Women+ in Technology of Charlotte National Leadership Team

---

Tiffany grew up in the beautiful islands of Hawaii. She currently lives in Bentonville, AR with her husband and children. She has spent her career in technology, across several industries. She started her career in the finance industry, with 12 years at Bank of America. Tiffany then made a move to the retail industry and took a role in technology at Walmart’s Home Office. She led several transformation and continuous improvement efforts, to progress the Global Data organization to Agile & Product ways of working. She then made a career move to Lowe’s Companies, Inc. and led the strategy, portfolio, Governance, Awareness, and communications areas for cyber-security in technology. With her time at Lowe’s, she led the Women in Technology group and served with the Women Empowered Business Resource Group leadership team. These roles allowed her to use her passion to drive change and advocacy for women across the organization. She is currently serving as a Senior Director in IT Applications for Tyson Foods, Inc. Tiffany is an Author, Speaker and Advocate for women, who uses her strong connection with people to drive change and empowerment.

Margarita Rivera is a distinguished Executive and thought leader in the realm of Information, with over two decades of dedicated experience. Currently serving as the Senior Director of Information Security for Lowe's Corporation, a Fortune 50 company, Margarita's journey is a testament to her relentless pursuit of knowledge, excellence, and an unyielding commitment to fortifying digital landscapes against evolving threats.

Margarita's academic foundation is solid, boasting a Master's Degree in Information Systems from Harvard University and a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Florida 

International University. This educational duality equips her with a comprehensive understanding of both the technological intricacies and financial dimensions of business. Her expertise is further substantiated by a prestigious portfolio of certifications, including: Certified Chief Informa-on Security Officer (C-CISO), Certified Informa-on Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Certified in Risk and Informa-on Systems Control (CRISC), Certified Informa-on Systems Auditor (CISA), and Certified Informa-on Privacy Technologist (CIPT).

Margarita's leadership journey is distinguished by exceptional qualities. As a proven leader, she has built and led Information Security programs throughout her career, orchestrating high-performing teams and cultivating a culture of collaboration, transparency, and innovation within the organization. Embodying the principles of servant leadership, Margarita empowers her team members to excel, propelling security excellence throughout the corporate landscape. Beyond her professional pursuits, Margarita finds solace and joy in various activities. Her love for the outdoors is evident in her enjoyment of hiking and kayaking. Exploring new culinary and cultural experiences is another facet of her diverse interests, complemented by the simple pleasure of immersing herself in a captivating book.

Camryn Swedick is an Information Security Analyst at Lowe’s, handling graphic design and visual branding strategy for the information security department. Having relocated several times along the East Coast, Camryn has firmly settled in Charlotte, NC, aiming to advance her career within the tech industry.

Boasting a Strategic Communications degree from Liberty University and a certificate in Cybersecurity from UNC Charlotte, she has a passion for both technology and the arts and is consistently discovering creative ways to bridge the gap between the two areas. 

To feed her passion for continuous education, she's also actively pursuing further certifications and higher education in both design and technology.

Beyond her professional and educational endeavors, Camryn is a big fan of the arts, particularly film. She finds peace in creative expression and has a deep passion for people and leadership. She is also often found experimenting with baking, listening to podcasts, and spending time with her two cats.  

Jamie Brown is an Account Executive at Contender Solutions, contributing over three and a half years to the dynamic IT services industry. With a customer-centric attitude, she leverages Contender's Elite Partner status to help tech-forward organizations drive innovation, simplify the adoption of AI, and enhance operational efficiency through their ServiceNow investment. As a consultative seller, Jamie is extremely passionate about helping customers uncover solutions for their most complex business and technology challenges.

Born and raised in Barrington, IL, Jamie embarked on her journey south by attending the University of Kentucky. After four years as a Wildcat and two Bachelor's degrees later, she relocated to Charlotte, NC to kickstart her career. Outside of her professional work, Jamie enjoys quality time with her beloved dog, Booker, hot yoga, and exploring Charlotte's vibrant restaurant scene.

Driven by a passion for relationship building and community impact, she is thrilled to join the WiT CLT Chapter. She aims to empower others to embrace the technology industry, grow her local network, and uncover opportunities for further professional development.

