Chief Technology Officer

**Attention attendees!** **To register, use** [Luma](https://luma.com/urceh4nh) Warning: The meetup is not a platform for RSVP registration; for this, you need to follow [thisLink ](https://luma.com/urceh4nh)to purchase a registration ticket. The meetup is one of the platforms through which we offer participation in our events. **Startup Valley — London** A curated pitch night for startup founders, operators, angels and VC partners. We design these sessions to help founders sharpen their thinking through direct, candid feedback — and to give strong investors access to serious teams. **What happens:** • 4-8 startups pitch live and receive feedback from angels and VC partners • Feedback focuses on real decisions and next steps — not surface-level opinions • Investors stay in the room before and after pitches • The format leaves space for real conversations, not rushed networking • Attendance is limited to keep the room focused Designed for clear thinking, not noise. **Who you’ll meet:** * Startup founders * Angel investors and VC partners * Operators in marketing, sales, and tech * AI engineers * Local and international founders * AI Experts * Founders from Europe, Asia, and the United Kingdom **Practical details** **For investors:** We invite angel investors and VC partners to participate as judges and contributors. **To become a judge,** and get early access to our startups database, please fill out th[ the form](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8CVqvhQJu-AcclIF6PCuwjL4YpQt4w0FchGSoutRkt58v4g/viewform). Join the judge table, meet other investors, and see what teams are building early. Founders need your experienced view. **For pitching startups:** Startups selected to pitch will present live on stage and receive feedback from investors. **After purchasing a ticket:** Please[ submit your pitch deck](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSchcZr9gCNJh0RLiKBgbdbDBKEOc-92LNySkzHf8qGPHg5Wpg/viewform) and ensure it is open for viewers. **Agenda** **19:00 – 19:30** **Registration** Guests register, receive badges, and event programs. This is an opportunity for casual networking, making first connections, and preparing for the event. **19:30 – 20:30** **Event Kickoff & Interactive Networking** Official welcome from the organizers with a brief overview of the event goals and schedule. Interactive networking helps participants set their objectives and connect with key contacts. **20:40 – 21:20** **Startup Pitch Session** Startups present their projects to investors and experts. Each team has 5 minutes to pitch, covering the project's core idea, business model, and target market. **21:20 – 22:00** **Chill & Networking** Participants enjoy casual conversations with investors, discuss collaborations, and exchange ideas over refreshments.

**Looking for a business networking event in London for professionals in architecture, interior design, property development and hospitality?** Join us in **Covent Garden** for a quality networking evening hosted by **digital business card app GMax Card**. **What to Expect** * **Connect with** **architects, interior designers, hospitality professionals, property developers, and business owners** in a relaxed yet purposeful setting. * **Build valuable business relationships**, exchange ideas, discuss design, development, and hospitality trends, and uncover new commercial opportunities. * A **lightly structured event** \- not a formal conference\, nor a random pub mingle\. * An atmosphere that feels high-quality yet relaxed, with **space for meaningful professional conversations** and industry connections. * Hosts are there from the start to **help with introductions.** **Who You'll Meet** * Architects, architectural designers, and design consultants * Interior designers, fit-out specialists, and workplace design professionals * Hospitality business owners, hotel professionals, venue operators, and restaurant groups * Property developers, investors, landlords, and real estate professionals * Property management professionals, estate agents, and letting agents * Suppliers, consultants, and service providers working across design, hospitality, and the built environment * Business owners, finance professionals, entrepreneurs, and other professionals seeking commercial connections in London **How the Evening Flows** 18:30 - Arrival 19:00 - Short introductions 19:30 - Open networking 21:30 - Close Hosts are there from the start to **help with introductions.** **Venue: Olea Social, Covent Garden** Olea Social is a stylish Mediterranean bar in the heart of Covent Garden, offering a warm, high-quality setting for relaxed, meaningful networking. Just a short walk from both Covent Garden and Leicester Square stations, it is easily accessible from multiple tube lines. The event will be held in a reserved area within the venue. **Entry & GMax Cards** * Free RSVP: Event access only * Paid ticket (when available): Includes a contactless GMax Card (ask host to claim; not distributed automatically) **Dress Code** Business / smart **Hosted by:** [GMax Card - a digital business card](www.gmaxcard.com) platform designed for modern networking and professional connections beyond LinkedIn. Share all your contact details through one simple link. **Important Info** * 18+ (ID may be required) * Photos/video by [CineEye Audiovisual Production Studio](www.cineeye.co.uk) (inform us if you prefer not to appear) * Attendance is at your own risk. Organisers and the venue are not liable for any injury, loss, or damage. **Limited spots - register early!** Join our [WA Business Community](https://chat.whatsapp.com/FJdEP809H5U8WQ4y4BLLS5?mode=hqctcli) to stay connected between events, and follow us on [LinkedIn](http://linkedin.com/company/gmax-card) for upcoming dates.

