Conference Speakers

Maria Madison became the Heller School’s interim dean on July 1, 2022. Madison previously served as Heller’s associate dean for equity, inclusion, and diversity and director of the Institute for Economic and Racial Equity (IERE). Maria Madison originally joined Brandeis in 2017 as Heller’s first associate dean for equity, inclusion, and diversity, a new leadership position created in response to student-led activism during Ford Hall 2015. In August 2020, Madison became director of Heller’s Institute for Economic and Racial Equity. Under her leadership, the institute adopted a new name, expanded its team, and deepened its focus on policy-driven racial disparities. In December 2021, IERE secured a landmark $1 million gift from the Kapor Center to support a new initiative on racial justice and tech policy. As in her DEI work, this new initiative is designed to be cross-cutting, incorporating participation from research, the academy, and students at the graduate and undergraduate levels.

Francisca Afua Opoku-Boateng, PhD (she/her) is a New America #ShareTheMicCyber Fellow and Senior Cyber Consultant at Ernst & Young, specializing in cyber-threat management and operational technology. She holds a PhD in Cyber Defense. Before joining EY, she was an Assistant Professor of Digital Forensics and Cybersecurity Principles. Opoku-Boateng’s extensive research portfolio encompasses areas such as dark web and open-source intelligence (OSINT) investigations, cyber awareness, black girls in STEM, and cyber-threat intelligence. Dr. Opoku-Boateng actively contributes to underrepresented communities, including mentorship, ambassadorship, and participation as a speaker and presenter at numerous events. She also serves as a committee and board member, showcasing her dedication to fostering inclusivity and diversity. Opoku-Boateng as a fellow is currently examining the intersection of OSINT and cyber forensics, emphasizing privacy considerations. Her work aims to ethically utilize OSINT, addressing its impact on privacy rights and educating investigators.

Josephine Wolff is an associate professor of cybersecurity policy and has been at The Fletcher School at Tufts University since 2019. Her research interests include liability for cybersecurity incidents, international Internet governance, cyber-insurance, cybersecurity workforce development, and the economics of information security. Her first book, "You'll See This Message When It Is Too Late: The Legal and Economic Aftermath of Cybersecurity Breaches," was published by MIT Press in 2018. Her second book, "Cyber insurance Policy: Rethinking Risk in an Age of Ransomware, Computer Fraud, Data Breaches, and Cyberattacks," was published by MIT Press in 2022. Her writing on cybersecurity has also appeared in Slate, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, and Wired. Prior to joining Fletcher, she was an assistant professor of public policy at the Rochester Institute of Technology and a fellow at the New America Cybersecurity Initiative and Harvard's Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society.

David Albrecht is the CISO for Brandeis University – a nationally recognized research university. In this role, Albrecht is responsible for the university's information security, compliance, risk management, and cybersecurity operations. Alongside his security responsibilities, he leads the teams responsible for all of the University's enterprise technology infrastructure. In addition to his role at Brandeis, Albrecht is an adjunct faculty member and the program coordinator for the Cybersecurity and Information Technology undergraduate degree programs at Boston College. Prior to joining Brandeis University in 2016, Albrecht served on the information technology leadership team at the Massachusetts Port Authority, where he oversaw network and telecommunications infrastructure and expanded cybersecurity initiatives. With over 25 years of combined experience in information technology, security, compliance, and privacy, Albrecht is recognized by his peers in the information technology community and industry as a trusted leader who is committed to excellence. Albrecht has a bachelor's degree in computer engineering from Suffolk University. He also earned his master's degree in telecommunications with a concentration in security at Boston University.

Joseph K. Assan is a senior lecturer and director of the Sustainable International Development Program at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University. He is also an Associate Director at the Center for Global Development and Sustainability, at the Heller School. Joseph was an Assistant Professor of Development Practice at Trinity College Dublin where he acted as the Associate Director of the Masters in Development Practice Program. Prior to this, Dr. Joseph Assan served as the Director of the International Development Program at the University of Liverpool. Joseph’s expertise and interests range from livelihood security, political economy employment security, resilience, and the application of new cyber technologies. He has published extensively on sustainable livelihoods, exploitative employment, and development. He has organized and spoken at several academic and policy conferences including Capitol Hill, discussing policy strategies for growth, livelihood security, and reducing poverty and inequality.

