The TPM Institute equips technical program managers with the skills and resources to lead with agility and drive success in technology-focused industries
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David Kearns is a seasoned Learning and Development (L&D) expert with over 25 years of experience supporting global industry leaders such as Amazon, CVS, Atria Wealth Solutions, Xerox, and Fidelity Investments. Throughout his career, Dave has worn many hats, including facilitator, instructional designer, project manager, eLearning developer, and Learning Management System (LMS) administrator. This broad range of roles has given him a deep understanding of the full L&D lifecycle and the strategic insight to design and implement impactful training programs.
Dave’s approach to learning and development is rooted in his passion for empowering employees and improving organizational performance. He partners with business leaders to design training programs that are aligned with corporate goals and tailored to employee needs. By applying his expertise in instructional design, eLearning development, and LMS administration, Dave drives initiatives that foster continuous learning and measurable business results.
Dave’s well-rounded experience and passion for learning make him a vital instructor at the TPM Institute. His mastery of instructional design, eLearning development, and facilitation provides Technical Program Managers with practical, actionable tools for workforce enablement. As a dedicated coach and mentor, Dave creates an engaging learning environment that encourages growth and continuous improvement.
When he’s not leading impactful L&D initiatives, Dave enjoys working out, coaching baseball, refereeing basketball, and spending quality time with his family.
Komal Ilyas is an accomplished Technical Project Manager (TPM) with extensive experience across both startup and enterprise environments, including the semiconductor and retail industries. Komal thrives in fast-paced settings where strategic vision and hands-on execution meet. Whether it’s designing complex data pipelines, implementing AI-driven solutions, or simplifying intricate technical concepts, Komal has successfully navigated it all—and embraced every challenge along the way.
With a proven track record of leading cross-functional teams through complex cloud integrations and operations, Komal excels at managing stakeholder expectations with clarity and precision. Throughout Komal’s career, they have expertly managed projects involving vast amounts of data, developed scalable solutions, and brought innovative ideas to life. Known for a collaborative leadership style, Komal has a reputation for turning the seemingly impossible into reality, delivering projects on time and within budget—while maintaining a calm, solutions-oriented approach.
Outside of work, Komal enjoys finding time for hobbies like hiking, pickleball, and tennis, constantly striving for that perfect work-life balance.
Jason Cornellier is a seasoned IT executive and technical leader with over 20 years of experience driving complex technical and business transformations. Known for his strategic vision and ability to solve ambiguous, multi-faceted challenges, Jason specializes in helping organizations achieve successful technical solutions while reducing costs and complexity. His career includes notable experience with industry giants like Microsoft and Google, as well as roles in diverse sectors such as retail, healthcare, financial services, manufacturing, and startups, where he has consistently delivered impactful results.
Jason’s unique value lies in his ability to bridge the gap between technical and business challenges. He leverages his deep technical acumen and strategic thinking to design supportable, cost-effective, and achievable solutions. By partnering with CIOs, CTOs, IT Directors, Founders, and other executive leaders, he drives initiatives that result in revenue growth, market expansion, and organizational transformation.
“Outside of Jason’s technical competencies, he impressed me with his strategic vision and capabilities to address industry-specific topics.” — Emmanuel Sache, Microsoft Time Zone Lead Architect for EMEA
“Jason is truly one of the most polished professionals in the industry. His ability to hone in on the most critical needs of the customer and carefully articulate roadmaps and solutions is just one of several key traits he possesses; thought leadership is another.” — Phil Gibson, Solution Architect, Microsoft
Chris Ludwig is a visionary technology executive with over two decades of experience leading transformative software engineering and organizational innovation across startups, scale-ups, and enterprise environments. Currently serving as President of Instant Brains, LLC—a boutique consultancy he founded in 2014—Chris specializes in agile software development, user interface design, and strategic product development, helping organizations turn complex ideas into practical, scalable solutions.
Throughout his career, Chris has held numerous senior leadership roles, including Chief Technology Officer at EverWash, HUSK, and iConnect.com. His track record includes building high-performance engineering teams, streamlining product delivery through agile methodologies, and bridging the gap between technology and business strategy. At Tri-State Technology Professionals, he served as Vice President of Software Engineering, bringing a hands-on, coaching-oriented approach to DevOps and organizational consulting.
Chris is a Certified SAFe® 6 Practice Consultant and holds multiple credentials in agile product ownership and management, underscoring his deep commitment to continuous learning and process improvement. His education in Computer Science and Education from the University of Pittsburgh set the foundation for a lifelong passion for both innovation and mentorship.
