Meet Our Team
We’re a band of misfits, bold thinkers, technologists, and strategists brought together by a shared commitment to make technology secure, ethical, and equitable from the start. We come from unconventional backgrounds, forward-leaning fields, and deployed locations unified by the belief that disruption without direction is dangerous, and that the future must be intentionally shaped.
At Assessed Intelligence, we don’t just assess risk, we redefine resilience. We collaborate with organizations to align their AI and cybersecurity strategies with their mission, values, and long-term goals. Whether you’re navigating AI deployments or securing complex digital ecosystems, we help you build the foundation for the future you want to see, responsibly.
Adapatability
We thrive in the unknown. Born from high-stakes environments and built to operate at the edge of disruption, our team adapts rapidly to shifting risks, technologies, and missions, so you can stay ahead of what’s next.
Integrity
We do the right thing, even when it’s not the easy thing. Our work is rooted in transparency, accountability, and ethical clarity. Whether it’s a critical audit or AI risk review, we hold ourselves, and our clients, to the highest standard.
Mission First Dedication
Your mission becomes our mission. We’re not just consultants; we’re strategic partners dedicated to outcomes that matter. We prioritize impact over optics, substance over flash, and long-term value over short-term wins.
Our Team
Founder & CEO
Dr. Joshua Scarpino
Joshua has over two decades of combined experience in the DOD, IT, responsible AI, cybersecurity, and complian...
Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer
Katie Grillaert
Katie is an accomplished interdisciplinary scientist and entrepreneur with over a decade of leadership experie...
Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer
Graeme Rudd
Graeme is a multidisciplinary professional with two decades of experience in cybersecurity, technology integra...
Chief Privacy & Risk Officer
Esther Chung
Esther brings a rare blend of legal expertise, risk strategy, and deep commitment to ethical tech.
Chief Ethics Officer
Laura Morgan
Laura possesses a unique blend of expertise at the intersection of AI ethics, evidence-based practice, and phi...
Vice President Services - EMEA
Paul Crafer
Paul spent over a decade at Apple and 20+ years in business development, pivoting to pursue meaningful impact ...
Vice President Product & Solutions
Ed Vocke
Ed is an AI product and governance specialist with a decade of experience transforming breakthrough applicatio...
Vice President Tech Innovation
“Fisch” Eric Fischer
Fisch is a seasoned cybersecurity leader known for translating complex technical challenges into practical bus...
Director AI & Cybersecurity Research
Dr. Thomas Winston
Dr. Winston is an accomplished cybersecurity expert with over 15 years of experience in digital forensics, thr...
Director of Advisory
Nandita Rahman
Nandita is an AI and data governance advisor with over a decade of experience helping public sector leaders na...
Director of Audit
Keith Parkman
Keith is a seasoned IT and compliance professional with over 20 years of experience in information security, a...
vCISO Advisor
Kunal Sharma
Kunal is a cybersecurity executive with 14+ years of experience leading security, privacy, and risk programs a...
AI & Cybersecurity Auditor
Nia Richard
Nia is an accomplished leader with over 20 years of experience. As an ISO/IEC 42001 Practitioner, ISO/IEC 2700...
AI Auditor & Advisor
John Smutniak
John is an experienced data governance and risk management expert, with over 20 years experience across financ...
Enterprise Partnership Sales
Daniel Emanuele
Daniel is a strategic sales and customer success leader with a proven track record of over 20 years of sales, ...
Tech Evangelist - AI & Cybersecurity
Kyle Conley
Kyle is a seasoned IT and cybersecurity professional with 15+ years of experience across private, public, educ...
Enterprise Account Manager
Nguyen Dinh
Nguyen is a results-driven security and compliance sales professional with over a decade of experience advisin...
Jr. Auditor
Chad Devore
Chad has spent over two decades within DOD and has 5 years of experience specifically working in the IT and Cy...
AU & Cybersecurity Auditor
Debashree Bhattacharya
Debashree is a cybersecurity and compliance expert with over 5 years of experience at the intersection of AI g...
Marketing Lead, Social
Kate Hales
Katelyn is a creative marketer and storyteller with over ten years of experience in sales, customer service, a...
Cybersecurity Advisor
KC O’Carroll
KC is a seasoned cybersecurity leader with over 15 years of experience designing and scaling security programs...
Cybersecurity Advisor
Al Lyle
Al Lyle is a cybersecurity professional and author with over a decade of experience helping organizations stre...
vCISO
Notoane Russell
Notoane R. Russell is a visionary IT leader with over 20 years of experience orchestrating global technology t...

