Tech Education and Events
STACK 2024: Tech experts to share their knowledge on UX design, developer platforms, and more!
19 August 2024
How are the STACK 2024 keynote speakers shaping the future of web development, architecture, design, and platforms?
STACK Developer Conference 2024
Get ready for Singapore's largest Government-led tech event — GovTech's STACK Developer Conference 2024 from 6 to 7 November at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre!
What is STACK Developer Conference about?
STACK 2024 is part of the GovTech STACK community's series of tech events to drive learning, networking, and collaboration between the public and private sectors. Organised by GovTech to drive Singapore’s Smart Nation initiative and digital government transformation efforts, this biennial event serves as a platform for Government, industry, and tech communities to convene and collaborate on future opportunities that further Singapore's Smart Nation vision.
Who will be at STACK 2024?
9 established keynote speakers will share their knowledge and expertise at STACK 2024, making it the perfect opportunity for innovators, entrepreneurs, and tech enthusiasts to learn, network and discuss the latest tech advancements and products.
The keynote speakers include leaders and experts from organisations like GovTech, Thoughtworks, Microsoft, and more. In addition to keynote speeches, attendees can also participate in plenary talks, panel discussions and more!
Get to know the keynote speakers of STACK 2024
Note: This article is the 1st of a two-part series on STACK keynote speakers. Check out the 2nd article to learn more about the other STACK keynote speakers.
Evan You: A Developer that’s Transforming the Web Development Landscape
Evan You is an independent open-source developer currently based in Singapore. He is the author and team lead of two highly influential projects in the web frontend and JavaScript ecosystem: Vue.js and Vite. Evan’s contributions have significantly shaped modern web development and transformed the way developers build user interfaces, making him a pivotal figure in the open-source community.
A Journey of Innovation and Impact
Evan began his career at Google Creative Labs in New York before becoming a core developer at Meteor, an open-source JavaScript framework startup. In 2014, he created Vue.js as a personal side project and by 2016, he dedicated himself full-time to his own open-source projects like Vue.js. This leap culminated in the rise of Vue.js as one of the most widely used frontend frameworks, and the creation of Vite in 2020, a cutting-edge building tool.
Sustainability and Independence
Vue.js stands out as a mainstream framework that remains independent, and not owned by a single corporation. This independence is crucial as it ensures that technical decisions are made in the users' best interests.
What to Expect from Evan's Talk
Evan You's contributions to the web development landscape through Vue.js and Vite have been monumental. His dedication to open-source principles and community support ensures that Vue.js and Vite will remain at the forefront of web development for years to come. As a keynote speaker, Evan offers invaluable insights into the future of web technologies, making his talks helpful for anyone interested in the evolution of the web development landscape.
Gregor Hohpe: Architecting Transformation for the Cloud Era
Gregor Hohpe is a tech strategist, engineer, author, speaker, and a former GovTech Smart Nation Fellow. As an architect, he has explored and studied the complex world of IT architecture for over two decades. His experience spans diverse organisations – from Silicon Valley startups to established enterprises like Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Google, ensuring successful digital transformation in these organisations.
A Global Authority on Architecture
Gregor's expertise is recognised worldwide. He co-authored the seminal book Enterprise Integration Patterns (2003), a cornerstone reference for Enterprise Service Buses (ESBs). His follow-up, The Software Architect Elevator (2020), delves into real-world IT transformation challenges. His articles have also been featured in prestigious publications like Best Software Writing by Joel Spolsky and 97 Things Every Software Architect Should Know.
From Buzzwords to Actionable Strategies
Gregor is known for his ability to translate complex concepts into practical solutions. He actively dismantles "buzzwords" and replaces them with clear, actionable strategies. His passion lies in helping technology leaders bridge the divide between the “engine room” (technical details) and the “penthouse” (business strategy).
Transforming Singapore's Smart Nation
As a former Smart Nation Fellow for the Singapore government, Gregor played a pivotal role in accelerating government IT processes. He understands the unique challenges faced by public sector organisations and offers practical solutions for navigating rapid change while maintaining security and efficiency.
