2026 PASS Summit East
Pre-Con Speakers
Andreas Wolter
Data Architect Security, CEO, Sarpedon Quality Lab LLC
Andreas Wolter
Sarpedon Quality Lab LLC, Data Architect Security, CEO
Andreas Wolter is a data security expert and founder of Sarpedon Quality Lab. As a former Senior Program Manager for Azure SQL and SQL Server at Microsoft, he led the revamp of SQL Server’s permission system and designed the external authorization framework for Microsoft Purview, now also used by SQL databases in Microsoft Fabric. He served on Microsoft’s security review board, analyzing threat models for SQL Server and Azure SQL features, contributing to improvements aligned with the Principle of Least Privilege, and helping shape the last major overhaul of SQL vulnerability assessment in Microsoft Defender for SQL. One of only seven Microsoft Certified Solutions Masters (MCSM) for the Data Platform worldwide and a former Microsoft MVP, Andreas brings over 25 years of experience and has developed a SQL Server security assessment framework used to identify real-world risk patterns across enterprise environments. He regularly speaks at international conferences and helps organizations identify real risk, strengthen security, and improve performance and availability, and reduce costs across SQL Server environments – on-premises and in Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud.
Chris Hyde
Owner and Principal Consultant, Hydrate Consulting LLC
Chris Hyde
Hydrate Consulting LLC, Owner and Principal Consultant
Chris Hyde (he/him) is a Microsoft Data Platform MVP based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He works as an independent analytics consultant focusing on small and medium businesses, and is the leader of the Albuquerque local Azure Data Technologies group. He loves loud music and cricket, but not usually at the same time.
Erik Darling
Consultant, Darling Data
Erik Darling
Darling Data, Consultant
Erik has been working with SQL Server just about forever – Really challenging DBA/Developer/Architect roles – Started consulting for Brent Ozar Unlimited in 2015 Started Darling Data in 2019 – Worked with over 600 very happy clients – Lots of free community activity like blogging, training, open-source projects – Speaking about SQL Server at conferences all over the world.
Grant Fritchey
Product Advocate, Redgate
Grant Fritchey
Redgate, Product Advocate
Grant Fritchey is a Data Platform MVP and AWS Community Builder with over 30 years' experience in IT, including time spent in support and development. He works with multiple data platforms including SQL Server and PostgreSQL, as well as multiple cloud platforms. He has also developed in VB, VB.NET, C#, and Java.
Kristyna Ferris
Solutions Architect, P3 Adaptive
Kristyna Ferris
P3 Adaptive, Solutions Architect
Kristyna Ferris is a solution architect at P3 Adaptive. Her experience includes implementing and managing enterprise-level Power BI instance, training teams on reporting best practices, and building templates for scalable analytics. Passionate about participating and growing the data community, she enjoys co-writing on Data on Wheels (dataonwheels.com). She also a co-organizer for Lexington Data Technology Group.
Pat Wright
Product Advocate, Redgate
Pat Wright
Redgate, Product Advocate
Pat Wright is an Advocate with Redgate Software. He has been a database professional for 25 years, specializing in PostgreSQL for the past 10 years, after a long career with SQL Server. He has worked across large-scale SaaS platforms, early-stage startups, and a wide range of consulting engagements over the past decade. Pat currently serves as the Sponsor Coordinator for PGUS and as President of Utah Geek Events, and is a frequent speaker in both the PostgreSQL and SQL Server communities. His sessions draw on deep real-world experience with performance, automation, and operational best practices. Outside of tech, he enjoys photography, classic cars, and cycling.
General Session Speakers
Amit Arora
Amazon Web Services
Amit Arora
Amazon Web Services
Andrea Kaercher
Manager of Core Health, Fortified Data
Andrea Kaercher
Fortified Data, Manager of Core Health
Andrea Kaercher is a straight shooter known for dynamic presentation skills that blend strategic insight with practical action. As Director of People and Strategy at Fortified Data, a managed database services company, she leads organizational development for a 40-person remote-first team of DBAs, data engineers, and technical professionals, giving her daily expertise in the career challenges data professionals face. Andrea brings over 20 years of corporate facilitation experience, having designed and delivered leadership development programs and experiential learning workshops for national brands including Procter & Gamble, GE, and Yellowstone National Park. Her approach combines evidence-based frameworks with interactive engagement that drives real behavior change. A recognized voice in professional development and organizational culture, Andrea has spoken at PASS Summit 2022 ("Building a Culture that Embraces Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion"), Taste of IT 2024 ("Work Shouldn't Suck: The Business Case for Better Culture"), and Technology First conferences. Her March 2025 session on career growth strategies drew 60 registrants and closed due to capacity, demonstrating strong market demand for her practical, no-nonsense approach to professional development. Andrea holds a Master of Science and actively participates in the Warren County Leadership Program. She's known for challenging conventional wisdom about career advancement, helping technical professionals build power and influence without sacrificing their expertise or autonomy. When she's not facilitating workshops or advising leadership teams, she's trying to win plushies from claw machines, a hobby that teaches persistence, strategy, and the importance of knowing when to walk away.
