2008-2009 EWF Fellowship Recipient Update

Pittsburgh, PA (May 2010) - Tyelisa Shields, recipient of the 2008-2009 Executive Women's Forum (EWF) Fellowship has a number of things to celebrate this month. Tyelisa graduated on May 15th from Carnegie Mellon University's Information Networking Institute (INI) with a Master of Science in Information Technology with a specialization in Information Security. During the graduation ceremony, Tyelisa was presented with two prestigious awards. Joyce Brocaglia, CEO of Alta Associates and Founder of the EWF presented Tyelisa with an EWF scholarship recognition award. Tyelisa was also the recipient of The Pradeep K. Khosla Leadership Award. This award goes to a Carnegie Mellon INI graduate student who has most noticeably demonstrated initiative, motivation, academic excellence and overall outstanding leadership qualities.

"Not only did Tye receive this prestigious award, she received more nominations by her professors than any other recipient has received in the history of the award. We are all so very proud of Tyelisa and know that this is just the beginning of many wonderful accomplishments to come," says Joyce Brocaglia.

Created in 2007, Alta Associate's partnered with INI and Carnegie Mellon CyLab began offering full tuition scholarships for their Master of Science in Information Security Technology and Management (MSISTM) program. The scholarships are offered each year to students from historically underrepresented populations in the area of information networking and security, including women. 

The EWF recently sat down with Tyelisa to talk about the EWF, graduation and her exciting next chapter in life:

EWF:  What led you to apply for the EWF Fellowship?
Tyelisa:  The fellowship focuses on assisting minority women, allowing them to build a strong foundation in order to become leaders in the fields of Information Security, Risk Management and Privacy. Dena Tsamitis, Director of Carnegie Mellon University's Information Networking Institute and Joyce Brocaglia awarded me the fellowship at the 2008 EWF National Conference.

EWF:  You've been an active member of the EWF since 2008, has membership in the EWF helped shape your career choices and directions?
Tyelisa: Definitely! By attending EWF events, I am able to witness the latest issues that involve my field of study and gain hands-on experience as to how executives approach technical issues. Over the past two years, a number of the EWF members have become my mentors. Many members of the EWF have treaded the waters that I am currently paddling through. By having a strong network of mentors, I am able to call upon them for advice - whether it pertains to my professional or personal life.

EWF: What is the most important benefit you have gained from the EWF?
Tyelisa: Having the opportunity to gain mentors is definitely the most important benefit of the EWF to me. It is comforting to know that others have gone through situations that I may face and that they will be there for support. The EWF has also taught me negotiation skills that will ultimately assist in the progression of my career.

EWF:  What are your plans for after graduation?
Tyelisa: I will begin my career in Information Technology as a Systems Qualification Engineer in R&D at Hewlett Packard.

EWF: What would you like to say to your fellow members of the EWF?
Tyelisa: Being a member of the EWF has been nothing but positive. The women I have interacted with over the years have taken me underneath their wings and have treated me as their own. I am truly grateful for the knowledge and support that I have gained and am looking forward to the bright future ahead of me.

Pictured left to right: Dena Haritos Tsamitis - Director, INI & Director of Education, Training and Outreach, CyLab; Tyelisa Shields - 2008-2009 EWF Fellowship Recipient & 2010 Carnegie Mellon University INI Graduate; Joyce Brocaglia - CEO of Alta Associates & Founder of the EWF at Carnegie Mellon University graduation ceremony, May 15, 2010. 

About the EWF Fellowship & Scholarships

Submissions for the 2010-2011 EWF Fellowship have closed and are currently under review. For more information about EWF Awards & Scholarships, please visit www.ewf-usa.com.