1 Point Networks

Russell has over 25 years of IT experience and has been the Director of 1 Point for 9 years. He spent 11 years spent running the information technology department for a technology-focused association management company. He also managed IT for a local school district and worked for local IT consulting companies. Throughout his career, his focus has been aligning IT with an organization’s business goals while still focusing on the financial bottom line. Whether it is a server virtualization project, an office relocation, a cloud migration project, or a website roll-out, he knows the project must be delivered on-time and on budget and with the results the client expects. He holds multiple technology and security certifications, including ISC2’s Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and the PCI Security Standards Council PCI Professional (PCIP). In his spare time, Russell is an avid history buff (“See Mom, you can be a history major and get a job!”) and spends as much time as possible on the water with his family.

8x8

Justin Robbins, brings 20+ years of diverse expertise across the customer experience, including roles in operations, professional services, and technology. He specializes in helping business leaders understand and overcome their obstacles to delivering exceptional service interactions resulting in long-term loyalty. He is a member of the Advisory Board at CX Accelerator (a non-profit community for Customer Experience professionals), on the Board of Directors for the Quality Assurance and Training Connection, and currently serves as Evangelist at 8x8 where he works to build awareness and understanding for how businesses can best address their most pressing CX communications pain points.

8x8

ACT COMPUTERS

Born in Germany an immigrated to the USA in 1990, now age 47 residing in Vero Beach, Florida. First computer in 1983 VIC20 and Commodore 64, first PC in 1991. Originally persued programming but developed into I.T. services. 1993 First I.T. repair tech job after high school, 5 tech company but was promoted to main tech after 1st year. 1995 Started ACT COMPUTERS with very humble beginnings and grew from 500 square feet retail and MSP to 3500 square foot location after mayor expansion in 2010. Now employing 10 full time technicians are known for quality and effienct work in Indian River. Our business is very uniqe as we are one of the only real remaining Computer retail stores left with MSP. We offer 24 hour service. > One of the first Microft OEM Systems builders > Lenovo retailer > Numerious tech qualifications throughout years. >Skilled in programming languages Assembly and C++. >Host of TECHTALK show

Approyo

With over 25 years of experience in the IT industry, I am a visionary and passionate leader who drives innovation and growth for Approyo, Inc.. This global company provides SAP and cloud solutions for enterprises. I have been recognized as a top business winner, an ACQ award recipient, an Inc. 500 and 5000 honorees, and a Forbes Coaches Council member for my achievements and expertise in the IT field. As the chairman and CEO of Approyo, I am focused on unlocking the power of data with AI and chatbots and delivering cutting-edge cloud computing services for SAP customers. I have been at the forefront of the technology revolution, creating the first SAP cloud ever used by a SAP client in 2005 and the first SAP HANA production cloud used by a blue-chip client. I am also a co-founder of Impala Ventures, an investment firm that supports startups and entrepreneurs in the IT sector. I am committed to building a culture of excellence, collaboration, and customer satisfaction at Approyo and beyond.

Avaya

Jayesh (Jay) Patel serves as the Global Vice President of Product Management at Avaya, bringing over 30 years of experience as a seasoned global executive. His expertise lies in developing and implementing growth strategies, innovating products, and driving profitable revenue growth. Prior to his role at Avaya, Jay held the position of Chief Product Officer at Kandy Communications, a provider of white label cloud communications solutions to service providers. In this capacity, he contributed to the development and success of innovative communication solutions. Before his tenure at Kandy Communications, Jay served as the Chief Product Officer at Vonage, a leading business cloud communications provider. There, he led product management for UCaaS, CCaaS, and CPaaS product lines, playing a pivotal role in the post-acquisition portfolio diversification and integration, which led to significant revenue growth. Earlier in his career, Jay held various leadership positions at Motorola, where he spearheaded corporate strategy and product development. His diverse experience positions him as a strategic leader with a proven track record in shaping successful product strategies and driving business growth.

Avaya

Alan Masarek is President and Chief Executive Officer. He brings over 30 years of software and cloud-based business experience. Alan is an industry innovator with deep expertise in enterprise communications, information technology and business services. He most recently served as Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of Vonage Holdings Corp. In this role, which he held from November 2014 to June 2020, Alan led the company through an era of transformation from a VoIP-based residential phone provider into a global enterprise cloud communications company. Over the course of his tenure, Vonage completed eight acquisitions and its market capitalization increased severalfold. As importantly, Mr. Masarek led a revitalization of Vonage’s culture, creating a talent-driven organization with a culture of agility, technology innovation and customer centricity.Prior to Vonage, Alan served as Director, Chrome & Apps at Google, Inc. from June 2012 until October 2014, following Google’s acquisition of his prior company, Quickoffice, Inc. Alan was Co-founder and CEO of Quickoffice from June 2007 to June 2012. Under his leadership, Quickoffice became one of the world’s most widely used mobile productivity software solutions, engaging more than 26 million registered users at the time of Google’s purchase. Alan earned his M.B.A., with Distinction, from Harvard Business School and his B.B.A., magna cum laude, from the University of Georgia.

Beachhead Solutions

Cam Roberson is Vice President of Channel Sales for San Jose-based Beachhead Solutions, a provider of cloud-managed PC & mobile device encryption, security and data access control for MSPs. Cam has been with Beachhead for more than 15 years, and led the companys pivot to support MSPs—a key component in Beachheads growth. Earlier in his career, Cams firm BGG—an SF Bay Area top-10 advertising agency—was successfully sold in 2006. Shortly thereafter, Cam was invited to Beachhead to lead marketing efforts. Cam began his career with Apple Computer, where he held several senior product management roles in the computing and imaging divisions. He holds a BS in Marketing & Finance and an MBA from the San Jose State University Lucas School of Business.

