Leadership Team
Meet the 2026 Officers of WiSKC
Shailynn Hacker
PRESIDENT
As the founder of the Women in Technology committee at H&R Block and an active member of both Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) and Kansas City Women in Technology, Shailynn is dedicated to advancing and advocating for women in all STEM spaces.
Her immense passion for empowering and uplifting women has warranted nominations for the Stemmy awards facilitated by Central Exchange. She hopes her new role as President of Women in Security will continue supporting her ability to drive the mission of bridging the digital divide in Kansas City.
Before transitioning to information security, Shailynn had a distinguished career in healthcare. She started in cardiac transplant, serving the Kansas City area for over six years, before providing essential frontline COVID relief for an additional two years. Her love for information security met her passion for healthcare in her pursuit of a PhD in Cyber Defense - where she is researching attack vectors and potential vulnerabilities of implantable medical devices, with an emphasis on the emerging risks of bioterrorism as human/technology augmentation becomes more prevalent. Shailynn also holds degrees in Offensive Cybersecurity, Secure Software Development, Information Technology, Software Engineering, and Cyber Operations.
In addition to her professional achievements, Shailynn is committed to mentoring the next generation of women in STEM, providing environments for personal and professional development as well as networking communities.
Outside of work, she enjoys writing short novels, researching the cosmos, tending to her plants, and stargazing with her partner.
Nichole Windholz
SECRETARY
Nichole Windholz is a distinguished Cybersecurity Leader, whose career spans over two decades in the technology and cybersecurity arena. Nichole's journey began with hands-on technical roles, evolving into leadership positions such as Senior Technology Architect, Director of Cybersecurity, and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO).
As a Cybersecurity Leader, she has meticulously formulated robust security strategies for global organizations, placing a premium on proactive risk management and fostering a culture of continuous improvement in cybersecurity resilience. Driven by a commitment to Incident Response, Risk Management, Business Continuity, Disaster Recovery, and Security Awareness, she excels in these critical domains, ensuring organizations are well-prepared to address and mitigate emerging threats.
Nichole is dedicated to knowledge sharing and mentoring emerging talents, embodying a commitment to community growth as a founding member of Women in Security - KC, and President of ISSA-KC. She holds multiple professional certifications such as a CISSP, CISM, PMP, and ITIL.
Nichole envisions a future where organizations effortlessly embed security into their digital DNA, empowering teams to proactively defend against cyber threats and embrace cybersecurity as a strategic enabler rather than a reactive necessity.
Mary Cloe
VICE-PRESIDENT
With over two decades of experience in information security, I have built my career around empowering people and strengthening security culture from the inside out. As the former leader of the global training and awareness program at H&R Block, I had the privilege of equipping over 90,000 associates worldwide with the tools and confidence needed to protect our clients and brand. I led with purpose and passion—always striving to make cybersecurity relatable and inspiring to every individual, regardless of their technical background.
In 2023, I co-founded the Blockonic Cyber Conference, an event created with the simple but powerful mission of giving back to the cyber community. What began as a shared dream turned into a highly anticipated gathering where experts from across the industry connect, collaborate, and uplift one another.
My journey in this field has always been driven by heart. I believe in leading with empathy, addressing human risk through education, and forging spaces where diverse voices can be heard and empowered. As VP, I hope to continue that work by connecting women in security to the support, mentorship, and opportunities they deserve.
Patti Moore
TREASURER
Patti is a Security Sales Professional and currently serves as Regional Sales Director for Gigamon. In her professional life, Patti is committed to helping her clients bring project requirements, organizational considerations and budgets together as part of thorough and necessary due diligence. She believes in maximizing client value and Patti is looking for ways to help Women In Security Kansas City grow. In her role as Treasurer, Patti is committed to optimizing the organization’s member experience.
Apart from her professional life, Patti is close to her adult Down Syndrome sister and supports her sister’s employment at Heartstrings Community Foundation. She’s also involved in her Fairway, Kansas community and enjoys tennis and the Woodside Tennis Club community.
Madi Schulte
COMMUNICATIONS
As a member of Women in Security's leadership, Madi hopes to encourage and facilitate efforts aimed at increasing accessibility in Kansas City’s technology and security organizations. With stewardship as a driving factor, her involvement with a variety of local groups is primarily focused on assisting those that face barriers to entry and ensuring opportunities for continued growth are not missed.
Madi has helped with Girls Who Code and participated in panels focused on encouraging young women in STEM, including the SWE’s Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day & NCWIT’s Aspirations in Computing Awards. She currently sits on academic advisory boards at the University of Kansas, Donnelly College and Summit Technology Academy. Her continued volunteer efforts include involvement with BSidesKC and SecKC.
Richa Pathak
EVENTS
I am a GRC Product Lead at Mars Inc. with over a decade of experience in the IT Industry, including Cybersecurity, Governance, and Compliance. My work focuses on driving process improvements, implementing innovative security solutions, and fostering collaboration across teams to strengthen organizational resilience.
I am keen to apply for the Event Coordinator 2026 role because I am passionate about empowering women in cybersecurity and creating spaces that encourage knowledge sharing, mentorship, and growth. This opportunity aligns perfectly with my values of community building, inclusion, and professional development. My LinkedIn Profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/richa-pathak-5013213a/
Zaria Noronha
MEMBERSHIP
I want to take on the Membership role for Women in Security- Kansas City because I care about helping women feel seen, supported, and connected in this industry. As an International Systems Trainer and Arcade installer in IT, I meet people from all backgrounds and levels of experience. I understand how important community is, especially for women working in male-dominated spaces. I enjoy building relationships and helping others grow. Membership is the heart of this organization, and I would love to contribute by welcoming more women into the group, supporting their involvement, and making sure they feel empowered to show up fully. I want to help expand our reach, strengthen engagement, and create opportunities that make every member feel like they belong and bring value!