Ashley Podhradsky
Dr. Ashley Podhradsky is a nationally recognized cybersecurity leader and Vice President for Research & Economic Development at Dakota State University. She also serves on the First Bank & Trust Board of Directors.
Under her leadership, research teams have secured nearly $20 million in competitive funding from the National Security Agency, National Science Foundation, U.S. Small Business Administration, Google, and other partners.
Dr. Podhradsky co-founded CybHER, a nationally recognized cybersecurity outreach initiative that has reached thousands of students and educators and attracted nearly $2 million in support.
Her honors include the EmBe Young Woman of Achievement Award, Merrill Hunter Award for Excellence in Research, New America Cybersecurity Fellowship, and selection as an AAAS IF/THEN Ambassador. She was also represented in the Smithsonian’s life-size #IfThenSheCan exhibit celebrating 120 women in STEM.
11:10 AM Technology Breakout Session
CybHER: Building South Dakota’s Next Generation of Cyber Leaders
When your company’s product or service appears similar to your competitor’s offerings, how can you differentiate and get consumers to notice? In this enlightening and entertaining talk, Matthew Luhn, accomplished writer and Pixar story artist on the Toy Story films, Monsters Inc., Finding Nemo, Cars, UP, and Ratatouille, will share his methods and experiences working with Disney/Pixar and advising other Fortune 500 companies. Audiences will learn how to innovate, differentiate and stay relevant in today’s business world, creating more value and winning customer loyalty.
