Mentorship and Leadership Experts

**From Expat to Founder: Startup Networking in Berlin** ❯ Are you an **international professional in Berlin** with a **startup** idea, entrepreneurial ambition, or an interest in the local startup ecosystem? Join this in-person networking session at **the IamExpat Fair Berlin, hosted by Founder Institute Germany.** ❯ Register via the **IamExpat Fair website** to get access to the Fair and the networking event for free: [https://tinyurl.com/IamExpat](https://tinyurl.com/IamExpat) ❯ **Founder Institute** supports early-stage entrepreneurs in turning ideas into validated, fundable companies. This session is designed for expats and international residents who want to connect with like-minded people, explore startup opportunities in Berlin, and meet founders, mentors, advisors, and ecosystem partners. Whether you already have a startup idea, are considering becoming a founder, or simply want to understand the Berlin startup scene better, this session is a good place to start. ❯ **Your hosts of the day:** * [Kai Malkwitz](https://www.linkedin.com/in/malkwitz/) * [Nikos Nakos](https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikosnakos/) ❯ **Who should Attend?** * Anyone interested in entrepreneurship and networking around it * Anyone who has a pre-seed tech company or a startup idea * Anyone interested in joining a startup accelerator * Anyone who is looking for a cofounder or would want to join a startup as a cofounder ❯ **What is the Agenda?** * Welcome and short introduction by Founder Institute Germany * Guided startup networking for expats and international residents and people interested in entrepreneurship * Exchange with other aspiring founders, early-stage entrepreneurs and startup ecosystem participants ❯❯ This is a live offline event at the IamExpat Fair Berlin. To join the networking session and the fair for free, please register via the IamExpat Fair website: [https://tinyurl.com/IamExpat](https://tinyurl.com/IamExpat) ❯❯ To join our upcoming Founder Institute program in October 2026, you can apply here: [https://fi.co/Germany](https://fi.co/Germany)**.** For more information about the investors, accelerators, incubators, and [tech events available in Berlin](https://fi.co/events/berlin), see our [list of Startup Resources](https://fi.co/startup-resources). **About IamExpat:** IamExpat is a leading English-language media platform for internationals in Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland. Founded and run by expats, IamExpat provides practical information, news, job listings, housing services, events and lifestyle content for the international community. The IamExpat Fair Berlin brings together expat-friendly companies, service providers, workshops and networking opportunities in one place, on one day. The 2026 edition takes place at Estrel Berlin and is designed to help international residents connect with the people, services and opportunities they need to build their lives and careers in Germany. **About Founder Institute** The [Founder Institute](https://fi.co/berlin) is the world’s most proven network to turn ideas into fundable startups, and startups into global businesses. Since 2009, our structured accelerator programs have helped over 7,000 entrepreneurs raise over $1.75BN in funding. Based in Silicon Valley and with chapters across 100 countries, our mission is to empower communities of talented and motivated people to build impactful technology companies worldwide.

Have you ever blanked out during a meeting or presentation, or struggled to get your message across in English? This 1-day [English presentation skills training](https://www.presentation-school.com/one-day-presentation-skills-training-berlin) in Berlin is designed for non-native English speakers, especially professionals in tech, consulting, and management, who want to present with clarity, confidence, and impact. Trusted by professionals and world-class organizations, Presentation School Berlin transforms stage fright and uncertainty into structured, engaging, and memorable presentations. **What You’ll Learn** * Calm & Confident Delivery: Speak clearly under pressure. * Presentation Structure That Works: Use our 3-part framework: Opening, Body and Close. * Story, Science & Stats (S³ Framework): Make your message persuasive and memorable. * Left-Brain / Right-Brain Engagement: Keep your audience focused and emotionally connected. * Live Feedback & Personalized Coaching: Improve immediately during the session. **Who Should Attend?** * Non-native English speakers presenting in professional settings - meetings, pitches, or conferences. * Professionals who want to lead with influence and communicate ideas with confidence. * Participants seeking practical tools, live coaching, and small-group, hands-on training. **Your Investment** * Berlin Presentation Lab members receive 10% off. * Includes training materials, practice exercises, feedback videos, and a certificate of completion. **[Training Package](https://www.presentation-school.com/one-day-presentation-skills-training-berlin)** * Pre-training questionnaire * Full-day group training * Live practice + feedback * Follow-up resources * Everything in Standard * Structured asynchronous feedback (themes-based) * Group office hours * Deep scenarios * Priority in-room feedback * High-stakes case work **About Your Trainer (Kunle: Founder, Presentation School Berlin)** After freezing on stage himself, Kunle developed a proven method to help professionals overcome stage fright, structure their presentations, and deliver with confidence. His training has supported professionals and organizations across Europe, Africa, and the UK, from emerging leaders to executive teams. **Practical Information** Language: English Address: Chausseestraße 86, 10115 Berlin Max 9 participants for hands-on coaching and live, actionable feedback. Price: €349 per person. Time: 09:30 am - 05:30 pm [Reserve your seat now!](https://www.presentation-school.com/one-day-presentation-skills-training-berlin)

