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KEVIN
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40

SHIRIN ALIPANAH

NAVID ALIPOUR

Technology Partner
Meta

S

hirin Alipanah is a transformative
leader whose expertise seamlesslyspans across industries, merging the
cutting-edge worlds of digital transformation,
virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and digital marketing with the nuanced dynamics ofother sectors. Her innovative approach andstrategic foresight have not only advanced
technology and gender equality within thetech industry but also subtly influenced strategies in adjacent fields, demonstrating the universal applicability of her methods. Recognized with numerous awards and industry accolades, Shirin's ability to apply technologicaladvancements to drive success across various
domains showcases her versatile leadership.
Her insights, shared at global events, inspirea broad spectrum of industries to embraceinnovation, illustrating how digital solutions
can revolutionize traditional practices.

N

avid Alipour is the Co-Founder and
CEO of CureMetrix with a focus on
Women's health. CureMetrix AI detects breast cancer and identifies Breast Arterial Calcifications (BAC) from the same
mammogram. He is also the Co-Founderand CEO of CureMatch, a company focused on personalized medicine & combination therapy in oncology. The CureMatch
Decision Support System guides in the selection of cancer drugs that are customized forindividual patients based on their molecular tumor profile. Through the founding ofAnalytics Ventures, an AI focused VC fund,
Navid focuses on the convergence of AI andthe life sciences to prolong lives & save lives,
while reducing wasteful spend. Navid serves
on several Boards such as Tech San Diego,
CureMetrix, CureMatch, and AlphaTrAI.
He is a sought-after panelist, judge, speaker, and moderator on the topics of venture
capital, artificial intelligence, healthcare, andentrepreneurship.

ALEX BURAK

A

CEO
UnfoldLabs

W

ith an illustrious career spanningover three decades, Asokan Ashok,the visionary CEO of UnfoldLabs,
is a stalwart technology leader & innovator,
catapulted the company to unparalleled success. His unwavering passion for groundbreaking products & solutions, coupledwith smart business intelligence & industry
prowess, has made him an exceptional leader. Ashok's strategic foresight & technological expertise have become the driving force
behind the triumphs of UnfoldLabs. Recognized with prestigious awards throughout
his career, Ashok's influence extends beyond
UnfoldLabs. A technology enthusiast, histhought leadership is showcased in esteemed
publications like Forbes Technology Council& Straight Talk. As a distinguished thought
leader, Ashok graces industry conferences,
events & webinars, sharing his unparalleledinsights on technology & leadership. Committed to propelling sustainability & humanity forward through technologies, Ashok is
dedicated to empowering people globally.

SEAN CAPPS

Vice President of Engineering
Ivy Energylex Burak Dogan is the Vice Presidentof Engineering at Ivy Energy, where
he leads with a strategic vision to drive
the engineering team's culture toward excellence, innovation, and collaboration. He playsa pivotal role in team building and management, developing visionary roadmaps, andensuring technical solutions are customer-focused and aligned with business objectives. In
2013, Burak received the Promising Young
Scientist Award for his research about renewable energy. Fast-forward to today, he contributes to efforts that evolve the way communities create, use, and think about energy witha hands-on leadership approach, marrying
his ambition for environmental sustainability with his passion for developing beautiful,innovative solutions.

ASOKAN ASHOKCEOCureMetrix

KEVIN CARROLL

CEO/Founder
Digital Fire PreventionS

ean Capps brings over 28 years of fire
prevention into the tech world. The
Fire Prevention industry is a $72 billion-plus industry that is a disheveled messof hardcopy paperwork, antiquated processes and completely nonexistent communications between organizations trying to keep up
with a maze of national safety codes. Whilethe industry stands to nearly double in sizein the next few years as populations and cities continue to grow, no one has figured out
how to bring that industry into the 21st century as a functional digital ecosystem. A local
San Diegan with a vision to make our citya safer and more compliant place to live isrevolutionizing the future of fire safety. He
has created a digital platform (first and only
digital platform) that shares compliance data
across the entire ecosystem.

Executive Director
Tech San DiegoK

evin Carroll, as the Executive Director of Tech San Diego, brings over 20
years of executive leadership experience garnered from esteemed organizations
like TechAmerica, the American Electronics
Association, and CONNECT. With a profound understanding of industry dynamics,
Kevin adeptly navigates the intricacies of thereginal technology landscape, championing
best practices and fostering growth opportunities for regional tech companies. Beyond
managing all aspects of Tech San Diego's
operations, he has been a relentless advocate
for amplifying the influence of regional techentities in shaping public policy. Kevin's rolein creating Tech San Diego reflects not only
his professional commitment but also his personal passion for the regional tech community. His multifaceted expertise, coupled witha fervent dedication to advancing the interests of the tech community, positions him as
a distinguished leader shaping the future oftechnology in the region.

MARCH 25, 2024

SUZANNA BITTNER

Director of Project Management
OfficeC3 Risk & Insurance Services
uzanna Bittner, a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), is an expert in navigating complex projects inregulated industries, with a particular focus
on the insurance sector. She has successfully
implemented various new software systems
for C3 Risk & Insurance Services, including
Salesforce, MiEdge, Zoom Info, Asana, andNinety. Suzanna is instrumental in driving
operational efficiency improvements andplayed a key role in implementing the agency's initial round of process automation bots
(RPA). These bots enhance efficiency, freeing up our team to concentrate on high-level,
customer-centric tasks. Additionally, Suzanna collaborates with an expert team to manage C3's enterprise-level data and implement
robust cybersecurity measures to ensure thecompany's security.

S

MICHAEL CHAGALA
CEO
Rank Harvest SEO

Michael Chagala, Founder and CEOof Rank Harvest SEO, brings anextraordinary 16-year legacy inenterprise-level search engine optimization
to his company’s clients. At the helm of anaward-winning digital agency recognized for
its avant-garde innovation and performanceexcellence, Michael showcases his technological vision through platforms adept at handling intricate niche ranking challenges, driving product launches, and skillfully revitalizing damaged SEO landscapes. Beyond conventional boundaries, Michael's tech acumen
is evident with a strategic $30K investmentin premium virtual real estate within Decentraland, the groundbreaking blockchain-powered metaverse. Michael's influence is foundin Forbes, Wired, and Greentech. Michaelcontinues to make outstanding contributions
to the dynamic search marketing ecosystem,
spotlighting his forward-thinking and mastery of industry best practices amid relentlesschanges in the technology landscape.

KIMBRA BROOKSTEIN
Staff Program Manager, DEI
IntuitK

imbra Brookstein is Staff Program
Manager for DEI in Tech and leads the
Tech Women @ Intuit initiative globally. TWI is an internal initiative focused on
attracting, engaging and developing womenand underrepresented groups in the tech ecosystem. In this role, she utilizes her passion
both at the local and global levels to help
carry out strategic programming across thecompany. In 2021, Kimbra was named to theBoard of Directors of #LatinaGeeks as Vice
Chair and named as a "Women of Influencein Technology" by SDBJ and won the Athena
Pinnacle Award for "Individual In Technology." In 2022 and 2023, she was named “Top50 Women of Influence in Technology” by
SDBJ. In 2023, Kimbra was named "Womenin Tech ERG Leader of the Year" by WomenTech Network. She is a connecter with deep
ties to the SD Tech Scene and is passionate
about providing pathways for underrepresented groups in tech. Kimbra sat on the Athena TSIG Committee for three years and is aFounding Member of the San Diego Tech
Women’s Summit.

