Kimberly Mentzell

About Kimberly Mentzell

Kimberly Mentzell currently serves as the Director for Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies (Quantum and AI) for the Maryland Department of Commerce. She brings over twenty years (20+ years) of experience in the technology field, covering expertise in cybersecurity, networking, Linux, and programming. Her extensive professional background has included roles ranging from programmer and network engineer to educator, IT manager, and cyber professional. Previously, she served as the Cyber Program Manager at Commerce, where she worked to foster and promote cybersecurity across all industry sectors in Maryland and supported statewide education and workforce efforts. As Director, Kimberly continues to coordinate cyber efforts across the State of Maryland. In addition, she is aggressively working on the economic development of the quantum ecosystem, focusing on the innovation and commercialization of quantum technologies, as well as supporting a strong workforce and sustainable infrastructure for a successful quantum environment. Kimberly is also instrumental in coordinating the implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across the region, serving the Governor’s AI Sub-Cabinet on behalf of the Maryland Department of Commerce. Ms. Mentzell is highly engaged in the technology community, serving on numerous boards and committees. She is a member of the Maryland Cybersecurity Council, member of the Potomac Quantum Innovation Center Steering Committee, and a founding and executive board member of the Capitol Technology University Center for Women in Cyber. She also serves as a board member of the Cybersecurity Association and the Cyber Maryland Board. For her contributions to cyber education, she received the FISSEA Innovator of the Year Award from NIST. She was also honor as a Woman of Influence in 2024 by I95 Magazine and inducted into the Order of Thor by the Military Cybersecurity Professionals Association (MCPA). Kimberly is an active speaker at local, national, and international cybersecurity events, including Quantum World Congress, DefCon, BlackHat, RSA, BSides, and InfoSec – Europe, and many local events focusing on the intersection of quantum, cyber, and AI across all industry sectors.

Experience

1. Adjunct Professor of Computer Science Cybersecurity

   Frederick Community College

   Aug 2015 — Present · Frederick, MD, US

   Certified Instructor teaching Cybersecurity, Networking, PC Diagnostics and PC Software, and Programming in a variety of formats, including face-to-face, online, and hybrid. Member of the FCC Curriculum Committee.

Education

• Notre Dame of Maryland University

  Master of Arts - MA, Secondary Education and Teaching

• University of Maryland Global Campus

  Master of Science - MS, Cybersecurity

• Loyola University Maryland

  Bachelor of Business Administration - BBA, Accounting

• Frostburg State University

  Master of Education - MEd, Education