Raising the Future: How Two Women Are Shaping AI, Ethics, and the Next Generation
I've always believed that the most powerful work in tech isn't just about what we build. It's about why we build it, how we use it, and who we bring along.
As someone passionate about AI, education, and creating space for continuous learning, whether through mentorship, training sessions, or storytelling, this conversation with Kristen and Mandy deeply resonated with me.
They're not just innovating in the AI space, they're rethinking what it means to lead with intention, to parent with awareness, and to raise the next generation to be both curious and courageous. Their work with their AI Youth Alliance (a subsidiary of their cybersecurity company protecting human data from AI interactions) isn't just timely, it's intentional. They're not rushing to keep up with the pace of innovation; they're pausing to ask: What kind of world are we creating? And are we bringing the next generation along with us?
When I started Tech She Secures, it was with the goal of spotlighting stories like these. Stories that question the status quo, center ethics, and imagine a different kind of future. Kristen and Mandy embody all of that. I'm honored to share their journey and the movement they're building, because this is the kind of leadership that truly shapes what's next.
Origin & Personal Journey
Let's start with your journey. Who were you before launching your intelligence access controls company and AI Youth Alliance, and what experiences or turning points led you to step away from the corporate world to build something of your own?
Before launching our intelligence access controls company and affiliated AI Youth Alliance, we were women navigating two intense worlds. Kristen (Co-Founder and CEO) is a pioneering healthcare technology executive, with over two decades of leadership at the intersection of digital health, enterprise transformation, AI and cybersecurity, and Mandy (Head of Branding and Venture Development) with over two decades in healthcare IT, strategy, and leadership. In the past two years, we've observed monumental growth and convergence of disruptive tech, across the board - genAI, crypto, blockchain, web 3.0 -- prior to becoming parents, our mindset with this tech surge would've aligned more to pushing boundaries and accelerating development for AI... BUT....
It feels like disruptive technology is accelerating at a pace that we've not invested the time to think about how we protect the integrity of human experience, and ensure our youth are engaged -- our youth will fundamentally reshape how we develop, deploy, and govern artificial intelligence systems
Pivoting to our personal "why", we both found ourselves at the intersection of motherhood, leadership, and a rapidly evolving digital world. The gap between innovation and understanding AI especially for families was widening. We realized we didn't just want to build better systems for corporations; we wanted to build better futures for our children and communities. So, we stepped away from the boardroom and into the heart of a movement.
What was the spark behind your Family Field Guide? Was there a moment—whether in your home, with your kids or mentees—that made you realize: we need a different approach to AI education?
Kristen with her daughter Harper and classmates at her leadership academy, Apogee, in Fredericksburg, TX.
Absolutely. For us, it was watching our own children interact with technology absorbing AI passively, without context or conversation. We had a moment where one of our daughters asked, "Is the phone listening to me?" and instead of brushing it off, we leaned in.
That same sense of urgency deepened when Kristen was invited to speak about AI at her daughter's leadership academy. The kids were just 10 and 11 years old bright, curious, digital natives. But instead of just asking about cool robots or futuristic inventions, they shared real fears.
One boy noted, "I just hope it doesn't infringe on our rights under the Constitution."
That moment floored us. It reminded us that these conversations aren't theoretical for young people, they're personal. They're deliberately thinking about fairness, about control, about trust.
That interaction became a defining moment. We realized: kids aren't just curious about AI, they're concerned. They deserve better language, better tools, and a safe space to process the world they're inheriting. Our AI Youth Alliance was born from that conviction to help families build those conversations with courage, compassion, and clarity.
Rewriting the Rules: Innovation with Intention
In building this program, what norms or assumptions about tech, parenting, and education did you feel needed to be challenged or reimagined?
We had to challenge the myth that kids are "digital natives" and therefore don't need guidance. Just because they can use technology doesn't mean they understand it or the implications of how the technology is benefiting from our data and our interactions and behaviors.
We also pushed back on the idea that ethics belongs only in corporate boardrooms. Ethics begins at the kitchen table. And in parenting, we challenged the belief that conversations about tech should wait until something goes wrong. We're making the case that those conversations should start early and often so kids grow up with both curiosity and conscience.
As executive women with deep experience in healthcare and tech, how have those environments—often high-pressure and male-dominated—influenced how you lead today, especially in a space focused on youth, ethics, and equity?
We’ve both spent years navigating environments where high octane output and exceptional performance was expected, but perspective was often missing especially when it came to inclusivity, emotional intelligence, and long-term impact.
Those experiences shaped us into intentional leaders. Today, we lead with empathy, transparency, and collaboration because we know real innovation happens when diverse voices are not only heard but amplified. That’s why we’re so passionate about inviting more women, families, and underrepresented communities into the AI conversation.
What does it mean to raise leaders—not just users—in an AI-powered world? How do we shift from fear or fascination to responsibility and empowerment?
It means raising kids who ask why, not just how. We want them to be thoughtful creators and ethical decision-makers, not passive consumers.
