8x8

Chas Bowman is a global solutions engineering executive with more than 25 years ofexperience shaping the future of customer experience across cloud, AI, and digital engagementplatforms. As Vice President of Global Sales Engineering at 8x8, he leads worldwide solutionsengineering and business value teams, partnering with executive leadership to aligngo-to-market strategy, product innovation, and customer outcomes. Chas is known for buildinghigh-impact global organizations, modernizing presales through AI-driven workflows andstory-led demonstrations, and helping enterprises reimagine how technology transformscustomer and employee engagement. Previously, he held senior solutions leadership roles atTwilio, Kore.ai, and Genesys, where he helped scale platforms, ecosystems, and teams duringperiods of rapid growth. Having started his career on the front lines of the contact center, Chasbrings a rare end-to-end perspective that blends technical depth with strategic vision.

AP2T Labs

Jesse Tuttle, also known as Hackah Jak, is a former world’s most wanted hacker who breached Fortune 500 companies, top universities, and foreign and domestic government and military systems. His exploits have been analyzed in university case studies, textbooks, and research projects, with media coverage spanning from New York to LA, across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. • Jesse’s journey into hacking began in 1994 when he breached his high school network and became involved in the underground world of warez. By 1995, he had moved on to reverse engineering software, and by 1996, he was developing zero-day exploits, trading them within elite hacker communities. In 2000, he joined Hackweiser, a notorious hacker group, where he supplied exploits and participated in high-profile web defacements. In 2001, Jesse became a central figure in the First Hacker World War and later organized the second Cyber War against al-Qaeda following 9/11. In a shocking revelation after his arrest in 2003, it was uncovered that Jesse had been working as an intelligence asset for the FBI since 2001. His work included intelligence gathering during 9/11, hacking and securing sensitive systems, and even hacking and taking down a global human trafficking network. • Today, Jesse is the Chief Hacking Officer and Ethical Threat Actor™ at AP2T Labs™, a Cyber Threat Research and Training™ company, where he leverages his deep knowledge of hacking and cybersecurity to educate and prepare organizations against real-world cyber threats. He also provides consulting, training, and strategic guidance to businesses ranging from startups to Fortune 500 enterprises. • Hackah Jak featured on the PodCast, Modem Mischief. https://www.modemmischief.com/episodes/bonus-hackweiser • Connect with Jesse on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessetuttle/

AP2T Labs

Reesë Bess Tuttle is a Cyber Threat Researcher whose extraordinary journey in technology began under the mentorship of her father, a renowned former Black Hat hacker. • By the age of 19, she had earned five college degrees in science and technology, alongside multiple cybersecurity certifications. Her professional career includes internship roles at Fortune 100 companies such as Kroger IT and General Electric, where she specialized in IT product development, secure cloud DevOps, and cybersecurity. She also contributed to encryption and compliance projects at financial firms. She has been featured in a Freelancer.com success story about her work as a member of the Freelancer Preferred Team. • Beyond her technical achievements, Reesë has been celebrated for her leadership and innovation. She has secured multiple hackathon victories, received the U.S. Presidential Volunteer Service Award for her nonprofit technology initiatives, and held leadership roles within INTERalliance—a nonprofit connecting companies with talented tech youth and hosting TechOlympics, one of the nation’s largest youth-run tech conferences. • A true multidisciplinary talent, Reesë is also a skilled violinist, a black belt in mixed martial arts, and a classic car enthusiast who restored and rewired a 1974 Volkswagen Super Beetle. • Today, Reesë is the Co-Founder and Threat Researcher at her cybersecurity startup AP2T Labs™, a Cyber Threat Research and Training™ company, where she leverages her expertise in threat analysis, advanced research, and real-world simulations to address today’s most pressing cyber threats. Additionally, she serves as Secretary for IEEE SA P1947 Standards for Quantum Cybersecurity Framework. • Connect with Reesë on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/reesebess/

