Dan is CEO & Managing Partner at Echelon. With nearly 20 years of experience in IT, audit, risk and cybersecurity, he has led and built highly focused cybersecurity teams at top professional service firms before joining Echelon. Dan’s experience establishing and offering new and innovative lines of cybersecurity services not only provides leadership across the industry and organization, it’s the reason Echelon was built and serves as its vision for growth.

Matt Donato is an expert on security solutioning, consulting, and team building, with a career spanning 20 years across all facets of the cybersecurity industry. Matt has focused on helping companies identify the gaps and resources they need to protect themselves and provide the solid foundation they need to grow. Most recently, Matt was the Managing Director of Client Services at CyberSN and was previously Co-Founder & CEO of cybersecurity and data intelligence advisory firm HuntSource, which serviced various companies throughout the critical infrastructure sectors.

Dave Faraone is a Partner at Echelon Risk & Cyber, leading operations to ensure a seamless and high-quality client journey at every stage. His role includes overseeing deliverability and maintaining exceptional standards. In addition to his role at Echelon, Dave is an adjunct professor at Duke University's Pratt School of Engineering, teaching advanced security topics like cloud security and AI in the master's in cybersecurity engineering program. Before joining Echelon, he was the Senior Director of North America East region consulting at Unit 42, Palo Alto Networks' premier cybersecurity consulting team. He also worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), where he led cybersecurity transformation projects, global security technology implementations, and the development of cloud security strategies for Fortune 500 companies.

Chris oversees all revenue-generating initiatives, including client acquisition & expansion, strategic partnerships, and the firm’s go-to-market strategy. Chris is focused on growth trajectory by aligning sales, marketing, and customer success efforts to deliver exceptional value and outcomes for clients. 
 
Chris brings nearly two decades of IT industry revenue leadership experience, with a proven track record of building and scaling revenue strategies to drive sustainable growth and customer value. His experience includes leading teams across a diverse set of industries and customer segments.  Known for his authenticity, integrity, and passion for mentorship, Chris creates high-performing, inclusive cultures that empower teams to thrive. 

Lori has over 25 years of experience in marketing and project management. With a keen eye for detail and a strategic mindset, she brings a unique perspective and skillset to the Echelon team. Prior to joining Echelon, she held various leadership roles in the marketing and project management fields, where she gained extensive experience in developing and executing complex projects. As Chief of Staff, she plays a critical role in ensuring the successful execution of all projects and initiatives.

A seasoned information security and risk management professional, Chris’ 20-year career has spanned multiple industries and disciplines at Fortune 100 corporations, two of the ten largest banks in the world, and Big 4 consulting. Chris has also designed and taught graduate courses in data analytics and security at Ohio State’s Fisher College of Business and brings unique knowledge of application architectures and design to every engagement.

Marissa Salzone is a driven marketing leader with relentless passion and a fearless attitude. Experienced marketing professional with a background in demand generation and marketing strategy. Helped drive a small business from a start-up to a medium-sized industry leader and played a key role in leveraging an acquisition and dual partnership for the company. Led a company to a record-breaking lead-to-prospect conversion rate of 46% using persona messaging and various engagement platforms. Drove sales up 420% with over $22 million in revenue with strategic marketing in the competitive cybersecurity space, gaining acknowledgement in The Washington Post, TIME, and Business Insider. Recognized by the Cybersecurity Excellence Committee as Cybersecurity Marketer of the Year for North America. In her spare time, Marissa enjoys trying new restaurants and going on runs.

Paul is an IT and Security expert with tremendous experience in information security governance, risk, and compliance. Highly motivated, hardworking, and adept at navigating complex security challenges, Paul leads our vCISO and Cybersecurity Advisory practice, where he leverages his expertise to deliver effective information security programs, drive business growth and manage a high-performing team.

