Demetris is a technologist, strategist, and policy leader driving Cyprus’s transformation into a regional hub for AI, deep tech, and high-impact innovation. Appointed in 2023, he chairs the Research and Innovation Foundation and serves on the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC), the European Science Advisors Forum (ESAF), and the FUTURE4PRIMA Stakeholder Board. Recognised among the Future 100 Global Power Leaders, he is a trusted voice in global science and innovation policy.
With a career spanning Oracle and AWS, where he led cloud and emerging technology strategies across EMEA and Asia-Pacific, Demetris combines deep private-sector expertise with a national mission, building Cyprus’s AI-first, cloud-first future. He has forged international partnerships with the UAE, Israel, and Japan, spearheaded sovereign AI and digital transformation initiatives, and launched CSPARK, Cyprus’s first space research and innovation centre in collaboration with NASA and COSPAR.
A champion of inclusive innovation and women in STEM, he has convened more than 1,200 cross-sector engagements bridging academia, industry, and government. His leadership has been recognised with the CYDIA Impact Award (2025) and his appointment to the G100 Global Advisory Council for Humanity, Innovation, and Technology.
Fluent across domains including AI, cyber defence, healthtech, fintech, and energy, Demetris is known as Cyprus’s “North Star.” His vision: to harness technology as a force for public good, positioning Cyprus as a gateway between Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
HONOURED GUEST
Demetris Skourides
Chief Scientist for Research, Innovation, and Technology of the Republic of Cyprus
Chair of the National AI Taskforce
KEYNOTE
Sandhya Ramdhany
Country Leader and Senior Legal Director, Oracle
Board Member, Oracle – South Africa, Senegal and Morocco
Sandhya is the Country Leader and Legal Director for Oracle South Africa, where she leads both the business and legal strategy for Oracle’s operations across South Africa and the SADC region. An accomplished attorney of the High Court of South Africa with over 20 years of legal experience, Sandhya combines deep commercial insight with legal leadership to guide Oracle’s growth and governance in a fast-evolving technology landscape.
She holds a law degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and a postgraduate Management Advancement Program Certificate from Wits Business School.
Sandhya began her Oracle journey in 2013 after six years at Accenture, steadily rising through the ranks to lead legal functions for East and West Africa before assuming her current dual leadership role.
Sandhya has advised on high-value, complex transactions across the continent and is a trusted authority on matters of data privacy (GDPR, POPIA), intellectual property, and the legal frameworks surrounding cloud computing. She currently serves as Director and Company Secretary on the Oracle South Africa Board and as a Director on the Oracle Senegal and Morocco Board.
A trailblazer in tech leadership and governance, Sandhya brings a wealth of knowledge, a continental perspective, and a passion for responsible innovation to every platform she engages.
Ever being frustrated as a child by the single kilobyte of RAM in his ZX80 computer, Connor McDonald has loved the challenges that come with storing data, which ultimately led to a career in database development.
When Y2K did not end the world as people thought, he started presenting on his passions – SQL and Databases, and discovered that he loved helping and sharing his knowledge with the developer community. Since then he has spoken at over 150 conferences around the world.
He splits the rest of his time between helping developers via StackOverflow and on asktom.oracle.com, creating YouTube videos and blog posts, and helping his rescue greyhound with treats, walks and cuddles.
KEYNOTE
Connor McDonald
Oracle Database Advocate
KEYNOTE
Debra Lilley
Oracle ACE Director
Debra is an Oracle ACE Director, a seasoned enterprise technology leader, and a highly respected voice in the global Oracle community. She currently serves on the Board of the Oracle Developer and Technology User Group (ODTUG) and is a past president of the UK Oracle User Group. Debra has worked with Oracle Applications and Technology since 1996 and was instrumental in representing the global user community during the development of Oracle Fusion Applications.
A Chartered Director, Debra combines technical depth with strategic acumen, helping organisations make informed decisions about their Oracle roadmaps. Drawing on her extensive experience, she guides customers through key transitions—whether it’s moving to Oracle Fusion Cloud Applications, running existing systems on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), or understanding when maintaining the status quo is the right choice.
In her sessions, Debra demystifies complex decisions around Applications Unlimited, presenting real-world case studies, decision logic, and practical guidance to eliminate confusion and empower smarter planning for the future.
Dr Abi is a seasoned technology leader and respected voice in the fields of analytics, AI, and data-driven transformation. As Analytics and Innovation Director at Capgemini, she helps enterprises unlock the power of Oracle technologies to build innovative solutions that drive measurable business outcomes.
With a strong foundation in data analysis and SQL, Abi combines technical expertise with strategic leadership. Her recent tenure as Field CTO at Oracle sharpened her ability to craft transformative technology roadmaps, guide organisations through complex data landscapes, and inspire innovation at scale.
Recognised for her ability to translate complex data into compelling narratives, Abi is passionate about using analytics to create real-world impact. Beyond technology, she is a dedicated advocate for diversity and inclusion, championing the role of women in tech and mentoring the next generation of leaders.
Her approach blends deep technical acumen with a commitment to fostering inclusive environments where data insights translate into actionable business intelligence. Through her work, Abi empowers organisations not only to thrive in today’s data-centric world but also to lead the way in shaping its future.
KEYNOTE
Dr Abi Giles-Haigh
Analytics and Innovation Director, Capgemini
KEYNOTE
Gomedi Makhongoana
Technology DBP Country Director, Oracle
Gomedi is the Country Director for Oracle’s Technology Database Platform (DBP) in South Africa, where he leads the cloud technology strategy that empowers public and private sector organisations to innovate, modernise, and grow. With a distinguished career in enterprise technology, Gomedi brings deep expertise in cloud platforms, digital transformation, and aligning IT with national development priorities.
At the forefront of Oracle’s cloud acceleration in South Africa, Gomedi is responsible for driving strategic engagements across data, application modernisation, and intelligent platform solutions. He is a trusted advisor to CIOs, government leaders, and enterprise executives, known for translating complex challenges into practical, future-ready technology outcomes.
Gomedi brings more than insight—he brings perspective. His sessions are marked by clarity, inspiration, and a powerful call to action: to harness technology not just for progress, but for impact.