AWS

Aruun Kumar brings over two decades of transformative experience in enterprise application architecture and cloud computing. With a proven track record of building highly scalable distributed systems, he has successfully led numerous platform modernization initiatives and contributed to the advancement of AI-driven innovation. Aruuns expertise spans cloud computing, databases, and cutting-edge AI technologies.A distinguished innovator, Aruuns contributions include multiple patents and technology solutions that have earned him prestigious accolades and awards. While he’s currently focused on developing Generative AI applications on AWS, his journey from mainframe systems to microservices architecture gives him a unique perspective on technology evolution. Aruun has spoken at reputed events such as GenAI Expo and AngelBeat webinars and is looking forward to sharing his insights on Generative AI and cloud computing, with a strong focus on blending theoretical knowledge with practical application.Beyond his professional achievements, Aruun enjoys tennis, fitness, and giving back to his community through volunteer work, embodying a well-rounded approach to both technical leadership and personal growth.

CBRE

Lenny Beaudoin oversees the integration of CBRE’s Global Workplace, Design, Occupancy practice to provide our clients competitive advantage through actionable workplace strategies, informed occupancy planning, thoughtful design, and superior delivery of the future work environment. Lenny has more than 20+ years of experience in the field of workplace consulting and strategic facility planning. A recognized leader in the industry, Lenny has worked on engagements in a wide range of markets and industries giving him an informed perspective of leading global trends in workplace delivery. As the founder of CBRE’s Workplace practice in 2008, Lenny has built a team of real estate experts, organizational researchers, space designers, change managers, and occupancy planners who help organizations think differently about their workplace. They are guided by a mission to make the experience of work better by more thoughtfully understanding how people work and what they need to create value.

Cisco

Anderson Tomaiz is the Director of Solutions Engineering for Cisco’s Midmarket, SMB, andVirtual Sales across the Americas. A transformative leader with over 25 years of experiencein the technology sector, Anderson oversees a high-performance organization of over 120professionals, driving multi-billion dollar revenue and spearheading AI-driven strategies toaccelerate digital transformation.Throughout his career at global giants like Cisco, Ciena, and BT, Anderson has establisheda reputation as a strategic architect of technical sales organizations. He is particularlyrecognized for his expertise in Secure Networking, Cloud Management, and programmaticsales motions. Beyond driving business outcomes, Anderson is a conscious culturebuilder dedicated to talent evolution, having previously led Cisco’s Global TechnologyStrategy and the prestigious Associate Solutions Engineering Program (CSAP).Anderson holds a degree in Electrical Engineering and an MBA, and has completedexecutive education in Adaptive Strategic Leadership at Duke University bringing a blend ofdeep technical insight and strategic business acumen to every stage. Trilingual and a firmbeliever in the philosophy Be Humble & Hungry, he is also a passionate mentor for lowincome university students.

Cisco

Gerardo Chaves graduated from Cal Poly Pomona with a B.S. in Computer Science and has more than 35 years of industry experience. His background spans voice product development, product management, business development, and systems engineering, with a strong focus on Collaboration, Networking, and Observability. Gerardo has spent 27 years at Cisco supporting customers across a wide range of technologies and use cases.

Company Nurse powered by Lintelio

Henry Svendblad is President and Chief Technology O icer of Company Nurse powered by Lintelio and President of Lintelio, a tech venture focused on modernizing risk communication, incident reporting, and nurse triage. With more than 25 years of technology leadership, he has built and scaled customer-facing platforms across healthcare and other industries, translating business strategy into secure, reliable, and user-friendly digital experiences. Company Nurse and Lintelio were named PropertyCasualty360 2021 Technology Innovation and Customer Experience Innovation honorees. Henry brings a pragmatic perspective on customer interactions, where AI agents can automate routine work and accelerate resolution, and where skilled humans remain essential for trust-building, high-empathy conversations, and complex decision-making.

Comunicano, Inc.