Cato Networks

Etay Maor is the Sr. Director Security Strategy at Cato Networks and an industry recognized cyber security researcher and keynote speaker. Previously, Etay was the Chief Security Officer for IntSights where he led strategic cybersecurity research and security services. Before that Etay held numerous leadership and research positions as an Executive Security Advisor at IBM where he created and led breach response training and security research and as Head of RSA Security’s Cyber Threats Research Labs where he managed malware research and intelligence teams and was part of cutting edge security research and operations. Etay is an adjunct professor at Boston College and holds a BA in Computer Science and a MA in Counter Terrorism and Cyber Terrorism. Etay is a frequent featured speaker at major industry conferences and is part of RSA Conference and QuBits conference committees. He is often tapped by major news outlets for his astute commentary on and insights into the cybersecurity news of the day.

Cisco

Cloud Equity Group

Sean Frank is the Founder and Managing Partner of Wall Street-based asset management firm Cloud Equity Group. He is also widely recognized as a M&A expert, mentor to young entrepreneurs, captivating keynote speaker, and avid philanthropist. Although he is one of the youngest investment managers in New York, Sean’s incredible success is backed by more than 20 years of expertise and knowledge in originating, structuring, and managing investments. He started his career as an entrepreneur at the age of 12, and over the past two decades, he has accrued significant expertise in all aspects of private equity investing, particularly with leveraged buyouts. He has now become the go-to expert on investment opportunities across a broad spectrum of control ownership and direct lending opportunities. Founding Cloud Equity Group in 2013, Sean became the first manager of dividend focused investment vehicles in the web and cloud hosting infrastructure sectors. Using his passion and decades of experience in M&A, he led the firm’s transformation from an independent sponsor-based model to investing out of discretionary investment funds both in private equity and private debt asset classes

Cloudonix

Eric is a Mentor for technology-oriented startups and VoIP security and fraud specialist, and a sci-fi author. He oversees the day-to-day operations at Cloudonix so the developers can focus on turning caffeine into code.

Cogent Growth Partners

George Sierchio is an entrepreneurial veteran having owned and operated several successful services and consulting businesses in the last 25+ years. This includes his work as a consultant and advisor to owners of IT companies providing guidance in profitability, overall growth, and mergers & acquisitions related activities. He is highly experienced in the areas of strategy, finance, operations, and human resources specific to M&A. George is well versed in many areas including growth strategy, acquisition targeting/evaluation, valuation, due diligence, deal structure, agreement development/ negotiation, and corporate governance, leading over 25 buy-side transactions in the IT Services space.

Cognigy

Commio

A passionate technologist at heart with more than 25 years of marketing experience, Tim McLain, Commios Director of Marketing, loves using technology to help businesses solve problems and grow their bottom line. Tim is happiest brainstorming new approaches to marketing and communications to help Commios partners better understand, trust, and embrace our cloud communications solutions. Tim has helped bring four Internet startups to life since 1993, spent several years as a newspaper reporter and TV news producer, and boasts long marketing management stints at ProQuest and Netsertive, a Google Premier Partner. Tim holds a B.S. from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, and has Hubspot, 6Sense, Google Ads, and many other marketing technology certifications. In his spare time, he loves shooting and editing video, spending time with his wife Debbie and son William, riding long distances on North Carolina’s amazing bike trails, and enjoying the darkest craft beer he can find.

Company Nurse powered by Lintelio

CPaaS Acceleration Alliance

Robert is a CPaaS industry pioneer with 25+ years of success in crea:ng winning products andGTM strategies. He has a passion for how thoughAul design and technologies converge todeliver great customer and employee experiences. As CMO and head of product at IntelePeer,Robert spear-headed the delivery of low-code / no-code tools, AI-powered analy:cs andprocesses, and end-user applica:ons in the CPaaS industry.

Cresta

Crexendo

Jason Byrne brings more than 20+ years of telecom leadership to NetSapiens, where he leads Strategy, Business Development & Marketing teams. Previously, he held various leadership positions spanning wireline & wireless solutions across various companies from startups to S&P 500 companies with half the companies being acquired. Jason has an MBA from the University of San Diego and has a BSEE from Trinity College, Dublin.

eProc Solutions

Oren Rosen is a seasoned technology entrepreneur with an expansive career that began in 1990, marking the start of a lifelong pursuit of innovation in the IT sector. His foundational roles in IT provided a solid base from which he gained a broad understanding of the operational and strategic facets of the industry. Throughout his career, Oren has played a vital role in developing multiple companies before honing in on his current venture. Oren leveraged his extensive experience to establish eProc Solutions, where he continues to drive forward advancements in IT support. As the CEO of eProc Solutions, Oren has been pioneering the development of the eProc Control Center, aiming to revolutionize IT team operations and boost organizational productivity. His vision has consistently focused on enhancing the efficiency of IT services, enabling rapid resolution of service tickets, and reducing the need for remote control interventions and ticket escalations. Orens commitment to eProc Solutions embodies his dedication to empowering IT departments, ensuring they can deliver swift and effective support essential for the success of modern enterprises. His strategic consultation services to large organizations reflect his deep understanding of their IT needs and his unique ability to translate his vast experience into actionable, cutting-edge solutions.

