Women in Leadership and Technology 2024 Special Event

Registration Check-in and Networking

Breakfast will be provided.

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Presenters: Sushila Nair (Capgemini)
Representatives from Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), ISC2 and ISSA DC Chapters

Presenters will introduce the significance of the event, the goals for the day, and a brief overview of the current state of women in technology, especially in cyber and audit.

Keynote Address: Securing Tomorrow: AI and the Journey Towards a ‘Secure by Design Future’

Presenter: Lauren Zabierek (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)) and Lisa Einstein (CISA)

In this fireside chat, Lisa Einstein and Lauren Zabierek will discuss their work on Artificial Intelligence and Secure by Design. To catalyze enduring security for our nation as the National Cyber Strategy calls for, we must make two fundamental shifts: ensuring that the most capable and best-positioned actors assume a greater share of the burden for mitigating cyber risk, and increasing incentives to favor long-term investments into cybersecurity. CISA’s work on AI and Secure by Design are directly aligned with this vision and the agency is working across industry, the security community, and international partners to drive change toward long term security, safety, and resilience. Lisa and Lauren will share what they are doing in their respective roles, highlight challenges and opportunities for the audience, and share a bit about their experiences in cybersecurity.

Coffee and Networking Break

Refreshments will be provided

Panel Discussion – Climbing the Tech Ladder: Strategies to Excel and Lead

Moderator: Katherine Scott (ISACA GWDC)

Panelists: Teresa Allison (Dept. of the Treasury, ISSA DC Chapter), Sushila Nair (Capgemini, ISACA GWDC), and Randall Trzeciak (Software Engineering Institute @ Carnegie Mellon University)

This panel discussion aims to explore effective strategies and practical advice for women in technology who aspire to advance into leadership roles. It will provide insights into overcoming common barriers, navigating corporate cultures, and leveraging personal strengths for career advancement. The panelists, who are successful female leaders in tech, will share their experiences and tips on how to excel in a competitive and often male-dominated field.

Key Discussion Points

• Navigating the Path to Leadership: Insights into the journey of rising up the ranks in the tech industry, including key steps and milestones.
• Overcoming Gender-Specific Barriers: Discussing challenges specific to women in tech and strategies to overcome them, such as dealing with bias and imposter syndrome.
• Developing Leadership Skills: Identifying and cultivating the essential skills needed for effective leadership in technology.
• Mentorship and Sponsorship: Understanding the role of mentors and sponsors in career advancement and how to effectively seek and maintain these relationships.
• Building a Personal Brand: Tips on how to establish and promote a personal brand that aligns with leadership aspirations.
• Work-Life Integration: Discussing strategies for balancing professional growth with personal life, including family commitments.
• Networking and Community Involvement: The importance of building a professional network and getting involved in tech communities for career development.
• Future Trends in Tech Leadership: Insights into emerging trends and how aspiring leaders can prepare for the future landscape of tech leadership.

Lunch Break and Networking

Lunch will be provided to event attendees.

AI and Privacy: Maximizing the Benefits and Minimizing the Risks

Presenter: Naomi B. Lefkovitz (NIST)

Can there be privacy in the age of artificial intelligence? From privacy-preserving machine learning to the building blocks for personal privacy avatars, this presentation will focus on NIST frameworks, tools, and guidelines that can maintain or enhance privacy with artificial intelligence.

Extending the Principles of Responsible AI to Technology Policy

Presenter: Dr. Diana Burley (American University)

AI and other emerging technologies both empower innovation and expose societal vulnerabilities. The policies that guide their deployment and use determine, to a large extent, the role that these innovations play in society. As such, the policies, and the policymakers who shape them, are powerful arbiters of future human welfare. How then, do we extend the “responsible” principles we promote with the technology developers to the policies and policymakers who shape societal standards?

Coffee and Networking Break

Refreshments will be provided

Beyond Cybersecurity: Women Coloring the Future of AI

Presenter: Diya Wynn (Amazon)

Imagine a world where AI isn’t just considered a tech fad, but a bridge to a more equitable future. Where diverse voices paint the canvas of innovation, and women lead the charge. Join us for a dynamic exploration of how AI is shaping our world, and how YOU can be a part of its story. Leave empowered to go beyond Cybersecurity, join the movement and color the AI future.

