Business Leaders

Please reserve your spot by registering on the below link : https://www.eventbrite.com/e/join-biggest-community-investors-founders-berlin-online-tickets-1988380688164?aff=meetup QUESTIONS ? Pls Reach out to; Rose - +971528033410 ( WhatsApp Only)

We are proud to continue this free flow meet & greet session in the Bar of the social hub with guided networking and great people from different angles of the Berlin startup ecosystem! If you have a startup idea or a growing company and you want to expand your network in Berlin, then join us for the in-person 'Founder Meet & Greet' event. At this informal networking event, you can connect with other early-stage entrepreneurs, startup mentors, and advisors from the Founder Institute Berlin network. Socialize over drinks with potential co-founders, advisors, mentors and partners. Most of all, get away from the computer and have fun! ❯ **Your hosts of the day:** * Rikke Klitskov (Co-Director @ Founder Institute Berlin) * Kai Malkwitz (Impact Director @ Founder Institute Germany) * Mats Kuuskema (Country Director Germany @e-Residency Estonia) ❯ **Who should Attend?** * Anyone interested in entrepreneurship * 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?** * (Guided) Networking, Socializing and Drinks **❯❯ This is a live offline event, to be sure to receive our updates be sure to RSVP at** [https://FI.co/e/397980/meetup](https://FI.co/e/397980/meetup)**!** 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 Estonia e-Residency** Launched in 2014, e-⁠Residency provides entrepreneurs from around the world secure digital access to Estonia's advanced e-services and transparent business environment. Today, the programme helps over 110,000 people and their businesses operate location independently. [Here's how they do it and how they got here](https://www.e-resident.gov.ee/). **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.

**Join us for a hands-on AI prototyping afternoon at The Delta Campus.** Bring your laptop, bring an idea - and spend a few hours **building a first prototype together with other founders**, builders, and curious **AI users**. We’ll give a short intro into **vibe coding and AI prototyping**: which tools to use, how to structure your idea, how to prompt better, and how to get unstuck. After that, it’s mostly **hands-on building**, testing, troubleshooting, and **exchanging ideas in the room**. This event is also a **warm-up for our next AI Accelerator cohort starting in September**. We’ll briefly share what the program is about, who it is for, and how it helps startups & small businesses use AI in their daily work. **Details** 📍 Location: The Delta Campus 📅 Date: 4 June ⏰ Time: 10:00–13:00 💻 Bring: Your laptop + ideally one idea you want to prototype **Agenda** **10:00 – Welcome & short intro // AI Accelerator Cohort 2 info** AI prototyping, vibe coding, tools, prompts, and setup. **10:30 – Build session** Work on your own idea with guidance, troubleshooting, and feedback. **12:30 – Optional sharing & exchange** Show what you built, ask questions, or get feedback. Come with an idea. Leave with a first version. 🚀

**🔥 PLEASE REGISTER FOR THE EVENT →** [HERE](https://luma.com/jd97obwy) 🔥 This event has limited seats and [requires registration](https://luma.com/jd97obwy). In this highly interactive 90-minute workshop, you’ll explore how different communication styles shape the way people listen, interpret, and respond. Using the **Insights Discovery framework**, you’ll learn how small shifts in communication can dramatically improve buy-in and collaboration. Early Bird: 14.90 EUR Regular Price: 19.90 EUR Only 25 Seats Available

