J. Michael Robison is a senior real estate executive, entrepreneur, and civic leader with decades of experience building and guiding large-scale operating companies. His career reflects a consistent focus on structure, accountability, and long-term performance. He serves as Managing Partner of Robison Real Estate Holdings, LLC, and is the Founder, Chairman, and retired Chief Executive Officer of Lanier Parking Holdings. He is also the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Ackceptional.com, continuing his involvement in service-focused business initiatives.

He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Management and Finance from the Georgia Institute of Technology. His academic background provided a strong foundation in business operations and financial decision-making. Just as important, his education connected him to Atlanta’s business and civic ecosystem, where he later built companies and served in leadership roles across multiple institutions.

The most significant chapter of Michael Robison's professional career is his role as Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of Lanier Parking Holdings. Under his leadership, Lanier Parking Holdings grew into a central parking management and transportation services company operating across the United States, Canada, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The organization expanded steadily by emphasizing operational consistency, service quality, and scalable systems.

During his tenure, Lanier expanded into a central parking management platform operating more than 400 properties in 50 cities across the United States, Canada, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The company oversaw approximately $15 billion in assets under management and generated about $140 million in annual management fee income. At the time of his retirement as CEO, the company managed more than 400 properties across 50 cities. It reached approximately $15 billion in assets under management while generating roughly $140 million in annual management fee income.

Mr. Robison’s leadership period was marked by sustained growth and the professionalization of parking management as a service industry. Lanier Parking Holdings received recognition for its operating performance, including inclusion on the Inc. 5000 list of Fastest-Growing Companies. Georgia Trend Magazine recognized the company as one of the top 40 Fastest-Growing Companies, and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution recognized it as one of the top 40 Fastest-Growing Companies and one of the top 100 Private Companies.

Following his retirement as Chief Executive Officer, he continued to serve as Chairman of Lanier Parking Holdings, focusing on governance, executive mentorship, and long-term strategy. Alongside his business leadership, J. Michael Robison has remained active in civic leadership, serving as a chairman with the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce Transit Subcommittee, the Metro Chamber Commuter Rail Task Force, the Georgia Gaming Research Alliance, and Atlanta Streetcar, Inc.

J. Michael Robison is a senior real estate executive, entrepreneur, and civic leader with decades of experience building and guiding large-scale operating companies. His career reflects a consistent focus on structure, accountability, and long-term p... Show more

Yasir Naveed Riaz is a Digital Transformation and Cybersecurity specialist with 20+ years of experience leading high-impact technology programs across fintech, digital payments, public services, and enterprise modernization in the GCC.

He has delivered mission-critical initiatives in Zero Trust architecture, cloud security, AI-driven automation, citizen experience platforms, document modernization, and secure digital payment infrastructures for major banks, government entities, and large enterprises.

Yasir is also deeply focused on AI enablement for diverse audiences — including students, parents, teachers, healthcare professionals, SMEs, and organizational leaders — helping them understand, adopt, and responsibly leverage AI in their personal and professional lives.

His expertise spans: AI readiness, cybersecurity governance, digital safety, fintech protection, public-sector modernization, enterprise architecture, and next-gen workforce skills development.

Yasir speaks passionately about bridging the gap between technology and people, empowering communities to thrive in a secure and AI-enabled digital era.

Yasir Naveed Riaz is a Digital Transformation and Cybersecurity specialist with 20+ years of experience leading high-impact technology programs across fintech, digital payments, public services, and enterprise modernization in the GCC. He has deli... Show more

Cartographer at heart. Map designer by craft. Leader by experience.
With 23 years in the industry, I bridge design and development, turning complexity into clarity. I bring both hands-on expertise and leadership experience—guiding teams, shaping products, and staying endlessly curious along the way.

