Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Affiliations
Accomplishments
Timeline
Generic

Dr. Misty Lawson, DSc, MBA

Leesburg,VA

Summary

Results-oriented Technical Director with 20+ years of experience leading high-performing teams and delivering innovative cybersecurity solutions. Proven track record in designing, implementing, and managing comprehensive security strategies across complex IT environments. Expertise in offensive and defensive operations, systems engineering, and risk management. Demonstrated ability to drive mission-critical projects, foster collaboration with stakeholders, and proactively address evolving threats. Committed to delivering exceptional customer service and driving positive outcomes. Successfully executed business development strategies as Capture Lead, Proposal Manager, and Volume Lead, consistently exceeding targets and fostering strong client relationships.

Overview

24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Program Technical Director

Booz Allen Hamilton
McLean, Va
09.2017 - Current
  • System Engineering SME and Technical Program Management
  • Technical Lead of 160 distributed engineers across a cyber system engineering program
  • Developed and applied advanced methods, theories, and research techniques for the investigation and resolution of complex project requirements and technical specifications for Computer Network Operations (CNO) capabilities
  • Conducted vulnerability research and exploit analysis across mobile, desktop and network platforms
  • Performing specialized Computer Network Defense (CND) analysis by identifying detectible signatures
  • Implementing Defense in Depth principles and practices to support enterprise mitigation efforts based on specific monitoring and filtering capabilities of existing network defense infrastructure
  • Leads technical team members in formulating security requirements, integrating security requirements into existing system architectures, developing security test plans, overseeing the execution of security testing, and advising alternative approaches
  • Developing and periodically verifying strategies and solutions for cybersecurity, privacy, risk, compliance, service continuity, and disaster recovery
  • Planned and directed life-cycle projects or major phases of projects for highly visible technical solution programs
  • Developed and implemented systems engineering and project management processes, plans, and procedures and make recommendations for improvement; assist with creation, review, and maintenance of project documentation per client processes
  • Applied systems engineering skills in requirements analysis and allocation, architecture analysis and design, technology assessment, metrics development
  • Systems migration, and transition planning to include risk assessment and management
  • Provided operational support, to include tool testing in an operational environment and coordinating and resolving issues with vendors and other appropriate personnel
  • Actively participate in systems testing to ensure all requirements have been addressed and met
  • Interface with development contractors and other government entities in support of system design, testing and implementation processes

System Engineering Team Lead

Booz Allen Hamilton
Chantilly, VA
06.2010 - 09.2017
  • Organized and managed cross-functional meetings to discuss engineering projects.
  • Provided technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers.
  • Assisted with the development of project plans, budgets, and timelines for new initiatives.
  • Evaluated existing systems, identified areas of improvement, and recommended solutions accordingly.
  • Maintained an up-to-date knowledge of industry trends and advancements in technology.
  • Implemented strategies for streamlining production processes while maintaining high quality standards.
  • Wrote performance requirements for product development or engineering projects.
  • Provide technical support throughout the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) to ensure the system's successful implementation and sustained functionality through comprehensive monitoring, testing, documentation, and support services.
  • Led the development of the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) using a hybrid agile-traditional approach to address project requirements, constraints, and risks. This fostered collaboration, adaptability, and a detailed project plan.

Lead System Engineer

Booz Allen Hamilton
Chantilly, VA
05.2006 - 06.2010
  • Performed comprehensive risk-benefit assessment to facilitate informed decision-making.
  • Conducted comprehensive project assessment during initiation phase, identifying key assumptions and constraints.
  • Managed budget for tool procurement & monitored expenses through burn rate analysis during project planning phase. Defined project's scope reviewing technical design evaluations, participating in user workgroups & aligning requirements with business objectives. Created project schedule outlining milestones & deliverables; managed potential risks by identifying them and developing strategies to tackle them. Led project kick-off meeting to communicate goals, roles and expectations to the team.
  • Monitored project progress to identify variances from the baseline using performance measurement techniques.
  • Developed growth strategies for expanding project footprint and providing scalable solutions that support mission objectives.

Manager

Accenture
Reston, Va
01.2004 - 05.2006
  • Technical Team Lead - Manage System Test Effort.
  • Managed project team's development and execution of System and Unit Test Scripts.
  • Development of risk mitigation strategies for a successful deployment of the application.
  • Coordinate communication between project teams to effectively deliver the customized application on schedule and budget.
  • Developed Data Management Reconciliation Approach and Conversion Analysis.
  • Designed Data Reconciliation Business Process.
  • Developed Business Process Flow for Data Reconciliation Cycles.
  • Facilitated Client Conversion Analysis Review sessions.
  • Managed project team through the Testing Lifecycle, from Requirements Gathering to Client Application Delivery.
  • Developed and managed Test Plan and Approach, and Quality Assurance.
  • Coordinated code migration scheduling/activities for System Test Environment validation.
  • Provided onsite support for client, troubleshooting, providing issue resolution, and application delivery assistance.
  • Assisted in Fit Gap analysis workgroup session to determine the effect of modifications to the existing system.
  • Coordinated User Acceptance Testing Plan and Approach.
  • Managed Test Containment and Environmental Readiness.
  • Mapped and Validated Requirements Traceability for deployment of application.

