Aunshul Rege is an associate professor and director of the CARE Lab at Temple University. Her research has been supported by numerous National Science Foundation grants and focuses on the human, sociological, and psychological aspects of cyberattacks and cybersecurity. Aunshul is also passionate about cybersecurity education and runs free summer social engineering competitions for high school, undergraduate, and graduate students, as well as free workshops for educators. She is a proponent of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in research and education and has generated an "Organizations We Love" (OWL) list, which is an inventory of 286 organizations that strive to make tech and info/cybersecurity opportunities and experiences accessible to everyone. Aunshul currently serves as the research lead for the Social Engineering Community at Def Con. Prior to her academic life, she worked as a software and QA/QC engineer in industry. Aunshul has a BSc and BA in Computer Science and Criminology respectively, a MA in Criminology, a MA in Criminal Justice, and a PhD in Criminal Justice from Rutgers University.

Eric is a US ARMY Military Intelligence Veteran of Bosnia and Kosovo with NATO; Eric Brings over 30 years of Cyber Security & Online Safety Experience across many industry domains including Civilian Government, Department of Defense, International, Financial, and Civilian markets. Where he has supported organizations in strategic direction, program assessments, remediation and monitoring, intelligence services (VIP & High Value individuals), and Security Risk Mitigation and Security Education. Eric’s experience in the cyber security field encompasses the areas of Security Operations, Incident Response, Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery, Digital Forensics, Certification and Accreditation, Enterprise Security Architecture, and Security in Mergers & Acquisitions in over 20 Countries. Eric Founded Raices cyber org in 2021, a non-profit foundation to support Hispanics, latinos, Latinas and latinX in the field of Cyber Security. Eric is a sought after speaker on TV and in person, having performed keynote speeches/ webinars and many YouTube Videos and Livestreams

An award-winning systems engineering senior leader with two decades of sales engineering and cybersecurity experience, Staci Hill Okine exemplifies a confident mix of technical acumen, leadership excellence and ability to create elite teams and inclusive culture where people thrive. Staci currently serves as the US Commercial Director of Systems Engineering at Palo Alto Networks. With a strong conviction for investing in people and nurturing tomorrow’s leaders, throughout her career Staci has coached, mentored, sponsored many women and underrepresented minorities in STEM. In her community, Staci volunteers with Ohio Cyber Women introducing young girls to cybersecurity, is a member of the Central Ohio Information Systems Security Association (ISSA), the New Albany Women’s network, and serves on the planning committee of the New Albany African American Parents Network. Staci holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Spelman College and a Master of Science in Telecommunications from the University of Pittsburgh. She was the first Black female systems engineering director at Cisco.

Dane Brown is an Assistant Professor in the Cyber Science Department at the United States Naval Academy. He holds a B.S in Electrical Engineering (USNA '05) and an M.S. in Computer Engineering (NPS '06). He completed a Ph.D. in Computer Engineering (Virginia Tech '19) with a focus on analyzing the security of firmware in ARM environments. Dane has worked at the Naval Academy since 2010. Originally an instructor in the Electrical Engineering department, he quickly got involved in teaching and developing courses for the new Cyber additions to the Naval Academy core curriculum. In 2014, he was hired into the new Cyber Science department and charged with helping to create the curriculum and course sequence for the emergent Cyber Operations major. To this end, he has adapted and delivered a course which introduces students to computer architecture and design principles in a hands-on format. Prior to joining the Naval Academy faculty, Dane Brown served as a Submarine Officer in the U.S. Navy responsible for maintenance, personnel, and operations. He still serves as a Naval Reservist to this day and has deployed to U.S. Central Command to work in the Joint Cyber Center in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Dane's expertise lies in problem solving at the lowest levels of computer software, hardware, and networks. He has a passion for information system security to include: Binary Analysis Reverse Engineering Cryptography Privacy and Trust Microprocessors Communications Protocols Signal Processing Biometrics Cyber and STEM Education

Tracy Z. Maleeff, aka @InfoSecSherpa, is a Security Researcher with the Krebs Stamos Group. She previously held the roles of Information Security Analyst at The New York Times Company and a Cyber Analyst for GlaxoSmithKline. Prior to joining the Information Security field, Tracy worked as a librarian in academic, corporate, and law firm libraries. She holds a Master of Library and Information Science degree from the University of Pittsburgh in addition to undergraduate degrees from both Temple University (magna cum laude) and the Pennsylvania State University. While a member of the Special Libraries Association, Tracy received the Dow Jones Innovate Award, the Wolters Kluwer Law & Business Innovations in Law Librarianship award, and was named a Fellow. Tracy has been featured in the Tribe of Hackers: Cybersecurity Advice and Tribe of Hackers: Leadership books. She also received the Women in Security Leadership Award from the Information Systems Security Association. Tracy publishes a daily Information Security & Privacy newsletter and maintains an Open Source Intelligence research blog at infosecsherpa.medium.com. She is a native of the Philadelphia area.

