Dr. Thembekile Olivia Mayayise is the Head of Division and Senior Lecturer at the University of the Witwatersrand, specializing in Information Systems and cybersecurity. With 19 years of experience in various sectors and a PhD in Information Systems, she has contributed significantly to cybersecurity governance, standards implementation, and education. Since moving to academia in 2019, Dr. Mayayise has integrated cybersecurity into academic programs and is dedicated to public awareness and research on cybersecurity challenges.

Kagwiria R. Nkonge plays a pivotal role in Kenya and Nigeria's digital transformation, focusing on ICT regulation, policy, and digital inclusion. Her work involves developing sustainable connectivity models, promoting cyber hygiene, and leading national ICT assessments. A significant contribution includes developing a national cybersecurity curriculum and a comprehensive digital skills curriculum under the UK-DAP partnership, emphasizing cybersecurity. Nkonge, an Obama Scholar, is also dedicated to mentoring, particularly empowering female ICT professionals, and holds advanced degrees in cybersecurity and international development.

Nabihah is a Product and Research Lead at Serianu Ltd with over 8 years of experience, specializing in risk assessment across sectors like Banking, Insurance, and Healthcare. With a Master's in Information Technology Management from the University of Nairobi and certifications in cyber security, she excels in identifying and managing risks. Nabihah's holistic approach and industry-wide expertise enable her to navigate complex risk landscapes. Her contributions to research, particularly the Africa Cybersecurity report, and the development of the CVEQTM Framework, highlight her role in advancing risk management. Additionally, she leads the Serianu Cyber Immersion Program, training university students in cybersecurity, demonstrating her commitment to community development and knowledge sharing. Nabihah stands out as a leader and innovator in cybersecurity and risk management

Dr. Iretioluwa Akerele is a multi-award-winning cybersecurity professional. She has over 10 years of experience as a cybersecurity consultant, academic researcher, and industry practitioner. She is a career coach who has supported several cybersecurity beginners to achieve their goals. Her zeal for professional growth made her co-found CyBlack, a cybersecurity community committed to the career advancement of Blacks in Cybersecurity through mentorship and guidance. Iretioluwa serves on the advisory board of Cybersafe Foundation, an organization focused on protecting the most vulnerable individuals and businesses from cyber-attacks. She also founded Cybarik Limited to provide top-tier cybersecurity consulting and training services.
 

Dr. Jennifer Batamuliza is a distinguished academic and leader in data science and technology empowerment in Rwanda. She is involved in the UR AFRETEC project as the Deputy Project Coordinator and Career Path Lead, in collaboration with CMU-Africa and sponsored by Mastercard Foundation. Dr. Batamuliza teaches IT and Data Science courses at the undergraduate and master's level at the University of Rwanda, where she also supervises research in Internet of Things and Data Science for both Masters and PhD students. Additionally, she is the Vice President of the Rwandan Association for Women in Science and Engineering (RAWISE). As a founder of RWA TECH HUB and a key figure in various educational and empowerment initiatives, she has significantly contributed to promoting technology among women and girls in Rwanda. Dr. Batamuliza has an extensive academic background, including a PhD in Data Science, and her research spans big data analytics, cybersecurity, and AI. Her work has been recognized with several awards, including the Women Science Leadership Award 2022.

Dr. Aderonke Thompson is a distinguished cybersecurity expert, researcher, and mentor, holding a European Research Consortium in Informatics and Mathematics Fellowship at the VTT Technical Research Institute of Finland. Her research focuses on Trustworthy Machine Learning in Cybersecurity. Dr. Thompson is actively involved in promoting diversity and mentorship within the tech community through her membership in Women in Cyber Security (WiCys), USA, and her role as a volunteer mentor at Tech Nordic Advocates. She is recognized for her contributions to the cybersecurity field, including being a reviewer for reputable journals, a committee member for various conferences, and receiving recognition from The Guardian newspaper in Nigeria. Dr. Thompson has successfully obtained numerous grants for her research and has significantly contributed to the academic and practical cybersecurity landscape, notably as the pioneer Head of the Cybersecurity Department at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria, and as a WiCys Student Chapter Faculty Advisor.

Evalyn Oloo, the founder of acyberschool, is an esteemed digital development expert with the Worldbank. With over a decade of experience, she has made significant contributions to the design of multimillion-dollar projects, digital infrastructure, and the digital economy. Oloo, who has a strong background in psychology and organizational development, focuses her work on cybersecurity, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable development across Africa and England. Her pivotal roles at the World Bank highlight her proficiency in strategic planning and macroeconomic policy analysis. Oloo is a passionate advocate for cybersecurity, wellness, and innovation and holds memberships in several professional bodies. Her academic and professional training showcases her dedication to advancing digital development and raising cybersecurity awareness globally.

Confidence Staveley is Africa’s Most Celebrated Female #Cybersecurity Leader, Author - API Security for White Hat Hackers, Talent Developer and Gender Inclusion Actionist.
Confidence excels in translating cybersecurity concepts into digestible insights for diverse audiences. Her YouTube series, “API Kitchen,” explains API Security using culinary metaphors. In its debut season, the series amassed over half a million views across social media, as Confidence served up a banquet of API security wisdom. She recently won the Cybersecurity Woman of 2023 award and holds several other recognitions.
Beyond her advisory roles on various boards, Confidence leads CyberSafe Foundation, a foremost NGO devoted to fostering a digitally inclusive and secure landscape in Africa. She is also the founder of MerkleFence and Application Security as a Service (ASaaS) consulting company.

Aashika Bava has carved a notable path in the cybersecurity field, underpinned by her passion and commitment to excellence. With a recent Master of Management in Digital Business from Wits Business School, her academic pursuits, including a significant dissertation on 'Gamifying Cybersecurity Training for Improved Employee Engagement in the South African Banking Industry,' highlight her dedication to blending academic insights with practical applications. This focus on the human element of cybersecurity training reflects her understanding of the critical need for effective education in mitigating cyber threats. Beyond her scholarly endeavors, Bava actively engages in community outreach, leading cyber awareness programs in underprivileged South African schools, with aspirations to expand these initiatives to university levels. Her efforts epitomize a deep-seated commitment to enhancing cybersecurity awareness and empowerment, aiming at making a broader impact.