Information Security in an Interconnected World

Bina Hallman has more than 30 years of experience with broad range of responsibilities in a highly complex Technology industry. She is a Vice President at IBM and has a track record of leading transformations while spearheading operational improvements to drive productivity, reduce cost and improve product quality.

Bina has had responsibility for IBM Storage P&L with both mature and rapidly growing highly profitable $4B+ portfolio and successfully implemented strategy transforming the portfolio to Hybrid Cloud, AI and Security.

Currently Bina leads IBM Worldwide Technology Life Cycle Services Customer Support, with responsibility for IBM Systems including IBM Z, Power and Storage Hybrid Cloud products and solutions. She’s driving transformation of mature break-fix support which has industry leading NPS to Predictive with Automation and AI.

Bina has been on IBM’s Acceleration Team of Top 300 IBM Executives for past four years.

She is experienced in building relationships with Fortune 500 C-level executives, internal teams, customers, partners, and suppliers.

Bina is on the Board of College of Engineering at University of North Carolina.

She is the Executive leader of IBM Systems Diversity and Inclusion Council and Network of Emerging Women Leaders. Bina nurtures trust in her organizations by personally coaching both individuals and teams to build a sustainable, high-performance culture and organization.

She completed MS in Electrical Engineering and BS in Computer Science & Electrical Engineering programs at UNCC.

Charlé LaMonica has held service to the state front and center in her work. Since 2013, LaMonica has expanded UNC World View’s support of educators and increased partnerships in both rural and urban settings. LaMonica and the World View team have led more than 21 global study visits, taking K-12 and community college educators around the world to learn about educational systems, classroom experiences, history, business and culture. Since the founding of UNC World View in 1998, more than 25,000 teachers have participated in UNC World View programs from every county in North Carolina. 

Dave Chatterjee, Ph.D. is Associate Professor in the Department of Management Information Systems at the Terry College of Business, The University of Georgia, and a Visiting Professor at Duke’s Pratt School of Engineering.

Dr. Chatterjee’s interest and expertise lie in the various facets of information technology management, with current focus on cybersecurity and enterprise digitization. His work has been published in prestigious outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, MIT Sloan Management Review, California Management Review, Business Horizons, MIS Quarterly, and the Journal of Management Information Systems. Dr. Chatterjee serves as Senior Editor of the Journal of Organizational Computing and Electronic Commerce. His book titled Cybersecurity Readiness: A Holistic and High-Performance Approach was published by SAGE Publishing in March 2021.

Dr. Chatterjee delivers talks around the world; moderates CXO panel discussions; conducts corporate training, workshops, and webinars; and provides consulting and advisory services. He has appeared on radio and TV interviews and is often quoted by news media on major technology-related developments. He has served on the corporate and community leadership board of a prestigious cybersecurity network of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) and on a CISO SWAT team.

 

Kenneth Langley began his career in IT as a database developer in the School of Medicine in 1992.  His career has included web development, systems administration, IT management, and IT security.  Career highlights include starting the UNC School of Medicine web presence, improving IT security stance though embedding firewall controls throughout the School, implementing large-scale central file services, and establishing School of Medicine IT cloud tenants.  Ken is currently the interim Director of Research IT within the School of Medicine IT office. 

Brian Penders started his cybersecurity journey while working in state law enforcement for 15 years, overseeing a computer crimes unit and digital forensics lab before arriving at UNC in 2014, where he led a DFIR team in central IT before transitioning to the School of Medicine in 2019.  Brian is a Navy submarine engineering veteran and he holds CISSP and EnCE certifications. 

Heather Singmaster is a Director in the Center for Global Education at Digital Promise, where she oversees the Global Cities Education Network and work integrating global competence into Career Technical Education (CTE) programs as well as state and national policy. She also leads the project, “Mapping the Nation: The Case for Global Competence” and hosted Education Week‘s Global Learning blog for seven years. Currently, she is working on “Career Readiness in a Global Economy: STEM and CTE”—a set of online professional development modules and resources to support the CTE field, in partnership with ACTE and Advance CTE. She previously worked at the Asia Society, the Council on Foreign Relations, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the Office of the United States Trade Representative. Heather holds a Master’s degree focused in Anthropology from New York University and a Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs from George Washington University.

