Leadership

We are excited to announce our next Utrecht JUG meetup on **April 20, 2026,** hosted at the **Kamer van Koophandel.** Join us for an evening focused on the future of software development, where AI-driven, agentic systems are becoming an integral part of how we build and operate applications. In the first session, **Soham Dasgupta** will demonstrate how AI agents can power autonomous DevSecOps pipelines; from detecting vulnerabilities to generating fixes and validating them through CI. This hands-on talk offers a practical look at building self-driving security workflows with tools like GitHub Copilot. After the break **Raphael de Lio** explores how memory works in both humans and AI agents. By connecting insights from cognitive science to real-world engineering challenges, this session sheds light on how to design more reliable and context-aware AI systems. Join us for an evening of practical insight, new ideas, and great conversations. Please join us and RSVP! Because of the limited number of seats, please keep your RSVP up-to-date, so we can welcome someone else if you can't make it. *** ## Timeschedule 17:00 Doors open 18:00 Food & Drinks 19:00 Agentic DevSecOps: Autonomous Security Pipelines with AI Agents & Agentic Workflows by Soham Dasgupta 20:00 Break 20:15 The Anatomy of Memory in Humans and AI Agents by Raphael de Lio 21:15 Drinks # Giveaway 1 JetBrains licence *** # Talks ## Agentic DevSecOps: Autonomous Security Pipelines with AI Agents & Agentic Workflows What if your security pipeline could find vulnerabilities, file issues, write fixes, run CI, and request human approval — all autonomously? In this hands-on session, we start with a polyglot microservices repo that has zero security tooling and progressively build a fully autonomous agentic DevSecOps pipeline using GitHub Copilot. You'll see how AI agents perform repo-wide security assessments, how custom instructions shape agent behavior across the SDLC, and how agentic workflows chain dependency scanning, SAST, and test coverage checks into a self-driving loop: scan → auto-create issues → Coding Agent fixes → CI validates → AI code review → human approves. We'll also build custom Copilot agents for IaC security scanning and use GitHub's agentic workflow capabilities to generate recurring security reports — no human trigger required. Walk away with a working, repeatable pattern for embedding autonomous AI agents and agentic workflows into every stage of your DevSecOps lifecycle. *** # The Anatomy of Memory in Humans and AI Agents Artificial intelligence does not need to copy the human brain to advance, yet cognitive science still offers useful guidance. As agentic applications grow, understanding how humans store and retrieve information can help us design agents that act with greater context and reliability. This talk connects human memory to the practical challenges of building AI agents with memory. We will review the main types of memory in the brain, revisit a landmark case in neuroscience, and relate these ideas to how large language models process information. We will also look at the real difficulties of taking agents to production, where choosing what to store and how to retrieve it becomes the core challenge. Participants will learn: \- How insights from cognitive science can guide agent design \- The key forms of human memory and their relevance to AI \- What neuroscience reveals about the limits of large language models \- The main obstacles of deploying agents with memory in real systems \- How our work at Redis led to an open\-source\, production\-ready agent memory server \- Practical ways to improve memory in AI agents This session offers both conceptual clarity and concrete tools for building more capable agentic systems. *** # Speakers ## Soham Dasgupta Soham is a technology enthusiast working at Microsoft as a Solution Architect, with over 19 years of experience in software programming, designing, and architecture which includes on-prem, cloud-native applications, and web-based conversational application design. *** ## Raphael de Lio Raphael De Lio is an AI and Software Engineer at Redis with over eight years of experience spanning multiple industries and countries. He is passionate about distributed systems and specializes in Java, Kotlin, and building scalable, high-performance software with a growing focus on reliable, distributed agentic systems. What drives him is bridging the gap between software engineering and AI engineering, bringing the hard-won knowledge of building distributed, scalable systems into the world of AI where those foundations are often missing but matter most. Originally from Brazil, Raphael spent six years in Portugal before making the Netherlands his home, where he also helps organize the Dutch Kotlin User Group. He loves blending code, community, and creativity to help developers build better systems faster, and with a lot more fun along the way.

