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Connecting the data center ecosystem to design, build & operate sustainable digital infrastructure for the AI age

Bringing together more than 3,500 senior leaders working on North America's largest data center projects, DCD>Connect | New York will drive industry collaboration, help you forge new partnerships and identify innovative solutions to your core challenges.

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First class event that presented a wide variety of perspectives and technologies in an engaging and informative forum.

Data Center Project Architect, AWS

  • 3 Co-located events
  • 120+ Exhibitors showcasing the latest tech
  • 250+ Expert speakers
  • 3,500+ Senior Data Center Professionals
  • Our speakers

    Tom Garvens

    Vice President - Advanced Technology Innovation, Google

    Tom Garvens

    Tom Garvens

    Vice President - Advanced Technology Innovation, Google

    Hands on technology executive with over 30 years of leadership in architectural definition, team building, engineering execution, and launch success. Results oriented with a strong track record of execution, incorporating many first to market IP elements. Track record of talent acquisition, development, and retention. Core Competencies: Cultivating innovation, execution planning/steering, tech partner relationships, and customer collaboration.

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    Welcome Panel: AI unleashed - Data, compute and the future of everything

    • Main Stage
    • Investment & Markets
    • Compute, Storage & Networking
    • Open Session
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    Andria Zou

    Senior Director of Global AI Strategies and Solutions, NVIDIA

    Andria Zou

    Andria Zou

    Senior Director of Global AI Strategies and Solutions, NVIDIA

    Capacity Planning Welcome Lunch

    • Cloud & Hybrid
    • Hospitality & Networking
    • Invite-only Session
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    Keith Heyde

    Keith Heyde

    Director, Infrastructure Strategy & Development, OpenAI

    John Hawkins

    Global Cloud Data Center Real Estate Lead, IBM

    John Hawkins - IBM.jpg

    John Hawkins

    Global Cloud Data Center Real Estate Lead, IBM

    John Hawkins is the IBM Global Data Center Strategy and Planning Lead. John brings over 20 years and $3B of leasing experience in the data center and commercial real estate fields. John is best known for his work at Telx, where he was the Director of Global Real Estate & Data Center Expansions. During his years at Telx, John expanded the data center portfolio over seven hundred percent and negotiated over $1B+ in leases, leading to the acquisition of Telx by Digital Realty for $1.9 billion. Prior to Telx, John was Vice President of Real Estate and Data Center Logistics at Exenet Technologies, where he was responsible for the complete ownership of a multi-country facility build-out.  Earlier in his career, John was Vice President of International Operations & Real Estate at The Matlen Silver Group, where he opened operations in India and Trinidad.  

    John earned his Masters of Real Estate at New York University.

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    Major Panel: Fragmented, but functional? - Redefining capacity planning for the future

    • Main Stage
    • Management & Operations
    • Cloud & Hybrid
    • Open Session
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    John Hilt

    Head of Data Center & Operations, GEICO

    John Hilt

    John Hilt

    Head of Data Center & Operations, GEICO

    John Hilt is a highly-regarded executive with a distinguished career in data center operations, consulting engineering, and corporate real estate. With a specialized focus on digital infrastructure and critical facility management, he has successfully led large-scale data center construction, operation, and optimization projects. His expertise spans the full spectrum of design, construction management, and space planning, positioning him as a leading figure in the fast-paced, mission-critical world of data centers.

    John is highly qualified in client relationship management, portfolio leadership, and performance enhancement, and excels in budgetary planning and team leadership. He has a proven track record of managing multi-million-dollar, fast-tracked programs and high-stakes data center projects that demand precision, scalability, and operational efficiency.

    As an innovative problem solver, John is known for his ability to manage large, cross-functional teams, establish and control yearly budgets, and drive critical infrastructure projects to success. He communicates effectively with all stakeholders, including executive leadership, shareholders, clients, integrators, and vendors, ensuring seamless coordination and alignment

    John’s relentless drive for excellence ensures a results-oriented, committed approach focused on operational resilience, future-proofing solutions, and sustained growth.

    John is a Licensed Professional Engineer that holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering and master’s degree in Business Administration from University of Delaware. He is also the recipient of multiple global awards for innovation.

