Cloud. He estado involucrado en la implementación de soluciones innovadoras y en la optimización de la infraestructura tecnológica del banco. Me apasiona la tecnología y siempre busco aprender más, lo que me lleva a participar en convenciones tecnológicas y a mantenerme actualizado con las últimas tendencias y avances en el sector.

Durante varios años, trabajé como DevOps en una consultora, colaborando en proyectos para grandes clientes. Hace dos años, tuve la oportunidad de unirme al equipo del Banco Santander, donde ahora soy administrador de sistemas y especialista en infrae... Show more

Hi there! My name is Spronk!
she/her
I'm a furry who loves to draw and play games

Hi there! My name is Spronk! she/her I'm a furry who loves to draw and play games Show more

Experienced Drupal developer with over 6+ years of experience specializing in Drupal Distributions and profiles. Excited about the new recipes initiative within Drupal core. Recently delved into Mautic, actively contributing back to it. Also works in JavaScript frameworks like Next.js. Other than my nerdy interests, I enjoy traveling, exploring new experiences, and staying fit through hobbies like hiking, swimming, horseback riding, and badminton.

Experienced Drupal developer with over 6+ years of experience specializing in Drupal Distributions and profiles. Excited about the new recipes initiative within Drupal core. Recently delved into Mautic, actively contributing back to it. Also works in... Show more

Michelle joined URMIA in April 2019 following work for another non-profit higher education association and before that as a hotelier. She is a graduate of Indiana University – Bloomington, a Certified Association Executive (CAE), and has held accreditations as a Certified Hospitality Sales Professional (CHSP) and a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP). As a native Hoosier and with Bloomington as a home base she likes to explore and travel to learn more about food and culture. Downtime means welcoming family and friends at home or traveling to see something new. Her favorite thing about living in a college town is serving as a tour guide because there is so much to do and it’s refreshing each fall to welcome a new group of Hoosiers to B-Town.

Michelle joined URMIA in April 2019 following work for another non-profit higher education association and before that as a hotelier. She is a graduate of Indiana University – Bloomington, a Certified Association Executive (CAE), and has held accredi... Show more

Gabrijela Vratarić is Sales Manager and licensing specialist at CITUS d.o.o. With years of experience in technology companies in the sales segment, communication with partners and customers, with an emphasis on using IT in everyday business and business process improvement. By working in Microsoft she has gained insight into the latest trends and effects of implementing IT solutions in a variety of business environments. She transmitted her knowledge through a series of workshops and trainings she held for both her team members and Microsoft solution users. She was the holder of the prestigious MVP title for Microsoft 365 Apps & Services for 7 years.

Gabrijela Vratarić is Sales Manager and licensing specialist at CITUS d.o.o. With years of experience in technology companies in the sales segment, communication with partners and customers, with an emphasis on using IT in everyday business and busin... Show more

10 Years of Experience in Data Analytics on Microsoft Platforms. Started with Data Warehousing moving into Data Platform architecture.

10 Years of Experience in Data Analytics on Microsoft Platforms. Started with Data Warehousing moving into Data Platform architecture. Show more

Engineer, architect and hands-on lead with expertise in distributed systems and agile software development.

● Focus on infrastructure architecture, performance, availability, security, and the delivery aspects of applications
● 12+ years in cloud-native software development/operations
● 13 years in real-time market data distribution/ telecommunications/data centre operations
● Experience in the financial services, banking, public safety, logistics, insurance and retail verticals

Engineer, architect and hands-on lead with expertise in distributed systems and agile software development. ● Focus on infrastructure architecture, performance, availability, security, and the delivery aspects of applications ● 12+ years in cloud... Show more

I’m Isha Taneja, the CEO of Complere Infosystem and Chairperson at TiE Chandigarh. With over a decade of experience leading digital transformation and AI-driven innovation, I’ve had the privilege of helping 200+ clients across 11+ industries—ranging from Healthcare and E-commerce to Media, HR, and Finance—solve complex data challenges and achieve the power of actionable insights.
Recently featured on Times Now’s podcast “Leaders of Tomorrow".
I’ve also participated as a speaker and panelist at various forums to share thought-provoking perspectives on Data Engineering, AI Implementation, Business Optimization, Entrepreneurship, and Leadership in the ever-evolving startup ecosystem.
I am also was honored with the "Data Engineering & Analytics CEO of the Year" award by CEO Monthly.