Josh Fleming is the Senior Manager of the Risk Advisory Service Line at Echelon Risk + Cyber, where he specializes in incident prevention and response management. He is passionate about technology and its ability to transform our world but also recognizes the risks that come with it.  Over the years, Josh has gained extensive experience in both cyber and physical security management, working with clients from various industries and sectors to identify and mitigate potential threats to their systems and overall environments. His expertise lies in developing and implementing effective incident prevention strategies that help clients stay ahead of the curve and protect their critical assets. In addition to his preventive work, Josh specializes in incident response management. He advises executives, C-suites, and board members to develop comprehensive incident response plans, threat assessments, and crisis strategies, ensuring organizations are well-prepared to swiftly respond to any security incident or emergency situation. Josh is committed to staying up-to-date with the latest trends, technologies, and best practices in the cyber and physical security industry. He is passionate about continuously improving his skills and knowledge to provide the best possible service to his strategic partners. 

With a background in law enforcement and cybersecurity, Steve Dyson is a senior manager at Echelon Risk & Cyber. He is highly skilled in cyber risk management, cloud security, threat mitigation, and intelligence gathering and analysis, having developed expertise in a range of cybersecurity incident response and threat hunting tools, as well as in information security system design, management, and analysis. Steve also brings a wealth of specialized experience in both Healthcare and Financial Services sectors and has a legal background focused on regulatory compliance and digital privacy. Prior to joining Echelon, Steve was a Principal Consultant at Palo Alto Networks Unit 42 focused on Cloud Security, Security Operations Center (SOC) readiness, and other GRC functions. Prior to Unit 42, he helped to build the SOC capabilities at a mid-sized regional healthcare system in Philadelphia, PA and worked as Cyber Operations Consultant for a growing consulting firm. Before entering the Cybersecurity field he worked in state law enforcement and in the USMC. 

Steve enjoys helping clients improve their overall security programs by increasing awareness within the organizations’ leadership teams. He previously worked as an operator for offensive cyber operations with DoD organizations and intelligence agencies prior to retiring from the military. Following his military career, he spent four years performing Red Team testing, Penetration testing, and Wireless testing for large organizations during his time working as part of a large consulting firm.

Paul Matvey is a Cybersecurity Manager at Echelon with over 15 years of experience in IT Infrastructure design and management with a focus in cybersecurity. Prior to joining Echelon, he was the Director of IT and Cybersecurity Operations of a major professional services firm, and a Senior Systems Integrator at one the region's largest Managed Services Providers.

Greg DeLeonardis is an accomplished, solution-oriented, business development and client servicesprofessional with twenty-five 25 years of demonstrated success in consultative sales and building trustedadvisor relationships with c-suite business leaders, as well as technology executives. Prior to joiningEchelon Risk + Cyber, Greg spent the last fifteen years in enterprise sales and business developmentin the Oracle Applications space where he has a proven track record of driving results and creating valuefor clients and stakeholders. His strong relationship-oriented style and work ethic helped Greg toconsistently be a top sales performer each of the last fifteen years. Greg is happily married to his wifePaula (since 1997) and is very proud of his 3 sons - Gaetano, Angelo and Rocco.

Ben is a passionate and results-driven Business Development professional with over 9 years of experience spanning multiple industries, including cybersecurity, recruiting, and client services. Known for building strong relationships, driving growth, and connecting clients with effective, tailored solutions, Ben brings a strategic and people-focused approach to every opportunity. He thrives in fast-paced environments, consistently exceeding goals by aligning business needs with impactful results and building teams that deliver. Personally, Ben enjoys live music, staying active through fitness, and spending time outdoors hiking, fishing, and exploring new places.

Oscar Alvarado is a sales professional with deep experience in B2B sales, specializing in driving pipeline and building outbound systems that convert. He currently works at Echelon Risk + Cyber, helping IT and compliance leaders in regulated industries reduce risk exposure and offload key security functions like HIPAA assessments and vendor reviews.  Prior to Echelon, Oscar led sales at Grey Scope Labs, an environmental testing startup, where he built the sales engine from the ground, growing the customer base by 650% and more than doubling revenue. He brings a consultative, process-driven approach to every role, with a strong focus on messaging that resonates and systems that scale. Oscar thrives in early-stage environments and is known for his ability to break into enterprise accounts, refine sales strategy, and turn ambiguity into results. 

