Center for Women in Cyber

High school girls and non-binary students can apply now to Girls Who Code’s free virtual Summer Programs! The application deadline has passed, but you can still apply to be added to the waitlist. Waitlisted students will also receive priority consideration for the GWC 2025 Fall Pathways program, if eligible.

Visit Application Page.

Questions? Explore GWC Webinars | Review Helpful FAQs | See Official Rules

Black Girls Code, in partnership with the CWC, will be hosting a DMV Summer Camp for girls and gender-expansive youth, ages 10–18, from Monday, June 23–Friday, June 27, 2025.

This summer camp will offer a unique opportunity to explore the world of artificial intelligence (AI) through hands-on projects, engaging lessons, and inspiring mentorship from industry professionals.

The cost is $100 for a full week of learning and fun. Breakfast, lunch, and snacks will be provided daily.

Program highlights include:

• Hands-on AI and Coding: Explore AI, machine learning, and ethical coding through real projects
• Expert Mentorship: Learn from industry professionals and discover STEM career paths
• Collaboration and Leadership: Build teamwork, problem-solving, and communication skills
• Capstone Project Showcase: Present AI creations to family, peers, and industry leaders.

For more information and to register, visit the Black Girls Code website.

The CWC invites you to an exciting and interactive career exploration event designed to introduce female high school students to the vast possibilities within STEM careers. This full day of hands-on activities, expert insights, and engaging discussions will inspire participants to pilot new possibilities, decode the future of cybersecurity, engineer groundbreaking ideas in space, and explore the limitless potential of artificial intelligence (AI).

Join us on our campus in Laurel, Maryland for a day of inspiration, discovery, and empowerment as we ignite curiosity and confidence in the next generation of female innovators!

Date: Fall 2025 TBD

The Center for Women in Cyber (CWC) hosts virtual Women in Cyber Leadership Series webinars during our Cap Tech Talks that focus on cybersecurity and technology leadership topics.

Our 2025–2026 Dates Will Be Announced Soon!

You can view our past webinars on our YouTube channel.

Brandy Turner
Director

Brandy Turner is a seasoned Senior Cyber Systems Engineer with 18 years of dedicated experience within the Federal Government. Renowned for her expertise in cybersecurity, she holds prestigious certifications including CASP, Sec+, and ITIL. Brandy is not only committed to her professional role but is also passionate about fostering education and mentorship. She actively supports students and women in technology, guiding and empowering them to achieve their full potential.

Brandy earned her Master of Science in Information Assurance from Capitol Technology University and holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Technology. Her extensive background and commitment to both her field and community underscores her influential role in the cybersecurity landscape.

Student Coordinator (VACANT)

Dr. Diane M. Janosek
Executive Advisory Board Member

Dr. Diane M. Janosek is an international award-winning, well-known cybersecurity leader and author. She is dedicated to giving back to the community and increasing diversity in the cybersecurity, national security and technology domains. Having both her law degree (J.D.) and Ph.D. (from Capitol Technology University in Cybersecurity Leadership), she focuses on the intersection of law and policy with technology. 

Dr. Marianne Meins  
Executive Advisory Board Member

Dr. Marianne Meins currently serves as Vice President of Converged Environment at Vectrus where she leads the mission in developing and implementing advanced technical solutions in the Defense, Homeland Security, and Intelligence Community sectors. With more than 25 years of national security-related experience, Dr. Meins has held several executive positions in industry, such as President of Onclave in strategy and business operations for Secure IoT, Vice President of Critical Infrastructure Protection at Parsons Corporation, and Vice President of Cyber & Intelligence Sector and Business Development for the National Security Division. She also serves as an Executive Advisory Board member of George Mason’s Computer Game Design Program. Dr. Meins holds a Ph.D. in Critical Infrastructure from Capitol Technology University.  