Tijdens de maakavonden van Meet Je Stad soldeer je je eigen meetkastje dat temperatuur, luchtvochtigheid en fijnstof\* kan meten. Het solderen is geschikt voor iedereen: van beginner tot expert! Daarnaast bieden we begeleiding, dus hoef je niet bang te zijn dat je er niet uit komt. Ter deelname betaal je €15 voor de materialen. Vaak lukt het niet om al het soldeerwerk binnen één avond af te krijgen, maar dit is geen probleem; tijdens onze volgende maakavonden kun je langskomen om je werk af te maken. Inmiddels zijn er in de stad Utrecht nu zo’n 150 mensen die hun eigen meetkastje hebben gesoldeerd. Als je kastje af is wordt hij geregistreerd en kun je hem bij jou thuis ophangen/neerzetten. Hierbij krijg je instructies zodat je de juiste locatie kunt kiezen en je metingen zo betrouwbaar mogelijk zijn. Als het dan eenmaal hangt kun je via de kaart op de [website van Meet Je Stad](https://meetjestad.net/index3.php?loc=Tb) bijhouden welke metingen je kastje neemt: zo kun je bijvoorbeeld zien op welke momenten het bij jou het warmst is en vergelijkingen maken met waardes van andere meetkastjes. Dat kan door middel van [deze tool](https://mjs-datavisualisation-fez7kynngq-ez.a.run.app/) die je helpt om grafieken te maken. Dan kan je er achter komen hoe jouw omgeving ervoor staat in vergelijking met de rest van de stad. Meet Je Stad organiseert ook kennisavonden met gastsprekers die vertellen over hitte, fijnstof en andere burgerinitiatieven in de stad. Dit zijn ook gelijk geschikte momenten voor deelnemers om met elkaar in discussie te gaan over hun metingen en ondervindingen. Zo hopen we een netwerk van betrokken inwoners te creëren en meer te weten te komen over de milieuomstandigheden in de stad! *\*De fijnstofsensor is optioneel en kost 20 euro extra. Indien je deze bij je meetkastje wilt moet je deze via een draad met een stroombron binnen 15 meter kunnen verbinden.* **Organisatie:** Milieucentrum Utrecht (MCU) in samenwerking met de Makerscommunity HaHaHo. **Locatie:** Bibliotheek Neude, Huis van Actief Burgerschap (begane grond) **Kosten:** 15 euro voor materiaalkosten, 20 euro extra voor fijnstofsensor. (Meet-up suggereert bij het aanmaken van een account dat een betaald abonnement vereist is. Dit is niet zo, op de pagina waar gevraagd wordt om een abonnement te kiezen staat rechts bovenin de optie "Ga door met het gratis plan".) *Bij te weinig aanmeldingen kan de workshop afgelast worden.*

Time for our biweekly peer Satsang gathering! This is an open, equal and low-key gathering for spiritual seekers from all walks of life to get together, talk, feel connected and grow. The gathering will last for about two hours. Bring questions, thoughts, or just your presence. We'll see what unfolds once we're there. If you're interested but can't make the currently indicated time, the event is full or you have any other questions, get in touch with me at thijshugenholtz@gmail.com and we'll see what we can do! Location: Buurtcentrum Hart van Noord, Trumanlaan 60 Utrecht but the entrance is opposite Geallieerdenlaan 24

If you are living in The Netherlands, by now, you may well have noticed the amount of open water. If you enjoy cycling in the city, you may wish to feel safer as you navigate the bridges and canals. And you may also want to get ready for visiting the beach, pools or the many lakes this summer. Learning how to swim takes approx 1 year and it all starts with the very first lesson. New comers enroll via our website and pay € 30,50, this is the first lesson and a goody bag. After the class you agree with the personal swim coach how to continue to obtain your final objectives. Enrolling is only possible via [www.your-personal-swim-coach.nl ](https://www.your-personal-swim-coach.nl/)hence a rvsp via meetup is not enough.

A great ride along the Vecht and Gein rivers. You will love this route. Please ride single file along the winding river as there can be cars around each corner. **Route:** https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/441606271 GPX: https://drive.google.com/file/d/17-T_pT_GH3QKSFcH1WWgfArvxSdAkVzO/view?usp=sharing **Afterwards:** Drinks at Polder https://maps.app.goo.gl/tbt5DDG7YLU3uWvaA **Rules:** \- Download the route to your cycling computer so you can always find your way home \- Make sure to arrive on time \- Before you ride\, decide as a group how you want to ride: you can split up in a fast and a slow group or stay together\, but make sure to discuss what pace you are going to ride and whether you are going to wait if someone is slower than the group\, or not\.