Rafael is a passionate and result-driven Senior Project Manager Professional with over 14 years of experience leading IT, compliance, large ERP implementation, finance, process improvement and cyber security projects. With a proven track record of successfully delivering large-scale projects from initiation to deployment by aligning project objectives with business strategic goals, constructing detailed work plans, managing resources, directing communications, leading cross functional teams within scope, schedule, quality and financial constraints, Rafael takes pride in delivering exceptional results to his stakeholders. Personally, Rafael likes to spend time with his family, working out and playing Street Fighter. 

Shir Butbul is a dynamic and results-oriented cybersecurity professional with extensive experience in governance, risk, and compliance (GRC). Currently serving as a GRC Manager at Echelon Risk + Cyber, Shir leads a team of consultants executing GRC initiatives for numerous vCISO clients of differing sizes and sectors. Shir has honed her expertise in conducting audits, risk assesmenets, framework matutiry assessments, policy development and governance, as well as in driving the implementation of GRC automation platforms. Prior to Echelon, Shir has played a pivotal role in safeguarding organizations during periods of rapid expansion through strategic governance and compliance initiatives. Shir is passionate about helping clients design and implement practical solutions to streamline and enhance cybersecurity processes and programs.​

With a background in Governance, Risk and Compliance, Alyson is a Manager at Echelon Risk & Cyber. She utilizes a wide array of experience and knowledge of regulatory requirements/best practices to tailor fit solutions based on client needs. She has a wealth of knowledge in supporting Financial Service clients but is able to customize engagements across industries. Alyson has worked with large organizations in supporting the transformation of their cybersecurity programs and has deep experience guiding small teams as they determine the next steps in their maturity journey. She has honed her skills in performing cybersecurity gap assessments, vCISO engagements, developing custom cybersecurity awareness and training, and conducting tabletop exercises to executive and technical teams. Prior to Echelon, Alyson gained consulting experience at Palo Alto Networks Unit 42 and Accenture where she covered a broad scope of needs from clients and was able to deepen experience in key cybersecurity principles.  

I’m driven by a deeply ingrained intellectual curiosity about the world and the subjects I’m passionate about.  Technology and cybersecurity began as a childhood fascination, dating back to 1979 when I’d dial into a University of Michigan Mainframe and play an ASCII based D&D game.  Throughout my academic career, I maintain a close focus on technology, basic programming, command line, desktop publishing/graphic design, and technical writing.  Through my experiences at the University of Minnesota I journeyed into the infancy of infrastructure, reverse engineering the networks on the University campus, and in turn learning how to design and build them.  In 1995 I began my first full-time job and over the following 30yrs I had the privilege of working for some amazing companies and with incredibly talented people.  In 2005 I began the pivot into cybersecurity and risk management, believing at the time that as a discipline and profession it might become important.  I firmly believe that the knowledge, experience, and abilities gained through the years are as much a reflection of those companies and people as they are of me.  Outside of work I’m an avid traveler, born in Kyoto, Japan, spent many summers living in mainland China and Taiwan, son of two public school teachers (linguists), a father of two, a shady tree mechanic, builder of things, an aspiring drummer, a recovering clarinet player, and a seeker of knowledge and experience. 

Kelsey is a Risk Advisory Consultant with over 7 years of combined risk, governance, and consulting experience. Most recently, Kelsey was a Senior Security GRC Analyst at a large retailer where she performed risk assessments, created processes to identify new sources of technology risk, and updated cybersecurity policies and procedures. She is passionate about helping clients to integrate security and risk management into their daily processes.

