Ashley Podhradsky

At the forefront of cybersecurity research and advocacy, Dr. Ashley Podhradsky holds the esteemed position of Vice President for Research & Economic Development at Dakota State University. Her expertise extends to corporate governance, demonstrated  by her role on the First Bank & Trust Board of Directors. 

 Recognized nationwide as a prominent figure in cybersecurity, Dr. Podhradsky is a regular keynote speaker at major industry events. Her leadership in research is evidenced by her teams securing nearly $20 million in competitive grants from organizations such as the National Security Agency and National Science Foundation. 

 A passionate advocate for gender diversity in the tech sphere, Dr. Podhradsky co-founded CybHER. This influential cyber outreach program has made a significant impact, reaching thousands across various educational levels. Her fundraising efforts have been instrumental, garnering nearly $2 million in support for CybHER. 

 Dr. Podhradsky’s contributions have earned her notable accolades. These include the EmBe 2017 “Young Woman of Achievement” award, the 2017 Merrill Hunter Award for Excellence in Research, and recognition as a 2017 and 2018 New America Cybersecurity Fellow. Her groundbreaking work led to her appointment as an American Association for the Advancement of Science IF/THEN Ambassador in 2019, an honor highlighted by her life-size statue exhibit at the Smithsonian, marking her as one of 120 celebrated women in STEM.