Michael Hikari Cecire

Michael Hikari Cecire is a veteran strategic advisor and researcher with extensive experience leading, managing, and conducting policy research and developing policy alternatives across foreign policy, national security, and economic policy equities. He has advised and supported senior-most principals in government, including high-level members of Congress and senior executive branch leadership, with an approach to problem solving that emphasizes disruption and innovation in service of the mission.

James C. Harris

James C. Harris is a federal law enforcement professional with over 20 years of experience. He is the special agent in charge for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Baltimore, Maryland. He is responsible for leading over 160 special agents, criminal analysts, and support staff. James has direct oversight of all investigative and enforcement operations targeting transnational criminal organizations that exploit America’s legitimate travel, trade, and financial infrastructure for illicit purposes.

Ami Patel

Ami Patel is the deputy chief financial officer for Philadelphia City Council, working in the council president’s office. She also serves on the board of Young Involved Philadelphia (YIP) as the director of volunteer engagement. In her community, she was elected as a committeeperson in the 29th ward, 16th division in 2022. Ami has also been involved with two local tree planting groups since 2017 and does four tree plantings a year in the lower North Philadelphia and Kensington/Fishtown neighborhoods.

Hey Public Leaders, You Can’t Afford to Walk Away from Cybersecurity

SEPTEMBER 28, 2017 | Merritt Baer

Cybersecurity can seem daunting. But you can’t afford to walk away from this area of expertise.

First, as a knowledgeable consumer and public citizen, being smart about technology choices can help you to be more productive and protected. This is the story on the IT level – which hardware and software you choose and how you navigate the wealth of resources that are out there. Being equipped with knowledge on these choices will help you to make more organized decisions and to limit your personal risk.

Cybersecurity is a Social Justice Issue

NOVEMBER 3, 2017 | Merritt Baer

You might not think of cybersecurity as a social justice issue, but it is. From your cell phone to your shopping habits to your employer, you are inheriting a set of practices that the businesses you interact with have invested in their products and services. Each of us inherits cybersecurity as a function of our relative wealth, and there are important ways that it is reverberating through every aspect of our daily interactions. I think it is time for a national conversation about this reality.

Can A Robot Teach You To Love?

NOVEMBER 17, 2017 | Merritt Baer

Have you ever observed a class for children on the process of making social connections? They can be quite refreshing. This was one interaction I witnessed:

       Teacher: “Now ask Dan how his weekend was.”

       Liam: “But I don’t care how Dan’s weekend was.”

       Teacher: “Nobody does.”

How do we program social intelligence, the ins and outs of everyday interactions, into our children? How do we get ourselves better at it?

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