Fulcrum Digital

Sachin Panicker is the Chief AI Officer at FulcrumDigital Inc. Heisan industry influencer and practitioner and dons several hats, being an adviser to AI start-ups and the Big 3, and frequentlywrites on various emerging technologies. He is presently workingon his research at the intersection of Generative AI and Web3.0, and in using it to create blockchains. He also wants to contributeinhelping AI mature to the next stage i.e., a true Artificial General Intelligence, and he is also working on his research on buildingacognitive architecture for an autonomous AI so that AI canlearnlike humans and animals. He has been mentoring scores of individuals and organisationsinlearning AI and in enabling them to adopt AI for their businesses. He has been an evangelist and an advocate for AI. He is relentlessin his pursuit of democratizing AI and is a firmand big believer of everyone’s right to equal and fair access to tools and technologiesfor the betterment of humankind. He has been a true visionaryanda pioneer in the field of AI led transformation for businesses. Hehas been a soothsayer in technology when he had predictedbackin 2018, the age of GPT and OpenAI’s dominance to come. Hehas also been one of its first adopters, building tools to convert natural language to UI and UX for Designers, convert Javascript toautomated test cases, script dev ops. With his research, academiaand industry connects, his work stands out in uncomplicatinganddemystifying AI and helping orgs uncover the true potential of their data, strategizing their initiatives. He is passionate about buildingan inclusive AI.

Fusion Connect

Genesys

Dr. Peter Graf is the Chief Strategy and Operations Officer at Genesys. In his role, he is responsible for developing, communicating, sustaining and executing the Genesys strategy. He oversees strategy management, business development, business transformation and operations, information technology, sustainability, and executive and employee communications. Prior to joining Genesys in 2017, Peter held a variety of executive leadership positions in strategy, development, and marketing throughout his more than 25 years in the global enterprise software industry, most notably as an Executive Vice President at multinational software corporation SAP. Peter earned a doctorate in artificial intelligence from Saarland University and a master’s degree in computer science and economics from Technical University of Kaiserslautern in Germany.

Greenstar Marketing

Dave brings almost three decades of leadership and enterprise management in the telecommunications sector. Mutually beneficial relationships and company growth with strong client acquisition and positive client experience, as well as deep-seeded values-based leadership and team development have been a consistent factor in all of Daves professional endeavors. With a vision for a better way of offering telecommunications services, Dave began his involvement as General Manager with the family ILEC that was founded by his great grandfather in 1909. Under Dave’s leadership, Ironton Telephone quickly evolved from being a small rural telco to one of the fastest growing privately owned telecommunications companies in Pennsylvania. Dave was also instrumental in developing and enhancing the relationships of a large multi-county/two state fiber backbone ISP partnership (PenTeleData) with other telcos and cable companies. In 2009, seeing the emerging opportunities and evolution of telecom with a strong shift from premise to cloud services, Dave, as Chairman of the Board, founded Ironton Global, an ITSP, to offer next generation SIP, Hosted IP-PBX and converged UCaaS/CCaaS solutions. At the same time, Dave also identified a unique niche and founded Telzy, a business based on the deployment of a multi-lingual mobile app for iOS and Android, designed to deliver easy-to-use affordable and reliable international calling to over 180 countries around the world. In 2011, seeing a growing need to redefine the sales, marketing and consultative process for Enterprise and SMB Cloud Computing and Cloud Communications, Dave, as the “angel” investor, co-founded GreenStar Solutions, creating a business that was geared for the next evolution in Cloud and the continual improvement in the client experience. Twelve years later, GreenStar proudly continues its mission of assisting many service providers, vendors, distributors and carriers in the communications sector with their marketing and other telecom centric needs. In 2016, as Dave was traveling the United States and Canada, providing keynote and breakout session consultative sessions at various trade show events, he was courted to assist an emerging UC platform provider, NetSapiens. Initially a small consultative role, within a few short months Dave was requested by the ownership and management of NetSapiens to enhance his role and lead the company as Senior Vice President and General Manager of NetSapiens. For 6 years Dave was one of the key executive team leaders that quickly grew NetSapiens revenues, market share and presence by providing a solid business development plan, forward thinking sales and marketing initiatives and campaigns, and strong channel growth with customer experience and empathy as a core focus, and ultimately positioned the company to be acquired in June 2021 by Crexendo. Today, Dave proudly serves the GreenStar leadership and staff in fostering an energetic, enjoyable and collaborative culture, designed to create purpose for all within the organizations and an open ecosystem for our clients, thus enhancing the customer experience and increasing the value proposition. Outside of work, Dave serves on several technology and telecommunications advisory boards. He also enjoys teaching Jujutsu, Kempo, and Aikido at his own dojo ( www.lehighfukasakai.com ), sailing, scuba diving, the Lower Florida Keys and traveling with his wife Michelle, their three children, his extended family and new and life-long colleagues and friends.

Haltian

Tomi Teikko is a visionary of the digital age, he masterfully combines an exceptional understanding of empathy with an unparalleled expertise in data analytics and digitalization. As the mind behind the groundbreaking Empathic Building concept, Tomi has revolutionized the intersection of technology and human-centric design in modern hybrid workplaces. Tomis ambition has been relentless, from coding in the 1980s to launching his first startup in 1990. In the 90s, he was an early adopter of virtual reality, embracing its potential long before it became mainstream. Tomi has also ventured into the virtual hospitality sector, owning cafes and restaurants that championed eSports and other digital trends during the Internets nascent era. He has occupied pivotal roles in global organizations, leading teams of experts and driving transformation. Throughout his digitalization career, he has pioneered multiple end-user services for large corporations, generating billions in revenue for his clients. Originally hailing from Finland, a beacon of Nordic innovation, Tomi now resides in the San Francisco Bay area. With a resolute mission, hes channeling the best practices of Nordic work culture to North American enterprises, harmoniously blending them with the power of empathy and digitalization.