To shift the culture, we have to swing the pendulum from tech being viewed solely as entertainment to tech as empowerment. That starts with education that’s emotionally intelligent, values-driven, and rooted in real-world application. We’re not raising avatars, we’re raising citizens. And we want them to lead with curiosity, compassion, and courage. A component of this technology responsibility is fundamentally rooted in ethical use and security; we must begin teaching the importance of recognizing AI uses cases or agents that are not safe and consequently, introducing vulnerability and risk into our lives. Additionally, we must model for our youth what collaborative AI usage resembles, and the engrain the notion of “AI literacy over AI dependency”. We feel strongly that there is a razor thin line here between the two – and this must be practiced religiously in order to use AI in a way that will complement and propel our output versus stifle and replace. Lastly, while AI is highly tempting to incorporate in all facets of our lives, we feel there is social responsibility to promote logical reasoning and analytical skills that are done entirely through human observation, creativity and solutioning (sans AI or tech) – we will lose what we don’t practice and refine – as a species, this notion is jarring and terrifying.
Bold Moves, Doubt & Building Something New
What was the hardest part about launching something new in a space that didn’t really exist yet?
Building in a space that hasn’t been defined means there’s no blueprint and often, no validation. It was hard to find funding, hard to find allies, and even harder to explain why this matters before the world caught up.
But we’ve always believed: if you wait for the world to validate your vision, you’re already too late. So, we built it anyway with grit, grace, and a belief that the next generation deserves a roadmap we never had.
Were there moments of doubt—and what helped you push through?
Of course. Doubt comes with daring. There were moments when the noise of "you're not ready" or "this space is too crowded" got loud. But what kept us going was purpose and each other. Kristen expresses deep appreciation for the perfect timing that aligned Mandy's arrival as one of the company's first five employees with the company's foundational year---a fortuitous convergence that has unveiled a remarkable leadership dynamic -- rooted in shared passion, determination, and an indescribable bond of mutual trust that represents a true rarity in the AI tech world.
When you're building something profound that's anchored in truth with real potential of impacting our fabric of society, you don't wait for permission. You listen to the whispers that say: "Do it anyway."
So many of us are told to “wait”—for more experience, more credentials, more permission. What would you say to someone with an idea who’s hesitating because they don’t feel “ready enough”?
Readiness isn't a prerequisite we feel—it's a framework we construct. We don't wait for confidence; we architect it through action. If you see a gap and have the heart to fill it, you're ready enough – seize the moment and act! Your uniqueness, individual strengths and real world lived experience is your qualification. Your story is your superpower. Hit 'run' and let the system surprise you. After all, the most interesting bugs are the ones you never saw coming
Defining Moments & What’s Next
Tell us about the ‘BADdest’ challenge you’ve taken on—the boldest, most authentic, and driven moment in your journey—and how it shaped who you are today.
Launching our Intelligence access controls company and then establishing our AI Youth Alliance as a secondary extension of our broader mission wasn't just a challenge, it was a calling. But perhaps our boldest moment was standing in rooms where we were the only women, the only mothers, the only ones talking about ethics in a sea of tech strategy and refusing to shrink.
We showed up anyway. We spoke up anyway. And we kept building. That decision to lead boldly, knowing the vast stakes if we did NOT, shaped us into the women and leaders we are today.
What’s ahead for you? What are you dreaming up next—whether it's for your cybersecurity company, or the AI Youth Alliance series, or the broader movement you're building?
We're looking to expand our AI Youth Alliance into schools, youth orgs, and even into faith-based communities. We're creating companion tools for educators, short-form media for parents, and eventually, digital experiences that feel as empowering as they are fun. We will be releasing pilot product offerings as means to generate revenue to fund our youth engagement work: we're in the process of designing AI educational advisory content, playbook and targeted AI youth consultative services.
And for our company we're continuing to lead the charge in third party and AI data access management and related security surveillance. We are currently entering seed phase and gaining more attention and awareness from big tech vendors that have vested interest in securing their clients' data and activities safe and secure.
Our dream? That ethics becomes the norm, not the niche. And that every child and family, despite their zip code, orientation or background, feels informed and confident about the technology that will become a major part of their worlds and shaping their professional journeys and experiences.
And how do you hope people—especially young people—feel when they experience the work you’re creating?
Empowered. Advocated for. Equipped.
We want them to feel like they belong in these conversations. That they don’t have to wait to grow up to lead and influence the decisions and policies today that will impact their generation and futures to come. That their voices matter.
If a young person finishes one of our guides or workshops and says, “I didn’t know I could ask that” or “Now I get it” we’ve done our job. We’re here to create a generation that’s not just future-ready but future-defining.
Closing Reflections
What I love most about Kristen and Mandy's story is how grounded it is in purpose. It's not about perfection or having all the answers—it's about leading with intention, asking better questions, and building something that truly matters. Their work with their AI Youth Alliance is helping shape a future I care deeply about too: one that's more thoughtful, inclusive, and human at its core.
As someone who's spent years mentoring, leading training sessions, and working to make security and innovation more accessible, their mission resonates deeply. It's exactly the kind of leadership Tech She Secures was created to celebrate.
If there's one thing I hope this interview leaves you with, it's this: you don't need a title, a plan, or a perfect path to lead. You just need to care deeply, act with intention, and keep going—even when no one's handed you a blueprint. That's where real change begins.
Maliha
Disclaimer: The content on this blog and website reflects a combination of my personal experiences, perspectives, and insights, as well as interviews and contributions from other individuals. It does not represent the opinions, policies, or strategies of any organization I am currently affiliated with or have been affiliated with in the past. This platform serves as a personal space for sharing ideas, lessons learned, and meaningful reflections.