Harnessing the power of AI with Microsoft Copilot

Presenter: Lili Davoudian (Microsoft)

This session will provide an overview of the Microsoft copilot stack, with a focus on data security and governance. The session will walk through how to set up the appropriate data governance guardrails when introducing the Copilot product suite to ensure data security and compliance. It will also demonstrate how different element of the Microsoft Copilot stack can automate repetitive job functions, across security and compliance. Finally, the session will touch on Microsoft’s commitment to responsible AI principles.

Closing Remarks

Lauren Zabierek
Senior Advisor, Cybersecurity Division @ CISA

Lauren Zabierek is a Senior Advisor in the Cybersecurity Division at CISA with over 20 years in national security. Previously, she served as the Executive Director of the Cyber Project at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center, where she ran a policy-relevant research program and managed students and nonresident fellows. She also served as the Acting Executive Director of the Belfer Center in her final semester there. She came to that role as a 2019 graduate of the Kenney School’s midcareer MPA program. Prior to graduate school, she was an early member of the cybersecurity firm Recorded Future, having established and managed their public sector team. She also served as a civilian intelligence analyst at the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency with multiple deployments to Afghanistan and served as a US Air Force intelligence officer at the beginning of her career. Lauren is also the co-founder of the online social media movement, #ShareTheMicInCyber. She is a mentor with Girl Security, a fellow at the National Security Institute at George Mason University, and a fellow at New America. She has appeared on television, radio, and several podcasts and panels.

Lisa Einstein
Executive Director of CISA Cybersecurity Advisory Committee @ CISA

Lisa Einstein serves as Executive Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s Cybersecurity Advisory Committee, a group of experts that advises CISA’s Director on ways to reduce cyber risk to critical infrastructure. She was Stanford’s first dual master’s degree recipient in computer science and international cyber policy. While at Stanford, she led H.R. McMaster’s research team on emerging technologies and geopolitics, contributed to a forthcoming book on trust and safety engineering, and conducted research on AI-augmented education and algorithmic decision support tools for humanitarian evacuations.

Previously, Lisa taught physics to over 600 students as a Peace Corps Volunteer in rural Guinea. With some of her students, she co-founded Association des Jeunes pour la Défense des Droits des Enfants (AJDE), a Guinean NGO that promotes girls’ education and combats early marriage and gender-based violence. She received her BA from Princeton in physics and dance and danced professionally for several years, including with Camille A. Brown and Dancers.

Katherine Scott
ISACA GWDC Secretary

Katherine has served as chapter Secretary since July 2020 and records Board meeting minutes and maintains chapter compliance and records. Katherine participated in ten chapter strategy sessions.

Katherine served as Director of Membership from July 2016 to June 2000. She focused on the retention and growth of chapter membership, coordinated social events and organized volunteers for the chapter.

Katherine supports the Board and other directorates. She co-hosted the Women in Technology conference for two years, helped at Academics events, supported CPE issuance, and wrote newsletter articles. She wrote a chapter roles and responsibilities document, reviewed Board SOPs, and led the chapter bylaw review. She has attended ISACA’s Global Leadership Conference three times, served on a task force with ISACA Global to define the role that ISACA plays in helping students get into IT, and participated in ISACA’s Day on the Hill in 2023.

Teresa Allison
Cybersecurity Group Chief / Information System Security Manager (ISSM) @ U.S. Treasury Department, Office of Information Technology
PMP, CISSP, CCSP, CGRC, CISM, CISA, CRISC, CGEIT, CCSK, Security+, CSM, CPSO, ITIL, Lean Six Sigma

Teresa Allison is a certified Information security professional who has worked in the field of information technology consulting for over 20 years. She is a Cyber Group Chief / ISSM at the US Treasury, Office of Information Technology in Washington, DC.  Allison has served as a trusted advisor to CXOs and their staff by providing them with solutions for addressing their needs for managing and securing multi-billion-dollar IT investments. Teresa uses her skills as a policy analyst, information technologist, and manager to provide value to her clients.

