by Ian Khan | Oct 10, 2023 | Futurist Blog
Nick Szabo: Often considered the father of smart contracts, Szabo coined the term back in the 1990s, even before blockchain became a buzzword. He envisioned self-executing contracts and has since then contributed immensely to its conceptual evolution.
Vitalik Buterin: As the co-founder of Ethereum, the primary platform for smart contract development, Buterin’s contributions are foundational. His discussions, articles, and projects provide a deep understanding of the subject.
Gavin Wood: Another key Ethereum co-founder, Wood wrote the platform’s yellow paper, which provided the technical specification for its virtual machine, EVM, where smart contracts run. His current work with Polkadot also encompasses smart contract functionalities.
Sergey Nazarov: As the co-founder of Chainlink, Nazarov focuses on creating secure oracle networks to support more complex smart contracts that need external data inputs.
Joseph Lubin: A co-founder of Ethereum and the founder of ConsenSys, Lubin’s understanding of Ethereum-based smart contract development and his ventures make him a key player in the smart contract space.
Dr. Christian Cachin: A professor of Computer Science with a focus on blockchain, Cachin’s work often dives deep into the security aspects of blockchain and smart contracts, providing valuable insights on their robustness and reliability.
Andrew Miller: A prominent blockchain researcher, Miller’s work addresses the security and scalability of blockchain systems and their corresponding smart contracts, ensuring they are both tamper-proof and efficient.
Dr. Elaine Shi: A Cornell professor and co-founder of IC3 (Initiative for Cryptocurrencies and Contracts), Shi’s research on the security and scalability of blockchain and smart contracts is groundbreaking.
Tim Coulter: As the founder of Truffle Suite, a popular Ethereum development environment, Coulter’s tools have become synonymous with smart contract development, providing a platform for developers to build and manage their decentralized applications.
Mariano Conti: A developer at MakerDAO, Conti’s insights into decentralized finance (DeFi) and its implementation via smart contracts provide a view into one of the most active sectors utilizing smart contract technology.
by Ian Khan | Oct 10, 2023 | Futurist Blog
George Mashini – Catavolt (Hexagon PPM): As the former CEO of Catavolt, George brought an innovative approach to rapid mobile app development. Under his direction, Catavolt emphasized the importance of no-code platforms in streamlining enterprise operations.
Albert Santalo – 8base: Founder and CEO of 8base, Albert champions the low-code development model. His work emphasizes the significance of reducing the barriers to app development, enabling businesses to be more agile and adaptive.
Haya Zahid – Microsoft Power Platform: Haya has been a passionate advocate for Microsoft’s Power Platform, a suite of low-code, no-code solutions. Her insights into PowerApps, Flow, and Power BI have been instrumental in popularizing these tools amongst developers and business users.
Brian Reale – ProcessMaker: Brian co-founded ProcessMaker, a leading low-code business process management platform. His expertise lies in simplifying complex workflows and creating efficient digital processes.
Paulo Rosado – OutSystems: As the CEO of OutSystems, Paulo has been at the forefront of the low-code movement. His work revolves around enabling faster digital transformation through easy-to-use development tools.
Ann Monroe – FileMaker (Apple Subsidiary): Ann, as a senior figure at FileMaker, has emphasized the democratization of software development. She believes in empowering individuals, regardless of their technical background, to create custom business solutions.
Gareth Jones – Mendix: A leading voice at Mendix, Gareth has focused on blending low-code development with AI capabilities. He believes that future app development will be driven by a combination of low-code platforms and intelligent automation.
Dave Landa – Kintone: As the CEO of Kintone, Dave promotes the idea of team-driven application building. He stands by the principle that business users should have the tools to create the solutions they need without waiting for IT.
Kwame Thomison – Airtable: At Airtable, Kwame emphasizes the blend of spreadsheets, databases, and no-code development. His work has made complex tasks, like building relational databases, more accessible to non-developers.
Karen Peacock – Intuit QuickBase: As the former SVP at Intuit QuickBase, Karen has focused on providing businesses, especially SMEs, with the power to build their tools. She advocates for empowering users to create their solutions and foster innovation.
by Ian Khan | Oct 10, 2023 | Futurist Blog
Ben Galbraith – Co-heading Google’s mobile developer strategy, Ben has been a force in the mobile development world. With extensive experience in product development and a focus on user interfaces, his perspectives provide invaluable insights into mobile user experience and development strategies.
Ray Wenderlich – The man behind the popular tutorial website ‘RayWenderlich.com’. Ray has championed mobile development, especially for iOS, with his in-depth tutorials, resources, and tools that have been pivotal for many budding mobile developers.
Jake Wharton – Working with Square and having previously been at Google, Jake is a renowned figure in the Android community. His contributions to open-source projects and his insights into advanced mobile development methodologies make him a must-follow.
Brian Leroux – Co-founder of PhoneGap, a popular mobile app development framework, Brian’s influence has helped steer cross-platform mobile app development. He champions the idea of “write once, run everywhere.”
Natasha Murashev – Also known as “NatashaTheRobot”, Natasha is an influential voice in the Swift development community. She curates a popular newsletter and shares insightful content on iOS development, with a strong emphasis on Swift.