Cartographer at heart. Map designer by craft. Leader by experience. With 23 years in the industry, I bridge design and development, turning complexity into clarity. I bring both hands-on expertise and leadership experience—guiding teams, shaping pro... Show more

I'm Robert Azeem Jackson III, an Afrofuturist cultural strategist and data scientist, and founder of Cypher, a data sovereignty studio. I help founders and community entrepreneurs, and the municipal leaders who back them, build portable memory systems: systems that travel from one city to the next and stay owned by the people who built them. My clients learn to own the data their communities already hold, govern it on their own terms, and turn it into funding, infrastructure, and wealth that no platform can hold hostage. They walk in sitting on a story they can't prove and an asset that keeps getting overlooked in the rooms where money moves. They walk out owning it. In Moorestown, one elder's story became more than $350,000 in municipal and state funding for a neighborhood park. Since 2021, Cypher has helped partners raise over $1.5M and save more than $400K on compliance. The pain I help them avoid is the quiet one, watching their memory get extracted, digitized, and sold by someone else while they inherit nothing. The goal is sovereignty: a community that owns its story, carries it wherever it goes, and gets paid to keep it.

I'm Robert Azeem Jackson III, an Afrofuturist cultural strategist and data scientist, and founder of Cypher, a data sovereignty studio. I help founders and community entrepreneurs, and the municipal leaders who back them, build portable memory system... Show more

Thamsanqa Gumpo is the Founder and CEO of ForgeStack Africa, an AI-powered Operational Intelligence platform helping multi-site businesses make faster, better operational decisions.

After nearly 20 years leading operations across hospitality and multi-site businesses, he experienced firsthand how critical information becomes trapped across disconnected systems. That experience inspired him to build ForgeStack, a platform that brings compliance, maintenance, labour, sales and operational data together into a single AI-powered decision engine.

Today, ForgeStack is working with enterprise customers across South Africa, helping operators identify risks, improve accountability and prevent costly operational failures before they happen.

Thamsanqa is passionate about building practical AI products, modern SaaS architecture, and sharing lessons from taking an idea from real-world operations to enterprise software.

Thamsanqa Gumpo is the Founder and CEO of ForgeStack Africa, an AI-powered Operational Intelligence platform helping multi-site businesses make faster, better operational decisions. After nearly 20 years leading operations across hospitality and m... Show more

I'm Pillippa Pérez Pons, a Frontend Software Engineer, I am passionate about developing innovative web applications that enhance user experiences and improve efficiency. Originally from Chile, I have been living in the Bay Area for the past five years, embracing the vibrant tech community here.

Volunteering and community involvement are core to who I am. In 2019 and 2020, I mentored young girls through Niñas Pro, helping them develop their technical skills and inspiring their interest in technology. I also contributed to Django Girls in 2020, creating a welcoming environment for women to learn coding. In 2023, I had the opportunity to be an organizer for JSConf Chile, fostering a collaborative and inclusive tech community. Additionally, I played a significant role in JavaScript Chile 2023, promoting education and growth within the local JavaScript community. My commitment is to empower underrepresented groups and encourage them to pursue careers in technology, believing in their potential to make a significant impact.

I'm Pillippa Pérez Pons, a Frontend Software Engineer, I am passionate about developing innovative web applications that enhance user experiences and improve efficiency. Originally from Chile, I have been living in the Bay Area for the past five year... Show more

I am a Software Engineer with over six years of experience building scalable web applications and distributed systems. I specialize in full-stack development, with expertise in React, TypeScript, Node.js, PostgreSQL, and cloud-native technologies.

In my current role, I have led the development of enterprise-scale multi-tenant applications, implemented real-time collaboration features, and contributed to backend services and system architecture. His technical interests include distributed systems, system design, performance engineering, DevOps, and developer tooling.

A passionate lifelong learner, I have participated in more than 20 hackathons and enjoys sharing practical engineering insights drawn from building production systems and have been speaker twice at Pycon Hong Kong. He is currently focused on advancing scalable software architecture and helping teams build reliable, high-performance applications.

I am a Software Engineer with over six years of experience building scalable web applications and distributed systems. I specialize in full-stack development, with expertise in React, TypeScript, Node.js, PostgreSQL, and cloud-native technologies. ... Show more

Pablo Vannini es Licenciado en Sociologia con una Maestria en Economía Social, se acercó al Movimiento de Software Libre hace casi 30 años y hace 20 fundó gcoop - Cooperativa de Software Libre.
Es docente Universitario, entusiasta de la tecnología libre y la Economía Social.

