Top QA Experts & Influencers To Get Inspired By In 2026
Looking for QA experts who can help you in your testing journey? Wanting inspiration in your daily hustle? Wishing for daily industry-related insights and tips?
In this post, I will share the top QA experts and influencers that I follow. Consultants, Authors, Tedx Speakers, bloggers, testing experts, and entrepreneurs—these QA superstars are leading the way in QA.
If you're looking to stay up to date with all the latest QA insights and trends, read on and be sure to follow these influencers to get inspired in 2026.
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Angie Jones
Angie Jones is a Senior Developer Advocate at Applitools and the Director of Test Automation University. She’s an international conference speaker and teacher, and expert in test automation strategies and techniques. Her
…Angie Jones is a Senior Developer Advocate at Applitools and the Director of Test Automation University. She’s an international conference speaker and teacher, and expert in test automation strategies and techniques. Her website offers free courses and testing resources.
“My difference are my superpowers.”
Lynn McKee
Lynn McKee has over 23 years of experience in the QA industry and is a software quality and testing leader, international speaker, and Principal Consultant at Quality Perspectives.
Lynn McKee has over 23 years of experience in the QA industry and is a software quality and testing leader, international speaker, and Principal Consultant at Quality Perspectives.
“Don't just dream it. Be it.”
Helena Jeret-Mae
Helena Jeret-Mae is a Quality Strategist and Coach at Nevercode. She is a self-made English major turned software tester, and is passionate about testing, inspiring others, and building meaningful solutions to problems.
Helena Jeret-Mae is a Quality Strategist and Coach at Nevercode. She is a self-made English major turned software tester, and is passionate about testing, inspiring others, and building meaningful solutions to problems.
“I try not to strive for perfection but rather record my whereabouts on my journey as well as I can.”
Joe Colantonio
Test automation expert, Joe Colantonio, is the Founder of TestGuild, a blog and podcast to help individuals become in-demand full stack automation testers.
Test automation expert, Joe Colantonio, is the Founder of TestGuild, a blog and podcast to help individuals become in-demand full stack automation testers.
“TestGuild: Back to the Tests. Back to What Works.”
Keith Klain
Keith Klain has over 20 years of experience managing quality programs for financial services and global IT consulting firms. Tune into his QA podcast, Quality Remarks, to gain QA insights from industry
…Keith Klain has over 20 years of experience managing quality programs for financial services and global IT consulting firms. Tune into his QA podcast, Quality Remarks, to gain QA insights from industry professionals.
“...trying to make software suck less...”
Alan Richardson
Alan Richardson, aka the Evil Tester, is an independent consultant, trainer, author, and contractor with over 20 years of experience. His expertise includes helping clients succeed in Agile development and testing.
Alan Richardson, aka the Evil Tester, is an independent consultant, trainer, author, and contractor with over 20 years of experience. His expertise includes helping clients succeed in Agile development and testing.
“I test things and help people test better.”
Jonathon Wright
Jonathon Wright is a TEDx Speaker, consultant, and the Co-founder and CTO of Digital Assured. In addition to speaking at various international conferences, Jonathon also runs online webinars, workshops, and training courses.
Jonathon Wright is a TEDx Speaker, consultant, and the Co-founder and CTO of Digital Assured. In addition to speaking at various international conferences, Jonathon also runs online webinars, workshops, and training courses.
“Enabling our clients to enable digital innovation...”
Luke Liu
Luke Liu, also known on Twitter as @TestingWithFun, is a Senior Testing Consultant and active social influencer. Follow him on Twitter as he regularly searches for answers to his QA related questions
…Luke Liu, also known on Twitter as @TestingWithFun, is a Senior Testing Consultant and active social influencer. Follow him on Twitter as he regularly searches for answers to his QA related questions and shares useful insights.
“求同存异 [qiú tóng cún yì]: seeking common ground while valuing diverse perspectives.”
David Williams
David Williams is an award-winning international conference speaker, testing veteran, and expert agile leader. Passionate about mentorship and coaching, he has experience working across various industries, including ecommerce, energy, and gaming.
David Williams is an award-winning international conference speaker, testing veteran, and expert agile leader. Passionate about mentorship and coaching, he has experience working across various industries, including ecommerce, energy, and gaming.
“Be pragmatic. Be passionate. Be graciously disruptive”
Sigurdur Birgisson
Previously with Atlassian and Jayway, Sigurdur Birgisson is a QA Manager and software professional at Avensia. Follow Sigurdur on Twitter for his latest QA insights and to see the QA conferences he’s
…Previously with Atlassian and Jayway, Sigurdur Birgisson is a QA Manager and software professional at Avensia. Follow Sigurdur on Twitter for his latest QA insights and to see the QA conferences he’s attending.