Andreas Wolter
Data Architect Security, CEO, Sarpedon Quality Lab LLC
Andreas Wolter
Sarpedon Quality Lab LLC, Data Architect Security, CEO
Andreas Wolter is a data security expert and founder of Sarpedon Quality Lab. As a former Senior Program Manager for Azure SQL and SQL Server at Microsoft, he led the revamp of SQL Server’s permission system and designed the external authorization framework for Microsoft Purview, now also used by SQL databases in Microsoft Fabric. He served on Microsoft’s security review board, analyzing threat models for SQL Server and Azure SQL features, contributing to improvements aligned with the Principle of Least Privilege, and helping shape the last major overhaul of SQL vulnerability assessment in Microsoft Defender for SQL. One of only seven Microsoft Certified Solutions Masters (MCSM) for the Data Platform worldwide and a former Microsoft MVP, Andreas brings over 25 years of experience and has developed a SQL Server security assessment framework used to identify real-world risk patterns across enterprise environments. He regularly speaks at international conferences and helps organizations identify real risk, strengthen security, and improve performance and availability, and reduce costs across SQL Server environments – on-premises and in Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud.
Andy Yun
Consulting Field Solutions Architect, Everpure
Andy Yun
Everpure, Consulting Field Solutions Architect
Andy Yun is a Field Solutions Architect at Everpure (formerly Pure Storage), and has been a SQL Server data professional for almost 25 years. He focuses on performance tuning, with expertise in T-SQL, storage engine internals, and monitoring. Andy strongly believes in passing knowledge onto others, regularly speaking at conferences and user groups, and mentoring industry colleagues. Andy is a former Microsoft MVP, co-founder of the Chicago SQL Association, former co-leader of the Chicago Suburban User Group and Chicago SQL Saturday Organizing Committee.
Arneh Eskandari
Director of Solutions Engineering, Redgate
Arneh Eskandari
Redgate, Director of Solutions Engineering
Arneh has been with Redgate for over twelve years. During this time, he has partnered with organizations across a range of sectors, helping them to improve their overall database change management process. Recent projects have included evaluating DevOps maturity, implementing future recommendations such as automation, tackling complex and cross dependent databases, and delivering proof of concepts to large siloed development teams.
Ben Johnston
Principal Architect, I-Tech Solutions, Inc.
Ben Johnston
I-Tech Solutions, Inc., Principal Architect
Ben is a data architect from Iowa and has been working with SQL Server since version 6.5 in the late 90's. Ben focuses on performance tuning, warehouse implementations and optimizations, database security, and system integrations.
Bob Ward
Principal Architect, Microsoft
Bob Ward
Microsoft, Principal Architect
Bob Ward is a Principal Architect for the Microsoft Azure Data team, which owns the development for Microsoft SQL ground to cloud to fabric. Bob has worked for Microsoft for 32 years on every version of SQL Server shipped from OS/2 1.1 to SQL Server 2025 including Azure SQL and SQL database in Fabric. Bob is a well-known speaker on SQL Server, Azure SQL, AI, and Microsoft Fabric often presenting talks on new releases, internals, and specialized topics at events such as SQLBits, Microsoft Build, Microsoft Ignite, PASS Summit, Fabric Community Conference, and VS Live. You can also learn Azure SQL from him on the popular series https://aka.ms/azuresql4beginners. You can follow him at @bobwardms or linkedin.com/in/bobwardms. Bob is the author of the books Pro SQL Server on Linux, SQL Server 2019 Revealed, Azure SQL Revealed, SQL Server 2022 Revealed, Azure SQL Revealed 2nd Edition, and SQL Server 2025 Unveiled available from Apress Media.
Chris Hyde
Owner and Principal Consultant, Hydrate Consulting LLC
Chris Hyde
Hydrate Consulting LLC, Owner and Principal Consultant
Chris Hyde (he/him) is a Microsoft Data Platform MVP based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He works as an independent analytics consultant focusing on small and medium businesses, and is the leader of the Albuquerque local Azure Data Technologies group. He loves loud music and cricket, but not usually at the same time.
Edwin M Sarmiento
Managing Director, 15C
Edwin M Sarmiento
15C, Managing Director
Edwin M Sarmiento is the Managing Director of 15C, a consulting and training company that specializes in designing, implementing and supporting SQL Server infrastructures. He is a 12-year former Microsoft Data Platform MVP and Microsoft Certified Master from Ottawa, Canada (but he’s originally from the Philippines) specializing in high availability, disaster recovery and system infrastructures running on the Microsoft server technology stack. His background in Unix has taken him to the world of DevOps and Docker to containerize SQL Server. He is very passionate about technology but has interests in music, neuroscience, social psychology, professional and organizational development, leadership and management matters when not working with databases.