JOHN COOPER

Director of Flight Operations
Birds Eye Aerial DronesS

cott Painter, a visionary leader and retired US Navy Chief, revolutionized
the drone industry by founding Birds
Eye Aerial Drones (BEAD) ten years ago.
Leveraging his 23 years of military expertise,including a notable tour in Afghanistan andMBA from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Painter has propelled his company tothe forefront of drone technology, employing and training numerous professionals in
the industry. BEAD excels in deploying cutting-edge technology, maintaining a leading
position in the ever-evolving drone sector.
Beyond his entrepreneurial success, Painter's dedication to education is evident. He
has imparted drone technology knowledge atSouthwest College and on his own time, has
educated over 3,000 individuals from public,
private, and educational sectors on safe andresponsible drone use. Painter's journey reflects a remarkable blend of innovation, leadership, and commitment to community service, underlining his role in shaping the futureof drone applications.

MARCH 25, 2024

TRANSFORMINGTOMORROWWITH TODAY’S
MOST ADVANCEDTECHNOLOGY
We support the nation’s most criticalmissions with cutting-edge solutions
that meet the future head-on.

Congrats to Booz Allen’s
Outstanding Tech Leaders!

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41

JOE ROHNER

Booz Allen Vice Presidentof Artificial Intelligence

SCOTT SAUTTER

Booz Allen Vice President,
Engineering and Technology

STEVEN TOMITA

Booz Allen Director of Innovation,
Engineering and Technology

MICHAEL MONROE

Booz Allen Senior Associate,
Data Science and Analytics

www.sdbj.com

42

CARRIE CRAIG

Sr Director Global Application
Delivery
Bose Corportationarrie Craig is an organizational change
leader with a record of success bridging business needs with innovative technology solutions. Her deep experience leading
global digital transformations and realizing
large-scale initiatives which consistently focused on attaining tangible ROI. Earlier in
her career, Carrie served in the United States
Marine Corps as a Logistic Officer. She has
been honored with numerous personal service awards for meritorious service during
Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Carrie was named “A
Women Who Sets the Standard” by The International Women’s Review Board and she
has been honored by the Cambridge Who’s
Who Registry of Executives and Professionals. Carrie has been the recipient of multiple
WD-40 Company people choice awards. She
was honored to receive the 2022 SnapLogic
Application Innovation Award. She serviceson the Board of Directors for Boys and GirlsClub of Greater San Diego and Gary SiniseFoundation- San Diego Chapter.

C

SAM DRIBIN

Vice President, Marketing
Global TekMed

am Dribin has over 15 years of experience in the software industry. Sam iscurrently the Chief Technology Officer
at CureMetrix. Prior to joining CureMetrix,
Sam was a software architect at Intervolve
Incorporated for thirteen years. Sam also
worked as a software engineer at Pharsight
Corporation for three years. Sam has a passion for developing innovative software solutions and has played a key role in the successof their previous companies. Sam is a talented leader and motivator and is committed to helping CureMetrix continue to growand succeed. Sam Dribin has a master’s degree in Neurobiology from Duke University School of Medicine and a BA in Biology
from Northwestern University.

visionary executive with an impressive
two decade track record spanning twocoasts, having worked at global agencies like Edelman and client-side organizations including Global TekMed, MyPoint
Credit Union, and more. Renowned for turning business visions into ROI-driven successstories, she excels in data-driven strategies,
AI implementation, and strategic marketing
planning with an extensive portfolio that includes Samsung, Dove, and Global TekMed,
all while incorporating the latest technology.
Currently, as Vice President of Marketing at
Global TekMed, she drives growth in Veterantechnology services, ensuring deserving Veterans access their rightful benefits. This accomplished professional, with over 19 honors andawards, including recognition as a San Diego
Magazine Woman of the Year top-five Finalist and Judge, adjunct professor at New York
University, Forbes Contributor, and recently
Certified AI Transformation Leader, is a driving force in shaping the future of technology.

BRIAN J. FRIEDMANJEFF GAINESGVP - Global Strategic Sales
SoftClouds

Brian Friedman, a trailblazer at the forefront of innovation in the dynamic
world of digital transformation, serves
as a catalyst for growth, guiding SoftClouds
towards remarkable achievements. His leadership experience as SoftClouds’ Global Vice
President of Strategic Sales forms the cornerstone of SoftClouds success. His visionary guidance sets fresh industry standards in
CRM & CX solutions and fosters a cultureof innovation within the organization. Brian's commitment to employee satisfaction &client satisfaction fosters a vibrant team culture, driving SoftClouds to distinguish itself
as an industry leader in innovation and service quality. His insightful articles, such as"How Technology, Innovation & CX Transform the Utility Industry," & "New Technologies Handle Field Service Management Challenges," reflect his profound understandingof the industry, shedding light on trends anddriving progress.

HEATHER DUEITT

Chief Technology Officer
CureMetrix

S

CEOInterlacedAs the CEO of Interlaced, Jeff Gaines
has revolutionized the way fast-growing startups leverage technology toscale, demonstrating a commitment to innovation and excellence. Under his leadership,
Interlaced has thrived through data-driven
decision-making, business development,
process optimization, and effective budget
management. Jeff's strategic foresight not
only guides the company's operations andpartnerships but also enriches the broader
tech community through his role as a board
member of Connect, a nonprofit dedicatedto supporting San Diego's entrepreneurs andinnovators. From engineering management
and systems engineering to founding his own
creative agency, Jeff's career trajectory showcases his technological expertise and entrepreneurial spirit. Today, Jeff empowers teams
and clients to achieve their missions using
cutting-edge tools and practices. Jeff's dedication to fostering an environment of growthand learning makes him a prime example ofleadership in tech.

MARCH 25, 2024A

KEN GARBER

President and CEO
Del Rey Systems & Technology,Inc
en Garber, current CEO and Presidentof DEL REY Systems & Technology,
Inc., served 30 years of combined active and reserve duty as a Navy Submarine
Officer. He served on the USS Aspro (SSN648) and USS La Jolla (SSN 701). His final tour was to OPNAV N81 in the Pentagon. Ken was the Chairman of the Board for
STEP (Support the Enlisted Project), which
provides emergency financial and transition
assistance grants to active duty and recently
discharged enlisted military and their families. Most recently, Ken was elected to the National Defense Industry Association (NDIA)San Diego Board of Directors and is currently the Department of the Navy Gold Coast
Program Chair. Mr. Garber graduated fromthe University of the Pacific in 1984 (BSEE),
studied at the Scripps Institute of Oceanography and UCSD’s EE department, receiving
his MBA from UCLA in 2002.