Chris brings 20+ years of IT & engineering experience to Echelon. He started in technology as a young person upgrading and repairing his own computer and those of family and friends. He had his first client at age 15. He worked on desktops, laptops, servers, and other computer hardware, and has repaired laser printers, IoT, cryptocurrency, and proprietary devices. He has managed helpdesks, hardware shops, security systems, learning and meeting spaces such as classrooms, conference rooms, labs, and advanced maker spaces.  He brings a desire to learn and to mentor. He has lectured for Duquesne University, taught at the Air Force Association Cybercamp, is a member of the Three Rivers Information Security Symposium Organizing Committee, and is an active member of the Pittsburgh InfoSec community.  He completed a BS of Information Science in Networks and Security, and an MS of Information Science in the NSA-approved cybersecurity graduate program at the University of Pittsburgh both as a non-traditional student. 

Devin Jones is a Senior Offensive Security Consultant at Echelon and has over 6 years of technical cybersecurity experience such as incident response, security operations, penetration testing and red teaming. Starting out on the Helpdesk and transitioning to Cybersecurity, his most recent role was with a boutique consultancy firm conducting and leading external and internal network penetration tests, web application assessments, phishing and vulnerability assessments across several different business verticals. Devin enjoys talking about all things offensive security and loves learning and sharing knowledge with others.

Zack is a Senior Cybersecurity Consultant at Echelon with over 7 years of experience in IT risk, compliance, and cybersecurity. His work spans across various industries, including engineering, manufacturing, healthcare, cable networks, and technology. With a keen focus on incident response and preparedness, Zack takes pride in empowering clients and elevating their resilience capabilities through the implementation of strategic proactive services such as incident response plan and playbook development and tabletop exercises. He also has previous experience performing a great variety of audits and value-added assessments, specializing in SOC 2, and ISO 27001. His commitment to client success underscores his dedication to fostering robust incident response practices that stand resilient against emerging threats.

Alex is a seasoned Senior Security Consultant with over 14 years of experience safeguarding critical information systems and cloud infrastructure. He possesses a deep understanding of the evolving threat landscape and extensive expertise in network security, identity management, and automation. Alex leverages his technical proficiency to deliver effective and innovative security solutions for every client engagement. 

Juan is an IT enthusiast with 3 years of experience as a System Administrator and 5 years of experience as an offensive cybersecurity professional. Juan had the opportunity to work in the government of the Tabasco state in Mexico, where he gained valuable knowledge about the overall functioning of organizational networks. Juan began his journey as a cybersecurity professional at a big 4 consulting firm, where he conducted multiple penetration tests on external and internal infrastructures, mobile and thick applications, and wireless networks. Before joining Echelon, Juan held a position as a Red Team operator in a Switzerland-based company that offered cybersecurity services to different companies all over Asia and Europe.

Stephen has worked in a wide range of industries conducting offensive security services for enterprises of various sizes. His education has focused on computer science, software development, and information technology within the context of offensive security. Stephen has a strong background in leadership of offensive security services such as penetration testing and vulnerability scanning. He enjoys the constant cycle of learning from others in the industry and the continuous development of new techniques and technologies in offensive security.

William is a Senior Consultant with extensive GRC (Governance, Risk, and Compliance) experience and has assisted many organizations in compliance and risk management efforts. He has led and assisted in large-scale audits and compliance efforts for various organizations and has broad knowledge of different control frameworks. He holds the CC and CCSFP certifications and is passionate about assisting clients in their current regulatory compliance requirements and preparing them for future requirements through readiness assessments.

Alyssa is an information security and risk management professional with 8 years of consulting experience. She has assisted with the development and implementation of cybersecurity-solutions for the financial, healthcare, higher education, energy, and information technology industries. Prior to her role in cybersecurity, Alyssa served as a US Army Operations Officer and has worked for a federal law enforcement agency specializing in criminal intelligence and administration.  

