Maria Madison has served as the Interim Dean of the Heller School at Brandeis University since 2022. Previously, she was Associate Dean for Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity and Director of the Institute for Economic and Racial Equity (IERE). Madison holds an ScD in Population and International Health from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and has led impactful initiatives addressing racial disparities. She is the founder of The Robbins House, a nonprofit preserving Black history in Concord, Massachusetts, and a trustee of Tufts University.

Bertha Akua Asare is a Senior Privacy and Information Security Analysts. Asare is a distinguished leader at Brandeis University with expertise in higher education, program development, and strategic leadership. She has a strong commitment to fostering diversity, academic excellence, and innovation within the university environment.

Professor Joseph K. Assan is a faculty member in the Sustainable International Development Program at Brandeis University’s Heller School. He holds a PhD from the University of Liverpool and serves as Associate Director for International Political Economy and Sustainable Development. With expertise in migration, climate change, and social protection, Professor Assan is the editor of CASTE: A Global Journal on Social Exclusion and has published widely in peer-reviewed journals.

Ezra Tefera is an accomplished leader with expertise in higher education administration, strategic planning, and academic leadership. He plays a key role in advancing Brandeis University’s mission through collaboration, innovation, and institutional development.

Ms. Levia Y.Davis, M.Sc – Information Management Officer at the U.S. Embassy. With extensive expertise in information management, she plays a key role in ensuring effective communication, data management, and operational excellence in diplomatic engagements.

Francisca Afua Opoku-Boateng, PhD, Senior Cyber Consultant at Ernst & Young, specializing in cyber-threat management and operational technology. She holds a PhD in Cyber Defense and previously served as an Assistant Professor of Digital Forensics and Cybersecurity Principles. Dr. Opoku-Boateng’s research focuses on OSINT, dark web investigations, cyber-threat intelligence, and promoting diversity in STEM. She is an active mentor, speaker, and board member dedicated to fostering inclusivity and ethical OSINT practices.

Gabrielle Hibbert is an interdisciplinary tech policy researcher who focuses on data privacy, data ethics, and human rights to create research that strives to contribute to equitable technological development. She started her career in policy working for Senator Mark Warner. After completing her master’s thesis on privacy-focused identity management systems, Hibbert transitioned to the tech sector, working as a security engineer and researcher for Least Authority.

Associate Professor of Cybersecurity Policy at The Fletcher School at Tufts University. Dr. Wolff is a leading expert in cybersecurity policy, focusing on the intersection of law, technology, and security. She has extensive experience in research and teaching, contributing to critical conversations on digital threats, governance, and policy development.

Founding Partner at Global Atlantic Partners LLC, Erich Schumann has over 30 years of global experience in governance, risk management, and internal auditing. He serves as managing director of Governance and Risk Management and on the boards of three banks, including a digital bank. Erich is an adjunct professor at Brandeis and Harvard University, teaching corporate governance, cyber risk management, and fraud prevention. A CIA, CFE, and CRISC certified expert, he holds recent certifications in Cyber Security, AI, and Blockchain. Fluent in English, German, and Portuguese, Erich brings extensive leadership and expertise in financial and risk management.