Merritt (Twitter: @MerrittBaer) is a security executive based in Miami, FL. Merritt serves as an advisor to a number of young companies including expanso (storage and compute at the edge, with inherent security and privacy properties, based on open source protocol bacalhau); BalkanID (intelligent, fine-grained identity security and governance); and LISN (AI-driven CISO decision- making tools). She advises executives on cloud security and go to market, from Fortune 100 banks to biotech start-ups. She also served as Field CISO at Lacework, where she guided Lacework customer CISOs on security threat detection and contextualization capabilities. Through her leadership, she framed Lacework as a needle mover by developing a CISO framework for materiality of cyber incidents, which the Wall Street Journal has cited many times. Previously, Merritt served in the Office of the CISO at Amazon Web Services for over five years– a Deputy CISO to help to secure AWS infrastructure, at vast scale. She used this experience to provide security expertise to significant AWS customers. In 2022, she moved over $2B of deals across the line where security was a blocker, and she was AWS Security’s most prolific public speaker. Merritt has experience in all three branches of government and the private sector. Before Amazon, Merritt served as Lead Cyber Advisor to the Federal Communications Commission. She has also served at the US Department of Homeland Security, the Office of US Senator Michael Bennet, and the US Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces. Before joining the government, Merritt started a business advisory for emerging tech companies. Merritt speaks regularly on infosec, including cloud computing, AI/ML, quantum computing, and the future of the Internet. Her insights on business strategy and tech have been published in Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, VentureBeat, SC Media, The Baltimore Sun, The Daily Beast, LawFare, Talking Points Memo, and ThinkProgress. Her academic work has appeared in the journals of Temple, Georgetown, Santa Clara, UPenn, and UVA. Merritt is a graduate of Harvard Law School and Harvard College. She is admitted to the Bars of New York, the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, and the United States Supreme Court. Based in Miami, FL and Denver, CO, she has been a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, a National Security Fellow at the Center for New American Security, and a Cyber Fellow at the East-West Institute. She is founder of women’s tech expert network Tech & Roses; serves on the Advisory Committee of Miami-Dade College Cybersecurity Center, and on the Advisory Board of Black Girls Hack, has served as Adjunct Professor of Cybersecurity at

Tammy Hinkle, Chief People Officer at BlackGirlsHack, is a certified cybersecurity professional with expertise in Identity, Credential, and Access Management, as well as leadership, collaboration, Scrum, and project management. Tammy holds a Certificate in the Cybersecurity Professional Program from California State University, Long Beach. She also holds a Master’s in Business Administration from Pepperdine University and a Bachelor of Art in Sociology from the University of California, Los Angeles. Currently, Tammy is an IT Security Engineer at the Jet Propulsion Lab, working for MORI Associates, Inc. She has a passion for serving the community and it is important to her to leave the world a better place than she found it. She has dedicated more than 15 years to Jack and Jill of America, Inc. positively impacting African American children and teens. She is also a member of the distinguished organization Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. In both organizations, Tammy has and currently holds both local and regional positions. Her involvement in enriching young lives also extends to her Board positions at two of the highest nationally ranked elementary and high schools. Tammy is purposeful and intentional in her work for the betterment of minds, ensuring equity and a safe space for learning and enrichment. Apart from her impressive professional and community achievements, Tammy cherishes her most important role as the mother of two lovely young ladies.

Joy Bryan has always had a passion for service and community. She has had the opportunity to volunteer and give back to several organizations dear to her, especially causes that educate and empower children to learn and excel in technology. Joy’s passion for leadership also carried over to her career where she has an extensive background in operations and project management. An Atlanta native, Joy received her Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems from Clark Atlanta University. Joy is an avid lifelong learner having taken many continuous education courses. More recently she completed the Cybersecurity & Information Security program at Emory University. Joy believes there is always a bright side, and she enjoys living a life full of optimism and black girl magic.

