The Grand Jury Panel of the Noble Technology Awards comprises a distinguished assembly of global professionals with deep expertise in technology, innovation, and business leadership. Representing a wide range of industries and regions, our jurors include senior executives, engineers, entrepreneurs, researchers, and digital transformation experts who are passionate about advancing excellence in technology.
This international panel is entrusted with upholding the values of excellence, fairness, and integrity. Through a blind judging process, they evaluate entries solely on merit, ensuring that the most impactful achievements and innovations are rightfully recognized and celebrated. Their collective vision helps shape the future of technology recognition worldwide.
Costa Rica
Daniel Montiel
Founder and Owner, Gitanos
Daniel Montiel is the founder and owner of Gitanos in Costa Rica, a renowned and leading agency specializing in brand building within the region.
As both the founder and owner, he offers expert counsel to numerous business clients across multiple countries in Latin America and the United States. He has applied his creative abilities to serve a wide array of clients, including major names like Coca-Cola Company, Jeep, Mercedes Benz, Renault, Costa Rica Brewery (Imperial Beer), Essential Costa Rica (country brand), and more.
Across his career, Montiel has displayed remarkable tenacity and an unwavering drive for success. He has achieved exceptional results, garnering over 60 prestigious international awards at some of the most renowned advertising festivals. Additionally, his thought leadership is evident through numerous publications in prominent blogs and advertising magazines, solidifying his status as a global authority in the fields of branding and design.
United States
Naresh Erukulla
Lead Data Engineer, Macy's Technology Inc
Naresh Erukulla is a highly skilled data engineering professional with over 10 years of experience in designing and implementing scalable, data-driven solutions that drive business transformation. As the Lead Data Engineer at Macy’s Inc., he plays a key role in shaping the company’s data strategy, ensuring data quality, and integrating machine learning models into data pipelines. His expertise spans cloud computing, big data analytics, Python, machine learning, and AI technologies, and he has led high-impact projects that have driven retail sales growth, improved customer acquisition rates, enhanced performance, and delivered cost-cutting solutions.
Naresh’s previous experience at Cognizant Technology Solutions and Sunmerge Systems Inc. includes leading data analytics and cloud migration projects, leveraging Google Cloud, Python, and business intelligence tools. He holds a Master of Science in Computer Science and is a Google Cloud Professional Data Engineer. Naresh has authored research in leading journals and is recognized as a thought leader in the field.
As a Google Cloud Professional Data Engineer, Naresh stays abreast of emerging trends in data engineering, AI, and machine learning, ensuring that his work remains at the forefront of innovation and technical rigor.
United States
Nikhil Ghadge
Software Architect, Okta.Inc
With over 10 years of experience in software engineering, Nikhil Ghadge has developed a strong passion for designing and implementing scalable, reliable, and secure software solutions that align with customer needs and expectations. His core competencies include software architecture, research skills, problem-solving, and leadership.
As a Software Architect Team Lead at Okta, Nikhil is driven by the mission of enabling organizations to use any technology. He is dedicated to contributing to Okta's vision of creating a more connected and inclusive world. In his current role, Nikhil is responsible for analyzing system requirements and developing software architecture specifications for Okta's Universal Directory, which manages millions of user and group profile data. He also plays a key role in resolving issues related to software design, architecture, and implementation during the development cycle, while providing technical guidance to team members on complex projects. His contributions have been instrumental in delivering innovative solutions for complex technical problems and enhancing user experience and satisfaction.
United States
Aqsa Fulara
Product Manager , Google
Aqsa is an accomplished and seasoned product manager with 6+ years of experience, working on innovative products in business intelligence, leveraging artificial intelligence. She is passionate about solving customer and user problems through creative problem solving, human centered design and cutting edge technology. She has contributed to significant growth in AI products, and led new product development in business intelligence. She holds masters degree in engineering management; computer science undergrad, and several Cloud, Product management professionals and entrepreneurship certifications. She is also passionate about mentoring startups and community building for AI products.
United States
Gajendra Babu Thokala
Technical Lead, Apple
Gajendra Babu Thakola is a distinguished technology leader and technical lead at Apple, known for his extensive expertise in data engineering and real-time streaming technologies. At Apple, he designs and implements advanced solutions using Apache Kafka and Apache Flink, pushing the boundaries of real-time data processing. His previous role as Senior Software Engineer Team Lead at Microsoft saw him make significant contributions to cloud data management and the development of robust SaaS platforms, showcasing his ability to drive innovation and achieve impactful outcomes. In addition to his technical acumen, Gajendra brings a wealth of experience in team leadership, coaching engineers, and managing project planning and execution. He has a proven track record of effectively leading teams, fostering a collaborative and innovative culture, and ensuring successful project outcomes. His approach to team management focuses on mentorship, skill development, and creating an environment where team members can thrive and advance professionally.
United States
Siva Karthik Devineni
Senior Database Consultant, Elan Technologies
Siva Karthik Devineni, a highly experienced Database Consultant, brings a wealth of expertise to his work with eLan Technologies and the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA), where he plays a pivotal role in optimizing database systems and ensuring operational efficiency.