Pablo Vannini es Licenciado en Sociologia con una Maestria en Economía Social, se acercó al Movimiento de Software Libre hace casi 30 años y hace 20 fundó gcoop - Cooperativa de Software Libre. Es docente Universitario, entusiasta de la tecnología l... Show more

Oriunda de Buenos Aires, licenciada en psicología egresada de la Universidad de Buenos Aires, con formación en UX Design. Actualmente comenzando su agencia de comunicación integral y cursando una maestría en gestión de la comunicación organizacional estratégica en la Universidad de Buenos Aires.

Oriunda de Buenos Aires, licenciada en psicología egresada de la Universidad de Buenos Aires, con formación en UX Design. Actualmente comenzando su agencia de comunicación integral y cursando una maestría en gestión de la comunicación organizacional ... Show more

Stay hungry, stay foolish

Stay hungry, stay foolish Show more

Kati Peterman founder of Your FRX is an operator and growth strategist known for bringing clarity to complexity. A former Chief of Staff, she has led and scaled multiple 7 and 8 figure companies and helped dozens more reach their next level of growth. She grew a passion for helping as many business owners as possible which led to creating her team of fractional executives. An affordable advantage for all companies to experience the highest level A players industry wide.

With over a decade of experience advising founders, Kati specializes in building the systems, structure, and operational discipline businesses need to scale sustainably. She has worked with over 1,200 business owners, guiding them through critical growth decisions with a sharp focus on execution and results. Her team collectively has served 3200 owners.

Kati Peterman founder of Your FRX is an operator and growth strategist known for bringing clarity to complexity. A former Chief of Staff, she has led and scaled multiple 7 and 8 figure companies and helped dozens more reach their next level of growth... Show more

Based in Budapest Hungary, she serves as Social Impact Chair at EuCham - European Chamber and is a member of the WEF Global Shapers Budapest Hub. As Chief Strategy Officer at Global Trade Africa, she brings on-the-ground business intelligence from both continents to the stage. Pasiionate about women empowerment Naledi founded the Inkanyezi Foundation for Girls and speaks eight languages. Her talks move audiences from insight to action on trade, leadership, and systemic change.

Based in Budapest Hungary, she serves as Social Impact Chair at EuCham - European Chamber and is a member of the WEF Global Shapers Budapest Hub. As Chief Strategy Officer at Global Trade Africa, she brings on-the-ground business intelligence from bo... Show more

A community-driven leader, Rajan believes in empowering people through technology, connection, curiosity, and collaboration. He is personally passionate about sponsorship, thought leadership, coaching, mentoring, and nurturing psychologically safe teams where creativity thrives and performance outpaces.

Rajan is leading Red Hat’s Global Partner Ecosystem Engineering for Tech Certifications & Ecosystem Portfolio, leveraging an AI-first mindset to scale open-source strategy.

A community-driven leader, Rajan believes in empowering people through technology, connection, curiosity, and collaboration. He is personally passionate about sponsorship, thought leadership, coaching, mentoring, and nurturing psychologically safe te... Show more

Shafi Ulla is a Sr. Staff Software Development Engineer at Zscaler's Government Cloud division, where he leads infrastructure and platform engineering initiatives for mission-critical cloud-native workloads. With 10+ years of experience in DevOps and Kubernetes operations, Shafi specializes in architecting and executing large-scale infrastructure transformations & had done public cloud transformation other enterprise organization such as Salesforce, Bleacher Report and Here Maps/Nokia.

Shafi Ulla is a Sr. Staff Software Development Engineer at Zscaler's Government Cloud division, where he leads infrastructure and platform engineering initiatives for mission-critical cloud-native workloads. With 10+ years of experience in DevOps and... Show more

In a world where technology often feels impersonal, Joel stands out as a passionate advocate for human-centered design. He believes that at the heart of every impactful product lies a deep understanding of the people it serves. By prioritizing empathy and collaboration, Joel strives to create solutions that not only address pressing challenges but also resonate with the diverse communities across Africa and beyond.

