Wannabe Speaker Program

Hi, my name is Riccardo Solazzi, and I’m a Software Engineer with a passion for backend development at Revolt Srl, an SME (formerly a startup) specializing in data integration, visualization, and all those other cool things that end with “ation.”

I started attending tech events in 2022, and if my memory serves me right, the first one was the Google DevFest in Pescara. That experience was truly eye-opening: I returned home with my head full of new ideas and my heart brimming with enthusiasm to learn even more. From that moment, I began attending many other events.

Fast forward to October 24, 2023 — the day of my first Codemotion.

The very first day was special: thanks to the Slide Roulette initiative, I had my first on-stage experience. It was an impromptu experience, but it sparked in me the idea of attempting something more structured, like a real talk.

The next day, thanks to my former colleague and friend Leonardo Montini, I had the chance to meet Emanuele Bartolesi.

His presence on stage was striking: he wasn’t just a tech expert talking about what he knew well; he was a storyteller trying to convey a message to the audience. He wasn’t trying to appear more competent than others; his goal was to entertain and engage those listening, all while discussing tools we developers use daily.

After a brief chat, Emanuele told me about the Wannabe Speaker Program, an initiative that helps aspiring speakers make their debut at Codemotion, guided by experienced professionals. He mentioned that if the talk I had in mind was well-received by Codemotion's content managers, he would be happy to mentor me. This opportunity would allow me to tap into his secret stash of stage tricks, which he had built over years of experience.

Fortunately, my talk — which presented an open-source API client for testing with a focus on privacy called "Bruno" — passed the selection process. A few months before the event, I started the mentorship program under Emanuele’s guidance.

We had several meetings, but the focus was never on the actual content of the talk. Instead, Emanuele always emphasized other aspects: stage presence, things to avoid, and the details that make a talk enjoyable, all while maintaining a strong focus on the subject at hand.

I must say that these meetings taught me a lot about how to present on stage. I even started noticing, at other events I attended, different techniques that speakers used to both entertain the audience and maintain a connection with them throughout their time on stage.

I also realized that some of my previous assumptions about being on stage needed to be questioned. There were several aspects I had thought were secondary or trivial, but they turned out to be crucial. In summary, Emanuele taught me how to position myself on stage.

Whether I managed to do it correctly, I can’t say for sure. There were certainly some mistakes, but I am more than satisfied, especially because — at the end of my talk — no tomatoes were thrown at me.

Luckily, on the day of my talk, I had the chance to act as the MC in the very room where I would later present. This gave me the opportunity to familiarize myself with the space. However, when it was finally my time to speak, a wave of emotions hit me.

After the first minute, though, I relaxed and had a lot of fun on stage. Even though some technical issues caused the layout of a few slides to look completely different from what I had expected, I kept going.

I strongly recommend anyone who wants to experience giving a talk at Codemotion to go through the Wannabe Speaker Program. It was an incredible experience that allowed me to grow significantly in terms of stage presence and in understanding how to structure a session.

Moreover, it provides a direct connection with far more experienced speakers, giving you the chance to learn from people who do this regularly. The mentors were always available to answer any questions — even last-minute ones.

If I may offer a piece of advice to those who want to pursue this path, it would be this: try to have fun and don’t focus too much on the outcome you want to achieve. Instead, focus on the experience you’re living!

This was my experience with the Wannabe Speaker Program, and I hope it has inspired you to embark on this journey!

Mentor: Emanuele Bartolesi - Codemotion Ambassador

Mentee:  Riccardo Solazzi

Three weeks have flown by since Codemotion Milano 2024 and my session titled "Allora partirai: gli LLM come il nuovo Tiresia nel viaggio di Odisseo." Thanks to the Codemotion Wannabe Speaker program and with invaluable guidance from my mentor, Guenda Sciancalepore, I had the chance to step onto the stage and share my passion for tech and learning. I’m still processing the experience and the journey that led me there, but I’d like to share my reflections, discoveries, and the unique challenges I encountered along the way.

Who Am I?