Chris Banes – An Android developer advocate at Google, Chris is deeply involved in Android’s open-source projects. His GitHub repository and talks provide hands-on knowledge and best practices for Android developers.
Christina Warren – A senior tech analyst at Mashable, Christina’s insights into mobile trends, including app development nuances across platforms, offer both breadth and depth.
Eli White – With a rich history in PHP and now focusing on iOS, Eli brings a full-stack perspective to mobile app development. He’s the author of several programming books and is known for his practical insights and strategies in mobile development.
James Montemagno – A Principal Program Manager for Mobile Developer Tools at Microsoft, James’s expertise in Xamarin provides developers with strategies to develop cross-platform apps efficiently. He hosts podcasts, writes blogs, and speaks at conferences, spreading his knowledge about mobile development.
Tim Kadlec – Specializing in performance web solutions, Tim offers a unique perspective on mobile web app development. His discussions revolve around optimizing mobile web apps, ensuring they’re as responsive and efficient as possible.
by Ian Khan | Oct 10, 2023 | Futurist Blog
Patricia Thompson, Ph.D. – A corporate psychologist and executive coach, Thompson is the founder of Silver Lining Psychology. She provides insightful resources on leadership, emotional intelligence, and career growth, and frequently contributes to renowned publications like the Harvard Business Review.
Jon Acuff – Bestselling author of the book “Do Over,” Acuff has solidified his position as an expert in career transitions, development, and chasing dreams. His humorous yet insightful take on career building is both refreshing and immensely practical.
J.T. O’Donnell – Founder and CEO of Work It Daily, a platform offering career support, O’Donnell focuses on helping professionals at all stages navigate their careers. Her expertise covers job search strategies, workplace issues, and personal development.
Lindsey Pollak – A multi-generational workplace expert, Pollak provides advice for young professionals and organizations that want to tap into the potential of the millennial generation. Her content, talks, and books are centered around career advice tailored for the modern age.
Hannah Morgan – Recognized as a LinkedIn Top Voice in job search and careers, Morgan’s platform, Career Sherpa, guides individuals through job searches, personal branding, and career navigation in the digital era.
Alison Doyle – A career expert with a vast amount of experience, Doyle is a key contributor to The Balance Careers. She covers everything from job searching to career planning, providing actionable advice and resources.
Mark Anthony Dyson – The voice behind the award-winning “The Voice of Job Seekers” podcast, Dyson tackles various career challenges, including unemployment, underemployment, and job searching, offering insights and advice to a diverse audience.
Lou Adler – CEO and founder of The Adler Group, Adler focuses on performance-based hiring. He’s penned multiple books, including “The Essential Guide for Hiring & Getting Hired,” and frequently shares his hiring and career development expertise.
Ryan Rhoten – With a focus on personal branding, Rhoten’s platform is all about building a brand that helps individuals advance in their careers. His book, “CareerKred,” and his podcast provide further insights into building and maintaining a robust digital presence.
Dr. Dawn Graham – As the career director for The Wharton School’s Executive MBA Program and host of the SiriusXM’s popular weekly show “Dr. Dawn on Careers,” Graham offers expert guidance on contemporary job searches, networking, and career pivots.
by Ian Khan | Oct 10, 2023 | Futurist Blog
John C. Maxwell – A leadership guru, Maxwell has penned multiple books on leadership principles. His foundational concepts like the “5 Levels of Leadership” have influenced countless individuals and corporations.
Simon Sinek – Known for his concept of “Start With Why”, Sinek emphasizes the importance of intrinsic motivation in leadership. His TED Talk on the same topic is one of the most viewed ever, underlining the importance of purpose in leadership and organizations.
Brené Brown – Dr. Brown’s work on vulnerability has had a transformative effect on leadership thinking. By underscoring the strength in vulnerability, she presents a human approach to leadership that resonates with many.
Robin Sharma – Author of “The Leader Who Had No Title”, Sharma believes leadership is less about titles and more about attitude. His focus is on personal mastery as the foundation of genuine leadership.
Marshall Goldsmith – A renowned executive coach, Goldsmith has influenced the C-suite in many top companies. His method centers around behavioral changes in leaders to achieve improvements in themselves and their teams.
Stephen R. Covey – Though he passed away in 2012, Covey’s influence remains powerful. His book, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”, continues to be a leadership manual for many, emphasizing personal effectiveness as a path to becoming a great leader.
Daniel Goleman – Introducing the concept of Emotional Intelligence (EI), Goleman emphasizes the critical role of emotions in leadership. Leaders with high EI are more likely to succeed and foster positive organizational cultures.
Rosalind Cardinal – Known as the “Leadership Alchemist”, Cardinal’s insights focus on the transformation of individuals into leaders, emphasizing personal growth and emotional intelligence.
Dorie Clark – A former presidential campaign spokeswoman, Clark is a renowned author and leadership educator at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. Her expertise lies in personal branding, understanding political dynamics in organizations, and building a portfolio career.
Bill George – A senior fellow at Harvard Business School, George’s work revolves around “authentic leadership”. He believes that alignment of passion and values is vital for leadership success.