Group Lead

Accenture
Reston, Va
03.2003 - 01.2004
  • Coordinated meetings with the client to gather and define their business process and develop requirements.
  • Assisted in content conversion analysis for delivery of a total quality managed application.
  • Developed and maintained a requirements traceability matrix.
  • Managed project team's development of System Test scripts for content conversion effort.
  • Ensured effective organization and development of deliverables for application components, while actively participating in client demonstrations.
  • Conducted reviews of functional designs of the application and developed detailed requirements.
  • Effectively communicated with team members and the leadership team

Engineer

Accenture
Reston, Va
08.2001 - 03.2003
  • Developed functional and technical designs for custom PeopleSoft Budget module.
  • Assisted in Fit Gap analysis workgroup session to help determine the effect of modifications to the existing system.
  • Effectively identified system conditions based on business requirements.
  • Managed system issue identification, re-testing, and workflow. Proactively investigated and provided resolutions for discovered issues.
  • Clearly document and communicate concise, quantifiable status to the leadership team, reporting the team's progress and analysis of the application being developed.
  • Developed and executed system, assembly, and unit test scripts.
  • Coordinated the plan and approach for User Acceptance Testing.
  • Managed test containment and ensured environmental readiness.
  • Mapped and validated requirements traceability during application deployment.
  • Organized and directed daily System Test activities.

Education

Doctor of Cybersecurity - Cybersecurity

Marymount University
Arlington, VA
12-2024

Master’s Degree - Theology/Master of Divinity (M.DIV)

Howard University
Washington, DC
06-2014

Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) - Focus Technology Management

Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University (Virginia Tech)
Blacksburg, VA
06-2009

Bachelor of Science - Business Administration

California State University, Chico
Chico, CA
08-2001

Skills

  • Offensive and Defensive Cyber Security
  • Vulnerability Research
  • System Engineering
  • System Development Lifecycle
  • Project Management
  • Organizational Planning and Implementation
  • Requirements Gathering
  • Business Process Development/Analysis
  • Functional/Technical Design
  • Requirements Traceability Analysis
  • Unit Testing
  • System Testing
  • User Acceptance Testing
  • Business Development
  • Strategy Development
  • Risk Management
  • Client Relationship Management
  • Risk Assessments
  • Performance Optimization
  • Information Security
  • Software Development
  • Technical Leadership

Certification

  • Project Management Professional (PMP®) Certification – Project Management Institute.
  • CompTIA Security+ Certification – Computing Technology Industry Association(CompTIA).
  • Information Technology Infrastructure Library Foundation Certificate (ITIL Foundation) - AXELOS Global Best Practice.
  • IC Agile Certified Professional - KaiEise.
  • Certified Accelerated Learner - Cheetah Learning.

Affiliations

  • Active member of the CALIBR Global Leadership Network, participating in executive-level discussions on emerging trends and best practices in leadership.

Accomplishments

  • Mingo, H. C., Lawson, M. N., & Williamson, A. C. (2024). Identifying new vulnerabilities embedded in consumer internet of things (IOT) devices. Advances in Medical Technologies and Clinical Practice, 186–207. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-3226-9.ch011
  • Lawson, M. N. (2024). Combating the escalating threat of ransomware multi-pronged approach for secure organizations. 2024 International Conference on Artificial Intelligence, Computer, Data Sciences and Applications (ACDSA), 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1109/acdsa59508.2024.10467453

Timeline

Program Technical Director

Booz Allen Hamilton
09.2017 - Current

System Engineering Team Lead

Booz Allen Hamilton
06.2010 - 09.2017

Lead System Engineer

Booz Allen Hamilton
05.2006 - 06.2010

Manager

Accenture
01.2004 - 05.2006

Group Lead

Accenture
03.2003 - 01.2004

Engineer

Accenture
08.2001 - 03.2003

Doctor of Cybersecurity - Cybersecurity

Marymount University

Master’s Degree - Theology/Master of Divinity (M.DIV)

Howard University

Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) - Focus Technology Management

Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University (Virginia Tech)

Bachelor of Science - Business Administration

California State University, Chico

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Dr. Misty Lawson, DSc, MBA