Michael Baczyk is a leader in quantum business strategy and investment advisory. As Director at Global Quantum Intelligence (GQI)—a trusted, independent provider of market intelligence focused exclusively on quantum technology with a global footprint—he helps investors, enterprises, and governments navigate the rapidly evolving quantum landscape.   With top-tier education from Cambridge and ETH Zurich, he combines technical expertise with strategic insight, advising over 900 global investors and shaping billion-dollar opportunities.   His experience spans roles at CERN and Los Alamos Quantum Labs, where he bridged cutting-edge science with practical business solutions. A double global quantum hackathon winner, peer-reviewed author, and Europe’s Best Young Scientist awardee, Michal continues to drive innovation in the quantum space.

Rakesh Kandula is a Technical Marketing Engineer in Cisco’s Mass Scale Infrastructure Group (MIG), where he handles security for products primarily deployed in service provider networks.   Rakesh received his Master’s Degree from Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT Delhi). He has been with Cisco for 15+ years in various roles. His current focus areas are Trustworthy Systems, Platform Security Chips, Secure Boot, DDoS Solutions and other security features relevant to routing platforms.   Outside his work, Rakesh is an avid runner who loves running marathons and trail ultras.

With a career immersed in the evolution of emerging technologies, Martin Charbonneau pioneers Quantum-Safe networking solutions at Nokia. His focus on Quantum-era cybersecurity fosters global collaborations with research and technology leaders in the quantum cryptography sphere, aiming to craft solutions for a dynamic security landscape.   Martin partners with critical infrastructure organizations and enterprises, enlightening them about the urgency of securing network infrastructure through comprehensive defense-in-depth strategies. While Martin recognizes the vast potential of quantum computing technologies, his mission is to ensure a continued trust in our data and digital communication infrastructures. This commitment is rooted in a clear understanding of the transformative power of Quantum technologies and the necessity to protect our digital future.   A product of Canadian education, Martin attended the Canadian Royal Military College (RMC, St-Jean, Canada). He is currently based in Canada’s capital city, Ottawa.

Teun is senior consultant and Quantum Communications lead in the business unit ICT, Strategy and Policy at TNO, an independent Research and Technology Organisation. He co-leads the Quantum Internet enabled by Space roadmap, launched by TNO in 2024. Teun liaises with the Quantum Delta NL programme, managed the Dutch EuroQCI project (QCINed) and produced influential white papers on Quantum technology supply chains.   Before exploring the fascinating world of quantum networks, he headed various R&D programmes on classical networks in the Dutch and European media & telecom markets, and represented TNO in ETSI, ITU-T and the Broadband Forum.   He enjoys connecting experts to create new technological possibilities. Teun holds an MSc in Applied Physics from the University of Twente and began his career as a photonics chip designer.

Anna is a CEO and co-founder at Quantum Security Defence, QSECDEF that is a global networking, educational and business platform to serve community of professionals.  She is an active participant in the Quantum Start Up Sector in Germany with her project QuantumPrime which focuses on Quantum Satellite Communications that is data entanglement and quantum data teleportation for future 6G connectivity.  Anna Beata Kalisz Hedegaard is a physicist with two Master of Science degrees. At Wright State University, Ohio, she got deeply interested in electronics and nanotechnology, and the University of Southern Denmark fortified her expertise in quantum mechanics, and particle physics. Anna serves on the Krown Network Quantum Security Advisory Board that builds quantum secure blockchain.   Anna has global perspective from her extensive international experience (Poland, Denmark, the United States, Malaysia, the Netherlands, and Germany) and intellectual property experience from the European Patent Office and from working as a patent engineer. Anna speaks German, Danish, Polish and English.

Kevin Drury received his undergraduate degree in Electronical Engineering from Concordia University in Montreal, Canada where he specialized in telecommunications. Further in his academic career, he completed a Master’s in Business Administration.   Kevin is the Strategic Initiatives PLM Leader for the Optical Networks business unit at Nokia. Previously he has held several leadership roles at Alcatel-Lucent, including the Deployment and Professional Services leader for the Optical Networks business unit and the Optical Products and Solutions Marketing leader in the IP Routing & Transport Division. He has over 30 years’ experience in the Telecommunications industry with particular expertise in the areas of fiber optic transmission, wavelength division multiplexing, OTN switching, narrowband and broadband access, carrier voice and applications, and LAN/WAN networking.  He has presented or co-authored papers for numerous industry events including WDM & Next Generation Optical Networking, ITPX/NCUG, ITU Telecom, Supercomm, OFC, NFOEC, Terabit Optical & Transport SDN and the Big Telecom Event.