His journey is fueled by a relentless curiosity and a commitment to continuous learning. Joel embraces innovation not just as a buzzword, but as a vital tool for fostering connections and driving positive change. He recognizes that the digital landscape is ever-evolving, and he is dedicated to staying ahead of the curve, ensuring that his work remains relevant and meaningful.

Through his efforts, Joel aims to strengthen digital ecosystems that empower individuals and organizations alike. He envisions a future where technology serves as a bridge, connecting people and ideas, and ultimately leading to a more inclusive and equitable society.

In a world where technology often feels impersonal, Joel stands out as a passionate advocate for human-centered design. He believes that at the heart of every impactful product lies a deep understanding of the people it serves. By prioritizing empath... Show more

Parteek Goel is a highly-dynamic QA expert with proficiency in automation, AI, and ML technologies. Currently, working as an automation manager at BugRaptors, he has a knack for creating software technology with excellence. Parteek loves to explore new places for leisure, but you'll find him creating technology exceeding specified standards or client requirements most of the time.

Parteek Goel is a highly-dynamic QA expert with proficiency in automation, AI, and ML technologies. Currently, working as an automation manager at BugRaptors, he has a knack for creating software technology with excellence. Parteek loves to explore n... Show more

Maya Moussly is a marketing and brand strategist and part-time university lecturer working at the intersection of industry and academia. She began her career in advertising, contributing to the development of many of Dubai's established brands as well as regional and international clients across MENA. For the past 18 years she has lectured across undergraduate and Executive MBA programmes at universities across MENA, reaching more than 3,200 students. Her pedagogical philosophy is straightforward: the educator is a guide on the side of the learner's journey. In a world where knowledge is increasingly free, the learning happens in the application. From flipped learning to problem-solving challenges to using technology to elevate higher order thinking, every session is interactive, engaging, and designed to make students think harder, not less.
How you use what you know is where learning is truly tested. That is where her sessions always go.
Think differently. Act clearly.

Maya Moussly is a marketing and brand strategist and part-time university lecturer working at the intersection of industry and academia. She began her career in advertising, contributing to the development of many of Dubai's established brands as wel... Show more

Asesor de Seguridad MultiCloud Bilingüe en la Industria Bancaria para AMÉRICA.

Orador y Conferencista Internacional de Seguridad Tecnológica y Protección de Datos para DataCenter Dynamics, Plataforma Global Líder de Medios y Eventos B2B para Centros de Datos & Computing.

Arquitecto de Protección de Datos para Cencosud Scotiabank liderando proyectos de Data Loss Prevention y Exfiltración de Datos Privados, Críticos y Sensibles a través de todas las tecnológicas de Microsoft.

Experiencia adicional como Líder Técnico de Seguridad TI en Transbank reforzando la cadena de valor del servicio de Seguridad Tecnológica de Primera Línea en todos los niveles transaccionales de la pasarela nacional de pagos.

Y como experiencia complementaria de Seguridad y Datos Sensibles cuento con profundos conocimientos de la Industria del Hospitality con Hyatt Hotel Corporation y Mandarín Oriental Hotel Group tras 6 años como Experto en PCI DSS Compliance certificado como PCI ISA (Internal Security Assessor).

Asesor de Seguridad MultiCloud Bilingüe en la Industria Bancaria para AMÉRICA. Orador y Conferencista Internacional de Seguridad Tecnológica y Protección de Datos para DataCenter Dynamics, Plataforma Global Líder de Medios y Eventos B2B para Centr... Show more

Priya Sarkar — Former AI Lead with experience across JPMorgan, PwC Middle East, Artefact and Deloitte. 10+years on experience in leading AI teams and working on cutting edge AI technologies
1. Expertise in AI adoption, AI Agents, Claude, automation workflows, and business productivity systems.
2. AI Advisor, Trainer, and Workshop Facilitator for AI workshops, keynote sessions, and hands-on trainings tailored for conferences, business events, and leadership forums
3. Content creator and Media partner focused on AI, technology, business innovation, and AI event in MENA region.

My Social Media presence : 200K+ monthly impressions and strong engagements from business leaders across LinkedIn and Instagram platforms
Audience includes senior leaders, tech professionals, and business decision-makers
I regularly promote AI Updates, Tech brands, Tech Events in MENA region, and emerging technology conversations.