Emefa (Emma-fa) is an upcoming cybersecurity professional. After spending nearly a decade in the healthcare industry, Emefa pivoted to pursue a new passion—cybersecurity. This pivot has manifested change, growth, and an overall personal transformation. As a member of BlackGirlsHack, Emefa aligns with the vision of increasing diversity and representation in cybersecurity. Emefa’s journey with BlackGirlsHack has been an upward progression: beginning as a Lab Assistant, then promoted to Lab Manager, and now being selected as Director of Information Security. As opportunity never knocks twice, Emefa is always ready to jump into the battle and responsibility of securing the cyberspace.

Shaheera currently works in the cybersecurity space as a cloud security auditor. She holds a bachelor’s degree from James Madison University in Information Systems and is currently pursuing a masters degree in Cybersecurity at Georgia Tech. In her free time, she manages her blog shaheerakanani.com which provides advice to new folks in the cybersecurity industry and volunteers with several other organizations helping women in cybersecurity and helping the world become a better place. Her passions include reading, baking, dancing, and watching sports.

Renee Perry is a seasoned professional boasting a rich 15-year tenure in customer service within the financial industry. Currently on an exhilarating trajectory in the field of cybersecurity, Renee is charting a new career path with a keen focus on Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC). As a dedicated student at Thrive DX in New York, Renee is supported by the Black Girls Hack initiative, showcasing her commitment to diversity and inclusion in the tech industry. In addition to her academic pursuits, Renee serves as a SOC 1 Apprentice at MIC Talent Solutions, Inc., actively contributing to the dynamic landscape of cybersecurity operations. Beyond her professional endeavors, she extends her influence as a Youth Director and ambassador for the Marion County Development Partnership, emphasizing her commitment to community development and empowerment.

Esther Barson is a Senior Consultant with demonstrated experience of working in Information Assurance, Risk Management and Compliance, IT Controls, and Internal Controls. She is Ernst and Young alumni and holds multiple certifications including Certified Information System Auditor (CISA), Certified Scrum Master, CompTIA Security +, and is currently working to complete the Certified Information Security Manager (CISM). Esther has been responsible for developing a variety of Assessment & Authorization deliverables for approval by Authorization Official. She is well-versed in implementing Risk Management Framework (RMF) in accordance with FISMA and NIST Standards, as well as ensuring security policies, procedures and recommendations comply with FISMA, NIST, HIPAA, organizational guidelines, and industry best practices and standards. Most of her experiences are in the financial services and healthcare, the most regulated industries. Esther has a bachelor’s degree in management studies and a Master of Business Administration in Finance from Lindenwood University. Esther is a volunteer Sunday school teacher and loves to spend time with her family and friends. She is a well-spoken professional and looking forward to the opportunity where she can utilize her experience while continuing to grow her career.

As a seasoned Project Manager with a rich blend of creativity and organizational prowess, Cawana Collins-Muhammad is a driving force in the world of project management. Holding a BBA in International Marketing from Pace University and an MBA in Marketing, along with Leadership and Management Certifications from Harvard Business School and a Project Management Certification, Cawana Collins- Muhammad brings a wealth of knowledge to every endeavor. With a skill set encompassing time management, organizational finesse, personable communication, attention to detail, and sharp research abilities, Cawana Collins-Muhammad is known for infusing a creative perspective into every project. Her professional philosophy revolves around maintaining meticulous organization while finding innovative ways to achieve goals and resolve challenges. An alumnus of prestigious institutions, Cawana Collins-Muhammad holds a BBA in International Marketing from Pace University and an MBA in Marketing. Additionally, she’s earned Leadership and Management Certifications from Harvard Business School and a Project Management Certification, showcasing a commitment to continuous learning and professional development. Passionate about cybersecurity, Cawana Collins-Muhammad is gearing up for a transition into this dynamic field. Her dedication to staying at the forefront of industry trends, demonstrated through active immersion, reading, and podcast consumption, positions her as a forward-thinking professional ready to embrace challenges.