We're back with our third event of the year and we couldn't be more excited. We'll stick to our usual format of 2 speakers and a fireside chat (with a twist this time). If you've not been to one of our events before then here is what you can expect. CRAP (Conversion Rate Optimisation, Analytics, Product) Talks is a cross-discipline event. We don't work in silos so why network and learn in silos. In the past we've had speakers from Data, Analytics, CRO, Product, Marketing, Data Science, Design and Research and so many more. If you work in tech, chances are you work cross-functionally, so come along and meet people doing amazing things in tech. **Hosts:** RVU - https://www.rvu.co.uk/ **Venue:** RVU The Cooperage, 5 Copper Row, London SE1 2LH **Date:** 09/06/2026 6pm doors open Talks kick off at 630 Wrap up approximately 9:00pm. **Speakers:** * **[Aya Gaballa](https://www.linkedin.com/in/aya-gab/)** \- "Building Products for Different Cultures" * Co-Founder & Product Lead, Kham Lab * **[Mark Palfreeman](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-palfreeman-662044160/)** \- "Gambling with Success: The Complexities Around Measurement in an Industry with Stellar Growth"\. * Senior Business Intelligence Manager, Flutter UKI **Fireside Chat:** * **[Alex Homan](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-homan-3aab2a141/)** \- "Analytics in the age of AI" * Lead Data Analyst, Huel

Join us for a conversation with Sterre van der Laken, Strategy and Programs Lead at the AI Centre at Salesforce, Dilawar Azhar, Strategy & Transformation Manager at The AA, and Irene Escobar Castells, AI Learning & Transformation Manager at IAG Transform. Together, they’ll explore how organizations can enable their workforce to thrive in an AI-driven world. As AI reshapes jobs and workflows, organizations need more than technology, they need people ready to adapt. Sterre van der Laken, Dilawar Azhar, and Irene Escobar Castells will share how learning, capability building, and AI enablement programs help teams develop the skills to work alongside AI and drive meaningful transformation. **Speakers** **Sterre Van Der Laken - Strategy & Programs Lead, AI Centre, Salesforce** Sterre van der Laken is Strategy and Programs Lead at the AI Centre at Salesforce, where she leads design-led AI programmes and strategic initiatives that help organisations navigate the rapidly evolving AI landscape. Her work focuses on bridging strategy and execution, bringing together cross-functional teams to turn emerging AI capabilities into practical, real-world solutions. She is also a frequent speaker on AI, leadership, and design thinking, helping leaders understand how to translate AI innovation into meaningful business impact. **Dilawar Azhar - Strategy & Transformation Manager, The AA** Dilawar Azhar is a Strategy & Transformation Manager at The AA, where he works on initiatives that modernise operations, improve customer experiences, and drive organisational change across the business. His work focuses on aligning strategy with execution, helping teams adopt new technologies, streamline processes, and deliver more efficient services to millions of drivers and members. With a background in finance and transformation, Dilawar brings a data-driven approach to solving complex business challenges and enabling long-term growth. **Irene Escobar Castells - AI Learning & Transformation Manager, IAG** Irene Escobar Castells is the AI Learning & Transformation Manager at IAG Transform, where she leads initiatives to build AI capability, drive organisational change, and accelerate digital transformation. She focuses on empowering teams through AI education, strategic enablement, and thoughtful integration of artificial intelligence into business processes to unlock value and drive sustainable growth. **Event Overview** AI isn’t just about tech, it’s about people. This session explores how organizations are building skills, capability, and learning programs to prepare employees for AI-driven work. **01 - Building Skills for an AI Workforce** Learn how to identify the capabilities teams need to work effectively with AI, and how to design programs that develop these skills strategically. **02 - Learning and Development in the Age of AI** Explore best practices for creating AI-focused learning programs that accelerate adoption, support upskilling, and empower employees. **03 - Driving AI Enablement Across Teams** Discover how to embed AI into workflows, create a culture of experimentation, and enable employees to leverage AI safely and effectively.

PLEASE NOTE YOU MUST book and pay for your ticket in advance at https://www.londonfintechs.com/ The London Fintechs Committee would like to extend you an invitation to our June 2026 Networking Reception to be held in the private lounge of the Sterling Bar at the World-famous Gherkin and hope you can join us for after-work drinks, their canapés and productive business networking to make new contacts and deals for 2026. We now have over 4000 diverse and relevant London members so it’s the perfect opportunity for making new business connections. See photos from our latest events at https://www.londonfintechs.com/ PLEASE NOTE YOU MUST book and pay for your ticket in advance at https://www.londonfintechs.com/ ALSO PLEASE NOTE we take most of our event bookings through our website and EventBrite so the numbers booked is much larger than displayed on this Meetup page (normally about 50-80 guests).