Dr. Joshua Scarpino
Founder & CEO
Dr. Joshua Scarpino
Founder & CEO
Joshua has over two decades of combined experience in the DOD, IT, responsible AI, cybersecurity, and compliance. His expertise spans Fortune 500 enterprises, startups, and the public sector. His career is marked by the successful identification and mitigation of risk, deployment of critical technologies, and the development of resilient, scalable security programs that exceed regulatory requirements. Serving at the intersection of technology and governance, guiding organizations through complex challenges in security operations, IT infrastructure, and risk management, Josh has led and scaled global security teams, developed enterprise security architectures, and designed strategies that embed Responsible AI principles into organizational DNA. His research is focused on responsible technology and is an active contributing fellow with ForHumanity, helping to shape audit criteria for AI and security governance. Joshua brings a strategic yet forward-thinking mindset that unites technical and business requirements. As a Military veteran, he learned the values of resilience, discipline, and mission-first leadership, allowing him to embrace challenge and push through adversity under high-pressure situations.

Katie Grillaert
Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer
Katie Grillaert
Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer
Katie is an accomplished interdisciplinary scientist and entrepreneur with over a decade of leadership experience at the intersection of science, technology, and business strategy. She brings a unique ability to bridge technical innovation with strategic vision, ensuring that cutting-edge advancements are aligned with business growth and long-term value creation. As a Fellow at ForHumanity in AI governance and ethics and a responsible AI advisor on a United Nations Initiative, she brings expertise in ethical frameworks, governance design, and regulatory compliance. She possesses expertise in model deployment, risk management, and aligning technology with ethical and regulatory frameworks. Katie’s experience is critical to lead the development and execution of strategic initiatives, focusing on scaling innovation, risk, and driving the implementation of Trustworthy AI. Her collaborative approach and record of delivering practical solutions are a core component to this critical leadership role. She is fueled by the belief that technology should serve humanity and has a strong stance against robot overlords.

Graeme Rudd
Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer
Graeme Rudd
Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer
Graeme is a multidisciplinary professional with two decades of experience in cybersecurity, technology integration, and red teaming at the intersection of AI and Cybersecurity. He holds a JD and has worked both as in-house counsel and as an attorney at a leading incident response firm. This blend of technical and legal acumen positions him uniquely to address the demands of businesses tackling cybersecurity and AI governance challenges. At the DOD, Graeme collaborated with over 350 unique technologies, assessing technology from startups and Fortune 500. Aligning cross-functional experimental teams with organizational objectives resulted in the successful execution of multimillion-dollar initiatives. Graeme has honed his expertise in SaaS sales processes, contract lifecycles, and governance frameworks. His extensive leadership experience, having guided teams both in combat as a Special Forces Green Beret and in civilian roles within the fields of cybersecurity and legal consulting. In both areas, he has demonstrated the core Special Forces values of adaptability, integrity, and unwavering dedication to mission success. These principles continue to shape his professional ethos, enabling him to drive results and build trust in high-stakes environments.