Andy Abramson is the founder and CEO of Comunicano, Inc., a modern, fully virtual strategic communications and integrated marketing agency established in 1992. Based in Las Vegas, NV—though operating globally—Comunicano specializes in helping technology startups and companies in transition craft compelling narratives, build brand visibility, and achieve successful exits.With over 40 years of experience in marketing, public relations, influencer engagement, and corporate communications, Andy has become a trusted advisor to innovators in tech, fintech, digital media, telecom, and beyond. Under his leadership, Comunicano has supported an impressive portfolio of clients, contributing to 64 company exits since 2000—including acquisitions and IPOs—with a combined value exceeding $9.5 billion.Andy’s expertise lies in story-driven growth. He believes that the right message, delivered to the right audience at the right time, can unlock market potential and attract investors. His agency has pioneered influencer relations programs for industry-shaping companies like Nokia, AOL, AT&T, Google Voice (formerly GrandCentral), StubHub, and Logitech (via SightSpeed).Beyond the boardroom, Andy is a recognized thought leader and speaker in the tech and communications space. He’s been named Business Traveler of the Year (2014) by Business Travel Magazine, a nod to his extensive global travels across more than 50 countries—experiences that inform his cross-cultural marketing insights.A lifelong entrepreneur, Andy’s first “startup” was at age 14, working with a professional sports team. By 16, he founded a youth hockey development program for the Philadelphia Flyers, which he led for a decade and helped grow into a lasting community institution. His passion for sports continues through active involvement with organizations like USA Hockey, where he served as the youngest registrar in its history.Andy is also an accomplished winemaker and founded wineTOURia, a boutique agency offering immersive wine experiences focused on “the wine roads less traveled.” This creative spirit blends seamlessly with his professional ethos: authenticity, craftsmanship, and storytelling.A proud alumnus of Temple University, Andy is a mentor to startups and a frequent advisor to emerging tech ventures. He’s been recognized with honors including the Ed Snider Award (2023) and induction into the Atlantic Amateur Hockey Association Hall of Fame (2018).Today, Andy continues to lead Comunicano as a nimble, high-impact agency that thrives at the intersection of innovation, narrative, and market momentum—proving that powerful communication is still the ultimate growth engine.

Crexendo

E78 Partners

iBwave Solutions

Robin, a Sales Engineering Manager for iBwave Solutions, Inc., has over 30 years ofdesign and performance engineering experience in the WirelessTelecommunications industry with a thorough knowledge of wireless infrastructureand protocols. From working with teams integrating the first CDMA Network forAlltel Wireless to In-Building and Small Cell Design with Verizon Wireless, he hasbeen an early adopter of many of the industry’s implementation, optimization, anddesign tools. He is also an iBwave Certified Instructor and a Certified WirelessNetwork Professional (CS5, CWNA, and CWDP).He has spent 22 years of his career with Alltel/Verizon Wireless in Arkansas and theSouth-Central Region. Integrating the first in-building projects from Spotwave toSpiderCloud in small businesses to hospitals, he is an early adopter of technology.Robin was the first adopter of iBwave Mobile and Solutelias WINd for VerizonWireless and presented case studies at Verizon’s IBTUF (In-Building TechnologyUser Forum) in Austin, TX.

IgniteTech

As an accomplished technology executive and AI-thought leader, IgniteTech CEO Eric Vaughan isfrequently called upon as a speaker on GenAI and enterprise software company transformation.Hes built an AI-centric culture, driving teams to continuously up-skill and explore the latest AItechnologies.He is a vocal advocate for AI-first thinking, recognizing this isnt just an exciting development buta necessity for companies to remain relevant. His passion for AI stems from a deep-seated beliefthat if businesses dont adapt, they risk being left behind. His mission is clear: to leadorganizations through the AI revolution, ensuring they dont just survive but thrive in this newera.Eric is committed to sharing his experiences and insights to help other leaders navigate thistransformative period in business history.

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Kaspar Companies

Kaspar Companies

Kaspar Companies

Kaspar Companies

Let The Geek Speak

David is a Geek that has been publicly Speaking and teaching for more than 25 years,from London to Los Angeles, Berlin to Beirut, Kingston to Kuala Lumpur, Mumbai toMelbourne, and many more places too! He loves communications technology and is thelongest serving Worldwide Community Director (2012-2019) for Asterisk® – the Daddyof all Open Source communications projects.David has always been grateful to the Geeks that build and support the varioustechnologies he uses, and he wants to give back - by helping Geeks to Speak, Nerds tobe Heard, Engineers to be Engaging and Techies to Talk!He achieves this by delivering conference speeches and masterclasses based on hisGeek Speaker System - 7 Power Presenting Protocols ...for Nerds