We invite you to our [Digitale Leute Meetup in Berlin powered by SAP](https://www.eventbrite.de/e/dl-meetup-12-powered-by-sap-berlin-tickets-1987405580591?aff=oddtdtcreator). Look forward to inspiring talks and Q&A sessions. Get your free ticket [here](https://www.eventbrite.de/e/dl-meetup-12-powered-by-sap-berlin-tickets-1987405580591?aff=oddtdtcreator) *** The Digitale Leute Meetup is an event series organized by *Digitale Leute*. **Invitation** We invite you to join us for our second meetup this year on June 4th at SAP in Berlin! We just celebrated the successful restart of our event series in Cologne with over 100 participants, and we cannot wait to dive deep into the Berlin product builders community. Look forward to leading professionals from product, engineering, and UX/design, sharing their best practices and discussing trends and topics with you the community. We are still early in our planning, but expect the first speaker announcements soon. Join us for an evening of networking, fueled by drinks and bites – just bring your ideas and your colleagues! **Schedule** 06:30 PM - Doors open 07:00 PM - Welcome by Christoph Bresler, Founder of Digitale Leute School 07:05 PM - Welcome by SAP & Moderation by Thomas Riedel 07:10 PM - DL Interview: **Mareike Dorra**, Head of Product Management Bootcamps at Digitale Leute School (ex-Zalando) will interview **Jan Hegewald**, VP Engineering at Rabot Energy (ex-SumUp, -Zalando, -Idealo) about the rise of Product Engineering. AI is changing how software is built. In this conversation, Mareike Dorra and Jan Hegewald explore why the focus is shifting from software development to product development—and how engineers, through product thinking, new tools, and closer collaboration with product managers, are evolving into “product engineers.” 07:40 PM - Questions & Answers 08:00 PM - Networking 08:55 PM - Wrap up of the meetup **Good to know** In addition to our meetup, we bring together over 1,000 product builders in Cologne every November at our international software product development conference, the Digitale Leute Summit. Speakers in 2026 include representatives from Atlassian, Google DeepMind, Zendesk, sevdesk, and many more. You can find more information here: [Digitale Leute Summit 2026](https://www.digitale-leute.de/summit/26/ "https://www.digitale-leute.de/summit/26/") **About Digitale Leute** Digitale Leute has always been about one thing: bringing together the people who shape digital products. The thinkers, the builders, the ones who care deeply about how technology is made and why it matters. Over the years, our community has grown – but we’ve missed the magic that only happens when you’re in the same room, sharing ideas, swapping stories, and sparking conversations that no Slack channel can replicate. So we decided: it’s time to bring our meetups back. **About SAP in Berlin** Located in the heart of European innovation, [SAP in Berlin](https://www.sap.com/germany/about/berlin.html "https://www.sap.com/germany/about/berlin.html") combines the power of a global company with the strength of a unique local ecosystem – we attract talent, shape SAP‘s image as a front-runner of innovation, and foster our position as market leader for enterprise application software in Berlin. Our location in Berlin offers a perfect meeting point for innovators and decision makers, while we stay on top of software trends and technologies to define their value for business and society.

Welcome to the Berlin Tech and Creative Industry Afterwork! ✨ Are you tired of stiff networking events, formal agendas, and endless slide decks? So are we. This group brings together Berlin's most exciting minds, from tech and corporate professionals to creative freelancers and artists, for a genuinely relaxed evening out. We meet in my favorite Cocktailbars to unwind, share ideas, and connect with great people over good drinks. What to expect: NO PowerPoints & Ads. Leave the hustle and the pitches at the door. Our focus is strictly on real, authentic exchanges, sparking inspiration, and having fantastic conversations. ONLY the Best Bars in Berlin: We hit up at my favorite spots in the city. From hidden gems to cool cocktail lounges and cozy pubs with great beer and wine. Bilingual and welcoming: Whether you're a native Berliner or an expat who just arrived, everyone is welcome! Conversations naturally flow in both English and German. A Brilliant Crowd: Mingle with startup founders, tech professionals, designers, corporate innovators, and creatives who just want to make new friends and enjoy a great evening. If you want to bounce an idea off someone, chat about industry trends, or simply enjoy a well-deserved after-work drink with a fantastic group of people, this is the place to be. See you!