This event is promoted mainly outside of Meetup and we expect around 40 guests **Kindly note that this is a paid event and the average number of attendees for our events is 60-70 people. You can register on [https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sustainability-climate-tech-founder-circle-london-9-june-event-tickets-1990637976775?aff=meetup](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sustainability-climate-tech-founder-circle-london-9-june-event-tickets-1990637976775?aff=meetup)** London networking event for ClimateTech founders, ESG leaders, investors & sustainability professionals at Home House Studio. ## **🌍 What Is Sustainability & ClimateTech Founder Circle?** Sustainability & ClimateTech Founder Circle is a professional networking experience bringing together founders, investors, innovators, operators, and professionals shaping the future of sustainability, climate innovation, ESG, energy transition, circular economy, green finance, and impact-driven business. Hosted as part of the London Connector® event series, this evening is designed to create meaningful conversations and strategic connections within the sustainability and ClimateTech ecosystem. The event creates an environment where ambitious individuals can exchange ideas, discover collaborations, build partnerships, and connect with others, contributing to a more sustainable future. ## **🤝 Who Attends?** Guests may include: * ClimateTech founders & startups * Sustainability leaders & ESG professionals * Investors & venture capital professionals * Renewable energy innovators * Green finance & impact investment professionals * Circular economy & mobility startups * Corporate innovation leaders * Policy, environmental & clean-tech professionals * Consultants, advisors & ecosystem builders * Purpose-driven entrepreneurs and operators ## **✨ What To Expect** * High-quality networking in an elegant private venue * Meaningful founder-to-founder conversations * Opportunities for partnerships & collaborations * Cross-sector introductions across sustainability & innovation * Access to a curated professional community * Informal discussions around climate, technology, business & impact The atmosphere is professional, welcoming, international, and designed to encourage genuine human connection. ## **📍 Venue** Home House StudioLondon An exclusive private members-style setting designed for curated conversations and high-quality networking experiences. ## **🕰 Event Format** Guests are invited to arrive from the scheduled start time for open networking and introductions throughout the evening. The format is intentionally designed to encourage natural conversations rather than formal presentations, helping attendees build authentic and relevant connections. ## **🎟 Bonus Access** Guests attending Sustainability & ClimateTech Founder Circle are also welcome to stay for London Connector®, creating additional opportunities to meet founders, investors, executives, and professionals from a wider range of industries. ## **🌱 About London Connector®** London Connector® creates curated networking experiences designed to bring together ambitious and internationally minded professionals, founders, investors, and industry leaders through high-quality in-person events in London. The focus is on creating meaningful relationships, valuable conversations, and long-term professional connections within carefully curated environments. ## **📲 Exclusive WhatsApp Networking Group** All attendees receive access to a **private WhatsApp group** on the day of the event — allowing you to connect, introduce yourself, and schedule meetings in advance. **📝 Disclaimer** **Please note that photography and videography may take place during the event for internal and promotional purposes.** * [United Kingdom Events](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom/events) * [Greater London Events](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--greater-london/events) * [Things to do in London](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/ttd/united-kingdom--london) * [London networking](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/networking) * [London Business networking](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/business--networking)

**Attention attendees!** **To register, use** [Luma](https://luma.com/urceh4nh) Warning: The meetup is not a platform for RSVP registration; for this, you need to follow [thisLink ](https://luma.com/urceh4nh)to purchase a registration ticket. The meetup is one of the platforms through which we offer participation in our events. **Startup Valley — London** A curated pitch night for startup founders, operators, angels and VC partners. We design these sessions to help founders sharpen their thinking through direct, candid feedback — and to give strong investors access to serious teams. **What happens:** • 4-8 startups pitch live and receive feedback from angels and VC partners • Feedback focuses on real decisions and next steps — not surface-level opinions • Investors stay in the room before and after pitches • The format leaves space for real conversations, not rushed networking • Attendance is limited to keep the room focused Designed for clear thinking, not noise. **Who you’ll meet:** * Startup founders * Angel investors and VC partners * Operators in marketing, sales, and tech * AI engineers * Local and international founders * AI Experts * Founders from Europe, Asia, and the United Kingdom **Practical details** **For investors:** We invite angel investors and VC partners to participate as judges and contributors. **To become a judge,** and get early access to our startups database, please fill out th[ the form](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8CVqvhQJu-AcclIF6PCuwjL4YpQt4w0FchGSoutRkt58v4g/viewform). Join the judge table, meet other investors, and see what teams are building early. Founders need your experienced view. **For pitching startups:** Startups selected to pitch will present live on stage and receive feedback from investors. **After purchasing a ticket:** Please[ submit your pitch deck](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSchcZr9gCNJh0RLiKBgbdbDBKEOc-92LNySkzHf8qGPHg5Wpg/viewform) and ensure it is open for viewers. **Agenda** **19:00 – 19:30** **Registration** Guests register, receive badges, and event programs. This is an opportunity for casual networking, making first connections, and preparing for the event. **19:30 – 20:30** **Event Kickoff & Interactive Networking** Official welcome from the organizers with a brief overview of the event goals and schedule. Interactive networking helps participants set their objectives and connect with key contacts. **20:40 – 21:20** **Startup Pitch Session** Startups present their projects to investors and experts. Each team has 5 minutes to pitch, covering the project's core idea, business model, and target market. **21:20 – 22:00** **Chill & Networking** Participants enjoy casual conversations with investors, discuss collaborations, and exchange ideas over refreshments.

**This is the first meetup of The London Solopreneur Circle, a small peer group for people actively building independent businesses outside the traditional corporate path.** The aim is to create a thoughtful peer space for people building independent businesses to share what they are working on, what feels hard, what is moving forward, and how we can support each other. The goal is simple: Honest conversation, accountability, useful ideas, partnerships, friendship and momentum. This is a no-pitch environment. If your main goal is to sell to the room, this is not the right group. Each session will usually follow a simple format: 1\. What are you building right now? 2\. What moved forward since last time? 3\. What feels hard\, confusing or stuck? 4\. Useful opportunities\, intros\, tools or resources 5\. One concrete action each person commits to before next time Nothing formal is needed. Just bring: * a short intro to what you are building * one current challenge or question * a willingness to contribute honestly * useful ideas, contacts or resources where relevant * We meet in Central London, usually in a relaxed, informal venue where proper conversation is possible. Exact venue details will be shared before the event.

