Merge pull request #15765 from shanedroid/rdu-2026-moar-updates

[RDU-2026] Sponsor/Program Updates

Author: toshywoshy

assets/events/2026-raleigh/speakers/dewan-ahmed.jpg

@@ -4,10 +4,10 @@ Talk_start_time = ""
 Talk_end_time = "" 
 Title = "Secure by Default: Building Confidence in AI-Driven Delivery" 
 Type = "talk" 
-Speakers = ["dewan-ahmed"] 
+Speakers = ["martin-reynolds"] 
 +++
 
 The fastest way to break trust in DevSecOps is to automate insecurity at scale. As AI takes a central role in our pipelines, it is time to rethink what "secure by default" really means.
-In this 5-minute lightning talk, Dewan Ahmed challenges the traditional reliance on vulnerability scanners and compliance gates. He will share a vision for intelligent security by design where native intelligence detects risky delivery behavior, 
+In this 5-minute lightning talk, Martin Reynolds challenges the traditional reliance on vulnerability scanners and compliance gates. He will share a vision for intelligent security by design where native intelligence detects risky delivery behavior, 
 such as misconfigured environments and suspicious artifact provenance, before they become breaches.
 You will walk away with a high-level framework for balancing automation with human oversight. Learn how to build verifiable, AI-native systems where safety is not just a step but a continuous outcome.

assets/events/2026-raleigh/speakers/martin-reynolds.jpg

@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
++++ 
+Title = "Martin Reynolds" 
+linkedin = "https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinreynolds/" 
+image = "martin-reynolds.jpg" 
+type = "speaker" 
+linktitle = "martin-reynolds" 
++++
+
+Martin Reynolds, Field CTO at Harness, is a technology leader with over 30 years of experience shaping how organizations build, deliver, and operate software at scale. He specializes in DevOps, DevSecOps, Platform Engineering, and Developer Experience (DevEx), with a growing focus on AI and intelligent automation in software delivery.
+
+A trusted voice in the industry, Martin’s insights have appeared in leading publications such as The New Stack, LeadDev, and other prominent technology outlets. He translates complex trends—such as platform engineering, AI agents in software lifecycles, and continuous delivery at scale—into practical strategies that engineering teams can use right away.
+
+Before joining Harness, Martin led large-scale cloud transformation initiatives. He established and scaled DevOps practices across enterprise environments. Today, he works closely with engineering leaders. He helps them improve developer productivity, boost system resilience, and optimize cost and governance in complex delivery ecosystems.
+Martin brings a practitioner’s perspective to topics like internal developer platforms, software delivery automation, and the evolution toward AI-augmented engineering. He helps organizations move beyond tooling. He focuses on building high-performing, developer-centric platforms that enable faster, safer, and more efficient innovation.

assets/sponsors/e/emergent.png

@@ -122,6 +122,8 @@ sponsors:
     level: gold
   - id: edgedelta
     level: gold
+  - id: emergent
+    level: gold
   - id: guiding-eyes-for-the-blind
     level: community
   - id: harness
@@ -130,6 +132,8 @@ sponsors:
     level: community
   - id: kubeevents
     level: community
+  - id: nx
+    level: gold
 
 sponsors_accepted : "yes" # Whether you want "Become a XXX Sponsor!" link
 
@@ -383,5 +387,5 @@ ignites:
     date: 2026-04-30
   - title: "sai-bharath-ignite"
     date: 2026-04-30
-  - title: "dewan-ahmed-ignite"
+  - title: "martin-reynolds-ignite"
     date: 2026-04-30

…26-raleigh/program/dewan-ahmed-ignite.md …aleigh/program/martin-reynolds-ignite.mdcontent/events/2026-raleigh/program/dewan-ahmed-ignite.md renamed to content/events/2026-raleigh/program/martin-reynolds-ignite.md content/events/2026-raleigh/program/dewan-ahmed-ignite.md renamed to content/events/2026-raleigh/program/martin-reynolds-ignite.md

@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+name: "emergent"
+url: "https://emergent360.com"
+linkedin: "https://www.linkedin.com/company/emergent-360/"
+