I am a data engineer with a Master’s degree in philosophy and the chapter leader of the Snowflake Italia User Group. My background is a blend of data and humanities, which gives me a unique perspective on technology and its applications. Although I still consider myself a learner in the realm of Generative AI, I felt compelled to challenge myself by using tools I know and love—like Snowflake—and by creating something meaningful for others. I’m not a traditional speaker; I’m an explorer.

My Mentor and the Mentorship Program

I first met my mentor, Guenda Sciancalepore, at an event I organized for the Snowflake Italia User Group. This initial encounter left a lasting impression on me—not only is she an exceptional tech speaker with a powerful presence, but she also has a deep understanding of what it takes to communicate complex ideas clearly and engagingly. Guenda’s skills go beyond her technical expertise; she’s someone who knows how to inspire and guide others on their journey. So, when I joined the Codemotion Wannabe Speaker program and saw an opportunity to work with her, I felt incredibly fortunate.

Throughout the mentorship, Guenda encouraged me to bring my authentic self to the stage, helping me refine both my technical demo and my approach to public speaking. Her guidance was invaluable, and her own experiences as a tech speaker inspired me to step confidently into a role that was new and challenging for me. She showed me the importance of connecting with the audience, of maintaining focus even in the midst of life’s distractions, and of seeing every talk as an opportunity for shared exploration. Her mentorship was more than just guidance; it was a model of what I aspire to achieve.

Building My Demo and the Journey to the Stage

My session centered on a metaphor: the legendary journey of Odysseus and how Large Language Models (LLMs) could act as modern-day Tiresias, guiding explorers in their quest for knowledge. To bring this idea to life, I created a RAG (Retrieve-and-Generate) system entirely within Snowflake. I preprocessed "The Odyssey" with Snowpark, dividing it into manageable chunks. Using CortexSearch, I indexed these fragments, generating embeddings to enable semantic search. Then, using Streamlit, I created an interactive demo—no slides, just pure exploration with code.

I poured myself into this project, working late nights and writing line after line of code. My demo wasn’t polished in the traditional sense; any seasoned developer might have turned up their nose at the formatting. But for me, it wasn’t about perfection. It was about embodying the spirit of Odysseus’s journey, pursuing knowledge for its own sake. This approach helped me stay grounded and embrace the process, even when I felt unsure.

Expectations vs. Reality

I expected to deliver a technical session that would captivate my audience, but the reality was more intense and revealing. Speaking to a room full of people eager to learn isn’t just about conveying knowledge; it’s about being present, focused, and connecting with others. For the first two minutes, I struggled. I felt a mental whirlwind—a distraction from all the open “mental windows” of my daily life, deadlines, and responsibilities. Only by closing those windows could I find my rhythm and deliver what I’d prepared.

Talking Points and On-Stage Experience

My session was about bridging literature and technology, showing how an LLM could serve as a modern Tiresias. I felt surprisingly at ease on stage, with a comfortable headset in place and my audience’s eyes on me. The challenge wasn’t stage fright; it was about staying focused, present, and intentional amid life’s constant demands.

The Impact of This Experience on My Growth

This initiative has had a profound impact on me, both personally and professionally. Beyond the technical learning, I discovered that public speaking brings you face-to-face with yourself in unexpected ways. Rehearsing a session a thousand times or preparing for every possible scenario with your mentor can only take you so far. You must be present, or else you risk wasting the time of those who came to explore with you. It pushed me to reflect on what I truly want to avoid and what I want to achieve in the future.

Would I Recommend This Experience?

Absolutely. Codemotion was a hardcore, punk experience in the best way possible. You can stay in your comfort zone, of course—but where’s the thrill in that? This experience challenges you, shakes you out of routine, and forces you to grow.

Advice for Others: Making the Most of Your Journey

To anyone embarking on a similar journey, my advice is simple: stay open to the unknown and embrace discomfort. You’re not just delivering a technical session; you’re sharing a part of yourself with others. Be present, keep your focus, and remember that you’re there not only to teach but to explore alongside your audience. The discomfort you feel now is part of what will make the experience memorable, meaningful, and worthwhile. Reflecting on this journey, I still haven’t fully come to terms with what it means for me. But I know this: stepping into the unknown and exposing myself to new challenges drives me to learn. It’s not about being the perfect speaker but about staying true to my path as an explorer.

