The Women in Leadership Distinguished Scholars Series hosted its inaugural program, “Women’s Leadership in the Cyber World: Emerging Issues and Trends in Cybersecurity,” on Oct. 22 at The Biltmore.

The program, which brought together a panel of distinguished women leaders in the technology arena, focused on challenges and issues related to cyber threats and on innovative solutions to address them.

Col. Jennifer Buckner, the first Commandant of the U.S. Army Cyber School in Fort Gordon, Georgia, delivered the keynote address after being introduced by Dean Jacqueline Royster. The subsequent panel discussion was moderated by Uwa Onyioha-Osimiri, founding president of the African Women Economic Consortium, and featured Margaret Kosal, associate professor in the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs, Olga Shemyakina, associate professor in the School of Economics, and Jannet Walker, vice president of Parsons Corp. Kosal talked about her research on reducing the threat of weapons of mass destruction and expanding security technology into developing countries.

Opening remarks were given by Mary Lou Frank, a fellow at the Institute for Higher Education, and Brenda Morant, founder and CEO of the International Women’s Think Tank. Prior to the keynote address, Sheila Ross, director of Capital Litigation and Homicide for the Prosecuting Attorney’s Council of Georgia, delivered a progress report on the status of women leaders.

The Women in Leadership Distinguished Scholars Series focuses on critical thought discussions with experts who articulate the current status of women and girls. The Series will be offered biannually and will highlight various issue areas, industries, and leadership competencies related to women’s leadership in a diverse world.