“...an optimistic tester.”
Rosie Sherry
Online community expert, Rosie Sherry, founded and bootstrapped the Ministry of Testing—a global community all about software testing. She is now the Community Manager at Indie Hackers.
Online community expert, Rosie Sherry, founded and bootstrapped the Ministry of Testing—a global community all about software testing. She is now the Community Manager at Indie Hackers.
“...building a community of practice for quality engineers and software testing professionals.”
Courtland Allen
Courtland Allen has worked for almost 10 years of building, designing, and marketing web-based products and companies. He founded IndieHackers.com, which was acquired in 2017. He works at Stripe running the Indie
…Courtland Allen has worked for almost 10 years of building, designing, and marketing web-based products and companies. He founded IndieHackers.com, which was acquired in 2017. He works at Stripe running the Indie Hackers.
“Working on the things you enjoy, at the pace you set, from wherever you want, with the people you love, so you can be happy… these are perfectly fine reasons to start something.”
Richard Bradshaw
Richard Bradshaw, aka FriendlyTester, is the “BossBoss” or CEO of the Ministry of Testing. He is a tester, teacher, writer, and public speaker on all things software testing.
Richard Bradshaw, aka FriendlyTester, is the “BossBoss” or CEO of the Ministry of Testing. He is a tester, teacher, writer, and public speaker on all things software testing.
“It's Best to Test.”
Kristel Kruustuk
Kristel Kruustuk is the Founder and Chief Testing Officer at Testlio. She and her husband launched Testlio in 2013 after winning $25,000 at the Angelhack global competition.
Kristel Kruustuk is the Founder and Chief Testing Officer at Testlio. She and her husband launched Testlio in 2013 after winning $25,000 at the Angelhack global competition.
“(I am) ridiculously passionate about testing.”
Channing Allen
Channing Allen is the co-founder of IndieHackers.com, which was acquired in 2017. He now works with the Indie Hackers at Stripe.
Channing Allen is the co-founder of IndieHackers.com, which was acquired in 2017. He now works with the Indie Hackers at Stripe.
“Why people don't start projects: They underestimate what they can do. Why people don't finish projects: They overestimate what they can do.”
Kate Falanga
Kate Falanga is Associate Director of Quality Assurance at Code and Theory and holds over 10 years of experience in the QA industry. Known within the QA community, you can find her
…Kate Falanga is Associate Director of Quality Assurance at Code and Theory and holds over 10 years of experience in the QA industry. Known within the QA community, you can find her tweeting on the topic of software testing.
“Driving cross-functional collaboration and operational excellence.”
Zeger Van Hese
Zeger Van Hese is an independent test consultant with expertise in agile development, exploratory testing, and coaching. Follow him on Twitter for testing-related content.
Zeger Van Hese is an independent test consultant with expertise in agile development, exploratory testing, and coaching. Follow him on Twitter for testing-related content.
“I am, therefore I test -- I test, therefore I think.”
Fred Stevens-Smith
Entrepreneur Fred Stevens-Smith is the Co-founder and CEO of Rainforest QA. He spends his time working to build a better, faster way of performing QA, all the while building a positive company
…Entrepreneur Fred Stevens-Smith is the Co-founder and CEO of Rainforest QA. He spends his time working to build a better, faster way of performing QA, all the while building a positive company culture.
“You're absolutely right! On the long march of 9s.”
Marko Kruustuk
Mark Kruustuk is the Founder and COO at Testlio. He and his wife launched Testlio in 2013 after winning $25,000 at the Angelhack global competition.
Mark Kruustuk is the Founder and COO at Testlio. He and his wife launched Testlio in 2013 after winning $25,000 at the Angelhack global competition.
“I keep moving forward as the comfort zone makes me anxious.”
Russell Smith
Russell Smith is the Co-founder and CTO of Rainforest QA. His background is in consulting for startups and companies in development, ops, architecture, design, and capacity planning.
Russell Smith is the Co-founder and CTO of Rainforest QA. His background is in consulting for startups and companies in development, ops, architecture, design, and capacity planning.
“We make AI weapon systems that work.”
Andrei Mikhailau
Andrei is Software Testing Director at ScienceSoft. He has 15+ years of experience in a range of SDLC processes, from testing and BA to project management and QA. Andrei has successfully worked
…Andrei is Software Testing Director at ScienceSoft. He has 15+ years of experience in a range of SDLC processes, from testing and BA to project management and QA. Andrei has successfully worked under various methodologies and has expertise in developing quality testing processes.
“I focus on fostering a culture where curiosity, creativity, and a proactive mindset aren’t just encouraged — they’re expected from every IT specialist we bring on board.”
