Government, Social Sector & Education

Valued individuals involved in shaping public policies, providing essential services, and promoting education, tirelessly looking to improve society and empower citizens

Heather Williams

Heather Williams

Heather joined the California AfterSchool Network (CAN) team as the Policy and Outreach Director in December 2018. She previously worked for the Expanded Learning Division at the California Department of Education where she oversaw the development and implementation of strategic plan efforts that reshaped the Division to focus on providing high-quality expanded learning opportunities for California’s youth. She currently oversees CAN’s work around advocacy and policy,
data and research, communications and events, and other outreach efforts. Heather has over 14 years of publicly policy experience starting with her participation in the California Executive Fellowship program, and specifically over 10 years supporting afterschool/expanded learning programs. Heather received her BA in Political Science from CSU Fullerton and was part of the 8th cohort of White-Riley-Peterson Policy Fellows.

Heather joined the California AfterSchool Network (CAN) team as the Policy and Outreach Director in December 2018. She previously worked for the Expanded Learning Division at the California Department of Education where she oversaw the development an... Show more

Dr. Chappelle Washington Freer

Dr. Chappelle Washington Freer


Known as “Queen Dr. Mommy” to many - I am an entrepreneur, a youth advocate and educator by nature and a mother to my little queen, Isla Rose - my biggest blessing. I believe that without God, I am nothing. I have dedicated my life to youth empowerment and diversity education. My mission is to uplift urban communities mentally and emotionally by cultivating safe spaces of empowerment through education, self- awareness and leadership.

Education has been a huge outlet in my life. I obtained a B.S. in Management from Lincoln University (PA), an M.B.A in International Business from the American College of Dublin (Ireland) and more recently, I've obtained a Doctorate in Education from Cabrini University. Through learning, I have discovered both who I am and an understanding of those around me. I was labeled "first generation" and “low income” but was always rich and pure at heart ! I was open to learn, and I continue to do just that.

Known as “Queen Dr. Mommy” to many - I am an entrepreneur, a youth advocate and educator by nature and a mother to my little queen, Isla Rose - my biggest blessing. I believe that without God, I am nothing. I have dedicated my life to youth empower... Show more

Ajah Hales

Ajah Hales

Ajah Hales (she/her) is a writer, speaker and social thinker, from East Cleveland, Ohio in the United States. When her mother asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up, Ajah replied: "a dictator." You can find Ajah on Twitter @Ajahswrite.

Ajah Hales (she/her) is a writer, speaker and social thinker, from East Cleveland, Ohio in the United States. When her mother asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up, Ajah replied: "a dictator." You can find Ajah on Twitter @Ajahswrite. Show more

Andy Clemenko

Andy Clemenko

Andy Clemenko has been putting out virtual and real fires for years. Andy has been a System Administrator/Engineer for over 20 years and a volunteer firefighter for over 15 years. He has enjoyed building solutions from the ground up. Building everything from bare metal to virtual machines to big data, and now containers. Lately he has been working with hundreds of customers and agencies engineering secure supply chains. And when not being a firefighter/engineer he is an avid cyclist and dad to two awesome little kids.

Andy Clemenko has been putting out virtual and real fires for years. Andy has been a System Administrator/Engineer for over 20 years and a volunteer firefighter for over 15 years. He has enjoyed building solutions from the ground up. Building everyth... Show more

Heather Bahorich

Heather Bahorich

Heather Bahorich, a Senior Manager of Talent Development at Centric Consulting in St. Louis, Missouri, possesses over 15 years of dedicated expertise in talent management, organizational development, and learning & development. Known for cultivating learning cultures and driving talent programs, Heather forges strategies that foster business growth and amplify individual potential.

Beyond her professional achievements, Heather finds joy in embarking on family adventures, often to enchanting Disney destinations. Her passion for sharing cherished spaces and experiences that bring joy to her family's life across St. Louis mirrors her commitment to creating empowering environments, making her a captivating speaker who embodies the synergy of personal and professional growth.

Heather Bahorich, a Senior Manager of Talent Development at Centric Consulting in St. Louis, Missouri, possesses over 15 years of dedicated expertise in talent management, organizational development, and learning & development. Known for cultivating ... Show more

Torgeir Waterhouse

Torgeir Waterhouse

Mr Torgeir Waterhouse has represented both Norwegian consumers and the IT industry and established himself with a central role in the Norwegian IT and technology politics where he has frequently taken part in the public debate for 2 decades. His work has been with all levels of government and different governmental sectors, working both as an advisor to companies and organisations and on their behalf in their interactions with government.

He is a sought after public speaker and writer. He has worked both with the Consumer Council and with the IT industry on the IT and IT-policy issues. He has worked closely with both multinational and national companies on complex policy and regulatory issues at the core of their business models and technology.

Waterhouse covers policy topics such as internet access, technology shifts and regulation, infrastructure, security, surveillance and law enforcement, copyright, privacy, digitalisation, games and, internet of things, internet governance, digital literacy, education and more.

