I am leading a roundtable on Growing and Educating the Future Cyber Workforce. As an educator at the University of South Carolina as well as a cyber leader in government and private industry, I am uniquely qualified to discuss the best way to educate our desperately needed talent base of cyber knowledgeable workers. Read more about the Security Leadership Exchange here: https://www.itsecurityexchange.com/

As a teenager, I learned to waterski and have a few trophies from local tournaments. More recently, I started enjoying kayaking and SUPing (aka stand-up paddleboarding) and have even dabbled with windsurfing. In 2021, my fiancé and I moved to South Carolina where we built a home on a beautiful lake and got married on a sun-drenched spring afternoon. Since moving, we have fully embraced our new community and the state of South Carolina as we explore the midlands, the mountains to the north, and the beautiful coastal communities of the low country. As part of that exploration, I realized that I wanted to invest in the local economy, particularly in the start-up community. I have therefore joined a Carolina angel investment group called Venture South and am participating in their 2023 Fellowship Program. This group has been incredibly warm and welcoming. I am building a new network of investors and entrepreneurs who are focused on doing good things for the region, having fun, and making money so that we can continue to invest. I cannot wait to find more companies to help grow into the next big success story. Read more about the fellowship here: https://www.venturecarolina.org/palmetto-venture-fellowship-class-of-2023

Beckon Foods, a business led by two awesome ladies, makes the first and only premier line of lactose-free, dairy ice cream using patented technology. Beckon products focus on meeting customer priorities of taste and texture while serving the large number of consumers preferring lactose-free options. The product contains no gums, stabilizers or additives, uses only clean ingredients, is offered in over 1,600 retail locations, including nationally in both Whole Foods and Sprouts, as well as via the company’s website . Beckon primarily serves the over 25% of the population that are lactose-intolerant, their families, and beyond. The company has been granted a U.S. patent which protects its standards of identity around ice cream. The company has two impressive founders, Gwen and Katy, who have great command of the research and development, manufacturing, logistics, marketing, and business management. Lactose-free products are not a food fad— they are a necessity for those who suffer from this intolerance. Beckon, an American company headquartered in Massachusetts, and manufacturing in America, was named one of the top 15 coolest ice cream companies in 2018 by Benchmark Series. Just remember, when you #BuyWomenOwned, you support women entrepreneurs and, in turn, the growth of the greater economy. Check out Beckon’s ice cream. My family loved it!