Max Killinger is a seasoned executive in IT leadership with extensive experience managing international responsibilities and driving transformative initiatives. As the Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Vice President of Corporate IT at the Hoffmann Group in Munich, Germany, Max oversees the development and execution of IT strategies that align with the organization’s evolving business goals. His expertise spans digital business model transformation, IT governance, compliance, information security, and the operation of cutting-edge datacenters and IT infrastructure.

Before joining the Hoffmann Group, Max served as Director of IT at Schwarz Dienstleistung KG, the parent company of Lidl and Kaufland, for seven years. During his tenure, he led the IT organization and established a groundbreaking Business Consulting Department, spearheading the digital agenda for the Schwarz Group’s Central Services, founded in 2014. His visionary leadership and ability to align technology with business objectives have consistently delivered innovative solutions and operational excellence.

Max’s leadership philosophy centers on fostering innovation, ensuring robust IT compliance, and enhancing infrastructure to support global operations. His experience in both strategic planning and hands-on execution makes him a key driver of digital transformation in the corporate IT landscape.

Boyan is the Chief Technology Officer of SIXT, responsible for the company’s tech vision and strategy. Prior to joining SIXT in 2015, Boyan had a long career in the startup ecosystems in the UK and Bulgaria. He has successfully delivered mission critical services and digital transformations in the mobility, security, and finance areas.

Boyan has been an AWS user since 2008 and has over 15 years of experience in cloud architecture and distributed systems. He has helped many small and large businesses increase their efficiency and delivery by migrating their workloads to the cloud and designing cloud-native applications. He is a frequent speaker at AWS meetups and Summits, sharing design patterns for developing and operating solutions at scale. A devoted Golang enthusiast, Boyan has maintained in the past one of the most popular AWS SDKs in Go, helping the community to utilize AWS services.

Outside of work, Boyan enjoys spending time with his young family, and practicing his hobbies: martial arts and skiing.

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Prof. Dr. Torsten Eymann is Chief Information Officer (CIO) at the University of Bayreuth, Germany. He is spokesperson for all Bavarian universities’ CIOs and co-president of the German association of University CIOs. He is University professor at U Bayreuth and co-director of the Fraunhofer institute for Applied Informatics (Fraunhofer FIT), Branch Business & Branch Business & Information Systems Engineering of the Fraunhofer FIT. From 2015 to 2021, he served as Vice President for Digitalization and Innovation at the University of Bayreuth. His research focuses on the digital transformation of society, focusing on areas such as digital health and digital education, and the acceptance and social impact of digital technologies such as artificial intelligence.

David Sänger is the Group Data Protection Officer and Vice President Digital & Data Law at GEA. In his role, he is responsible for the global Data Protection Management System at GEA and the compliance with the growing global digital regulation such as AI, Data and Cybersecurity laws. David and his international team of experts regularly advise on IT projects, digital business transformation and products, information security topics, deal with compliance and contractual aspects of IT providers, license topics, and cover the technical aspects of co-determination in Germany. Prior to joining GEA, he worked at an international law firm in Frankfurt. He is also a lecturer for Business Informatics with a focus on Legal and Compliance Requirements for IT Governance at the University of Bamberg.

With having both a legal and business informatics background, David excels at developing forward-thinking solutions to integrate regulatory requirements in IT and business processes with a focus on automation, efficiency, reduction of complexity and user experience to secure the compliance of organisations.

He is a popular speaker at conferences in legal, data protection and cybersecurity circles, dedicated to advance compliance solutions for digitally transforming organisations in an increasingly complex regulatory and political environment. His core interests lie in acting as a network catalyst to bring stakeholders together and work towards successful and compliant business results.

Itay serves as the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at SIXT, a leading global premium car rental company. In his role, he is responsible for devising and implementing the company’s global security strategy and overseeing its global information security organization. With over a decade of experience in military-grade defensive and offensive cyber operations, Itay has held various technological, operational, and management roles within the Israeli 8200 cyber unit. His extensive career also includes significant expertise in Cyber Crisis Management and Incident Response, providing consultation to Boards and key stakeholders of Fortune 500 companies and large enterprises. Itay’s background in developing and working with cutting-edge technologies and teams equips him with a unique overview of the information security landscape, enabling him to effectively strategize and lead the implementation of resilient and efficient security programs.

Currently as the CISO at Allianz Direct, a leader in the insurance industry, and formerly at PagoNxt – A Santander Company, a leader in payments, Naveen brings 18+ years of experience in crafting and executing impactful cybersecurity strategies. Known for transformative leadership and building high-performance teams, Naveen combines a strong background in software engineering with visionary leadership to drive security excellence.  A dynamic, results-oriented leader and popular speaker in cybersecurity circles, Naveen is dedicated to advancing security in forward-thinking organizations.