K

LISA EASTERLYJUSTIN FORTIERCEOSan Diego CCOE

L

isa Easterly serves as President and CEO
of Cyber Center of Excellence (CCOE),a San Diego-based nonprofit dedicated to growing the regional cyber economy
and creating a more secure digital community for all. She helped stand-up and manage CCOE since inception, helping grow San
Diego’s cyber ecosystem from 100 to 1,000
cyber companies and more than doubling
the industry’s total economic impact to $4
billion annually in just 10 years. She is passionate about leading CCOE and the San Diego cyber community in heeding the call todevelop the next generation of cyber warriors,
defenses, and innovations. Prior to joining
CCOE, she was the Vice President of Marketing for San Diego Regional EDC, Business Development Manager for Latham &Watkins LLP and Founding Board Memberof CleanTech San Diego. She has an MBA
and B.S. in Finance and Economics from the
University of Florida.

JAY GARCIA

Sr. Business Development
Manager and Head of SparkED
Alteryxay Garcia is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience inprogram management, education, community outreach, and talent development,with a strong focus on technology. At Fortinet, he led award-winning talent creation
and upskilling programs in the cybersecurity industry, leveraging a versatile skill set
acquired during his 20-year military career.
Prior to this role, Jay held diverse leadership
positions in the US Marine Corps, contributing to recruiting, higher education programs,
and sales support operations. In his current
role at Alteryx, Jay spearheads the SparkED
Data Analytics Education Program for the
US-West & LATAM, and Alteryx’s DoD
Skillbridge Program. He also serves as an
Advisory Committee Member for the College of Professional & Continuing Education(CPaCE) at CSU Long Beach, and is recognized as a Forbes Coaches Council Member,a LinkedIn Top Voice, and a George W. BushInstitute Scholar.

J

Founder and CEO/CTO
FYC Labs

J

ustin Fortier, a tech entrepreneur andfounder of multiple successful California-based companies, led FYC Labs as
CEO/CTO to acquisition in 2020. The boutique design agency, with clients like Remax,
National University, Budweiser, and Pepsi
Co., gained international recognition for web
design and development. Justin, named CEOof the year finalist twice by the San Diego
Business Journal, also holds advisory rolesat various ventures. He volunteers for entrepreneurial support and is a devoted fatherof two, enjoying fishing, hiking, and hockey. Featured twice on Fox Business News, heearned finalist spots in 40 Next Top Business
Leaders Under 40 and Mentor of the Year2024. FYC Labs received accolades, including
a spot on the Inc. 5000 List of Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America by Inc
Magazine and recognition as a top IT Services provider in Artificial Intelligence by Inc
Magazine Power Partner Awards.

AARON GIBNEY

VP, Battle Management
Command and Control
EpiSci (EpiSys Science, Inc.)
aron “Vandal” Gibney is VP, Battle
Management Command and Control(BMC2) at EpiSci where he is responsible for growing the company’s opportunities in the BMC2 sector. BMC2 integrates
software and hardware systems and delivers
human-trusted solutions for improved andfaster decision-making capabilities. Retired
Colonel Gibney served 24 years in the US Air
Force (USAF) and contributes extensive experience in the Air and Space fields as well as
operational-level joint planning. Gibney is a
graduate of the USAF Weapons School, theSchool of Advanced Air and Space Studies,and the Chief of Staff of the USAF’s Blue
Horizons Fellowship. As a career air battle
manager, he has commanded at the squadronand group level and flew hundreds of combat hours over Afghanistan and Iraq. As a
Colonel, Gibney led headquarters USAF’s
Futures and Concepts Division at the Pentagon; then commanded the 505th Combat
Training Group at Nellis Air Force Base, NV.

A

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KRYSTAL GILLISJEREMY GLASERFounder and CEO
TightiesK

rystal Gillis, the founder and CEO of
Tighties™ orthopedic, tech-enabledactivewear, is a seasoned entrepreneur
and business leader. Krystal's career trajectory has been a dynamic blend of entrepreneurial ventures and corporate experience fromsales for a large payroll company to founding her first business in payroll software at
24. After successfully building and selling her
first venture, she transitioned to corporate
roles in the medical devices sector. In 2017,
she took on a consulting role, overseeing thelaunch of five companies, three products anda foundation before the inception of Tighties
in 2022 during her work on a product launch
for an orthopedic company in San Diego. As
the driving force behind Tighties, Krystal is
deeply involved in every aspect of the business from technology innovation and productdevelopment to project management and finance. With a strong focus on focus on healthand wellness, she created Tighties for anyone
committed to an active lifestyle.

TANYA KUHNHead of Client Experience
Ivy EnergyTanya Kuhn has been appointed as the
Head of Client Experience at Ivy Energy, embodying a steadfast dedication
to excellence. In her role, she spearheads the
Ivy team's efforts to provide unparalleled service to both clients and residents. Her distinguished career is highlighted by her acute emphasis on enhancing client experience, alongside her contributions to marketing, innovation, and improving operational efficiencies. This has established her as an influential
figure within Ivy Energy. Her career path ischaracterized by a variety of significant positions, including Sales Manager, Business
Development Manager, and Marketing Executive, spanning multiple sectors such as B2B
and B2C markets, financial services, publishing, consumer goods, and branding. Tanya
is equally passionate about environmental
sustainability, a principle that aligns with Ivy
Energy's core mission.

MemberMintz

Mintz Member Jeremy Glaser serves
as Co-chair of the firm’s Venture
Capital & Emerging Companies
Practice. Jeremy has over three decades ofexperience representing technology-based
companies principally in the life sciences, software, mobile applications, and clean energy
fields. He represents both issuers and underwriters in a wide variety of securities transactions, including IPOs, special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs), secondary offerings, and private placements, and represents
venture capital firms, hedge funds and theirportfolio companies in venture capital and
PIPE financings. He has deep experience representing buyers and sellers in acquisitions
and dispositions of public and private companies. Jeremy is also a key contributor to
MintzEdge, an online resource for entrepreneurs that includes useful tools and information for starting and growing a company.

DIANNA HE MURRAY

Executive Coach & Core
Innovation Leader
Bain & Company
ianna He Murray is an Executive
Coach, published author, and leader
on the Core Innovation Team at Bain
& Company. She has a history of successful
leadership in the technology industry, demonstrating a clear ability to drive change andimpact. As an executive coach, Dianna is atrusted sounding board for leaders at organizations such as Airbnb, Dropbox, Sephora,
and others looking to realize their full potential. As a leader at Bain, she oversees alarge portfolio of digital products, and mostrecently, spearheaded a project that greatly impacts how the firm delivers all digital
work for clients. She has been named Influential Leader of the Year in the data analytics division of Blue Cross Blue Shield, wasa recipient of the Zell Fellowship at the Kellogg School of Management, and has been achampion of women in tech throughout her
career. Dianna can be reached at joyandclaritylife@gmail.com.

