Quantum.Tech 2025: A Gathering of Visionaries Shaping the Quantum Future

Washington, DC, is set to host a landmark event in the quantum technology landscape from April 14-16, 2025, at the Conrad Hotel. The CRYPTOGRAPHY Workshop Day and the Quantum.Tech Main Conference promise to bring together some of the most influential minds and organizations driving the quantum industry. With a spotlight on quantum cryptography, computing advancements, and their real-world applications, this event showcases a powerhouse lineup of speakers from government, industry, and academia. Below, we dive into the key figures and organizations shaping the agenda, highlighting their expertise and influence in the field.

A Stellar Lineup of Speakers

The event features a curated roster of experts whose work spans quantum cryptography, quantum computing innovation, and high-stakes industry and government applications. Here’s a closer look at some of the standout voices:

Quantum Cryptography Experts

• Lily Chen – Mathematician and NIST Fellow, NIST
  Appearing on April 14th at 9:45am and again at 3:30pm, Chen is a pivotal figure in the development of post-quantum cryptography (PQC) standards. As a NIST Fellow, she’s defining how the world will secure data against quantum threats. Her sessions will likely provide critical updates on NIST’s efforts, which, by March 2025, are expected to have solidified PQC frameworks—a game-changer for global cybersecurity.
• Omar Amer – Quantum Cryptography Research Lead, JP Morgan Chase & Co
  Speaking on April 14th at 10:30am and April 15th at 3:00pm, Amer bridges the worlds of finance and security. As a leader at one of the world’s top financial institutions, his focus on quantum cryptography underscores the urgency of protecting sensitive financial data in a quantum future. Expect insights into how Wall Street is preparing for quantum-resistant systems.
• Tahereh Rezaei – PQC Scientist, Wells Fargo
  On April 14th at 12:30pm, Rezaei will explore Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) as a shield for financial systems. Her work at Wells Fargo emphasizes practical applications of quantum cryptography, offering a scientific yet actionable perspective on securing interbank communications against quantum threats.

Quantum Computing Leaders

• Chris Ballance – Co-Founder and CEO, Oxford Ionics
  Taking the stage on April 15th at 12:00pm, Ballance is an innovator in scaling quantum computing hardware. Oxford Ionics is pushing the boundaries of qubit development, and his participation in the fault-tolerant vs. NISQ debate will shed light on the technical hurdles and breakthroughs ahead.
• Stephanie Simmons – Founder & Chief Quantum Officer, Photonic
  Appearing on April 15th at 12:00pm and April 16th at 9:10am, Simmons brings a Canadian perspective to the global quantum stage. As a co-chair of Canada’s National Quantum Strategy, she’s a strategic thinker and technical leader, driving advancements in photonic-based quantum systems. Her dual appearances signal her influence across technical and policy domains.
• Scott Buchholz – Global Quantum Lead & CTO, Government & Public Services, Deloitte Consulting LLP
  On April 16th at 11:50am, Buchholz will reflect on quantum computing’s past, present, and future. As Deloitte’s quantum strategist, he’s uniquely positioned to guide organizations through adoption challenges, making his session a must-attend for those seeking a roadmap to quantum readiness.

Industry and Government Heavyweights

• Manivannan Venkatesan – Advanced Technology (Digital) Lead, US Navy
  Kicking off Day 1 on April 15th at 9:10am, Venkatesan will outline the Department of Defense’s quantum technology strategy. His talk promises to reveal how quantum computing and sensing could transform military applications, from cybersecurity to weather modeling—a critical lens amid 2025’s geopolitical tensions.
• Carolyn Mercer – Chief Technologist, NASA
  On April 16th at 8:50am, Mercer will share how quantum innovation is advancing NASA’s missions. Her fireside chat will likely highlight space-specific applications, offering a glimpse into how quantum tech could redefine exploration and communication beyond Earth.
• Celia Merzbacher – Executive Director, Q-EDC
  Speaking on April 16th at 2:05pm, Merzbacher leads the Quantum Economic Development Consortium (Q-EDC), a key to fostering the quantum industry. Her state-of-the-industry address will provide a big-picture view of quantum’s economic and technological trajectory.

Powerhouse Organizations in the Spotlight

The event’s lineup reflects a dynamic mix of organizations—from tech giants and financial powerhouses to government agencies and innovative startups. Here’s a snapshot of the key players represented:

• NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology): With Lily Chen’s dual appearances, NIST underscores its role as the backbone of quantum security standards, guiding worldwide efforts to transition to quantum-resistant cryptography.
• JP Morgan Chase & Co and Wells Fargo: Represented by Omar Amer and Tahereh Rezaei, these financial titans highlight the sector’s proactive stance on quantum threats, blending research with real-world deployment.
• IBM: Jai Arun’s session on crypto-agility (April 14th, 11:30am) positions IBM as a leader in enterprise quantum preparedness, drawing on lessons from early adopters.
• AT&T and Deutsche Bahn: Industry voices including Brian Miles (AT&T, April 14th, 2:00pm) and Manfred Rieck (Deutsche Bahn, April 14th, 2:25pm) show how telecom and logistics are embracing quantum security and technologies.
• DoD (US Navy) and NASA: Manivannan Venkatesan and Carolyn Mercer bring the weight of U.S. government innovation, tying quantum to national security and space exploration.
• Deloitte, Lockheed Martin, and Boeing: Scott Buchholz, Dani Couger (Lockheed Martin, April 16th, 2:30pm), and Jay Lowell (Boeing, April 16th, 2:30pm) represent consulting and defense giants betting big on quantum’s potential.
• Startups and Innovators: Oxford Ionics (Chris Ballance), Photonic (Stephanie Simmons), and others such as Aliro Quantum and Quintessence Labs (showcases on April 14th) signal a vibrant ecosystem of emerging players pushing quantum boundaries.

Why This Matters

For attendees, this is a rare chance to hear directly from those leading the charge—whether it’s securing data against quantum threats, scaling quantum hardware, or applying these technologies to defense, finance, and beyond. The presence of heavyweights from DoD, NASA, and IBM alongside nimble innovators like Oxford Ionics deliver the event’s as a nexus for collaboration and progress.

Scheduled just three weeks from today—March 23, 2025—this event arrives at a pivotal moment. With NIST’s PQC standards likely finalized and quantum computing inching toward practical applications, the speakers and organizations at Quantum.Tech 2025 are not just theorizing—they’re shaping the future. From Chen’s standards work at NIST to Amer’s financial fortifications at JP Morgan, and from Ballance’s qubit innovations to Mercer’s cosmic ambitions, the lineup reflects a convergence of expertise that spans theory, practice, and policy.

Looking Ahead

As the quantum race heats up worldwide, Quantum.Tech 2025 offers a front-row seat to the minds and organizations driving the next wave of technological disruption. Whether you’re a policymaker, technologist, or investor, the insights from these speakers will illuminate the path forward in a world where quantum is no longer a curiosity but a necessity.

Mark your calendars for April 14-16, 2025, and prepare to engage with the luminaries who are turning quantum potential into reality.