Join us at the **Rise London Tech Ladies Fringe Summit**, an inspiring gathering taking place alongside London Tech Week — bringing together innovators, leaders, founders, and allies who are passionate about building a more inclusive future in technology. [Please register here](https://londontechweek.com/fringe-events-2026/rise-london-tech-ladies-fringe-summit-london-tech-week?&ownerid=71733&sortby=ownerorder%20ASC%2CpublishedDate%20DESC&searchgroup=libraryentry-fringe-events-2026) This year, we explore three powerful conversations shaping the future of tech: ✨ **The Asymmetric Impact of AI** ✨ **Building a Global Business in a Digital Age** 💡 **Women & FinTech** 🥂 **Closing Networking Drinks from 8:00 PM** Stay after the summit to continue conversations, meet fellow innovators, exchange ideas, and build meaningful connections within London’s vibrant tech community. Hear from trailblazers in fintech who are redefining finance through innovation, entrepreneurship, and ethical technology. Discover how women are shaping the future of digital finance, investment, and financial inclusion. This summit is open to **everyone** — founders, technologists, investors, students, corporate leaders, and allies — who believe in empowering women in tech and accelerating diverse leadership across the industry. 🌍 Connect. Learn. Collaborate. Let’s build a tech ecosystem where opportunity, innovation, and leadership are truly inclusive.

WFT@London 2026: World Future Technology Development Summit *** 🌏Shape the Future. Connect the Giants. Witness Innovation. Are you ready to step into the year 2026 and engage with the technologies defining our next decade? As part of London Tech Week, the World Future Technology Development Summit (WFT@London) is a premier global gathering designed to bridge the gap between cutting-edge research, industrial application, and international capital. This summit brings together the most influential minds from the UK, China, and the global tech ecosystem to explore the synergy between Intelligent Manufacturing and Sustainable Investment. ❓️ Why You Should Attend Meet the Titans: Engage with visionaries like Demis Hassabis (CEO of Google DeepMind), Prof. Oussama Khatib (Stanford Robotics Lab), and top researchers from UCL and Oxford. Strategic Networking: Connect with over 300 elite participants, including venture capitalists, tech executives, government officials, and industrial pioneers. Deep Industry Insights: Get first-hand intelligence on high-growth sectors: AGI, Humanoid Robotics, Smart Wearables, and New Energy. Global Synergy: Discover unique opportunities for cross-border collaboration and investment between British innovation and Chinese industrial scale. 📃Core Sectors & Topics Robotics Revolution: From service robots to household automation. AI & Manufacturing: The roadmap from AGI to Smart Factories. Health Tech: Next-gen medical devices and wearable intelligence. Future Energy: Sustainable tech and ESG-driven investment strategies. 🎓Event Logistics Date: Thursday, 11th June 2026 Venue: IET London: Savoy Place (An iconic tech landmark on the Thames) Scale: Limited to 300 curated participants.

Join us for the **Cloud Native & Open Source AI Conference**, a full-day, in-person event bringing together engineers, architects, platform teams, AI practitioners, technical leaders, and open-source communities working at the intersection of **cloud-native infrastructure, open-source AI, and production-scale systems**. **MAKE SURE TO REGISTER HERE: https://www.communitystack.io/conferences/cloud-native-london USE CODE: CommunityStack for a free ticket** ## Opening Keynote **Evolving the Kubernetes User Experience: More Intuitive, More Extensible, More Agentic** With: **Andrew Randall** — Principal PM, Office of the CPO, Microsoft **Pal Lakatos-Toth** — Senior Product Manager, Microsoft Kubernetes has become the default platform for modern workloads, and increasingly for AI systems. This keynote will explore how the Kubernetes user experience is evolving for both humans learning the platform and AI agents operating within it, with a focus on usability, governance and production readiness. ## Full Conference Programme **09:00 – 09:30** Doors Open **09:30 – 10:15** Opening Keynote: *Evolving the Kubernetes User Experience: More Intuitive, More Extensible, More Agentic* Andrew Randall, Microsoft Pal Lakatos-Toth, Microsoft **10:15 – 11:00** Panel: *From HFT to Enterprise Banking: The Talent War for Cloud Native, Open Source and AI Engineers* Moderated by Ethan Sumner, Community Stack Craig Whiting, RLS Search Jon Freedman, Quant Fin **11:30 – 12:00** *The Massively Parallel Agent Stack* Peter Bhabra, Doubleword **12:00 – 12:30** *Controlling AI Agent Access in Cloud-Native Engineering Workflows* Viola Lykova, nuclecode **12:30 – 13:00** *Preventing Silent Interpretation Errors at Scale* Maebh Booth, Senior Engineering Leader, Former M&S **14:00 – 14:30** *Prompt Driven Platforms: The Future of Self-Service Infrastructure* Salman Iqbal & Amir Tayabali, Appvia **14:30 – 15:00** *Platform as a Product: What Happens When We Treat Security as a User?* Hannah Foxwell, Bimp **15:00 – 15:30** *Beyond the Portal: Architecting AI-Native Platforms with CNOE and MCP* Hossein Salahi, Liquid Reply **16:00 – 16:45** *Intro to Apache Kafka on Aiven: From Managed Simplicity to Inkless Architectures* Hugh Evans, Aiven **16:45 – 17:15** Closing Keynote: *The Age of “Big Tech” is Over* Sean M Tracey, Mitchell Technologies **17:15 – 17:30** Closing Remarks Ethan Sumner, Community Stack Mercedes Moxon Greenfield, Community Stack ## Speakers We are delighted to welcome an exceptional speaker lineup, including: Andrew Randall — Principal PM, Office of the CPO, Microsoft Pal Lakatos-Toth — Senior Product Manager, Microsoft Peter Bhabra — Member of Technical Staff, Doubleword Viola Lykova — Senior Software Engineer, nuclecode Hannah Foxwell — Co-Founder, Bimp Sean M Tracey — Founding Technologist, Mitchell Technologies Craig Whiting — Director, RLS Search Jon Freedman — Chief Technology Officer, Quant Fin Ben Davison — Founder, Axiologik Salman Iqbal — Solutions Architect, Appvia Amir Tayabali — Tech Lead, Appvia Maebh Booth — Senior Engineering Leader, Former M&S Hossein Salahi — Senior Principal Engineer, Liquid Reply Jon Shanks — CEO, Appvia Hugh Evans — Senior Product Advocate, Aiven Ethan Sumner — Co-Founder & CEO, Community Stack Mercedes Moxon Greenfield — Co-Founder & CTO, Community Stack ## Sponsors and Partners This conference is made possible through the support of our sponsors and partners: **Headline Sponsor** BrainStation **Platinum Sponsors** Overmind Appvia Harvey Nash Axiologik **AI Native Sponsor** Nearform **Supporting Sponsors and Partners** RLS Search Doubleword Postman X4 Group Engaging Data BIMP Aiven If you'd like to get involved with a future event, please email: ethan.sumner@communitystack.io