Esther Chung
Chief Privacy & Risk Officer
Esther Chung
Chief Privacy & Risk Officer
Esther brings a rare blend of legal expertise, risk strategy, and deep commitment to ethical tech. As a former public interest attorney and current ForHumanity Fellow in Ethics and Governance, she’s spent her career focused on protecting rights and building accountability into complex systems. In her role as Chief Privacy and Risk Officer (CPRO), Esther will be instrumental in developing and executing Assessed Intelligence’s privacy program and overall risk management framework, enhancing our overall privacy, risk, and education initiatives. Her experience in directly engaging in AI risk evaluation, coupled with her proven ability to develop independent audit schemes aligned with global frameworks such as the GDPR and the EU AI Act, will be crucial in establishing and maintaining robust data protection practices, identifying and mitigating organizational risks, and ensuring our clients navigate the complexities of AI adoption with confidence and compliance, ensuring our clients navigate the complexities of AI adoption with confidence in a compliant manner. Esther will help lead efforts in embedding privacy by design and risk management principles into every stage of AI development and deployment, fostering a culture of security and trust.

Laura Morgan
Chief Ethics Officer
Laura Morgan
Chief Ethics Officer
Laura possesses a unique blend of expertise at the intersection of AI ethics, evidence-based practice, and philosophy. With a strong foundation in both academic and applied ethics, she has built a career focused on developing responsible AI frameworks and guiding organizations in navigating complex ethical and compliance challenges. As a ForHumanity Fellow in Ethics and Bias, she contributes to developing independent audit frameworks aligned with critical standards such as the EU AI Act, NIST, and ISO, with particular expertise in cognitive bias mitigation. As a professor of philosophy, she has taught courses across a range of philosophical domains, including applied ethics, moral philosophy, logic, and critical thinking. Her background in evidence-based medicine and applied ethics provides a unique approach to risk assessments and compliance guidance. Her focus is on translating complex ethical and technical concepts into actionable insights for responsible AI development and deployment.

Paul Crafer
Vice President Services - EMEA
Paul Crafer
Vice President Services - EMEA
Paul spent over a decade at Apple and 20+ years in business development, pivoting to pursue meaningful impact in the field of AI governance, risk, and compliance. He discovered his passion lay at the intersection of technology and social sciences, and has completed courses and earned certifications in EU AI Act auditing and risk management frameworks. Paul is a ForHumanity Fellow in AI Governance and Policy, contributing to independent audit frameworks aligned with the EU AI Act, GDPR, NIST, and ISO standards. He is passionate about addressing the geopolitical impacts of emerging technologies on people, communities, and societies.

Ed Vocke
Vice President Product & Solutions
Ed Vocke
Vice President Product & Solutions
Ed is an AI product and governance specialist with a decade of experience transforming breakthrough applications and research into secure, regulation-ready solutions. He entered the field of Artificial Intelligence in 2015, training recurrent neural networks and gaining early hands-on insight into large-language-model behavior. Leveraging prompt-engineering studies at Vanderbilt University and deep technical fluency, Ed founded Superior Communications, an AI solutions company helping public and private-sector teams build privacy-enhancing data pipelines, domain-specific AI copilots, and custom on-premise deployments. At Assessed Intelligence, Ed unites engineering, design, and customer success to deliver products that balance cutting-edge innovation with real-world security, compliance, and measurable value for clients.

“Fisch” Eric Fischer
Vice President Tech Innovation
“Fisch” Eric Fischer
Vice President Tech Innovation

Dr. Thomas Winston
Director AI & Cybersecurity Research
Dr. Thomas Winston
Director AI & Cybersecurity Research
Dr. Winston is an accomplished cybersecurity expert with over 15 years of experience in digital forensics, threat intelligence, cybersecurity risk management and AI/ML. He has worked extensively for the U.S. government and private sectors across regions, including the Middle East, Eurasia, and Europe. His career includes pivotal roles at the CIA, focusing on cyber exploitation analysis and operations utilizing intelligence disciplines like OSINT, HUMINT, SIGINT, and MASINT. Winston holds a Ph.D. in Information Systems and several master’s degrees in related fields.