A lover of creating meaningful experiences and an avid wine lover, DeLauren Everett is a 15-year corporate events professional, and the founder and CEO of Blends & Bubbly, a full-service wine tasting and wine education company. DeLauren has designed and executed events in the retail and financial services industries over the years, including a national household consumer electronics brand, a fortune 50 home improvement big box retailer, and a fortune 500 independent brokerage firm. DeLauren has led thousands of internal and external corporate events, in-store retail activations, as well as tradeshows (both live and virtual), that move culture and business forward, while serving as a strategic resource and producer for line of business functions. In 2019, DeLauren studied for and received a level 2 certificate in the Wine & Spirits Education Trust program. At the same time, Blends and Bubbly, Inc, a once passion project turned small, minority owned business, was conceptualized, making wine more accessible, more fun, and less stuffy. DeLauren teaches wine explorers how to engage with wine through the 4s - see, swirl, sniff, sip – and how to write wine notes like a pro! As part of the experience, participants learn about the grape growing and winemaking processes, the benefits of selecting the proper glassware, and how to choose the right pairings.

With a passion for technology, innovation and inclusion, DeLauren bases the foundation of all she does on imagination, creativity and thought leadership, ensuring all goals, visions, perspectives and diversity are included. Born and raised in California, DeLauren now resides in Charlotte, NC with her husband and two children. Follow her on Insta at @blendsandbubbly.  

Rhonda is a seasoned Senior Program Technology Manager with Lowe’s Technology Center, with a wealth of experience spanning over 20 years in project management and leadership roles. With certifications as an Agile Coach and Product Owner, she brings a dynamic blend of technical expertise and agile methodologies to her work.

In addition to her corporate responsibilities, Rhonda is deeply engaged in driving positive change and transformation in the lives of others. She serves on various boards where she leverages her skills and experience to bring about meaningful impact to empower individuals and communities.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Rhonda is a proud parent to a beautiful daughter, balancing her career achievements with the joys of family life.

Maxine “Maxx” Alexander is an IT Vendor Management analyst living and working in Charlotte, North Carolina. She is an IT business professional, with over 8 years of diverse experience across several industries with a broad understanding of human experience. Maxx excels at cultivating strong partnerships, mitigating risks, and optimizing vendor relationships to propel businesses forward in the digital age. She has worked

alongside clients Microsoft, Dell, IBM, and Salesforce to analyze and evaluate vendor software and services for cost saving optimization. Maxx Alexander is a native of Philadelphia, PA and affectionately echoes the sentiment “South Philly raised me.” A first-generation college student, she graduated summa cum laude

from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism and Mass Communications, with a concentration in Public Relation, “Aggie Pride!” In addition to her professional career, Maxx and her husband and business partner, fellow Aggie, Lamar have held an

affinity for entertaining and hosting events. In 2019 the pair launched PourOnTap Mobile Bar Company, a full-service bartending and beverage service company specializing in both corporate and private events currently servicing Charlotte, North Carolina, and surrounding areas. Outside of the office, when she isn’t collaborating with technology vendors or curating drink menus for clients, Maxx enjoys spending time with her family; husband, two children and spunky grandson. She is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and involved in volunteering and organizing events with a focus on combating the epidemic of homelessness of battered women and children. Her interests include fitness, interior design and event planning and she lives by the mantra: “To hell with circumstance…create your OWN opportunities. “ 

Ashley Shelton is the Manager of Technology Compliance at Red Hat, where she reports into the information security division. In this role, Ashley leads a dedicated team responsible for driving technology compliance activities across the organization, managing both internal and external audit processes.

A recipient of the 2024 CIO Award, Ashley brings a wealth of expertise and a proven track record of excellence to her work. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from North Carolina State University and is certified in change management. Currently, she is pursuing the ISACA CRISC certification to further enhance her professional qualifications.

Ashley is deeply committed to advancing women in technology. She co-leads the Women in Leadership initiative at Red Hat and is an active member of the Junior League of Winston Salem and ISACA. Her leadership extends beyond her professional life as she balances a vibrant family life with four children—two biological sons, ages 12 and 1, and two bonus children, a 13-year-old boy and a 15-year-old girl.

In her personal time, Ashley enjoys HIIT workouts at the YMCA, traveling to new places with her family, and volunteering with youth activities at her church. Her dynamic presence in both her professional and personal spheres makes her a dedicated and inspiring leader in the technology community.