Nice! You are looking for real long time friendship! You might have already lived in Berlin or other big cities and experienced the "Anonymous" culture for a while. Meeting random people over and over and never see the same person again! In order to find "Real Long Term Friendship" in Berlin, do as follows: * You should not care how many people are joining this meetup. You RVSP. Even if only one person is joining. Because if everyone are waiting for everyone else to RVSP, nobody joins and nobody finds a new friend. * You do not care how many people of the opposite sex are joining. You are looking for friends. Finding the best romantic partner in the world, while avoiding not very attractive others, can be your other goal, for another time. Here we are looking for Friends. Real ones. * You are going to risk a very precious property of yours: Your time! Yes, there are thousands of opportunities in Berlin, there might be a rock concert for free, a birthday party you might miss, an important person might call you and invite you spontaneously, but you never find new friends until you decide to risk your time and meet people anyway. "I will check my calendar and get back to you" also does not work. Commit your time and spend it. Trust me, you won't go bankrupt ;-) * You are ready to use your phone as a real phone! You might have been using your phone as a tablet to visit Instagram and Facebook and watch movies. But if you want to find friends, you must know that people might take your phone number and give you theirs. That means they will Call you! And you have to pick up the phone and answer it. If you want to find new friends, you must be ready to do something really hard for the first time after years: Call people first, and if they called you: Answer your phone! * You are going to meet some people twice! That's the point of friendship. We already can experience random encounters with random people in random places one at a time. But that is not called friendship. If you want friends, you must be ready to meet the same person more than once. If you agree with above, RVSP and COME! You will meet other people who think the same way. P.S: Now that you've read all the way down to here, I suggest you [watch this animation](https://player.vimeo.com/video/547249272?h=22f3dd0f6f).

🚀 **From Idea to First 10 Customers — Part 2** ​The journey doesn’t stop after building the idea. The real challenge begins when you need people to actually use — and pay for — what you created. ​After the great response to our first session, we’re bringing back Part 2 with deeper discussions, practical insights, and real founder experiences focused on getting traction in the early stages. ​This session is designed for founders, aspiring entrepreneurs, freelancers, and anyone interested in understanding how startups move from an idea to their first real users and customers. ​No unrealistic “growth hacks.” No theory overload. Just practical conversations around early-stage growth, validation, customer acquisition, and building momentum. *** # ​💡 What We’ll Discuss ​• How to get your first users • Finding early adopters • Mistakes founders make in the beginning • Why validation matters more than perfection • Building trust before scaling • Realistic approaches to early customer acquisition • Lessons from startup experiences *** # ​🎯 Why Join ​Because getting your first customers is often harder than building the product itself. ​This session will help you better understand: ✔ how people discover products ✔ why some ideas gain traction and others don’t ✔ what founders should focus on in the early stages *** # ​📅 Event Details ​📅 **May 30, 2026** ⏰ **13:00 – 15:30** 📍 **The Social Hub** ​See you there! Check out our websites: Company-[Datenstrom-3ag.com](https://datenstrom-3ag.com/?utm_source=luma) Application-[Growfirma.com](https://growfirma.com/?utm_source=luma)

​**Founders Running Club** (FRC) brings founders, investors, tech, creative people and startup enthusiasts together for weekly easy runs and networking. ​Every Saturday morning we gather together and run through Tiergarten. Join us in one of these 3 routes: ​\* **5K** – for new & beginner runners ​\* **7K** – for regular runners ​\* **11K** – for more experienced runners **OBS**: We are usually around 30 people, between regulars and newcomers (from here and from Luma), so don't be scared if there are not a lot of people confirmed on the event here. The pace is chill and conversational, around **6:30**. On the 7k and 11k some people like to push a bit more, but no one gets left behind. We finish with a nice coffee and amazing conversations. The vibe is always great. Pets, friends, family, are welcome. More about **FRC**: ​🗓️ Launched in San Francisco, July 16, 2022 🌍 Now in 50+ cities 📅 Running + Networking events + Community ​**Join the community** [http://foundersrc.com/chats](http://foundersrc.com/chats?utm_source=luma) Berlin Instagram [http://instagram.com/frcberlin](http://instagram.com/frcberlin?utm_source=luma) ​ **Global FRC**: Instagram [http://instagram.com/foundersrc/](http://instagram.com/foundersrc/?utm_source=luma) LinkedIn [http://linkedin.com/company/foundersrc/](http://linkedin.com/company/foundersrc/?utm_source=luma) Strava [http://strava.com/clubs/foundersRC](http://strava.com/clubs/foundersRC?utm_source=luma) Website [http://foundersrc.com/](http://foundersrc.com/?utm_source=luma)

