Women behind Homeland Security HART system, biometric exit, Gemalto Cogent algorithms honored

The annual Women in Biometrics Awards have been announced for 2018, with five leaders in the biometric identity and security industry being recognized for their contributions.

Kelly Gallagher, Senior Account Manager for NEC Corporation of America has been selected for her work understanding the unique issues dealt with by the law enforcement community. Gallagher has led the implementation of NEC’s ID 5 Multimodal solution for the Los Angeles Country Sheriff’s Department, and plays a key role in organizing the annual AFIS Internet Users Conference.

Lisa MacDonald, the Director of the Identity Capabilities Management Division within the Homeland Security’s Office of Biometric Identity Management (OBIM) has been awarded for her work leading the funding and source selection for the HART system to replace IDENT, as well as her efforts in strategic planning and process implementation for DHS and Army biometrics organizations.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Executive Director Colleen Manaher has been recognized for her work strengthening public-private partnerships and fostering innovation in CBPs development of the biometric exit program. The announcement lauds Manaher’s engagement with different stakeholders, and the reputation of CBP as a catalyst of innovation within the government.

Ideal Innovations, Inc. (I-3) Senior Biometric Examiner Lora Sims is a winner for her work supporting the Defense Biometric and Forensic Agency’s examination services branch, as well as her training work. Sims is co-authorship of a training-to-competency program on facial identification and comparisons, and the leading author of I-3’s facial identification training curriculum.

Anne Wang, Gemalto Cogent’s Director of Biometric Technology Research & Development has also been awarded for her contributions to many of the company’s renowned algorithms, and to the design of several biometric matching software development kits and multi-modal biometric identification devices used globally. Wang has recently contributed biometric expertise to the UK visa program, and supported other government and commercial clients.

Co-founded by the Security Industry Association (SIA) and SecureIDNews, the Women in Biometrics Awards are presented each year to recognize the top female leaders driving the biometric identity and security industry.

“Biometric identity solutions and services are crucial to the security industry and to other industries like banking and health care,” said Don Erickson, SIA’s CEO. “These 2018 honorees have helped advance this important field through their impressive leadership, involvement, innovation and mentorship efforts across industry and government. SIA, along with our partners and sponsors, is proud to recognize this inspiring group of female biometric leaders with the Women in Biometrics Awards presented at SIA Honors Night.”

The SIA Honors Night will take place November 14 at the Current at Chelsea Piers in New York City.

Article Topics

biometric exit  |  biometrics  |  CBP  |  Gemalto  |  Homeland Advanced Recognition Technology (HART)  |  homeland security  |  I3  |  NEC  |  OBIM  |  Security Industry Association (SIA)