Lockheed Martin

Eric Vazquez, PMP, SPHR, LSSBB, is a dynamic human capital management expert with over 23 years of experience driving transformative results in organizational design, talent acquisition, and workforce planning. As Lockheed Martin’s Enterprise Operations Change Management leader, Eric drives change management strategies for game-changing initiatives like the 21st Century Security Workforce Solutions and One Lockheed Martin Transformation, crafting bold strategies that empower teams, bridge critical skill gaps, and fuel enterprise-wide success. His prior roles at Deloitte Consulting and Booz Allen Hamilton saw him spearhead multimillion-dollar projects, revolutionizing recruitment, retention, and engagement for federal agencies including TSA and the Navy, leaving a legacy of innovation and impact.Eric holds an MBA from Johns Hopkins University, an MPA from Virginia Tech, a BA from James Madison University, as well as a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification from Georgia Tech. A sought-after speaker, Eric has delivered impactful keynotes to diverse audiences in the U.S. and abroad, covering topics like strategic recruiting, agile workforce planning, design thinking, and performance improvement, delivering insights that resonate and inspire action.

Luware

Larry Robinson heads up U.S. operations for Luware. He is an experienced sales and business development executive with over 20 years of leadership in the unified communications, information technology and cloud services industries. He has held management and strategic positions at LightPath, Data Storage Corporation, Intrado, and Arelion, among others.

Metrigy

Research Leader: Customer Experience, Artificial IntelligencePrimary Focus Areas: Artificial intelligence, contact center, customer success analytics, workforce engagement management, CRM, business case development, and cost/ROI modelingOther Areas of Expertise: CPaaS, Unified Communications and Collaboration, digital workplace, custom research projects, and RFP development and analysis.Robin Gareiss is CEO and Principal Analyst at Metrigy, where she oversees research product development, conducts primary research, and advises leading enterprises, vendors, and carriers.For 25+ years, Robin has advised hundreds of senior IT executives, ranging in size from Fortune 100 to Fortune 2000, developing technology strategies and analyzing how they can transform their businesses. She has developed industry-leading, interactive cost models for some of the world’s largest enterprises and vendors.Robin leads Metrigy’s artificial intelligence and customer experience research. She also is a widely recognized expert in the communications field, with specialty areas of contact center, AI-enabled customer engagement, customer success analytics, and employee collaboration. She is a sought-after speaker at conferences and trade shows, presenting at events such as Enterprise Connect, Future of CX/ITExpo, ICMI, IDG’s FutureIT, Interop, Mobile Business Expo, and CeBit. She has authored hundreds of research reports to keep clients updated on technology adoption and associated benefits. She also writes a blog for No Jitter and is a regular contributor to Tech Target.Additional entrepreneurial experience includes co-founding and overseeing marketing and business development for The OnBoard Group, a water-purification and general contracting business in Illinois. She also served as president and treasurer of Living Hope Lutheran Church, led youth mission trips, and ran successful fundraisers for children’s cancer research. She served on the University of Illinois College of Media Advisory Council, as well.Before starting Metrigy, Robin was president and co-founder of Nemertes Research. Prior to that, she shaped technology and business coverage as senior news editor of InformationWeek, a leading business-technology publication with 440,000 readers. She also served in a variety of capacities at Data Communications and CommunicationsWeek magazines, where helped set strategic direction, oversaw reader surveys, and provided quantitative and statistical analysis. In addition to publishing hundreds of research reports, she has won several prestigious awards for her in-depth analyses of business-technology issues. Robin also taught ethics at the Poynter Institute for Advanced Media Studies. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Newsweek, and American Medical News.She earned a bachelor of science degree in journalism from the University of Illinois and recently left the cold Chicago winters for the warmth of Tampa, FL.

