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Cloud Nirvana Columbus: Automation Unleashed
12/04/25
Volunteering at Cloud Nirvana Columbus for the second time was an experience that reaffirmed why this community means so much to me. Being able to support the event while also learning from it gave me a front-row seat to conversations shaping the future of technology. The sessions—ranging from Nationwide’s journey from RPA to GenAI, to autonomous manufacturing, to “vibe coding,” and the evolving nature of conference engagement—challenged the way I think about innovation and how quickly our technical landscape is changing. Each talk offered a different perspective, but all pointed toward the same reality: we are in the middle of a major transformation, and being part of this community helps make sense of it.
One moment that stayed with me was hearing Tina Sebastian speak about Nationwide’s evolution from basic automation to intelligent orchestration. Her words, “Have courage in your own troubles and compassion in others,” resonated deeply, especially in a year where AI has accelerated faster than many of us expected. As new tools, workflows, and security challenges emerge, this message was a reminder that technical growth must be paired with empathy and resilience. What I love most about Cloud Nirvana is that it fosters exactly that balance—bringing together people who are eager to learn, support one another, and grow together. I left feeling grateful for the connections I made, inspired by the conversations, and excited to continue volunteering and contributing to a community that values both innovation and humanity.
Women In Security Documentary Premiere
07/13/25
Attending The Women in Security documentary screening in Chicago was a moment that stayed with me long after the event ended. Watching my mentor and dear friend, Connie Matthews Reynolds, share her story on screen was incredibly moving. Seeing her journey, the challenges she has faced, and the impact she continues to make in the cybersecurity community reminded me why mentorship and visibility matter so deeply—especially in a field where representation has not always been guaranteed. It was powerful to witness her work and leadership recognized in such an authentic and well-deserved way, and it reinforced how much her guidance has shaped my own growth and confidence.
Beyond my personal connection, the documentary highlighted the strength, resilience, and humanity behind so many women in cybersecurity. Each story reflected a different path, yet common themes of perseverance, adaptability, and community stood out. Being in the room with the Columbus crew and meeting new people who share the same passion for security and inclusion made the experience even more meaningful.
EmpoWE-R Women of InfoSec 2024 Gala
10/05/24
The 4th annual EmpoWe-R Women of InfoSec Gala was recently held in September. This gala is a full-circle moment for me. My cybersecurity journey started because of this gala when I attended last year's 3rd annual gala. I didn't know anyone at that time, and from there I started meeting and connecting with people. I owe so many of my friendships to this gala because without it I wouldn't have met some of my favorite people.
This year I volunteered to help out because I wanted to give back. It started in late August when some people and I started wrapping and organizing the silent auction items. To be a part of the behind-the-scenes I recognized how much work goes into these events. It takes months of planning and hours on end, to run such a successful gala. I later volunteered the day of, helping set up and run registration. I love registering and signing people in because I get to see everyone and catch up briefly with my friends.
This year I received The Light that Shines award. This award recognizes individuals who volunteer their time to better the information security community. My family came and surprised me, and when I heard my name being announced I had tears of joy running down my face. This award means so much to me, and I'm so glad I have some amazing people by my side.
BSides Columbus
BSides Columbus
09/23/24
BSides Columbus was one of my favorite events I have spoken at. The day started with a keynote with Ohio CISOs. This keynote provided me with some issues security professionals face and how to combat them. It was really interesting to listen to some of the best in the industry and note some of the things they wished they knew when starting their career.
My session focused on the importance of building meaningful professional relationships. As a mentor and mentee, I know the struggles each category faces. As I speak to many professionals, there are so many barriers that they face when looking for a mentor, especially in cybersecurity. By explaining reasons and ways to overcome those obstacles, I received some great feedback from multiple participants, stating they would consider pursuing mentorship.
Mentorship is a topic close to my heart because without it I would not be where I am today. I have learned so many valuable things from my mentors and the people around me, that it shaped who I am. I got to attend this conference with one of my mentors, Connie Matthews, and it was exciting to spend the day with her.
Pink Umbrella 9/11 Event
Pink Umbrella 9/11 Event
9/12/24
On 9/11 I was excited to go to my first Pink Umbrella event. This was their second time hosting an event, and I loved everything about it. For starters, the TEK systems venue was spacious and very well-designed. All the women in the room were welcoming, and it was so nice to see some friends there.
As everyone got settled in and we got snacks, we started the speed dating process. I met so many amazing mentors, who gave me valuable advice. As I am in the process of searching for an internship, I wanted to know how I could put myself out there. For the past year, I've been working hard to build myself and my skills, but I'm at the point where I want to launch myself in the job market. Overall, this was such an amazing event and I will be sure to attend more Pink Umbrella events in the future!
My Experience at the 17th COISSA Summit
My Experience at the 17th COISSA Summit
6/3/24
The 17th COISSA Summit was the first-ever conference I attended. Back in January, when I applied to speak, I recognized that the topic of encouraging students to pursue a career in cybersecurity wasn't being discussed enough. When I received the news that my topic was accepted, I immediately began working on my presentation. My mentors provided invaluable feedback, helping me refine my slides at each step. With this being my first conference, there were numerous details to figure out, from deciding what to wear to understanding the conference's atmosphere.
As the 23rd of May approached, I dedicated myself to ensuring my presentation was both engaging and thoroughly informative. On the first day of the conference, nerves ran high. I didn't have a group of people to hang out with and was uncertain about how to meet new connections. However, as the day progressed, I encountered many individuals I had connected with over LinkedIn in the past few months. Meeting them in person and learning more about their roles in cybersecurity was a remarkable experience.
Finally, the time came for my presentation. Standing before an audience filled with experienced professionals and aspiring cybersecurity , I felt a mix of excitement. My hard work was about to pay off, and no matter what the audience thought of it I knew I had given this my 100%. Once I started speaking, I shared insights on how to inspire students to enter the cybersecurity field, I saw nods of agreement and interest from the audience. The questions and discussions that followed further validated the importance of the topic.
The second day I got to relax and truly listen to some excellent speakers since I wasn't caught up in my own speaking session. I learned a lot about the industry, current trends, and AI. I also received the Justin Kerby Scholarship. The other scholarship winners and I were celebrated on stage and handed a beautiful wooden plaque that I still have sitting on my nightstand.
Speaking at the COISSA Summit was a transformative experience. It not only boosted my confidence but also expanded my professional network. I left the conference with a sense of accomplishment and a renewed passion for cybersecurity. This experience showed me the significance of stepping out of my comfort zone and seizing opportunities to share knowledge and inspire others. I have also gained a deep interest in speaking at conferences from this event and sharing my insights from this experience!
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