BOARD OF DIRECTORS

“As a dad and a cyber professional, I know first hand the threats that exist to our children’s safety online and how these threats try to take advantage of amazingly intelligent and inquisitive young minds. I’m excited to help ensure our children are able to navigate cyberspace with savviness!”

Ngozi Eze, VP, Chief Business Security Officer, ADP
With a passion for people and driving excellence, Ngozi is a results driven Senior Information Security and Data Privacy Leader, with a demonstrated track record for cultivating relationships and ensuring objectives are met through proactive evaluation of security risks. With a professional career that spans key industries and a number of Fortune 500 organizations, Ngozi is a seasoned information security professional that recognizes and pontificates security as a business enabler and revenue protector. Ngozi is a hands-on leader who motivates, trains, mentors and provides guidance that inspires teamwork and corporate success. Ngozi has been recognized for a unique ability to take on challenging assignments in new and silo functional areas, quickly become effective and deliver results that meet and exceed expectations.

“Cyberspace is one of the most important parts of our daily lives. Being literate, thoughtful, and informed about it is as important today as any other traditional subject for our youth. Savvy Cyber Kids continues to pioneer educational materials for children and adults towards this goal.”

Adam Ghetti, Founder, Ionic Security
Adam, security technologist and entrepreneur, founded Ionic Security in 2011 to address the problem of data control and cloud protection, following 14 year’s experience building large-scale systems in multiple Internet-related markets. He is an expert in complex systems and complex task automation and has a deep applied knowledge of application security, network security, data security, neural networks and AI.

“The digital world continues to weave itself into the fabric of our society at an accelerated rate and its fraught with threats my generation never had to face. Educating and empowering families and educators about these threats is paramount to ensuring the safety of our children. Ben has done an amazing job building the foundation of an easy to understand and adoptable curriculum through Savvy Cyber Kids. As a long-standing advocate and promoter of this worthy cause, I am delighted to have the opportunity to serve on its board.”

Susanne Gurman, VP, Revenue Marketing, SecurityScorecard
Susanne Gurman is the VP of Revenue Marketing at SecurityScorecard and is responsible for  driving revenue growth for the company across markets and for creating a scalable marketing strategy and driving the successful execution of the plan across the customer lifecycle to achieve revenue targets. With more than eighteen years developing and driving field marketing and marketing programs for high-tech companies, Susanne is a results-oriented, global leader in executing projects with strategy and vision. Prior to joining SecurityScorecard, she spent ten years at Digital Guardian, a network security leader in helping data-rich organizations protect endpoints. She has a proven record for assisting in the development, restructuring, and launch of partner programs and online partner portals as well as generating sales pipeline revenue.

“I am excited to join the Board of Directors of Savvy Cyber Kids because I have been in the cyber industry for 20 years and I saw a major gap in the education of kids on the dangers of the cyber world and social media. I have two children, ages 12 and 14, and I have already seen them being put in difficult predicaments and potentially dangerous situations when interacting online. We must continue to educate and raise awareness with our children, in our communities and at school, as well as engage parents and teachers on this issue. Savvy Cyber Kids is doing a phenomenal job in being a leader in helping to keep our kids safe and responsible online.”

Tammi Hayes, President, Capital Strategies Group
Ms. Hayes has almost two decades of technology experience, with a solid background in investment banking, venture funding, business development and strategic consulting. She possesses strong credentials in software, mobile, cloud and IT security. Her client focus has ranged from private equity and startup technology firms, to many of today’s leading security technology providers. 
Ms. Hayes is President and founder of Capital Strategies Group LLC, a boutique technology consulting firm. In this role, she specializes in executive level business development and sales, corporate development, structuring strategic partnerships and financial transactions, raising venture capital and developing relationships, both business-to-business and business-to- government. She has been instrumental as banker/broker in the sale of various private security companies to large public security companies.
 Most recently, she was the lead advisory banker on the sale of Nitro Security to McAfee. She was also instrumental in raising the 5M seed round for Ionic Security. Earlier, Ms. Hayes served as principal at Good Harbor Consulting, a Washington, D.C.-based strategic consulting firm, focusing on the fast developing areas of homeland security, cyber security, critical infrastructure protection and counterterrorism. Tammi served on the Board of Good Harbor Partners, a SPAC, focused on acquisition roll ups in the security space. She was also a Director at RSA Security (now EMC) where she led the successful early consumer line of business. 
In January 2000, Ms. Hayes founded and managed a private equity fund, Futuris Capital, with partners at top investment banks on Wall Street for the purpose of raising seed capital for early stage technology companies. She had several successful exits, with one of the major exits to public security company, RSA Security. She is a member of the Executive Women in Security Forum and is a frequent speaker on cyber-related issues.

“Ben Halpert and the Savvy’s Cyber Kids team have led the way in protecting children in cyberspace long before other groups. Their dedication to protecting children, helping parents and safeguarding the elderly go far beyond mere articles. They develop curriculum for teachers, and guides to help people of all ages protect their families. I’m honored to be associated with Savvy Cyber Kids.”

Bryan E. Hurd
Bryan is a seasoned cybercrime, computer security and homeland security professional with over 20 years of founding programs that have national and international impact. A military veteran, government leader and commercial executive in the cybersecurity, investigations, watchlisting and government intelligence communities, Bryan founded the U.S. Navy’s first cyber counterintelligence program in 1994, the US European Command’s First Information Operations Cell, and founded the Global computer forensics program for EDS (now HP). Bryan is a Board Certified Antiterrorism Officer and also lead innovation for US watchlisting as the Chief of Operations, Director of Terrorist Identities at the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC). He currently is an executive at a Seattle startup company and serves on advisory boards supporting CISOs and CEOs.

