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Session

Architecting Resilience: Women in Cybersecurity, Governance, and Human-Centered AI
Women in Technology Roundtable

VIP Theater

Starts: September 17, 2026 2:00 pm
Ends: 3:00 pm
Sponsored by
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Abstract:
As organizations accelerate AI adoption and digital transformation, technology alone is no longer the competitive advantage.

Join the Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS) Kansas City panel for a timely discussion on how today’s leaders can build organizations that are not only innovative, but resilient, responsibly governed, and worthy of trust.

As AI becomes part of everyday business decisions, leaders are increasingly expected to explain not only what decision was made, but why it was trusted. This session explores the intersection of cybersecurity, governance, and human-centered AI, offering practical strategies for strengthening cyber resilience, implementing defensible governance, and ensuring human judgment remains at the center of high-impact decisions.

Because this is an all-women panel, we’ll also address one of the questions we hear most often from women across cybersecurity and technology:

“How do I continue growing my career, expanding my influence, and leading with confidence while technology is changing so rapidly?”

Our panelists will share practical lessons from their own leadership journeys while discussing how organizations can govern AI responsibly, build resilient security programs, and prepare leaders to make decisions they can confidently defend.

Whether you’re an executive, cybersecurity practitioner, technology leader, or someone preparing for your next leadership opportunity, you’ll leave with practical insights you can begin applying immediately.
What You’ll Walk Away With
AI can make recommendations in seconds. Leaders still have to decide whether those recommendations deserve their trust. This session goes beyond technical implementation to focus on what many organizations are missing, leadership judgment. You’ll learn practical approaches to governing AI and asking better questions before acting on AI recommendations.

You’ll also gain firsthand leadership insights from accomplished women in cybersecurity who are also creating opportunities for the next generation of leaders.

Key Takeaways
  1. Build Cyber Resilience Beyond Compliance
    Learn practical strategies for creating governance that strengthens organizational resilience, regulatory rigor, and stakeholder trust, while supporting long-term business continuity rather than simply meeting compliance requirements.
  2. Lead Human-Centered AI with Confidence
    Discover how to keep human judgment at the center of AI-enabled decisions by asking better questions, strengthening governance, and creating oversight leaders can confidently explain and defend.
  3. Strengthen Your Leadership and Influence
    Hear how accomplished women cybersecurity leaders have built executive credibility, navigated complex technology transformations, and continued growing their careers while leading through one of the most significant shifts in modern business.
Host

Nick Gicinto

vCISO and Professor of Cybersecurity at William Jewell College, Founder of Cyber 429, and Interim CISO at USA Rare Earth, Inc.

Nick Gicinto is a distinguished executive security leader with extensive experience spanning the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Tesla, Uber, and the cybersecurity industry. He currently serves as the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and Professor of Practice in Cybersecurity at William Jewell College. Nick began his career as an Operations Officer (OO) at the CIA, where he served for a decade. During this tenure, he earned five promotions and 14 exceptional performance awards. As an OO, Nick specialized in collecting foreign intelligence to inform senior U.S. policymakers, contributing to critical briefings, including the U.S. President’s Daily Briefing. His work centered on state-actor threats, counterintelligence, and counterterrorism operations across the U.S. and abroad. After his government service, Nick transitioned to the private sector, leading global intelligence and insider threat programs. At Uber, he helped build a global intelligence capability spanning 40+ countries, ensuring the safety of riders and drivers while tackling intellectual property leaks. Recruited by Tesla, Nick established the Global Security Response (GSR) team, focusing on insider threat mitigation and IP protection. His leadership resulted in successful civil lawsuits against competitors, law enforcement referrals, and criminal convictions. Nick later joined RiskIQ (now part of Microsoft) as Vice President, where he built the Incident, Investigation, and Intelligence (i3) team—a managed intelligence services division supporting RiskIQ’s cybersecurity SaaS platform. Under his leadership, the team grew to nearly 40 members and achieved $18 million in ARR. Subsequently, at Chainlink Labs, Nick served as VP of Security Intelligence, developing a world-class security program for the web3 leader. In addition to his executive roles, Nick has founded two security-focused consulting firms. One specializes in security training for Christian missionaries, while the other was integrated into Red Five Security, where he served as Executive Vice President before joining William Jewell College. Most recently, Nick is the co-founder of Hilltop Technologies (HT), a cybersecurity startup that combines mission-driven purpose with venture-backed innovation. Born from the belief that "Main Street"—not just Wall Street—deserves robust protection, HT focuses on safeguarding the Higher Education sector, Small-to-Medium Sized Businesses, and more against the escalating threat of cyberattacks. By delivering accessible, high-impact cybersecurity solutions, HT empowers institutions with limited resources or expertise to defend themselves against increasingly sophisticated threats. Beyond protection, Hilltop is committed to educating the next generation of cybersecurity professionals, bridging the talent gap and preparing future leaders to secure critical systems and institutions for years to come.