Charles Thayer began his career as an agriculture science researcher with the Cooperative Extension service and later with the USDA.  Charles’ ag science work was focused on Decision Support Systems, search engine design, and secure database systems.  Charles’ UNC career began in 2009 as Database administrator for a longitudinal outcomes based project for the Department of Psychiatry.  In short order Charles advanced to managing the IT needs of several Department of Psychiatry clinics across 3 counties and 12 programs before transitioning to centralized IT with the School of Medicine (SOM) in 2018.  Charles is currently the Applications Analyst for the SOMIT Research IT Team.

Hazael Andrew is the Associate Director of UNC World View. As part of his role, Hazael researches, plans, and administers professional development programs for K-12 and community college educators on global topics, including Global Migration, Africa and the African Diaspora, Global Poverty, the Future of Work, and Global Climate Change. 

Brandy Bowe is the U.S. Apprenticeship Program Manager for IBM’s New Collar Initiatives. In this role, she is helping IBM and the IT Industry reorient the labor market-and organizational talent models – to be skills-first.  She is focused on ensuring hundreds of IBM apprentices across the country receive the most cutting-edge skills available.  Prior to joining the apprenticeship team, she held roles in policy and process, operations, and compliance in the IBM Talent organization.  Brandy is passionate about creating equitable pathways to tech, ensuring that all communities have opportunities to upskill and do their best work ever. Brandy graduated Magna Cum Laude from East Carolina University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. 

Adrienne George is the Founder of MyCyberExec. Ms. George spent 15 years in federal service in a variety of analytical, liaison, and managerial roles. She was most recently the Acting Deputy Cyber Executive for Analytic Integration. She previously served as the Director of Analysis for the Cyber Threat Intelligence Integration Center. Adrianne’s other career highlights included serving as Director for Counterterrorism for the National Security Council, deploying to Afghanistan, and multiple joint duty assignments with other federal agencies.

These experiences gave Adrianne an in-depth understanding of the challenges facing the public and private sectors to recruit and retain cyber talent. Through MyCyberExec, she will enable businesses to meet the growing cyber challenges and build strong security teams. She established MyCyberExec with the intent to do these things a little differently as she believes cyber should be demystified. For that reason, her goal is to work with clients on approachable, authoritative, and actionable plans for their cyber needs.

Suzanne LaVenture is the Director of International Education at Davidson-Davie Community College in Thomasville, NC.  Suzanne currently serves as the Community College representative for NCAIE, on the CCID SIO Council, and as a Fulbright alumni ambassador. Suzanne manages DDCC’s short-term study abroad programs and is the host advisor for international students and scholars, including Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistants. She coordinates the NC Scholars of Global Distinction program, which DDCC launched in 2013. Suzanne holds degrees in Spanish from Wake Forest University and the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. 

Gonda Watson has worked at Stanly Community College for 18 years. He started working at the college as an online coordinator, Elearning Specialist and Instructor. In 2018, Gonda started the Cybersecurity program at Stanly Community College. He is certified ethical via the EC-Council Certified Ethical Curriculum and over the past 4 years have helped grow the Cybersecurity program at Stanly Community College. This past summer, Gonda hosted students at Stanly Community College to introduce them to Open Source investigation and programming a microbit.

Matthew Anderson is a dual major student at Fayetteville Technical Community College. Matthew recently received an associate degree in information technology with a focus on Systems Security and Analysis. He is currently finishing a second associate degree in information technology with a focus on Network Administration. Matthew is a non-traditional college student who decided to seek a career in cybersecurity to obtain a more fulfilling career and promising future. In addition to his college studies, he is studying for industry recognized certifications and is planning to seek a job in cybersecurity upon graduation.  

Mackenzie Bassett is a second-year student in the Gaston College Cybersecurity program. The program has sparked a passion in her for everything Networking and Cybersecurity. In addition to her studies in cybersecurity, she has added Health Information Technology. After graduating with her Associate in applied science degree, Bassett plans to further her education in the Information Technology Industry.  

Brockton Green is a first-year student in the Davidson-Davie Community College’s Networking & Cybersecurity Program. The program has sparked his interest to explore various career opportunities in the Information Technology field, with cybersecurity being one of his top considerations. After graduating he plans to attend a 4-year university to receive a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity.

  

Taylor Hughes grew up in upstate New York, outside of Rochester. He enjoys challenging himself whether it be academically or physically. Taylor enjoys working with his hands whenever he gets the chance and is excited about completing his cybersecurity degree.  

Toni Ramirez is a second-year student in the Wayne Community College Cybersecurity program. The program has ignited a passion in him for everything encompassing cybersecurity. In addition to his college studies, Ramirez is studying for various industry-recognized certification exams. After graduating, he plans to pursue cybersecurity career opportunities.