Michael Baczyk is a leader in quantum business strategy and investment advisory. As Director at Global Quantum Intelligence (GQI)—a trusted, independent provider of market intelligence focused exclusively on quantum technology with a global footprint—he helps investors, enterprises, and governments navigate the rapidly evolving quantum landscape.   With top-tier education from Cambridge and ETH Zurich, he combines technical expertise with strategic insight, advising over 900 global investors and shaping billion-dollar opportunities.   His experience spans roles at CERN and Los Alamos Quantum Labs, where he bridged cutting-edge science with practical business solutions. A double global quantum hackathon winner, peer-reviewed author, and Europe’s Best Young Scientist awardee, Michal continues to drive innovation in the quantum space.

Vlora Rexhepi – van der Pol is currently managing the innovation and leading the coordination team of the Quantum Internet Alliance (QIA). She is a senior expert with experience in research, design, and standardization of mobile communications interworking between 2G/3G/4G, Internet Quality of Service signaling and provisioning, Industry 4.0 and most recently hyperloop – a new mode of transportation.  She holds an Engineering Doctorate (EngD) from the University of Twente and an electrical engineering degree (Dipl.Ing) from University of Prishtina.  Previously as Head of Standardization she led the standards and regulatory framework development for hyperloop at Hardt in the Netherlands. In this role she was the chairperson of the Dutch Standardization Committee for hyperloop. Prior to that she has been part of Nokia and Ericsson wireless research and 3GPP / IETF standardization R&D teams in Finland and the Netherlands.

Farzam Toudeh-Fallah is R&D Director of Quantum Communications at Ciena. His knowledge and experience in the areas of quantum and coherent optical communications expands over 20 years, going back to his academic and research studies at MIT.  His fields of interest include quantum communications, quantum-secured channels and quantum networks.  He is the author/co-author of several patents and publications including the Roadmap for Quantum Interconnects, published by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Quantum Information Science Research Center.

Melchior Aelmans is the Chief Growth Officer at Quantum Bridge, where he leads global strategy and ecosystem development for quantum-safe networking. With over two decades of experience in network architecture and security, he focuses on advancing scalable key distribution technologies such as Distributed Symmetric Key Establishment (DSKE). Melchior works closely with partners, standards bodies, and research communities to drive the adoption of practical quantum-safe solutions.  He is a frequent speaker at industry events and a passionate advocate for building secure communications infrastructure ready for the post-quantum era.

Jean-Robert Morax leads the product strategy for the Quantum Safe division at ID Quantique. With over two decades of experience in the IT industry, he facilitates the development of robust defence mechanisms against cyber threats. With a keen eye for emerging risks and a proactive approach to security, his expertise lies in leading innovative companies from concepts to practical products.  With a relentless commitment to protecting sensitive data and infrastructure, M. Morax remains a trusted advisor, guiding organizations towards resilience in an increasingly complex digital environment.

Rakesh Kandula is a Technical Marketing Engineer in Cisco’s Mass Scale Infrastructure Group (MIG), where he handles security for products primarily deployed in service provider networks.   Rakesh received his Master’s Degree from Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT Delhi). He has been with Cisco for 15+ years in various roles. His current focus areas are Trustworthy Systems, Platform Security Chips, Secure Boot, DDoS Solutions and other security features relevant to routing platforms.   Outside his work, Rakesh is an avid runner who loves running marathons and trail ultras.

