Women from different government organizations come together for a candid conversation about breaking barriers and driving meaningful change in leadership roles within cybersecurity and related fields. While progress has been made in recent years, women’s representation in leadership positions remains a pressing challenge.

This panel will explore the unique hurdles women face in ascending to leadership roles and the strategies that have proven effective in overcoming them. Our speakers will share their personal journeys, insights into creating more inclusive pathways, and actionable strategies to inspire and support the next generation of women leaders.

Join this empowering discussion to understand what it takes to rise to leadership in government IT, the essential skills required to thrive, and how collective efforts can create a future of equitable leadership.

 In an era defined by rapid technological advancements and interconnected systems, cybersecurity has emerged as a cornerstone of democratic resilience. This panel will explore how security acts as a foundation for progress, enabling institutions to remain resilient and empowering citizens to engage confidently in the digital age.

Our speakers will discuss cybersecurity as a “means to an end”—a tool to fortify trust, protect vulnerable populations, and foster innovation. They will highlight the critical role of cybersecurity in safeguarding democratic processes, enhancing safe interactions, and driving economic growth while embracing technology’s transformative potential.

Join us to discover how we can collaboratively build a future where cybersecurity ensures trust, unlocks opportunities, and supports a thriving, secure digital democracy.

As federal agencies advance AI innovation, addressing challenges like algorithmic bias is critical to building trustworthy systems. Bias in AI can stem from datasets, associations, interactions, automation, and confirmation, potentially affecting outcomes and decisions. For successful adoption, agencies must implement robust policies, practices, and processes to create and deploy AI systems that are accurate, efficient, and free from harmful biases.

Join this session to hear from federal leaders on how they establish standards and guidance to mitigate risks, develop reliable AI solutions, and maintain the integrity of curated data sets.

The U.S. government continues to evolve its approach to technology, improving the efficiency and resilience of its systems while ensuring the security of critical data. Central to this progress are the women leading efforts to modernize federal systems, streamline operations, and drive transformative initiatives that not only enhance agency capabilities but also set the standard for effective collaboration across government, nonprofits, academia, and the private sector.

This panel will spotlight trailblazing women who are shaping the future of federal technology and advancing the goals of agencies. From leading cutting-edge digital transformation projects to mentoring the next generation of innovators, these leaders exemplify how modern tools and strategies can address the most pressing challenges in government operations.