Network as a Service (NaaS): Scaling for Large Enterprise Demands in the AI-Driven Era

Spring 2025

This panel will explore the critical infrastructure and operational needs for deploying Network as a Service (NaaS) solutions in large enterprise environments, especially as they embrace the transformative power of AI. Panelists will discuss real-world examples of how NaaS can meet high demands for scalability, security, and resilience in enterprise networks, while addressing cost, agility, and data governance. The conversation will touch on practical challenges and success stories around scaling NaaS, compliance hurdles, AI-enhanced cybersecurity, and the evolving role of IT leaders in shaping AI-ready networks.

Speakers:

Ray Mota, Ph.D., responsible for the Carrier Strategy & Infrastructure ServicesandSD-WAN Service, brings a talent for complex technical and critical thinking and provides strategic direction, sharp analysis, and expert advice on networking issues, specializing in design, implementation, and troubleshooting. Prior to founding ACG Research Dr. Mota worked for Aberdeen Group, ManageAll, Micros-To-Mainframes, Advanced Technology Group, Eastman Kodak and the IRS. As a CTO, he designed, implemented and supported complex trading floor systems and large WAN Frame Relay and ATM networks. He also provided training on Sniffer, HP Advisor protocol analysis tools, and MPLS architectures. Ray has also developed cloud applications and has a software patent attributed to him.

Ray is recognized as an expert in topics relating to networks, managed services, operational efficiency, and business modeling. He has been the keynote speaker for global telecom events. His insightful commentaries and analyses have been published in The Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Bloomberg, Telecom Magazine, MSNBC, CNN Money, Forbes, Fortune, Businessweek, NY Times, SF Chronicle, and other industry publications.

On the personal side, Ray holds 13 amateur baseball World Series titles and has coached at the Arizona Diamondback Training Center and the Phoenix Prospectors a professional baseball team which won the championship on 2012 & 2013. His successful baseball career inspired him to write Maximum Ability, (Lulu.Com, 2005), which focuses on mind power and using the cognitive abilities involved in sports to achieve excellence in not only the athletic arena but also in business fields and in other aspects of a person’s life. Ray donates 100 percent of the proceeds to Motavation Group, which organizes sporting events for sick children, (http://www.lulu.com/content/110670). In October 2000, HispanicBusiness.com selected Ray, with other notables Sammy Sosa of the Chicago Cubs and Alex Rodriguez of the Texas Rangers, as one of the top 100 most influential Hispanics in the United States.

Suresh Katukam is the Co-founder and Chief Product Officer at Nile, where he is leading the transformation of enterprise networking through AI-powered, autonomous services. With a career spanning over 25 years, Suresh has worked across engineering, product management, business development, and M&A—always focused on bringing simplicity, intelligence, and automation to complex systems.

Prior to Nile, Suresh held leadership and technical roles at companies including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Aruba Networks (an HPE company), Dell Technologies, and Cisco. His experience spans both large-scale enterprise platforms and fast-paced innovation environments.

Suresh holds more than 40 patents and has published research papers in Artificial Intelligence. He earned his Master’s degree in Computer Science from Arizona State University, where he specialized in AI, and an MBA from UCLA Anderson School of Management.

At ONUG 2025, Suresh will share his perspective on what it takes to deliver true autonomous networks—highlighting the need for a new foundation built on deep instrumentation, pervasive telemetry, and a shift from managing products to consuming outcomes.

Allwyn Sequeira is CEO at Highway 9 Networks. A serial entrepreneur, he was previously SVP/GM at VMware across multiple business lines and new ventures. Allwyn’s first venture was as CTO / VP creating and delivering the industry’s first software-defined networking (SDN) solution, VMware NSX vSphere, which grew to over $2B in revenue. He was then asked to run vCloud Air, VMware’s own cloud service, leading all development, product management, IaaS platform and service delivery, cloud operations and customer success. In his final role, Allwyn led the development and operation of HCX, the industry’s first hybrid cloud migration and inter-networking service between VMware, enterprises and public clouds like Amazon, Google, Microsoft and IBM. This effort led to the creation of Telco Cloud Automation and Infrastructure, which was the world’s first platform integrating 5G containerized network functions, and was chosen by DISH as its 5G platform. Earlier in his career, Allwyn was co-founder and EVP of Products and Operations at First Virtual Corporation (FVC) through its IPO and growth.

James Feger is an accomplished leader recognized for expediting business growth and enhancing customer experience through technology transformation and technical team optimization. With a keen focus on business innovation and competitive advantage, James adeptly drives strategic initiatives and secures these achievements by emphasizing security, operational excellence, and comprehensive business continuity plans. His success is driven and proven by his strategic and tactical acumen, talent for building and inspiring high-performance teams, and capacity to shift  company culture and generate alignment.
James currently serves as the SVP pf Product Segments at Lumen Technologies. Prior to this, he was the Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Speed cast. At F5, James held significant roles including Senior Vice President and General Manager – Service Providers, and Vice President and General Manager – Service Providers. James’s career at CenturyLink was marked by several key positions such as Vice President – Network Virtualization, Vice President Technology Operations, Vice President Infrastructure Support, Interim Chief Technology Officer, Vice President – Network Strategy & Development, and Director – IP & Ethernet Technologies. He also contributed to Arbor Networks, the security division of NETSCOUT, as a Customer Advisory Board Member.
Earlier in his career, James was the Director – IP Engineering at CenturyTel and worked as a Network Analyst at AT&T. He started his career as a Member Technical Staff at Core Express.
James’s extensive experience across various senior roles highlights his dedication to fostering technological advancement and operational excellence in the organizations he serves.

Rajarshi (Raj) has 21+ years of experience driving Pre-Sales, business development, marketing & delivery leading to revenue and profitability growth for companies that he worked for in Enterprises, international telecoms & OTT sector across both mature and emerging markets. He has led multicultural teams and managed customers across the globe.

He has held multiple leadership roles at Tata Communications, across multiple roles and regions enabling growth for the company. These positions ensured leadership of Tata Communications business across three varied business lines, Global Carrier Solutions, Enterprise Solutions and OTTs, achieving revenue and profitability growth annually over my tenure. He was entrusted with launching new service models and developing new markets, while ensuring improved employee engagement scores, well above company benchmarks.

His most recent role is to lead Pre-Sales (Sales Engineers) for Amercia’s market for Tata Communications. In this role, he works with large Enterprise customers on their growth strategy by co-creating, collaborating, and delivering on their innovation road map, with Tata Communications as a strategic partner.

Prior to this role, he led India Pre Sales and prior to that he was Global Head of Product Marketing where he led a global team to convert technical products into stories and brochures which can connect with customers and employees.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

He has filed 4 Patents in areas of Drones, RPA and Internet. Won “Shape the Future”- which is a platform for best ideas in Tata Communications. Highest ESAT score 3 years in a row in Tata communications. Leading Project in Botswana to make internet and network affordable in the country. Engaging with clients with Point of View and Thought Leadership rather than point product conversations, resulting in continued leadership position for Tata Communications in the India region.

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