IFT

IKIN

Inseego

Ritesh Mukherjee is an accomplished leader focusing on global communications and technology. Ritesh leads product design, solutions engineering, and technical marketing as Senior Vice President and General Manager at Inseego. He is responsible for transforming digital networks with 5G, MEC, SDN/NFV, SDWAN, SASE, and Cloud solutions. Before joining Inseego, Ritesh was Vice President at Reliance Jio, managing a global portfolio of market-leading innovative enterprise solutions. He was Vice President, Product Management at 128 Technology (acquired by Juniper Networks), leading SD-WAN and cloud development, and Product Management Leader at Cisco, leading the software operating systems group. Ritesh has engineered some of the largest deployments of enterprise networks for leading businesses globally. He is a sought-after speaker and thought leader. Ritesh teaches Computer Networks and Security courses as an Adjunct Faculty Member at the Benjamin Franklin Cummins Institute of Technology, Boston. Ritesh holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Concordia University, Montreal.

IntelePeer

Frank is the President and Chief Executive Officer at IntelePeer. He has been a guiding force in driving the company’s growth and achieving its mission to become a dominant force in the AI-driven Communications Automation Platforms market. With IntelePeer’s platform, businesses can solve for the automation needs of both the enterprise contact center as well as the specific needs of regional and local offices. The Company’s platform lowers the cost of doing business while improving customer experience and accelerating ROI. Frank founded and grew CommTech Corporation between 1990 and 2001 to be an early leader in the communications software sector before selling the company to ADC, a leading provider of broadband solutions for the telecommunications industry, for $178 million. Prior to founding CommTech, he worked at AT&T Bell Laboratories as the lead data communications architect for a $1.4B winning bid to the IRS.? Frank received a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and a Master of Science in Management from Stevens Institute of Technology and participated in the Wharton Executive Management Program at the University of Pennsylvania. He was also selected as a QuantumShift’s Top Entrepreneurs in America for 2017 by KPMG’s Private Markets Group and the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business.

IntelePeer

Matt serves as the Chief Experience Officer. In this role, he and his team ensure the highest level of support in customer interactions. Previously, Matt served as Senior Vice President, Customer Experience and Vice President, Enterprise Sales and Business Development for IntelePeer. Matt brings to IntelePeer more than 20 years of leadership experience and a strong passion for serving customers, continuous improvement, and teamwork. Prior to IntelePeer, Matt worked for NexTone, JP Morgan Chase & Co., and Qwest Communications. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

ISM Inc.

Barton is committed to help sales, marketing and customer service executives do business in the Metaverse. His Metaverse Resource Center, founded with Silicon Valley guru Tim Bajarin, contains >250 case studies of companies doing business in the Metaverse, along with >230 articles and >75 videos. Barton does a bi-weekly podcast titled Business Success in a Virtual World covers case studies of successful, global companies doing business successfully in the Metaverse. Recent podcast episodes include: Nike, Verizon, Pfizer, Marriott, Farmers Insurance, Mayo Clinic, BMW, JP Morgan, Northrop Grumman, Walmart, Siemens, P&G, and others. Barton is the founder and President of ISM Inc., where, since 1985, he has applied leading-edge technologies to sales, marketing, and customer service. His extensive work in these areas led him to his selection as one of the first three inductees in the CRM Hall of Fame (2003) and is detailed in his three best-seller business books, countless articles, and hundreds of keynote speeches. His latest book, The Definitive Guide to Social CRM, is hailed as “the roadmap for success at the intersection of social media and CRM.” Barton’s clients include Chase Bank, ExxonMobil, Jaguar Land Rover, Johnson Controls, Kraft Heinz, Marriott, Nike, Schlumberger, T. Rowe Price, U.S. Department of Defense, Zumba Fitness and many others. Barton holds a B.Sc. (Economics) degree with honors from the Wharton School of Business, and a M.Sc. (Economics) degree from the London School of Economics. He served as Rotary District Governor from 2019-2020. He was honored with the ‘Humanitarian of the Year’ award in 2019. He lives in Maryland with his wife and two young adults.

Iterate.ai

Brian Sathianathan is the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer at Iterate.ai, whose Interplay platform is used by enterprises to develop low-code AI applications. Previously, Sathianathan worked at Apple on various emerging technology projects that included the Mac operating system and the first iPhone.

Journey

Brett Shockley is a tech industry executive, entrepreneur and keynote speaker with over 30 years of leadership in enterprise software at Journey, Avaya, Cisco, Calabrio and Spanlink Communications. Shockley is the cofounder and CEO of Journey, whose Trusted Identity Platform makes it simple for businesses to build Trusted Digital Relationships with their customers. He is a Director for eGain Corporation (NASDAQ: EGAN), a leading provider of cloud based customer engagement applications and SPOK (NASDAQ: SPOK), global leader in critical health care communications products and services. He also serves on the Virtual Hold Technology advisory board and is a startup mentor for Stanford’s Alchemist Accelerator. Previously Shockley was SVP of Strategy, Corporate Development & CTO of Avaya. He also served as SVP/GM of Avaya’s Contact Center and Unified Communications portfolios and led the Avaya Labs Research team. Earlier Shockley held senior leadership roles including VP/GM of Cisco’s Contact Center Business Unit where his team pioneered the industry’s first VoIP Contact Center. As Cofounder/CEO of Spanlink, he led the IPO and partnered with Bell Labs to pioneer innovations in speech recognition, computer telephony and call centers. As cofounder of Calabrio he led the development of industry leading Workforce Optimization software. In addition to holding patents in privacy, security, social networking & contact centers, Shockley was an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award winner, University of Minnesota Alumni Lifetime Achievement award winner and Minnesota High Tech Association Emerging Technology award winner. Brett previously held the Guinness World Record for the World’s Tallest Unicycle at 51’.

