Our Speakers
Meet our keynote speaker and diverse panel of alumna.
Keynote Speaker
Bernard Emmanuel Zandonda
"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."
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."