What to Expect from Gregor’s Talk
Learn about the magic of developer platforms and how they defy the IT laws of physics:
Platforms spur innovation despite harmonisation
Platforms speed up development while assuring compliance
Platforms reduce cognitive load without restricting choice
But building such an in-house platform, or even deploying one, is far from easy. Gregor packages his experience in building platforms into a series of mental models and metaphors that will help you understand design decisions and trade-offs. You'll also find out how platforms are related to cars, submarines, and fruit salads!
Lillian Shieh: Integrity and Strategic Leadership in Design and Innovation
Lillian Shieh, the Head of Design Practice at GovTech, is a distinguished design researcher, product strategist, and service designer. Her portfolio of experience includes building multi-disciplinary design teams, establishing best practices for digital service development, and new product and service innovation for health care, financial services and the public sector.
Senior Design Leadership at GovTech
At GovTech, Lillian Shieh is at the forefront of integrating user-centricity into public services. Her objective is to ensure that best practices in user experience design are woven into the fabric of government digital services, with the goal of benefitting citizens, businesses, and public officers alike.
A Track Record of Success
As Senior Director and Head of Design in Asia Pacific at J&J, Lillian led the launch of the J&J Design Lab in the region. She built a strong, multidisciplinary team and fostered deep collaborations with J&J’s Pharma, MedTech, and Consumer businesses. Under her leadership, the team created innovative products and services that increased engagement and value for consumers, patients, and surgeons. This resulted in better products, services and health outcomes for consumers. The lab’s success is also reflected in the sustained partnerships and significant investments from various J&J sectors.
What to Expect from Lillian’s Talk
Lillian Shieh’s keynote speech promises valuable insights into how Government services can be improved, by examining powerful biases in how digital services are developed and by reflecting on the changing priorities and responsibilities of government digital services when there is greater digital maturity.
You might also be interested in this TechNews article:
Rachel Laycock: Engineering Platforms for Developer Experience
Rachel Laycock is the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Thoughtworks, a global technology consultancy known for its expertise in digital transformation. With a passion for problem-solving, Rachel has built a career focused on modernising enterprise tech stacks and enabling teams to deliver extraordinary value. Since joining Thoughtworks in 2010, Rachel has held numerous leadership roles, including Global Managing Director for Enterprise Modernisation, Platforms, and Cloud, driving innovation and cloud adoption for clients across the globe.
Empowering Global Digital Transformation
Rachel’s career has been marked by her ability to lead large-scale digital transformations across industries. Her work with Thoughtworks’ clients has impacted businesses worldwide, providing strategic direction for technology modernisation and cloud solutions. As a passionate advocate for Agile practices and continuous delivery, Rachel has helped organisations create a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring they remain self-sufficient and resilient in an ever-changing digital landscape.
From Developer to CTO
Rachel's journey from developer to CTO reflects her deep understanding of the technical and strategic aspects of enterprise modernisation. Her contributions to Thoughtworks’ Technology Radar, which highlights trends and innovations in the industry, underscore her commitment to staying at the forefront of technology. As CTO, Rachel leads with a focus on ensuring that Thoughtworks remains a trusted partner for clients undergoing rapid technological change, all while maintaining a keen eye on developer experience and platform efficiency.
What to Expect from Rachel’s Talk
Rachel's keynote speech will dive into the rising importance of internal engineering platforms and the critical connection between platform design and developer experience (DevEx). Drawing on her global experience, Rachel will explore how platforms can address developer pain points, foster a state of flow, and align with both business and technical goals. Attendees will gain insights into building platforms that optimise efficiency, reduce cognitive load, and enhance developer buy-in, ensuring long-term success for both development teams and executives.
Keen to hear from these keynote speakers? Register for the STACK Developer Conference 2024!
Choose from in-person tickets (selling fast) or virtual tickets!