MAHSA MOHAGHEGH (Senior Member, IEEE) is an Associate Professor, Fulbright Scholar, and Deputy Chair of the AI Forum New Zealand. She specializes in artificial intelligence (AI) and natural language processing (NLP) and has authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications in these fields. Dr. Mohaghegh is the founder of She Sharp, a networking group dedicated to encouraging women’s participation in technology. She has also been actively involved in Google’s Computer Science for High Schools Program in New Zealand. Her contributions to AI and her advocacy for diversity in technology have been recognized with several prestigious awards, including the Westpac Women of Influence Award (Emerging Leader category), the YWCA Equal Pay Champion Award, and the Massey University Distinguished Alumni Award.
Professor Dr. Shahbaz Pervez is a globally recognized cybersecurity leader whose 25-year career exemplifies excellence at the intersection of academia and industry. As Programme Leader and Distinguished Faculty Member at Whitecliffe New Zealand, he has pioneered innovative approaches to cybersecurity education while maintaining active engagement with industry challenges. His scholarly contributions include authoring 60+ peer-reviewed publications in prestigious journals and conferences, establishing him as a thought leader in the field. Beyond research, Professor Chattha has successfully secured and led multiple funded projects, demonstrating his ability to translate theoretical knowledge into practical solutions. His technical mastery spans the full spectrum of modern cybersecurity, from artificial intelligence and machine learning applications to network defense architectures, digital forensics methodologies, and comprehensive ICT governance frameworks.
Professor Pervez's expertise is validated by an exceptional portfolio of 15+ elite certifications from leading organizations including ISO/IEC 27001 Lead Auditor, Cisco (CCIE Security), ISACA (CISM), EC-Council (CEH), Sun Micro Systems (SCJP), Microsoft Inc (MCP), and CompTIA (Security+). His rare distinction as both a Cisco Certified Mastertrainer and one of New Zealand's select EC-Council-certified instructors underscores his commitment to developing cybersecurity talent.