Beyond his executive work, Chris is an advocate for STEM education and community engagement. He volunteers with Code.org, teaching coding to elementary students using tools like Scratch Jr., and previously served as an Exhibits Presenter at the Carnegie Science Center. His ability to make complex technical concepts approachable for learners of all ages reflects his unique blend of technical acumen and educational empathy.
Praised by peers as a rare combination of strategic thinker and hands-on technologist, Chris Ludwig brings unmatched depth and energy to every project he touches. Fluent in German and based in St. Petersburg, Florida, Chris continues to be a driving force in technology leadership, innovation, and mentoring the next generation of tech talent.
Mark Keeler is a dynamic and results-driven Agile Transformation Coach with over two decades of experience in project management, product development, quality assurance, and enterprise agile coaching. With a robust foundation in Lean-Agile methodologies, Mark currently serves as an Enterprise Coach at Agile Brains Consulting, where he empowers organizations to become agile powerhouses through cultural transformation, framework adoption, and process optimization.
Mark brings an exceptional blend of technical acumen, coaching expertise, and business insight. He has successfully led large-scale agile transformations, including the creation of an Agile Transformation Office for a major network services provider. His work includes coaching leadership teams, conducting agile maturity assessments, facilitating OKR workshops, and guiding the establishment of Lean-Agile Centers of Excellence. Proficient in Scrum, SAFe, and Kanban, Mark designs and delivers comprehensive training programs to equip teams and leaders with the tools they need to thrive in today’s fast-paced environments.
Prior to Agile Brains, Mark held key roles at Liberty Mutual Insurance and IBM, where he led multi-team agile coaching efforts, managed product backlogs, implemented Test-Driven Development (TDD) and Behavior-Driven Development (BDD), and customized Jira workflows for improved tracking and delivery predictability. His tenure at IBM saw him rise from QA team lead to project and release manager, overseeing major releases of IBM Notes and Workplace Client technologies.
Beyond his professional contributions, Mark is deeply engaged in his community. He has served as a volunteer webmaster and technology committee member for local nonprofits and schools, spearheading digital transformation initiatives and SEO strategies. He is also a dedicated youth sports leader and former Registrar and Webmaster for his local little league, where he is known for his operational excellence, empathy, and unwavering commitment to kids’ development.
Mark holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a concentration in Political Science from the University of Massachusetts Lowell. He is a Certified Scrum Master, SAFe Agilist, Certified Technical Program Manager, and ICAgile Professional in Foundations of DevOps, among other credentials.
Known for his analytical mindset, calm leadership, and ability to turn complex challenges into clear, actionable solutions, Mark Keeler is a trusted advisor and transformation catalyst for teams and organizations seeking long-term agile success.
With a proven track record of leading complex IT projects and driving organizational growth.
Adept at building high-performing teams, optimizing resources, and implementing process improvements
across diverse industries.
Jason Cornellier is a seasoned IT executive and technical leader with over 20 years of experience driving
complex technical and business transformations. Known for his strategic vision and ability to solve ambiguous,
multi-faceted challenges, Jason specializes in helping organizations achieve successful technical solutions
while reducing costs and complexity. His career includes notable experience with industry giants like Microsoft
and Google, as well as roles in diverse sectors such as retail, healthcare, financial services, manufacturing,
and startups, where he has consistently delivered impactful results.
Jason’s unique value lies in his ability to bridge the gap between technical and business challenges.
He leverages his deep technical acumen and strategic thinking to design supportable, cost-effective,
and achievable solutions. By partnering with CIOs, CTOs, IT Directors, Founders, and other executive leaders,
he drives initiatives that result in revenue growth, market expansion, and organizational transformation.
“Outside of Jason’s technical competencies, he impressed me with his strategic vision and capabilities to
address industry-specific topics.” — Emmanuel Sache, Microsoft Time Zone Lead Architect for EMEA
“Jason is truly one of the most polished professionals in the industry. His ability to hone in on the most
critical needs of the customer and carefully articulate roadmaps and solutions is just one of several key traits
he possesses; thought leadership is another.” — Phil Gibson, Solution Architect, Microsoft
David Yee is a veteran of the tech industry with a career spanning multiple roles across some of the world’s most influential companies, including Microsoft, Meta, and Walmart. With extensive experience in software development and technical program management, David has worn nearly every hat in the software development lifecycle — support engineer, quality control tester, quality control lead, software development lead, and technical program manager (TPM). This unique breadth of experience has equipped him with a holistic view of how technical teams operate and collaborate to achieve impactful results.
