The eight-member body will provide industry perspectives, support student programming and strengthen connections among students, alumni and professionals.
The University of Maryland Computing Catalyst has formed its inaugural advisory board, bringing together eight professionals from technology, government, consulting and engineering. The board met for the first time in late August.
Computing Catalyst provides mentoring, professional development, scholarships and community-building programs for UMD students in computing, along with outreach for local K-12 students. During the 2025-26 academic year, more than 300 UMD students and 116 local middle and high school students participated in its programs.
“Pursuing excellence in computing means creating opportunities for students to learn, grow and succeed,” said Department Chair Matthias Zwicker, who holds the Elizabeth Iribe Chair for Innovation and the Phillip H. and Catherine C. Horvitz Professorship. “I am deeply grateful for the advisory board’s engagement to help the Computing Catalyst advance that mission.”
Board members will serve two-year terms and act as an extension of Computing Catalyst staff by providing industry perspectives and feedback on programs, volunteering with students, drawing on professional networks and supporting fundraising efforts. Seven of the eight members are UMD alumni, and several previously participated in or volunteered with Catalyst programs.
“We are excited about this group because the board members have been eager to jump in and volunteer, help plan programs. They also have great ideas and energy to help fundraise for the Dr. Jan Plane Endowed Program Support Fund,” said Caitlin Rudy, program manager of Computing Catalyst.
The board brings experience across technology, government, consulting, engineering, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.
Dortch (B.A. '11, philosophy) is founder and CEO of Vivid Strategies LLC, a government relations and strategic advisory firm focused on technology, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and national security policy. Her career includes private-sector work and a decade of federal service, including roles in the Executive Office of the President.
She also earned a master’s degree in financial management and information systems from University of Maryland Global Campus.
Duncan is an AI catalyst for defense and systems at GE Aerospace, where he leads artificial intelligence strategy, adoption and governance. He previously spent 25 years at Northrop Grumman in engineering, digital transformation, automation and technology leadership roles. He is also co-founder of Career Factory 360, a career development practice for STEM professionals and students.
Duncan earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering from Morgan State University.
Habiba (B.S. ’24, information science) is a software engineer and employee creator at Microsoft. Her work and outreach interests include technology advocacy, education and career development.
While at Maryland, she attended the Grace Hopper Celebration with scholarship support connected to Computing Catalyst and served as a teaching assistant for three computer science courses.
Gupta (B.S. '94, computer science) is executive program director and partnerships lead for the Google Developer Community across New York City and founder of Monamedia, an advisory practice focused on brand strategy, artificial intelligence-driven growth and marketing.
Her career has included roles at IBM, Apple, HSBC, Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sesame Workshop, along with work involving virtual reality and artificial intelligence-based medical training.
During her time at UMD, she studied under faculty members including Jandelyn Plane, whose computing programs her daughters later attended.
Kunvar (B.S. ’22, computer engineering) is a senior technology consultant at PwC, where she supports large-scale technology transformations involving mergers and acquisitions integration, product operations, IT governance and investment planning.
She has also worked on education and career development initiatives, including mentoring UMD students through recruiting and professional development programs.
Plane (B.S. ’15; M.S. ’17, computer science) is an AI and machine learning engineering leader and government contractor whose work includes cloud architecture, machine learning infrastructure and autonomous AI systems.
Her career has included software development and leadership of multidisciplinary engineering teams. She also volunteers with initiatives that expand access to technical fields.
Sopan (M.S. ’11, computer science) is a principal AI engineer in cyber defense at Workday, where she applies artificial intelligence to security and data systems.
Her career has included positions at Sophos and Mandiant, as well as public-sector service as a White House Presidential Innovation Fellow. While at UMD, she was involved with the Human-Computer Interaction Lab.
Yankova (MBA ’22, executive MBA) is a project manager at the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange, where she manages technology initiatives involving artificial intelligence, automation, data analytics and digital transformation.
She previously held leadership roles in the Baltimore Mayor’s Office and the Maryland Office of the Secretary of State. Her work included programs supporting immigrant and refugee communities, international partnerships and Maryland’s Sister States Program.
She also holds a master’s degree from American University’s School of International Service and a bachelor’s degree from Odesa State University in Ukraine.