**The [IamExpat Fair in Berlin](https://www.iamexpatfair.de/#/?affl=MUEventPage) is back!** The Fair will take place on **Saturday, May 30, 2026**, at the **Estrel Hotel Berlin**. The Estrel is Europe’s largest convention, entertainment and hotel complex, located in the heart of Neukölln, one of Berlin’s most international neighbourhoods. **Learn all about life in Germany:** from finding a house, a job or a school for your kids, to choosing a language course, an accountant or a legal advisor. Over 70 expat-focused businesses will be in attendance, so you’ll be sure to find the service you’re looking for in Germany. **All of this under one roof, on one day, for free!** 🎟️**Book your free ticket now:** https://www.iamexpatfair.de/#/?affl=MUEventPage **Visitors can:** ✅Learn how to rent or buy a property and secure a mortgage in Germany ✅Talk to recruiters, browse job vacancies and set new career goals ✅Attend workshops and presentations ✅Discover expat-focused services and businesses ✅Find the perfect German language school ✅Explore international schools, tutoring and educational opportunities ✅Benefit from special offers only available at the IamExpat Fair Browse the stands, attend informative workshops and presentations, network with other expats and expat-friendly companies and pick up free goodies. **The IamExpat Fair Berlin 2026 is sponsored by:** Havens Living, Expatriates Insurance Consulting, Feather Insurance, Bauffi24, ExpatEase and Getsafe.

In this sacred women’s circle, we gather to reconnect with the truth within us — the voice that has often been silenced, hidden, or softened to fit the expectations of others. Through **shamanic rituals, drum induced trance journeys, sharing, sound, and deep feminine connection**, we create a safe and nourishing space where your authentic voice is welcome exactly as it is. This space invites you to release fear, speak from the heart, and remember the power of your inner wisdom. Together, we honor vulnerability, expression, and the courage to be fully seen and heard. Come as you are. Bring your truth, your softness, your fire, your voice. ✨ No previous experience needed ✨ A safe space for connection, healing & empowerment ✨ Please bring comfortable clothing, a scarf or mask to cover your eyes, and a journal **❣️Details:** **Energy exchange: 25 € - 45 € (you decide what you can / want to give)** **Registration: by email to wildandsilent.berlin@gmail.com or Whatsapp to +49 1573 72 48 15 7** **Location: Berlin Friedrichshain, Samariter-Kiez. You will receive the address when you register.**

Chitta Walks is for people whose days move fast, while the mind never fully lands. Thoughts keep looping even when nothing is urgent. The body moves, but attention is elsewhere. Over time, this disconnect drains clarity and ease. This walk is a simple reset. We meet in Berlin’s Tiergarten and walk at a gentle pace. Parts of the walk are in silence, with light guidance and a few short prompts. The walk itself is the practice, bringing body and mind back into the same moment. No apps. No performance. Just a clear space to slow down and notice what is happening. If you want to slow down without withdrawing from life, join a Chitta Walk. ✨ **What to expect (approx. 90 minutes):** * A short arrival and orientation * A guided silent walk (phones off, no conversation) * One concise science-based impulse on attention or stress * Optional reflection in pairs or small groups * A simple takeaway or experiment for daily life 🚶**Who this is for:** * Professionals, creatives, and people in transition. * People who feel mentally busy and want more clarity and balance. * Those curious about mindfulness, but grounded and practical. * Anyone comfortable with silence and gentle self observation. 🔔 **Practical notes:** * Duration: 60-90 minutes * Wear comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing * No prior experience needed * Group size is limited to keep the space quiet and focused 🧭 **Facilitator:** My name is Partha Sarathi, you can call me PS. I have lived in Berlin for over 12 years. With a background in physics and materials science, my interest in mindfulness grew through personal experience with stress and health challenges. I facilitate the space and structure of the walk, inviting shared exploration rather than instruction. 🤔 **Why Chitta Walks?** Chitta is a Sanskrit word referring to the mind or field of awareness, used here in a practical, non-religious sense. Chitta Walks is about noticing how the mind works by slowing down and walking together. Mindful walking makes thought patterns visible in real time, while moving and sensing in the world. The name points to a simple capacity: noticing what is happening in the mind without immediately trying to fix, judge, or optimize it. 🌿 **Possible effects:** A calmer nervous system. Clearer attention. A felt sense of being more present in your body. Subtle insights into how your mind reacts under everyday conditions. A quieter, more grounded way of moving through the city. **Come as you are. Walk. Notice. Leave with a little more space inside.**