Kalibri8

Leeward Security Ltd.

Introducing Terry Woloszyn: Innovator, Visionary, and Metaverse ExpertTerry is the Founder and CEO of Leeward Security, at the forefront of revolutionizing the digital workspace through Leeward Security’s cutting-edge offerings tailored for the burgeoning Metaverse landscape.Leeward Security’s flagship offering, the Leeward Digital Workplace, is a triumvirate of solutions comprising Leeward Offices, Leeward Gateway, and Leeward AI. Leeward Offices is a quintessential digital workplace solution that empowers remote collaboration, productivity, and team building. Leeward Gateway facilitates seamless remote access to a diverse range of computing resources including Windows, MacOS, Linux, and mainframes. Complementing these is Leeward AI, a versatile digital assistant that reimagines how sales, support, and training operate.What sets Leeward Digital Workplace apart is its cloud-based deployment, negating the need for any specialized hardware or software. Leveraging only a browser, businesses can efficiently and cost-effectively harness the Metaverse for Hybrid and remote work Through Leeward Offices, businesses can set up virtual offices, fostering a dynamic digital presence for seamless interaction between employees and clients in an immersive environment. Moreover, the platform is pivotal in redefining onboarding and training procedures, and as a captivating showcase solution to display products and services in an enthralling manner.Terry Woloszyn’s prowess extends beyond Leeward Security. His profound comprehension of the Metaverse and Virtual Reality markets has been honed through his impressive tenure in leadership roles across several technology companies. He has garnered acclaim as a serial entrepreneur, adept team builder, and strategic savant. Terry’s acumen in assembling high-performance sales, engineering, and consulting teams, forging pivotal partnerships, and catalyzing growth is well-documented.Dont miss this opportunity to glean wisdom from a trailblazer in digital workspace innovation!

MBM Intellectual Property Law LLP

Carly N. Horvath, PhD, JD, Associate IP LawyerCarly completed her JD at Western University with an area concentration in information technology and intellectual property (IP), and subsequently obtained a certification in Blockchain Law. These focused legal studies have fostered a deep understanding of the legal complexities associated with the rapidly evolving field of technology and IP law. Additionally, Carly is a member of the team of IP professionals at MBM Intellectual Property Law, where her primary practice interests are in privacy and technology agreements, and blockchain law. Carly regularly assists clients in preparing privacy policies and other terms and conditions, in addition to her involvement in a variety of IP matters related to patents, trademarks, copyright, and industrial designs. Prior to law school, Carly completed a PhD in Medical Sciences and subsequently worked as a scientific editor for international scientists. This experience has given her a unique perspective on the intersection of science, technology, and the law. As a passion project, Carly is actively involved in Prior Arts, a US-Canadian-based organization committed to identifying opportunities for emerging technologies, including, blockchain, Web3, and AI to resolve some of the world’s most intractable problems.

Meriplex

As the VP of Corporate Development and M&A for Meriplex, Neil Medwed is responsible for spearheading the organizations national expansion. He been instrumental in acquiring 11 quality MSPs throughout the U.S. in less than two years, with many more to come. In addition, his deep and long-term relationships with high-level executives of manufacturers and distributors in the technology space, Medwed works with top-tier vendors to strategically align with Meriplexs interest. Neil is a 40 year VAR/MSP and was recognized as one of Channel Futures Most Influential MSPs of 2022.

Metrigy

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 1000, 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 Digital Transformation and Digital 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 UCC. She is a sought-after speaker at conferences and trade shows, presenting at events such as Enterprise Connect, ICMI, IDG’s FutureIT, Interop, Mobile Business Expo, and CeBit. She also writes a blog for No Jitter. 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 serves 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 she 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. Ms. Gareiss 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.

Metrigy

In her role at Metrigy, Beth Schultz conducts primary research and analysis to provide metrics-based guidance for IT, customer experience, and business decision makers. Additionally, Beth manages the firm’s multimedia thought leadership content and research agenda. With more than 30 years in the IT media and events business, Beth is a well-known industry influencer, speaker, and creator of compelling content. She brings to Metrigy a wealth of industry knowledge from her more than three decades of coverage of the rapidly changing areas of digital transformation and the digital workplace. Most recently, Beth was with Informa Tech, where for seven years she served as program co-chair for Enterprise Connect, the leading independent conference and exhibition for the unified communications and customer experience industries, and editor in chief of the companion No Jitter media site. While with Informa Tech, Beth also oversaw the development, launch, and management of WorkSpace Connect, a multidisciplinary media site providing thought leadership for IT, HR, and facilities/real estate managers responsible for creating collaborative, connected workplaces. Over the years, Beth has worked at a number of other technology news organizations, including All Analytics, Network World, CommunicationsWeek, and Telephony Magazine. In these positions, she has earned more than a dozen national and regional editorial excellence awards from American Business Media, American Society of Business Press Editors, Folio.net, and others. Beth has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and lives in Chicago.

Mitel

Nine Minds

Robert has more than 20 years of experience working on software for technology providers. He started with ConnectWise in 2000, becoming the Chief Software Architect. He left in 2016 to start Speed of Light Media, a cloud service provider for enterprise companies. He is now the founder and CEO of Nine Minds, an AI startup in Tampa Bay focused on rethinking enterprise software in an AI-first world. He has a bachelors degree in Computer Science from the University of South Florida and enjoys the sunny weather in Clearwater, FL with his wife and daughter.

NWN Council

Outshift by Cisco

Kumaran Ponnambalam is a technology leader with 20+ years of experience in AI, Big Data, Data Processing & Analytics. His focus is on creating robust, scalable AI models and services to drive effective business solutions. He is currently leading AI initiatives in the Emerging Technologies & Incubation Group in Cisco. In his previous roles, he has built data pipelines, analytics, integrations, and conversational bots around customer engagement. He has also authored several courses on the LinkedIn Learning Platform in AI and Big Data.

