An innovative, collaborative team builder and complex problem solver with more than 20 years of higher education administration and executive leadership experience. Relentless culture mechanic and proponent for positive, progressive change. Deeply values transparency and transformative thinking. Constantly seeks opportunities to empower people and teams to develop their talents and creativity, and utilize their experiences, diverse perspectives, and knowledge.

Brett Leatherman is the Assistant Director of the FBI’s Cyber Division. Under Presidential Policy Directive 41, the FBI is the lead cyber threat response agency for the United States Government, and in this role, Mr. Leatherman serves as the senior executive managing the FBI’s strategy to impose cost on some of the most sophisticated cyber adversaries targeting US interests. Prior to this role, Mr. Leatherman held several key leadership roles within Cyber Division and the Dallas Division. Mr. Leatherman entered on duty as an FBI Special Agent in 2003. He first served in the Cleveland and Detroit Field Offices, while also serving as an FBI pilot and hostage negotiator. He graduated from Cornerstone University with a degree in Computer Information Systems and received a master’s degree in Cybersecurity Risk Management from Georgetown University. Mr. Leatherman holds several widely recognized cyber certifications and speaks domestically and internationally on emerging national security and cyber threats.

WMU Alum Kane will share his unique journey at WMU, highlighting how he developed a growth mindset and adaptability. He’ll discuss how these traits helped him secure and thrive in his current role, offer insights into the transition from student life to a career in government, and reflect on the key lessons he has learned along the way. This will be an interactive forum with plenty of opportunities for questions and open dialogue throughout.

wmich.edu/cybersecurity/directory/rea

wmich.edu/cybersecurity/directory/johnson

Eric is a Senior Security Solutions Engineer at Resilience. He has 15 years of industry experience helping defend public universities against cyberthreats, starting in endpoint security and then moving to vulnerability management. He is currently focused on new security technologies and is an avid IOT tinkerer.

Erica K. Santana is a passionate cybersecurity awareness evangelist and Manager of Sales at NINJIO Cybersecurity Awareness Training, where she helps organizations of all sizes empower their people to become the first line of defense against cyber threats. Ranked in the Top 10% of TryHackMe, Erica blends deep industry insight with an engaging, storytelling-driven approach to make cybersecurity approachable and memorable for everyone.

With a career spanning healthcare, Security compliance, and technology, Erica brings a unique perspective to digital safety. Before joining NINJIO, she held roles as a Senior Cyber Compliance Specialist at Mid-State Cyber and Business Development Manager at Gartner, where she honed her expertise in risk management, regulatory compliance, and enterprise technology strategy. Her professional journey began in nursing, giving her a natural ability to translate complex technical concepts into practical guidance for everyday users.

Erica is a frequent speaker and trainer at conferences and webinars, known for her dynamic style and real-world tips that help individuals recognize scams, protect their digital identities, and secure their home networks.

She believes cybersecurity education should be engaging and accessible, whether delivered through anime-style videos, interactive training, or community events.

When she’s not helping people outsmart cybercriminals, Erica is an avid video game enthusiast, lifelong learner, and advocate for creative approaches to online safety.

Her mission is simple: to inspire confidence and empower individuals to protect themselves in today’s ever-changing digital landscape.

Brian Gogan is a professor of English at Western Michigan University, where he teaches courses in rhetoric and writing and directs the first-year writing program. He is coeditor of Writing Prompts across the Disciplines: Real-World Use for Generative Artificial Intelligence Tools, an edited collection under contract with the WAC Clearinghouse and University Press of Colorado that advances an applied understanding of the GenAI prompt genre in order to promote effective, equitable, and ethical GenAI use. He is a contributor to AI for Creative Work, a University of Michigan Coursera course, and has led over a dozen GenAI workshops to campus groups, community organizations, and professional associations.

As a multidisciplinary leader in the field of Information Security, Tim O’Connor assists organizations, employees, and individuals in aligning their business processes with risk through practical policies, frameworks, presentations, seminars, and customized events like tabletop exercises and assessments.

He is passionate about addressing human factor information security risks and mitigations, conducting risk assessments, promoting security maturity growth, and facilitating business continuity planning (BCP) CBCI.

With over 25 years of experience in advanced cybersecurity (IS), Information Technology (IT) planning/implementation, networking, risk assessments, security awareness programs, gap analysis, and compliance auditing/assessment, he brings extensive expertise to the table.

He heads up Cadre Information Security’s knowledge services overseeing consulting, managing the Trusted Advisor (vCISO) practice, and cybersecurity training program development. He designs and implements risk assessments and security awareness programs that safeguard critical business information and information systems while aligning security measures with business processes.

