AWS Names First 2026 Heroes Cohort: Three Community Leaders Recognized for Cloud, AI, Security Impact
AWS honors three community leaders in first 2026 Heroes cohort: Maurizio Argoneto, Ray Goh, Sheyla Leacock for cloud, AI, security contributions.
AWS Announces First 2026 Heroes Cohort
SEATTLE—January 2026—Amazon Web Services (AWS) today unveiled its first Heroes cohort of 2026, honoring three developer community leaders from around the world for outstanding contributions to cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. The new Heroes—Maurizio Argoneto (Italy), Ray Goh (Singapore), and Sheyla Leacock (Panama)—represent the growing influence of grassroots technical communities.
“These individuals exemplify the passion and dedication that power the AWS ecosystem,” said Dr. Emily Tran, AWS Heroes Program Director. “They don’t just build technology—they build bridges between people, fostering inclusive learning and innovation across continents.”
Maurizio Argoneto: Building Cloud Culture in Rural Italy
Maurizio Argoneto, a CTO and founder of the AWS User Group Basilicata, has spent over a decade cultivating cloud ecosystems in underserved regions. Based in the mountain village of Pignola, Italy, he launched an international tech conference that draws global experts and local talent.
“Maurizio shows that community leadership can thrive anywhere—even in a small village,” said Alessandro Rossi, a fellow AWS Hero. “His focus on genuine human connection and mentoring across generations is a model for others.” Argoneto’s initiatives range from introducing children to coding to guiding professionals into cloud architecture.
Ray Goh: Leading AI Education Across Southeast Asia
Ray Goh, an AWS Machine Learning and AI community leader in Singapore, founded The Gen-C in 2024—a generative AI learning community. He has run public workshops at libraries across Singapore, covering LLM fine-tuning and AI agents on AWS, and has spoken at major events like re:Invent and AWS Summit ASEAN.
Goh also spearheaded the world’s largest enterprise AWS DeepRacer program at DBS Bank in 2020, upskilling over 3,100 employees. In 2025, he trained more than 1,300 ASEAN students in LLM techniques. His skills-based CSR initiatives teach AI to women, children, and youths, earning coverage from CNBC and Euromoney.
“Ray is driving AI literacy at scale,” noted Dr. Nandita Singh, an AWS AI specialist. “His work ensures that diverse communities can participate in the AI revolution.”
Sheyla Leacock: Championing Cloud Security in Latin America
Sheyla Leacock, an IT security professional and technical author from Panama, leads the AWS User Group in Panama and has spoken at AWS Summit Mexico, AWS Summit LATAM, and re:Invent PeerTalk sessions. Her expertise spans cloud security, penetration testing, and cybersecurity education.
“Sheyla is a force for security awareness across Latin America,” said Carlos Mendez, an AWS Security Hero. “Her mentorship and speaking engagements help close the cybersecurity skills gap in the region.” Leacock regularly contributes to open-source security tools and mentors women in tech.
Background: What Is the AWS Heroes Program?
The AWS Heroes program recognizes individuals who go beyond technical expertise to build, educate, and inspire the broader cloud community. Heroes are nominated by peers and selected by AWS for their contributions to user groups, open-source projects, conferences, and mentorship. The program covers categories including Community, AI, Security, and more.
Since its inception, the program has honored hundreds of leaders worldwide. The 2026 cohort marks the first of the year, with additional cohorts expected later.
What This Means for the Cloud Community
The recognition of these three Heroes signals AWS’s continued investment in community-driven growth. As cloud computing, AI, and security become increasingly critical, grassroots leaders like Argoneto, Goh, and Leacock are essential for democratizing access to knowledge and tools.
“Heroes are the heart of our ecosystem,” said Tran. “They show that leadership is not just about technical skill but about creating pathways for others to succeed.” The 2026 cohort underscores a shift toward inclusive, global community building—from rural Italy to urban Singapore and the emerging tech hubs of Latin America.