Bertha Asare is a cybersecurity professional with over seven years of experience in security operations, risk assessments, security awareness training, and privacy. Currently serving as the Senior Privacy and Information Security Analyst for Brandeis University, Bertha has a strong track record in managing and protecting Enterprise Information Systems, Data Loss Prevention, and Operational processes. She utilizes Information Assurance controls, compliance verifications, and vulnerability assessments to ensure robust security. Bertha's expertise spans IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, SIEMs, EDR, SOAR ticketing, and threat intelligence platforms. In addition to her role at Brandeis, Bertha offers free cybersecurity consultations and hands-on training to small businesses and individuals, providing resources to help them effectively mitigate cyberattacks.

Nnenna is a Professor of Law and Technology at the Leeds Law School. She is a Technology and Human Rights Fellow at the Carr Centre for Human Rights Policy, Harvard University (2022-2024), and an Associate Fellow of the Africa Programme at Chatham House, United Kingdom. Her teaching and research interests focus primarily on the governance of digital technologies, cybersecurity, digital rights, and the rule of law in cyberspace. She was a member of the International Law Association Steering Committee on Digital Challenges for International Law. She recently delivered a commissioned stakeholder mapping project on ‘digital financial security’ on the CyberFI Project of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. In addition to her regular teaching and research, Nnenna serves as the Chair of the Cybercrime Working Group of the Global Forum on Cyber Expertise (GFCE), and the Vice-Chairperson of the African Union Cyber Security Experts Group (AUCSEG). She advises the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Member States on existing international, regional, and national legal frameworks related to cybersecurity. She also serves as a delegate to the United Nations ‘Ad Hoc Committee to Elaborate a Comprehensive International Convention on Countering the Use of ICTs for Criminal Purposes’, as well as the United Nations Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) on ICTs.

Kevin is the Director of the MLS in Cybersecurity, Risk & Governance Program at BC Law and Lecturer in Law. He was previously the founding Director for the MS in Cybersecurity Policy and Governance Program at Boston College and an Assistant Professor of the Practice in Boston College’s Carroll School of Management’s Business Law and Society Department. With more than 25 years of combined cybersecurity, data privacy, business, law enforcement, military, national security, higher education, and teaching experience, he has worked as an analyst and an attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Navy, U.S. Department of Defense, law firms in Boston and Washington, D.C., and as the General Counsel for an international software company based in Seattle, Washington.  Along with his teaching at Boston College, Kevin is a Cybersecurity Research Affiliate at the MIT Sloan School of Management and a Lecturer for MIT Sloan's Executive Education Program - "Cybersecurity Governance for the Board of Directors." He has also taught courses at the U.S. Naval Academy, where he was the Deputy General Counsel to the Superintendent.  Kevin is an expert witness and consultant with the Analysis Group and serves as Director for the Board of Reading Cooperative Bank, and a Cybersecurity Advisor for HYCU, Inc. (Backed by Bain Capital Ventures) and CyberSaint Security. Previously, Kevin served as the Panel Lead (2016-2017) for the Collegiate Working Group for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE). Kevin, a Navy Veteran, regularly provides expert commentary regarding cybersecurity and national security concerns for local, national, and international media outlets.