I’m Isha Taneja, the CEO of Complere Infosystem and Chairperson at TiE Chandigarh. With over a decade of experience leading digital transformation and AI-driven innovation, I’ve had the privilege of helping 200+ clients across 11+ industries—ranging ... Show more

Eli is a technical architect and evangelist at Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), focused on enabling modern application development use cases with Oracle Database technology. His diverse background includes data center & infrastructure management, technical education, DevOps / Platform Engineering, developer evangelism, and advocate for open source technologies.

Eli is a technical architect and evangelist at Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), focused on enabling modern application development use cases with Oracle Database technology. His diverse background includes data center & infrastructure management, t... Show more

My name is Kiryl Surahatau, I am AWS Authorized Instructor and AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional (and hold a couple more AWS certificates) :). My main professional focus is guiding teams in building secure, scalable, cost-aware cloud solutions. To achieve it, I divide my time between hands-on architectural work and live training, turning complex patterns into techniques developers can apply the same day. Over the last few years, I have addressed multiple 100-plus-attendee audiences at TechSpot and AWS community meetup in Warsaw, inspiring practitioners to pursue excellence in the AWS cloud. When I’m not on stage, I mentor aspiring architects and champion initiatives that elevate our craft.

My name is Kiryl Surahatau, I am AWS Authorized Instructor and AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional (and hold a couple more AWS certificates) :). My main professional focus is guiding teams in building secure, scalable, cost-aware cloud s... Show more

Edidiong Asikpo, often called Didi, is a Senior Developer Advocate with skills in software engineering, technical writing, community building, video creation, and public speaking. Over the years, she has improved the developer experience of several tech companies' products, created technical content, and implemented initiatives that increased awareness, drove sales, and made the company a thought leader in their respective sectors.

When she's not doing anything tech-related, she travels across the world, takes beautiful pictures, and analyzes movies.

Edidiong Asikpo, often called Didi, is a Senior Developer Advocate with skills in software engineering, technical writing, community building, video creation, and public speaking. Over the years, she has improved the developer experience of several t... Show more

Ortal is a full-stack developer with a strong front-end focus and over a decade of experience building scalable, high-performance web applications. She has worked across startups and large enterprises, developing real-time systems, dashboards, and complex UI architectures. Passionate about clean architecture, state management, and performance optimization, she specializes in React, modern design patterns, and crafting seamless user experiences. Currently at Titan, she continues to push the boundaries of front-end development while sharing insights through talks and mentorship.

Ortal is a full-stack developer with a strong front-end focus and over a decade of experience building scalable, high-performance web applications. She has worked across startups and large enterprises, developing real-time systems, dashboards, and co... Show more

I started my career with a background in web development and a degree in Media Informatics. Over the past 15 years at Fleetplan, I’ve worked on building scalable and high-performance applications, constantly tackling complex challenges in software development. About 10 years ago, I expanded my focus to app development, diving into Swift and the Apple ecosystem.

Before my journey in IT, I served as a Gebirgsjäger (Mountain Infantry) in the German Armed Forces from 2001 to 2002. Outside of work, I’m passionate about climbing and mountain biking. As a certified professional mountain bike guide with the German Alpine Club, I enjoy combining my love for the mountains with coaching and guiding others.

I started my career with a background in web development and a degree in Media Informatics. Over the past 15 years at Fleetplan, I’ve worked on building scalable and high-performance applications, constantly tackling complex challenges in software de... Show more

Amit Singh Baghel is an architect-transport planner with 16 years’ experience shaping mobility across India and South Asia. A graduate of the School of Planning & Architecture, New Delhi, he co-founded and directs Vernacular Consultancy Services Pvt Ltd, delivering CMPs, metro studies, multimodal logistics parks and climate-resilient transport plans. His work spans government mandates for MoHUA, NHLML and AAI to GIZ-funded sustainability projects. A passionate communicator, Amit hosted The Transportation Podcast by VERCOS, heard in 60 countries. He champions “people-first mobility” by fusing behavioural insights with rigorous modelling tools (CUBE, VISUM, VISSIM) and has presented at INTACH, IIA and World Road Meetings. Amit is an Associate Member of ITPI, a registered architect with COA, and a life member of IUT.