My name is Bryce Hayes, and I serve as a Senior Risk Advisory Consultant at Echelon Risk + Cyber. Prior to joining Echelon, I began my career at Aon Cyber Solutions (formerly Stroz Friedberg) as a Cyber Associate, where I completed rotations across three core practices: Security Advisory, Solutions Development, and Digital Forensics and Incident Response (DFIR). Within Security Advisory, I worked across two specialized teams: Incident Response Planning and Cyber Defenses & Transformation Services. On the Incident Response Planning side, I supported and later led the development of Tabletop Exercises, Incident Response Playbooks, and IR Placemats. On the Cyber Defenses team, I developed Office365 and Active Directory assessments aligned to CIS benchmarks and created a dynamic, asynchronous Django web application using AJAX and JavaScript to showcase benchmarking results. During my time in Solutions Development, I authored five Python modules for an internal automation platform supporting digital forensics workflows. These modules focused on Windows Registry hive data extraction and external API integrations for malware analysis. I also resolved software reliability issues in AWS environments and leveraged VirtualBox to support forensic data collection and testing. In the DFIR practice, I contributed to multiple Fortune 500 ransomware investigations, performing reverse engineering of malware and forensic analysis using tools such as CrowdStrike Falcon, Microsoft Defender, Splunk, and Velociraptor. I also conducted forensic imaging of both virtual and physical machines and performed cloud-based investigations using AWS CloudTrail and Cost Explorer. Following my graduation from the Associate program, I returned to Security Advisory in a hybrid role across both teams. Within three months, I was independently managing full client engagements, from initial scoping through delivery and closeout. These engagements included Executive, Technical, and Hybrid tabletop exercises, Incident Response Plans, IR Placemats, BCDR Reviews, Office365 and AD assessments, Adversary Simulation, and Security Architecture Reviews. Notable accomplishments include co-designing a scalable AWS Security Assessment across 13 organizational units and developing a technically focused Adversary Simulation Tabletop exercise based on real client vulnerabilities, implemented in December 2024. I also led and managed a cross-functional automation project across DFIR and Solutions Development that improved adversary simulation efficiency by 70%, generating $1 million in additional revenue over one year. Throughout my time at Aon, I consistently exceeded performance expectations, earning perfect end-of-year reviews and receiving six Aon Star Awards. I also served as an active mentor and manager to more than a dozen incoming associates within the Security Advisory practice.

Kris is a recent graduate of Roger Williams University holding a B.S in Cyber Security and Networking, with a focus in Web Application and Network Penetration Testing. With his education and experience, Kris is well-equipped to tackle the challenges of the rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape. During his free time, Kris presents how to get into cybersecurity to high school students. He also participates in Capture the Flag events to keep his penetration testing skills sharp.

Michael began his career as a security analyst and wanted to learn more about the offensive side of the field, so he self-studied while working and got his eCCPT. Michael has led internal and external assessments for companies in banking, retail, health and government. He has also done numerous successful covert entry and social engineering engagements for companies across the US.

Blake Washer is a SIEM Engineer and defensive security consultant at Echelon with over 7 years of experience focused on security operations and optimization. He has supported a wide variety of clients and verticals providing network security analysis, professional services, and security engineering. Blake is dedicated to reducing friction and fatigue in security solutions, believing that the hard work of keeping things simple leads to the best outcomes. He’s an active member of Chicago’s infosec community and most recently prior to joining Echelon, he did detection and EDR engineering and was log query expert for a large managed SOC. 

Sterling Giralmo is a SIEM Engineer at Echelon, bringing extensive cybersecurity expertise from roles as a security analyst and engineer. A proud graduate of the University of Texas at San Antonio, he holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Cyber Security. Before his academic journey, Sterling served honorably in the United States Coast Guard, where he honed his commitment to service and discipline. His passion lies in empowering others and making a meaningful, lasting impact on both individuals and the organizations he serves. Sterling’s unique blend of technical proficiency, service-driven dedication, and a drive to protect drives his success in safeguarding critical systems and fostering secure environments. 