Mentor: Guenda Sciandalepore - Codemotion Ambassador

Mentee:  Sofia pierini

Hey! I’m Leonardo, a Frontend Developer at Claranet Italia, and thanks to the Wannabe Speaker program I jumped on stage for the first time at Codemotion Milan 2024, delivering a session with a live demo showcasing GitHub Copilot’s latest features.

In my free time, I also like to share educational content about what I like in the development world through written technical articles and videos on my YouTube channel.

My motto is “Learning Web Development through Open Source” which might give you a hint about what topics I cover.

Fun fact: creating content online is what made me find my mentor for the Wannabe Speaker program! Turns out Emanuele was one of my followers and we met for the first time last year at Codemotion Milan 2023!

We quickly became friends and in the summer of 2024 he “kindly” suggested I do that extra step and submit a session for Codemotion Milan 2024, with the promise that if it got accepted in the Wannabe Speaker program he would have been my mentor.

Emanuele’s way of mentoring wasn’t exactly ordinary: he never looked at my slides until basically a couple of days before the conference as he taught me that slides are just a minimal part of a good session. The focus has been on the presence on stage, the enthusiasm, and the delivered value.

Fast forward to October 23rd, the day of my session arrived and I was super nervous. Slides weren’t a problem, I practiced my session a few times and I deeply know the topic, GitHub Copilot, to the point I could talk about it for hours. My main source of stress was definitely the live demo with AI’s notorious unpredictability.

With that in mind, my time arrived and I began my session. The MC introduced me and I started talking, but right after the first 30 seconds, I found myself in an unexpected emotional state. I felt entirely in control of the situation, all the initial fear and stress went magically away as I presented the first set of slides. Then the demo arrived, it had a couple of tiny hiccups which I was able to recover rather quickly but everything felt really natural.

I was talking in front of 150 people but that didn’t matter anymore, I was sharing something I like and I’m truly passionate about and I was 100% focused on trying to make the audience feel that excitement.

Time’s up, I completed my session and even answered some questions but at that point, I think I could have talked for two more hours, everything became so natural and fun!

I waited a lot before doing this step on stage but this time I felt it was the best chance and the best environment to give it a try!

Being able to share the things I like truly fulfills my heart and as a really shy and introverted person, it gives me that extra boost of self-confidence I definitely need in my life.

So here’s a message I’ve got for everyone out there thinking about delivering a live session for the first time: if you don’t feel ready, that’s fine! Take your time! But keep in mind that the only way to learn if you’re ready is… to do the thing! So find a mentor and have fun, you got this!

Mentor: Emanuele Bartolesi - Codemotion Ambassador

Mentee:  Leonardo Montini

My journey began with an innocent WhatsApp message from a former colleague with whom I had shared a few small talks. "What do you think about joining the Wannabe Speaker program at Codemotion?" Without overthinking it, much like Neo with the red pill, I said yes. Oh gosh, it was a big event, and I would be on stage alone, but after all, how different could it be? "My sweet summer child," as they say in Westeros. With that yes, I met Emanuele Bartolesi, my designated mentor and "guardian angel" for the next two months.

Between Zoom calls, Telegram groups, and 1:1 sessions that bordered on psychotherapy, I gathered a wealth of Tips & Tricks on public speaking. "But don't you really want me to tell you what I plan to put in the slides?" Only later did I realize that Emanuele was focused on getting me to talk about anything, but to do it well. I could have talked about the migration of fireflies or origami techniques (well, maybe not at Codemotion), the important thing was to do it well.

The day of the event, I thought I was ready. Then, when I walked into the Superstudio on Via Tortona, I realized I wasn't. I arrived early to get my badge, and the crowd had yet to arrive. Maybe it was the size of the venue, the strobe lights, the thousands of sci-fi-like headphones on every chair—suddenly, I realized this was a top-tier event. Would I be up to the challenge?

