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Cognigy

Hardy brings over two decades of experience in the Contact Center and Unified Communications software space to Cognigy. Previously, Hardy has held senior leadership positions with leading public and emerging private companies including Avaya, Intradiem and AVST. His areas of expertise include business and corporate development, strategy and business scaling and transformation.

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.

Deepgram

Since joining Deepgram in 2020, Lauren Sypniewski has been tackling the complexity of conversational speech, aligning data labels and insights with the needs of machine learning models. With a unique background in communication and academia, she thrives at the intersection of messy voice data and technical application, combining creative problem-solving with the scaling of global labeling processes to drive success in data-driven environments. Lauren holds an MFA in Writing from Emerson College and is based in Deepgrams Ann Arbor, Michigan office.

Five9

Jonathan Rosenberg is the Chief Technology Officer and head of AI at Five9. In thisrole, he is responsible for the engineering and operational teams building out Five9’sGenius AI portfolio, in addition to direct the overall technology evolution of Five9’splatform. Jonathan has dedicated his thirty-year career to transforming thetelecommunications industry. First, from hardware to software, then software to cloud,and now, cloud to AI. He is well-known for his authorship of the SIP protocol, which isthe foundation for modern IP-based telecommunications.Prior to Five9, Jonathan was CTO for the Collaboration Technology Group (CTG) atCisco Systems, and before that, Chief Technology Strategist at Skype. He received hisbachelors and masters degrees from MIT and holds a PhD in electrical engineeringfrom Columbia University.In 2002 he was named one of the most innovative young technologists in the world byTechnology Review magazine. He also was named a Top Supergeek by CRN andwon a Pulver Von Pioneer award for contributions to the VoIP industry. In 2015 he waspresented with the Ohio University Strowger Award for transformational innovation inthe Telecommunications industry.

IgniteTech

Eric Vaughan, CEO of IgniteTech and GFI Software, is a visionary leader at the forefront of the AI revolution. With over 30 years of experience in the technology industry, Vaughan has founded and led three software companies, demonstrating a deep understanding of the transformative power of technology. In recent years, Vaughan has become a vocal advocate for AI-first thinking, recognizing the urgency of this paradigm shift for businesses. He believes that AI is not just an exciting development but a necessity for companies to remain relevant in the rapidly evolving technological landscape. His passion for AI is not driven by mere excitement but by a deep-seated belief that if businesses do not adapt, they risk being left behind. Vaughans commitment to AI transformation is evident in his bold initiative of AI Mondays, where the entire company dedicates one day solely to Gen AI—no calls, no visits, just pure innovation. This initiative is a testament to his belief in the transformative power of AI and his commitment to driving its adoption within his companies. Vaughans journey is a testament to the urgency of adopting AI-first thinking and the transformative power of AI in business. His leadership and vision have positioned IgniteTech and GFI Software at the vanguard of the AI revolution, demonstrating the potential of AI to transform businesses and industries.

infobip

Chris Radanovic is the Product Marketing Director at Infobip, a leader in globalcommunications. With deep expertise in marketing cutting-edge communicationchannels, Chris leads and orchestrates a team of PMMs who manage voice, messaging,and other channels to deliver a holistic, omnichannel approach.He is highly skilled in crafting innovative go-to-market strategies, integrating AI, messaging,and calling technologies to drive customer engagement and brand growth. By leveragingdata-driven insights and fostering cross-functional collaboration, Chris ensures impactfulproduct launches and seamless customer experiences.As a panelist for “Branding Calling & Messaging: Reach Out to Customers withConfidence,” Chris shares his expertise on leveraging integrated communicationstrategies to enhance customer relationships, build trust, and succeed in a competitivelandscape.

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.

Iron Mountain

Jabra

With over 20 years of experience in providing voice and networking solutions at anenterprise level, Vern Fernandez provides thought leadership in audio, video and othercommunication devices and their role with hybrid work environments, contact centers,customer experiences, artificial intelligence and the future of work. He has been atJabra for 12 years and is a Senior Manager of Strategic Alliances for many of Jabra’sglobal partners.

