Innovation

**Inflow 6:00 PM - Talks Start \~6:30 PM** **Reston Community Center - 2310 Colts Neck Rd, Reston, VA 20191** NoVA Hackers is a group located in the Northern Virginia area and is made up of Information Security Professionals from all walks of life, from government and private sector, to students and beginners. The monthly meetings are held much like a mini-conference with 4-8 speakers and only a few basic but strict rules. Participation and Permission Active Participation is required for continued membership and is the only due required. Permission is required to be obtained from anyone providing information to the group from the person providing it to be made public by anyone other than the provider. Historically our talks generally run a bit late and we have a hard stop at 9:30pm for the room. If you want to socialize we recommend you arrive at 6 to meet and greet before the talks. Agendas and remote meeting option available after you join the group.

**Title**: Powering AI Through Data Modernization: Modernizing ETL with Databricks & Unity Catalog In this session, we will discuss how enterprises are modernizing their data platforms by migrating from legacy ETL tools (such as Informatica and traditional data warehouses) to Databricks Lakehouse architecture, and how Unity Catalog enables enterprise-grade governance, security, and discoverability across data and AI assets. We will start with food and drinks at 6pm and then move into the presentation at 6:30pm. The session will cover: * Why traditional ETL platforms are becoming a bottleneck for scale, cost, and AI adoption * How Databricks changes the data engineering and analytics operating mode * The role of Unity Catalog in centralized governance * How this foundation enables AI and Gene.AI use cases on trusted data * Q&A Our speaker for this event is **Hirenkumar Dholariya**. Hirenkumar Dholariya is a Senior Data Engineering Architect with 18+ years of experience modernizing enterprise data platforms for global Fortune 500 organizations, delivering up to 40% system performance improvement and 20–35% infrastructure cost reduction through large-scale migration from legacy ETL platforms to cloud-native Lakehouse architectures. He specializes in Databricks-based data engineering, Unity Catalog–driven governance, and building scalable, secure, and real-time analytics platforms. He has led multiple enterprise-wide transformations from tools such as Informatica and traditional data warehouses to Databricks, establishing governed data foundations using Unity Catalog and enabling advanced analytics and AI use cases on top of trusted data platforms. His leadership focuses on architecting durable data platforms, enabling teams to move faster with confidence, and translating data and AI investments into measurable business outcomes. *

In an era focused on scalable efficiency, the pursuit of absolute service consistency is often seen as the ultimate goal. But what is gained and what is lost when service offerings are entirely predictable? Does aiming for uniformity stifle necessary adaptation and human connection? Join us for an intimate discussion exploring the often overlooked trade-offs of **service consistency**. We'll dive into when consistency builds “trust and reliability”, and when it becomes “a barrier to designing flexible, empathetic, and truly customer-centric experiences”. **#ServiceDesign #ServiceConsistency #ServiceManagement** **What’s a Service Design DC salon?** Our salons are an excellent opportunity to connect with fellow designers, engage in meaningful conversations, and gain fresh perspectives on the evolving landscape of our field. Space is limited to ensure an intimate atmosphere and encourage deeper conversations. Whether you have been to a past salon or will be a first timer, we’d be happy to have you join this group discussion of service design practitioners and enthusiasts in the Washington D.C. area! **Evening Agenda** * 6:00 P.M. - Doors Open / Socializing \* * 6:30 P.M. - Salon begins * 8:00 P.M. - Salon Wraps up \*We will provide light refreshments, including food and drinks, during the salon. **Note about RSVPs:** * Due to the limited number of available spots, we kindly request that you update your RSVP if you are unable to attend so others may have the opportunity to join. Thank you for your understanding. *** Many thanks to our host and sponsor, **Technical Assent!** *At Technical Assent, we believe that government can be a platform for service innovation where services can be designed to be more relevant to customers, more reliable, and delivered at a lower cost.* *Our company exists to build high-performing government service organizations — government-to-citizens (G2C), government-to-government (G2G), and shared services. Our approach is unique in that we improve service performance from the bottom-up, starting with customer experience. We use that insight to design and modify the talent, tools, and technology that deliver government services to each customer. Technical Assent is a Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business appraised at CMMI-SVC Level 3.*