Train Your Brain Confidence & Adaptability Under Pressure What if confidence, adaptability, and decision-making could be trained through play? This interactive workshop introduces Cognitive Agility Through Chess — a beginner-friendly experience designed to strengthen focus, resilience, strategic thinking, and communication in a supportive and engaging environment. This is not a traditional chess class. Chess is used as a tool for reflection, collaboration, adaptability, and cognitive development through interactive challenges and guided exercises. WHAT TO EXPECT ♟️ Beginner-friendly introduction to chess fundamentals 🧠 Interactive cognitive and strategic challenges 🤝 Team-based and collaborative gameplay ⚡ Exercises focused on adaptability and thinking under pressure 💬 Guided reflection and discussion THIS EXPERIENCE SUPPORTS • Confidence-building • Strategic thinking • Communication • Adaptability • Emotional resilience • Cognitive flexibility • Decision-making under pressure WHO IS THIS FOR? Women interested in: • self-development • leadership • psychology • strategy • meaningful social connection • cognitive performance • creative and reflective experiences No chess experience is needed. EVENT DETAILS 📍 Motel One — Invalidenstraße 54, 10557 Berlin 🕒 2 Hours 👥 Limited small group experience, from 6-12 participants per event PILOT SESSION This is part of a limited founding pilot series in Berlin designed to create a thoughtful, engaging, and collaborative learning experience. FACILITATED BY Radwa Omar Founder & Cognitive Agility Facilitator Train Your Brain — Cognitive Agility Through Chess Train how you think. Elevate how you perform.

**For registration for this class see: [https://www.kang-center.de/taekwondo-berlin/#taekwondo-kurse-berlin](https://www.kang-center.de/taekwondo-berlin/#taekwondo-kurse-berlin)** We are an international group (speaking English, German and Korean), enthusiastic and ambitious learning the art of traditional Taekwon-Do, meaning full perfection and power but no contact. Our grandmaster Kang, Shin-Gyu is a student of famous grandmaster Kwon, Jae-Hwa, so that we can learn from the originals. Sounds sophisticated? It is - and also a lot of fun! Most of us are between 20 an 30 years old, half of them male and half female. But we welcome anybody any age! As a beginner you need nothing more than some comfortable sportswear. See you in Class!

***Welcome to the Actors Gym!*** * A fun, supportive training ground where actors play, experiment, and build their craft. * *Through engaging games and exercises, you’ll develop core acting skills and bring them to life by performing a short script at the end of every session.* * This drop-in class welcomes both new and intermediate actors eager to learn, stretch, and have fun. ‍ **DURATION:** 60 – 90 mins (depending on numbers) **ABOUT YOUR COACH:** Geoff is a dedicated professional teacher and actor. He is also active as a writer, director and producer of small-scale projects here in Berlin. He has performed on many stages – as actor, host, and improvisor – and in many short films, across the UK and Germany. He loves to meet and work with new actors, and has a real passion for discovering new talent. His acting profile may be found [HERE](https://www.filmmakers.eu/en/actors/geoff-mills). ‍ **SPOTS:** Everyone is welcome. Beginner-friendly. €15 General Admission (*pay at venue*) Free to members of [DNA Arts](https://www.dna-artclub.com/) \- a vibrant community of artists and performers\. **DNA** members have access to over 5 dance classes and 5 creative workshops each week, covering everything from singing, writing, and marketing to theatre, including also 5+ shows weekly, all completely free for our members.