Yesica is an experienced marketing professional with over six years in digital marketing. During her career, she has effectively planned and implemented digital marketing campaigns on different channels such as social media, email automation, paid ads, and content creation, with a focus on lead generation and brand awareness. Having worked with agencies and private companies across Baja California, Guadalajara, and Mexico City, Yesica has cultivated a versatile skill set by working with clients from different industries such as Software As a Service, telecommunications, tourism, among others. 

Claudia is the Project Operations Associate at Echelon with over 5 years of experience in Finance. Throughout these years Claudia has worked in developing projections and evaluations of sales and expense performance for business units and geography for 9 countries in Latin America and controlling an average revenue of 26M per quarter.​ She has experience in doing analysis and reporting that helps different teams such as Operations, Accounting, and the CFO to understand the financial health of the business and to look for improvement solutions.

Emily brings deep background in client service delivery and operations to the Echelon Operations Team.  Her charter is to continuously mature our operational capabilities, enabling our delivery teams to spend more value-added time focused on our clients.  As such, she leads internal initiatives that drive efficiency into the processes and tools that connect project delivery standards and the client service delivery team to the metrics that drive our business.    At her previous firm, Emily was instrumental in a 15-year growth journey, both personally and for the firm.  She started as a junior consultant and ultimately joined the partner team in 2015 as a delivery lead for large-scale digital and product development transformation programs worldwide, shaping strategy, process design, and implementing digital innovation across global business units.   Emily then moved into the role of Chief Operating Officer, and was responsible for establishing global project delivery standards, developing and executing talent strategy, and fostering organizational culture. She also spearheaded the firm’s diversity and inclusion initiative, and played a key role in increasing the representation of women in senior leadership positions. As an elected and standing member of the Executive Committee, she held leadership accountable to the firm's mission and values. Emily is based in Atlanta, but will always be a Carolina girl at heart.  She is passionate about her family, music, and the great outdoors

I am a SOC & Incident Response Analyst with international class experience in the cybersecurity field. My career has been dedicated to monitoring and protecting critical systems, with a proven track record in identifying and mitigating cyber threats. Driven by a passion for digital security, I blend deep technical knowledge with strategic insight to ensure data integrity and confidentiality. I am committed to leveraging my expertise and skills to enhance your organization's cybersecurity posture and tackle complex challenges in a dynamic environment. 

Diego is an Offensive Security Consultant at Echelon with over 4 years of experience in the cybersecurity field. He has worked as training personnel at a notable cybersecurity training company. He also has been part of a bug bounty company where testing vulnerabilities and exploiting them was part of his main activities. A web developer specializing in e-commerce websites. A malware developer and reverse engineering enthusiast.

Daniela, a recent graduate of ITESO, earned her B.S. in cybersecurity and networking. Throughout university, she acquired pentesting experience by actively participating in CTFs and identifying vulnerabilities in web applications. As a Cybersecurity Associate, Daniela currently specializes in web security implementation and research. She is particularly passionate about building Zero Trust infrastructures. One of her main objectives is to inspire students to explore the vast world of cybersecurity and encourage them to pursue careers in the field.

Ernesto is a computer science student at Tecnológico de Monterrey in Guadalajara with a minor in Artificial Intelligence. He has experience in software development and a strong interest in risk advisory and pen testing. During his internship, he will learn to help organizations and individuals secure their systems and protect their sensitive information from cyber threats.

Mitchel is a recent graduate from Roger Williams University holding a B.S. in Cybersecurity & Networking. He is part of Echelon’s Defensive Security team, with a focus on cloud security as well as identity and access management. He is known for his attention to detail, and adaptability. With his technical experience, he can do deep dives into technical aspects of security solutions, while maintaining a big-picture perspective. Passionate about learning and facing new challenges in the cybersecurity landscape, he continues to take on challenges and expand his skills. 

Renata Uribe is a senior B.S. student in Data Science and Mathematics Engineering with a Minor in Advanced Artificial General Intelligence. As a former Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador, she has created events to promote women in STEM fields. She has experience working collaboratively and encouraging approaches to technologies, digital art, electronic literature, and creative writing. Renata also has completed projects in Natural Language Processing and Deep Learning, and has interest in cybersecurity, having performed pen testing and studied cryptographic algorithms, as well as developing a digital signature scheme project for electronic contract certification.