OvationCXM

Alan Finlay, co-founder and head of product at OvationCXM, is driven by a passion for creating software that elevates customer experiences – both for customers and the internal teams that deliver them. Prior to OvationCXM, Alan worked at TPG and Goldman Sachs where he launched global investment products. He graduated from the University of Virginia with a B.S. in Commerce. Alan now lives in San Francisco with his wife, two boys, and dog.

Owl Labs

Phone.com

Ari is a veteran of the IP-communications industry. He is the CEO of Phone.com, Inc. a company he co-founded. He previously served as president of Surf&Call Solutions as well as TrulyGlobal, Inc. two early VoIP industry startups that were acquired. Ari also served as a senior executive at VocalTec Communications, the VoIP industry pioneer, and a strategy manager for Lucent Technologies. He holds an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University, and a law degree and BA in Economics, both from Tel Aviv University.

Plover Animation

A life-long artist. Web3 enthusiast. Creative mentor. Domestic violence survivor. Jennifer Hotai has experienced and endured many challenges through her creative career and personal struggles. She worked on game and film projects as a concept artist while working dead end jobs, before creating an advertising company in 2015. She created Plover Animation in 2022 in the midst of escaping a life-threatening abusive relationship. She is now focused on building a bold and bright future through her startup, and sharing her knowledge with others as co-founder of the organization Grand Strand Web3 Guild. Shes currently a member of VRAR Association, Metaverse Standards Forum, and is featured in the book Women of the Future.

QuestBlue

Kevin Masse, CEO and President of QuestBlue, is a veteran of the IT industry with an illustrious career spanning over 30 years. Kevins journey from humble beginnings, where he founded the first internet company in northern New Hampshire, to his current role as the driving force behind a thriving telecommunications company, is a testament to his exceptional leadership and unwavering dedication. He manages a wide array of key responsibilities, including strategy management, business development, business transformation, employee communications, and guarantees the utmost level of support in all customer interactions. Year after year, he remains steadfast in his commitment to the prosperity of his company, the well-being of his dedicated employees, and the satisfaction of his valued customers.

ReachOut Technology

Rick Jordan is a magnetic force and unyielding CEO who clawed his way to the top through relentless determination and hard-earned wisdom. Rick is a sought after personality, appearing constantly on nationwide networks like CBS, Fox, NewsNation, Cheddar and more. A badass keynote speaker that ignites inspiration on stages at VeeCon, NASDAQ, Harvard Clubs, Mercedes and West Point Military academy. Rick founded ReachOut and took it from startup to a public company without the influence of outside money from private equity. He works with an OG Shark, consults the White House, and hosts his top podcast - ALL IN with Rick Jordan.

Red Jacket

Thomas Forte is the President for Red Jacket Solutions, LLC where he is responsible for the sales and operational aspects of the business. Prior to Red Jacket Tom spent approximately 30 years with Inteserra (f/k/a Technologies Management, Inc.) in the roles of Consultant and Director of Business Development. In these positions, Tom assisted hundreds of clients through the various regulatory and operational issues of becoming a carrier (IXC, CLEC, VoIP, Debit, OSP, etc.). He was able to manage some of Inteserra’s larger clients due to his understanding of the industry as well as his project management ability. Prior to his time at Inteserra, Tom work at Windstream (f/k/a ALLTEL) holding positions in Rates and Tariffs, Budgets/Financial Planning, Sales, Operations, Network Planning, and various other positions over his 11+ years with the company. In these various positions Tom was able to learn the operations of the industry from various disciplines giving him an understanding of the industry.

RingCentral

Rosarium PR & Marketing Collective

Alexis Quintal is the owner and CEO of Rosarium PR & Marketing Collective. She has more than 10 years of experience in sales management and director-level media roles at high-profile institutions like Walmart Media Group and Newswire. In 2020, she left the corporate world on a mission to help level the competitive playing field between large companies and new business owners. The result was Rosarium — a company that scales world-class marketing communications solutions to be accessible and affordable for startups of all sizes. Alexis’ goal is to make more entrepreneurs by making it easier to be a successful entrepreneur.

Salesforce

Sandy Beaches Software

Jeff Lytle has over 30 years of software development experience specifically related to telecommunications billing. As Sandy Beaches founder and president, hes committed to the companys mission to help competitive communications companies grow and remain profitable by consistently ensuring invoice taxation compliance, and providing the tools needed for superior customer service. Under his direction SBS made the INC. 500 list in 2003, the OKC Metro 50 Fastest Growing Privately Held Companies in 2002 and 2003. He was also a finalist for “Oklahoma’s Most Admired CEO’s” in 2010. Jeff proudly served in the USAF and holds a B.B.A. in Business from the University of Central Oklahoma.

SDG

Jaike is a Governance, Risk, and Cybersecurity Professional with 15 years of experience in information security consulting, data privacy consulting, controls and compliance, vulnerability management, network and application (web / mobile) penetration testing, and cybersecurity process improvement. The previous decade was spent developing and scaling Risk Advisory and Cybersecurity practices, establishing service offerings (process, deliverables, tooling, etc.), thought leadership, business development, team building and management, and performing technical fieldwork. At SDG, Jaike provides high-end consulting services to assess compliance and maturity, improve security posture, and drive large-scale transformation for a diverse client base spanning Fortune 100, Higher Education, Hospital Systems, Retail, e-Commerce, Non-Profit, and Start Ups world-wide utilizing multi-disciplinary teams.