D

RAZELLE KURZROCK

Chief Medical Advisor & CoFounder
CureMatchazelle Kurzrock, MD, is a world leader in precision medicine and immunotherapy. As a medical oncologist/researcher, she is recognized as one of the mostimportant voices in precision medicine andone of the most highly cited scientists globally. Dr. Kurzrock is known for founding
and chairing the largest Phase 1 clinical trials department in the world while at the MD
Anderson Cancer Center. More recently, atthe University of California, Dr. Kurzrock
founded and led the Rare Tumor Clinic and
the Center for Personalized Cancer Therapy. Dr. Kurzrock has brought oversight to>500 clinical trials, with many agents yielding FDA approvals. She has authored >900
peer-reviewed paper with an exception Hirsch
index (h-index) score of 136 (>77,000 citations). Her strong record of competitive funding is comprised of ~$125 million in lifetime
funding. She has four children, two Basenjis(dogs) and is married to Philip Cohen, MD,
who is a dermatologist.

R

MARCH 25, 2024

LARRY HOEHN

W

ith over a quarter-century of experience in Enterprise IT, Larry Hoehn
sets the standard for humility andexpertise. His journey is marked by a consistent drive to excel with a down-to-earth demeanor that resonates with both his teams
and customers. Larry’s thoughtful approachto leadership enables him to lead high-performance teams, providing best-in-class service that’s both reliable and innovative. Larryis raising up the next generation of IT and
Cyber Security leaders. As a seasoned professional, his expertise spans areas such as disaster recovery, regulatory compliance, andData Center operations and security. Larry’s
commitment to excellence is further exemplified by his active membership in esteemed organizations like InfraGard, HTCIA, ISACA,
and ISSA. His integrity is the cornerstone of
his reputation, making him a trusted figurein the industry. He is a leader who constantly
seeks improvement, offers help, and ensuresthat the collective journey is one of progressand success.

YINYIN LIUSEBASTIAN LUCIER

VP of AI
SeismicYinyin Liu, Ph.D., is an artificial intelligence technologist and entrepreneurwith over 15 years of experience building AI products for consumers, enterprises,
and open-source AI communities. Currently, she is Vice President of AI at Seismic, focusing on infusing AI into transformative
enablement solutions for enterprises. Prior
to Seismic, Yinyin co-founded and served as
the Chief Technology Officer of XOKind, aseed-stage, venture-backed AI startup. Before
founding XOKind, Yinyin was the Head of
Data Science at Intel AI, where she established and led a global team of data scientists and AI researchers. Her team worked
on workload optimization for AI softwareand hardware, research in Natural Language
Processing (NLP) and Reinforcement Learning (RL) and building open-source tools in
NLP/RL/Model compression. She also drove
Intel’s participation in Partnership on AI totackle issues in FTA (fair, transparent, andaccountable) AI and AI for Social Good.

SUNNY JAIN

Vice President of Services
Bird Rock Systems

MemberMintz

Sebastian Lucier, Member, Mintz, is ahighly technical attorney who fully understands legal nuances and how to use
the law to advance a company’s strategic plan.
He has deep ties to San Diego’s start-up community and significant experience relating
to financing, corporate formation and governance, and mergers and acquisitions. His
mergers and acquisitions practice provides
practical solutions and guidance to founders and other stakeholders wishing to recognize the value they’ve built in their businesses. Sebastian is very active at his alma mater,
the University of San Diego School of Law,
where he teaches young lawyers to support
entrepreneurs and the start-up community
as an adjunct professor. Sebastian is also actively involved in the MintzEdge website, an
online resource for entrepreneurs.

Founder and CEO
Floré by Sun Genomics

W

ith over 20 years of molecular andmicrobiology experience, Sun Genomics’ founder and CEO Sunny
Jain originally had the idea for Floré after
struggling to solve his own young son’s gut
health issues with generic probiotics from the
shelves. Sunny took it upon himself to createa custom probiotic that worked for his son,and now aims to do the same for the hundreds of millions of people who suffer fromgut health issues worldwide. Before starting
Sun Genomics in 2016, Sunny worked at Illumina for seven years. He was part of theteam to establish the Illumina Clinical Services Laboratory and went on to sequence thefirst whole human genome in a CLIA-certified, CAP-accredited laboratory. Prior to Illumina, Sunny worked for Labcorp in themolecular oncology laboratory and has over
20 years of experience in commercializing
biomarkers.

ELIZABETH MCKEWON

Director of Sales and Marketing
XceptionalElizabeth McKewon, Board Member,and Director of Sales and Marketing
became an owner of Xceptional in 2007.
She is currently one of two female board
members and has actively helped grow andbuild Xceptional into an award-winning MSP.
In 2018, after a successful 20+ year career asa practicing attorney, Elizabeth made a career change and joined Xceptional. Comingfrom a non-technical background has given
Elizabeth an ability to relate to clients thatfind technology complex and overwhelming.
Elizabeth leverages her previous experience
to counsel clients, understand their uniquebusiness, operational, and IT needs, and explain why the technology is needed, and how
it will positively impact the client’s business.
Since 2019, she has been the top producing
salesperson for Xceptional and is responsible
for large, strategic client relationships. Additionally, since Betsy’s tenure with the company, Xceptional has seen year-over-year revenue growth.

MARCH 25, 2024

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Michael Chagala

Founder & CEO, Rank Harvest
SEO and Digital Marketing

CELEBRATING
OUR

4000

TH

CUSTOMER

One of the fastest growing
digital marketing agencies
in San Diego!

RankHarvest.com

Michael Chagala
Founder & CEO, Rank Harvest

www.sdbj.com

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JOHN MERRITTSVP & CIO
YMCA of San Diego CountyJ

ohn Merritt, SVP & CIO, has spearheaded a transformative journey within
the IT department, aligning technology
with core business objectives to drive innovation and growth. Under his leadership, theY achieved a landmark digital transformation by migrating to cloud-based solutions,significantly enhancing the customer experience, data security, and operational efficiency.
Merritt’s strategic focus on integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning will
optimize internal processes and lead to thedevelopment of customer-centric solutions,increased satisfaction, and opening new revenue streams. His commitment to fostering
a culture of continuous learning and collaboration across departments has elevated the
IT team's performance and agility. Merritt’svisionary approach and impactful leadershiphave been instrumental in positioning the
YMCA of San Diego County at the forefrontof technological advancement for nonprofits.

STEVE MILLENDORF

OSCAR MONCADA

Partner
Foley & Lardner LLP

Steve Millendorf is an exemplary leader
in the technology field whose contributions to the fields of privacy, cybersecurity, and technology transactions havebeen invaluable to both his clients and thebroader community. With over two decadesof experience as an engineer and an attorney,
Steve possesses a unique blend of technicalproficiency and legal acumen. His practice
centers on counseling clients across various
industries on privacy, cybersecurity, and intellectual property matters. Steve’s expertise extends to compliance with various privacy andsecurity laws, including GDPR, CCPA, andVirginia CDPA. Steve’s impressive engineering background underscores his unparalleledexpertise in technology-related legal matters.
His tenure at Qualcomm, where he led thedesign and development of security features
for a range of chip devices, demonstrates his
commitment to pushing the boundaries ofinnovation.

