AfroPix
  • Home
  • ABOUT
    • BiT
    • afropix
  • schedule
  • GUESTS
    • SPEAKERS
  • FAQ
    • RAFFLE
    • TRAVEL
  • AfroHacks

Our Speakers

Meet our keynote speaker and diverse panel of alumna.
Keynote Speaker

Bernard Emmanuel Zandonda

Picture
"I grew up in a small, remote rural village in Zimbabwe, where access to technology was almost nonexistent. During my final years of secondary school, I earned a scholarship to attend a boarding school, and it was there that I had my first experience with computers. That moment changed everything for me—I saw firsthand the power of technology to transform lives and realized that the technological wave was only just beginning. I knew I had to be part of it.

Driven by this passion, I worked hard and earned another scholarship to study in the United States, where I pursued a degree in Computer Information Systems. In college, I explored various fields within the tech space, from software engineering to cybersecurity, gaining a broad understanding of how computer systems function. But among all these disciplines, cybersecurity stood out to me the most—it is the field that truly inspires and motivates me.

After college, I started my professional career as a software engineer at UBS, an investment bank, where I honed my skills in application development. At the same time, I pursued my growing interest in cybersecurity by self-studying and earning the Google Cybersecurity Professional Certification. Currently, I am preparing for the CompTIA Security+ certification to further solidify my knowledge in the field.
​
My journey from a rural village in Zimbabwe to the world of cybersecurity is a testament to the power of perseverance, education, and technology. I am passionate about leveraging technology to drive innovation, protect digital assets, and create a more secure cyber landscape."
Alumni Panelist
  • Moshe Ikechukwu
  • Noë Brown
  • Chandler Robinson
  • Sokhna Falls
<
>
Picture
Moshe Ikechukwu
I'm a first year PhD student at NC State doing research in network and telecommunications security. I've done a lot of mentoring over the years to prepare and educate students interested in research.
LinkedIn
Picture
Noë Brown
Engineer at CData
Noë Brown is a 2023 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she earned a degree in computer science. Since graduating, she has embarked on an exciting career journey as a Technical Support Engineer at CData, where she helps clients navigate complex data integration challenges.

In addition to her professional work, Noë is passionate about technology and is currently developing a cryptocurrency wallet project, exploring the evolving world of protecting digital assets.

Outside of tech, Noë is a devoted art enthusiast, with a particular love for attending art fairs. In the past year, she had the incredible opportunity to visit Art Basel, where she immersed herself in contemporary art and met like-minded creatives.
LinkedIn
Picture
Chandler Robinson 
Software Engineer at Wells Fargo
​
Chandler Robinson is a UNC alumna and a 1st year in the Wells Fargo Technology Analyst Program. He is from Virginia Beach, VA and received a B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2024, where he studied Computer
Science and Entrepreneurship. During his junior year, Chandler utilized his connections within the Shuford Program of Entrepreneurship and obtained his first
tech internship at Maverick Innovations. He worked as a full stack developer, helping the company launch its first website. Chandler also did similar work as a software
toolsmith within the UNC Comp Sci Department.

Because of his networking and his technical experiences, he received a full time offer at Wells in the fall of his senior year. Chandler happily accepted the offer for the Early Careers Technology Program. Currently, he works on creating a React web application for servicing loans and payments. He is an active member in internal Wells Fargo resource groups such as Platform DEI and the Tech Analyst Leadership
Committee, where he is vice president.
​
In his free time, Chandler enjoys traveling, playing video games, and working out.
LinkedIn
Picture
Sokhna Falls
Software Engineering Analyst at Wells Fargo
Sokhna Fall is a UNC alumna in the Wells Fargo Technology Analyst Program. She is from Winston-Salem, NC and received a bachelor’s degree from the University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2024, where she studied Computer Science and completed Pre-Med requirements. She went into college planning to go to medical
school and major in the natural sciences. However, during the summer after her freshman year, she took an introductory computer science class, had a great
instructor and TAs and loved how she was able to be creative and technical at the same time and decided to major in Computer Science while continuing her Pre-Med
requirements.

During the end of her junior year, Sokhna realized she no longer wanted to pursue med school and instead wanted to work in the tech industry, ideally as a Software Engineer. She participated in a Web Development Bootcamp that summer while learning the ins and outs of technical interviews. Sokhna spent the first semester of her senior year studying abroad in Singapore while continuing to prep and interview for full-time jobs. Eventually, she landed an offer as a Software Engineer in Wells Fargo’s Technology Analyst Program which she humbly accepted. Currently, she
works on multiple applications for routing mortgage loans using Java, Spring, Angular, and Typescript. She is Vice President of Technology Analyst Leadership Committee (TALC) and participates in Wells Fargo resource groups such as Black & African American Connection and Women’s Connection.
​
In her free time, Sokhna enjoys traveling, cooking, organizing, and giving back to her
community.
LinkedIn
Made with ❤︎₊ ⊹ by Black in Technology Executive Team
  • Home
  • ABOUT
    • BiT
    • afropix
  • schedule
  • GUESTS
    • SPEAKERS
  • FAQ
    • RAFFLE
    • TRAVEL
  • AfroHacks