Probably not, if it weren't for the Wannabe Speaker program. It's a bit like diving in, pushing your limits, but with a safety net. And that net is the friendly faces of your mentor and those who shared the journey with you. Knowing that even if the Wi-Fi fails, even if the Q&A app crashes while they're asking you questions, even if the laser pointer you brought doesn't work on the too-bright screen—it's okay. You can still pull it off.

Sure, there are other paths: you can improvise as a speaker, but you have to be ready to learn by trial and error—and sometimes, even take a few hits—session after session. But believe me, if someone messages you on WhatsApp asking if you want to join the Wannabe Speaker program, don't think too much about it: take the red pill and go for it.

Mentor: Emanuele Bartolesi - Codemotion Ambassador

Mentee:  Laura Villa

Who are you and what do you do?

My name is Marta, and I work as a functional analyst, but I still do some development in my spare time.

How did you meet your mentor, and what did you do during the mentorship?

My mentor, Serena, is involved in many things, including being part of the SheTech community, which is how we met. After our initial video meeting, she listened to me, guided me, and encouraged me to cultivate an idea and prepare a short talk to express it.

What were your expectations?

I expected to take a leap into the unknown because speaking at a large, highly technical meeting intimidated me. However, the mentorship program made me feel safe at all times, and I was able to express myself, enjoying the experience even more.

What topic did you talk about during your talk?

During my talk, I discussed "kind code," which is a way of coding and producing technical deliverables that respects both oneself and others—not just focusing on readability but also on care, humor, and beauty in the final product.

How did you feel when you stepped onto the stage?

When I first stepped onto the stage, I was a bit nervous, but then I remembered Serena’s words: “Go out there and crush it! Have fun!” And I have to say, I really did have fun.

What impact did this initiative have on your growth? Is it an experience you would recommend? If so, why?

Participating in Codemotion with an active role had a positive impact on my personal growth because it allowed me to take another step toward self-confidence. I recommend anyone to try giving a talk, but I especially encourage all women to do so: the tech world needs us, there’s space for us, and we need to be the first to believe in it.

What would you recommend to make the most out of this experience?

To make the most of this experience, I recommend taking full advantage of everything the convention and its fantastic organization offer. Facilities like the speaker room, the headphones that help you hear your own voice better during the talk, and the gadgets that foster a sense of belonging really boost your motivation to do well and make the environment feel safe and welcoming—the perfect place where you "wannabe" a speaker.

Mentor: Serena Sensini - Codemotion Ambassador

Mentee:  Marta Scandellari

Hey folks! 👋🏼 Welcome to all tech and software development enthusiasts!

I'm Davide, Software Engineer @ Klarna, and I'm one of the 120 speakers who had the opportunity to step on stage to share their experience at Codemotion Milan 2023.
If you don't know what Codemotion is (that's a shame, you should!), it's the biggest tech conference in Italy 🇮🇹🤌🏼 and one of the biggest tech conferences in Europe. They organize a lot of events and webinars about a lot of topics: accessibility, AI, programming languages and much more.

My journey began when I received a message from my dear friend Emanuele on Telegram asking if I'd like to join Codemotion's WannaBe Speaker program and deliver a public session for the very first time in my life. Just to add a bit of context, Emanuele is a Codemotion ambassador, Microsoft MVP, GitHub Star and lastly GitHub Star of the Year (2023). He's always been my inspiration since day 0 when I started working in the IT world (I met him as a colleague in my first job experience) and he has always encouraged and motivated me to do my best to shine.

The mentorship with Emanuele was an intense and educational journey. He did something around 120 sessions in public and many more online, so I was sure that thanks to his incredible experience he would have advised me in the best way possible.
For these and many other reasons, his proposal to guide and mentor me through the world of public speaking was the spark that immediately ignited my determination and convinced me that I would make it, so I accepted!

Through Meet calls, Telegram groups, and individual sessions, Emanuele shared many essential but extremely helpful tips and strategies to face the stage with confidence.
He didn't just prepare me for the event; he aimed to bring out a unique communication style, valid for this session and for any other session I will do in the future.