Mitel

Luiz Domingos is an innovative and passionate technology executive with more than 20 years of experience and an extensive record of leadingglobal R&D, product management, and project teams to deliver disruptive and high-quality enterprise communication and collaborationsolutions, contact center and network management products,and cloud services to the market.As Mitel Chief Technology Officer and Head of Large Enterprise R&D, Luiz leads the companys technology vision and strategy, fosteringintroduction of new technologies, portfolio innovation, and implementation of highly reliable and scalable products.Throughout his career, Luiz has held key positions at Siemens, Unify, and Atos driving the delivery of new products, vertical offerings, andcomplex solutions acrossa wide range of technologies. Prior to Mitel, Luiz served as Chief Product and Technology officer for Unify, where hemanaged the complete Unify portfolio and was responsible for the development and launch of disruptive cloud solutions.Luiz holds a dual bachelors degree in electronics and telecommunications engineering from Parana Federal University UFPr in Curitiba, Braziland executive education from INSEAD Paris. He also holds a PMP certification from the Project Management Institute as well as several patentswith the US Patent office.

Moodys

Naga Venkateswar Palaparthy is a seasoned technology executive and software architect with over 20 years of experience in designing and delivering large-scale, high-performance enterprise systems across various domains, including climate analytics, financial services, insurance, healthcare, social media, banking, and e-commerce. He currently serves as Director of Software Engineering at Moody’s, where he leads the end-to-end engineering lifecycle for mission-critical Climate Analytics platforms, driving innovation, scalability, reliability, and cost optimization.Throughout his career, Venkat has held senior leadership and principal engineering roles at Moody’s, Risk Management Solutions (RMS), Cognizant, and Microsoft-affiliated projects. He has consistently demonstrated excellence in enterprise architecture, distributed systems, cloud-native solutions, and AI-driven modernization initiatives. His technical expertise spans Java, .NET, AWS, distributed systems, automation, and the integration of AI agents, chatbots, and developer productivity tools into complex enterprise workflows.Venkat is recognized for building and mentoring high-performing engineering teams, leading agile delivery at scale, and collaborating cross-functionally with product, security, and executive leadership. His work has resulted in significant AWS cost reductions, multiple quality recognitions, and the successful modernization of legacy systems into resilient, future-ready platforms. He holds a Master’s degree in Hydrology Science and a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Andhra University, India

NinjaOne

Paul Redding is the Head of MSP Partnerships at NinjaOne, where he works closely with MSPs to scale their revenue, improve operational efficiency, and deliver increased value to their clients with automated endpoint management. He began his career as the CEO of an MSP specializing in clients from highly regulated industries, including healthcare and the U.S. Department of Defense supply chain. He also held multiple senior channel and community leadership roles at cybersecurity companies where he drove revenue growth for the companies and their partners. Most recently, as SVP of Channel Marketing and Community at CyberQP, Redding worked closely with global partners to help MSPs build more profitable client relationships, implement industry-leading security practices, and streamline operations by eliminating repetitive tasks.

Point5

Michael Sarafinas is the Chief Revenue Officer at Point5, a Managed Connectivity Provider that combines multi-carrier neutrality with practitioner-led project management to deliver complex networks with speed, precision, and accountability. He brings 17+ years of experience in carrier and network technology services, with more than at decade of guiding and overseeing UCaaS deployments for enterprises. Michael specializes in translating network performance, last-mile realities, and end-to-end visibility into consistently high-quality user experiences across hybrid environments.

Pulver.com

Jeff Pulver is an internet entrepreneur and communications industry pioneer best known for his early leadership in VoIP. He founded Free World Dialup, co-founded Vonage, and led the VON Coalition, whose advocacy helped secure the 2004 FCC ruling that established VoIP as an Internet application rather than a regulated telecom service. Jeff has been investing in and advising communications and internet startups since the 1990s and has worked with hundreds of early-stage companies. He is the Founder and Chief Evangelist Officer of The vCon Foundation, where he focuses on advancing virtualized conversations (vCons) as a foundation for next-generation voice, AI-driven communications, and trusted conversation data.

Pure IP

SIPPIO

Steve Forcum is an accomplished business leader with over 25 years of experience in the technology industry and is a recognized subject ma>er expert in the Enterprise Voice, Unified CommunicaEons, CollaboraEon, Customer Engagement, and Cloud technologies. Since joining SIPPIO in March 2023, Forcum played a key role in strategic alteraEons in messaging, product posiEoning, go to market, and channel development, resulEng in explosive funnel growth and increased brand awareness. As a recognized subject ma>er expert, speaker, keynote presenter, and business leader, Forcum has become a key voice within the industry. He is known for his ability to explain complex technology in simple terms and engage audiences across a variety of delivery plaPorms, including a robust presence on social media. He can be found on Threads @Steve_Forcum and on LinkedIn.