David’s approach to technical program management is informed by his diverse experience across technical, quality, and program leadership roles. Having worked with large enterprises like Meta and Walmart, David has honed his ability to bridge technical and non-technical audiences, ensuring that teams remain aligned on objectives and deliverables. He’s known for his practical, hands-on approach and his focus on driving results for both technical teams and business stakeholders.
Colleagues frequently commend David’s ability to simplify complex technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders and his effectiveness as a collaborative partner in cross-functional teams. His experience across the development lifecycle allows him to anticipate and address potential issues before they become roadblocks.
David’s comprehensive experience across Microsoft, Meta, and Walmart makes him an exceptional instructor at the TPM Institute. His broad perspective of technical development, quality assurance, and program leadership enables him to prepare Technical Program Managers to handle challenges from every angle. David’s collaborative teaching style and passion for mentorship inspire TPMs to develop a strategic, big-picture mindset that drives long-term success.
Outside of his professional pursuits, David’s passion for classic and performance cars keeps him busy. He enjoys restoring and fine-tuning cars for cross-country road trips, finding joy in the journey as much as the destination.
David Pratt is an accomplished Technical Program Manager with 15+ years of experience leading enterprise technology transformations and delivering strategic business outcomes. David’s career includes leadership roles at major global organizations, including IBM, CLS, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, NatWest Banking Group, Fidelity Investments, Nationwide Building Society, HSBC, and Philip Morris International. His diverse experience across banking, payments, asset management, and central banking has equipped him with the skills to manage large-scale, cross-functional programs with precision and agility.
David’s approach to technical program management is centered around lean-agile execution and continuous improvement. He is known for his ability to transform business objectives into clear, actionable plans and his dedication to aligning teams across complex, global initiatives. Whether delivering platform implementations, modernizing hybrid cloud systems, or driving regulatory change, David’s human-centric leadership ensures successful outcomes.
Michael Williams is an accomplished Technical Program Manager with a proven track record of leading high-impact, multimillion-dollar projects across diverse industries. With over two decades of experience, Michael has demonstrated expertise in driving productivity, managing risk, and ensuring successful delivery of technical programs. His tenure at Meta Inc., where he managed the Reality Labs Research Division, showcases his capability in overseeing large-scale technical services, including secure network services, machine learning cluster rollouts, and privacy and data security initiatives. Michael’s leadership in managing budgets exceeding $6 million and his strategic approach to reducing operational costs by 37% through contract negotiations highlight his business acumen and ability to optimize resources.
Throughout his career, Michael has consistently excelled in building and leading cross-functional teams, from overseeing Facebook lab creations and privacy projects to managing service and release programs at Microsoft Corporation. His deep technical expertise spans AI configurations, network infrastructure, and software lifecycle management, complemented by his PMP certification and Agile project management experience. Michael’s combination of technical knowledge, leadership, and a commitment to excellence has earned him recognition, such as Microsoft’s Gold Star Achievement award, positioning him as a leading figure in the field of technical program management.
David Mantica is the Vice President and General Manager of SoftEd US, where he leverages his passion for empowering knowledge workers to drive team growth and effectiveness. With over 30 years of experience and a track record of scaling a B2B training firm from the ground up to $13M in just seven years, David brings a wealth of expertise to his work. At SoftEd, he focuses on equipping organizations to navigate and thrive in a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) world through innovative training and coaching programs.
Abrar Hashmi is the Chief Agile Evangelist and Founder of Agile Brains Consulting Inc., recognized for its transformative impact on Fortune 500 companies. Creator of the award-winning “ABC” framework—Assessment (A), Brainstorming (B), and Coaching (C)—Abrar has redefined value-based delivery to enhance customer outcomes. He is a sought-after speaker at leadership conferences, routinely coaching executives in value-delivery, innovation, and artificial intelligence.
Om Hashmi is an agile enthusiast and entrepreneur,
dedicated to empowering enterprises, teams, and individuals to achieve sustainable and healthy agility. With experience providing training, coaching, and consulting to over 1,500 professionals, Om has a proven track record of optimizing business processes, leading to more efficient operations and significant cost savings. Beginning a career in process design and consulting, Om has managed projects of all sizes and played a key role in multi-million-dollar initiatives. Drawing from diverse global experiences, Om brings a hands-on, results-driven approach to every challenge, ensuring impactful outcomes for clients.