Co-Founder and CEO
Stratus10

O

scar Moncada's technology journeycommenced at age 13, programmingon mainframes at IBM via an internship. Driven by a passion for tech, he studied
AI in the early 2000s and later held impactfulroles at Events.com, Mirum (then, Digitaria),
and FICO. Achieving the AWS Solutions
Architect credential in 2016, he stood among
the earliest recipients at No. 2,663. As Technology Director at Events.com, Oscar crafted a resilient cloud infrastructure pivotal tosubstantial growth. Recognizing the demandfor cloud expertise, he co-founded Stratus10
in 2017. Oscar's commitment to empowering San Diego's businesses, coupled with his
adept leadership, propelled Stratus10 to theforefront of AWS Partners. One of 18 national partners proficient in Migration, DevOps,
and the Education sector, Stratus10 boasts
the most AWS designations among San Diego-based firms. Since 2019, Oscar's San Diego-based team has guided local startups andglobal enterprises through the complexities
of cloud computing.

MARCH 25, 2024

MICHAEL MONROE

Senior Associate, Data Scienceand Analytics
Booz Allen Hamilton
cott Sautter leads Booz Allen’s San Diego Engineering and Technology team,providing Digital Engineering, Cybersecurity, Network Engineering, IT Infrastructure, and C4ISR integration solutions to the
Navy and Marine Corps. As a leader of Booz
Allen’s large San Diego office, Scott is focusedon broadening the firm’s capabilities in the region, particularly through IT transformation,
Innovation, and Speed to Capability. Over the
past 25 years, Scott has helped expand Booz
Allen’s technical service offerings to enhance
our Nation’s armed services’ warfighting capabilities. His team delivers secure infrastructure solutions, enterprise network operations,
IT strategy, Digital Engineering, and C4ISR
solutions to a broad range of Department of
Defense clients. Scott holds a B.S. in electrical engineering from California Polytechnic
State University, San Luis Obispo, and is a
Certified Systems Engineering Professional
through the International Council on Systems Engineering.

S

SEAN NAM

Chief Technology Officer
Ivy EnergySean Nam is the CTO at Ivy Energy
where he oversees the Product, Engineering, and IT & Security departments. As the first full-time engineering hire,
he helped build the original MVP. He led theeffort to transition to a more scalable platform with modern tools and languages. He
oversaw efforts to update our security posture as well as modernize our entire infrastructure stack. Since then, he has focusedon establishing new teams, maturing the organization, and implementing new processes. Sean has a history of combining his passion of entrepreneurship and technology. In
the early 2010's, he built a small business by
publishing over 50 mobile apps and games
and amassing over one million downloads. In
2016, he received an Excellence Award fromthe Korean Armed Forces for his softwaredevelopment efforts while completing his Korean military service. Today, he is focused on
supporting the mission in all areas of business and technology.

Congratulations Carrie
Craig for being recognized
as a Leader of Influencein Technology by the San
Diego Business Journal.
Her impressive trackrecord includes bridging
business needs with
innovative, streamlined,
and integrated technology
solutions. She adeptly
translates vision and broad
objectives into clear,actionable processes,
programs, and procedures
within the technology
ecosystem. Kudos to her
outstanding contributions!

www.bose.com(508) 861-0027

Senior Director Global
Application Delivery

MARCH 25, 2024

BEN NATHAN

Chief Technology andTransformation Officer
Corticaen Nathan has served as Cortica’s chief
technology and transformation officer
since 2019. He leads Cortica’s digitalstrategy and services, including information
security technology enablement, electronic
health records, software development, scheduling, enrollment, analytics, product development, marketing, and client experience. Whileat Cortica, Ben leveraged his extensive expertise as a healthcare technology executive tocreate Axon, the world’s leading technology
platform for autism and neurodevelopmentcare. Axon's critical functions include complex care coordination, intelligent scheduling,clinical insights and decision support, family care management, progress tracking, insurance billing, and clinical data warehousing. Overall, Axon has contributed to better
quantitative outcomes for the children Cortica serves, higher family satisfaction with services, and lower-than-average therapy utilization. Ben holds a master’s degree in technology management from Columbia University.

Bwww.sdbj.com

STEVEN PAGAN

SCOTT PAINTER

Director of Technical Services
XceptionalS

teven has more than 16 years of experience leading and supporting the development, implementation, and supportof global IT solutions. Having started off his
career as a network engineer, Steven joined
Xceptional in the early 2000s, acting as theprimary project and technical lead for multifaceted projects. As his career progressed,
Steven transitioned into increasingly demanding roles with a global scope, enabling him
to deepen his engineering knowledge whiledelving further into Project Management.
These experiences molded him into a versatile professional. In 2021, Steven had a fullcircle moment by returning to Xceptional
where he climbed the ranks to assume therole of Director of Technical Services. He
now oversees a team of engineers in multiple national locations, working to optimize
service delivery and refining service operations to align with Xceptional’s standards
for client satisfaction.

47

ALLY PERLINA

Owner
Birds Eye Aerial Drones

Chief Science Officer
CureMatchcott Painter, a visionary leader and retired US Navy Chief, revolutionized
the drone industry by founding Birds
Eye Aerial Drones (BEAD) ten years ago.
Leveraging his 23 years of military expertise,including a notable tour in Afghanistan andMBA from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Painter has propelled his company tothe forefront of drone technology, employing and training numerous professionals in
the industry. BEAD excels in deploying cutting-edge technology, maintaining a leading
position in the ever-evolving drone sector.
Beyond his entrepreneurial success, Painter's dedication to education is evident. He
has imparted drone technology knowledge atSouthwest College and on his own time, has
educated over 3,000 individuals from public,
private, and educational sectors on safe andresponsible drone use. Painter's journey reflects a remarkable blend of innovation, leadership, and commitment to community service, underlining his role in shaping the futureof drone applications.

lly Perlina is a proven executive leader who has dedicated nearly two decades of industry experience to solving challenging problems in precision medicine, health-tech, and pharmaceutical fields toimprove human health with molecular-level
personalization. She is a visionary innovator with a track record of translating complex data into actionable insights delivered
as scalable AI products by integrating analytics with systems biology and knowledge
management techniques. As Chief Translation Science Office (CTSO) of Viome, Ally
developed unique methodology for automated pathway analysis personalizing nutraceuticals at scale. Previously, at Human
Longevity, Inc. (HLI), co-founded by Craig
Venter, Ally spearheaded the Comprehensive
Cancer Program creating novel analytics forclinical decision support. At tumor boards,
she provided mechanistic rationale for drug
and trial prioritization.

S

A

NICO PETRUZZELLIIT & Project Manager
Options For All

N

ico Petruzzelli demonstrates remarkable leadership and innovation in technology management. Under Nico's direction, IT security has been significantly upgraded, bolstering the organization's defenses against cyber threats and enhancing data
integrity. This achievement is complemented
by Nico's successful oversight of device upgrades for over 350 staff members, optimizing
productivity and efficiency. Nico's strategic
acumen was evident in vendor renegotiations,
resulting in annual savings of over $180K,
showcasing an exceptional ability to combine
technical expertise with fiscal responsibility.
Additionally, as a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM), he is committed
to mastery of IT project management. These
accomplishments collectively highlight Nico's
influential role in advancing technologicalexcellence and operational efficiency, directly impacting the lives of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities served byhis employer, Options For All.