Amit Singh Baghel is an architect-transport planner with 16 years’ experience shaping mobility across India and South Asia. A graduate of the School of Planning & Architecture, New Delhi, he co-founded and directs Vernacular Consultancy Services Pvt ... Show more

Former Chief Data Scientist at Microsoft and Apple working in this space since before it earned that moniker - currently at Microsoft; previously, worked for Expedia, Apple and some really cool startups. In my downtime, I am known for my winning Fantasy Football ML ensemble modeling approach (interviewed about it on MSFT Cloud Simplified podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGnKmZDzRU8&feature=share). I am an active tech blogger & podcaster for the last 15 years: https://www.lauraedell.com and https://aka.ms/aneye4ai who believes the role of Machine Learning will evolve to become a part of everyone's day to day role in the future much like using Excel is today.

Former Chief Data Scientist at Microsoft and Apple working in this space since before it earned that moniker - currently at Microsoft; previously, worked for Expedia, Apple and some really cool startups. In my downtime, I am known for my winning Fant... Show more

Global Head of Design - Lenskart
Ex - Head of Design - Blinkit
Ex - Head of Design - WeAreHolidays (Acquired)
3x Founder, Angel Investor

Global Head of Design - Lenskart Ex - Head of Design - Blinkit Ex - Head of Design - WeAreHolidays (Acquired) 3x Founder, Angel Investor Show more

Eveline is a seasoned product leader and growth expert with over a decade of experience in Berlin's startup ecosystem. While she helped build companies like Blinkist, Foodora, and Foodpanda, she now focuses her expertise as Head of Product at STAYERY, redefining Product Management in the hospitality industry. She's also a founding member of Mozza Angels, Europe's first product-led angel investment syndicate, and was honoured with the TOP30 Women in Product Award in 2023.

Eveline is a seasoned product leader and growth expert with over a decade of experience in Berlin's startup ecosystem. While she helped build companies like Blinkist, Foodora, and Foodpanda, she now focuses her expertise as Head of Product at STAYERY... Show more

Melissa Pennington is a bilingual Global HR Executive with over 23 years of experience transforming people strategies across small businesses, nonprofits, and global enterprises. As the Founder of HR On Demand, she helps mission-driven organizations build compliant, inclusive, and future-ready workplaces. Melissa has spoken on national stages including AfroTech, Black In HR, and Latina in Leadership, where she empowers audiences to rethink HR as a driver of equity, innovation, and business growth.

Melissa Pennington is a bilingual Global HR Executive with over 23 years of experience transforming people strategies across small businesses, nonprofits, and global enterprises. As the Founder of HR On Demand, she helps mission-driven organizations ... Show more

A 33-year-old woman who never stepped out of her comfort zone until two years ago, she has now turned independent. Expecting more exciting things in life and her career, she is working smart to achieve them.

She is humorous, a travel enthusiast, loves deep conversations, is talkative, selectively introverted, and enjoys the little things.

Her interests include trips, movies, series, baking, cooking, macro photography, playing the keyboard, Xbox, and exploring and learning new things.

A 33-year-old woman who never stepped out of her comfort zone until two years ago, she has now turned independent. Expecting more exciting things in life and her career, she is working smart to achieve them. She is humorous, a travel enthusiast, ... Show more

Sandy Sloane is an outstanding events and learning & development professional who uses interactivity and humor - combined with vital information - to ensure students are educated, engaged, and empowered. She’s produced over 500 events, trade shows, meetings, trainings and team-building programs (including virtually during the COVID pandemic) for companies and organizations including Walt Disney World, Burger King, Xfinity, Comcast Business, Macy’s New York, Intuit/QuickBooks, Mass General Brigham, Takis, Sinclair Broadcasting, Hotwire Communications, Red Apple Media, Paychex, United States Tennis Association, Luminate NY, Dutch Lions/United States Soccer League, Jenoptik Optical Systems, numerous radio and television stations, and non-profits including the National Women’s Hall of Fame, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, Denver Children’s Hospital, and others.

As a trainer and coach, Sandy is passionate about teaching leaders how to help their teams grow and thrive by providing positive work environments. “I remember working for bosses who didn’t provide growth opportunities, making me feel disengaged and discouraged. I truly felt my hard work didn't matter. After seeing the untapped potential of other unmotivated co-workers, I had my AHA moment and found my calling. Today I help businesses foster the talents of their teams through employee engagement programs, interactive learning & development seminars and workshops, team-building programs, and special events designed to unleash the limitless possibilities within their most important resource: the human capital of their employees.”