Teun is senior consultant and Quantum Communications lead in the business unit ICT, Strategy and Policy at TNO, an independent Research and Technology Organisation. He co-leads the Quantum Internet enabled by Space roadmap, launched by TNO in 2024. Teun liaises with the Quantum Delta NL programme, managed the Dutch EuroQCI project (QCINed) and produced influential white papers on Quantum technology supply chains.   Before exploring the fascinating world of quantum networks, he headed various R&D programmes on classical networks in the Dutch and European media & telecom markets, and represented TNO in ETSI, ITU-T and the Broadband Forum.   He enjoys connecting experts to create new technological possibilities. Teun holds an MSc in Applied Physics from the University of Twente and began his career as a photonics chip designer.

Teun is senior consultant and Quantum Communications lead in the business unit ICT, Strategy and Policy at TNO, an independent Research and Technology Organisation. He co-leads the Quantum Internet enabled by Space roadmap, launched by TNO in 2024. Teun liaises with the Quantum Delta NL programme, managed the Dutch EuroQCI project (QCINed) and produced influential white papers on Quantum technology supply chains.   Before exploring the fascinating world of quantum networks, he headed various R&D programmes on classical networks in the Dutch and European media & telecom markets, and represented TNO in ETSI, ITU-T and the Broadband Forum.   He enjoys connecting experts to create new technological possibilities. Teun holds an MSc in Applied Physics from the University of Twente and began his career as a photonics chip designer.

Ludovic Noirie is a senior researcher within the Network System and Security Research lab in Nokia Bell Labs, in France. He joined Alcatel in 1997 as a researcher on optical networking after receiving his engineer diplomas (Ecole Polytechnique, France, 1995, and Telecom ParisTech, France, 1997).  Along his career within Alcatel, Alcatel-Lucent and now Nokia, Ludovic Noirie provided multidisciplinary contributions with technical and scientific content spanning from optical sub-systems and optical networking to general networking solutions and Internet of Things. He is currently working on quantum communications and quantum networks. In 2011, Ludovic Noirie joined the Laboratory of Information, Network and Communication Sciences (LINCS) in Paris, for which he is member of the executive committee representing Nokia Bell Labs.  Ludovic Noirie is author of about 80 publications and he is inventor of about 40 patents.

Marketing & Product Manager at Sparkle with a solid background in telecommunications and extensive experience in connectivity services. Leading initiatives on secure network solutions like Quantum Safe over Internet (QSI) and driving innovation through industry collaboration. Actively involved in MEF standardization efforts and committed to delivering customer-centric solutions.

Pierre-Yves has been active for 35 years in the field of photonics in Switzerland and in Sweden as researcher, manager, coordinator, founder and director of PhotonicSweden and delegate for Swissphotonics.   He is presently actively supporting EPFL labs with their EU applications and projects. He is active in several photonics-related EU projects himself. He is leading PhotonHub’s work group on digital infrastructure.

Aritra Banerjee is a Senior Research Scientist in Nokia Standards leading the quantum-safe standardization efforts. His research interests span cryptography, quantum technologies, security, privacy-preserving technologies and machine learning trends.   Since joining Nokia in 2023 he has worked in advancing Security Research and Standardization.  He holds several patents with Nokia as well as an active contributor to cryptography specifications in standards bodies like IETF and O-RAN.

Andrew Csizmar is the Senior Business lead responsible for the development and driving global space strategy at Honeywell Space System.   His past experience include 23 year in space industry including Sr Director delivery a new product lines for the Small Sat market at Honeywell including Optical & Quantum Communication, RWAs, RF solutions and inertial avionics. He was Director of Program Management, Director of Business development for the following special program including JWST Fine Guidance Sensor, Inertial development of Microsat Missions, Optical / Quantum communication multiple instruments from UHF to W-band and Space Surveillance Detection instruments. Prior to being the Director Program Management, Andrew was a Senior Program Manager on Multiple Space programs.   Andrew joined Honeywell (ComDev) in 2002 as an Advance Engineering for Lithium Ion Battery and power distribution. Two year later, he became technical lead and then moved into system engineer within system division for Astronomy, spacecraft missions and advanced communication system before moving into Program Manager and Business Development.   He holds a Bachelor's in Aerospace Engineering from Carleton University. Additionally, he is a graduate of Honeywell Leadership Development program, Honeywell’s Advanced Program for Managers, is a Certified Six Sigma Green Belt and is PMP certified.