Dr. Georgianna ‘George’ Shea, Chief Technologist at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation and its Transformative Cyber Innovation Lab, is a visionary leader in cybersecurity with nearly 30 years of pioneering experience across federal and commercial sectors. Renowned for her ability to translate complex technical challenges into innovative security solutions, she has been instrumental in safeguarding critical national infrastructure. Dr. Shea is at the forefront of cybersecurity innovation, bridging the gap between technical complexity and business needs by spearheading the development and piloting of groundbreaking projects that tackle the most pressing national security challenges and shape industry policies and security frameworks.

Dr. Shea has made significant contributions to the cybersecurity field, including her role on the cyber-physical resilience working group of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST), where she provided critical recommendations for safeguarding the nation’s infrastructure. She also plays an integral role in the Global Resilience Federation’s Operational Resilience Framework working group and actively contributes to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) SBOM and AI BOM initiatives. Dr. Shea’s expertise is sought after across the industry, leading her to serve on the CyberWire Hash Table of experts and as an advisor to leading technology companies, including Cybeats, Rixon Technology, American Binary, and The Cyber Hero vCISO Network.

In addition to her professional achievements, Dr. Shea is a passionate educator and mentor, playing a critical role in developing the next generation of cybersecurity leaders through her teaching, mentorship, and guest lectures at leading institutions. She has served as an adjunct professor at institutions such as Colorado Technical University and the University of Maine at Augusta, where she provided innovative instruction and fostered academic success in cybersecurity programs. Additionally, Dr. Shea teaches at Fusion Cyber and has been a guest speaker at prestigious venues like the Cybersecurity at MIT Sloan (CAMS), Columbia School of International and Public Affairs, and the Center for Security and Emerging Technology at Georgetown University.

Daria Bahrami is a cybersecurity and emerging technology expert with extensive experience spanning both public and private sectors. As a technical advisor to DARPA’s AI Cyber Challenge (AIxCC), she led AIxCC’s programmatic and engagement strategy for a global competition to develop AI systems for automated vulnerability detection and remediation in open source software. The successful Semifinal Event at DEF CON drew over 14,000 visitors and garnered widespread media coverage from major outlets like The Washington Post and Fortune.

At Deloitte Global, she served as Lead Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst, developing enterprise-wide browser security and vulnerability management solutions while delivering threat landscape briefings to C-suite executives. Her earlier role as Program Manager for Cybersecurity and Emerging Threats focused on critical infrastructure resilience and quantum technology policy. Bahrami’s foundation in strategic partnerships was established at the National Geographic Society, where she cultivated multi-million dollar partnerships through compelling donor engagement strategies and impact reporting. Simultaneously, she maintained active involvement in the cybersecurity community as a Fellow for the Military Cyber Professionals Association and Communications Officer for the Cyber Security Forum Initiative.

Bahrami holds a degree from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, where she specialized in military, cyber, and space security policy.

Ms. Renata C. Spinks-McNeal is a senior cybersecurity and technology executive whose diverse experience spans Active Duty Army; Academia; and the Executive Branches of the United States Federal Government including the Intelligence Community and Department of Defense. As a career SES who most recently served as the Assistant Director of IT for IC4 (Information, Communications, Computers, Command and Control) for the Unites States Marines, as well as the Senior Information Security Officer/Authorizing Official for the service, she continues to make her mark.

Prior to this assignment, Mrs. Spinks-McNeal served as the nation’s inaugural Cyber Technology Officer at Marines Force Cyber & Space Command and prior to that her career included serving in the US Treasury Departmental Offices and the IRS. She also served in the Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement which is where the expansion of her love for cyber grew. There she excelled in the Office of Acquisition and highlights the special assignment she had where she produced forensics and human intelligence to investigate human trafficking and child exploitation working with DHS-ICE, DOJ, CIA and the ODNI while serving as a criminal research specialist.

She is a decorated combat veteran from the 28th Combat Support Hospital, US Army 44th Medical Command, Fort Liberty, North Carolina. She is a recognized and award-winning leader in both the science, technical and art competencies required in success driven delivery of security focused adoptions and implementations. She is the CEO and Founder of tech startup – CyberSec International. She is also the founder of Rising Footsteps Not-For-Profit Organization. Her highest degree of education is Master of Science in Technology Management and is currently pursuing her Cybersecurity PhD Candidacy.