An entrepreneurial software engineer with global business leadership experience and a passion for digital transformation. Lucian has worked in the industrial software and automation industry since 1998. He holds a BSEE from Cleveland State University and an MBA in Entrepreneurial Finance from Case Western Reserve University. He has worked in various positions: software development, product development, training, marketing, pre-sales, product management, M&A integration and global marketing. Lucian has served as the World Trade Center Cleveland Representative for Eastern Europe and as a Board Member for the Promisepartner.biz. He teaches in the Electrical & Computer Science Department at Cleveland State University (CSU) focusing on Industrial Automation & Industrial IoT and currently serves on the Board of Industry Advisors, Engineering Technology, CSU. He was selected to represent the United States in Europe for Technology and Services on the economic trade mission lead by Dr. Samuel Bodman, undersecretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Interests: skiing, playing soccer, global travel.
9:00 am - 10:00 am (EDT)
AI Innovations Driving the Future of Sustainable Industry
Learn how AI optimizes energy consumption, minimizes waste, and enhances resource efficiency to create more eco-friendly production processes. Discover strategies for integrating AI-driven sustainability initiatives, including emissions reduction, and discuss future trends poised to transform manufacturing towards a greener, more sustainable future.
Andrea Ruotolo, PhD
Global Head, Customer Sustainability/ESG Rockwell Automation
Global Head, Customer Sustainability/ESG Rockwell Automation
Andrea leads intrapreneurial teams in scaling new technology solutions, entering new markets, and identifying high-value strategic investment opportunities.
Andrea is the Global Head of Customer Sustainability at Rockwell Automation, the world’s largest industrial automation company, responsible for advancing innovation in sustainability for Rockwell’s customers, which include Fortune 100 companies in energy and manufacturing, representing millions of employees and hundreds of billions of dollars in annual revenues. She spearheads innovation and leads the charge in digital transformation and Responsible AI to drive industrial sustainability.
With 18 years of global executive experience across the Americas, Europe, and Asia, Andrea has excelled as both an entrepreneur and an intrapreneur across various industry sectors.
She holds a prestigious Fulbright Doctorate in sustainability, two Master’s degrees, and is a recognized expert in AI Organizational Strategy, having earned specializations from MIT and Harvard Business School.
Lubna Dajani is an award-winning systems and design thinking pioneer, recognized for igniting global trans-disciplinary collaborations backed by a track record of groundbreaking ICT innovations for major brands such as PwC, ARM, Microsoft, Nokia, Viacom, GE, AT&T, and Verizon.
Expert in exponential technologies specializing in Ethical AI, privacy, cyber security, web3 and regenerative tech.
Lubna is trusted advisor to CEOs and boards of public and private companies worldwide focusing on strategic growth, turnaround, digital transformation and sustainable business.
Sarvesh Saodekar is the Director of Offering Management - AI at Honeywell International, where he spearheads multiple AI and advanced analytics initiatives focused on smart energy solutions. With more than two decades of experience in the Industry, he has a proven track record in developing, managing, and launching critical software solutions across the entire energy value chain. He holds a Master of Science degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Alex West, senior principal analyst for the manufacturing technology group, leads its coverage of industrial sustainability, including readiness benchmarking, analysis of company sustainability performance, technology impact, and tracking legislation and sustainability start-ups. Alex also examines technology’s impact on the future of work and regularly contributes to Omdia’s Industrial Sustainability Today newsletter.
Over his 20 years as an analyst, covering discrete and process automation and machinery markets, he has helped customers understand the potential of the technology markets and perform voice-of-the-customer analyses. Alex has analyzed competitive environments, business models, technology trends, and end user requirements. He has consulted on the best practices for implementing IIoT, supported go-to-market strategies, and created market positioning content. He is a regular keynote speaker at industry events, tradeshows, and conferences worldwide. Alex holds a Bachelor of Science (Honors) in physics from the University of Bath, England, and is based in Northampton, UK.
10:00 am - 11:00 am (EDT)
Enhancing Manufacturing Processes through AI and Low-Code Integration
Discover how integrating AI with low-code development platforms like Node-RED can revolutionize manufacturing processes. This session will delve into how AI-driven low-code solutions simplify complex workflows, enhance predictive maintenance, and streamline supply chain management. By leveraging visual programming and seamless integrations, manufacturers can significantly reduce development times, lower operational costs, and boost production efficiency. Learn from real-world examples how these technologies enable rapid innovation and quicker time-to-market for new products. This session is essential for manufacturers looking to harness cutting-edge tools to drive efficiency and stay ahead in a competitive industry.
