American University honored cybersecurity leader Zach Tudor, Associate Laboratory Director of Idaho National Laboratory (INL), with its annual Inclusive Technology Policy Changemaker Award. Tudor, a retired U.S. Navy officer, leads INL’s Nuclear Nonproliferation, Critical Infrastructure Protection and Defense Systems missions. Launched in 2021, AU’s ITP Changemaker award celebrates leaders who advance inclusive global technology policy in innovative and collaborative ways throughout their careers.

“AU’s 2023 Inclusive Technology Policy Changemaker recipient, Zach Tudor, is providing crucial leadership in cybersecurity, at the intersection of today’s scientific, economic, and geopolitical priorities,” said AU President Sylvia Burwell. “This award, now in its third year, helps to lift up the voices of those like Zach who are working to build a more equitable technology infrastructure, and helping to ensure that the technological innovation of the future is rooted in a wide range of perspectives and will change our world for the better.”

A major center for national security technology development and demonstration, the Idaho National Laboratory employs 500 scientists and engineers supporting missions for the Department of Energy, the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Intelligence Community.

“We are excited to present this year’s Changemaker Award to Zach Tudor,” said Diana Burley, AU Vice Provost for Research and Innovation. “He is a champion who has demonstrated his commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices across our nation. His tireless efforts have encouraged students to follow a career path in computing and join his advocacy for the power of inclusive environments".

A pioneer in the cybersecurity field, Tudor’s professional experience includes eight years at the Computer Science Laboratory at SRI International, where he acted as a management and technical resource for operational and research and development cybersecurity programs for government, intelligence, and commercial projects. Since 2016, he led a team of cybersecurity engineers and analysts supporting the Control Systems Security Program at the Department of Homeland Security. Tudor also served in leadership positions at the National Reconnaissance Office and the Enterprise Operations Support Team at the Department of Defense.

“It is an honor to be recognized by American University with their Inclusive Technology Policy Changemaker Award,” said Mr. Tudor. “As leader of INL’s National and Homeland Security Directorate, I am privileged to lead amazing teams that solve complex problems that are important to our nation. Our researchers and professionals’ dedication, expertise, and commitment to inclusivity highlight an unwavering commitment to mission success. This award represents leadership principles that I have always appreciated and strived to emulate. I hope to inspire others to be changemakers and am humbled to be named this year’s awardee.”

The 2023 Outstanding Technology Policy Changemaker Award was presented to Mr. Tudor during a special event featuring AU President Burwell, Vice Provost Diana Burley and Sasha O’Connell, executive-in-residence, American University School of Public Affairs, and Fiona Alexander, distinguished strategist-in-residence, American University School of International Service.

American University supports progress in global technology policy through its academic research and efforts that advance inclusive leadership and a more socially equitable technology infrastructure. AU’s initiatives to expand and promote inclusivity in technology policy include The Internet Governance Lab, The Kogod Cybersecurity Governance Center, The Tech, Law and Security Program at the Washington College of Law, Policy Studies in Cybersecurity Program at the School of Public Affairs, and the Institute on Disability and Public Policy. Earlier this year, American University launched the Shahal M. Khan Cyber and Economic Security Institute (Khan Institute) with a $5 million gift from Shahal M. Khan, SIS/BA ’95, and a partnership with Cyber Range Solutions (CRS). Khan Institute aims to build on AU’s interdisciplinary approach to drive research across the university community and its commitment to inclusive technology policy.

The event was sponsored by AU’s Office of Research in collaboration with the School of Public Affairs and supported through the AU Signature Research Initiative program.