CONGRATULATIONSCongratulations to Nimer Saikaly for being selected
as a 2024 Leader of Influence in Technology!

Nimer Saikaly founded Ciprus Consulting
to support not-for-profit organizations
with dedication, expertise, and a genuine
commitment to their success.
We understand the nuances of not-for-profit work and are
passionate about helping you leverage technology to achieve
your mission more effectively and efficiently.
If your not-for-profit organization deploys more than 100
computers, we offer a wide range of managed IT services
and our full expertise.
For all other not-for-profits, we are happy to discuss yourcurrent situation and offer suggestions on how to best workwith you and your current suppliers.

www.ciprusconsulting.com | nimer@ciprusconsulting.com

www.sdbj.com

48

SANJIV PRABHAKARANSAI REDDY

President and CEO
Bytes Inc.

CEO and Founder
CamerEyeM

r. Prabhakaran is a seasoned executive with over 20 years of leadershipexperience across a wide range of industries and technologies, which he applies
to bring the latest technology to his clients.
His background includes solving operational challenges for small to large companies
though the development and implementation of custom software solutions aimed atprocess management and technology architecture targeting fleet management and business management within the IoT, FinTech,
healthcare, landscape, property management,
business cleaning, and financial industries. In
early 2002, Mr. Prabhakaran founded Bytes,
Inc. to provide low cost and rapid software
outsourcing, resource augmentation, quality
assurance and project management services.
He holds nine U.S. patents under his belt for
mapping and fleet management.

Sai Reddy is the Founder and CEO of
CamerEye, a leading AI Smart Pool
System that scales across the entire
pool lifecycle for easier and smarter construction monitoring, water safety, pool maintenance. Sai is an accomplished technology entrepreneur who previously was part of thefounding team at PXISE, an AI-based data
software that pioneered the use of prediction and smart controls for large renewable
power plants. PXISE was acquired by Yokogawa, a giant automation manufacturer,
in 2020. Sai is an inventor of 8 patents andhas authored over 15 publications, awarded
multiple technology and leadership awards
and sits on various pool industry advisorycommittees and boards, including ASTM,
NDPA, and PHTA. He is also a passionate
water lover, an avid swimmer, surfer and sailor whose vision is to bring game-changing
tech solutions to outdoor spaces.

JOE ROHNER

Vice President of Artificial
Intelligence
Booz Allen Hamilton
oe Rohner is a leader in Booz Allen’s
Artificial Intelligence business, the single largest provider of AI services to thefederal government. Sitting in the Chief Technology Office, he helps clients apply AI toyield better mission outcomes through adoption and strategy; engineering and model development; quantum services; generative AI
solutions; and AI systems. Joe’s teams deliver
AI solutions to clients in the western U.S. and
the Pacific, including Hawaii, Japan, and Korea. Joe is Booz Allen’s firmwide AI Adoption and Talent lead responsible for the transformation, strategy and execution of training,
recruiting, and retaining the largest AI workforce supporting the federal government. He
recently launched a firmwide AI curriculum
across the firm that spanned literacy to expert competencies to accelerate transformation. Joe has also provided leadership to theworld’s premier data science competition forsocial good, the Data Science Bowl®, presented by Booz Allen and Kaggle.

J

Shirin Alipanah stands at the forefront of the realestate revolution, blending her expertise with visionary
technology to redefine the property landscape. Her
experience has fueled innovations that leverage AI
and the Metaverse, offering immersive experiencesthat transform the way we interact with real estate.
Her work with eXp Realty, transcends traditional
brokerage boundaries, marking her as a pivotal figure
in tech-driven real estate solutions. Shirin’s approachhas not only streamlined property transactions but
also enhanced the client experience, making it more
efficient and engaging.
A staunch advocate for diversity and inclusion, Shirin's
influence extends beyond technology, inspiringa more inclusive, dynamic future for the industry.
Her mentorship and leadership have empoweredindividuals to explore new frontiers in technology andreal estate.
Shirin Alipanah's contributions are crafting the futureof real estate, marrying innovation with human-centric
solutions. Connect with Shirin to explore the next
horizon in real estate technology atshirinsellshomes@gmail.com or 858-214-9910.
DRE# 01863232

MARCH 25, 2024

ROMEL ROMEROTech Founder
Ojt ConnectTech founder and philanthropist Romel
Romero, boasting over seven years ofexperience in mobile app and website
development, is the visionary behind GoodDay Communications and Dipster Development. In 2023, he earned recognition asan Honorary Listee of Marquis Who's Who
Of America and served as a keynote speakerat Polytechnic University of the Philippines
Unisan. Romero's influence extends beyond
borders, as evidenced by features on CNN
Philippines, ABS-CBN News, and Manila
Times, where he advocates for global impact
and innovation. Passionate about driving social change, Romero actively contributes tomeaningful initiatives. Alongside his entrepreneurial pursuits, he generously donates
tablets for distance learning to rural universities and spearheads an on-the-job training
program for computer science and business
graduates. These endeavors underscore his
dedication to both personal fulfillment andsocietal betterment.

DEAN ROSENBERG

NuFund Venture Group Board
Member and Fund Co-Manager
NuFund Venture Groupean Rosenberg, with over 30 years ofentrepreneurial spirit in San Diego,
has notably influenced the technology and startup ecosystem. As Powur PBC's
Chief Technology Officer, he's played a pivotal role in transforming Powur into thefastest-growing national solar company in
the USA. His leadership extended to serving on the Company's Board of Directors,
exemplifying his commitment to clean energy and innovative technology. At NuFund
Venture Group, Dean has been instrumental in growing one of the most dynamic early-stage investment groups, overseeing over
$15M in annual investments. His presidency
at Tech Coast Angels San Diego significantly
enhanced the chapter's activity and outreach,fostering a more inclusive and vibrant investment community. Dean's multifaceted career,from pioneering startups to empowering early-stage companies, marks him as a leading
figure in San Diego's technology and investment landscapes.

DMARCH 25, 2024

www.sdbj.com

SAM ROYEPIPHANY RYUHead of IT Operations
CorticaS

am Roy began his tenure at Corticain 2019 and currently serves as thecompany’s head of IT operations. He
oversees critical functions including IT infrastructure, support, DevOps, cyber security, and software development, with a focus on improving Cortica’s client experienceand teammate experience and broadening
healthcare access for the families that Cortica serves nationwide. Sam’s areas of expertise include generating technical transformation roadmaps, executing strategic technology and transformation initiatives, building
omnichannel communications, automatingcomplex business processes, creating and enhancing applications, streamlining businessprocesses, and aligning IT initiatives withcompany revenue, margin, customer service,
patient care, and patient outcomes goals. Sam
holds numerous IT certifications, including
a CISSP, and received a bachelor’s degree incomputer science from California State University, Monterey Bay.