Kimberly Mentzell
Executive Advisory Board Member

Kimberly currently serves as the Director for Cybersecurity and Aerospace at the Maryland Department of Commerce.  She has worked in the technology field for over twenty years as an educator and professional in cybersecurity, networking, Linux, and programming.  She held positions as a cyber program manager, IT manager, network administrator, technology coordinator, programmer, and auditor.  She maintains several industry certifications, as well as actively teaches at the collegiate level at Capitol Technology University and Frederick Community College.  Kimberly serves as a member of the Maryland Cybersecurity Council and as the co-chair for the MD Cyber Education Committee in conjunction with the MD Center for Computing Education (MCCE) Steering Committee.  She is also a member of the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA), Women in Cybersecurity (WiCys), Cybersecurity Association of Maryland (CAMI), Maryland Tech Council, TechFrederick Advisory Board, and Ethical Hacking Council Advisory Board.  Recently, she received the FISSEA Innovator of the Year Award from NIST for her contributions to cyber education.  In addition, she is also an active attendee and/or speaker at many local, national, and international cybersecurity conferences and events such as DefCon, CyberMaryland, and InfoSec – Europe.   

Dr. William Butler
Executive Advisory Board Member

Dr. William (Bill) Butler is the Vice President of Cyber Science Outreach and Partnerships at Capitol Technology University, having previously served as Vice President of Academic Affairs, as well as Department Chair of Cybersecurity for 8 years. He holds a D.Sc. in Cybersecurity at Capitol Tech with research focusing on consumer countermeasures to illegal cellphone intercept, as well as undergraduate and graduate studies at Brenau University, Marine Corps University, U.S. Army War College, National Defense University, and University of Maryland. Dr. Butler has worked in the networking and IT industries as a network engineer and consultant for over 20 years. Dr. Butler also served as a joint qualified communications information systems officer in the U.S. Marine Corps and retired as a Colonel with 30 years of service (active and reserve). He is very active in various working groups such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology Cloud Computing Security Forum Working Group (NIST CCSFWG), Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) Big Data and Mobile Computing Working Group, National CyberWatch Center Curriculum Taskforce, and the National Cybersecurity Student Association Advisory Board. 

CWC advisory board members will provide connections with non-profit organizations, education institutions and companies. They should provide recommendations and assistance with programing to include identifying speakers, mentors and advisors. In addition, they should be able to use network and social media to promote CWC events and Capitol Tech program.

CWC potential advisory board members should have history of collaboration with one or board member and positive relationships with key cyber leaders.

Advisory board members will serve one year at a time and will need to be reappointed each subsequent year for continued membership on the advisory board.

Sumona Banerji
Advisory Board Member

Sumona Banerji is a futurist, cyber-psychology researcher and entrepreneur, aimed at developing products that build emotional intelligence, cyber-resilience, and cognitive security. The goal is to mitigate risks to human cognition and connection, in the face of exponential technology, through innovation in education, mental health and ethical technology. Mindshield website: http://www.mindshield.org

Dr. Nisma Omar
Advisory Board Member

Dr. Nisma M. Omar joined Capitol Technology University in 2024 as an Adjunct Professor of Mathematics and Science and currently serves as the General Education Director. She holds a PhD in Analytical Chemistry from Benha University, where she specialized in electrochemical analysis and pharmaceutical applications. Her research over the past seven years has focused on developing innovative analytical techniques for drug detection, electrochemical sensing, and materials characterization.

Dr. Omar brings extensive academic experience and teaches courses in mathematics and science, with an emphasis on student engagement, practical learning, and interdisciplinary integration. She is passionate about fostering inclusive academic environments and supporting the growth of future scientists and engineers.

Dr. Tahani Baabdullah 
Advisory Board Member

Dr. Tahani Baabdullah is a professor of Computer Science at Capitol Technology University. She is an artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) research scientist with expertise in deep learning and cybersecurity, as well as federated learning, blockchain integration, and model tuning. In her role, she has delivered scalable AI solutions for fraud and anomaly detection using Python, TensorFlow, and PyTorch, achieving 99% accuracy and reducing false positives. She is known for translating research into impactful, real-world solutions. Her research interests include neural networks, CNNs, generative AI, large language models, and blockchain integration for secure, ethical, fintech, healthcare, and scalable AI applications. Dr. Baabdullah encourages her students, stating that "nothing is impossible, stay passionate, work hard, and be patient, and you can achieve anything!"