**TOPIC - 10 Signs You're a People Pleaser** Constantly putting others' needs ahead of your own may seem noble, but it can lead to burnout and resentment, turning you into a **people** **pleaser**. Often rooted in a desire for approval, this behavior involves sacrificing your well-being to keep others happy. We'll go over the signs, causes, and consequences of being a **people** **pleaser**, and how to say no with confidence and assertiveness. **\*\*A Few Things to Note....PLEASE READ BEFORE RSVP-ING....\*\*** * Because we are partnering with a venue that so kindly allows us to host our meeting free of charge, please help with supporting the venue by purchasing a drink or cake. (Prices range from 3-9 euros) * ***If you can't make it, please refrain from RSVPing.*** *We want to ensure we have an accurate headcount for the venue and keep spaces available for those who genuinely wish to attend, as they are limited. Thank you for your consideration!*

### **It is never too late to discover Your voice.** ‍ This workshop series is created for those who are just beginning their journey as performers, as well as for those who are looking for fresh inspiration and a deeper connection to their artistic expression. The programme consists of **five interactive workshops** designed to explore the many dimensions of voice and stage presence. Each session combines **playful exercises, vocal training, creative exploration, and stage time**. After introducing the theme of the day, we immediately bring it into practice by performing in front of one another in a supportive and encouraging environment. ##### **PROGRAMME:** **04 April** — *Basics of Singing* Primal Sounds & Vocal Registers **11 April** — *Vocal Fundamentals* Colors, Effects & Techniques **18 April** — *Inspiration & Inner Voice* Creative Flow & Spiritual Guidance **25 April** — *Stage Movement & Stage Presence* **02 May** — *Overcoming Stage Fright* ##### **TICKETS:** **Per Workshop:** regular: 25€ for DNA. Members: 20€ **Full package (discounted):** **‍**regular: 125 > 115€ for DNA. Members: 100 > 89€

There’s a peace and relaxation possible for everyone, that can occur with total ease, with a simple body process, called Access Bars ® Access Bar is like hitting the delete button on your computer’s hard drive. Negative thought patterns and mental chatter can be released and a space for peace, ease and new possibilities opens up. Best, everyone can learn this body process in a one day class. You can give the Bars® to your family and friends and to your clients. And of course you can let the Bars run also on yourself. Access Bars ® and Bodyprocess classes in English take place once a month, classes in German twice a month. Just ask for your desired date. Would this class be a contribution to your body, to your life, your business? Then I would like to have you in a one-day Access Bars. Consider this your invitation to a totally different paradigm for healing, change and transformation in all aspects of your life. The Access Bars class fee is 380 Euro, Practitioner License, Manual, Charts, food and drinks included. PLEASE NOTE THAT REGISTRATION IS ONLY POSSIBLE BY PHONE. For more information please visit my website: https://www.i-feel-so-good.de/home-en.html What happens in the brain during a Bars Session: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgGbFRjqQPk If you have any question or you want to book a session, do not hesitate to contact me. Once a week we have an Access Bars ® evening that gives you the opportunity to exchange the Bars® and to meet other practitioners. ®

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.

**Welcome to the Women’s Columbus Bogleheads® Sub-Group** This sub-group is for **women who want to learn and discuss finances in a safe, supportive space**. For those interested in moving towards financial independence and retirement by learning investment basics, choosing your 401(k) investments, minimizing taxes, and more. We’re a local chapter of **Bogleheads®**, following a long-term, practical investment philosophy: [Investment Philosophy](https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Bogleheads%C2%AE_investment_philosophy): https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Bogleheads%C2%AE_investment_philosophy [Bogleheads Forum](https://www.bogleheads.org/index.php): https://www.bogleheads.org/index.php No question is too small, and no experience is too simple. Share, ask, and learn — at your own pace, without judgment, in a group of like-minded women. Let’s build confidence and knowledge **together**!

Bring your business cards and network in person with other business professionals! Gold Star Referral Clubs is one of the most established professional networking organizations in the country, with multiple groups in central Ohio. Join us!

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.