BO RYU

Chief Operating Officer
EpiSci (EpiSys Science, Inc.)E

piphany Ryu is Chief Operating Officer
for EpiSci, a software company that develops next generation, Tactical AI autonomy solutions for national security problems. As COO, she is responsible for scaling
business operations, spearheading cross-functional collaboration, streamlining processes,
and turning strategy into reality. Ms. Ryu has
dedicated her professional career to helping
organizations realize their full potential. Prior
to joining EpiSci, Ms. Ryu worked in design
thinking and strategy consulting in the Bay
Area. Her leadership and operational expertise play a pivotal role in EpiSci's success, positioning the company at the forefront of innovation in the dynamic landscape of autonomy and artificial intelligence for defense. She
graduated from the Haas School of Businessat the University of California, Berkeley with
a B.S. in Business Administration and has a
Certificate in Technology Entrepreneurshipfrom the UC Berkeley Sutardja Center for
Entrepreneurship & Technology.

49

NIMER SAIKALYFounder, President, and CEO
EpiSci (EpiSys Science, Inc.)D

r. Bo Ryu founded EpiSci in 2012 withthe vision of delivering breakthroughsand “epiphanies” for a wide range ofdefense, space, and commercial applications
by leveraging systems science and creatinginterdisciplinary solutions across the sense,
decide, and act paradigm to advance trusted autonomy. With over two decades of experience in the defense industry with DOD
sponsors such as DARPA, AFWERX, ONR,
ARL, AFRL and NASA, Dr. Ryu has been
leveraging this experience to advance the innovations and commercialization at EpiSci.
Dr. Ryu holds 15 U.S and international patents. He is the author/co-author of more than
60 peer-reviewed publications in the areas ofwireless communications and networking,cognitive sensing and signal processing, andmachine learning based network management. He is the recipient of two performancerecognition awards for technical achievements on DARPA’s Adaptive C4ISR Nodeprogram. He received his Ph.D. from Columbia University in Electrical Engineering.

SCOTT SAUTTER

President
Ciprus ConsultingN

imer Saikaly is passionate about the
non-profit sector, boasting 20 years of
IT expertise. He specializes in craftingcost-effective IT infrastructures tailored to
non-profits' needs. Leveraging cloud computing, business process optimization, anddisaster recovery solutions, Nimer ensuresefficient goal achievement. Beyond tech skills,
he employs organizational and leadershipprowess to drive impactful outcomes. Nimer's
strategic approach boosts staff productivity,
fortifies IT security, and optimizes operations
while respecting budget constraints. His trackrecord of transformative initiatives underscores his ability to deliver measurable results.
Dedicated to advancing technology for social
good, Nimer is poised to inspire change anddrive innovation in San Diego's community.

Vice President
Booz Allen Hamilton

S

cott Sautter leads Booz Allen’s San Diego Engineering and Technology team,providing Digital Engineering, Cybersecurity, Network Engineering, IT Infrastructure, and C4ISR integration solutions to the
Navy and Marine Corps. As a leader of Booz
Allen’s large San Diego office, Scott is focusedon broadening the firm’s capabilities in the region, particularly through IT transformation,
Innovation, and Speed to Capability. Over the
past 25 years, Scott has helped expand Booz
Allen’s technical service offerings to enhance
our Nation’s armed services’ warfighting capabilities. His team delivers secure infrastructure solutions, enterprise network operations,
IT strategy, Digital Engineering, and C4ISR
solutions to a broad range of Department of
Defense clients. Scott holds a B.S. in electrical engineering from California Polytechnic
State University, San Luis Obispo, and is a
Certified Systems Engineering Professional
through the International Council on Systems Engineering.

CONGRATULATIONSCONGRATULATIONSCongratulations to
Ken Garber for being
selected as a Leader ofInfluence in Technology
by the San Diego
Business Journal.
Scott PainterFounder & CEO• Flight Planning• Project Mgmt

• Aerial Photography/Videography• Aerial Data/LiDAR• Ground Ops & Logistics• BVLOS operations• Video Documentation• Airspace Coordination• Topography & Survey

John Cooper

Director of Flight Ops• Emergency Response• Post Processing

DEL REY Systems & Technology, Inc.,
Where Warfighter Vision and Our Innovation Join Forces• Mapping• Analytics• Inspection

Drone Service Provider: Bridging Gaps with Technology

www.delreysys.com | delrey@delreysys.com

www.sdbj.com

50

DINA SEGALNATHAN SHORT

Chief Legal Officer
Gusto, Inc.

D

ina Segal is Chief Legal Officer at Gusto, Inc., a technology company thatruns payroll, benefits and HR services
for over 300,000 small and medium businesses. Dina empowers a team of approximately
50 legal, compliance and government affairs
professionals and is a leader on Gusto’s executive team. Dina is a seasoned public andprivate company lawyer and strategic advisor
with extensive experience in building companies and technology in regulated industries.
Dina is also a leader and board member of
SunLaw, Inc. (sunlaw.org), a non-profit dynamic community that supports, educates,
and advances women in house counsel. Dinais not just a leader in law, she is a leader inbusiness and in her community. She brings
a diversity of thought, collaborative attitude,
and deep business acumen to help solve
some of the most complex legal challenges, get deals done and help create productsthat help small and medium sized businesses.

Director of Information
Technology
Encinitas Union School District
athan Short, Director of Information
Technology for the Encinitas Union
School District, has been re-tooling
public school content filters over the past 6
years to alert response teams when self-harmconcerns crop up on student devices. Initially, no one would entertain the concept. Now,
traction has been gaining. Short has beenworking with the FBI on expanding to include indicators that might lead to preventing mass casualty events. This has led to FBI
seminars that are bringing attention to thisfor other school districts to potentially adopt.
Short has been working with government
agencies to forge relationships that improve
response times related to cyber security. At
a recent cyber security symposium, the ideathat “you can’t surge trust” bore fruit when
Short was able to rapidly escalate the detection of a cyber event to the right people toprevent what could have turned into a ransomware event.

N

MARCH 25, 2024

WALID SOUSSOU

CEO
Quantum Applied Science &Research (QUASAR), Inc.
r. Walid Soussou, CEO of Quantum
Applied Science & Research (QUASAR) and Founder/CEO of Wearable
Sensing, leads both companies in their mission to facilitate non-invasive brain monitoring across the lifespan, from delicate neonatal to elderly care, and even in extreme aeronautical environments. Dr. Soussou joined
QUASAR as a Research Scientist in 2008
and quickly moved up to VP, heading up thelaunch of QUASAR’s dry electrode product,
and then to CEO in 2015. He also led thespinoff of Wearable Sensing in 2013 with thegoal of commercializing QUASAR’s technology globally. He leverages his PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Southern
California to develop impactful real-world
applications of QUASAR's revolutionary
sensor technology in the realms of medicine,military, education, and enterprise. Dr. Soussou has raised over $15M in research funding
from the National Institute of Health, National Science Foundation, DARPA, NASA,and Department of Defense.