Initially, I had many expectations and fears. It was my very first time at an event of this entity and at the same time, I had never spoken on a stage before so I was completely unaware of what I was going towards: it was a leap of faith. About 2400 people were attending the event, so I knew that I would have had to be well prepared on my topic and that my public speaking skills would have been put to a real test.
However, Codemotion's WannaBe Speaker program exceeded all my predictions: the event wasn't just a place to talk about technology and meet new cool people; it was a unique opportunity to grow as an individual.
Reality surpassed expectations, transforming the event into a springboard for my personal and professional growth.

The content of my session was about the View Transitions API, a new browser API still partially in beta and available just for Chromium browsers (as of today 😃).
I tried to convey my passion and knowledge on the subject, engaging the audience in a meaningful conversation. The preparation with Emanuele made this moment even more rewarding.

On the day of the talk, I was a bit nervous and excited at the same time: as soon as I reached the venue, I immediately realized how big it was and how many people there would have been: I was shocked! 🤯
I had the opportunity to meet new fantastic people, see familiar faces, and engage in insightful conversations that enriched both my professional network and personal experiences.

I also got the chance to stay in the "speaker room", where I took the opportunity to review my slides and check if everything was ready for the session that was planned for the afternoon.

The moment I stepped onto the stage was a mix of emotions: adrenaline, enthusiasm, and a slight tension blended as the audience awaited my words. Thanks to both Emanuele and the support of the program, I faced the stage with confidence, aware that I was up there for a reason and not because I was a random lucky person.

The session went pretty well: maybe I just started too quickly for fear of missing something during the speech 😅 As soon as I stepped off the stage, some people came to provide feedback and ask questions: that moment was probably my favorite because is the most "rewarding" - knowing that the audience was engaged and eager to discuss the topic made the entire experience truly fulfilling.

I highly recommend this experience for anyone aspiring to improve their speaking skills: it encourages personal and professional growth. Mentors like Emanuele create a stage for you to shine. Taking the red pill and joining this experience is a step toward inevitable growth and unlocking your potential. It's definitely worth it!

This initiative had a profound impact on my personal and professional growth. I learned to overcome the challenges of public speaking and gained confidence in my abilities. The network of connections and the experience with the WannaBe Speaker Program became invaluable resources for my future path.

In conclusion, Codemotion Milan 2023 was an absolutely unforgettable chapter in my career.
Thanks to the WannaBe Speaker Program, I overcame my fears and embraced the stage with confidence. -If you receive an invitation to participate, don't hesitate to take this unique opportunity!

Thanks to everyone who made this extraordinary journey possible!

See you at next year's Codemotion! 😉

Mentor: Emanuele Bartolesi - Codemotion Ambassador

Mentee:  Davide Mandelli

I had the incredible opportunity to attend and present at Codemotion in Milan, and let me tell you, it was an experience like no other! As a new tech enthusiast, being surrounded by like-minded individuals and industry experts was nothing short of exhilarating.

My presentation delved into the captivating realm of a transhumanist future, a topic that has been gaining popularity recently. The process of researching and learning about our ever-evolving human evolution was not only enlightening but also fueled my passion for the tech world.

However, I must admit – I didn't think stage fright was real until it happened! Stepping onto the stage for the second time was a daunting yet incredibly rewarding experience, especially considering it was my first conference. The nerves were real, but so was the sense of accomplishment that followed.

As the saying goes, "If at first, you don't succeed, try, try again." This phrase couldn't have rung truer for me during those moments on the stage. Overcoming the initial hesitation and embracing the challenge head-on reinforced the belief that the most certain way to succeed is always to try again.

Codemotion not only provided a platform for sharing insights into the tech world but also served as a personal growth journey. The supportive environment, coupled with the shared passion for technology, made the experience unforgettable. 

Here's to embracing the tech wave and looking forward to more opportunities for growth and learning in the dynamic world of technology. 👩🏽‍💻 🙌🏽 

A special thank you goes out to my incredible mentor Michela Bertaina 🚀 

Mentor: Michela Bertaina - Codemotion Community Program Manager

Mentee:  Yuvica Naidoo