Keynote Speaker

Karen Gibson

Chief Executive Officer & Founder
Hyalite Strategy Group

Karen Gibson spent 37 years in public service, first as an Army intelligence officer, reaching the rank of Lieutenant General, then as Sergeant at Arms of the U.S. Senate.

She culminated her military career as a Deputy Director of National Intelligence, where she was responsible for national-level cyberspace portfolios. She previously served as Director of Intelligence for U.S. Central Command, Director of Intelligence for the multinational coalition to defeat the Islamic State caliphate, and Deputy Commanding General for U.S. Army Cyber Command.

Karen then served as U.S. Senate Sergeant at Arms, rebuilding the Senate’s physical, residential, and cybersecurity programs in Washington and at 450 offices across the country.  She managed the Senate’s emergency, life safety, and continuity of government programs and was responsible for every aspect of the Senate’s communication systems and their security.

Karen is a recipient of the Distinguished Superior Service Medal with combat device and the Rear Admiral Grace Hopper Award for career achievements in cyberspace operations.

A Montana native, Karen earned a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University, a M.S. from the National War College, and a M.S. from the National Intelligence University. Today she consults on national security, geopolitical developments, and emerging technologies.