Meet the judges of our Fabric Community DataViz Contest, May edition!

[slindsay]

The entry period of the Fabric Community DataViz Contest just wrapped up, and our panel of judges is currently evaluating your submissions! These data experts will be looking for insights, design, and accessibility as they determine who takes the crown of our first community-led contest! 

Meet the judges!

Andrei Khaidarov

When it comes to data visualization, analytics, and community-driven learning, few people bring as much expertise and passion as Andrei. With a deep technical background and a commitment to sharing knowledge, Andrei is a driving force in the Power BI and Microsoft Fabric ecosystem.

• Andrei brings deep expertise in Power BI, Microsoft Fabric, and Azure AI as a Cloud Solution Architect. A Microsoft MVP in Data Platform and Certified Trainer, he’s passionate about helping others build their skills.
• As a conference speaker, mentor, and competition judge (including Data2Speak), Andrei actively supports the data community. He is also an IEEE Senior Member and part of the Technical Community on Visualization and Graphics (VGTC).
• In 2025, he joined Workout Wednesday as a Core Contributor, designing challenges that push the boundaries of data storytelling. He also served on the 2024 Information is Beautiful Awards committee, recognizing excellence in data visualization.
• Andrei is also actively involved in our user group community, leading the Power BI UX/UI User Group. 

Rajendra Ongole

Rajendra Ongole brings deep expertise in Power BI and Microsoft Fabric as a BI Lead Specialist at Bosch Digital in Hyderabad, India. A Microsoft MVP in Data Platform, Certified Fabric Analytics Engineer, and Microsoft Certified Trainer, he’s passionate about helping others grow their skills. 

As a conference speaker, mentor, and active community contributor, Rajendra shares his knowledge through blogs, technical book reviews, and forum participation. He has delivered sessions at Microsoft Reactor on topics like Seamless Data Loading into Microsoft Fabric Data Warehouse and Mastering Power BI Model Relationships. 

Rajendra is dedicated to supporting the next generation of data professionals, mentoring aspiring Microsoft MVPs—especially those in Hyderabad. His commitment to data visualization, analytics, and community-driven learning continues to inspire others in the Power BI and Microsoft Fabric ecosystem. 

Sahir Maharaj

Sahir Maharaj is a Senior Data Scientist at Old Mutual Limited, where he leads end-to-end AI solutions that drive strategic decisions at scale. As South Africa’s first Kaggle Grandmaster and ranked among the Top 25 data scientists globally, he blends elite technical skill with a deep commitment to learning.

With over 650 bookings on Topmate.io, Sahir actively mentors analysts, scientists, and senior leaders on Power BI, AI, and data strategy. He’s also a Power BI Super User, a prolific content creator, and a top 1% Credly certification holder across AI, ML, and data science domains. Furthermore, Sahir contributes as a technical Subject Matter Expert for Coursera and SureSkills, helping shape global programs on Microsoft Copilot, Power BI, and beyond.

Sahir is also the architect of this month's contest! We have him to thank for the fascinating topic and dataset! 

[burakkaragoz]

Great to see such an experienced and diverse panel of judges for the DataViz Contest. Andrej, Rajendra, and Safir each bring a unique perspective from different corners of the data world. From Power BI and Fabric to AI and machine learning

Having judges who are not only technically strong but also active in the community really adds value to the competition. Looking forward to seeing the insights and feedback they’ll bring to the table

Thanks to the Fabric team for putting this together

[technolog]

@burakkaragoz thanks for kind words!