Would love to partner with UAE Events

Priya Sarkar — Former AI Lead with experience across JPMorgan, PwC Middle East, Artefact and Deloitte. 10+years on experience in leading AI teams and working on cutting edge AI technologies 1. Expertise in AI adoption, AI Agents, Claude, automation... Show more

Rochelle Silveira is an innovation executive focused on backing companies, teams, and ecosystems that drive lasting impact. With 15+ years of experience across fintech, banking, and SaaS, she operates at the intersection of strategy and execution - turning ambitious visions into scalable solutions.
From launching her first technology company at 15 in Brazil to leading high-performing, cross-functional teams across international markets, she has built a career grounded in operational excellence and long-term strategic growth.
Today, she serves as Vice President Sr Business Consultant at JPMorgan Chase in Huntsville, supporting small business owners through the Coaching for Impact program and helping entrepreneurs strengthen their financial foundations, improve operations, access strategic resources, and prepare for sustainable growth.
Deeply committed to strengthening Alabama’s innovation ecosystem, Rochelle also launched the Innovation Map, a statewide initiative designed to increase visibility and connectivity across founders, funders, institutions, and ecosystem builders. Her work centers on empowering leaders, strengthening communities, and building the systems that shape tomorrow’s economy.

Rochelle Silveira is an innovation executive focused on backing companies, teams, and ecosystems that drive lasting impact. With 15+ years of experience across fintech, banking, and SaaS, she operates at the intersection of strategy and execution - t... Show more

Thierry has a M.Eng in AI, He starts his career as a Cloud Data Engineer and obtained 2 Google Cloud Certifications:
- Google Cloud Associate Cloud Engineer
- Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect
While working on cloud technologies, He developed interests in Security and operations. He works now as a Cybersecurity research Engineer where he develops solutions and makes research on risk analysis.
He founded and led the very first GDSC in Belgium, and now he is an organiser for the GDG Mons.

Thierry has a M.Eng in AI, He starts his career as a Cloud Data Engineer and obtained 2 Google Cloud Certifications: - Google Cloud Associate Cloud Engineer - Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect While working on cloud technologies, He develo... Show more

Entusiasta del Software Libre y Open Source.
Consultor en Red Hat
Intentando mantenerme a la vanguardia de las tecnologías.
Miembro de APESOL.

Entusiasta del Software Libre y Open Source. Consultor en Red Hat Intentando mantenerme a la vanguardia de las tecnologías. Miembro de APESOL. Show more

Varun Goguri is a Senior Database Administrator with extensive experience managing enterprise SQL Server and Azure platforms. He is a Microsoft-certified Expert in Data Management and Analytics and holds a Microsoft Fabric Data Engineer Associate certification. With a Master's degree in Software Engineering, Varun brings enterprise-scale Azure SQL architecture expertise to his speaking sessions. He regularly shares his technical insights at varungoguri.com. Beyond data challenges, Varun is an ultra-distance athlete, weight training coach, and certified yoga instructor. Connect with him on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/varungoguri.

Varun Goguri is a Senior Database Administrator with extensive experience managing enterprise SQL Server and Azure platforms. He is a Microsoft-certified Expert in Data Management and Analytics and holds a Microsoft Fabric Data Engineer Associate cer... Show more

Nils Hyoma is a business informatics post-graduate from Hamburg University, a professional agile coach, and a passionate amateur water polo player. Nils studied Japanese studies, international business studies, and business informatics in Hiroshima and Hamburg. Many years as an active developer, he learned the basics of agile software development. After working in online retail / eCommerce and in IT consulting, he is now part of the coaching team at MHP - A Porsche Company since 2024. Nils supports and coaches both local and distributed, international teams and projects. Nils has been active in team sports since childhood. It also reflected team spirit in his professional life: As a coach, he forms well-established units out of developers and analysts, who can then independently develop products. The guiding principle is always the focus on customer satisfaction.