🌟 Join us for **"Don't Eat Alone"** – an event designed to transform your lunch break into a social feast! **Tired of solitary meals in front of the computer?** **Thriving to meet some new people and curious what it may bring to your life?** Just come, check and enjoy a delicious meal with friendly faces. Connect with like-minded individuals, engage in conversations, and make your lunchtime a memorable social experience. Mark your calendar, bring your appetite, and let's build connections, one meal at a time! 🍽️🤝✨ PAYMENTS: the meetup is free, but everyone pays for their meals. Here you can pay by card easily.

⚖️ Legal in Business: Essentials for Founders Building a startup is exciting — but without the right legal foundation, even the best ideas can face serious challenges. Join us for a practical and founder-friendly session where we break down the most important legal aspects every startup should understand. No legal jargon. No theory overload. Just clear, actionable insights you can actually use. We’re excited to host the event together with our partners at [FARBERG Rechtsanwälte](https://www.farberg.legal/?utm_source=chatgpt.com). The session will be led by Oliver Zitzelsberger and Faruk Gregor Drovs, who specialize in corporate law, venture capital, startup financing, M&A, founder agreements, and legal structures for growing businesses. 💡 What will be covered: ✔️ Choosing the Right Legal Structure • UG vs GmbH vs Sole Proprietorship • When to choose each • Key pros & cons ✔️ Common Legal Mistakes Founders Make • No contracts between founders • Missing terms & conditions / privacy policy • Ignoring legal structure early • Using content without proper rights ✔️ Co-Founder Agreements • Why they matter • What should be included • What happens if someone leaves 🎯 Why Join? Because legal mistakes are often invisible at the beginning — but costly later. This session will help you: ✔️ avoid common pitfalls ✔️ understand what really matters ✔️ build your startup on a stronger foundation 📅 June 7, 2026 ⏰ 13:00 – 15:30 📍 The Social Hub LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE!

Welcome to Sunday Tech Coffee. This is a **networking** event for those in the tech industry in Berlin. We are usually inside and to the right. Ask the barista/bartender if you can't find us.

Most participants sign up from outside Meetup. We usually are 5 to 12. **Get your ticket on:** [https://www.tickettailor.com/events/productivityday/1057985](https://www.tickettailor.com/events/productivityday/1057985) **This is for you if:** You are a professional, entrepreneur, freelancer, researcher, creative, or a team. You have been wanting: **○** to get stuff done without distractions **○** prioritize your deep-work over meetings and shallow-work **○** be in a community of motivated, conscious people **○** no more & procrastination, nor working alone **○** to strengthen your concentration & Flow-states (super-)skills **During the session you will** ○ deep-work with high focus on your most important ​tasks ○ while ​training your mind for Deep Focus, Flow-states and advanced Productivity skills ○ in an open-hearted community of professionals & leaders Most people get 2-3x more work done than usual, and experience energy & peace of mind as result. You will probably save yourself several work hours this week, and maybe make some magic happen! It's okay to leave after 3h if you need to. **About this session** You will be working on our own tasks while practicing the Flow-Working method. The session includes a mental warm up, as well as energizing breaks with movement, stretching and connection with the other participants **Group size**: 6-15 **Pricing**: 12€/15€ or donation **Where**: Online on Zoom **Get your ticket now on:** [https://www.tickettailor.com/events/productivityday/1057985](https://www.tickettailor.com/events/productivityday/1057985)

**This event is taking place online.** You have probably tried AI. Maybe you use it quietly. Maybe you opened it, stared at the blank prompt, and closed the tab. Maybe you are not sure where to start, or why it still feels harder than it should. Welcome to our community! 17:00 — An intro: Why are we here? 17:15 — What research and data shows us about how AI impacts work 17:30 — Where are you right now, what have you tried, what is in your way? 17:45 — What comes next: shaping the next session together This is the first meetup in a series. We will learn from each other, explore AI at work, and eventually dive into the tools together — because the best way to loosen the fear is to do it in good company. Facilitator: Anca Trif Language: English Capacity: 10 attendees **Join here:** [https://meet.google.com/ghd-cuvt-jnh](https://meet.google.com/ghd-cuvt-jnh)

