„If you transform people-first, people solve problems. If you transform process-first, people satisfy processes.“

Sebastian Kister is an influential figure in enterprise transformation and a top consultant for C-Level executives. Currently running for the Governance Board at CNCF, he combines hands-on leadership with visionary insights, spearheading a Competence Center at AUDI focused on IT infrastructure.

A dynamic startup professional, Sebastian has played a pivotal role in guiding products from conception to market leadership through innovative, cutting-edge technologies. He is committed to challenging the status quo, fostering a culture of innovation, and driving continuous progress within organizations.

Sebastian emphasizes the distinction between mere reorganization and true transformation. He advocates for a „people-first“ approach, believing that when organizations prioritize their people, they empower them to solve complex problems. Conversely, a „process-first“ mindset often leads to mere compliance rather than genuine problem-solving.

As a movement architect, Sebastian aims to elevate community engagement among enterprise leaders and startup entrepreneurs globally. He is set to share his insights on „people-first transformation“ at the 19th IT Directors Forum, inspiring others to embrace meaningful change.

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1st April 2025 |📍 London – t.b.a.
AI in Platform Engineering
C-Level Registrations available – private link via pm in linkedin

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Exploring C-Level Advisory & Interim Leadership Opportunities

If you’re planning for an Interim CTO/CIO role in the next few months, I’d be happy to discuss how I can support your leadership and technology strategy needs. Let me know if you’d be open to a conversation. Drop a message on linkedin.

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Don’t fight the silo! – a hands-on session on how to create end-2-end value streams in enterprises.

There is no greenfield! – escaping the trap of change and cultivating transformative momentum.

The DevOps legacy! – about AI OPS and platform engineering hands-on KPIs and tools.

There is no change without a business case! – about implementing sustainable change in enterprises.

Transformation is a mindset, not a project! – about people, tools and processes.

Time 2 Market and Cost of Delay by Security-First-Culture – platform engineering for C-Level.

AI doesn’t take your job; people using AI will. – about the people-first-transformation enablers and AI Ops

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Next dates – upcoming events I’ll be speaking at:

1st April 2025 – London – AI in Platform Engineering
C-Level Registrations available

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Speaker highlights and references:

2025 🎙️

• Kubecon AI side event, Speaker, London
• CIONET Roundtable ’25, Speaker, Frankfurt

2024 🎙️

• Cloud Superstream with Katie Gamanji ’24, Keynote, O’Reilly Verlag
• Bitpanda DevCon ’24, Keynote
• Container Days ’24, Keynote, Hamburg
• KubeCon Executive Summit ’24, Paris
• Cloud Native Conference ‘24, Closing Keynote, Epstein
• Commerzbank Offside ’24, Speaker, Frankfurt
• CIONET Roundtable ’24, Speaker, Munich
• AI:NOW Conference ’24, Keynote, Munich
• 19th IT Directors Forum ’24, Keynote, Athens
• AUDI Roundtable during Websummit ’24, Speaker, Lissabon

2023 🎙️

• Container Days ‘23, Hamburg
• CNCF KubeCon Executive Summit ‘23, Amsterdam
• 🏆 Cloud Native Culture Award 1st Place ‘23, Epstein
• Amadeus Conference ’23, Erding
• IT Executive Roundtable ’23
• KCD (Kubernetes Community Days) ’23, Zürich
• KCD (Kubernetes Community Days) ’23, Munich
• Swiss CISO Panel ’23, Keynote, Zürich
• Sofa Summit ’23, Keynote, Online
• Data Management Summit ’23, Keynote, Amsterdam

2021 🎙️

• Audi MQ Summit Workspace Lead, Ingolstadt
• Container Days, Keynote, Hamburg
• F5 CEO Round Table at SPRINT, Online
• ITCS, Keynote, Online
• CIO Magazin Interview, Online
• Bitkom Open Source Monitor, Online
• 🏆 Digital Leader Award ’21