Dr. Cheryl Cooper named Black Impact Magazine's 2025 Woman Of Impact

Dr. Cheryl Cooper is a trailblazing United States Navy Veteran, Speaker, and Doctor of Computer Science, renowned for her transformative leadership in cybersecurity. With nearly three decades of experience, she has most recently served as a Business Information Security Office with a fortune 100 company. As the host of the podcast "Ctrl+Alt+Em-Power," Dr. Cooper unlocks the critical intersections of cyber resilience, technology, and inclusion.

An accomplished author, Dr. Cooper most recent "Breaking the Code: Winning Strategies for Women in Cybersecurity & Tech, launched in 2025, " along with impactful works such as “Hood to Hooded, " and “Triumph in the Trenches: Navigating Success for Black Professionals.” Through her writings, she shares her personal journey of empowerment and resilience, inspiring audiences to break free from limitations and embrace their potential.

Dr. Cooper is the only two-time awardee of the Midwest Central Exchange STEMMy Awards for "Groundbreaking Leadership" and "Women's Champion in STEM." The winners of the STEMMy Awards are recognized for making changes that contribute to a better today and a brighter tomorrow, influencing both local and global communities and shaping the next generation of STEM leaders. Driven by her passion for mentorship, Dr. Cooper founded the non-profit organization Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS) of the greater Kansas City Metroplex. Through her tireless efforts, she has championed countless underserved high school students, providing them with visibility and opportunities in the tech industry.

As President of WiCyS KC Metroplex, Dr. Cooper is dedicated to amplifying the voices of Black and Brown girls, ensuring they are seen and heard in spaces where they have historically been marginalized. Her commitment to community service has earned her multiple accolades, including the prestigious ABWA Martin Luther King, Jr. Award for "Keeping the Dream Alive." Dr. Cheryl Cooper continues to break barriers and inspire change in the field of cybersecurity and beyond, making her a powerful advocate for diversity and inclusion.

Q&A with Cheryl.

Where did you get the confidence to do the incredible and pioneering things you do?

“The confidence to lead and pioneer didn’t come to me overnight. It’s been a journey, one that started in the unlikeliest of places, the streets of Kansas City where I once felt invisible. Then again in corporate America where invisibility runs rampant. But let me tell you, there’s a strength that comes from having to fight to be seen, a resilience born from refusing to be defined by others’ perceptions. My confidence comes from knowing that I’m part of something bigger than myself. It’s not about accolades or titles; it’s about service. It’s about completing that circle of life by lifting others as I climb. The incredible and pioneering things I do? They’re not just about breaking barriers for myself. They’re about shattering ceilings so that others can soar through.”

Connect with Cheryl.

https://www.drcherylcooper.com