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Kai Waehner

Global Field CTO at Kestra

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Overview

Kai Waehner holds the position of Global Field CTO at Kestra[1][4], an open-source unified orchestration platform, while also operating as an Independent Advisory Field CTO through Kai Waehner GmbH[3]. Waehner's work spans enterprise architecture, data integration, process intelligence, workflow orchestration, and trusted agentic AI, with focus on how these areas intersect within governed, real-time enterprise architectures[2]. Prior to joining Kestra in July 2026, Waehner spent nearly six years at Confluent, progressing from Technology Evangelist in May 2017 to Global Field CTO by October 2020[5][7]. Earlier experience includes roles at TIBCO Software as Community Director and Technology Evangelist, and as Presales Consultant EMEA at Talend[8][10]. Waehner holds a Diploma in Commercial Information Technology and Business Studies from the University of Bamberg[11].

Profile introduction
Source excerptLinkedIn [2]

I work across four connected areas: enterprise architecture, data integration, process intelligence and workflow orchestration, and trusted agentic AI. My focus is where they meet, and how enterprises combine them into architectures that are governed, real-time, and ready for AI rather than stitched together after the fact. My analysis and advice stay independent of any vendor. I am Global Field CTO at Kestra, the open-source unified orchestration platform for infrastructure automation, data pipelines, applications, and business processes. In this role, I work with customers, partners, and an…

Career history

  1. Independent Advisory Field CTOJul 2026 to presentKai Waehner GmbH
  2. Global Field CTOJul 2026 to presentKestra
  3. Global Field CTO at ConfluentOct 2020 to Jun 2026Confluent
  4. Enterprise Architect and Global Field EngineerAug 2019 to Oct 2020Confluent
  5. Technology EvangelistMay 2017 to Aug 2019Confluent
  6. Community Director and Technology EvangelistJun 2016 to Apr 2017TIBCO Software Inc.
  7. Technical Lead / International PresalesMar 2014 to May 2016TIBCO Software Inc.
  8. Presales Consultant EMEAOct 2012 to Feb 2014Talend

Education

  1. Diploma, Commercial Information Technology, Business Studies2002 - 2008University of Bamberg
  2. Higher School Certificate1992 - 2001Science-oriented at Ehrenbürg-Gymnasium-Forchheim

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