Test Zone 1
Drawing on her expertise as a former banker and renowned transformation leader, Dr Leda Glyptis examines key themes of success in her new book, Beyond Resilience: Patterns of Success in Fintech and Digital Transformation.
Join us for drinks and canapés, and take part in conversations that will shape the future of financial services.
Where to find us
Booth #4404
Stop by to learn more about our approach and see Imogen in action — and how we modernize complex applications through a test-driven, behavior-first approach that delivers production-ready systems in a fraction of the time.
Speaking sessions
Real-world mainframe modernization redefined (BRK1-071)
Featuring SulAmérica
April 22 | 5:15 – 6:00 PM
Hear directly how SulAmérica, one of the largest insurance companies in Latin America, is using Mechanical Orchard’s Imogen to rewrite a critical system that accounts for 30% of its mainframe consumption — achieving equivalent, production-ready code at a blazingly fast pace.
Agents in action: Startup breakthroughs across industries (BRK2-163)
April 22 | 12:30 – 1:15 PM
Join Mechanical Orchard alongside other pioneering startups in this panel session to explore AI and how agents are transforming operations and business models across multiple sectors.
The Modernization Speakeasy
A networking event co-hosted with our partner, Thoughtworks
April 22 | 5:00 – 7:00 PM
1923 Prohibition Bar, Mandalay Place
Step through a hidden entrance at Mandalay Bay and join Thoughtworks and Mechanical Orchard for an evening of conversation, craft cocktails, and connection with peers navigating similar transformation challenges.
Reserve your spot here.
Zone 4 Test /
Agenda
Wednesday May 6, 2026
We appreciate your understanding that, for our first day, Plus Ones are invited only to the After Hours event.
Thursday May 7, 2026
We welcome Plus Ones to Dinner and After Hours on Thursday. They can also join you if you are participating in an Afternoon Farm Activity (subject to an additional fee).
In collaboration with
In attendance
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Edward Hieatt
COO, Mechanical Orchard
I love helping companies improve their business by becoming great at software development. After my experience with startups, I was drawn to consulting, helping to grow Pivotal Labs from a handful of like-minded engineers into a respected business. As Pivotal formed and grew its developer platform product, I oversaw the rapid expansion of the Customer Success organization to thousands of technical staff globally while pioneering techniques with the subscription business model. I oversaw the integration and four subsequent years of operation as VMware Tanzu, following Pivotal’s IPO and acquisition. -
Nick Keune
Director, Mechanical Orchard
Nick Keune is a technology and solutions engineering leader focused on helping enterprises modernize how they connect, orchestrate, and scale data and APIs. With experience spanning analytics, integration, cloud platforms, and GraphQL, he brings a practical perspective on simplifying complex architectures and enabling faster innovation across large organizations. He is passionate about developer experience, modern API strategies, and helping teams turn legacy complexity into scalable, data-driven systems. -
Arun Batchu
Moderator
Arun Batchu is the Founder and Principal Advisor at Netrii, an idea and business incubator, and co-founder and director of StoneArch AI, a collective of AI practitioners focused on delivering business value. Additionally, Arun serves as an AI instructor at the University of Minnesota’s Technology Leadership Institute helping upskill Minnesota’s workforce in applied AI skills.
Formerly a VP Analyst at Gartner, he spent years analyzing trends in modernization and AI.
Leveraging deep technical expertise in mainframe systems—including COBOL, CICS, JCL, and IMS/DB2—Arun offers a practitioner's perspective on legacy modernization. A recognized industry analyst and frequent moderator on AI and mainframe transformation, he actively evaluates emerging innovators, notably contributing to Gartner’s 2025 “Cool Vendor” nominations. -
Irene Sandler
CMO, Mechanical Orchard
I’m responsible for all things marketing—brand, positioning, product, content, demand gen— at Mechanical Orchard. I began programming on a Commodore 64 and have held product management and senior marketing positions at Cisco Systems and Cognizant Technology Solutions, where I was on the Executive Leadership Team. After nearly two decades in the corporate world building high-performing teams, I’ve returned to startups: Mechanical Orchard is my seventh.