​Join us for an exciting gathering to celebrate Google I/O Extended 2026 with the GDG London community! ​This event will bring together developers, tech enthusiasts, and industry experts to share key highlights and innovations, including those unveiled just a few weeks ago at Google I/O 2026. You'll have the opportunity to hear and ask questions of expert speakers, and participate in hands-on workshops and engage in insightful discussions. ​We'll cover the latest in AI , Android, Web, Cloud, and more technologies. Whether you're a seasoned developer or new to Google's tech ecosystem, this event is packed with valuable content to enhance your knowledge and network. Come and connect with like-minded individuals, expand your tech skills, and be a part of the vibrant GDG London community. ​Don't miss out on this chance to learn and grow with us—register now to secure your spot! Agenda --- Hosted By Goran Minov, Regional Technical Strategist | GDG Organizer I am a Cyber Security Architect specialising in Identity & Access Management (IAM). My passion lies in architecting secure Google Cloud solutions and building Android applications. I currently serve as a Senior Technical Account Manager at Okta. As a key member of the customer success team, I'm dedicated to ensuring customers fully maximise the value of their Okta investment, focusing on automation and efficiency within their identity and access management solutions. With a background that spans various technical and leadership roles, I bring deep expertise in transforming complex identity challenges into streamlined, secure, and user-friendly experiences. Stefan Cornea, GDG Organizer Chris Bouloumpasis, GDG Organizer Sara Mita Gabriel, Team Member Renuka Kelkar, GDG Organizer Sumith Damodaran, PM / GDG Organizer Tom Colvin, Organiser Tom Colvin is CTO of Apptaura, the app development specialists; and founder of Conseal Security, the mobile app security experts. He has been a developer for over 20 years and worked with Android since Cupcake. He is a Google Developer Expert in Android. Mihaela Peneva, Complete your event RSVP here: https://gdg.community.dev/events/details/google-gdg-london-presents-io-extended-london-2026/.

This event is open to anyone who works in or is interested in the tech industry, whether you are a developer, designer, engineer, entrepreneur, student, or hobbyist. You will be able to meet new people, share your experiences, learn from others, and find potential collaborators or mentors. Attending our events earns you [Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points](https://gcs.civilservice.gov.uk/how-to-get-cpd-points). CPD offers numerous benefits, including skill enhancement, career progression, and up-to-date knowledge. It helps professionals stay competent, advance in their careers, and maintain professional credibility. We usually start around 2 p.m. at The Exmouth Arms, which offers a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks to suit all tastes and burgers, sandwiches, and snacks to suit most dietary needs. The pub also offers a Lunch Special between 12 and 4pm for a Cheeseburger with fries for £9 & schooners for £4. It is worth noting that whilst the event is free, the food and drinks aren't. Come thirsty, curious, and ready to have a great time!