**Agenda :** * 4.30 to 4.45 PM ET: Food and Networking * 4.45 to 5.30 PM ET: "Practical Applications of Model Context Protocol (MCP) (Feb 2026 Edition)" Hello Everyone! Please join us for our Feb 10th edition of the AI-ML MeetUp. **Please note this is an in-person meeting and light refreshments/food will be provided.** **Title:** Practical Applications of Model Context Protocol (MCP) (Feb 2026 Edition) **Description:** This session explores how the Model Context Protocol (MCP) can be used to connect AI models with real-world tools and data. Attendees will learn practical patterns for implementing MCP in production workflows and applications. Through examples and use cases, the session highlights how MCP enables more capable, context-aware AI systems. **Location:** The meeting will be hosted in the Applied Information Sciences ( AIS ) office in Reston, at 11440 Commerce Park Dr # 600 · Reston, VA. The location is also right off the Silver Line metro's Wiehle-Reston Metro Station. **Parking:** Parking is paid and can be validated at the AIS office reception. We will meet in Room Lake Anne. We hope to see you all there!!!!

## **1 Million Cups Loudoun Special Event: Mentor–Mentee Business Matchmaking** **Tuesday\, February 11 \| 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM** **Venture X Loudoun** Join us for a special edition of 1 Million Cups Loudoun designed to spark meaningful connections and accelerate business growth. Our **Mentor–Mentee Business Matchmaking Session** brings together entrepreneurs seeking guidance with experienced professionals ready to share their knowledge, insight, and real-world perspective. This live, interactive session is intentionally structured to help foster relationships that extend far beyond the meeting room. Whether you’re navigating a new stage of business, facing a challenge, or simply looking for trusted advice, mentorship can be one of the most powerful tools in your entrepreneurial journey. **What to Expect:** * Facilitated mentor–mentee introductions * Purposeful conversations focused on business growth * Opportunities to exchange ideas, experiences, and strategies * A supportive environment built on collaboration and community **Who Should Attend:** * Entrepreneurs looking for guidance and fresh perspective * Business owners ready to give back as mentors * Leaders who value connection, collaboration, and community-driven growth At 1 Million Cups Loudoun, we believe entrepreneurs grow stronger together — and this session is designed to help make those connections happen in real time. Come ready to connect, learn, and take the next step in your business journey.

**\* This is an in-person event** At the beginning of the year, most of us reflect on what we want to achieve and do in the coming months. However, if we only think about what we want to add, without reflecting on what we are already doing and what we might have to let go, we end up with an unrealistic plan that will leave us overwhelmed in March and abandoning change in May. In this reflective and interactive session we will create a plan that includes starting, prioritizing and letting go of activities to achieve the goals we strive for. You will leave the session with clear next steps to avoid the scarcity trap (not investing enough in promising ideas) as well as the rigidity trap (holding on to things because we know how to do them). In addition to these concrete plans, you will learn a set of planning facilitation tools that you can apply in group and individual settings, including Impromptu Networking, Ecocycle Planning, Troika Consulting and 15% Solutions. **Agenda** 6:30pm Welcome [Impromptu Networking](https://www.liberatingstructures.com/2-impromptu-networking/) (adapted Fast or Slow): 6:50pm Individual [Ecocycle Planning](https://www.liberatingstructures.com/31-ecocycle-planning/) 7:10pm [Troika Consulting](https://www.liberatingstructures.com/8-troika-consulting/) Peer Assist 7:40pm Shareout 8:00pm [Liberating Structures](https://www.liberatingstructures.com/matching-matrix/) intro 8:10pm [15% Solutions](https://www.liberatingstructures.com/7-15-solutions/) 8:30pm Closing **About our presenter** With over 20 years of professional experience as a facilitator, trainer, coach, poet and organizational change facilitator in the public and private sector, [Eva Schiffer](https://www.linkedin.com/in/eva-schiffer-675b058/) focuses on bringing people together to make progress on their most vexing challenges. She enjoys creating processes that allow for the unexpected to emerge, holding space for difficult conversations and inviting the whole person (mind, heart and body) into the room. Her career in international development has honed her skills in intercultural facilitation, and she passionately strives to create facilitated spaces that work for people from different contexts and with different needs.