​**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)

Network and get inspired with Entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds every first Friday of the month (except January). Agenda: Boardingtime: 18:00 -18:30 I) Intro-Round: Everybody 1-2 minutes + business of the month: Smart Coop Germany with Magdalena Ziomek Pause II) Main Topic with Jarun Jain* Pause III) Final-Round * AI has changed the rules. You don’t need months of work and a team to deploy a product. With the right tools and approach you can move from idea to live product faster than ever. In this hands-on session Varun Jain will walk you through this exact workflow using modern ai-tools. What we will cover: * Define your business idea * Structure the project * Write promts for vibe coding platforms * Develope the product * Deploy the Product * Tools to build and grow Tools we will use: ChatGTP, OpenAI API, Gemini API, Codex, Gemini Antigravity, VS-Code and GitHub Copilot. If you have an idea you want to turn into a product, this event is for your. No technical skills are required. Important notice: please bring your laptop! **** About Varun Jain: Varun is a product builder with 15 years of experience across startups in multiple countries. He is open to collaborations in consulting, mentoring and community events. About Business of the month in June: Smart Coop is a model, where 1.300 freelancers and remote workers from 50 different countries are keeping their freedom and independance while having the benefits of beeing employed in Germany. **** Event is free if charge! Please bring some wine and snacks instead- and this time also your laptop! 🙃

**ENG** \| **GER** **Welcome to *Coach Connect*!** Hi, I am Daniela 🤍 As a passionate systemic Life and Business Coach based in Berlin, I’m so excited to build this community together with other amazing coaches. Are you a coach looking to connect with other reflective, passionate, and inspiring individuals in the coaching world? This group is for everyone who shares a love for coaching and wants to build a supportive network. What you can expect: ✨ **Exchange and Inspiration:** Meet other coaches, share experiences, and expand your perspective. 🤝 **Collaboration and Partnerships:** Find like-minded people for joint projects and exciting new ideas. 💬 **Support and Reflection:** Support each other through challenges and celebrate successes together. 🍷 **Relaxed Evenings:** Enjoy meaningful conversations and great company in an open and reflective atmosphere. 🍽 **Monthly Dinner:** Join us every first Thursday of the month for a shared dinner to connect on a deeper level and enjoy a great evening together. Whether you're an experienced coach or just starting out in the coaching world – you're welcome here! Together, we can grow, learn from each other, and create a network that enriches us all. 💛 **Contribution:** To support the organization and cover platform fees, I kindly ask for a small donation: → **€5** via PayPal You can send your donation via **PayPal to magalhda@yahoo.de** with the note **"Coach Dinner + Date of the event"**. Once received, your spot is confirmed and I’ll take care of the restaurant reservation. Can’t wait to see you there! 💛 Daniela Join *Coach Connect*! -- **Willkommen bei *Coach Connect*!** Hi, ich bin Daniela 🤍, eine leidenschaftliche systemische Life- und Business-Coachin aus Berlin, und ich freue mich sehr, gemeinsam mit anderen inspirierenden Coaches diese Community aufzubauen. Bist du Coach und möchtest dich mit anderen reflektierten, engagierten und inspirierenden Menschen aus der Coaching-Welt vernetzen? Diese Gruppe ist für alle, die ihre Leidenschaft für Coaching teilen und ein unterstützendes Netzwerk aufbauen möchten. Was dich hier erwartet: ✨ **Austausch und Inspiration:** Lerne andere Coaches kennen, tausche Erfahrungen aus und erweitere deinen Horizont. 🤝 **Kooperation und Partnerschaften:** Finde Gleichgesinnte für gemeinsame Projekte und spannende neue Ideen. 💬 **Support und Reflexion:** Unterstützt euch gegenseitig bei Herausforderungen und feiert Erfolge zusammen. 🍷 **Entspannte Abende:** Genieße wertvolle Gespräche und angenehme Gesellschaft in einer offenen und reflektierten Atmosphäre. 🍽 **Monatliches Dinner:** Triff uns jeden ersten Donnerstag im Monat zu einem gemeinsamen Dinner. Tauscht euch aus, vernetzt euch intensiver und genießt einen wundervollen Abend zusammen. Egal, ob du bereits erfahren bist oder gerade erst in die Coaching-Welt eintauchst – hier bist du willkommen! Gemeinsam können wir wachsen, voneinander lernen und ein Netzwerk schaffen, das uns alle bereichert. 💛 **Beitrag** Zur Unterstützung der Organisation und zur Deckung der Plattformkosten freue ich mich über eine kleine Spende: → gerne **5 €** Bitte sende deinen Beitrag via **PayPal an magalhda@yahoo.de** mit dem Betreff **„Coach Dinner + Datum des Events“**. Sobald er eingegangen ist, ist dein Platz gesichert und ich übernehme die Restaurantreservierung. Ich freue mich auf dich! 💛 **Daniela** Mach mit und sei Teil von *Coach Connect*!