She specializes in IT/Cybersecurity strategic planning, budgeting, performance management, portfolio management, governance, risk management, legal & regulatory compliance, project management, program management, process improvement, business operations transformation, strategic communications and stakeholder management. Her technical knowledge includes systems analysis & design, Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), Agile, Scrum, DevOps, SecDevOps, programming (C++, Java, JavaScript, SQL), web design & development, database design & development and cloud computing.

Teresa received her bachelor’s degree in political science from Xavier University. She graduated from Carnegie Mellon University’s H. John Heinz III School of Public Policy with a Master of Science in Public Policy and Management with a minor in Management of Information Systems. She is a certified IT professional who currently holds the PMP, CISSP, CCSP, CGRC, CISM, CISA, CRISC, CGEIT, CCSK, Security+, CSM, CPSO, ITIL, Lean Six Sigma and other certifications.

Teresa Allison is currently the Vice President of Programs & Events for the Information System Security Association (ISSA) DC Chapter. She served as a volunteer for the Women’s Society of Cyberjutsu which encourages women to pursue careers in Cybersecurity. Allison coordinated higher education outreach programs for the Project Management Institute (PMI) as a member of the Higher Education Partnerships committee. She is a member of the ISACA GWDC Chapter and the Healthcare Information Management Systems Society (HIMSS). Teresa Allison is the Past President of the Carnegie Mellon University Heinz College Alumni Association comprised of over 11,000 alumni from around the world.

Sushila Nair
Vice President, Head of Cybersecurity Services, North America @ Capgemini
CISSP, GIAC GSTRT, CISA, CISM, CRISC, CDPSE, CCSK, CCAK

Vice President of Capgemini’s North American Cybersecurity practice, Sushila Nair, is a pivotal figure in driving secure digital transformation globally. With over 30 years of experience spanning computing infrastructure, business, and security risk analysis, Sushila has carved a niche in the cybersecurity domain. Her journey includes a decade-long leadership of her own IT and Cybersecurity company across major UK cities and serving as a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), where she mastered the art of safeguarding against evolving digital threats.

An esteemed thought leader, Sushila’s insights have graced global platforms like RSA and ISACA’s conferences. Her role in the ISACA global emerging trends working group and as Vice President of ISACA’s Greater Washington, D.C. Chapter showcases her commitment to advancing the field. Her efforts, especially in championing the next generation of cybersecurity talent and promoting diversity, earned her the prestigious ISACA Technology for Humanity Award in 2024.

Randall Trzeciak
Adjunct Faculty, MSISPM Program Director @ Software Engineering Institute at Carnegie Mellon University

Randy Trzeciak currently holds a dual appointment between Heinz College and the CERT Program of the Software Engineering Institute at Carnegie Mellon University.

In support of the Heinz College, Randy occupies the role of Director of the Masters of Science Information Security Policy & Management (MSISPM) Program as well as an adjunct professor for the graduate School of Information Systems and Management.

In support of the Software Engineering Institute, Randy is the Technical Manager of CERT’s Enterprise Threat and Vulnerability Management Team and the CERT Insider Threat Center. The team’s mission is to assist organizations in improving their security posture and incident response capability by researching technical threat areas; developing and conducting information security assessments; and providing information, solutions and training for preventing, detecting, and responding to illicit activity. Team members are domain experts in insider threat and incident response. Team capabilities include threat analysis and modeling; building and evaluating insider threat programs; development of insider threat controls, workshops, and exercises.

Prior to his current role in the CERT Program, Mr. Trzeciak managed the Management Information Systems (MIS) team in the Information Technology Department at the SEI. Under his direction, the MIS team developed and supported numerous mission-critical, large-scale, relational database management systems.

Prior to his time working at the SEI, Mr. Trzeciak was a software engineer for the Information Technology Development Center of the Carnegie Mellon Research Institute (CMRI), responsible for a variety of information networking projects. These projects included the design and development of large-scale databases and Internet-based systems that adhered to data privacy and security requirements; the design and implementation of multi-organizational portals for preparation and response to weapons of mass destruction; and collaboration among public health department epidemiologists.