As the Social Media Manager for BlackGirlsHack, Morgan Bell is a champion of diversity and inclusion in the tech space, merging her passion for cybersecurity with a powerful advocacy for representation. Her keen understanding of the digital world drives her to raise awareness and amplify the voices of underrepresented groups in tech. Morgan's journey is marked by her ability to blend technical know-how with creative prowess. She uses her expertise in cybersecurity to weave engaging, informative narratives that enlighten and inspire action toward greater diversity and inclusion. In her pivotal role, Morgan applies her creative talents to develop innovative social media strategies. These strategies not only highlight the accomplishments of Black women in cybersecurity but also nurture an inclusive online community, paving the way for a more diverse and equitable tech industry. Before her curiosity for cybersecurity was piqued, Morgan flourished as a freelance artist and creative director. Her journey has been a captivating evolution, seamlessly transitioning from the realm of visual expression to the complex landscape of cybersecurity advocacy and community building. Intrigued by the myriad possibilities in the cybersecurity industry, Morgan dedicated herself to acquiring knowledge and skills. She attended Evolve Security Academy, where she attained her CompTIA Security+ certification and excelled to become a valued teacher's assistant at Evolve Security Academy. In addition to her professional pursuits, Morgan devotes her free time to rigorous study, working towards the highly esteemed Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) certification. This multi-faceted journey reflects Morgan's commitment to continuous learning and her passion for blending the worlds of artistry and cybersecurity, making her a dynamic presence in both spheres.

COMING SOON

Nikki is a cybersecurity enthusiast who has spent the last 15 years honing her craft as a professional and technical leader, taking on many roles such as Security Operations Manager, Senior Cloud Security Engineer, CISO, and Strategic Technical Advisor to name a few. As a young teen, she thwarted herself into learning more about information security after family members fell victim to identity theft. Since then, she has prioritized educating herself, her loved ones and her professional network on strategies to safeguard sensitive data while traversing the cyber world. She received her bachelor's degree from the University of Pittsburgh in Information Science where she was the first student to curate a curriculum for independent study in computer security at the institution. Thereafter, she received her master's degree in cybersecurity with a specialization in cybersecurity technology from the University of Maryland Global Campus. She currently holds a CISSP and AWS Security Speciality certification, and is currently studying for various offensive security certifications. Today, she is the founder of SheHackedIt, a cybersecurity consulting business whose mission is to assist startups with shifting left the implementation of security solutions while emphasizing the importance of diversification within the security space. With a passion for community service, mentorship and cybersecurity; she proudly affiliates with organizations such as Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, Cyversity, and Women of Cyberjutsu. She is ecstatic to join BlackGirlsHack as the Director of Threat Intelligence, where she can utilize her skills to contribute to the evolution of diversity in cyber while serving to protect the organization.

With 13 years of experience in the technology and cybersecurity industry, April has established herself as a skilled professional with a diverse educational background in technology and cybersecurity. Her journey began with an associate degree from Wayne Community College, providing you with a solid foundation in Information System Security. Building on this, she earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial technology from East Carolina University, showcasing her ability to explore different fields. Continuing her academic pursuits, she obtained a master’s degree in information technology and management with a concentration in Cybersecurity from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Over the past few years, she has delved into the intriguing world of cybersecurity, aiming to comprehend the evolving dynamics of this unique industry, specifically in Red Team Operations. Beyond her professional endeavors, she finds joy in spending quality time with her family, gardening, cooking, and playing video games, showcasing a balance between work and leisure in her life.

Dion, aka @Martian is an Appsec Engineer and Security Researcher with experience in Healthcare, government, and FinTech cybersecurity. He has a Master’s degree in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance. Dion holds several certifications such as the CISSP, GWAPT, eWPTX and CEH-Master. His mission is to break barriers in the cybersecurity field and spread knowledge and skills for success. His technical content has been featured in Intigriti’s Bug Bytes, InfoSecWriteups, System Weakness and his personally-owned publication. He is passionate about maintaining a versatile skill set in order to embrace the ambiguity of the modern cybersecurity market. In his free time he enjoys spending time with family, engaging in threat intelligence research, bug bounty, building security projects and mentoring others willing to learn more about the field.

