Washington, D.C. sits at the center of national security, critical infrastructure protection, and global cybersecurity policy. The women leading in this environment operate across government, intelligence, energy, and private-sector partnerships, shaping how cyber risk is managed at the highest levels. Their work reflects a blend of policy, operations, and real-world threat response that defines modern cybersecurity leadership.
Cynthia Kaiser — SVP, Ransomware Research Center, Halcyon
Cynthia Kaiser brings more than two decades of experience from the FBI, where she most recently led the Cyber Policy, Intelligence and Engagement Branch. Her career included serving as a Presidential Daily Briefing briefer across two administrations and contributing to the Cyber Safety Review Board, giving her a front-row seat to some of the most consequential cyber threats facing the U.S.
Now at Halcyon, she focuses on building ransomware defense partnerships across the public and private sectors. Her background positions her as a key figure in advancing collaboration between government and industry, particularly as ransomware continues to evolve into a national security concern.
Jennifer Li — Senior Policy Advisor, CISA
Jennifer Li works at the intersection of cybersecurity policy, national security, and emerging technologies. At the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, she contributes to shaping policy frameworks tied to critical infrastructure resilience, with a particular focus on areas such as undersea cables, post-quantum cryptography, and Indo-Pacific security dynamics.
Her experience across the Pentagon, State Department, White House, and private sector gives her a broad perspective on how cybersecurity policy translates into operational impact. She represents a newer generation of cyber leaders helping define how governments respond to increasingly complex and globalized threats.
Lili Colon — Principal Deputy Director, Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER)
Lili Colon operates at one of the most critical intersections in U.S. cybersecurity: the protection of energy infrastructure. In her role at the Department of Energy’s CESER office, she helps oversee strategy, operations, and incident response efforts tied to national energy security, working across utilities, oil and gas, and federal systems.
With more than 20 years of experience spanning DHS, TSA, DoD, and the private sector, she brings a combination of large-scale operational leadership and strategic execution. Her work reflects the increasing importance of securing critical infrastructure systems that underpin both economic stability and national security.
Sushila Nair — CEO, Cybernetic LLC; President, ISACA Greater Washington DC Chapter
Sushila Nair has built a long-standing career across cybersecurity consulting, enterprise security services, and global technology organizations. With more than 30 years of experience, she has held senior leadership roles including heading cybersecurity services at Capgemini Americas and leading global security services at NTT DATA.
In addition to her executive work, she plays a major role in the cybersecurity community as President of the ISACA Greater Washington DC Chapter, one of the largest in the world. Her combination of hands-on expertise, industry leadership, and community engagement makes her a key figure in the region’s cybersecurity ecosystem.
Where Washington, D.C.’s Cyber Leadership Converges
From federal policy and intelligence to critical infrastructure and public service delivery, Washington, D.C.’s cybersecurity landscape is shaped by leaders operating at the highest levels of responsibility and impact.Â
Discover more women making their mark in cybersecurity through our Women’s Month tag.