Andy is currently a Class of 2023 Presidential Management Fellow with the Patent and Trademark Office at the U.S. Department of Commerce. In this role, she collaborates with the communications team, as well as with attorneys in the legal policy office, to promote inclusive innovation and provide education on intellectual property rights. Andy completed her MBA and M.A. in Sustainable International Development (SID) at Brandeis University in 2023. At Heller, Andy served the student body in multiple ways  – as a Graduate Course Assistant with the SID program, as a Communications Assistant for the Global Research Studies Seminar, and as a board member for both the Brandeis University Africa Forum and the Heller Student Association. In her final semester, Andy was named one of six Fellows with the Turkish Flagship Language Initiative, a program of the David L. Boren Awards for International Study. As a Boren Fellow, she received funding from the U.S. Department of Defense's Language and National Security Education Office to study Turkish at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Dr. Ezra Tefera is a medical professional and researcher with a commitment to addressing critical issues at the intersection of racial justice, technology, and healthcare. Currently serving as the Program Director for the Racial Justice and Technology Policy (RJxTP) program at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, Dr. Tefera leads the strategic direction, research, and curriculum development of the program, ensuring alignment with broader institutional goals and values. His work focuses on advancing understanding and developing policies that address algorithmic biases and the implications of emerging technologies like AI in multidisciplinary fields including healthcare. Dr. Ezra Tefera applies his expertise in health systems, economics, and data analytics to critically influence policy, with a focus on reducing algorithmic bias's harm to marginalized communities. He leads projects within RJxTP that ensure equitable use of technological advancements, developing programs that equip stakeholders to navigate the intersection of technology and social justice.

Erich Schumann is the founding partner and CEO of Global Atlantic Partners LLC, which provides clients with the people and know-how to identify, monitor, and manage risks. Mr. Schumann is a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) as well as Certified in Risk and Information Security Controls (CRISC). He is an adjunct professor at Brandeis University’s International Business School teaching three courses to graduate students (corporate governance, fraud prevention and detection, including Anti Money Laundering and cyber/ operational risk management). Mr. Schumann has more than 30 years of senior management experience in Europe, Asia, Latin America, and North America. Prior to forming Global Atlantic Partners LLC, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer for FleetBoston Financial, formerly Bank Boston, the seventh-largest U.S. bank. Mr. Schumann has worked extensively in Germany, Hong Kong, Switzerland, Brazil, and the U.S., holding numerous executive positions, including Chief Financial Officer, Chief Administrative Officer, Director of International Audit, Leasing Division Head, and Branch Manager. He is a member of the Board of Directors at Banco Popular Dominicano and Grupo Popular. Mr. Schumann is currently a judge and mentor in the “Harvard Business School New Venture Competition” and the “Mass Challenge start-up incubator” competition and an investor in fintech start-up ventures. He holds a master’s degree in finance and a bachelor’s degree from the University in Frankfurt, Germany. He also is a graduate of the Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program. Most recently Mr. Schumann is certified in Cybersecurity, Blockchain technology, Metaverse, Machine Learning incl. Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Computing.

Nina Jankowicz is an American researcher and writer, known for her books "How to Lose the Information War" (2020), which explores Russian disinformation strategies, and "How to Be a Woman Online" (2022), a guide to combating online harassment of women. She briefly served as the executive director of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Disinformation Governance Board. In September 2022, Nina Jankowicz launched The Hypatia Project at the UK-based Centre for Information Resilience (CIR). The project aims to combat gendered abuse and disinformation online.

Isaac is a seasoned IT professional with over a decade of experience in the field. He has a diverse background in web development, general IT support, server administration, and infrastructure administration. He has worked with technology startups and large corporations to gain expertise in IT infrastructure, AWS, Microsoft Azure, and other cloud technologies. In his current role as an IT trainer, Isaac is committed to sharing his extensive knowledge and experience with students looking to enter the IT and cyber security field. He is particularly dedicated to helping minority groups, organizations and individuals achieve their full knowledge and capabilities in the area of cyber security and is passionate about helping them develop the skills and knowledge for successful careers.

Evelyn Thompson is a small business owner who specializes in ethnic food products. Prior to starting her own business, she served as a lecturer at the National Women Training Center in Ghana. She also trains women in various vocational endeavors as part of her community development and social responsibility initiative. She serves as the president of the Emmanuel Methodist Church Women’s Fellowship, in Ghana, as well as a patron of the Girls Fellowship. Evelyn is an advocate for livelihood security, especially for women, and cyber security education for small female business owners and entrepreneurs in Africa. She is a graduate of the Takoradi Technical University, Ghana. Evelyn is also a member of the National Board for Small-Scale Industries, Ghana.