Kaseya

Kellanova

Brandel Kremer is a seasoned leader with over 18 years of experience driving innovation and aligning technology solutions with business objectives across global organizations. She has a proven track record of executing large-scale projects, including leading four successful Managed Service Provider (MSP) transitions, most recently managing a $4 million transition that streamlined service delivery and enhanced operational efficiency. Brandel has demonstrated expertise in SAP data operations, cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, and process automation, leveraging tools a variety of state of the art technology tools to deliver a multitude of impactful global projects. Her leadership is underscored by a commitment to fostering collaboration, driving strategic initiatives, and delivering measurable results that support long-term business goals. Brandels dedication to excellence data analytical approach to problem solving has consistently positioned her as a trusted partner in large scale transitions. Beyond her professional achievements, Brandel is an advocate for Foster Care in Michigan; and has been a dedicated foster care parent liaison for nearly a decade.

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.

NICE

Oracle

As Director of Product Marketing, Mr Tait is driving the market strategy and tactics for Security, Edge, Networks, Cloud, and AI in Communications. Prior to Oracle, Mr Tait was the director for Global Telecom Markets at BEA and founded the JAIN initiative defining Java™ technology for communications at Sun. He organized international standards, community, and user group meetings for creating standards and driving the communications market toward standard based interfaces, platforms, and protocols.

Ribbon Communications

RingCentral

Solid Rock

Juanita Coley is best known as the “Contact Center Whisperer” the CEO and Founder of Solid Rock Consulting. Solid Rock Consulting is a workforce management consulting firm. We are the people brands call to elevate and scale their customer experience.From teen mom to tech maven, Mrs. Corporate America 2022, Most Influential Tech Advisor and 2022 Top 25 Thought Leader. Juanita and her team of consultants has a global presence spanning the US, Canada, and EMEA markets.Juanita has worked with some of the leading tech brands like Google, Zoom, Five9, NICE etc. While Juanita has had an impressive career she’s just getting started. Her mission is to impact a million women & minorities making careers in Tech more visible and accessible, while having a transformative impact on the customer experience industry.

UJET

Verint

Jason Valdina is an accomplished customer experience professional and is the Senior Director of Go To Market Strategy at Verint, a CX Automation software solutions provider based in New York. Jasons 20+ years of experience as a customer engagement leader has seen him develop solutions around every customer communication channel, from email, live chat and telephony to public social media and private messaging channels like SMS and WhatsApp. Mr. Valdina has received contact center industry recognition for product and CX innovation including a Webbie Award, a Digiday Technology Award and The Shorty Award.

Vonage

Adam Weir is a Senior Product Marketing Manager at Vonage. In his role he develops go-to-market strategies to promote and grow Vonages vast suite of communication and network API solutions, with a focus on Vonage’s fraud protection solutions.Weir has more than 15 years of broad marketing experience, working previously in the financial services, information technology, and staffing industries. He currently lives in the Orlando, FL area, where he enjoys spending quality time with his family and friends at local beaches and theme parks.

Cognigy

Hardy brings over two decades of experience in the Contact Center and Unified Communications software space to Cognigy. Previously, Hardy has held senior leadership positions with leading public and emerging private companies including Avaya, Intradiem and AVST. His areas of expertise include business and corporate development, strategy and business scaling and transformation.

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.

Numeracle

Founder & CEO of Numeracle, Rebekah Johnson is the industry’s leading expert inestablishing trust in entity identity, delivered through Numeracle’s Entity IdentityManagement™ platform. With over ten years of regulatory government and complianceexperience, businesses have leaned on Rebekah’s expertise to guide them through theevolving complexities of maintaining control over brand identity, implementing KYC, anddelivering trusted communications in a changing ecosystem. Rebekah is an electedmember of the Board of Directors of ATIS, member of the IP-NNI Task Force, andparticipated on the FCC Hospital Robocall Protection Group. Prior to founding Numeracle,Rebekah served on the FCC’s Robocall Strike Force on behalf of the EmpoweringConsumer Choice Working Group.