Skyhawk Security

Chen Burshan is a veteran cloud security expert and CEO of Skyhawk Security. He has led product and strategy teams for companies in the security space for more than ten years, most recently as EVP of Products at ActiveFence and VP of Strategy, GM and Site Manager at Dome9 (Acquired by Check Point). There he helped develop the company into a leader in CSPM (Cloud Security Posture Management). Chen was brought on to lead Skyhawk Security (a spinoff of Radware) to build the next generation of cloud security. His journey as a product leader and manager in technology companies began over 20 years ago, with roles at IBM, Cisco, Kashya, and Zerto.

Snom

Stackyon

Stratus Dial

Synoptek

As the CTO of CX at Synoptek, Jay Cann is a pioneering force in the realm of technology and its application to enhance customer experiences. With an exceptional career spanning three decades, Jay brings unparalleled expertise in the development and implementation of cutting-edge technology. As a founding member of Macquarium(now a Synoptek company), he has a rich history of guiding technological innovation to align with organizational goals. In his role at Synoptek, Jay not only leads the adoption of emerging technologies but also plays a pivotal role in AI leadership. He is instrumental in utilizing artificial intelligence to create personalized, intelligent customer experiences that differentiate Synoptek in the market. With a keen eye on industry trends and developments, Jay consistently identifies opportunities to leverage new technologies for the benefit of Synoptek and its clientele. His client experience includes Southern Company, Krispy Kreme, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Char-broil, Cummins, The Weather Channel, The Home Depot, Lockheed-Martin, and the US Mint. As a national lecturer, Jay frequently shares his knowledge on technology, development strategies, and AI-driven customer experience innovations.

Tangra

Nelly V. Tacheva is a a Future of Work, Metaverse, and Web3 innovator with 20+ years of technology and leadership experience.Her metaverse platform Tangra is revolutionizing online learning, training, and team collaboration. Her mission is to make learning and working virtually an engaging, efficient, and entertaining experience - for real!Nelly holds an MBA in Business Analytics and an MS in Mathematics, Computer Science, and Education.Metaverse Standards Forum ChairInternational Telecommunication Union Focus Group

Tealet

TeamMate Technology

Telarus

Dan Foster is the chief revenue officer for Telarus. Dan, an inspirational and visionary leader, has provided market expertise to strategize and define opportunities that maximize revenue and shareholder return for multiple organizations. In his previous role at Ericsson, he pioneered the entry into the North America partner channel. In his more than 25 years of senior leadership experience in technology and data communications, Dan held the title of CRO at StratusWorX, Fusion Connect, Primus.ca, and two other companies. Under Dan’s stewardship as President and COO of MegaPath, the organization experienced exponential growth from $5 million to over $600 million via organic development and acquisitions. He has garnered industry recognition and awards throughout his career including being a five-time winner of Channel Chief by CRN. Dan received dual engineering and liberal arts degrees from Tufts University and graduated from Harvard Business Schools Executive PMD program.

The Designers Group

As the Founder and CEO of The Designers Group, Blima Ehrentreu combines her creativity and talent to reform the design industry. Her passion for empowering women, giving back to the community, and championing women in the workforce earned her a spot on Globest’s Women of Influence in 2020 & 2022 and Crain’s Notable Leaders in Real Estate in 2023. The Designers Group’s diverse project portfolio spans the residential and commercial sectors, and Inc. Magazine ranked The Designers Group no.15 among the top fastest-growing private companies in the New York Metro Area in 2021. As a key industry leader, The Designers Group is at the forefront of cutting-edge interior design, specializing in high-end interior spaces for commercial, residential, and healthcare portfolios. Blima’s devotion to her work and community has positioned her as an unshakeable force within the industry. Her commitment to fostering a work culture dedicated to philanthropy led her to launch charitable initiatives such as TDG Gives Back and TDG Furniture Exchange. Blima’s belief that design is a tool that can build positive spaces and serve communities is a visible hallmark throughout her work.

TransNexus

Jim Dalton is founder and CEO of TransNexus.

Twilio

When I was 12, my first system communication success was connecting two computers with a crossover cable. The idea that I could make two separate things, understand each other, was a breakthrough moment for me. This turned into a mission to make devices talk to each other in the most efficient way. Through the course of my career, this has evolved into an efficiency in communication between technology and people, and this can only be done with a deeper integration of AI within the contact center. Hi, my name is Khurum, and I am acutely inspired by our emerging technical ecosystem that is customer aware, and building training towards that architecture. I am passionate about doing that with technology, because that “aha” moment when we see it, is everything. Excited to create this vision together.

UJET

UpstreamWorks

Rob McDougall is the CEO of Upstream Works, a provider of omnichannel contact center desktop solutions that simplify and improve agent and customer experience. He is an accomplished contact center leader and catalyst for change with a track record of raising industry awareness for first contact resolution and operationalizing AI. Rob leads the strategic vision of Upstream Works with a continued focus on omnichannel innovation and enhanced AI integration capabilities.

USWired Inc.

VERIFIED

Verint

Viirtue

Daniel is a thought leader and industry innovator who delivers mindful, high-energy sessions that spark creative thought from both his audiences and co-panelists. Using first-hand accounts from his real-world experience, Rosenrauch raises awareness on how small business owners can achieve success by delivering value. Daniel is considered an expert speaker on all things telecom.

Wazo.io

Dave has more than 20 years of expertise in managing customer and partner sales strategyand operations in key organizations to his new role at Wazo. Most recently, Dave held the roleof Sales Director for Gage Technologies and VOX Network Solutions. He played a crucial roleoverseeing the development of cloud communications and services, delivering significantcustomer growth. Prior to these roles, Dave spent seven years at Carousel Industries as GlobalAccount Executive, developing sales for a large range of solutions including AVAYA and Ciscoproducts, services and solutions. He also contributed to the growth of other key cloud andcommunication players such as XETA technologies, Avaya and Cabletron Systems.

