Andrew is a Principal Engineer and Independent Consultant. He builds data platforms that reduce risk and drive revenue. Andrew is credited with coining the term ‘data contracts’ and wrote the definitive book on data contracts in 2023.

Andy Petrella is a thought leader, author and entrepreneur in data and analytics. As the founder and CEO of Kensu, Andy has pioneered innovative approaches to data observability, helping organizations ensure the reliability and trustworthiness of their data pipelines. With a strong background in mathematics and software engineering, Andy has been instrumental in advancing the field of data management, particularly in addressing the challenges of data literacy, quality and governance in complex environments.

Atanas Iliev is System Architect at ALH Gruppe, Germany. He is passionate about exploring. Exploring innovative AI and data platforms, as well as prompt engineering. In 2023, he joined the AIDA User Group and started providing weekly updates for the group. He was elected to the Board of Directors in 2024, and the group newsletter was launched. He is member of Open Data Contract Standard (ODCS) at the Linux Foundation project Bitol and part of the Technical Steering Committee.

Christian is a data engineer working on hospital workflow solutions in Denmark. With a educational background in software engineering, he uses a diverse tool set which benefits from defined interfaces. As such, he aims to assist in improving the Open Data Contract Standard in order to improve inter team collaboration on large software projects by dynamically governing the interfaces that span them. Outside of his day job, he has a passion for wine and cycling, although not in combination.

Dirk is co-founder of Klarrio, a platform engineering services integrator promoting the use of open source software for its customers to retain control over their data.

Eugene (Gene) Stakhov, CRM, CIP is the Information Governance Practice Lead at enChoice. During his consulting-focused career, Gene has provided clients with expert guidance on matters ranging from strategic assessments and planning to tactical system implementation solutions in various sectors. His work includes implementing a highly visible, complex email and electronic records management initiative to address the regulatory compliance challenges of a large utilities company. This solution won the IBM Innovation in Technology Award. Gene pioneered the process for modeling an enterprise information fabric, and is a frequent contributor to the global Information Governance community. An active member of several professional associations, Gene is also an IBM Champion (Automation 2022-2024).

Georges Kopp is an economist with long experience in programming and business analysis. Teaching, learning and spreading the word of DATA. And sometimes pasionned translator to Spanish, Catalan, French with very good result.

Jean-Georges “jgp” Perrin is the Chief Innovation Officer at AbeaData, where he spearheads the development of cutting-edge, modern data tools designed to transform the way businesses manage and leverage data. As the Chair of the Open Data Contract Standard (ODCS) at the Linux Foundation’s Bitol project, Jean-Georges leads global efforts to standardize data contracts, making data ecosystems more reliable and efficient.

Jean-Georges is also a co-founder of the AIDA User Group and the author of several influential books, including Implementing Data Mesh (O’Reilly), a pivotal resource in the data community, and Spark in Action, 2nd Edition (Manning), which empowers developers to harness the power of Apache Spark. His thought leadership extends to data engineering, governance, the industrialization of data science, and his personal favorite, Data Mesh—where he continuously pushes the boundaries of modern data architecture.

Recognized for his contributions to the tech world, Jean-Georges is proud to hold the titles of Lifetime IBM Champion, PayPal Champion, and Data Mesh MVP, reflecting his enduring influence in data innovation. With over 25 years in the IT industry, Jean-Georges is a sought-after speaker at international conferences, regularly contributes to both print and online media, and shares his insights through his blog at jgp.ai.

When he’s not immersed in the world of data, Jean-Georges enjoys exploring the scenic landscapes of Upstate New York and New England with his wife and children, balancing his love for tech with a passion for nature and adventure.

Jochen is co-founder of Data Contract Manager, Germany and maintainer of the open-source Data Contract CLI tool.

With over two decades of experience in software engineering, Manuel has honed his skills in various industries and companies. Currently, leading software engineering at a healthcare startup, he is dedicated to developing innovative solutions that improve patients’ daily lives. He is also member of the Technical Steering Committee for the Open Data Contract Standard (ODCS). And above all, he is passionate about discovering and learning new technologies in the IT field.

