
Public Sector Cyber AI Convergence Summit
June 18, 2025 | 7:30am – 3:00pm ET | Carahsoft Conference and Collaboration Center
**6 CPE Credits Available
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8:35 AM
Opening Remarks

Oki Mek
Chief Information Security Officer for Microsoft Federal Civilian & ATARC's Industry Chair
8:40 AM
Keynote Briefing

Jim Tunnessen
Chief Information Officer & Chief AI Officer, National Endowment for the Arts (Pending Agency Approval)
9:00 AM
AI-Driven Insights for Enhanced Cyber Resilience
Artificial Intelligence is revolutionizing how federal agencies tackle cybersecurity challenges. This session delves into AI’s role in identifying vulnerabilities, predicting potential threats, and enhancing decision-making processes in cyber defense. Panelists will share actionable insights from real-world applications, showcasing how AI supports mission-critical operations and drives resilience across the public sector.

Dr. Martin Stanley
AI & Cyber Researcher, National Institute of Standards and Technology

Jennifer Franks
Director, Center for Enhanced Cybersecurity and Analytics Foundry, U.S. Government Accountability Office

Dr. Merrick Watchorn
Chief Cyber, Quantum & Cognitive Information Services Architect, Office of the Chief Information Officer, U.S. Air Force

Keegan Mills
Engineering IT & Cyber Technology Lead, Marine Corps Systems Command, U.S. Marine Corps

Justin Hodges
Lead, Advanced Non-Kinetic Effects & Research (ANKER) Division, Rapid Capabilities Office, Naval Information Warfare Center, U.S. Navy
9:50 AM
Break in the Emerging Technology Showcase
10:40 AM
Securing Data: The Role of AI in Strengthening Cyber Defense
As data security challenges grow increasingly complex, federal agencies are turning to AI to safeguard sensitive information. This session will delve into AI’s transformative role in enhancing data protection through advanced threat detection, real-time anomaly identification, and automated incident response. Experts will share insights into the integration of AI tools, lessons learned from recent implementations, and strategies to ensure data integrity and resilience in an ever-evolving threat landscape. Join us to explore how AI can be a critical ally in advancing federal cybersecurity efforts.

Karen Uttecht
Technical Staff, Cybersecurity and Information Sciences Division, MIT Lincoln Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Col Travis Hartman
Chief Technology Officer, Army Forces Command, U.S. Army

Dr. Murat Kantarcioglu
Professor & Commonwealth Cyber Initiative Faculty Fellow, Virginia Tech

David Voelker
Standardization Officer, Naval Warfare Systems Command, U.S. Navy

Daniel Buchholz
Branch Chief, U.S. Department of State (Pending Agency Approval)

Tamara Lilly
Assistant Inspector General, Cybersecurity & IT Audits, Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Health & Human Services (Pending Agency Approval)
11:30 AM
Lunch in the Emerging Technology Showcase
12:30 PM
Afternoon Keynote Briefing

Arjuna Swaminathan
Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer at the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS OIG)
12:50 PM
Building Cyber-Ready Teams with AI Tools
Integrating AI into cybersecurity operations demands a workforce that can effectively leverage emerging technologies. This session focuses on preparing federal teams for the challenges and opportunities of AI-powered cyber defense. Experts will share approaches to skill-building, change management, and fostering a collaborative culture where human expertise and AI tools work in tandem to protect critical systems.

Dr. Steven Harrison
GG 15 Chief Engineer of the EMBM-J, DISA; Capitol Technology University AI Doctoral Chair and Professor

Rudolf Rojas
IT Cybersecurity Manager, U.S. Department of Agriculture (Pending Agency Approval)

Anna Libkhen
IT Security Specialist, CISSP, U.S. Department of Commerce (Pending Agency Approval)

Landon Shaw
Senior Enterprise Architect, Enterprise Operations Center, Department of Technology Services, Administrative Office of the US Courts (Pending Agency Approval)

Connor Turpin
IT Specialist, U.S. Air Force (Pending Agency Approval)

Jonathan Flack
Distinguished Cloud & Security Architect, US Air Force Research Lab (Pending Agency Approval)
1:45 PM
Scaling AI Efficiently Across Federal Cybersecurity Operations
Scaling AI across federal cybersecurity operations requires overcoming barriers to adoption and integration while maximizing efficiency. This session examines the lifecycle of AI deployment, from conceptual pilots to agency-wide implementation, with a focus on streamlining processes and optimizing security outcomes. Panelists will discuss key considerations such as model governance, ethical frameworks, and the technical strategies that enable AI to enhance cybersecurity efforts while maintaining operational integrity and resource efficiency.

Tameika Turner
Senior Cybersecurity SME, National Nuclear Security Administration, Department of Energy (Pending Agency Approval)

Michelle Washington
Deputy Chief of IT, Information Technology Branch, Chief Digital & Artificial Intelligence Office, Office of the Secretary of Defense (Pending Agency Approval)

Don Tweedie
Deputy Chief Information Officer of Technology and Delivery, Federal Communications Commission(Pending Agency Approval)

Joseph Ronzio
Deputy Chief Health Technology Officer, Veterans Health Administration(Pending Agency Approval)

Dr. Kenneth Clark
Federal Executive, U.S. Government

Daniel Johanson
AI Governance Manager, U.S. Office of Personnel Management (Pending Agency Approval)