### AImpact: Leading With A Product Mindset Artificial Intelligence is changing how we work, lead, innovate, and create value. Yet many professionals still find themselves asking: * Where do I start? * Which AI tools actually matter? * How can I use AI without becoming overwhelmed? * How do I focus on outcomes rather than technology? This highly interactive 90-minute masterclass answers those questions. Rather than focusing on technology for technology's sake, this session explores how a **product mindset** can help individuals and organisations use AI to deliver better outcomes, improve decision-making, increase productivity, and create meaningful impact. Whether you work in project management, product management, business, education, consulting, the charity sector, or community leadership, you will leave with practical tools that can be applied immediately. ### What You Will Learn ✅ Understanding AI beyond the hype ✅ The AImpact approach to AI adoption ✅ Why a Product Mindset matters in the age of AI ✅ Practical AI use cases for professionals and organisations ✅ AI tools that can save hours every week ✅ How to identify high-value AI opportunities in your work ✅ Human-centred AI adoption and responsible use ✅ Building your own AI-enabled workflow ✅ Creating your personal 90-day AI Action Plan ### Live Demonstrations This is not a slide presentation. Participants will see live demonstrations of AI tools, practical workflows, prompt techniques, and real-world applications that can be implemented immediately. The session will include audience interaction and hands-on exercises. ### Who Should Attend? * Project Managers * Product Managers * Business Leaders * Consultants * Entrepreneurs * Educators * Charity Leaders * Community Organisations * Anyone interested in practical AI adoption No technical background is required. ### Important 💻 Please bring a laptop if possible. While attendees can participate using a mobile device, a laptop will provide a significantly better learning experience and allow you to follow along with the demonstrations and exercises. ### What You Will Leave With By the end of the session, you will have: * A clearer understanding of AI opportunities relevant to your role * A practical framework for AI adoption * A curated set of tools and resources * A personalised 90-day implementation plan * Confidence to begin using AI effectively and responsibly ### Speakers #### Amit Jadhav Entrepreneur, author, keynote speaker, coach, and AI strategist who has delivered hundreds of speaking engagements and AI masterclasses across India and the United States. Amit specialises in helping professionals and organisations adopt AI in practical, measurable ways. #### Himanshu Jain Management consultant, educator, product management specialist, and community leader. Himanshu teaches product and project management at postgraduate level and works with organisations across sectors to improve delivery, innovation, and impact.

…Transform Our Lives, Work, and World (2024) by Jamie Metzl, 432 pages [Genetics] • Paperback • Hardcover • Kindle • Audiobook • Library: [https://fcplcat.fairfaxcounty.gov/search/title.aspx?ctx=1.1033.0.0.1&pos=1&cn=615082](https://fcplcat.fairfaxcounty.gov/search/title.aspx?ctx=1.1033.0.0.1&pos=1&cn=615082) Check the How To Find Us section for Zoom Link **(Remember, the Zoom Link is different each month, do not bookmark)** ### Review “In Superconvergence, Jamie Metzl takes readers on a magical journey through the science of the intersecting genetics, biotech, and AI revolutions, deeply explores the implications, and challenges us to think creatively and proactively about what comes next. Very few books are absolute must-reads. This is one.”―Siddhartha Mukherjee, assistant professor of medicine at Columbia University and author of The Gene: An Intimate History "During the 25 years I have known Jamie Metzl, he has always been ahead of the curve. There is no one better to help us understand and prepare for the fast-approaching technological revolutions. Superconvergence is brilliant. I can't recommend it more strongly."―Sanjay Gupta MD, bestseller author, neurosurgeon, and Emmy-award winning chief medical correspondent (CNN) "Our world is defined by our science and technology—whether we like it or not. The question now is not whether to use these powers, but how best to use them. In Superconvergence, Jamie Metzl takes us on a journey through the new capabilities that are radically transforming ecosystems inside us and around us, challenging each of us to get personally involved with building the future we want."―Beth Shapiro, University of California Santa Cruz evolutionary biologist and author of Life as We Made It: How 50,000 Years of Human Innovation Refined―and Redefined―Nature "In a fine counter-blast to the pessimism of today, Jamie Metzl lays out just how spectacular the future of humanity and planet can be if we harness innovation responsibly and imaginatively to create what he calls the 'spiral of progress.'"―Matt Ridley, author of How Innovation Works, and co-author of Viral: The search for the Origin of Covid-19 “A page-turning journey through space and time that shows us how our lives will be changed by imminent technological advances we once only dreamed of.”―David Sinclair, Professor of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, and author of Lifespan: Why We Age―and Why We Don't Have To “The superconvergence of the genetics, biotechnology, and AI revolutions provides spectacular opportunities for building a better world. It also represents an almost limitless investment opportunity. We were excited to collaborate with Jamie Metzl, one of the world's great experts on how these aspirations can best be realized, including in capital markets. Superconvergence is a master class for imagining, investing in, and building a future we'd like to inhabit."―Jeremy Schwartz, Global Chief Investment Officer, WisdomTree “A clear examination of a transitional moment in the story of life on Earth…. Metzl capably describes recent developments in genetics and biotech and looks at how AI is providing an analytical engine of unprecedented power…. An important book in which the author sets out a path for the future based on his experience and expertise.”―Kirkus “Erudite, optimistic, and timely.”―Science Magazine "[In Superconvergence] Mr. Metzl has identified an important truth: that the convergence of new technologies is galvanizing us to reimagine how to meet urgent challenges in medicine and the environment. It’s a compelling opportunity—provided we manage to sidestep self-induced catastrophes along the way."―The Wall Street Journal ### About the Author Jamie Metzl is a leading technology and healthcare futurist and the founder and chair of OneShared.World. He is the author of Hacking Darwin: Genetic Engineering and the Future of Humanity and four other books and was a member of the World Health Organization expert advisory committee on human genome editing. Jamie previously served in the U.S. National Security Council, State Department, and Senate Foreign Relations Committee and with the United Nations in Cambodia. His work has been featured by most major media organizations around the world, including 60 Minutes, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, Fox, CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS, the Times of London, Le Monde, and Paris Match, and his podcast interviews with Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman, and others have reached tens of millions of listeners. He lives in New York City. Visit Jamiemetzl.com.