He optimizes data structures and streamlines information flow, enhancing efficiency in managing essential data processes. As a dedicated advocate for data security, he implements strong measures to protect sensitive information while designing innovative solutions that drive meaningful progress in Maryland. With expertise in business intelligence, he supports data-driven decision-making and ensures the smooth operation of integrated database systems.
An AI enthusiast with a passion for innovation, he keeps himself updated on emerging technologies, leveraging his knowledge to make meaningful contributions across various fields. Bringing his expertise in adjudicating, he navigates the intersection of technology, security, and impactful solutions, consistently driving forward-thinking outcomes with a dynamic and adaptable approach.
Chile
Pancho Gonzalez
Co-founder and Chief Creative Officer, Inbrax
Pancho Gonzalez is the co-founder and chief creative officer of Inbrax. González, who studied advertising at the Universidad de Santiago in Chile and earned an MBA from the Berlin School at Steinbeis University in Germany, plays a significant role in shaping the creative industry. As the Chief Creative Officer at Inbrax Chile, a Board Member and Vice President at IAB Chile, and a member of the Marketing Circle at Icare, his influence extends across multiple facets of advertising and marketing. Additionally, his past experience as a board member of Achap (Chilean Advertising Association) underscores his comprehensive involvement and leadership in the field. González has delivered speeches in various countries including Costa Rica, Brazil, Argentina, Russia, Mexico, Germany, Sri Lanka, Guatemala, the United States, Japan, South Korea, the Czech Republic, Peru, and Chile. His global presence as a speaker demonstrates his commitment to sharing knowledge and insights in the field of advertising and marketing.
United States
Mahesh Vankayala
Principle Software Engineer, Oracle America Inc
Mahesh Vankayala is a seasoned software engineer with nearly a decade of experience in developing robust web applications and cloud technologies. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to innovative problem-solving and delivering high-quality solutions across diverse sectors, including healthcare, finance, and retail.
Mahesh has held pivotal positions such as Principal Software Engineer at Oracle and Principal Software Consultant at Ascension Hospitals and Optum Services. In these roles, he has led code reviews, developed proofs of concept, and resolved complex technical roadblocks, ensuring the seamless delivery of scalable and reliable software solutions. His expertise lies in deploying and managing services on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure and designing API specifications that drive performance and efficiency.
Iran
Elham Mirzapour
Head of Design, Arena Design Studio
Elham Mirzapour, a talented figure, currently holds the position of Head of Design at Arena Design Studio. She pursued her academic journey by studying Industrial Design at the ID Faculty of I. Art University in Tabriz, Iran.
As Head of Design at Arena Design Studio, she leverages her extensive experience, gained from working in several interior design studios, to produce exceptional work. Her leadership role involves shaping the creative vision for the studio's projects, guiding a team of designers to bring innovative concepts to life. With her remarkable track record of producing outstanding interior designs, she ensures that projects meet the highest standards of excellence and aesthetic appeal.
Mirzapour's remarkable achievements include winning over 15 international design awards, a testament to her outstanding talent and innovative approach to design. These accolades highlight her ability to consistently deliver excellence and creativity in the field of design.
Ireland
Bilal Awan
CEO, Technical Director of iPing, Innovator, Entrepreneur and Public Speaker, PsycReality
Bilal Awan is the CEO of PsycReality, the technical director of iPing, a talented innovator, entrepreneur and a known public speaker. In his role as a CEO, he strongly believes in the importance of contributing to the community and advancing humanity through the creation of innovative solutions using cutting-edge and immersive technologies. This commitment to leveraging emerging technologies not only defines his professional ethos but also underscores his personal dedication to making a positive impact on society. Whether it's pioneering new technologies or developing innovative approaches, he is driven by the goal of creating a better future for all. His unwavering commitment to creating positive change is evident in his pursuit of opportunities, and his impressive list of accolades serves as a testament to his dedication and the tangible success he has achieved in this mission.
United States
Andrii Nikulin
Founder/ Lead engineer and Engineering Consultant, SMART-MECHTECH and Le&Co
Andrii Nikulin is the founder and lead engineer of SMART-MECHTECH LLC, a U.S.-based firm providing automation and AI-driven technologies to manufacturers nationwide. His company specializes in engineering audits, modernizing mechanical systems, and integrating smart technologies to improve efficiency and cut costs. Previously, Andrii was Chief Mechanical Engineer at LE&CO Sausage Factory in the Czech Republic, where he automated a major production complex with robotics, quality control, and predictive maintenance—boosting capacity, reducing costs, and enabling EU expansion. With over 11 years of experience, he has led cross-functional teams and projects across multiple countries with consistent success. A Senior Member of IEEE and Member of IET (UK), he also serves as an awards juror and publishes research on intelligent control systems, hybrid AI models, and industrial energy optimization.