Nandita Rahman
Director of Advisory
Nandita Rahman
Director of Advisory
Nandita is an AI and data governance advisor with over a decade of experience helping public sector leaders navigate complex, high-risk data environments. She specializes in aligning AI systems with regulatory standards, equity goals, and organizational outcomes. Formerly Director of Data Governance at NIH’s All of Us Research Program, she built governance frameworks for one of the largest U.S. health datasets and led NIH-wide AI and cloud strategy. At Assessed Intelligence, she advises clients on responsible AI, model risk, and scalable policy design to drive measurable impact and compliance.

Keith Parkman
Director of Audit
Keith Parkman
Director of Audit
Keith is a seasoned IT and compliance professional with over 20 years of experience in information security, audit, and risk management. A certified CISA, CDPSE, and ISO Lead Auditor, he has led global implementations of standards such as ISO/IEC 27001, NIST, PCI DSS, and HIPAA. At Assessed Intelligence, Keith leads our IT audit and AI compliance efforts, including the implementation of ISO/IEC 42001. His work focuses on aligning emerging technologies with regulatory frameworks, driving ethical AI adoption, and strengthening organizational readiness across sectors.

Kunal Sharma
vCISO Advisor
Kunal Sharma
vCISO Advisor
Kunal is a cybersecurity executive with 14+ years of experience leading security, privacy, and risk programs across SaaS, healthcare, and fintech sectors. He aligns cybersecurity with business goals, achieving full compliance with frameworks like PCI DSS, HIPAA, HITRUST, SOC 2, ISO 27001, and GDPR. Skilled in cloud-native security (AWS, GCP, Azure) and DevSecOps, Kunal has led incident response and compliance at Fortune 100 firms. His board-level communication and ability to build security-first cultures have secured multimillion-dollar budgets and client trust in high-risk, regulated environments.

Nia Richard
AI & Cybersecurity Auditor
Nia Richard
AI & Cybersecurity Auditor
Nia is an accomplished leader with over 20 years of experience. As an ISO/IEC 42001 Practitioner, ISO/IEC 27001 implementer, and GRC Analyst, he has successfully implemented and integrated cybersecurity and compliance frameworks, aligning global standards like ISO/IEC 27001, ISO/IEC 42001, NIST, and HIPAA. His work has consistently focused on embedding risk management practices within modern IT solutions, enhancing organizational resilience, and fostering a culture of integrity and innovation.

John Smutniak
AI Auditor & Advisor
John Smutniak
AI Auditor & Advisor
John is an experienced data governance and risk management expert, with over 20 years experience across financial services, research and data roles. In AI governance, he is especially focused on data management and testing plans, with a technical eye towards embedding trustworthiness into every AI system and ensuring that accountability for responsible AI is taken seriously by all stakeholders. His experience in the financial services sector, key for AI governance initiatives, combining a range of perspectives and experiences supporting his deep commitment to Trustworthy AI.

Daniel Emanuele
Enterprise Partnership Sales
Daniel Emanuele
Enterprise Partnership Sales
Daniel is a strategic sales and customer success leader with a proven track record of over 20 years of sales, growth, and building successful teams. Backed by 15 years of in-depth knowledge in data governance, security, and compliance (PII, PCI, GLBA), Daniel excels at developing actionable plans for revenue and customer success from early-stage start-up to enterprise. He has spent his career focused on cultivating strong relationships through transparency, honesty, and a deep understanding of operationalizing technologies that drive value to the business.

Kyle Conley
Tech Evangelist - AI & Cybersecurity
Kyle Conley
Tech Evangelist - AI & Cybersecurity
Kyle is a seasoned IT and cybersecurity professional with 15+ years of experience across private, public, education, and hospitality sectors. He specializes in governance, risk, compliance, and open-source intelligence (OSINT), with a strong track record of enhancing security postures and ensuring regulatory compliance. He holds a Juris Master and Masters in Computer Science, Kyle combines technical depth with legal insight to deliver practical, risk-reducing solutions. As a technical evangelist for AI and cybersecurity, he champions innovation and promotes best practices to bridge technical and business needs.