Nils Hyoma is a business informatics post-graduate from Hamburg University, a professional agile coach, and a passionate amateur water polo player. Nils studied Japanese studies, international business studies, and business informatics in Hiroshima a... Show more

I’m an engineering leader specializing in scaling organizations—from early-stage startups to large, complex platforms. Over the past 20+ years, I’ve built and led teams at companies like Booking.com, TripAdvisor, and Getir, and currently lead engineering within the team behind Western Europe’s largest e-commerce platform, bol.com.

Outside of tech, I’m a pilot and former European skydiving champion—experiences that shaped how I think about failure, risk, and decision-making under pressure. I bring those lessons into engineering, helping teams build systems (and cultures) that perform reliably in uncertain environments.

I’m an engineering leader specializing in scaling organizations—from early-stage startups to large, complex platforms. Over the past 20+ years, I’ve built and led teams at companies like Booking.com, TripAdvisor, and Getir, and currently lead enginee... Show more

Abdul is a Senior Solutions Architect in Ververica with expertise in real-time Streaming Analytics. He is a strategic technical advisor of Ververica, helping customers solve complex data engineering challenges. Before working with Ververica, specialising in Cloud computing and Steaming Analytics, he worked in Amazon Web Services as a Solutions Architect. In AWS, he helped startups and enterprises in their journey toward the cloud and big data by building petabyte-scale data pipelines. He has over 15 years of diverse experience in various roles, from startups to enterprises, solving data and distributed system-related challenges.

Abdul is a Senior Solutions Architect in Ververica with expertise in real-time Streaming Analytics. He is a strategic technical advisor of Ververica, helping customers solve complex data engineering challenges. Before working with Ververica, speciali... Show more

Ramakrishna Yekulla "Ramky" is a Principal Architect within the Application Developer Business Unit at Red Hat. In this role, he focuses on creating distinctive platform features that enhance developer efficiency, streamline data and application connections, and empower customers with the knowledge and resources to prioritize software supply chain security, minimize technical obligations, and achieve compliance goals. His interests lies in System Design, Functional Programming and Observability

Ramakrishna Yekulla "Ramky" is a Principal Architect within the Application Developer Business Unit at Red Hat. In this role, he focuses on creating distinctive platform features that enhance developer efficiency, streamline data and application conn... Show more

Bachiller en Ingeniería de Telecomunicaciones, con más de 5 años de experiencia en proyectos de TI y Cloud computing. Co-fundador de ApTItud Academy, proyecto de enseñanza gratuita sobre tecnologías de la información. Actualmente desempeñando el rol de Cloud Lead Architect en NTT Data desarrollando proyectos con servicios AWS.

Bachiller en Ingeniería de Telecomunicaciones, con más de 5 años de experiencia en proyectos de TI y Cloud computing. Co-fundador de ApTItud Academy, proyecto de enseñanza gratuita sobre tecnologías de la información. Actualmente desempeñando el rol ... Show more

It is safe to say that I have an odd mix of experiences. After graduating from Penn State University, I worked for the federal government for a decade in various analyst roles doing things as mundane as personnel budgeting and as exciting as presenting to the Director of the FBI and testifying as an expert to grand juries.

After leaving civil service, my next decade was spent attempting to perfect theme park vacations by working for TouringPlans.com. We used statistics and lots and lots of research to optimize peoples theme park trips and I assisted in many ways from research tasks and writing to starting a travel agency to filming YouTube videos that have over 1 million views.

Now I am a consultant at Centric Consulting, helping companies rethink their data strategies. I am thrilled to once again share my experiences by speaking about data strategy, project management, consulting, statistics, theme parks and, frankly, anything else.

It is safe to say that I have an odd mix of experiences. After graduating from Penn State University, I worked for the federal government for a decade in various analyst roles doing things as mundane as personnel budgeting and as exciting as presenti... Show more

Arun is founder and CEO of Tipsora, where he provides Fractional CTO services to organizations that lack a dedicated CTO. With a passion for technology and a deep understanding of the industry, Arun is committed to helping organizations unlock their full potential through data-driven insights and informed decision-making.

Arun is founder and CEO of Tipsora, where he provides Fractional CTO services to organizations that lack a dedicated CTO. With a passion for technology and a deep understanding of the industry, Arun is committed to helping organizations unlock their ... Show more