Below is a list of the events happening in the department this semester. Registration is encouraged for each, if applicable. We look forward to seeing you in the 4th floor this semester!
Fall 2026 Career Talks
Each event happens at noon in ITE 459 as outlined on the schedule below.
Please RSVP for each event separately.
September 9 | Rhombus Power • Turning Data Into Action with AI
Rhombus Power
Turning Data Into Action with AI
September 9 • Noon
ITE 459
RSVP for the Rhombus Power Career Talk
Organizations today have access to more data than ever before, but having more data does not necessarily mean having better answers. The challenge is turning large and complex datasets into useful insights that can support better decisions.
Rhombus Power brings together large-scale data, intelligent data systems, and AI-powered predictive models to help organizations identify patterns, understand what is happening, and anticipate what could happen next. By combining data from many different sources with AI, the platform transforms information into actionable insights and predictive intelligence.
For Information Systems students, this offers a real-world look at how data, technology, and AI come together to solve complex problems. It demonstrates the growing role of IS professionals in building systems that do more than collect and organize information. They help organizations make sense of data, uncover patterns, predict possibilities, and turn insights into action.
This conversation will explore how AI-powered systems are being developed and applied in the real world, and the skills students can build to work at the intersection of data, AI, technology, and decision-making.
Speakers include:
Kelly Lokshin serves as Director of Strategic Marketing at Rhombus Power, the leading predictive intelligence company for national security, defense, and intelligence enterprises. She leads strategic communications, market positioning, and go-to-market initiatives that help translate Rhombus’s advanced AI capabilities into mission-focused solutions for government, defense, and intelligence customers. Before joining Rhombus, Lokshin served as an Intelligence Analyst at the Defense Intelligence Agency, where she supported high-priority national security missions and developed expertise in intelligence analysis, threat assessment, and strategic decision support. She later held leadership roles in marketing and business development within the technology startup ecosystem, bringing together experience from both national security and commercial innovation environments. Her unique background enables her to bridge the worlds of intelligence, defense technology, and strategic communications, helping position Rhombus at the forefront of AI-driven national security innovation. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs from The George Washington University.
Justine is an intelligence analyst at Rhombus Power, where for the past three years she has developed high-impact intelligence products that fuse AI-derived insights with open-source intelligence to support national security decision-making. Working closely with U.S. government customers and international allies and partners, she translates Rhombus’ technology and data into finished intelligence products built to Intelligence Community standards and designed to deliver clear, actionable insights. Justine holds an M.A. in European Studies and a B.A. in Foreign Affairs from the University of Virginia. Prior to joining Rhombus, she supported the Department of Defense as a contractor with the National Security Innovation Network and interned with U.S. European Command in Stuttgart, Germany.
Toby is a Senior Solutions Engineer at Rhombus Power, where he guides and assists customers through complex technical sales, system design, and deployment, serving as a bridge between customer needs and product development. Toby brings extensive experience across software engineering, AI/ML, and technical solutions. He previously worked at Google, where he helped build the solutions engineering function for Google Contact Center AI, and later co-founded Snowflake’s first AI/ML-focused specialist systems integrator, developing secure, air-gapped AI solutions. His earlier experience spans operating systems, full-stack development, and enterprise systems integration. Toby holds a BS and MS in Computer Science from University of Central Florida and has a long history of engagement with university computer and data science programs, developer communities, and hackathons.
September 16 | Microsoft • From Code to Cloud: Exploring Modern Technology Careers
Microsoft
From Code to Cloud: Exploring Modern Technology Careers
September 16 • Noon
ITe 459
RSVP for the Microsoft Career Talk
Join Akaysha Nolan and Stephen Powell for a discussion on modern technology careers and how to get your start in this exciting field.
Akaysha Nolan is a Cloud Solution Architect at Microsoft who helps organizations leverage cloud, data, and AI technologies to solve business challenges. Throughout her career, she has worked with customers ranging from technology beginners to experienced practitioners, helping them build technical skills and confidence. She is passionate about continuous learning, recognizing potential in others, and lifting as she climbs by supporting those around her.
Stephen Powell is a Senior Cloud Solution Architect at Microsoft, where he helps federal organizations leverage cloud and AI technologies to address complex mission and business challenges. With more than a decade of experience spanning government and industry, he has worked across data analytics, cloud architecture, machine learning, and AI solutions in both secure and large-scale environments.
Stephen is passionate about mentoring, continuous learning, and helping others build successful careers in technology. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family and is an active automotive enthusiast.
September 21 | ClearanceJobs • Want a Federal Tech Job? Start Here
ClearanceJobs
Want a Federal Tech Job? Start Here
September 21 • Noon
ITE 459
RSVP for the Clearance Jobs Career Talk
Join Phoebe Wells, Public Relations and Partnerships Marketing Manager, and Lindy Kyzer, VP of Content and Engagement for a discussion on federal jobs and security clearances.
October 2 | Entrepreneurship • Want to Work at a Startup? Here’s How to Get Started
Entrepreneurship
Want to Work at a Startup? Here’s How to Get Started
October 2 • Noon
RSVP for the Entrepreneurship Career Talk
Join Chris White, Chris Ewing, and Christina Wrobel-Holt as they discuss their Startup journey’s. This is a perfect session to how to position yourself to get started in the field.
October 7 | Women in Tech • Beyond the First Job: Navigating Careers, Leadership & Change
Women in Tech
Beyond the First Job: Navigating Careers, Leadership & Change
October 7 • Noon
ITE 459
RSVP for the Women in Tech Career Talk
Join Bri Bellavati, Anna Mykhailova, and Riya Kaneria for a discussion on how they entered and progressed through their jobs.
Dr. Bri Bellavati is the Chief Operating Officer of SmartLogic, where she leads company-wide operations and delivery across distributed engineering, design, and project management teams. With over 20 years of executive leadership experience in technology, SaaS, and education, she has scaled organizations by blending technical delivery, client partnerships, AI transformation, operational excellence, and high-performing team culture. Earlier in her career, Bri was instrumental in launching a COVID-19 clinical lab start-up, where she built operations from the ground up and achieved profitability within a few months. Additionally, through being a vice principal and college dean, she has also led transformative education and workforce initiatives, designing programs that expanded opportunity and delivered measurable community impact. Bri holds a Doctorate in Higher Education Leadership and is known as a trusted “number two” operator, partnering closely with CEOs to turn vision into scalable systems and results.
Anna Mykhailova, Director of Technology at Kalamuna, is a voracious learner and prolific technologist. Her background is in Drupal (she’s an Acquia Triple Certified Expert in Drupal 9, 8 and 7), and she brings real-world lessons learned from over 10 years of agency experience, and a life before that in video game development to the training material she produces. Anna has a master’s degree in computer science and implements principles of fundamental computer architecture in her solutions. She has architected award-winning enterprise content personalization strategies.
November 4 | Emotional Intelligence Workshop
Led by Barbara Pando-BehnkeNovember 4 • Noon
ITE 459RSVP for the Emotional Intelligence Workshop
November 9 | Oracle • Full-Stack & Future-Ready: Building Your Career in Software
Oracle
Full-Stack & Future-Ready: Building Your Career in Software
November 9 • Noon
ITE 459
RSVP for the Oracle Career Talk
Join Scott Stroz as he talks about his long career at Oracle. He has been a full-stack developer for longer than the term “full-stack developer” has been around. In that time, MySQL was the only constant in his development stack. He is passionate about sharing what he has learned on his coding journey so others may learn from his mistakes.