Brayden, a recent Purdue University Cybersecurity graduate, is now part of EchelonDefensive's team. With a focus on network security and zero-trust network architecture, he brings fresh ideas and a passion for learning. Brayden's internships across manufacturing, utilities, and finance sectors gave him practical insights into diverse cybersecurity challenges. He's known for his adaptability and application of knowledge in real-world scenarios, making him invaluable to clients. Beyond technical skills, Brayden is a leader, mentor, and advocate in the cybersecurity community, sharing insights through his newsletter and mentoring students to shape future experts.

Ben is a fourth-year university student pursuing a degree in Cybersecurity & Global Policy at Indiana University - Bloomington. He is the lead lab developer for the Cyber Security Club at Indiana University, creating interactive labs for beginner and advanced students. Ben has a strong passion for network security and computer networking, specifically focusing on offensive security. During his internship, Ben aims to develop a robust understanding of offensive security and improve my skills in identifying and mitigating security threats, while exploring my own interests in this vastly expansive field.

J.R. Hurd is currently an associate for the Managed Cybersecurity Services team at Echelon. He has recently graduated from Purdue University with a degree in Cybersecurity and Network Engineering. J.R. has a passion for hiking, rock climbing, and playing board games with friends. Additionally, he is an active member of his community and volunteers with adaptive sports programs around Indianapolis.

John Blanzy is a Risk Advisory Associate with a BBA majoring in Cybersecurity Management and an MBA from Northwood University. He has experience in information security aiding in the implementation of ISO27001 and FedRAMP controls along with spearheading the vulnerability management process. In addition to this he has aided in investigative work within the cyber threat intelligence community. He is passionate about continuous learning and developing security culture within a company.

Lindsay is a Linux-certified Cybersecurity Associate with a Bachelor's degree in Information Technology & Informatics from Rutgers University. In college, she worked as a Computer Lab Consultant for the Rutgers Office of Information Technology. This position allowed her to develop excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills. Lindsay also has exposure to containerization concepts and has experience deploying and manipulating Kubernetes objects. In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing, and attending spin classes. Lindsay is passionate about cybersecurity and looks forward to contributing to the Risk Advisory team.

Akhil Vishnubhotla, a current Associate for the Risk Advisory team at Echelon, recently graduated from Duke University with a Master’s in Cybersecurity. Prior to Duke, he got his Bachelor’s in University of California, Santa Cruz, in Electrical Engineering. His prior internship experience at Palo Alto Networks and as a TA at Duke provided valuable insight into the reactive natures of cybersecurity, especially with digital forensics and incident response, which allowed him to develop valuable problem-solving skills, which can help clients more proactively protect their environments. In his free time, Akhil likes reading, improving on his programming skills, working on Linux, and is continuously striving to learn something new every day. 

Drew is currently pursuing a double major in Cybersecurity and Criminal Justice at Thomas College. He has a strong passion for consulting, advising, regulatory compliance, risk management, and defensive security within the cybersecurity field. Additionally, Drew also has a passion for sports, hanging out with friends, and video games. During his internship, Drew aims to gain more experience and develop an understanding of the vCISO advisory service and defensive security.

Hassiell is studying Computer Engineering at UVEG and is strongly passionate about both cybersecurity and music. He considers himself more of a musician than an IT professional. Hassiell has experience in cybersecurity, having been part of a SOC team and an IR team. He enjoys CTFs, playing guitar, fighting games, and eSports. Eager to join Echelon's amazing team, Hassiell brings a unique blend of technical expertise and creative passion.