Nguyen Dinh
Enterprise Account Manager
Nguyen Dinh
Enterprise Account Manager
Nguyen is a results-driven security and compliance sales professional with over a decade of experience advising Fortune 500 companies. As a proud U.S. Marine Corps veteran, he brings a disciplined and strategic approach to helping organizations strengthen their security posture and navigate the evolving threat landscape. He has been recognized as a top performer for my commitment to building trusted partnerships and delivering practical solutions that ensure operational resilience and responsible AI governance.

Chad Devore
Jr. Auditor
Chad Devore
Jr. Auditor
Chad has spent over two decades within DOD and has 5 years of experience specifically working in the IT and Cybersecurity industry. His expertise spans supporting global DOD operations, Implementation of distributed IT and communication systems, industrial maintenance operations, and leadership. He offers a unique perspective to drive identification of risk and development of remediation strategies. His education is from Excelsior University in Cybersecurity, and he is working on completing his Master’s Degree in Cybersecurity.

Debashree Bhattacharya
AU & Cybersecurity Auditor
Debashree Bhattacharya
AU & Cybersecurity Auditor
Debashree is a cybersecurity and compliance expert with over 5 years of experience at the intersection of AI governance, data privacy, and risk management. A certified ISO/IEC 27001 and 42001 Lead Implementer and a CISA candidate, she has led enterprise initiatives across multinational and national banks, focusing on regulatory readiness, third-party risk, and control-based oversight. Her work bridges technical controls with regulatory frameworks such as GDPR, ISO/IEC 42001, and NIST, supporting responsible AI adoption and compliance across complex environments.

Kate Hales
Marketing Lead, Social
Kate Hales
Marketing Lead, Social
Katelyn is a creative marketer and storyteller with over ten years of experience in sales, customer service, and client relations. With a background in fashion retail and a Marketing degree from the University of Portland, she brings a well-rounded perspective to branding, content creation, and digital communication. She has developed and executed marketing strategies across platforms, including LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, helping organizations connect with their audiences through clear messaging and purposeful design.

KC O’Carroll
Cybersecurity Advisor
KC O’Carroll
Cybersecurity Advisor
KC is a seasoned cybersecurity leader with over 15 years of experience designing and scaling security programs that align with business goals and regulatory requirements. He has led initiatives across both public and private sectors, including early-stage startups and mid-sized enterprises, with a focus on building sustainable, long-term security functions. A former member of the intelligence community, KC applies a threat-informed mindset to modern defense strategies.

Al Lyle
Cybersecurity Advisor
Al Lyle
Cybersecurity Advisor
Al Lyle is a cybersecurity professional and author with over a decade of experience helping organizations strengthen security, achieve compliance, and respond confidently to threats. He has led cloud security, incident response, and risk management initiatives for federal agencies, financial institutions, and commercial enterprise environments. As an adjunct professor, Al delivers hands-on training focused on practical solutions and risk-based thinking, mentoring the next generation of security professionals. He is dedicated to building effective systems and solving complex problems with clarity and purpose.

Notoane Russell
vCISO
Notoane Russell
vCISO
Notoane R. Russell is a visionary IT leader with over 20 years of experience orchestrating global technology transformations for financial services and Department of Defense organizations. With expertise in building architecture practices, managing multimillion-dollar portfolios, and integrating emerging technologies, Notoane has consistently driven growth, mitigated risk, and advanced innovative cybersecurity business and organizational goals. He has partnered with executive leaders to translate strategy into actionable roadmaps, cultivate inclusive and high-performing teams, and align leadership approaches with values that reflect a commitment to innovation. Notoane’s career includes roles in financial services and senior IT leadership levels within the DoD. He has led and mentored global teams, negotiated multi-year contracts, and established firm-wide architecture standards. He holds a Master of Science in Cybersecurity and numerous certifications, including CISSP and CISM.