# NVTC Event (NVTC Registration Required) A Morning with Cyber Icon Kevin Mandia *** I am attending this event with the Northern Virginia Technology Council and wanted to share in case others are interested, particularly given our group's strong interest in AI. NVTC morning events typically feature a coffee & bagel breakfast with a really good speaker. I know weekday mornings can be a struggle, but if this is of interest to you, you can register on the NVTC website: [A Morning with Cyber Icon Kevin Mandia - Northern Virginia Technology Council](https://www.nvtc.org/event/a-morning-with-cyber-icon-kevin-mandia/) ## Details Date: June 10, 2026 Time: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Cost: Free for NVTC members, $40 for nonmembers ### Venue LMI Headquarters 7940 Jones Branch Drive McLean, VA 22102 From the NVTC website: One of the most consequential figures in cybersecurity history is coming back to where it all began, and you can be in the room. The Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC) is proud to name Kevin Mandia as our 2026 Cyber Icon. Chances to hear him speak candidly, outside the world’s biggest stages, are extraordinarily rare. This is one of them. **Why this moment is different** In March 2026, Mandia’s new company, Armadin emerged from stealth with a record-breaking $189+ million raise, the largest in cybersecurity history. His message is unambiguous: AI hasn’t just changed cybersecurity; it has rewritten the rules entirely. Today’s attacks are autonomous, adaptive, and relentless driven by intelligent software agents operating at machine speed. Armadin was built for this new reality, and Mandia is at the center of this transformation. On June 10, he’ll share where cybersecurity is headed next—and what leaders must do now to stay ahead. He’ll be joined by longtime collaborator Ronald Bushar, CISO and Managing Director at Google Public Sector, for a candid, insider conversation that goes far beyond the headlines. **What you’ll hear** * **The Mandiant Legacy:** How the exposure of APT1 reshaped the global understanding of cyber threats—and changed the industry forever. * **The AI Inflection Point:** What autonomous, learning-based attacks mean for defense in a world moving at the speed of compute. * **Autonomous Offense as Defense:** Why the future may involve AI defending against AI—with little to no human intervention. * **The Founder’s Journey:** The decisions, risks, and resilience behind building Mandiant into a $5.4B acquisition—and starting again. * **The Future Cyber Workforce:** How roles are evolving, what skills will matter most, and how the next generation must prepare. No recording. No replay. No second chance. Seats are limited. **Register now before this moment passes you by!** ## CPE Credits are available to attendees *We are pleased to offer 2.4 continuing professional education (CPE) credits to those that attend the event. CPE certification at A Morning with Cyber Icon Kevin Mandia is being administered by Carahsoft Technology Corp. Carahsoft is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education of the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. For more information on the CPE credit we are offering, our CPE sponsor (NASBA), and the submission process, please* ***[click here](https://carahevents.carahsoft.com/Event/Details/759939-cpe?auth=65c43597315342f482a6c07402079c85)****.*

While you spend your career relentlessly hardening technical systems, are you overlooking the most critical operating layer? Technical expertise is only half the battle. Join us on **Tuesday, June 9, 2026,** at **Honor Brewing Company** at **42604 Trade West Dr, Sterling, VA 20166** to unlock the human side of security! Want a custom name tag to enhance your networking opportunities? Register here and yours will be ready at the door: https://share.hsforms.com/1lIgM4Vu3Q0KlJsKTmyXnigdwxz1 We are thrilled to welcome **Stacey Champagne**, Founder & CEO of **Women's Cybersecurity Alliance**, to share how EQ can transform how you lead under pressure! Stacey, is a leading insider risk management expert who has built security programs for **Fortune 500** companies,high growth startups, private equity, and federal agencies. Her experience spans advanced cybersecurity degrees (**CISSP, GSOM, GSLC**) and **federal intelligence experience**, including creating briefings for the major stakeholders from **military leaders** to the **President** of the United States. Firewalls and patches cannot manage panic during a breach. Human leadership can. Mark your calendars to join us for this exclusive session next month! **Agenda** 5:30 Social hour and networking begins 6:10 Welcome 6:15 Patch Your Leadership Stack - Stacey Champagne 6:50 Q&A 7:00 Open Mic & Networking Continues 7:30 Adjourn

For decades, application security has been built around a simple assumption: humans are the primary producers of software. We train developers, review their pull requests, model threats in design meetings, and build controls around human decision-making. That assumption is rapidly breaking down. As AI coding assistants evolve into autonomous software agents, organizations will gain access to an effectively unlimited engineering workforce capable of producing software at a speed no human team can match. The pressure to adopt these systems will be driven not by curiosity, but by competition. Companies that successfully harness agentic development will ship faster, iterate faster, and potentially outpace those that do not. This shift forces a fundamental rethinking of application security. The future of AppSec is not securing developers—it is governing an agentic workforce. Threat modeling, code review, security testing, and change management will not disappear, but they will need to operate at machine speed and increasingly be performed by systems rather than people. In this talk, Ken Johnson, CTO of DryRun Security, explores what the next decade of application security may look like, the assumptions that will no longer hold, and why security professionals must understand these systems deeply if they hope to influence the future rather than react to it.