Beverly is a passionate technology and cybersecurity professional dedicated to innovation and empowering underserved communities. She is pursuing a PhD in Information Systems, focusing on Computer Science, building on her advanced education in Cybersecurity and Forensics. Her academic journey equips me with the expertise to address critical challenges in technology and security. As an entrepreneur, Beverly leads Bevtech Solutions Ltd., where she developed Panacare, a telehealth platform revolutionizing healthcare access for patients with diabetes and NCDs in underserved Kenyan communities. Her work has earned me recognition as one of the Top 7 Women-led Start-Ups by Standard Chartered Bank and awards like the African Union Youth Start-Up Award and the African Union Champions Award, celebrating her contributions to youth empowerment and innovation. In her professional role as an Information Systems Senior Auditor—team Leader at Ronalds LLP, she drives impactful solutions by improving IT controls and enhancing client security systems. She also leverages her skills as a Product Manager, using data-driven strategies to refine products, and as a Network Engineer, managing complex telecommunications systems to ensure seamless operations. She combines her technical expertise, entrepreneurial spirit, and a commitment to social impact to solve critical challenges in technology, healthcare, and sustainable development, always striving to make a meaningful difference.

Antoine Winbush is a highly skilled IT and cybersecurity professional with extensive experience in incident response, vulnerability assessment, and cloud infrastructure management. With a solid educational foundation, including a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology Management and a Master of Science in Cyber Forensics and Security from the Illinois Institute of Technology, Antoine has developed a strong expertise in security operations, cloud platforms, and system administration. He is well-versed in key technical skills such as Linux, Mac OS, Windows, Python, Terraform, Packer, Azure, and Splunk, with hands-on experience in security tools like Crowdstrike, Wireshark, and Firewall Management. Antoine has contributed significantly to projects such as the Full Send Website Integration, where he used Terraform and Packer to automate infrastructure deployment and integrated security measures using HashiCorp Vault. In his current role as Director of DevOps at BGH he will facilitate collaboration between teams, implement CI/CD practices, monitor infrastructure performance, and lead DevOps strategy development Outside of his technical expertise, Antoine brings leadership experience in both cybersecurity and emergency response. As a Fire Fighter with the Village of Hillside, he effectively led the management of all fire department IT systems, driving improvements in incident management and streamlining processes under pressure. In addition to his industry certifications, including CompTIA Security+, SANS GFACT, and Microsoft AZ-900, Antoine is pursuing the SANS GCIH certification, further demonstrating his commitment to continuous learning and excellence in cybersecurity. Antoine is passionate about leveraging his diverse skills to solve complex security challenges and foster a secure, resilient IT environment.

Joseph Margay is a cybersecurity professional with a strong background in network engineering, penetration testing, and offensive security. I hold certifications in various areas of cybersecurity, including network penetration testing, cybersecurity fundamentals, and IT support, showcasing his commitment to continuous learning and staying ahead of emerging threats. As a founder of SLnix, a cybersecurity community in Sierra Leone, Joseph actively supports and mentors aspiring professionals, helping to build a collaborative and educational environment for the next generation of cybersecurity experts. Driven by curiosity and a passion for solving complex problems, Joseph is dedicated to contributing to a safer digital landscape.

Cristal has a diverse background including contracts management, acquisition management, and system engineering technical assistance. She excels in process development, adept in managing large contracts and multiple projects, resolves cross-functional concerns, fine-tuning workflows, and ensures expectations and deadlines are met to optimize operational and technical efficiencies. Cristal is a proud University of Maryland University College alumna, where she successfully earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a minor in Human Resources Management and later obtained her Master of Business Administration (M.B.A). She is certified in Governance, Risk, and Compliance (CGRC) from ISC2, in addition to holding 2 of their certificates for Risk Management Practitioner and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) Leadership. She also holds a Master Certificate in Government Contracting from ESI International - George Washington University and a Human Resource Certificate from University of Maryland University College. She is currently pursuing her Security+ certification. Cristal is committed to helping others make advancements in their personal and professional goals. She also is very passionate about making an impact through volunteering and donating to underprivileged communities and the homeless.

Hello! I’m Brittnie Williams, an aspiring Technical Project Manager who thrives at the intersection of technology, creativity, and organization. I’m a content developer/ social media manager here at BGH and a lifelong learner with a love for innovation. Outside of building my tech career, I enjoy playing puzzle games, yoga and meditation, spending time with family and friends, cooking/baking, learning new things or enjoying anime and comic books. As a member of the BlackGirlsHack community, I’m passionate about learning, honing my communication and leader skills, connecting, and making meaningful contributions.