Nick is the CTO and Founder of FlowFuse, where he is leading the OpenJS Node-RED project and building a low-code development platform. Before starting FlowFuse, he was at IBM for over 19 years working across a wide range of technologies. He spends his time playing with IoT technologies, having worked on projects ranging from smart meter energy monitoring to retrofitting sensors to industrial manufacturing lines with Raspberry Pis and Arduinos. With a background in pervasive messaging, he is a contributor to the Eclipse Paho project and sits on the OASIS MQTT Technical Committee and on the OpenJS Cross Project Council.
I am a subject matter expert in big data analytics and visualization, with real-world experience across the entire data pipeline. I understand how to leverage popular data science models and possess the statistical knowledge needed to implement current and future advances in machine and deep learning.
The best way for a company to stay competitive is to keep abreast of emerging technology trends with an eye on improving existing workflow bottlenecks. This includes following popular Data Science news sources, digging into research papers, and partnering with universities. I then distill my findings in a way that an audience of any technical experience level can understand.
As a leader, I aim to understand how my team will work together to achieve a larger goal while ensuring those I manage feel comfortable expressing their career aspirations and confident that I am working with them to achieve their goals.
Andreas Figueiredo Lüth
Managing Director and Chief Evangelist Digital Factory Germanedge
Managing Director and Chief Evangelist Digital Factory Germanedge
At QDA SOLUTIONS & Germanedge Solutions, my focus is on strategic leadership and operational excellence, with an emphasis on spearheading Industry 4.0 & 5.0 transformation. Our team's efforts have culminated in significant revenue growth and the successful consolidation of diverse business units into a cohesive entity, enhancing overall operational efficiency.
Fabian is part of the automation team at ARC covering manufacturing topics in Europe and is located in ARC's offices in Dresden, Germany.
At ARC, Fabian specializes in discrete and hybrid industries like semiconductors, automotive, pharma and different machinery topics, as well as economic modeling and forecasting. He has a special focus on automation controllers like industrial PCs, new automation platforms and PLCs. Fabian has experience in the automotive, industrial PCs and subsidies/R&D-grants consulting market. Before joining ARC, he worked as an international project manager in France, Germany, and Slovakia in the automotive industry.
Hamish Mackenzie is the valuable difference champion.
Author, facilitator, advisor and coach, he helps international technology businesses identify new customer value and monetize it.
Working with business owners, CEOs and their senior executive teams, Hamish has over a decade’s worth of stunningly successful projects for startups, SMEs and large corporates across Europe, the US and Japan under his belt.
11:00 am - 12:00 pm (EDT)
AI-Powered Predictive Analytics: Driving Profitability Through Proactive Maintenance
Discover how time-series database technology empowers manufacturers to leverage AI for predictive maintenance. Learn how to use real-time data to anticipate equipment failures, optimize maintenance schedules, and reduce downtime. Gain insights into how companies have extended equipment lifespan and lowered operational costs, providing you with actionable strategies to enhance efficiency and profitability in your operations.
Dave brings over three decades of software development experience as an engineer, product manager and startup CEO. His areas of focus include data warehousing, analytics, and visualization. His industry experience includes AdTech, EdTech, AgTech, and FinTech. He holds an MBA and BSCS.
Deepika Sandeep is a seasoned leader in AI/ML, specializing in AI product development and data strategy. At Honeywell, she drives AI adoption, cloud data platforms, and innovation for the building automation business unit, focusing on sustainability and automation. She leads a Community of Practice for generative AI, to accelerate its operationalization at scale. Deepika has spearheaded AI initiatives in diverse sectors, including renewable energy and automotive manufacturing. Recognized by 3AI, Analytics India Magazine, GSDC and SolarQuarter, she mentors AI startups and newcomers in Data Science, and is among Asia’s most influential women in renewable energy.
Alex West, senior principal analyst for the manufacturing technology group, leads its coverage of industrial sustainability, including readiness benchmarking, analysis of company sustainability performance, technology impact, and tracking legislation and sustainability start-ups. Alex also examines technology’s impact on the future of work and regularly contributes to Omdia’s Industrial Sustainability Today newsletter.
Over his 20 years as an analyst, covering discrete and process automation and machinery markets, he has helped customers understand the potential of the technology markets and perform voice-of-the-customer analyses. Alex has analyzed competitive environments, business models, technology trends, and end user requirements. He has consulted on the best practices for implementing IIoT, supported go-to-market strategies, and created market positioning content. He is a regular keynote speaker at industry events, tradeshows, and conferences worldwide. Alex holds a Bachelor of Science (Honors) in physics from the University of Bath, England, and is based in Northampton, UK.