NOVA Code and Coffee is an inclusive, informal, co-working session. People of all skill levels are invited. The concept is simple, bring a laptop and ideas, we'll provide the coffee and donuts! Here's how it works: 1. At 10:15 everyone introduces themselves and briefly describes what brought them to Code & Coffee today (project, homework, networking, etc) 2. For the rest of the day, folks work in the communal space on their projects providing one another help and conversation as needed. Oh and they usually drink coffee and tea too! That's it! Hope to see you there! **Location** Our hosts are the Fairfax City Economic Development Building: [10300 Eaton Pl, Fairfax, VA 22030](https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=d7298231ca2df594df822003f9a93517c788fceefe1fcbb79c8976696e341bc6JmltdHM9MTc1MzIyODgwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=180d0745-3b7f-69a1-23a2-11433a7868e5&u=a1L21hcHM_Jm1lcGk9MTA5fn5Ub3BPZlBhZ2V-QWRkcmVzc19MaW5rJnR5PTE4JnE9RmFpcmZheCUyMENpdHklMjBFY29ub21pYyUyMERldmVsb3BtZW50JnNzPXlwaWQuWU44NzN4ODI4MTk2Mjg0NTk5MDM4MTU0MiZwcG9pcz0zOC44NjE0NDYzODA2MTUyMzRfLTc3LjMwMjE3NzQyOTE5OTIyX0ZhaXJmYXglMjBDaXR5JTIwRWNvbm9taWMlMjBEZXZlbG9wbWVudF9ZTjg3M3g4MjgxOTYyODQ1OTkwMzgxNTQyfiZjcD0zOC44NjE0NDZ-LTc3LjMwMjE3NyZ2PTImc1Y9MSZGT1JNPU1QU1JQTA&ntb=1) Conference Room A- Large, Floor 1 This is a new venue for us, so give us some time to get more details about it. Driving is the best option. There is plenty of free on-site parking. Otherwise, we are a 22 minute bus from the Vienna Metro Station. Bicycling from Vienna is possible but difficult, though once you are here, there's a bike rack in the garage behind the building, and there's also a Capital Bikeshare dock 15 min walk away. **Sponsored by:** Thank you [Fairfax City Economic Development](https://gofairfaxcity.com/) and [Mason Enterprise Center](https://enterprise.gmu.edu/) for making this event possible! **Thank you so much to our wonderful sponsors!** Organized by [DMV Petri Dish](https://www.dmvpetridish.com/) **[Code of Conduct](https://github.com/NoVACodeCoffee/admin/blob/master/code-of-conduct.md):** We value the participation of each member of the community and want all attendees to have an enjoyable and fulfilling experience. To make clear what is expected, all delegates/attendees, organizers, and volunteers at any Nova Code & Coffee events are required to conform to our [Code of Conduct](https://github.com/NoVACodeCoffee/admin/blob/master/code-of-conduct.md).

**The Neural Revolution Is Happening Right Now — Are You Plugged In?** Imagine typing with your thoughts. Steering a robotic limb with a neural signal. Lifting depression by stimulating a single brain circuit. Loading a skill straight into memory. This isn't science fiction. It's happening in labs, clinics, and startups around the world — and the DC region, home to NIH, the BRAIN Initiative, and DARPA's neural-interface programs, is one of the places it's being funded and built. **This Event Is for You If…** * ✅ You're a **technologist** curious about the computing paradigm beyond screens and keyboards * ✅ You work in **healthcare** and want to see how neural interfaces will reshape patient care * ✅ You're an **entrepreneur** hunting the next real opportunity in deep tech * ✅ You're a **researcher** looking to plug into the broader BCI ecosystem * ✅ You're simply **fascinated** by where neuroscience and technology collide * ✅ You **missed our last meetup** and want to reconnect with the community **Why That List Makes Us Unique in DC** Read it again. A technologist, a clinician, a founder, a researcher, and the merely curious — in the same room, on the same afternoon. That mix is the whole point, and it's what no other event in the region offers. Neuroscience conferences are built for neuroscientists. AI meetups are built for engineers. Healthcare summits are built for clinicians. Each one serves a single silo. Brain computing doesn't live in any one of those silos — it lives in the overlap. So we built the one community in DC dedicated to that overlap: a place where the person decoding neural signals can talk to the person who'll commercialize the device, who can talk to the clinician who'll put it in front of a patient. **What You'll Walk Away With** This isn't just another tech meetup. Because of who's in the room, you get: * **Frontline insight** from people actively decoding neural signals * **Direct access** to the scientists, engineers, and founders pushing BCI forward — not a panel behind a rope line * **Hands-on work** with real neural data and BCI systems * **Career connections** in one of the fastest-growing fields in tech * **First looks** at breakthrough research before it reaches mainstream media **The Stakes Are Real** We're at an inflection point. The next decade decides whether brain-computer interfaces *expand* human potential or *deepen* inequality — whether they're built in the open or behind closed doors, whether the benefits are shared or hoarded. Your voice, your expertise, your perspective shapes which future we get. **Join the Minds Shaping Tomorrow** This is your entry point into the neural-interface revolution — your chance to stand alongside the researchers reading neural code, the engineers building the interfaces, the clinicians treating patients, and the founders bringing it all to market. **Saturday, June 13 · 12:00–3:00 PM** isn't just a meetup. It's the one place in DC where all of those people come together around brain computing. **Come curious. Leave connected. Return transformed.** Because the future of human-computer interaction isn't happening *to* you — it's happening *with* you.