Samen sporten, gewoon voor de fun, elke week een divers programma, met allerlei verschillende sporten. Je hoeft niet de beste te zijn, maar wel zin hebben om samen te spelen en te leren. Tijdens een training doen we verschillende spelletjes, basketbal, voetbal. volleybal, spikebal, honkbal. Kom je ook, de bal ligt bij jou!! Eerste keer meedoen is altijd gratis, daarna kan je beslissen of dit voor jou is, of niet!! Dus kom een keer proberen. Kan je niet op deze dag, we sporten ook op andere dagen nl Zondag om 9:30 of Maandag om 20:30 Stuur mij een berichtje als je op die dagen een keer wil proberen! The amount of people rsvp'd to this game doesn't match the real number of people at the event, as Meetup is only used for promotion purposes.

New Year, New Sport! 🏐 ​Whether you've never played volleyball before or it’s been many years since you last hit the court, you are very welcome to join our Beginner Group! ​We train every Monday at 9 PM at Gymnasium Bibian Mentel in Zeeburgereiland. ​Come learn the basics, get moving, and meet new people in a fun, relaxed environment. ​Get more info here: ​WhatsApp Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/EnPEK1bHLiTGdpqz6Vtbm4 ​Instagram: @brazucavolley

Is public speaking something you’ve always wanted to learn? Then you’ve come to the right place! Experience a safe and playful environment at U-Speak Toastmasters where you can develop your public speaking, communication, and leadership skills! ## **Welcome to U-Speak! Toastmasters** Join our vibrant community at U-Speak!, where internationals and Dutch locals from Utrecht and its surroundings come together. U-speak! Toastmasters is a welcoming, safe, supportive and playful environment where you can work on your public speaking, communication and leadership skills! ## **Discover our meeting experience** Curious about what happens during our meetings? Here’s a glimpse into a typical evening at U-Speak! Our gatherings feature a lineup of three prepared speeches, engaging evaluations and impromptu speaking sessions. At U-Speak!, every member gets their chance to shine. Whether you’re delivering a speech, providing feedback, or stepping up for impromptu speaking, our supportive environment ensures that everyone’s voice is heard and valued. * ⏰ Time: 19:15 - 21:30 (7.15pm to 9.30pm) Walkin at 19:15; Start of the meeting at 19:30 * 🌐 Venue: Room 8, Top Floor, Pub Florin, Utrecht * 🙋🙋‍♂️🙋‍♀️Attendance: Typically, 15-20 people attend each meeting Many of our club members are not on Meetup, so the number of people attending as indicated here is not reflective of the actual number of people attending on a night. * 🙋🙋‍♂️🙋‍♀️ Guests are welcome; rsvp is encouraged

Expand your visibility. Join a casual online hour to share you, your brand and business, and learn more about other business owners, locally and globally. Every session will close with gratitude and a mini creative activity, so have a pen and paper, tablet, or something available with which to write/create/draw. This usually occurs twice monthly. **RSVP here via EventBrite [here](https://www.eventbrite.nl/e/you-and-your-brand-a-casual-networking-hour-tickets-1984283125243).** *-* *\*\*\*The only requirements are a minimum age of 18 years old,* *and **at least three attendees** to make it a worthwhile hour for everyone.\*\*\**

📍 Hilversum Station (center side, near AH to go), 10:30 → ~16:00 🚶‍♂️ ~3 km walk to park, ~3 km in park plus walk to the Proeflokaal De Serre (expect 6-8 km of walking in total) 🎯 Gooilust Bring: sketching gear, water/snacks, foldable chair or blanket to sit on, comfy clothes + extra layer. We’ll walk together from the station to Gooilust (~3 km), a large park around a mansion with plenty of beautiful spots to draw. We’ll spend 2–3 hours sketching in the park, with longer, relaxed sessions (30–60 min) and time to explore different views. Afterwards, we’ll walk past a farm (you can buy fresh milk, cheese, yoghurt or kefir — bring a bit of cash if you are interested) and continue to Proeflokaal De Serre for a drink, food, and a toilet break. From there, we’ll take the bus (line 6 or 106) back to Hilversum. No pressure — just draw and enjoy the outdoors 🌿✏️