Isabella is pursuing a Bachelor’s in Industrial Design with a minor in Product Design at Instituto Tecnológico de Monterrey (ITESM). With a specialization in UI/UX Design and hands-on experience in 3D modeling, product development, and user-centered design, she loves creating functional and visually compelling experiences. She has worked on UX/UI projects, including designing a mobile app for project management students, where she contributed to interface design and user experience improvements. She also interned at an architecture and design studio, where she focused on 3D visualization, creating detailed models and technical drawings, as well as developing branding and promotional materials to enhance the studio’s visual identity. In her free time, she enjoys studying Japanese and playing the drums. At Echelon, Isabella aims to bring her creativity to the marketing team, always looking for innovative ways to enhance user experiences.

Maanav is a Cybersecurity student at Purdue University. He's a huge sports fan and loves both watching and playing. His favorites are basketball, football and recently golf. His passion for cybersecurity stemmed from a love for computers and technology. He is excited to be a part of the offensive security team!

Cole is a senior Cybersecurity Management student at Miami University's Farmer School of Business. He serves as the president of Miami University's Cybersecurity Club. Through the John W. Altman Institute for Entrepreneurship, he has organized five TechStars Startup and Social Innovation Weekends, cumulatively. He is also a student consultant for Miami Business Consulting and honorary student member of Miami's Cyber Advisory Board.

Cayla is a Junior studying Information Systems and Technology at Duquesne University. She enjoys learning about data aggregation, cleansing, and presenting. Cayla is apart of the Women in Business club, Association for Information Systems, and Greek organizations. Outside of school Cayla enjoys being with her friends/family, fitness, and cooking.  

Molly is currently pursuing her master’s in Cybersecurity at Duke University. Her experience in the field comes from her experience in threat intelligence working as a darknet analyst. Molly has a diverse academic background spanning International Studies, Public Policy, as well as a master’s of Irish Literature (she has tackled Ulysses but has yet to brave Finnegans Wake). Molly excels at bridging complex ideas across disciplines—from cybersecurity to literature, technology to policy. She helps teams and organizations break down silos, driving innovative solutions at the intersection of technical and human systems. Molly enjoys spending time outside and learning new skills during capture the flags with the Duke Cyber Club. She’s always happy to chat about her latest read—feel free to ask!  

Niko is studying business at Miami University in Oxford Ohio. He has experience running social media accounts for his universities’ athletic programs. He also has been a part of the marketing team for the athletic program as well. At Echelon, he manages social media accounts and enjoys coming up with creative marketing solutions.

Fernanda Castillo is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in marketing and strategic communications with a concentration in Public Relations at Wingate University, where she also competes as a student-athlete on the Women’s Tennis Team. Her academic background and hands-on experience include social media planning, content creation, market research and purposeful storytelling. She has worked on marketing projects focused on user experience and brand awareness–most recently developing and analyzing students surveys and focus groups for a campus initiative aimed at improving engagement through mobile design. Fernanda also has experience in public relations writing, media pitching, and survey design. She thrives in collaborative environments where creativity and strategic thinking come together. At Echelon, Fernanda joins the marketing team as an intern, where she is excited to support brand development efforts and contribute to digital content initiatives. She is especially interested in how clear messaging and visual identity can elevate mission-driven organizations. Outside work, Fernanda enjoys surfing, traveling, and playing the piano.

Miguel is an Operations Intern with experience in Finance, Operations, and Project Management. He has served as Credit Committee Director at a financial company, where he helped oversee credit risk, build analytical algorithms, and manage daily operations. He has also supported cross-functional technology development initiatives. With a strong foundation in process improvement and data-driven strategy, Miguel brings structure and clarity to fast-paced environments. He is a natural leader who thrives on collaboration and believes that the most important asset in any organization is its people. Miguel is passionate about empowering others to reach their potential, fostering a culture of creativity, learning, and shared growth. He is driven by a deep sense of purpose—seeking to bring meaning to those around him and make the world a better place, one person at a time. Committed to continuous development, Miguel combines strategic thinking with hands-on execution to deliver thoughtful, lasting solutions.

Ethan is a student at Duquesne University studying Information Systems. He is interested in sales and Business development.