QA or the Highway is a one-day, affordable, regional, professional conference featuring real-world experience and thought leadership in the QA and testing industry. This is a ticketed event please register here: https://www.qaorthehwy.com/ Featured Keynote Speakers: **Matthew-Hope Eland** **(Wizard at Leading EDJE)** \- An AI Specialist and Wizard at Leading EDJE who is known to teach software engineering\, AI\, and data science concepts in the most ridiculous ways possible\. Matt has used machine learning to settle debates over whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie\, reinforcement learning to drive the behavior of digital squirrels\, data analytics to suggest improvements to his favorite TV show\, and AI agents to play board games and create an AI agent with the personality of a dog\. Matt is the author of "Data Science in \.NET with Polyglot Notebooks" and "Refactoring with C\#" as well as several LinkedIn Learning courses\. Matt helps organize the Central Ohio \.NET Developer Group\, runs several blogs and a YouTube channel\, has a Master’s of Science in Data Analytics\, and is a current Microsoft MVP in AI and \.NET\. **Tatyana Arbouzova** **(CEO at Innovate QA)** \- Tatyana Arbouzova is an engineering and business leader with a strong background in Quality Engineering across multiple industries\, including Big Tech\, Healthcare\, and Entertainment\. She has held leadership roles at world\-class companies such as Microsoft\, VMware\, Disney\, and The Pokémon Company International\, where she focused on building quality\-driven cultures and scaling teams to deliver high\-impact products\. With decades of experience\, Tatyana has helped organizations transform their quality practices so teams can deliver software efficiently\, confidently\, and with measurable business outcomes\. Today\, Tatyana advises software companies on adopting AI to optimize quality practices and improve how software is delivered at scale\. She is also a passionate community builder and the founder of Innovate QA\, a thriving Seattle\-based community and conference for quality professionals\.

**The idea for this group is to build a community where men can gather together and build connections & learn and grow from each other.** How we start each meeting is by each of us checking in with our "roses and thorns" aka what are the good things and the bad things going on in your life recently? Then we will go into a topic discussion. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **COMMUNITY AGREEMENTS** \*\*THERE WILL BE A ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY FOR NO-SHOWS. IF YOU RSVP TO A MEETING AND FAIL TO SHOW UP WITHOUT NOTICE, YOU'LL BE REMOVED FROM THE GROUP. THIS IS TO PRESERVE THE INTEGRITY OF THE GROUP\*\* 1. Confidentiality - EVERYTHING that is shared NEVER leaves this space so that this space remains safe and sacred. There is a zero tolerance policy for this. If a man is in violation of this, they will be permanently removed from the group. 2. Non-Judgement - we respect and honor every man’s truth so that we may receive the same from others. While we may not agree on everything, we commit to respecting every man’s perspectives and engaging in honorable discussion with one another. 3. Be committed - honor your commitment to this group and to yourself. If you attend a meeting, please commit yourself fully to the meeting. Also be committed to your own journey. When we fail, we own it & clean it up. 4. Speak from the heart - this is NOT a space to “look good”, have the “right” answers, and have it all together. Relax and know you are not alone. Be exactly who you are within the safety of this space. 5. Be supportive - This means always willing to provide encouragement to your fellow men, encourage action and momentum in each other’s lives.. Be willing to challenge each other. Be willing to hold each other accountable. 6. Participation - what you receive from this community will be a reflection of what you put into it. Period. We ask that you share your perspectives, reflect on others, and give/receive support when and where it’s needed.

**The Behavior Gap: Where Products Win or Lose** Teams today have more data than ever, and yet many still struggle to understand why customers adopt, engage with, or abandon their products. Teams sprint, ship faster, and chase more signals… all while metrics stall and confidence drops. The missing piece isn’t more data. It’s often the behavioral insight between the metrics, explaining why the numbers move in the first place. Dashboards can tell you what customers did, but understanding why they did it (and how to influence what they do next) requires a deeper blend of insights. This session is about closing that gap. Drawing from real-world experience designing and scaling products as [ZoCo Design](https://zocodesign.com/)’s CEO, [Lacey](https://www.linkedin.com/in/laceypicazo/) will share how to cut through the noise and identify the insights that actually change behavior—moving people, and moving metrics. You’ll learn: * Why understanding customer behavior is a quant and qual challenge * How to spot the signals that actually predict behavior change * Where AI accelerates insight, and where it creates distraction * How to get meaningfully closer to customers, without adding more tools This talk reframes how to evaluate performance and identify what levers actually improve it, helping your team to make smarter bets with greater confidence. Every meaningful outcome is driven by behavior change. And when you know how to design for behavior, you stop guessing, and start building things that work. **About Our Speaker** [Lacey Picazo](https://www.linkedin.com/in/laceypicazo/) is the Founder and CEO of ZoCo, a healthcare product studio that turns complex, high-stakes ideas into products that drive real-world adoption. She partners with healthcare organizations to uncover critical care delivery insights, focus product strategy through behavior design, and build solutions that patients and providers actually use. Thanks to our 2026 sponsors: [Clarivoy](https://www.clarivoy.com), [What Box Consulting Group](https://www.whatboxconsultinggroup.com), [Conductrics](https://www.conductrics.com), and [Piwik PRO](https://piwik.pro) More info at [cbusdaw.com](https://cbusdaw.com)