Hi Everyone, This is our weekly open hackerspace evening! Usually from 19:00 :-) Feel free to drop by, come and nerd with us! See this Tuesday! We're in room 126, ring the room number and we'll open the door. We're located on the first floor

**Bitcoin Meetup met Crazy Pool!** Deze maand organiseren we iets leuks: voorafgaand aan de meetup (voor wie dat wil) spelen we Crazy Pool bij Timestamp op de Korenmarkt. Crazy Pool lijkt op minigolf, maar je speelt het met een keu en een bal die je door verschillende obstakels moet stoten. De speeltijd is ongeveer 45 minuten. Aansluitend eten we bij Flor Fina. Je kunt ook na het diner aansluiten als je alleen voor een drankje wilt komen. De Bitcoin Meetup is geschikt voor zowel beginners als ervaren bitcoiners. Stel je vragen en praat mee over de nieuwste ontwikkelingen in de wereld van bitcoin. Wil je meedoen met Crazy Pool of mee-eten? Laat het ons even weten, dan houden we daar rekening mee bij de reservering. * 16:30 — Crazy Pool @ Timestamp (Korenmarkt) * 17:30 — Diner @ Flor Fina (Korenmarkt) * 19:30 — Drinks @ Flor Fina (Korenmarkt) ## English Bitcoin Meetup with Crazy Pool! This month we’re doing something fun: before the meetup (for those who want to join) we’ll play Crazy Pool at Timestamp on Korenmarkt. Crazy Pool is similar to mini golf, but you use a cue to strike a ball through various obstacles. Playtime is about 45 minutes. Afterwards we’ll have dinner at Flor Fina. You can also join later if you only want to come for drinks. The Bitcoin Meetup is suitable for both beginners and experienced bitcoiners. Ask your questions and join the conversation about the latest developments in the world of bitcoin. Would you like to play Crazy Pool or join us for dinner? Please let us know so we can account for it when making the reservation. 16:30 — Crazy Pool @ Timestamp (Korenmarkt) 17:30 — Dinner @ Flor Fina (Korenmarkt) 19:30 — Drinks @ Flor Fina (Korenmarkt) ## Deutsch Bitcoin Meetup mit Crazy Pool! Diesen Monat organisieren wir etwas Schönes: vor dem Meetup (für alle, die möchten) spielen wir Crazy Pool bei Timestamp auf dem Korenmarkt. Crazy Pool ähnelt Minigolf, aber man spielt mit einem Queue und stößt eine Kugel durch verschiedene Hindernisse. Die Spielzeit beträgt etwa 45 Minuten. Anschließend essen wir im Flor Fina. Du kannst auch später dazukommen, wenn du nur auf einen Drink vorbeikommen möchtest. Das Bitcoin Meetup ist sowohl für Einsteiger als auch für erfahrene Bitcoiner geeignet. Stelle deine Fragen und diskutiere über die neuesten Entwicklungen in der Welt von Bitcoin. Möchtest du bei Crazy Pool mitspielen oder zum Abendessen kommen? Bitte sag kurz Bescheid, damit wir es bei der Reservierung berücksichtigen können. 16:30 — Crazy Pool @ Timestamp (Korenmarkt) 17:30 — Abendessen @ Flor Fina (Korenmarkt) 19:30 — Drinks @ Flor Fina (Korenmarkt)

