As we approach AWS re:Invent, an annual event that attracts technology enthusiasts from across the globe, we take a moment to celebrate three exceptional individuals who have been recognized as AWS Heroes. These leaders have made significant contributions to the AWS community, demonstrating a commitment to knowledge sharing and empowerment that inspires builders worldwide. From empowering women in technology and supporting rural communities to bridging the gap between academic and industry expertise and pioneering enterprise AI solutions, these individuals exemplify the innovative spirit that propels the AWS community forward. Their stories highlight how technical excellence, combined with passionate advocacy and mentorship, fortifies the global AWS community.
Dimple Vaghela – Ahmedabad, India
Dimple Vaghela is a prominent figure in the AWS community in India. She leads both the AWS User Group Ahmedabad and AWS User Group Vadodara, where she has been instrumental in driving cloud education and fostering technical growth throughout the region. Her efforts have resulted in numerous AWS meetups, workshops, and AWS Community Days, which have collectively helped thousands of learners advance their cloud careers.
One of Dimple’s notable initiatives is the "Cloud for Her" project, which aims to empower girls from rural areas to pursue careers in technology. This project is part of her broader efforts to promote inclusivity in the tech industry. Additionally, she serves as a co-organizer of the Women in Tech India User Group, furthering her commitment to gender diversity in technology.
Dimple’s exceptional leadership and contributions to the community were recognized at AWS re:Invent 2024, where she received the AWS User Group Leader Award in the Ownership category. Despite her accolades, she continues to build a more inclusive cloud community through her work as a speaker, mentor, and organizer of impactful tech events.
Rola Dali – Montreal, Canada
Rola Dali is a senior Data, Machine Learning (ML), and Artificial Intelligence (AI) expert with a specialization in AWS cloud technologies. Her unique perspective stems from her PhD in neuroscience and bioinformatics, with a particular focus on human genomics. This academic background informs her approach to technology, allowing her to bring a nuanced understanding of data science to her work.
Rola is the co-organizer of the AWS Montreal User Group and a former AWS Community Builder. Her dedication to the cloud community has been recognized with the prestigious Golden Jacket award in 2024. She actively shapes the tech community by designing AWS solutions, sharing her knowledge through blogs and lectures, and mentoring women entering the technology sector, academics transitioning to industry, and students starting their careers.
Rola’s contributions extend beyond her technical expertise. She is a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion in the tech industry, believing that a diverse community fosters greater innovation and problem-solving capabilities. Her story is a testament to the impact that combining technical skill with advocacy can have on the broader community.
Vivek Velso – Toronto, Canada
Vivek Velso is a seasoned technology leader with over 27 years of experience in the IT industry. He specializes in helping organizations modernize their cloud infrastructure to support generative AI workloads, a burgeoning area of technology with significant potential for innovation.
Vivek’s deep expertise in AWS has earned him the prestigious Golden Jacket award, recognizing his achievement in completing all AWS certifications. He actively contributes to the AWS Subject Matter Expert (SME) program, where he participates in developing and reviewing content for multiple certification exams. As a former AWS Community Builder and AWS Ambassador, he continues to share his knowledge through a variety of channels, including more than 100 technical blogs, articles, conference engagements, and AWS livestreams.
Vivek’s dedication to knowledge sharing is driven by his belief in the power of community to drive innovation. By providing resources and mentorship to those entering the field, he helps the community confidently embrace cloud technology and its potential to transform industries.
Learn More
For those interested in learning more about the AWS Heroes program or connecting with a Hero near you, additional information is available on the AWS Heroes webpage.
In conclusion, these three AWS Heroes exemplify the spirit of innovation and community that is at the heart of the AWS ecosystem. Their stories highlight the diverse paths that individuals can take within the technology sector, and the profound impact that knowledge sharing and mentorship can have on building a more inclusive and vibrant tech community. As AWS re:Invent draws near, their achievements serve as a reminder of the transformative power of technology and the importance of empowering individuals to drive change within their communities.
For more insights and updates on AWS and its community initiatives, stay tuned to our technical blog, where we continue to bring you the latest news and stories from the world of cloud computing.
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