Erik Darling
Consultant, Darling Data
Erik Darling
Darling Data, Consultant
Erik has been working with SQL Server just about forever – Really challenging DBA/Developer/Architect roles – Started consulting for Brent Ozar Unlimited in 2015 Started Darling Data in 2019 – Worked with over 600 very happy clients – Lots of free community activity like blogging, training, open-source projects – Speaking about SQL Server at conferences all over the world.
G-Su Paek
Solutions Engineer, Redgate
G-Su Paek
Redgate, Solutions Engineer
G-Su Paek has been working in pre-sales for over 6+ years, having been with Redgate for almost a year. He has a background in Cybersecurity, Sales, and Solution Architecture.
Jeremy Nathan
CEO / Trainer, JN Training, Inc
Jeremy Nathan
JN Training, Inc, CEO / Trainer
Jeremy Nathan is the CEO of JN Training, a Chattanooga-based training company. A Microsoft Certified Trainer and Power BI Data Analyst, Jeremy has experience across various industries, from hands-on roles in production to office-based positions. He founded JN Training to help individuals enhance their skills through effective learning experiences. With a deep understanding of diverse learning styles, Jeremy leads workshops in both technology, including Microsoft applications, and soft skills, such as leadership and communication.
Kellyn Pot'Vin-Gorman
Product Advocate, Redgate
Kellyn Pot'Vin-Gorman
Redgate, Product Advocate
Kellyn Gorman is a Database and AI Advocate and Engineer at Redgate She's the previous director of Data and AI at Silk, and the Oracle SME in Azure at Microsoft. With a robust background in cloud technology and a passion for promoting its merits and potential, I am thrilled to spearhead conversations and actions that help shape the future of this industry. Kellyn has authored numerous technical books, white papers and solution repositories in Github on database, AI and engineering topics.
Kristyna Ferris
Solutions Architect, P3 Adaptive
Kristyna Ferris
P3 Adaptive, Solutions Architect
Kristyna Ferris is a solution architect at P3 Adaptive. Her experience includes implementing and managing enterprise-level Power BI instance, training teams on reporting best practices, and building templates for scalable analytics. Passionate about participating and growing the data community, she enjoys co-writing on Data on Wheels (dataonwheels.com). She also a co-organizer for Lexington Data Technology Group.
Mariya Ali
Microsoft
Mariya Ali
Microsoft
Mariya Ali, Product Manager at Microsoft's Fabric Datawarehouse, specializes in crafting query optimization and observability experiences. She thrives on empowering customers with actionable insights that elevate the user experience and drive maximum efficiency in data analytics.
Matt Gordon
Practice Director, Data & Analytics, Lean TECHniques
Matt Gordon
Lean TECHniques, Practice Director, Data & Analytics
Matt is a Microsoft Data Platform MVP and has worked with Microsoft data technology since 2000 and Azure AI since 2017. He is the leader of the Lexington, KY Data Technology Group and a frequent domestic and international community speaker. He's a Redgate Community Ambassador and an author of two books. His original data professional role was in database development, which quickly evolved into query tuning work as a DBA in the healthcare realm. He has supported several critical systems utilizing SQL Server, Azure SQL, and Microsoft Fabric and managed dozens of 24/7/365 data estates. As a consultant, he works with customers large, medium, and small to migrate to the cloud, make their data estate operate efficiently, and find the right tools and solutions within the Microsoft data & AI ecosystem.
Poulami Maity
Amazon Web Services
Poulami Maity
Amazon Web Services
Steve Jones
Product Advocate, Redgate
Steve Jones
Redgate, Product Advocate
Steve Jones has been working with databases and computers for over two decades. He has worked with SQL Server since 1991, from v4.2 through SQL Server 2016. He has been a DBA, developer, and manager in a variety of large and small companies across multiple industries. In 2001 Steve founded SQLServerCentral with two partners and has been publishing technical articles and facilitating discussions among SQL Server professionals ever since. He currently is the full-time editor of SQLServerCentral, as well as an evangelist for Redgate Software. Steve is a 10-year Microsoft Data Platform MVP and lives on a horse ranch in Colorado.
Tyler Garner
Data Scientist, ION Storage Systems
Tyler Garner
ION Storage Systems, Data Scientist
Vanshika Nigam
Amazon Web Services
Vanshika Nigam
Amazon Web Services
I am a Database Specialist Solutions Architect at AWS, specializing in database migration at scale. I help customers accelerate their journey from on-premises and commercial databases to AWS Cloud database solutions. With over 7.5 years of experience in Amazon RDS and AWS DMS, I specializes in designing and implementing efficient database migration strategies.