Tim has authored over a dozen books, and technical courseware, has written for a number of publications, and is certified as a commercial rotorcraft pilot and flight instructor. His principal hobbies include antique motorcycles, astrophotography, mentalism, and doing science outreach.

Experienced professional with over 20+ year in Information Technology. I have a broad background including Leadership roles in Higher Education where I have lead Infrastructure & Operations teams across multiple transformational initiatives. Over the last 8 years through my roles at SungardAS, IBM, and Dell Technologies I have been primarily focused on helping Customers across all industries proactively prevent, mitigate, and recover from destructive attacks on their critical data and quickly resume operations. 

In my current role at Dell Technologies, I serve as a SME on our North American Security & Resiliency team that directly engages with customers, as well as internally helping to provide an interface between Sales, Product, and Marketing to ensure alignment on strategy across our organization.

Brian Chalfant is a Cybersecurity Analyst at Western Michigan University, where he plays a key role in safeguarding institutional data and infrastructure. With a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Hawaii Pacific University and multiple industry certifications—including CompTIA Security+, PenTest+, and AWS Cloud Practitioner—Brian brings a robust technical foundation to his work in higher education cybersecurity. His background also includes specialized training in computer networking and Chinese-Mandarin, reflecting a diverse and global perspective. Outside of his professional role, Brian is an active developer with a portfolio of open-source projects on GitHub, showcasing his passion for continuous learning and community collaboration.

Thomas Sinnott is a seasoned cybersecurity leader with over 25 years of experience, including more than 15 years as a Chief Information Security Officer for global organizations. As Field CISO at CDW, he advises a wide range of clients—from startups to Fortune 10 companies—on cybersecurity strategy, risk management, and compliance. His expertise spans multiple industries including finance, healthcare, higher education, and technology. Tom is known for tailoring security frameworks to align with business goals and has guided numerous organizations through cyber incidents and data breaches. He holds an MBA and multiple certifications, including CISSP, CISM, CRISC, and technical credentials from Palo Alto Networks, Zscaler, Intel, and Microsoft.

Eric Marchewitz is a seasoned cybersecurity professional with more than 25 years of industry experience. As a Security Solutions Architect at CDW, he works with a wide range of technologies and evolving threats, helping organizations strengthen their defenses and solve complex security challenges. Outside of work, Eric dedicates his time to community service, volunteering with the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, and the Lions Club, where he educates vulnerable populations on how to stay safe from online threats. He resides in Lake Orion, Michigan, with his son.

https://wmich.edu/arts-sciences/directory/peterson

https://wmich.edu/studentaffairs/directory/weber

wmich.edu/healthcenter/directory/broeckel

The Michigan Cyber Command Center (MC3) investigates the criminal aspect of network intrusions for cyber incidents involving Michigan businesses, non-profit organizations, and public entities -- including those incidents related to ransomware, phishing, business email compromises (BEC), and malicious insiders.  MC3 also assists other law enforcement agencies with forensic services for similar investigations.  In addition, the MC3 provides cybersecurity education and shares cybersecurity information with the public. 

Andy Brush is passionate about building connections, friendships, and communities of practice in cybersecurity, embracing the truism that “cybersecurity is a team sport.” Your team is not just your team, but many others around you that you can learn from, help, and lean on when you are having your bad day.

Andy has worked collaboratively in IT and cybersecurity in Michigan over the last 25 years, most recently as a Michigan-based Cybersecurity Advisor with CISA. Prior to that he founded Michigan Cyber Partners at the State of Michigan and served as IT Director at Washtenaw County.

The Bronco Cybersecurity Club stands as a vibrant community, uniting individuals with a common passion for cybersecurity. Our doors are open wide, welcoming enthusiasts from every academic avenue. Here, whether you're majoring in computer science or marketing, your presence is not just welcomed – it's celebrated. Join us, and together we'll unravel the captivating mysteries of cybersecurity.

The Business Technology Network (BTN) strives to educate students on the importance of technology within the business world. We focus on how technology affects every industry, and we provide opportunities for networking, professional development, and social events.

Western Research Advisory for Vulnerabilities, Exploits, & Networks is committed to advancing the field of cybersecurity through research, collaboration, and education. Our mission is to cultivate a community where students can develop technical skills, exchange knowledge, work towards industry certifications, and engage in impactful projects focused on vulnerabilities, exploits, and networks. Whether you're an experienced professional or just beginning to explore cybersecurity, WRAVEN provides a welcoming environment for learning, contributing, and networking.