As Head of Global Data Governance and former Senior Data Scientist, Martin is passionate about establishing data governance structures, processes, and mindsets at Lidl e-commerce. With more than 15 years of hands-on experience in numerous data science, business intelligence, data engineering, controlling, and research projects in the field of retail and e-commerce, he is also part of the Technical Steering Committee for the Open Data Contract Standard (ODCS).

As an all-around data engineer, Peter Flook specializes in testing and building innovative tools to streamline data workflows. He founded Data Catering, a platform that automates data generation and validation and contributed to open-source projects like Data Caterer and Insta-Infra. He is also part of the Technical Steering Committee for the Open Data Contract Standard (ODCS). With a background in building microservices and data ecosystems, he is passionate about driving efficiency and innovation in data engineering.

Sandro Pugliese is a seasoned leader in enterprise data engineering and martech, currently heading the development of next-generation data platforms at TelevisaUnivision. With a background that spans over two decades, Sandro has a rich history of building enterprise-scale hybrid cloud and on-prem data systems in FinTech and streaming services, including experience at Rdio and Goldman Sachs.

Sandro is a complex systems thinker and a three-time startup founder, with expertise in product, engineering, data, marketing, and analytics. His technical prowess includes E2E ETL/ELT data flows, data architecture, governance, DataOps, MLOps, and data protection. His work spans both ad-supported and subscription-based services, bringing deep value to his current role at Univision Communications Inc.

In addition to his professional roles, Sandro is a mentor at 500 Startups, sharing his knowledge on product development, customer validation, and marketing technology. He holds a BA in Psychology and Philosophy from Hamilton College and is a Certified SAFe® 4 Agilist.

Fluent in English and French, Sandro has contributed to the tech community through various patents related to digital media storage and playback systems. He’s actively involved in helping others navigate macroeconomic challenges, supporting laid-off professionals, and building the next generation of data platforms at TelevisaUnivision.

Simon is a co-founder of Data Contract Manager, Germany, and a leading advocate for data contracts. He co-created datacontract.com and helped maintain the popular Data Contract CLI on GitHub.

Todd Nemanich is the Founder and Chief Technology Officer at AbeaData, where he leads the development of innovative solutions to help companies actualize their AI targets. With an entrepreneurial mindset, Todd fosters a culture of engineering excellence, driving his teams to deliver outcomes that go beyond the expected and embrace the best solutions for complex data challenges.

Todd brings extensive experience in data engineering, cloud/on-prem systems, and technology leadership. Prior to founding AbeaData, he served as Vice President of Information Technology at Southern Trust Mortgage and held key leadership roles at Terazo, where he built teams and spearheaded development across API-first platforms, microservices, and data engineering. His previous work also includes overseeing IT operations at Getloaded.com and running Nemanich Enterprises, where he led data system overhauls and developed embedded systems for various industries.

Todd holds a BS in Computer Engineering and Computer Science from North Carolina State University and is passionate about bringing new technologies into projects to create scalable, impactful solutions.

Tom Baeyens is the Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer at Soda, where he leads efforts to build trusted data solutions that mitigate risk and ensure data reliability. At Soda, Tom is pioneering advancements in data observability and data quality monitoring, enabling teams to detect and address data issues proactively. With a deep focus on collaboration between business and technical stakeholders, Soda ensures continuous monitoring without the need to move data from the client’s environment.

A seasoned software architect and entrepreneur, Tom previously founded RockScript.io, a microservice integration platform, and held leadership roles at companies like Signavio and Alfresco. He was instrumental in launching Effektif, a cloud-based workflow automation tool, and served as the project lead for Activiti, an Apache-licensed BPMN engine, which revolutionized how developers and business teams collaborated on workflow solutions.

Tom holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science from KU Leuven and has over two decades of experience in software development, cloud solutions, and workflow automation. He is a key figure in data reliability, data contracts, and modern data management, consistently contributing to open-source communities and shaping the future of data technology.