As a seasoned C-level executive and with my prior board experience, I have operational experience in the management, technology infusion, and governance of large complex organizations. My global technology and cybersecurity skills in digital transformation, financial oversight, use of AI/ML and federal regulatory implementation experience could provide critical insight into business growth and financial matters to the Board. Through my innovative leadership as CEO of Catalyst ADV, I currently provide advisory services to high tech defense & aerospace clients such as Google, Intel, Dell Technologies, Raytheon, Leidos, Equinix and many other notable public companies.
Industry experience:
Ms. Diaz, is a Dell Technologies Advisory Board since 2017, Intel Corporation Advisory Board since 2019; Equinix Global Advisory Board since 2018; and Raytheon’s Forcepoint Advisory Board, chair of Technology & Cybersecurity Committee since 2017. She has served as an independent private board director for eKuber, BRMI Corporation, Intelvative, and multiple non-profit boards. Ms. Diaz is CEO of Catalyst ADV, a technology and strategic growth advisory firm & VC Advisor since 2016. Previously, she served as NASA’s Chief Technology Officer and Deputy CIO from 2009-2016 where she was responsible for NASA’s IT system risk management, all IT employees, data protection and innovation portfolio. As DHS’s CIO for S & T, she provided comprehensive technology, cybersecurity and infrastructure expertise from 2003-2007 and was Senior Technical Adviser on the White House Transition team to create Dept. of Homeland Security including organizational integration, crisis management and high risk portfolios. Also, she served as a senior government official in the areas of intellectual property, patents, digital transformation, data analytics, telecom, and foreign joint ventures from 2000-2009.
Functional experience:
NASA has a well-recognized brand with high value data that needs to be provided to all Global citizens. As the NASA Chief Data Officer, I played a pivotal role in creating an agile digital ecosystem with cloud provisioning, data lakes, effective negotiations with foreign governments on Space campaigns, and other digital media products. I was responsible for all cybersecurity & management of the $182 million NASA IT systems and $1B of DHS S & T infrastructure. This work included complex negotiations with vendors, oversight of all cyber risk mitigation, disaster mitigation, environmental and safety facility oversight, and extensive collaboration with industry and academia. As a State Department Private Sector Officer, I worked closely with US and Foreign industry partners setting up $1billion of joint ventures with firms in agroindustry with Conagra, cocoa production with Hershey Corporation, and introducing environmental technologies with ICF International in Eastern Europe and Asia. I am recognized as a global product and technology executive (World Bank/USAID specializing in Asia & Latin America) and for executing successful transformations (examples such as automating all USPTO patent submissions and securing NASA’s supply chain exposure).
Key business transactional experience:
As NASA’s Deputy Chief Information Officer, NASA’s Chief Technology Officer, and Dept. of Homeland Security’s Science & Technology Chief Information Officer, I was personally responsible for all global aerospace and defense system infrastructure and manufacturer delivery of $1-$4 billion, supply chain risk mitigation, technology infusion & ensuring investment oversight was appropriately implemented. As Senior Technical Advisor to the Homeland Security Transition Team, I created the human resource transformation plan, procurement policies, cybersecurity roadmap, technology architecture and developed organizational integration plans for 24 federal entities being absorbed into the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The majority of my interaction & industry partnerships created for NASA & DHS was with large global companies and National Federal Labs.
What is the most important skill you bring to a corporate board?
Ms. Diaz offers the Board extensive experience as an operating executive and strategic cyber security expert focused on emerging risk threats, US National critical infrastructure and the intelligence community. She provides valuable expertise in government regulations and strengthens the Board’s experience in cybersecurity, cultural transformation, governance and risk management. She is certified by: National Assoc. of Corp. Directors “Directorship” 2019 and “Fellows” 2017; the Directors Academy 2019; and a NIST/IT cybersecurity expert.
