Heather Ellis Pickard

Heather Ellis Pickard has a strong background in cyber security, with their most recent role being the Fleet Center Lead for Nuclear Cyber Security at TVA. In this position, they helped develop the TVA Nuclear cyber security program, specializing in policy writing, cyber assessments, security control application, incident response, and network monitoring. Prior to this, they worked as a Cyber Security Intern at Tennessee Valley Authority, where they conducted security assessments and collaborated with nuclear power plant personnel to create mitigation plans. Heather also has experience in infrastructure design and certification as an Infrastructure Design & Certification Co-Op at Shaw Industries, where they worked on an internal website for software downloads. Heather has also worked as a Technology Hardware Assistant at the Tennessee Baptist Convention, responsible for preparing and deploying new computers and handling the disposal of old hardware.

Heather Ellis Pickard received their Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and Math from Belmont University in 2010. Heather then pursued a Master of Science degree in Cyber Security from Liberty University, which they completed in 2016. In terms of certifications, Heather obtained the GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH) certification in November 2016. Heather also holds the CISSP certification from (ISC)², obtained in 2014, and the CAP certification from (ISC)², obtained in 2012.