Nikk Gilbert is a seasoned Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) with extensive international experience spanning multiple industries. As the CISO at RWE, he is dedicated to safeguarding the organization’s digital landscape while strategically aligning cybersecurity with business objectives. His distinguished career includes leadership roles in both government and private sectors, where he has spearheaded IT and cybersecurity initiatives for esteemed organizations such as the U.S. Army, NATO, Alstom, ConocoPhillips, CUNA Mutual Group, and the U.S. Navy. A pioneer in treating security as a business function since the early 2000s, Nikk recognized the critical need for cybersecurity professionals to bridge the gap between technical expertise and business acumen. By aligning cybersecurity strategies with corporate goals and customer needs, he has consistently demonstrated his ability to mitigate risks while enabling innovation and growth.

Nikk’s contributions to the field have earned him recognition as a Distinguished Fellow of the Ponemon Institute and the prestigious U.S. Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Medal. A sought-after thought leader, he regularly advises boards, speaks at global technology events, and has been featured in prominent publications. His business-first perspective on cybersecurity inspires trust and confidence among peers and industry leaders alike.

Originally from the United States, Nikk’s career has taken him across the globe, equipping him with a profound understanding of corporate culture and cross-cultural leadership. His global perspective enables him to connect with diverse audiences and address unique challenges effectively. Passionate about fostering resilient organizations, Nikk champions the idea that cybersecurity should serve as a catalyst for innovation and growth rather than a barrier.

Before generative AI became a mainstream topic, Martin Musiol already highlighted its potential in 2016. Since then, he’s been a prominent voice on the technology’s evolution, applications, and ethical questions, regularly speaking at conferences, podcasts, and panel discussions. Forward-looking, Martin’s focus spans GenAI, AI Agents, and Artificial General Intelligence (AGI).

In 2018, Martin founded GenerativeAI.net, where he taught over 12,000 students through courses and published the Generative AI: Short & Sweet newsletter to over 45,000 subscribers. His book, Generative AI – Navigating the Course to the AGI Future, published by Wiley & Son, explores the transformative implications of AI.

Martin led teams across Europe and the Middle East, helping organizations worldwide leverage AI, particularly LLMs, for competitive advantage.

Mathias Wilhelm has gained 25 years of experience in leading positions within the asset management and asset servicing industry. In 2022 he has been appointed as Managing Director of the institutional fund management company UI BVK. There, he is responsible for IT including IT security and data protection – in addition to his responsibilities for securities fund management of pension assets, operations, and outsourcing control. Before that, he managed as a divisional head of securities fund business an international team in Frankfurt, Luxembourg, and Krakow within the market-leading asset servicing provider Universal Investment Group. After completing his studies in economics, previous positions included roles at Allianz, Union Investment, Deka Bank and Deka Investment, where he worked in the areas of product management, corporate investment management, project management office and asset management. He focuses on developing sustainable and innovative business models, optimizing business processes using technology, and successfully managing teams internationally. 

Claudia currently is taking care of decommissioning legacy applications and steering the realization of the target application portfolio for Allianz Commercial. She has been with Allianz for 8 years, holding several positions in IT, Procurement and Corporate Services. Before this, she worked in project management and the culture sector. She holds a Ph.D. in European Ethnology. Her core interests lie in reducing complexity while keeping the required level of sophistication, delivering sustainable solutions and in general, cleaning up difficult situations.

Pheline Binz (Dipl. Biochem., M.A., MBA) started her career in a laboratory performing research in the field of Biophysics at the University of Notre Dame (IN, USA) and the University of Bielefeld (GER). Afterwards, she pursued a consulting career focusing on aspects such as communication, sound design, and software development. After working for Capgemini, Accenture, and other consulting companies as a Technology Consulting Manager and IT Strategist, she emerged into the Financial Industry as Enterprise Architect. She focusses on Data Architecture and developing the IT landscape strategically. She is also applying UX design principles to architecture, as well as specialized in identifying and implementing AI use cases in hybrid environments and historically grown structures. Since the beginning of 2024 she works for the Aareal Bank in Wiesbaden as the Director Enterprise Architecture.