Creating opportunities for engagement is truly her “superpower”. Using secret weapons including hands-on techniques (humor, role-playing, quizzes, illustrative media, storytelling, and games with prizes), she helps teams grasp even the most mundane material through interactive team building and events. (Research has conclusively shown that humor systematically activates the brain's dopamine reward system, essential for both goal-oriented motivation and long-term memory.)

The information Sandy shares in her workshops and one on one or group coaching is equally effective for seasoned professionals as it is for younger employees. Sandy’s Master’s Degree in Organizational Development and Strategic Leadership is one more capability that sets her apart from other employee engagement professionals. Her outstanding aptitude to sense what an audience needs and then to provide it engagingly, is a rare talent. She is as comfortable deploying an organization’s existing information as she is when creating custom programs. Sandy offers over 30 workshops and seminars in interpersonal skills, professional development, customer service, team development, workforce training, sales training, special events, and public relations which she has presented to companies and organizations throughout the country.

Sandy’s event prowess includes conceiving and producing successful events such as Fall Premiere Parties for broadcast clients and programmers, lifestyle concerts and festivals for 50,000+ attendees, the National Women’s Hall of Fame Induction weekend featuring women of high achievement including Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Jane Fonda, Diane von Furstenburg, Gloria Allred, Angela Davis, et al., finals award events for the world’s largest Optics and Photonics accelerator, radiothons and telethons collectively raising over $5 million, professional sports team weekends at Walt Disney World, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and hundreds of others. An industry agnostic, Sandy has conceived and produced events for 10-50,000 guests across all industries in the corporate, professional sports, small business, and philanthropic worlds, creating custom solutions for every client.

Solutions by Sloane: Educate. Engage. Empower.

Sandy Sloane is an outstanding events and learning & development professional who uses interactivity and humor - combined with vital information - to ensure students are educated, engaged, and empowered. She’s produced over 500 events, trade shows, m... Show more

Ratnadeep Debnath AKA rtnpro works as a Senior Site Reliability Engineer at Zapier. He has a deep interest in Kubernetes and CNCF projects. He loves contributing to Open Source and mentoring people to start their Open Source journey. In his free time, he loves to grow organic vegetables for his family and friends.

Ratnadeep Debnath AKA rtnpro works as a Senior Site Reliability Engineer at Zapier. He has a deep interest in Kubernetes and CNCF projects. He loves contributing to Open Source and mentoring people to start their Open Source journey. In his free time... Show more

Mya Matos is a proud Afro-Latina, veteran, and self-taught solution engineer with a career defined by resilience, curiosity, and a passion for storytelling. Known for her ability to connect with audiences and demystify complex technical topics, Mya brings a unique blend of authenticity, technical expertise, and customer-centricity to every stage of her work.

As a Senior Solution Engineer at Toast, Mya partners closely with sales teams to drive revenue while ensuring customers feel heard and supported throughout their journey. Her approach combines technical storytelling and real-world examples, helping customers envision themselves thriving with the technologies she presents. With a deep commitment to values-driven excellence, Mya leverages her background and natural curiosity to deliver impactful solutions that foster long-term customer engagement.

Mya’s speaking engagements include Salesforce World Tour, Dreamin in Color, the Gartner Conference, and Salesforce-led DEI initiatives, where she’s been celebrated for her conversational, inspirational style and actionable insights. Audience members leave her talks energized and ready to take action, armed with a clear understanding of how technology applies to their unique challenges and goals.

Outside of work, Mya is a passionate mentor and advocate for underrepresented communities. She has mentored over 30 veterans, with half securing meaningful work, and regularly volunteers with Hiring Our Heroes to train, inspire, and guide fellows transitioning into tech careers.

With a career spanning military service, hospitality, and technology, Mya brings a fresh and compelling perspective to the SE profession. Her dedication to authenticity and connection continues to fuel her success and inspire those around her.

Mya Matos is a proud Afro-Latina, veteran, and self-taught solution engineer with a career defined by resilience, curiosity, and a passion for storytelling. Known for her ability to connect with audiences and demystify complex technical topics, Mya b... Show more

Joe Peluso is a Georgia-born engineer, adventurer, and lifelong learner blending Industrial Engineering, Computer Science, and city planning to drive community improvement and build a brighter future for all.

Joe Peluso is a Georgia-born engineer, adventurer, and lifelong learner blending Industrial Engineering, Computer Science, and city planning to drive community improvement and build a brighter future for all. Show more