Telarus

Tim Basa is the SVP of Sales at Telarus, where he combines strategic vision with a people-first approach to achieve exceptional results in the technology advisory landscape. Starting his career fresh out of college selling long-distance phone service door-to-door on pure commission, Tim built his expertise from the ground up. Over his 31-year journey in the technology industry, he has established himself as a transformative sales leader, steering multiple high-growth companies to repeat appearances on INC Magazines prestigious INC 500 list while consistently exceeding client and investor expectations.Driven by the belief that true success comes from empowering others to realize their full potential, Tim approaches his work with high energy, hands-on leadership, and a commitment to fostering high-performance teams. His unique style and methodology combine battle-tested fundamentals with innovative problem-solving, creating a framework for sustainable success—principles shaped by his own experience starting from the most challenging frontlines of sales.Specializing in sales and marketing, and channel partner distribution, Tim is passionate about equipping technology advisors with the insights and guidance needed to achieve their most ambitious goals. His expertise has been recognized through multiple industry awards, including being named a Telecom Master Mind by PHONE+ magazine, a Power Seller by Crains Detroit Business, and a recurring selection for Channel Executive of the Year by Channel Partners Magazine.Outside of his professional work, Tim enjoys time with his family and friends, and expanding his knowledge so he can share through advisory roles, media appearances, and conducting training sessions on sales, marketing, and personal development. He is committed to mentoring future leaders and exploring innovative ways to drive growth and serve the technology advisor community.

Twilio

Khurum Shafi is a seasoned expert in contact center solutions and digital transformation withover a decade of experience in pre-sales engineering, cloud migration, and advanced customerengagement strategies. Currently serving as a Principal Solutions Engineer at Twilio, Khurumspecializes in developing innovative contact center solutions that leverage cutting-edge AItechnologies to deliver personalized customer experiences and actionable business insights.With a passion for innovation and customer-centric solutions, Khurum is an advocate for theevolving role of contact centers as the heartbeat of an organization, where communications,contextual data and AI can influence decision-making across the enterprise.

University of Miami

Dr. Sara Rushinek, a Professor of Business Technology and Health Informatics at the University of Miamis Herbert Business School, has an impressive record of over 200 peer-reviewed articles and is renowned for her groundbreaking contributions to the field. Inducted into the Women in Technology Hall of Fame, her expertise spans Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Big Data Analytics, Health Informatics, Cyber Security, and Blockchain. She earned a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin and is a sought-after conference speaker, advisor, and consultant. Dr. Rushinek serves as an advisor to Smart City Initiatives for the City of Coral Gables. With her dedication to advancing AI applications, she has become a leading force in cutting-edge technologies that transform academia, industry, and entrepreneurship, shaping the future of innovation and solutions.

University of Miami

Avi Rushinek, an Accounting Professor, is a prominent figure in the realm of AI and Machine Learning business applications. With extensive expertise in data analytics, blockchain, business intelligence, algorithmic formulation for Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Trading Systems, forensic accounting, fraud examination, and mobile app development, his research spans a broad spectrum. He earned a Ph.D. in Accounting and Economics from the University of Texas at Austin and a B.A. in Accounting and Economics from Tel Aviv University. Alongside his prolific authorship and frequent presentations at Academic and Business Conferences, Dr. Rushinek’s primary focus lies in advancing AI and Machine Learning technologies for practical business applications. He advises and consults with Finance and Hi-Tech companies and is pivotal in guiding the City of Coral Gables for its Smart City Initiatives. His accomplishments have garnered prestigious awards and grants, including recognition for his work in developing fully automated blockchain cryptocurrency day-trading algorithms. His expertise extends to providing forensic accounting & computing services, expert witness testimony, and computer litigation support. His research is deeply committed to exploring methodologies for Search Engine Optimization SERP, live broadcast lecture capture streams, backtesting, and predictive algorithms geared toward transforming the business landscape with cutting-edge AI and Machine Learning solutions.