I bring a passion for improving the lives of manufacturing workers and those that support manufacturing environments. Following years working in advanced manufacturing with Goodyear, I earned my Masters Degree in Architecture with a focus on human-centered design. I returned to industry in 2017 to take the helm at BennitAI and shape its mission to connect people to solve manufacturing problems. I sit on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors at CESMII, the US' national institute on Smart Manufacturing, and live in northeast Ohio with my husband, Ryan, and our children.
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm (EDT)
AI-Driven Process Optimization: Achieving Faster Turnarounds and Higher Margins
Join our panel to explore how AI-driven optimization enhances efficiency by streamlining workflows and reducing production times, ultimately leading to faster turnarounds. Discover how AI helps maximize profit margins through improved resource management and cost reductions, supported by successful real-world case studies showcasing significant improvements in turnaround times and financial performance. Gain valuable insights into best practices for integrating AI into manufacturing processes for optimal results, and discuss strategies for scaling industrial AI cost-efficiently across multiple sites. Learn how to overcome data barriers to access the right quality and quantity of data, understand why so many PoCs fail, and how to transition from PoC to production.
Senior Business Leader / CTO / COO / CDIO with 25+ years of leadership experience with Engineering Research and Development (ER&D) and Digital Manufacturing Global Capability Centers (GCC's) of Schneider Electric, BOSCH, GE and ISRO in various global and APAC regional roles. Strong Software Engineering, Technology, Research and Development, Industrial automation and Digital manufacturing background.
Michael Kuehne-Schlinkert, founder and CEO of Katulu GmbH, is a pioneer in Federated Machine Learning (FL) for the industry. As an expert in Industry 4.0 and Machine Learning, he founded Katulu in 2018 to make artificial intelligence usable in the industry. He is the visionary behind technologies like AutoFL (Automated Federated Machine Learning). With his company Katulu, Michael develops the Federated AI Platform, a software solution for industrial AI, enabling large-scale, cross-factory collaboration in industrial applications without data exchange - to scale your AI cost-efficiently across manufacturing sites.
Eve Psalti is 20-year year tech and business leader, currently the Senior Director at Microsoft’s Azure AI engineering organization responsible for scaling and commercializing artificial intelligence solutions.
She was previously the Head of Strategic Platforms at Google Cloud where she worked with F500 companies helping them grow their businesses through digital transformation initiatives.
Prior to Google, Eve held business development, sales and marketing leadership positions at Microsoft and startups across the US and Europe leading 200-people teams and $600M businesses.
A native of Greece, she holds a Master’s degree and several technology and business certifications from London Business School and the University of Washington. Eve currently serves on the board of WE Global Studios, a full-stack startup innovation studio supporting female entrepreneurs.
Dr. Zeeshan Zia is the CEO of Retrocausal. With a PhD in computer vision, Zeeshan is on a mission to transform manufacturing with AI Copilots. Zeeshan was a scientific leader at Microsoft’s HoloLens division, where he invented AI technologies to assist frontline workers across industries. Earlier, he shipped IoT platforms and visual defect detection software for manufacturers at Siemens and MVTec GmbH.
Zeeshan has authored more than 20 peer-reviewed publications on visual activity understanding, 3D scene understanding, learning from synthetic data, and machine learning systems, which were cited by every major lab from MIT, Stanford, and CMU, to Apple, Google, and Baidu.
He is also an inventor on almost 20 US patents or patent applications, and has shipped AI-first products including Microsoft HoloLens, Vuforia AR platform, MVTec Halcon, and camera based self-driving systems.
Hamish Mackenzie is the valuable difference champion.
Author, facilitator, advisor and coach, he helps international technology businesses identify new customer value and monetize it.
Working with business owners, CEOs and their senior executive teams, Hamish has over a decade’s worth of stunningly successful projects for startups, SMEs and large corporates across Europe, the US and Japan under his belt.
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm (EDT)
Transforming Manufacturing: The Role of Data and IIoT in Achieving Sustainability
This panel will focus on sustainable practices that leverage data, connectivity, and automation to transform manufacturing. The discussion will also cover how manufacturers implement circular economy principles by using data to improve recycling processes and resource reuse. Attendees will gain valuable insights into overcoming data silos and ensuring seamless connectivity across diverse manufacturing systems, paving the way for smarter, more sustainable operations.
Listed as one of the top 10 Leaders in IIoT by Industrial IoT World for 2019. Recognized thought leadership in the (IoT) Internet of Things software and hardware, Cloud Computing, Wireless Data Communications, Mesh Technologies,(WSN) wireless-sensor-networks, CBRS/Private LTE and more..
