Speakers

Tina Carkhuff has worked in or supported customers in state, local government, and higher education. She has served as CIO and worked in research and advisory servcies within higher education. Tina is passionate about helping customers make data-driven decisions by employing data analytics. She is a Ph.D. candidate writing her dissertation on the best predictors for year-over-year retention for first-generation students. 

Maria S. Thompson is the State and Local Government Executive Government Advisor - Cybersecurity for Amazon Web Services (AWS).  In this role, she brings over 20 years of experience in information technology, strategic planning, computer network defense and risk management. Prior to her role with AWS, Maria served as North Carolina’s first State Chief Risk and Security Officer.  There she was instrumental in establishing the Whole of State Approach to Cyber.  This included the development and implementation of the state’s first Cyber Disruption Plan, and the Joint Cyber Task Force (JCTF).  Maria also served 20 years in the United States Marine Corps and retired as the cybersecurity chief/information assurance chief for the Marine Corps. Other security roles held includes certification and accreditation (C&A) lead for the Multi-National Forces – Iraq and senior security engineer in a joint military organization and Security Operations Center lead for a federal agency.  

Hilery Sirpis, Publisher, Route Fifty & GCN