“Educating and empowering families surrounding all things digital safety and literacy is my passion. It’s an honor to work with Savvy Cyber Kids and Ben Halpert on this important and timely endeavor.”

Titania Jordan, Chief Parent Officer, Bark
As CPO, Titania is Bark’s resident factotum, her role spanning across product, design, copy, customer acquisition and education, and media relations. Titania has tremendous experience at the intersection of families and technology, formerly serving as CMO at KidsLink, co-founder/CMO at Privet, and Executive Director of Band of Coders Girls Academy.

Titania has appeared on numerous national and regional programs, is a regular speaker at conferences such as DigSouth, Mom 2.0 and Dad 2.0, and emcees events like the Atlanta Hawks Agency Shootout. Titania was named a tech “Innovator and a Mother of Invention” by The Atlantan in 2015 and one of the “Women Who Lead & Light Up Atlanta’s Tech Ecosystem” by Hypepotamus in 2016.
Titania holds a BBA in Marketing, and enjoys painting and building some pretty sweet LEGO cities with her family in her downtime.

“I have been so impressed with what Ben Halpert has done over the years, and the impact his program has had on children. It’s a thrill to more formally support the organization and increase its reach.”

Ken Levine, CEO, ShieldX
Ken is an experienced cyber security executive. Ken was CEO of NitroSecurity, a SIEM platform, for five years before a successful acquisition by McAfee in 2011. At McAfee, Ken was SVP and GM of the security management business unit. After two years at McAfee, Ken became CEO of Digital Guardian. Under Ken’s leadership, Digital Guardian tripled in size, rebranded, entered adjacent markets and became a leader in the DLP and EDR markets. Ken’s DNA is in start-ups and early stage companies goes back to a 15 year tenure at Cabletron Systems, a networking company started by his brother in a garage that became a billion-dollar company. Ken’s passion is building great teams and companies, establishing GTM strategies with the best technology and products. Ken earned his undergrad in economics from the Wharton School.

“I’m happy to contribute my skills and expertise to help advance the very important and relevant mission of Savvy Cyber Kids.”

Scott Merlin, Partner, Cohen Pollock Merlin Turner, P.C.
Scott Merlin loves working with clients through every stage of the lifecycles of their businesses. Scott practices on the corporate transaction team and advises owners on all aspects of their business–from formation to liquidation.  He prides himself on being a trusted advisor to his clients as they make critical decisions to grow their business.  In this regard, his services include outside general counsel services, business entity formations, IT start ups, shareholders’ agreements, operating agreements, management of business mergers, acquisitions, purchases and sales, including preparation and negotiation of asset purchase agreement and stock purchase agreements, advise owners on business succession planning, prepare buy-sell agreements and other succession documents, prepare and negotiate executive employment agreements, draft and negotiate technology agreements, software license agreements and intellectual property agreements.

As the sports and entertainment industry has grown in Atlanta, so has Scott’s business practice in the industry.  The legal needs in the sports and entertainment industry are very diverse and Scott provides a variety to his clients in those areas, including drafting and negotiating location agreements, independent contractor agreements, TV/radio station contracts, review and analyze investment opportunities, review, negotiate and prepare manager/agent representation agreements, review and negotiate endorsement contracts and provide advice to protect name and likeness.

“I am excited to join the Board of Directors to support and be involved with Savvy Cyber Kids, an organization with a passionate leader in Ben Halpert and such an important mission for families.”

Amy Nadler, Partner, Levy Tax and Consulting
Amy is an Atlanta native who went as far away as Athens for college.  She dismissed her very wise dad’s suggestion that she major in accounting and instead got a B.A. degree in economics.  After a couple of different jobs out of college, she decided that she should try a job in accounting. She loved accounting so much (yes, dad was right) that she went on to get a Master of Taxation at Georgia State University.  She has been a tax professional in the Atlanta area for 18 years and currently is a Partner with Levy Tax & Consulting LLC. Amy works mostly with individuals and small businesses but also has experience with trusts, estates, and nonprofit organizations.  She enjoys working in an area that some people find overwhelming and trying to make it an easy process for them.

“Helping educate kids, parents, and teachers about safely using technology is paramount in today’s digitized environment. Savvy Cyber Kids’ program and leadership is second to none, and I look forward to helping grow the organization to continue reaching as many people as possible!”

Steve Pugh, Chief Security Officer, Twilio
Mr. Pugh is the Deputy CTO for Ionic Security whose vision is to enable a just digital future. He’s also a Major in the US Air Force Reserves and serves part-time as one of the President’s Military Communications Aides. He is a former Air Force Cyber Warfare Officer and graduate of the National Security Agency’s Computer Network Operations Development Program (CNODP). He is a career cybersecurity expert with experience in research and development, testing, planning, and operations. He has also deployed in support of operation IRAQI FREEDOM. He is an award-winning photographer, has written for cyber professional magazines, published a book titled Wicked Cool Ruby Scripts, and is a contributing author of the McGraw-Hill Homeland Security Handbook 2012.

“As our dependency on technology grows, so do the risks. As parents, it is our responsibility to teach our children the importance of cyber safety. Savvy Cyber Kids was created to give parents and teachers the tools to prepare our children to protect themselves in our cyberworld. I’m excited to join the Board of Savvy Cyber Kids and work to expand the impact of the organization across the US. Technology can enable amazing things when used properly and it can create great risks when used maliciously.” 

Jennifer Spindel, SVP & Managing Director, EarthLink Consumer
Jennifer leads the Consumer business at EarthLink, a division of Windstream. In this role, she oversees the day to day operations and defines the strategic vision for the business. Privacy protection and security education are key to EarthLink’s strategy. Jennifer brings 16 years of experience in Internet technologies, process optimization, financial analysis, product development and execution.