Monthly working lunch for Columbus business owners. One specific topic, one to three actions you can run this week. You can be the best at what you do and still be invisible. If local buyers cannot find you, the phone does not ring. Marketing Monday Lunch + Learn is a monthly working lunch for Columbus business owners focused on building relationships, local networking, and local marketing. Every kind of local business welcome. No pitch round, no pressure, no upsell. **This month** Most local businesses pick one or two places to be visible and call it good. The result is inconsistent calls and a feeling that marketing is not working. We will walk through the three places every local business needs to show up, plus the fourth place most owners ignore that quietly produces the warmest leads. **What to expect** Doors open at noon. Order lunch and drinks at the cafe counter or bring your own. You get real conversation with other local owners and a focused marketing lesson. You leave knowing people and with one to three actions to run that week. The room is reserved through 1:30 PM. **Who this is for** Any local business owner who wants clearer marketing direction and real local relationships. Service businesses, retail, home services, professional services, online owners building local presence, anyone serious about being part of the Columbus business community. **Not the right fit if** You are here to pitch the room or recruit for an MLM. **Details** * Second Monday of every month * 12:00 to 1:30 PM * Good Cafe Easton, 4400 Easton Commons, Ste 150, Columbus, OH 43219 * Order lunch and drinks at the counter when you arrive * Free to attend, RSVP required, space is limited **About the host** Rita Suzanne is a local marketing strategist and the founder of Local Marketing Method. She runs Visibility is Profitability, the membership where local business owners build the system that keeps their phone ringing. Learn more at learnlocalmarketing.com. Register here: [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1989964540509?aff=oddtdtcreator](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1989964540509?aff=oddtdtcreator)

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!

Please reserve your spot by registering on the below link : **Reserve** https://www.eventbrite.com/e/join-biggest-community-investors-founders-columbus-online-tickets-1988563717610?aff=meetup **QUESTIONS ?** Pls Reach out to; Ridhi - +971504724873 ( WhatsApp Only)

At Evolve Synergy Sessions, you'll be part of a supportive mastermind where we share challenges, brainstorm solutions, and inspire one another to take bold steps in our businesses. Grow your network, gain fresh perspectives, and build meaningful relationships with like-minded women who are committed to success. Whether you’re looking to move the needle in your business or simply need a space to connect and recharge, this is the perfect place to fuel your entrepreneurial journey. [Add Event to Calendar](https://evolvecolumbus.eventcalendarapp.com/) \*\* Please note, we will be arriving around 8:15a for open networking! Get there early and get connected! Contact Alexis Morley at [alexis.morley@edwardjones.com](mailto:alexis.morley@edwardjones.com) or Terri Lawson at [terri.lawson@e-merge.com](mailto:terri.lawson@e-merge.com) for more information.

**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)

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\.