In addition to his roles as consumer and industry representative he has also been called upon to take positions in government committees on topics such as digital value creation, copyright, lawful interception, online gambling, etc. He frequently takes board and advisory board positions for organisations and companies in the Internet and technology sphere.

He is also one of the founders of the Norwegian movement Teach Kids Code with the goal of teaching kids in Norway to code in schools and private code clubs and making substantial inroads into the Norwegian school system.

Recently Waterhouse has co-founded his own consultancy and advisory company, Otte as. Otte assists clients with policy, public relations, understanding how technology affects them, strategy, privacy and security.

Mr Torgeir Waterhouse has represented both Norwegian consumers and the IT industry and established himself with a central role in the Norwegian IT and technology politics where he has frequently taken part in the public debate for 2 decades. His work... Show more

Aaron Lippold

Aaron Lippold

Aaron Lippold is a Principal Cyber Security Engineer at The MITRE Corporation and the inventor and Chief Engineer of the MITRE Security Automation Framework (https://saf.mitre.org). Mr. Lippold is also one of the Capability Engagement Leads for DevOps and DevSecOps at MITRE.

As a leader in the Open Source community, Mr. Lippold has supported and shaped multiple security and automation projects including: InSpec, Ansible, Puppet, Chef, Jenkins, NIST OSCAL and SCAP, Docker, Bastille Linux. Mr. Lippold was one of the team-leads and contributors for the development of the NIST SP-800-190 Application Container Security Guide and continues to support the NIST OSCAL project as a consultant and peer-review. He has helped define the concepts of DevOps and CI/CD patterns and contributed to the Agile and Extreme Programming communities.

Mr. Lippold has supported the shape, direction and technology of DevSecOps initiatives for a growing corporative of government agencies, including the US Military, Intelligence Community and Federal Government.

Aaron Lippold is a Principal Cyber Security Engineer at The MITRE Corporation and the inventor and Chief Engineer of the MITRE Security Automation Framework (https://saf.mitre.org). Mr. Lippold is also one of the Capability Engagement Leads for DevOp... Show more

Jennifer Stack

Jennifer Stack

GIS and data processing professional, entered educational sector as a software development tutor with a focus on C# and Python programming languages. Currently I am the lead tutor for FIT software Development apprenticeship program. I develop, design and deliver Python Programming courses for individuals who want to successfully pass the Python Institutes PCEP, PCAP and PCPP1 certification. Recently I have designed and developed an AI and Machine learning with Python course. I would like the opportunity to share the fundamentals of this course with PyCon 2023 attendees in a presentation to “unravel AI and Machine Learning with Python” showcasing the educational pathways towards gaining an understanding and experience in AI with Python.

GIS and data processing professional, entered educational sector as a software development tutor with a focus on C# and Python programming languages. Currently I am the lead tutor for FIT software Development apprenticeship program. I develop, design... Show more

Josh Jacobs

Josh Jacobs

Josh is responsible for engaging and understanding the global marketplaces' sustainable rating systems, codes, purchasing policies, and standards for WAP Sustainability. In this role he helps develop and track the environmental programs that are being utilized throughout the world. As a LEED AP+ BD&C, Josh has served on over 40 sustainably focused committees, including but not limited to ASHRAE 189.1, LEED Steering Committee, USGBC’s Pilot Credit Committee, and served on the water/IEQ work group that developed the first public draft of the IgCC. He is a recurring guest lecturer at multiple universities and has spoken on sustainable building practices and purchasing on 5 continents. He works with organizations investor relations and sustainability teams to help them understand sustainable financial reporting tools such as SASB, GRI, and TCFD. Josh served as Chairman of the US Mirror Committee for ISO 20400 Sustainable Procurement, the 2015 NAHB Material/IEQ Working Group, Chair for USGBC’s Pilot Credit Committee, and Chair of the LEED Steering Committee Chair and currently serves as Vice Chair of ASHRAE 189.1.

Josh is responsible for engaging and understanding the global marketplaces' sustainable rating systems, codes, purchasing policies, and standards for WAP Sustainability. In this role he helps develop and track the environmental programs that are bein... Show more

Nate Hopwood-Curry

Nate Hopwood-Curry

Nate is a qualified teacher and currently leads the Learning and Development provision at Waterstons - A Business and IT Consultancy based in the United Kingdom and Australia.

Having worked in education since 2016, Nate is passionate about making learning engaging, active and accessible to all. With experience across a wide variety of education settings, Nate made the transition to the private sector in 2021 and has since worked in Learning and Development across a range of industries.

Nate now spends his time designing and implementing training to a wide range of business and IT professionals, aiming to create impact, provoke action and promote inclusivity for all. Examples of recent sessions include a programme based off of Maister's Trusted Advisor, "Writing Engaging Talks" and promoting Diversity, Equality and Inclusion through the lens of Public Toilets.

Nate is a qualified teacher and currently leads the Learning and Development provision at Waterstons - A Business and IT Consultancy based in the United Kingdom and Australia. Having worked in education since 2016, Nate is passionate about making... Show more

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