Webex by Cisco

Aruna Ravichandran is the Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing & Customer Officer at Webex by Cisco. She is a dynamic and accomplished leader in the technology industry with more than two decades of experience leading global teams through workforce and technology transformations. With robust expertise in both computer engineering and marketing, Aruna is a recognized leader in SaaS marketing and building digital routes to market that support sales and empower customers and partners. Her visionary perspective of branding and exceptional skill in data storytelling set her apart as a change agent in the industry. Aruna believes in the collective power of marketing and technology to create revenue, accelerate brand value, and enable human connections. Aruna thrives in an ever-changing technology landscape with a passion for innovation and brand evolution. She has a long and consistent track record of mobilizing corporate vision across every facet of the business—from brand to demand, from purpose to products, and from employee experience to customer experience. Her ability to translate complex products into compelling stories has driven significant brand awareness and revenue growth. She is also a prolific writer, passionate about knowledge-sharing. She has authored two pioneering books on DevOps, is a contributor for Forbes.com, and is a multi-award honoree, including the Elite 18 Customer-Led CMOs, Top 100 Most Influential Women in Silicon Valley 2016 and the National Diversity Council’s 2016 Most Powerful and Influential Woman. Aruna advocates for empowering women through her work as a public speaker and thought leader. She regularly presents and speaks at colleges and universities about the importance of women embracing STEM careers. Through the work she does at Webex and on various boards and committees, she actively seeks to make the field more accessible and enticing to women everywhere. Prior to Cisco, Aruna led DevOps marketing at CA Technologies (now Broadcom), spearheaded marketing and strategy at Juniper Networks, and held a variety of roles across Engineering, Product Development, and Marketing in her 17-year tenure at Hewlett Packard. Aruna holds an MBA and an MS in Computer Engineering from Santa Clara University, a BS in Computer Science from Bangalore Institute of Technology (BIT) and graduated from the esteemed CMO Leadership program at Kellogg Business School in 2019. Aruna also serves on the board at Cal Polytechnic San Luis Obispo, Fast Company, Forbes Technology Council, and Vox Media.

Wildfire Systems

Tristan has a deep love of learning and is passionate about technology startups. She heads up marketing at Wildfire Systems and their latest project, RevenueEngine.ai . She previously co-founded IoT Analytics company, Tellient and was CMO at Telcentris. In 2004 Tristan co-founded IP PBX maker, Switchvox, now part of Sangoma. Before founding Switchvox, she led UX for special projects at MP3.com, acquired by Vivendi Universal.

XCALLY

Successful international speaker, Diego Gosmar is a Chief Innovation Evangelist and expert about Artificial Intelligence, with particular focus on NLP, Sentiment Analysis, Insight AI and Generative Conversational AI models. Diego is Ambassador of the Open Voice Network Linux Foundation, a no-profit San Francisco and International organization, dedicated to the definition of standards and guidelines for Conversational AI ethical and responsible use. He is also the author of this Machine Learning Book available in multiple languages:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GFL6NVM. He has been a trainer and speaker in the last ten years for several international events about innovation Telco technologies and AI. Here it is a list of Diego’s speeches: https://www.gosmar.eu/index.html#events. Diego has also led the international expansion of the XCALLY AI-Driven omnichannel software solution, reaching over 60 countries worldwide, managing partners and hundreds of customers scattered from Singapore to the Middle East and Japan, Europe, South Africa, United States, Brazil, and more. He is also the Head of AI Advisor for several start-ups and Mentor at the I3P, the Polytechnic University of Turin Innovative Companies Incubator.

Beelinebill Enterprises

Bill Miller provides personalized services to founders, aspiring CEOs, and small and medium-sized company CEOs as an executive advisor, mentor, and coach. He is the author of the 2-time award-winning The Rookie CEO, You Cant Make This Stuff Up! He uses a framework he created to guide how people will lead, the culture they will create, and how they can deliver operational excellence for growth and profitability. As a senior executive who has led Marketing, Product Management, Business Development, Strategic Planning and Alliances, Development, and Operations in the past 30 years in companies of all sizes, including both venture-backed and privately funded early-stage startups to multi-billion-dollar multinational companies, his experience behind the scenes provides insight and value.

Univ. of Miami

Dr. Sara Rushinek is a Business Technology and Health Informatics professor at the University of Miami Business School. She is also a Professor in the Master of Science in Clinical and Translational Investigation Research Program at the Miller School of Medicine. She has published over 150 peer-reviewed articles. Dr. Rushinek was inducted into the 2019 Women in Technology Hall of Fame, serves on the Leadership Team of Women in Technology International, Government Blockchain Association, and is an Academic Advocate for ISACA. Dr. Rushinek specializes in Artificial Intelligence Systems, Big Data Analytics, cutting-edge Hybrid Collaborative Tools & Techniques, SEO App Development, Computer Litigation Support, Health Informatics, Cyber Security, Blockchain Applications, and Automated Algorithmic Trading Systems. Dr. Rushinek is a frequent speaker at academic, business, health, and tech conferences. In addition, she is an advisor and mentor to the City of Coral Gables, tech, and startup community. She has served as a consultant to major tech companies such as Intel, Microsoft, Sony, Panasonic, and HP and hedge fund and trading platform companies such as Tradestation and Ninja Trader. Sara Rushinek also serves as an Expert Witness on technology and patent infringement cases. Dr. Rushinek earned her undergraduate degree from Tel Aviv University and her Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin.