Michael Carducci
Software Architect & Magician
Michael Carducci spent years learning to see things as they actually are; first as a magician, then as a software architect, now as both simultaneously. And somehow that’s not even the whole story.
He’s the author of Mastering Software Architecture (Apress, 2025) and is currently writing The Semantic Layer. He has spent over 25 years following interesting problems; through roles from individual contributor to CTO and back again, across industries and continents.
As a speaker, he applies the same toolkit he uses in close-up magic: attention, misdirection, timing, storytelling, and the instinct to take the long way around when that’s where the truth lives. Audiences at hundreds of conferences across four continents have described his talks as the kind that change how you think about a problem rather than just what you know about it.
He also makes YouTube videos about technology and curiosity with his wife Kate, because some ideas are too important (or too interesting!) to leave only in conference rooms.
Presentations
Architecting Big Data Solutions
Tuesday, 8:30 AM EST
This session covers the landscape of Big Data tools, technologies and best practices in 2018. You'll leave this session armed with the knowledge you need to build Big Data solutions by assembling the best technologies for you.
We cover the components of a big data pipeline, options available for each module and the pros, cons and best practices for each option.
MongoDB Patterns, Pitfalls, and Best Practices
Tuesday, 10:30 AM EST
Interest in MongoDB and other NoSQL platforms has waxed and waned over the years, however, Mongo remains an enormously useful tool.
In this session, you will learn everything you need to know to master MongoDB.
We dive deep into advanced topics, data architecture, tooling options, clustering, replication and sharding. You'll learn when Mongo is the perfect tool for the job (and when it isn't) and what's new in 2018
Soft Skills for the Software Architect: Building Your Professional Network
Tuesday, 1:30 PM EST
You've heard the old adage “It's not what you know it's who you know.” The focus of this session is divided between ways to better connect with everyone you meet as well as ways to grow your network, help and influence people and ultimately build long-term relationships and build your reputation.
Networking isn't about selling nor it isn't about “taking.” Done properly it benefits everyone. Among the benefits are strengthening relationships; getting new perspectives and ideas; building a reputation of being knowledgable, reliable and supportive; having access to opportunities and more!
Slides available online: https://prezi.com/ck1fdbhgqwiq/?token=8f8240f753ad9ae2c50ce696657020f40a877a40fa224790652eb412ac5eb8d3
Effective Leadership - The Six Principles of Persuasion
Thursday, 9:00 AM EST
Whether you want to effect culture change in your organization, lead the transition toward a new technology, or simply get more out of your team; you must first understand that having a “good idea” is simply the beginning. An idea must be communicated; a case must be made. Communicating that case well is as important, if not more so, than the strength of the idea itself.
You will learn 6 principles to make an optimal case and dramatically increase the odds that the other person will say “Yes” to your requests and suggestions, along with several strategies to build consensus within your teams. As a professional mentalist, Michael has been a student of psychology, human behavior and the principles of influence for nearly two decades. There are universal principles of influence that are necessary to both understand and leverage if you want to be more effective leader of change in your organization.
Beyond Startup: What we can learn from the lean startup
Thursday, 3:15 PM EST
The lean startup is changing the way companies are built and new products are launched. In this session we dive into the concepts and ideas as well as strategies to incorporate into your own organization.
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