Kayvon Salari is a seasoned leader in Data and Enterprise Architecture with over 25 years of experience in the IT industry. As the Head of Data Architecture and Business Analysis at Sky Deutschland GmbH, Kayvon is renowned for his ability to build and manage high-performing teams of data architects and analysts. His expertise encompasses designing scalable enterprise solutions, driving complex projects to completion, and leading transformative digital initiatives. His strong analytical acumen enables him to make data-driven decisions that directly enhance business growth and operational efficiency. With a proven track record in managing diverse stakeholders and vendors, he has consistently delivered successful projects that align with organizational goals. His leadership style and technical expertise make him a trusted partner in executing strategies that balance innovation with practical implementation. Kayvon’s career reflects his commitment to fostering collaboration, driving digital excellence, and architecting solutions that empower organizations to thrive in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

Audrey Braconi serves as the Director of Information Technology at MSD Deutschland, where she is committed to enhancing IT operations and fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation. Under her leadership, the IT organization has achieved significant strides in operational excellence, with a particular focus on strategic resource optimization and financial stewardship. Audrey’s strong budget management skills and emphasis on precise financial forecasting have delivered substantial cost savings while ensuring the organization’s long-term operational efficiency and effectiveness.

Beyond her role at MSD, Audrey is the President of PN Munich, where she is dedicated to empowering professionals through comprehensive educational and mentoring programs. Her leadership has contributed to the career growth of over 800 individuals, highlighting her passion for professional development. By forging key partnerships and delivering impactful leadership workshops, Audrey demonstrates her expertise in creating programs that inspire growth and advance careers.

Leeni Harno is the Head of Europe Compliance for Engineering Services at Amazon, where she leads an international team of compliance managers dedicated to ensuring regulatory compliance and risk management across Amazon’s European warehouses, including customer fulfillment and last-mile operations. As part of the Global Engineering Services leadership team, Leeni partners closely with warehouse operations teams to create the safest possible working environments for associates across 13 countries.

Her role encompasses end-to-end oversight of project development, change management, and process optimization, as well as the development of tools and mechanisms to support compliance and operational excellence. With a strategic and hands-on approach, Leeni is committed to fostering a culture of safety, efficiency, and innovation across Amazon’s European operations.

Martin is a Security Awareness Advocate for KnowBe4 and has over 10 years of experience in industry and research. He earned his doctorate from the University of Oxford with a thesis on privacy in the shared use of smart home devices. His research contributes to a better understanding of the human factors in cybersecurity. Martin believes that companies need to empower and encourage their employees to achieve resilience in cybersecurity. He regularly speaks and writes on the topics of Security Awareness and Privacy Behaviour.

Thomas is an accomplished sales leader with over a decade of experience driving success in the cybersecurity industry. Currently serving at Absolute Security, Thomas specialises in leading and building high-performing sales teams to increase revenue across Central Europe, with a primary focus on the DACH region (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland).

Since 2010, Thomas has been at the forefront of selling cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions, excelling in both collaborative sales team environments and first-man-on-the-ground scenarios. His expertise lies in closing complex deals with major accounts, fostering lasting client relationships, and navigating the dynamic challenges of the ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape. With a proven track record of delivering results, Thomas is passionate about enabling businesses to safeguard their digital assets while achieving their strategic goals.

As a Senior Director of Product Management, Matt is responsible for building product strategies and bringing the Ping Identity product portfolio to market. Matt works closely with customers and partners to understand their current and strategic business needs in order to convert them to identity outcomes that the product teams can deliver, resulting in the most modern and comprehensive platform in IAM.

Prior to joining Ping Identity, Matt has over 25 years experience in the Identity Management and Security space working with companies such as Oracle, Symantec, Unisys, ForgeRock, and Passlogix

As advocate for cloud technology, I specialize in developing and managing automated and distributed system architectures across various platforms, including private clouds, bare metal, and public cloud providers such as AWS, Azure, and GCP.
Currently, I am leading and cultivating technology teams dedicated to cloud-native transformations and enhancing cloud automation at Lufthansa. We leverage powerful tools such as Kubernetes and Terraform to innovate and streamline processes. I have a strong preference for open-source technologies, consistently seeking solutions that are not only robust but also scalable.

Richard Cassidy, CISO for EMEA at Rubrik, is a multifaceted leader with over 25 years of experience in scaling tech start-ups and shaping digital security. Known for his strategic acumen in business operations and customer value, he’s also a recognized authority in cybersecurity and SecOps transformation. His advisory roles extend to the MedTech sector and public health, underscored by his contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A keynote speaker and media contributor, Richard is the go-to strategic partner for CEOs, investors, and media outlets looking for actionable insights and sustainable growth of innovative technology businesses in today’s complex digital landscape. 

As a member of the Forbes Technology Council, he is a recognized industry thought leader and media contributor, sharing insights and expertise on cloud infrastructure, platform, compliance, managed services, security operations, threat hunting, forensics, incident response, big data, SIEM, IoT, MDM, and core networking.