#### **A Transformative Half-Day Event** Welcome to Confidence Lab, the ultimate experience designed to help you step into your most confident self. This half-day event is packed with actionable strategies, inspiring sessions, and opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals who are ready to invest in their personal and professional growth. Whether you’re looking to advance in your career, deepen your self-belief, or simply embrace new challenges, Confidence Lab is your starting point. #### **What You’ll Experience** **Your Confidence Lab ticket includes:** * **Engaging Speaker Sessions**: Learn from experts about harnessing confidence in your career, relationships, and everyday life. * **Interactive Experiences:** Participate in dynamic activities designed to help you step into your most confident self. * **In-Depth Audience Q&A:** Get direct insights from speakers as they answer your most pressing questions about building confidence and stepping into leadership. * **Networking Opportunities**: Connect with a supportive community of professionals and confidence enthusiasts. **2026 Speaker Sessions:** * **Seeing Clearly** Understand how you show up - and what’s been getting in the way. * **Confidence in Relationship** Communicate, navigate conflict, and build trust more effectively. * **Sustainable Agency** Learn how to lead without burning out. Your energy is part of the strategy. * **Confidence in Service** Align how you show up with the impact you actually want to have. **This Is For You If…** * You’re ready to take up more space in your work or life * You want to communicate with clarity and confidence * You’re stepping into (or preparing for) leadership * You’re done second-guessing yourself #### **Our Speakers** **Lachandra Baker** Founder of LBB Edutainment and the kind of person who makes you realize you’ve been confusing confidence with performance your whole life. Lachandra blends psychology, research, and radical humanity to help individuals and teams stop code-switching their way through the day and start showing up as someone they actually recognize. Expect to be challenged, affirmed, and genuinely seen - sometimes all in the same breath. **Annette Santiago Reyes** Annette has a rare talent: she makes the way you communicate feel like a discovery, not a critique. A connection catalyst and culture strategist, she helps people understand why they show up the way they do, and how to bridge the gap between intention and impact. Whether you're navigating change, life’s challenges, or simply trying to better understand yourself and others. Annette gives you the language and the lens to get there. **Elizabeth Wangugi** Creator of The Nap Concert and the RESTOR™ framework, Elizabeth is here to tell you that rest is not a reward - it’s a strategy. Rooted in neuroscience and restorative practice, her work helps high-achievers stop running on fumes and start leading from a place of actual capacity. If your calendar is full and your tank is empty, Elizabeth might be the most important person you hear from at Confidence Lab. **Stephanie Andrews** Founder of Social Black Butterfly Training & Consulting, Stephanie knows what it takes to lead through complexity because she’s done it across social services, healthcare, and operations. She specializes in succession strategy and leadership development, equipping leaders to build trust, navigate the hard moments, and leave something worth inheriting. Stephanie doesn’t just develop leaders. She develops the kind of leaders people actually want to follow. **Lillian Morales-Laster** SVP Human Resources Director at United Midwest Savings Bank and Executive Director of the Empowering Latinas Leadership Academy (ELLA). Lillian has spent her career combining her passion for equity and inclusion with her experience in human resources to lead teams and organizations in the development of supportive work environments. She leads with a vision of ensuring Latinas' voices are included in crucial decision-making processes, because for Lillian, ELLA is more than just a program. It's a vibrant community of hermanas supporting and uplifting each other as they navigate their paths to leadership. A Columbus Business First Community Champion and Distinguished Hispanic Ohioan, her commitment to empowering others shows up everywhere she goes. **Rachyl Kershaw** Founder of Greater Columbus Consulting and the architect behind the Confidence Lab Annual Summit, Rachyl has a gift for cutting through the noise, helping high-achievers stop performing success and start living it. She asks the questions most people are afraid to, creates space for honest reckoning, and somehow makes the hard work feel energizing. If you’ve ever wondered why doing everything right still feels like something’s missing, you’re in exactly the right room. #### **Why Confidence Lab?** Confidence is the foundation for success in every area of life. Whether you’re navigating a career change, launching a business, or striving for personal growth, building your confidence is the key to unlocking your higher purpose. This is your chance to invest in yourself and start living boldly. #### **Join Us on May 4** Confidence Lab is more than just an event - it’s a movement. Step into your power, embrace your potential, and make this the year you thrive. Secure your spot today and take the first step toward a more confident YOU. Cost should never be a barrier to growth. If you'd like to request a complimentary community ticket, reach out to us at [hello@confidencelab.org](mailto:hello@confidencelab.org), no explanation needed. Read more and see additional ticketing options at https://confidencelab.org/