Brazil
Vilmar Fernandes
Global UX/UI, Samsung
Vilmar Fernandes is a Global UX/UI Product professional at Samsung, bringing over 17 years of experience in the digital industry. Vilmar Fernandes specializes in UX/UI, Product, Interface Design, Interactive Design, and Experience Design, bringing over 17 years of expertise in the digital industry. Over the years, he has collaborated with global brands such as Google, Motorola, Lenovo, LG, Coca-Cola, Bradesco, Natura, Danone Activia, Vivo, Nokia, Oi, MTV, Fox Sports, Claro, and many others. He has delivered projects across brand activations, integrated 360 campaigns, game design, art initiatives, and UI/UX solutions.
United States
Linara Bozieva
Advisory Board Member, Enqo Corp
Linara Bozieva is a results-driven professional with extensive experience in global business strategy, program management, and business analytics. She has a proven track record of driving revenue growth and operational efficiency by successfully launching new programs and products and implementing impactful changes. Linara excels in leading cross-functional teams, building relationships with external partners, and identifying opportunities for business expansion. Her passion lies in solving global challenges to enhance happiness and health, ensure safety, and protect vulnerable people, animals, and nature. Linara is committed to making a difference in the world through launching innovative products, connecting people, and fostering collaborations that transcend project boundaries and predefined roles.
United States
Jayaram Immaneni
SRE Lead, JP Morgan Chase
Jayaram Immaneni is an accomplished ML Operations Engineer and SRE Lead with extensive experience in designing and implementing large-scale, cloud-native solutions to optimize machine learning workflows and enhance infrastructure performance. Renowned for his expertise in Kubernetes, Jayaram excels in automating deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications, ensuring high availability, resilience, and efficiency across diverse environments.
Certified in AWS DevOps, Kubernetes (Administrator and Developer), Terraform, and Apache Airflow, Jayaram has a proven ability to lead cross-functional teams in developing automated and cost-effective infrastructure solutions. His proficiency in CI/CD pipelines using Jenkins and GitLab CI/CD, coupled with creating Helm charts, ensures reproducible and streamlined deployments in containerized ecosystems.
Throughout his career, Jayaram has successfully led data center migrations, including critical transitions to Kubernetes and KVM on vSphere, resulting in significant cost savings through optimized resource allocation and sustainability efforts. In the ML Ops domain, he has driven the full lifecycle of machine learning operations—from data ingestion to deployment—leveraging frameworks like TensorFlow and PyTorch and employing Apache Airflow to automate ETL workflows for data reliability and real-time insights.
Beyond his technical expertise, Jayaram is deeply committed to mentoring and community engagement, empowering individuals in underserved regions through skill development. His multidisciplinary background, spanning biotech to IT, positions him as a dynamic problem solver, particularly in data and fintech sectors. Dedicated to ethical AI, continuous learning, and delivering sustainable, impactful solutions, Jayaram continues to make meaningful contributions to organizations and communities alike.
United States
Irina Golmgrein
CEO, ExpertizeMe International LLC
Irina Golmgrein is the Chief Executive Officer of ExpertizeMe International LLC, Florida, USA. She is a media manager with over 18 years of experience, an expert in vertical video content, and the founder of eight companies. A regular international speaker and author since 2009, she wrote Million Views: How to Increase the Reach of Short Videos, named among the top 50 business books by Book24. Formerly Product Director at 1MI media holding, she specialized in media cybersecurity, digitalization, and analytics, and also initiated a legislative proposal on AI-generated works. She is also a member of the Presidium of the “Exclusive Closed Business Club” (USA), Co-chair of the AI cluster within the RAEC association, and head of its AI working group. She has also served as an expert at the “Digital Breakthrough” hackathon, a jury member for international awards, and an executive producer of major projects. In 2022, she was named among the Top 30 digital experts.
United States
Vasily Petrenko
CEO & Co-Founder, Another World VR Corporation
Vasily Petrenko is the CEO and co-founder of Another World VR Corp, a global leader in free-roam virtual reality experiences for location-based entertainment centers worldwide. With a background in Cytology and Genetics from Novosibirsk State University, Vasily transitioned early into tech and entertainment, co-founding ventures that combine science, innovation, and storytelling. His journey began in 2014 with Time Quest Lab, supporting escape rooms, theme parks, and interactive exhibitions. As CFO, he managed forecasting, marketing, and growth, and at Another World, he has led expansion, rebranding, and capital raising while redefining how users engage with technology in physical spaces. His expertise in strategy, investment, sales, and product–market fit, particularly within emerging tech sectors, gives him a sharp perspective for evaluating startups shaping the future.
United States
Xiaobi Pan
Lead Designer, Amazon
Xiaobi (Iris) Pan is a globally-recognized pioneer in the field of Emerging Technology Design. She has been the inventor of the sound interactive Installation visited by over 1 million participants, the app that promises to plant 100 million trees on our planet by 2025, and a series of industry-leading new technology products and experiences. Currently a Lead Designer at Amazon, she is dedicated to using technologies such as Augmented Reality and Artificial Intelligence to revolutionize the consumer experience for both business and social good.
If you would like to be considered for a spot on the 2026 Noble Technology Awards panel, or if you wish to nominate a colleague, please fill out the brief entry form below.
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