Michael Kaufmann (Mike) is a technology strategist, transformation advisor, and international keynote speaker with more than 25 years of experience helping enterprises modernize how they build and deliver software.

He began his career as a software engineer and built deep expertise in .NET, Git, GitHub, Azure, DevOps, and scalable architecture. As a long-time Microsoft MVP for DevOps (since 2015), he is recognized for his technical authority and hands-on experience guiding teams through modern engineering practices.

With a background in economics before moving into software engineering, he developed an early interest in how organizations allocate resources, manage risk, and structure decision-making — themes that continue to shape his work today.

As a Microsoft Regional Director, Michael works closely with enterprise leaders and executives, advising on the broader business and organizational implications of technology decisions — especially where operating models, leadership behavior, and platform capabilities intersect.

Over time, his focus has expanded beyond tools to the structural foundations of performance: how work flows, how friction is removed, and how leadership shapes risk, incentives, and learning. Today, he writes and speaks about operating model design, enterprise transformation, and the realities of creating value with AI.

He is the author of several published books and is currently working on a new project exploring why large-scale transformations fail — and what it actually takes to align flow, enablement, and leadership in modern organizations.

Outside of technology, Michael is a kitesurfer and a Taekwondo black belt — disciplines that, much like transformation, demand balance, focus, and resilience.