This is a free, in-person meeting on the subject of betrayals, losses and how to get over them so you can build lasting relationships. Burdened by a stressful relationship? Unhealthy relationships can trigger feelings of anger, despair or self-doubt. They can create dwindling spirals of fights and seeking to make-up, or trying to “pin the blame” on someone or something. If you don’t find the RIGHT reasons, or select the correct sources of the problem, the problem can just get worse and worse. Whether in love or personal ties, with friends or at work, our life really IS affected by the quality of our relationships. Good ones can promote pleasure and survival while less optimum ones can lead to annoyance, anger, self-doubt, stress, or even affect our health and ability to survive well. Whether you are suffering from a divorce, or a painful break-up, don’t know who to trust (or who to CHOOSE) as a partner, friend, boss or employee - the anxiety of relationship troubles can really make a mess of things. Maybe you’ve suffered a betrayal, or are dealing with hostility or criticalness or invalidation. Dwindling relationships can involve destructive behavior, where we hurt those we love, or start succumbing to self-destructive thoughts, attitudes or behaviors that spiral out of control and affect much more than our immediate relationship. Past losses in love or life can affect how we act or react to new people and situations and hold us back from even starting to create new, possibly great relationships! How can one get back onto a saner course of action? Come to our Meetup, where we can introduce you to some of the knowledge, tools and techniques of the breakthroughs in the field of the mind that we can apply to this ever important area of life: human relationships! Break free from self imposed limitations Here we will discuss: • How to “erase” the trauma of past hurts and betrayals so that one isn’t always repeating past mistakes. • Why and how do the negative emotions of others affect you? • Why is my partner withdrawing and what can I do about it? • Why do we sometimes feel compelled to hurt the ones we love? • Fights & arguments - what's really behind them? • What underlies “corrosive criticism” or the need to invalidate self or others? • How one can stably change one’s outlook on life so they can affect positive change? • Where do compulsive destructive behaviors come from and what can be done about them? • How to form closer bonds & keep growing the relationships with the people you care about? • How to enhance one’s own ability to survive and create positive healthy relationships whether in love, family & friendships or in work, business or one’s career? Relationships can be hard and life itself IS challenging. Why not arm yourself with the knowledge and breakthroughs that have been made about the mind, mental reactions & interpersonal relationships, so that one has better awareness and control over themselves and life in general. Learn where painful experiences are “stored” and how they can unknowingly affect us. You will also find out how one can “erase” those past painful experiences so that one is free to move forward without being tripped up by the past. Learn too, about what can lead some people to become “toxic” personalities and how to identify those traits in others so you won’t be tripped up trusting the wrong person. Our free Meet-ups occur in a safe environment where one can learn, without fear of judgment or criticism, and without the recommendation of harmful mental techniques or therapies, just how YOU can get yourself onto a happier & more successful path: in love & in life. We look forward to having you join us! This class is sponsored by the Dianetics & Scientology Life Improvement Center of Central Ohio.

Join other experienced and aspiring agile coaches and professionals to: * develop and practice your coaching skills in a peer-to-peer environment * share current successes and challenges in your work environment and get support from each other * learn from each other, build better relationships and experiment with new ideas ***NOTE:*** Pre-registration is required for this event. **Please arrive 10 minutes early** to check in at the security desk.

Attend a free seminar on how to have successful and lasting relationships. At this seminar you will learn: How to spot and handle negative and toxic relationships. How to get through the "rough patches" in a relationship. How to choose the right people to work with. The three things that make or break any relationship. How to make a good relationship great. All are welcome. Be sure to click on the red "Attend" button below to come to this local event. We look forward to seeing you there. Hosted by the Dianetics and Scientology Life Improvement Center of Central Ohio.

Join us for our April Book Club gathering where we will come together to discuss *[Stop Me if You've Heard This One](https://www.kristenarnettwriter.com/stopmeifyouveheardthisone)* by [Kristen Arnett](https://www.kristenarnettwriter.com/about) in a safe and welcoming environment. Make new friends who share your passion for books and connect with fellow LGBTQ book enthusiasts.

AI is changing how art is made. But when does it stop being your work and start being the machine’s? This month we're going to be doing a panel with with digital image, music, and written word artists, talking about at what point, while using AI in the creation process, does the work become not the artist creation? We encourage audience participation during this event that will be moderated by Chris Slee. Whether you’re deep in the field or just getting curious, come connect with others building and exploring AI in Columbus. Sponsored by [Transform Labs](https://www.transformlabs.com/services) Sign up also accessible via [Transform Labs Luma](https://luma.com/55umjqta)