Karol Przystalski holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Jagiellonian University in Kraków and serves as Chief AI Officer at Exadel, where he leads AI strategy, innovation, and the development of enterprise-scale solutions. With deep expertise in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data platforms, he helps organizations translate emerging AI capabilities into real business impact.

He has extensive experience delivering cutting-edge solutions across industries, including for financial institutions, healthcare and Fortune 500 companies. A frequent speaker and trainer, Karol has presented at international platforms such as O’Reilly, TedX speaker. His work bridges advanced AI research with practical implementation, focusing on agentic systems, large language models, and the future of software engineering.

Christian Reinhardt is a leading expert in Human Risk Management, cybersecurity awareness, and behavioral security, currently serving as Director of Human Risk Management at SoSafe, Germany. With a distinctive academic background that includes a Ph.D. in Sports Psychology, Christian combines deep expertise in human behavior, motivation, and performance with modern cybersecurity practices to help organizations build resilient, security-conscious cultures.

Recognized for his innovative approach to the human side of cybersecurity, Christian specializes in designing strategic awareness programs that move beyond traditional compliance training. By applying evidence-based principles from psychology, he enables organizations to influence secure behaviors, strengthen resilience against social engineering, and reduce human risk across the enterprise. His work focuses on empowering employees to become the first line of defense against evolving cyber threats through engaging, practical, and measurable security awareness initiatives.

As an internationally sought-after speaker and thought leader, Christian regularly shares insights on security culture, behavioral science, phishing resilience, and the future of human-centric cybersecurity. He is passionate about transforming cybersecurity from a technical challenge into a people-driven business priority, helping organizations foster lasting behavioral change rather than one-time awareness campaigns.

Through his leadership at SoSafe and his contributions to the global cybersecurity community, Christian continues to advance the field of Human Risk Management, enabling organizations to strengthen cyber resilience by placing people at the heart of their security strategy.

Derek Fisher is a cybersecurity leader, educator, author, and application security strategist with nearly 30 years of experience spanning engineering, software security, and enterprise cyber defense. He currently serves as the Director of the Cyber Defense and Information Assurance Program at Temple University, Philadelphia, where he leads the development of industry-aligned cybersecurity education and mentors the next generation of cyber professionals. He also teaches secure software development, emphasizing the integration of security throughout the software development lifecycle.

Before joining academia, Derek held senior cybersecurity leadership roles at JPMorgan Chase and Envestnet, where he established and expanded enterprise product security programs, strengthened vulnerability management capabilities, and guided large-scale cloud security initiatives. His work has enabled organizations across finance, healthcare, defense, and commercial sectors to embed security into their products while supporting business innovation and digital transformation.

A recognized thought leader in application security, Derek is the author of The Application Security Program Handbook and the Alicia Connected cybersecurity book series. He actively contributes to the cybersecurity community through technical publications, conference presentations, educational content, and mentoring initiatives. Passionate about advancing cyber resilience, Derek advocates for a practical, business-driven approach to security—one that empowers organizations to innovate securely while preparing future professionals to address the evolving threat landscape.

Andrea Lawrence is a cybersecurity professional, educator, researcher, and governance specialist with extensive experience spanning academia, government, and enterprise security. Her expertise includes cybersecurity governance, risk and compliance (GRC), information assurance, cyber resilience, artificial intelligence, and workforce development.

Andrea serves as a full-time Computer Information Systems Instructor at North Georgia Technical College, where she teaches cybersecurity, networking, operating systems, systems analysis, and database management. Passionate about developing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals, she combines real-world industry experience with practical, hands-on education that bridges the gap between academic learning and evolving industry requirements.

Before transitioning to higher education, Andrea supported U.S. Department of Defense environments, leading security compliance initiatives, Risk Management Framework (RMF) implementation, vulnerability management, security operations, and information assurance programs. She has also held systems administration and information technology roles across both government and higher education institutions.

Andrea holds a Master of Science in Cybersecurity Technology and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Information Technology (DIT), where her research focuses on the adoption of artificial intelligence within cybersecurity education. An active member of ISACA and Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS), she is committed to advancing cyber awareness, mentoring future professionals, promoting diversity in technology, and strengthening organizational resilience through innovation, education, and collaborative leadership.

Helen Popp serves as the Ambassador-at-Large for Cyber Diplomacy at the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where she leads Estonia’s international engagement on cyber diplomacy, digital security, and global cyber policy. With extensive experience across European institutions, diplomatic missions, and government, she has established herself as a respected voice in international cybersecurity and digital governance.

Prior to her current role, Helen served as a Cyber Policy expert at the European External Action Service (EEAS), contributing to the European Union’s external cyber policy and international cooperation initiatives. She also headed an office within the European Parliament, gaining valuable insight into European policymaking and institutional affairs.

Her diplomatic experience includes serving as Digital Policy and Economic Counsellor at the Estonian Embassy in Washington, D.C., where she strengthened transatlantic collaboration on digital innovation, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies. Earlier in her career, she worked as Cyber Coordinator at the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, helping shape Estonia’s international cyber engagement and advancing cooperation with global partners.

Throughout her career, Helen has played an active role in promoting secure digital transformation, international cyber resilience, and multilateral collaboration. Her expertise spans cyber diplomacy, international cybersecurity policy, digital governance, EU external relations, and strategic partnerships, making her a distinguished contributor to discussions on the future of cybersecurity and international digital cooperation.

Dr. Fabio Ruini is the Global Plants Cybersecurity Manager at Barilla Group, where he leads the cybersecurity transformation programme for the company’s global manufacturing operations across 30 production sites spanning three continents. He is responsible for defining and governing the cybersecurity strategy for industrial environments, ensuring alignment between cyber risk, operational resilience, business continuity, and regulatory requirements.

With extensive experience across both IT and OT cybersecurity, Dr. Ruini has led strategic initiatives in cyber risk governance, industrial security architecture, OT threat detection, secure remote access, endpoint protection, and the implementation of scalable security frameworks for complex multinational manufacturing environments. His work focuses on strengthening the resilience of critical industrial operations while enabling secure digital transformation.

In addition to his corporate leadership role, Dr. Ruini serves as an Independent Cybersecurity Expert for the European Commission, contributing to the evaluation and review of projects under the Digital Europe Programme and Horizon Europe. Through this work, he supports initiatives that enhance Europe’s cybersecurity capabilities, resilience, and technological sovereignty.

Dr. Ruini holds a Ph.D. in Artificial Intelligence and is a commissioned officer in the Italian Army Selected Reserve, holding the rank of Captain. His areas of expertise include industrial cybersecurity, OT security governance, cyber risk management, operational resilience, critical infrastructure protection, NIS2 compliance, and enterprise cybersecurity strategy, making him a respected voice in the field of global cybersecurity leadership.