Executive level business and product development background with a highly successful track record in recognizing, creating and developing new growth strategies including strong strategic channel development experience. Unique ability to initiate dialogue and quickly establish trust and create personal relationships. Ethical and trustworthy and practices the belief that integrity is much easier kept than regained. Recognized for strong team leadership, extensive industry network and hitting business targets.
Specialties: Development and execution of strategic sales initiatives, product management, merger and acquisition targeting and planning, team development and leadership, building positive corporate culture.
Torey Penrod-Cambra is the Co-Founder & Chief Communications Officer of HighByte, focused on the company's messaging strategy, market presence, and ability to operationalize.
Torey’s career began with a focus on biotechnology and international pharmaceutical product launches, and then evolved into a fast-climbing career in B2B industrial software. She is passionate about securing equal STEM opportunities for women, and excited by the potential of the Internet of Things in industrial environments.
Torey applies an analytical, data-driven approach to operations that reflects her academic achievements in both chemistry and ethics. Torey received a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and completed post-graduate studies in Bioethics Ethics and Health Law at the University of Pittsburgh.
Martin, a seasoned leader with a deep-rooted background in manufacturing, has dedicated his career to harnessing the power of technology to drive sustainable innovation.
His expertise, honed through years of hands-on experience and successful project implementations in Siemens manufacturing sites and the automotive industry, has positioned him as a pioneer in the field of IoT solutions.
As a key player in Siemens' internal start-up, SiGREEN, Martin has been instrumental in developing and scaling innovative software products. In his role as Product Owner, he oversees the development of software solutions that bridge the gap between customer IT/OT systems and SiGREEN's cloud platform, enabling the accurate determination and sharing of product carbon footprint data.
Luciano is part of the European process team at ARC, covering topics related to sustainability and is located in ARCs offices in Germany.
At ARC, Luciano assists companies in enhancing their asset performance while emphasizing sustainability. His responsibilities involve leading market research focused on sustainability and supporting asset owners in identifying optimal technologies to address their decarbonization challenges.
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm (EDT)
AI-Powered SecOps Solutions: The Pathway to Proactive & Resilient Cybersecurity
Join Fortinet Security Operations Solutions expert Matt Noon, as he leads a panel of accomplished technology experts in a panel discussion about the power of AI to transform and enhance manufacturing environments with best in-class cybersecurity solutions to manage today’s cyber challenges and fortify environments to meet future challenges.
Matt Noon - Senior Director, Security Operations is a veteran cybersecurity expert whose experience first began with Bradford Networks over 15 years ago, and continues at Fortinet, leading an experienced team of cybersecurity experts focused on Security Operations solutions.
Matt has been instrumental in helping customers in multiple industries address the cybersecurity needs of their organizations to reduce cyber-intrusion risks and fortify their networks with best-in-class solutions. Matt regularly speaks at national and regional conferences educating and advocating for cyber security.
He is a graduate of the New Jersey Institute of Technology.
Carlos Buenaño
Chief Technology Officer for Operational Technology Armis
Chief Technology Officer for Operational Technology Armis
Carlos Buenaño is the Chief Technology Officer for the Operational Technology (OT) vertical. With more than 30 years of progressive experience in the control systems and telecommunications field, Carlos’ history includes positions such as Principal Systems Engineer, Senior ICS Cybersecurity Consultant, Solutions Architect and Technical Account Manager and Principal Solutions Architect. Carlos has been actively involved in several brown and green field industrial control systems projects in Manufacturing, mining and Oil and Gas, from the concept definition to the commissioning stages of the projects. The last 5 years of his career have been focused on operationalizing cybersecurity Solutions on industrial networks. He possesses a degree of Electronic Engineering and a master's degree in telecommunications.
John is a senior business leader at Red Hat focused on architecting technical solutions that are bottom-line focused for organizations by helping them utilize Containers to connect Edge Computing to Data Scientists while leveraging private and public cloud services intelligently. John’s experience includes working with AI/ML organizations to certify on Red Hat platforms.
He is a graduate of the University of Houston.
Karla de Jong
Software Technology Manager, Industrial Internet of Things Intel
Software Technology Manager, Industrial Internet of Things Intel
Karla de Jong is a Manager for Intel’s Software Technologies such as Cybersecurity, Virtualization and Manageability, where she is responsible for establishing Intel’s product roadmaps, technical marketing, and partnerships to deliver solutions to enable Software Defined Industrial Automation transformation. She is a seasoned Technology Business Leader in cybersecurity spanning 2 decades of Enterprise, consumer and now OT markets.
Karla is a graduate of the University of Johannesburg.