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    Major Panel: Fission Accomplished? Bridging energy gaps as nuclear power takes center stage

    • Main Stage
    • Energy & Sustainability
    • Mission Critical Power
    • Open Session
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    Jerrod Buterbaugh

    PMTS - Data Center Thermal and Power Architecture, AMD

    Jerrod Buterbaugh

    Jerrod Buterbaugh

    PMTS - Data Center Thermal and Power Architecture, AMD

    Jerrod Buterbaugh serves as a Principal Engineer in AMD’s Datacenter and Embedded Solutions Group, where he specializes in data center power and cooling infrastructure, with a focus on high-density, liquid-cooled computing systems. Jerrod began his career in the United States Air Force as an Avionics and Electrical Technician before moving into the tech industry. He spent 15 years at IBM, developing expertise in server power systems design and data center power and cooling engineering. Following IBM, Jerrod spent 10 years at Lenovo and was instrumental in advancing cooling technologies and services, particularly in energy efficient facility design and deployment of direct liquid cooled servers. Jerrod joined AMD in 2024 and guides AMD’s data center power and cooling infrastructure strategy and supports industry initiatives around high density, liquid-cooled GPU platforms. Jerrod has 24 patents in power and cooling technology and is a member of Open Compute Project and ASHRAE TC9.9, contributing to industry standards. Jerrod holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Florida.

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    Major Panel: Too cool to commit? Breaking down barriers to liquid cooling adoption

    • Main Stage
    • Data Center Cooling
    • Open Session
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    Herb Tracy

    Global Director of Critical Site Operations, BlackRock

    Herb Tracy 180

    Herb Tracy

    Global Director of Critical Site Operations, BlackRock

    Herb Tracy's experience includes over 30 years of MEP Engineering, Facilities Management, Data Center Design and Management, Alternative Energy - Fuel Cells, Windmills, and Photovoltaic, Power Plant Maintenance and Management - Combined Cycle Gas Turbines and Steam Turbines, Environmental, Health, and Safety Management, and Business Development.

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    Major Panel: Scaling up - What is the future of the enterprise?

    • Main Stage
    • Management & Operations
    • Cloud & Hybrid
    • Compute, Storage & Networking
    • Open Session
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    John Lee

    Executive Director, Wells Fargo

    John Lee

    John Lee

    Executive Director, Wells Fargo

    John Lee is an innovative technology executive focused on operational excellence through driving change. Combining a proven track record for providing outstanding results and building teams with diverse skills to deliver the highest-level of customer service. Core abilities regarding analysis and optimization. Passionate about continuous learning.

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    DCD>Debate: Clouded judgment - Are enterprises asking too much of cloud providers?

    • Cloud & Hybrid
    • Open Session
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    Kapil Wannere

    AVP - Network Engineering, Barclays

    Kapil Wannere

    Kapil Wannere

    AVP - Network Engineering, Barclays

    Kapil Wannere is a seasoned expert in IT infrastructure, cloud architecture, and network solutions, dedicated to designing and delivering innovative, scalable, and secure technologies that drive business success. With a strong foundation in SD-WAN, datacenter management, IT security, and cloud systems, Kapil specializes in creating cutting-edge solutions tailored to meet evolving organizational needs.

    Whether streamlining enterprise IT operations, deploying advanced cloud solutions, or optimizing network security, Kapil is passionate about solving complex challenges with precision, creativity, and professionalism.

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    DCD>Debate: Will DCIM help navigate the data flood, or sink your operations?

    • Management & Operations
    • Open Session
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    Dr. Ehsaan Farsimadan

    Snr Manager, Colocation Engineering EMEA, AWS

    Ehsaan Profile Photo

    Dr. Ehsaan Farsimadan

    Snr Manager, Colocation Engineering EMEA, AWS

    Ehsaan Farsimadan is a Senior Manager of Colocation Engineering for EMEA at AWS, responsible for leading the expansion of the Colocation Engineering organization, team scaling, including design and life cycle engineering of all AWS Colo data centers in EMEA. Prior to this, Ehsaan was a Senior Consultant at Uptime Institute, responsible for data center design and facility Tier certifications, in addition to being an ATD course instructor. He also worked for companies offering digital twin modelling for data center energy and cost performance, including M&E design consultancy early in his career. Ehsaan is a chartered engineer accredited by the IMechE, and he obtained his doctorate (PhD) in Mechanical Engineering Turbulence Research in 2008.

