LGBT Social

Would you also like to be a speaker and present at our events? Please tell us about your topic in this online form: [aka.ms/AotearoaAzure/speaker](https://aka.ms/AotearoaAzure/speaker) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **AI Landing Zones** As organisations rapidly adopt AI, many struggle to move beyond isolated proofs of concept into secure, scalable, and governed production environments. This session explores how AI Landing Zones provide the foundational platform needed to operationalise AI safely and sustainably at enterprise scale. **Chanaka Nissanka** is a Principal Consultant based in Auckland, with extensive experience helping large enterprises design and adopt cloud platforms at scale. He specialises in Azure Landing Zones, cloud governance, and operating model design, working closely with architects, security teams, and business stakeholders to enable secure, scalable cloud and AI adoption. Chanaka has led and advised on complex transformation initiatives across regulated and high‑consumption environments, bridging strategy and hands‑on implementation. [Chanaka Nissanka | LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/chanaka-nissanka-16358320/) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **Agent Governance Toolkit** Runtime governance for AI agents -- deterministic policy enforcement, zero-trust identity, execution sandboxing, and SRE for autonomous agents. Covers all 10 OWASP Agentic risks with 13,000+ tests. **Ricky Gummadi** is a Cloud & AI Solution Architect at Microsoft. He is passionate about Cloud, AI, and startups; focused on building scalable systems, exploring emerging tech, and connecting with innovative founders. [Ricky Gummadi | LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickygummadi/) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **Why Attend?** * Learn some real-world perspectives on Azure capabilities * Network with Azure professionals across Aotearoa New Zealand * Free pizza and great conversations! **⚠️ CRITICAL: Building Access Requirements** **Please read carefully - many attendees miss this!** Microsoft House has strict security requirements. To **attend in person**, you **MUST**: 1. Fill out the Meetup registration form. This includes your email address. 2. You will receive a QR code at that address 3. Arrive before 5:30 PM (building doors close) 4. Check in at reception before 5:20 PM **No pre-registration = No building access** (online attendance still available) **Note**: QR codes are sent between 12 pm and 3 pm on the day of the evening event **To use the QR Code Scanner:** 1\. Find the QR Code Scanner on the far left\-hand side of the gates\. 2\. Set your phone’s brightness to 100%\. 3\. Hold your phone perpendicular to the scanner without resizing the QR code\. **Please note**: the QR code is for individual use only and should not be shared. **📅 Event Details** **Online Stream**: aka.ms/AotearoaAzure/stream **Agenda**: * 5:00-5:20 PM: Networking & Pizza * 5:20-5:30 PM: Welcome * 5:30-6:00 PM: AI Landing Zones * 6:00-6:30 PM: Agent Governance Toolkit * 6:30-7:00 PM: Q & A **📺 Can't Make It In Person?** * Join via live stream: aka.ms/AotearoaAzure/stream * Recording available on our YouTube channel within a week: aka.ms/AotearoaAzure/YouTube