D

PEDRO SUAREZ

LINDSEY SWEENEY

MemberMintz

P

edro Suarez, Member, Mintz, focuseson all aspects of patent law, including
IP portfolio development and management, preparation and prosecution of patentapplications, freedom to operate and infringement opinions, patent monetization, litigation including Inter Partes Reviews (IPRs),
with an emphasis on wireless, software, artificial intelligence, machine learning/neuralnetworks, computer security, and medical
devices. He has extensive experience in handling patent matters for emerging and global
high-technology companies as well as universities and draws on his litigation experience todevelop high-value patent portfolios. Pedro
has also litigated patent infringement andvalidity disputes before several US district
courts, in matters involving multiple patents
and complex technologies. More recently, Pedro represented a Finnish-based patent ownerin an IPR, in which all claims of the patent
were found valid.

Technical Program Manager
Northrop GrummanLindsey is a Technical Program Manager at Northrop Grumman for a large
portfolio of space satellite composite
busses and cutting-edge ceramic composite
structures. She defines requirements, manages
all aspects of technical design and manufacturing, as well as overseeing program status
and performance. She has a background ofover eight years in structural analysis engineering with expertise in composites analysis. She received her bachelor’s and master’s
degree from UCLA in Aerospace Engineering and Materials Science Engineering respectively. Committed to professional growth,
Lindsey is the current president of the San
Diego Chapter of AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). In her
spare time, she volunteers on the San Diego
Mountain Rescue Team as a rescue member.
She is also a San Diego native.

Congratulations to Nico Petruzzelli for being selected as one of thefirst San Diego Business Journal’s Leaders of Influence in Technology!
Nico Petruzzelli, in his role as the IT & Project Manager at Options For All,demonstrates outstanding leadership and technological innovation. With
Nico leading the way, significant advancements have been made in IT
security, enhancing the organization's resilience against cyber threats andraising data security standards. Managing device upgrades for a team of
350 members, Nico has streamlined operations, boosting productivity andefficiency. His negotiation skills have resulted in substantial annual savingsof over $180K, showcasing his ability to blend technical expertise withfinancial acumen. Possessing the esteemed Certified Associate in ProjectManagement (CAPM) certification, Nico's achievements underscore his
pivotal role in driving technological excellence and operational efficiency,
directly benefiting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities
supported by Options For All.

Interlaced is proud to congratulate
Jeff Gaines, CEO, on being named as a
Leader of Influence in Technology!
Interlaced is a technology services provider that empowers startups
nationwide—whether your teams are remote or hybrid, Interlaced has
you covered with fast, reliable, and skilled IT services.

This is thelighter, brighter
side of IT.

"Nico came to Options For All as an IT intern, and now he oversees the ITteam, budget, and technology services and support for over 350 employees
across the state of CA. His insatiable curiosity, love of learning, andcustomer-focused approach have enabled him to bring our organizationfrom a technologically antiquated state to a modern, well-equipped, andsecure technology environment. We're fortunate to have such a rising staron our team,” said Brian Zotti, CEO of Options For All.

MARCH 25, 2024

www.sdbj.com

ALYSSA THORNLEY
Director of Sales
SmartBug Media

A

lyssa is a seasoned leader in the technology sector with a proven track record of driving impactful initiatives
through strategic vision, innovative thinking,and collaborative leadership. With a blended background in non-profits such as Teach
For America and in fast-growing EdTech
SaaS companies, Alyssa has led growth efforts through M&A integrations, supporting
tech and revenue teams in integrating processes while remaining on track to aggressive
growth. From scaling sales teams and optimizing operational efficiency to spearheading
strategic initiatives and integrating cross-functional processes, she works with SMB techcompanies throughout the San area to assess
revenue operations and implement solutions
that support scale cost effectively.

STEVEN TOMITA

Director of Innovation Engineering and Technology
Booz Allen Hamilton
teven Tomita is a director of innovation
who solves mission problems throughan integrated, systems-of-systems approach. His teams adapt and apply innovations, emerging use-case discoveries, andexisting solutions to generate new value by
drawing on a wide range of technologies anddisciplines. His in-depth technical experienceand entrepreneurship across multiple functional domains including cyber, digital engineering, artificial intelligence, and softwaredevelopment enables Steven to introduce
innovative solutions that deliver on criticalmission needs. Recent innovations include
bringing Digital Engineering and Software
Development pipelines into a single automated agile release train with ontologicallyaligned digital threads and a GenAI solutionthat addresses the unworkable/unavoidable
problems around classification and releasability. Steven earned a bachelor’s degree incivil engineering from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and a master’s degree from
Hawaii Pacific.

S

51

KRIS VIRTUE

BEN WHITEHILL

VP Cybersecurity
Qualcomm

K

ris Virtue is Head of Global Information Security and Risk Management at
Qualcomm, where he oversees the organization’s Cyber Security and Threat Management team. In this role, he has responsibility for incident response, threat intelligence,
security monitoring and application security.
Virtue also manages the Qualcomm IT eDiscovery collections team which partners with
Qualcomm’s litigation department to manage legal hold data collection and preservation. In addition to his security related duties,
Virtue is also responsible for the IT organization supporting Qualcomm’s Government
Technologies business unit, providing IT service delivery across the stack. Over his nearly
27-year tenure with Qualcomm, he has held
numerous roles within IT, including leadership roles across all aspects of the information security program, middleware, and data
integration teams.

B

en Whitehill’s leadership at TrueCare
has been a gamechanger. Over thecourse of a short period, he led the IT
and security team through development of astrategic plan comprised of many goals andinitiatives that have completely transformed
the technology and cybersecurity landscapeat TrueCare. Together they created a highly
reliable and far more resilient/secure infrastructure while continuing to innovate in support of the best patient, provider and workforce experience possible. Ben leads with apeople-first, growth/positive mindset. Thisapproach along with his partnership withthe business has helped TrueCare overcome many technical debt challenges of thepast and has enabled streamlined and rapid
growth for the future. Adoption of change
has been positive and TrueCare’s cultureof innovation has never been stronger. Ben
knows everything we do starts and ends withpeople. This is where he leads from, and noother mission will ever be more important.

Xceptional congratulates
CONGRATULATIONSJOHN MERRITT,

Chief Information Officer

Elizabeth McKewon&

Steven Pagan

30+ years experience
Human-focused futurist & strategist
Award-winning Technology Leader
Well-known locally & nationally“It is crucially important
to drive tech equity
across our San Diego
communities.”on being named
2024 Leaders of Influence in Technology!
Embrace the Xceptional Experience
www.xceptional.com

DOUG WINTER

VP, Information Technology
TrueCareymcasd.org

Cofounder & CEO
Seismic

D

oug Winter is the Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Seismic, theglobal leader in enablement. A veteran
entrepreneur, Doug was also a co-founder of
Objectiva Software Solutions. He served as
COO and general manager at EMC Document Sciences until founding Seismic in 2010.
In collaboration with his co-founders, Doug
has grown Seismic from a small startup to
an international organization with “unicorn”
status, serving more than 2,200 businesses
around the world. At the helm of Seismic,
Doug has been recognized as a top CEO by
several media groups and industry associations, including the San Diego Union-Tribune, San Diego Business Journal, Comparably, and more. Named on the Goldman
Sachs Entrepreneur of the Year and SD500
lists, under Doug’s leadership, Seismic is wellknown for its exceptional workplace culture
with awards from Forbes, Fortune, and Newsweek, to name a few.