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    Major Panel: Scaling up - What is the future of the enterprise?

    • Main Stage
    • Management & Operations
    • Cloud & Hybrid
    • Compute, Storage & Networking
    • Open Session
    Schneider Electric349x175
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    Wellington Lordelo

    Global Director of AI & Innovation, Digital Realty

    Wellington Lordelo

    Wellington Lordelo

    Global Director of AI & Innovation, Digital Realty

    Welcome Panel: AI unleashed - Data, compute and the future of everything

    • Main Stage
    • Investment & Markets
    • Compute, Storage & Networking
    • Open Session
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    Jennifer Ruch

    Director of Sustainability, Oracle

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    Jennifer Ruch

    Director of Sustainability, Oracle

    Jennifer is a sustainability leader within the Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) Data Center Engineering team and is leading energy and sustainability for data center services. She is working towards Oracle's goals to be 100% renewable by 2025 and embed sustainability within one of the world's fastest growing public clouds.

    Prior to joining Oracle, Jennifer led Equinix's global Sustainability Program Office located within Investor Relations, helping them the EPA Green Power Partner of the year in 2020 as well as one of the largest corporate renewable energy buyers worldwide. In 2020, Jennifer also led the creation of Equinix's Green Finance Framework enabling the issuance of $3.7B in green bonds to finance their investments in green buildings, renewable energy, and energy and water efficiency. She also led their science-based targets and supported their leadership in the EU towards the formation of the EU Climate-Neutral Data Centre Operator Pact.

    She holds a master’s degree in Decision Analysis from Johns Hopkins University and an undergraduate degree in Chemistry.

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    DCD>Debate: Gridlocked - Can data centers ever escape their energy constraints?

    • Mission Critical Power
    • Open Session
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    James Sedoruk

    Director of Operations – East, Sabey Data Centers

    James Sedoruk

    James Sedoruk

    Director of Operations – East, Sabey Data Centers

    Major Panel: Rise of the machines - Is AI running your data center better than you?

    • Main Stage
    • Management & Operations
    • Open Session
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    Alise Porto

    SVP of Energy and Sustainability, Switch

    Alise Porto

    Alise Porto

    SVP of Energy and Sustainability, Switch

    Alise Porto joined the Switch team in 2015 and has held several key senior management roles, currently serving as SVP of Energy and Sustainability. As an invaluable member of the Sustainability Team, she is responsible for the oversight of Switch’s environmental, social and governance initiatives (ESG), and is responsible for implementing sustainable energy and resource management strategies that align with the company’s overall policies and goals of being environmentally and socially sustainable, in partnership with the Policy team.

    In addition, she leads Switch’s energy procurement strategy, and energy resources, including Switch’s retail electric provider activities in Texas and various resource management initiatives. She similarly leads the development and execution of special projects associated with business development and innovative sustainable water resource management.

    Alise also co-leads the Switch Newsroom team that is responsible for public relations, corporate communications and corporate events and represents the companies interests at the Nevada Legislature.

    Alise received her degree from University of Nevada Las Vegas and completed the University of California Berkeley Sustainable Capitalism & ESG program.

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    Major Panel: The sustainability imperative - Safeguarding data centers in an uncertain future

    • Main Stage
    • Energy & Sustainability
    • Open Session
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    Sophie Smith

    Director, Soben

    Sophie Smith

    Sophie Smith

    Director, Soben

    Based in the Southwestern US, Soben Director and Pre-Construction Lead, Sophie Smith specializes in data center preconstruction and post contract cost management. Sophie has worked on some of the largest data center projects and programs in the US and world.

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    DCD>Debate: Is 'Pay-As-You-Go' the future of data center supply chains and vendor relationships?

    • Data Center Construction
    • Open Session
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    Agenda highlights

    Actionable solutions to the challenges dominating the headlines

  • 3 Co-located events
  • 120+ Exhibitors showcasing the latest tech
  • 250+ Expert speakers
  • 3,500+ Senior Data Center Professionals
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