Would you also like to be a speaker and present at our events? Please tell us about your topic in this online form: [aka.ms/AotearoaAzure/speaker](https://aka.ms/AotearoaAzure/speaker) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **AI Landing Zones** As organisations rapidly adopt AI, many struggle to move beyond isolated proofs of concept into secure, scalable, and governed production environments. This session explores how AI Landing Zones provide the foundational platform needed to operationalise AI safely and sustainably at enterprise scale. **Chanaka Nissanka** is a Principal Consultant based in Auckland, with extensive experience helping large enterprises design and adopt cloud platforms at scale. He specialises in Azure Landing Zones, cloud governance, and operating model design, working closely with architects, security teams, and business stakeholders to enable secure, scalable cloud and AI adoption. Chanaka has led and advised on complex transformation initiatives across regulated and high‑consumption environments, bridging strategy and hands‑on implementation. [Chanaka Nissanka | LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/chanaka-nissanka-16358320/) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **Agent Governance Toolkit** Runtime governance for AI agents -- deterministic policy enforcement, zero-trust identity, execution sandboxing, and SRE for autonomous agents. Covers all 10 OWASP Agentic risks with 13,000+ tests. **Ricky Gummadi** is a Cloud & AI Solution Architect at Microsoft. He is passionate about Cloud, AI, and startups; focused on building scalable systems, exploring emerging tech, and connecting with innovative founders. [Ricky Gummadi | LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickygummadi/) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **Why Attend?** * Learn some real-world perspectives on Azure capabilities * Network with Azure professionals across Aotearoa New Zealand * Free pizza and great conversations! **⚠️ CRITICAL: Building Access Requirements** **Please read carefully - many attendees miss this!** Microsoft House has strict security requirements. To **attend in person**, you **MUST**: 1. Fill out the Meetup registration form. This includes your email address. 2. You will receive a QR code at that address 3. Arrive before 5:30 PM (building doors close) 4. Check in at reception before 5:20 PM **No pre-registration = No building access** (online attendance still available) **Note**: QR codes are sent between 12 pm and 3 pm on the day of the evening event **To use the QR Code Scanner:** 1\. Find the QR Code Scanner on the far left\-hand side of the gates\. 2\. Set your phone’s brightness to 100%\. 3\. Hold your phone perpendicular to the scanner without resizing the QR code\. **Please note**: the QR code is for individual use only and should not be shared. **📅 Event Details** **Online Stream**: aka.ms/AotearoaAzure/stream **Agenda**: * 5:00-5:20 PM: Networking & Pizza * 5:20-5:30 PM: Welcome * 5:30-6:00 PM: AI Landing Zones * 6:00-6:30 PM: Agent Governance Toolkit * 6:30-7:00 PM: Q & A **📺 Can't Make It In Person?** * Join via live stream: aka.ms/AotearoaAzure/stream * Recording available on our YouTube channel within a week: aka.ms/AotearoaAzure/YouTube

This Sunday we’re gathering at Huzzah Hobbies for an afternoon of board games and community. 🎲🌈 The store has a huge library to choose from, so we’ll be diving into whatever catches our fancy—strategy games, party games, co-ops, you name it. You’re also welcome to bring a favorite of your own if there’s something you’d love to share. We'll be at one of the gaming tables in the gaming hall at Huzaah. Come for the games, stay for the company.

Come play Dungeons & Dragons in a welcoming, inclusive environment! We'll be running a beginner-friendly adventure set in Eberron, a world of magic, intrigue, and airships. No experience with D&D (or Eberron) is required; we'll teach you everything you need to know at the table. Pregenerated characters will be provided, but you're welcome to bring your own level 1 character, if you prefer. Please reach out (in the #adventure-night channel on [our Discord server](https://discord.gg/54PN3u8x9E)) if you have any questions or need help making a character. This is part one of a longer story arc. If the group clicks, there's plenty more to explore together. Whether you've never rolled a d20 or you're a seasoned adventurer looking for a new group, you're welcome here. Got questions before the session? Drop them in the #adventure-night channel on [our Discord server](https://discord.gg/54PN3u8x9E). Hope to see you at the table!

Join us for the Loudoun Pride Festival! We'll meet near the entrance at 2, wander the vendors and activities for a couple of hours, and then take in "Dragstravaganza" at 4:30. Of course, you're free to come and go as you wish. We'll coordinate in the #general channel on [our Discord server](https://discord.gg/54PN3u8x9E). Note that tickets are $5. Please visit [the Loudoun Pride Festival website](https://www.loudounpride.org/) to purchase and see additional festival details.

Dave & Dan will be at Finnegan's Grill & Irish Pub, 44050 Ashburn Village Blvd., Ashburn, VA 20147 at 6 pm to grab a bite to eat and then trivia begins at 7 pm sharp. We've been getting good turnout, and look forward to seeing you there!

**✨ Join Us at Nunu's Thai Dishes!** Join your DTs family and friends for delicious food and great conversation following our **Thursday night Happy Hour** at **Nunu's Thai Dishes**, 1100 Elden St, Herndon, VA 20170. 🌶️ **Authentic Thai flavors**, a cozy atmosphere, and a menu full of exciting dishes await! 🔗 [Check out their menu here](http://www.nunusthaidishes.com/) If possible, please RSVP on our **Facebook** or **Meetup** pages so we can let the restaurant know how many people to expect. We will have a few extra seats available for last-minute joiners, but we get a big crowd, so please let us know! We don't want to leave you sitting at the bar!

Dave & Dan will be at Finnegan's Grill & Irish Pub, 44050 Ashburn Village Blvd., Ashburn, VA 20147 at 6 pm to grab a bite to eat and then trivia begins at 7 pm sharp. We've been getting good turnout, and look forward to seeing you there!