Prior to his career at Carnegie Mellon, Mr. Trzeciak worked for Software Technology, Incorporated (STI) in Alexandria, Virginia. For nine years, Mr. Trzeciak was a consultant to the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) working on numerous projects designing, building, and supporting large-scale relational database management systems. During his employment with STI, Mr. Trzeciak also filled the role of Information Systems Business Manager.

Naomi Lefkovitz
Senior Privacy Policy Advisor and Lead for the Privacy Framework in the Information Technology Lab @ NIST

Naomi Lefkovitz is the Senior Privacy Policy Advisor and Lead for the Privacy Framework in the Information Technology Lab at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, U.S. Department of Commerce. She leads the privacy engineering program, which focuses on developing privacy risk management processes and integrating solutions for protecting individuals’ privacy into information technologies, including digital identity services, IoT, smart cities, big data, mobile, and artificial intelligence.

FierceGovernmentIT named Ms. Lefkovitz on their 2013 “Fierce15” list of the most forward-thinking people working within government information technology, and she is a 2014 and 2018 Federal 100 Awards winner.

Before joining NIST, she was the Director for Privacy and Civil Liberties in the Cybersecurity Directorate of the National Security Council in the Executive Office of the President. Her portfolio included the National Strategy for Trusted Identities in Cyberspace as well as addressing the privacy and civil liberties impact of the Obama Administration’s cybersecurity initiatives and programs.

Prior to her tenure in the Obama Administration, Ms. Lefkovitz was a senior attorney with the Division of Privacy and Identity Protection at the Federal Trade Commission. Her responsibilities focused primarily on policy matters, including legislation, rulemakings, and business and consumer education in the areas of identity theft, data security and privacy.

At the outset of her career, she was Assistant General Counsel at CDnow, Inc., an early online music retailer.

Ms. Lefkovitz holds a B.A. with honors in French Literature from Bryn Mawr College and a J.D. with honors from Temple University School of Law.

Dr. Diana Burley
Vice Provost for Research and Innovation @ American University

Dr. Diana L. Burley is a global cybersecurity expert with more than 30 years of experience driving digital transformation, implementing cybersecurity workforce initiatives, and promoting an equitable global technology community. Diana is currently Vice Provost for Research and Innovation at American University where she also leads the Khan Cyber & Economic Security Institute and serves as a member of the faculty. As both the university’s chief research officer and chief innovation officer, Diana oversees the university-wide R&D portfolio, research partnerships, and strategic initiatives to catalyze discovery. She advises government officials and regularly offers thought leadership at executive forums. Her board service includes the Cyber Future Foundation and the Global Cyber Security Advisory Group, and she has been honored by GET Cities, Executive Women’s Forum, SC Magazine, ACM, and others for her leadership in building the global cybersecurity workforce. She earned her Ph.D. from Carnegie Mellon University.

Diya Wynn
Responsible AI Lead @ Amazon

Diya is a Responsible AI Lead at AWS that started and led customer engagement globally on Responsible AI. In 2023, she was named one of Business Insiders top 15 in Enterprise AI and top 100 in AI, one of 100 Brilliant Women in AI Ethics™, received the VentureBeat Women in AI – Responsible AI and was a finalist for Women in AI – AI for Good Responsible AI leader. She makes Responsible AI practical and accessible. Her focus with organizations is the intentional action of building trust in AI by mitigating risks and uncovering potential unintended impacts related to its development, deployment and its use. She has met with legislators and policy makers globally to provide perspective to influence imminent regulation and policy on AI. For the first 15 years of her career, she worked in early-stage companies in consulting and in roles focused on scaling products for acquisition.

She is an author and international speaker; serves on non-profit boards; volunteers through multiple organizations; and guest lectures on responsible and inclusive technology.

When she isn’t working hard on the future of AI, she’s working hard to influence the future. For Diya, this starts at home with her two sons but extends to the dozens she mentors, whom she encourages to color outside the lines, defy the odds, and redefine boundaries.

Lili Davoudian
Security Technical Specialists Lead @ Microsoft

Lili Davoudian leads the Security Technical Specialists at Microsoft. Her team is responsible for showcasing the technical excellence of Microsoft’s security suite to customers in the Defense space. She previously worked in Engineering, where she was instrumental in launching key features across the Microsoft security platform. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University, and currently lives in New York City.