Speakers

Amanda Taylor

Senior Vice President of Security & Risk, Data Center, Inc

Amanda Taylor serves as Senior Vice President of Security & Risk at Data Center, Inc. (DCI), where she directs comprehensive programs across cybersecurity, enterprise risk management, compliance, fraud prevention, internal audit, and operational resiliency. With over 15 years of experience in the banking and financial technology sectors, Amanda has a proven track record of strengthening security and governance in highly regulated environments. Recognized for her ability to align complex security requirements with overarching business objectives, Amanda is a strategic leader dedicated to enabling innovation while maintaining rigorous security standards.

Christine Gordon

Deputy Chief Information Security Officer, Cboe Global Markets

Christine Gordon is a cybersecurity executive with over 15 years of expertise in governance, enterprise risk, and security strategy. As the Deputy Chief Information Security Officer for the Global Cyber Governance Center at Cboe Global Markets, she oversees critical cybersecurity operations that protect billions of dollars in global financial activity. Since the 2024 launch of WiCyS Kansas City Metroplex, Christine has served as a member, advisor, and board member, where her leadership has been instrumental in defining the chapter's strategic direction and fostering a thriving community for women in the region.

Jessica Yount

Technical Account Manager, Foresite Cybersecurity & Secretary of Board/Treasurer, WiCyS

Jessica Yount is a Technical Account Manager at Foresite, where she leverages a robust foundation in security principles, incident response, and risk management to drive client success. A highly credentialed professional, Jessica holds ten industry-recognized certifications—including GCIH, GSEC, SSCP, CySA+, and CompTIA Security+ and Network+. Beyond her technical practice, she is a dedicated advocate for diversity in the technology sector, serving as the Secretary of the Board for Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS) Kansas City. Jessica holds a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity from Western Governors University and a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration from Park University.

Sherry Callahan

Chief Information Security Officer, Dairy Farmers of America, Inc

Sherry Callahan serves as Chief Information Security Officer for Dairy Farmers of America, Inc., a $28B national cooperative. With a career dedicated to building transformative cybersecurity and compliance programs, Sherry has led initiatives across highly regulated sectors, including healthcare, legal, federal government, energy, and Fortune 100 finance. An MBA graduate from James Madison University, she also holds key industry certifications, including CISSP, CISM, CISA, and CRISC. Her leadership style emphasizes partnership, transparency, and the cultivation of high-performing, scalable teams that grow alongside organizational needs.

Dr. Cheryl Cooper, PhD

Former Business Information Security Officer, T-Mobile

Dr. Cooper is a distinguished cybersecurity expert, U.S. Navy Veteran, author, and passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion in technology. With over 20 years of experience in the technology and cybersecurity industries, Dr. Cooper has dedicated her career to empowering women and underrepresented groups to excel in these fields. At Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS) Kansas City Metroplex, our community commitment is sculpting a cybersecurity realm rich in diversity and inclusivity. We thrive on mentorship, education, and networking, empowering women and minorities to ascend in the cybersecurity field. The cultivation of this inclusive environment is evident through our hands-on workshops, meetups, and summits, all aimed at supporting individuals in their journey toward certification and career advancement. Within my tenure as President, our focus has been to harness analytical skills and organizational leadership to foster a resilient cybersecurity landscape. Collaborating closely with peers in the industry, our team has been pivotal in nurturing talent and driving innovation. Leveraging my expertise as a Podcast Host at Ctrl+Alt+Em-POWER, I amplify voices on cyber resilience strategies, thereby enriching the community with knowledge and connections that pave the way for a more robust and equitable tech ecosystem.