Ellen Friedman, PhD, is a distinguished scientist, author, and technologist specializing in big data and machine learning. With a doctorate in biochemistry from Rice University, she has transitioned into a premier voice in open-source software, serving as a committer for Apache Drill and Apache Mahout. Formerly a Principal Technologist at Hewlett Packard Enterprise and MapR, Friedman is a prolific O’Reilly Media author whose works include Introduction to Apache Flink and Streaming Architecture. A frequent speaker and thought leader, she excels at translating complex technical products into actionable insights for the global tech community. Her expertise spans AI, analytics in production, and the strategic deployment of containerized applications across hybrid cloud environments.