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Amber Black

Lead Security Analyst, Cybersecurity Awareness

Amber is a Lead Information Security Analyst in TIAA’s Cybersecurity organization. In this role, Amber leads the internal awareness cybersecurity function that educates TIAA’s workforce on human risk management. Prior to joining TIAA in 2019, Amber was a Senior Project Manager at Wells Fargo, where she oversaw human capital and technology projects while managing Project Coordinators. Amber graduated from the University of South Carolina with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Information Systems and has worked in technology for over 10 years. Amber is an avid reader and writer and enjoys exploring with her family in her free time.

Briana Fulk

Briana has been in the IT industry for over 9+ years. Her current full-time role is as a senior engineer. Outside of her role, she enjoys mentoring and working with young girls and letting them know that they can do anything that they put their minds to. Briana is dedicated to leading the way to bringing awareness and growing diversity in the tech industry.

Lisa Russell

Technology Leader, Consultant, and Women in Tech Advocate

Lisa Russell is an accomplished technology executive, consultant, and advocate for women in technology with over 30 years of experience in IT and engineering. She has built and led high-performing teams, developed innovative digital products, and driven business transformation through AI-accelerated engineering and modern software development methodologies.

Maria Garcia

Founder, Maria’s Money & Mindset Coaching | Technology Professional

Maria Garcia is a financial coach and technology professional with a passion for empowering individuals to take control of their financial well-being. With eight years of experience in the tech industry—working with companies like Wells Fargo, Qualtrics, Amazon Web Services, and Protiviti—she understands the unique challenges professionals face in building financial confidence.

EMCEE

Elena Kacan

Elena Kacan is a dynamic marketing leader, community connector, and brand strategist with over a decade of experience in building impactful brands and engaged communities.

As the Senior Manager of Community & Social Media at Bloomreach, she leads strategies for the world’s leading commerce experience cloud, while also consulting with brands to help them stand out in a crowded digital landscape. From creative event activations to social media storytelling, she knows how to turn ideas into experiences that resonate.

Elena is a passionate advocate for women in business and thrives on developing partnerships that drive meaningful change, enhance the Charlotte community, and amplify brand voices. She’s dedicated to making Charlotte a thriving place to live, work, and play.

KEYNOTE

Amy Braswell

TIAA Deputy CISO

Amy Braswell serves as Deputy CISO for TIAA and leads the enterprise Cybersecurity Operations, Cyber Third Party and Subsidiary Risk Assessments, and Identity and Access Management teams. Previously, Braswell led Information and Cybersecurity Control at
Wells Fargo, where she oversaw the first line of defense risk management team. She also managed enterprise information security policies and risk assessments, implemented enterprise governance routines, and aligned daily operations with strong risk management practices.

PANEL MODERATOR

Lisa Speer

Owner, Speerhead Solutions

Lisa Speer’s personal mission is to guide women to greater confidence and authenticity in both their professional and personal lives. She does this through public speaking and within her business.

• She creates and evolves brands to bring out the soul of the business.
• She helps women unlock their signature style and shine in their best colors for their personal brand.

Growing up, Lisa was taught to color inside the lines—both literally and figuratively. But that experience shaped her superpower: cutting through the noise of “shoulds” and comparisons to reveal what’s genuine.
With a background working on global brands in NYC agencies, decades of experience in small business branding, rigorous training as a professional coach, and a passion for style, Lisa brings a unique fusion of strategy, creativity, and curiosity to everything she does.