Influential Woman · Cybersecurity & AI

Sukanya Kannan

Manager, Forvis Mazars US

Beaverton, OR

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Bachelor's Degree in India Degree Master's Degree in the US Cert Microsoft - Information Security Administrator Associate Cert Microsoft Certified - Azure AI Engineer Associate Cert Microsoft Certified Azure Administrator Associate Cert Microsoft Certified Azure Data Scientist Associate Cert Microsoft Certified Azure Fundamentals Cert Microsoft Certified Security Operations Analyst Cert AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certificate Cert AWS Certified Developer - Associate certificate Cert Databricks Accredited Generative AI Fundamentals Cert Salesforce Certified Associate Member Industry groups focused on cybersecurity Member Cloud engineering Member Technical forums Member Standards discussions and working groups related to cloud security and identity Member AI

Her Story

About Sukanya

Sukanya is a distinguished cybersecurity and AI engineering leader whose 11‑year career has shaped the future of secure, intelligent technology across the United States. Her work sits at the powerful intersection of security, engineering, and innovation, where she has built and scaled distributed systems, led transformative Zero Trust and cloud‑security initiatives, and delivered next‑generation AI capabilities across AWS, Azure, and GCP.

What sets Sukanya apart is not only her technical mastery, but her ability to lead complex, high‑stakes programs that influence organizations at scale. One of her most impactful achievements includes spearheading a multi‑year modernization effort that unified Zero Trust security with advanced AI systems such as agentic AI and RAG architectures. This work required deep technical vision, cross‑functional leadership, and the ability to align executives, engineering teams, and product groups around a shared strategy. The result was a foundational shift that strengthened security, accelerated innovation, and contributed to broader nationwide technology resilience.

Driven by a commitment to making advanced technologies safer, more reliable, and more accessible, Sukanya continues to champion secure AI adoption and modern engineering practices. Her leadership reflects not only excellence in her field, but a dedication to shaping a more secure and innovative future for the country.

Quick Facts

IndustryCybersecurity & AI
Based inBeaverton, OR
Languages English
Specialty Cybersecurity, AI Engineering, Distributed Systems
- Cloud Security
- Zero-Trust Transformations
- Agentic AI Systems
- RAG Architectures
- Secure ML Platforms
- AWS
- Azure
- GCP

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Sukanya

01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

I've been fortunate to have a few mentors who made a real difference in my journey. One of the leaders who stands out is a senior engineering leader I worked with early in my career. He didn't just teach me technical skills, he taught me how to think strategically, how to communicate clearly, and how to lead with confidence, even in high-pressure environments. What stayed with me most was the way he believed in my potential before I fully believed in it myself. That kind of support shaped how I mentor others today. I try to create that same sense of encouragement and possibility for the engineers I work with.

02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

I would tell her that she belongs here, because cybersecurity and AI can feel intimidating from the outside, especially for women, but the truth is that this industry needs diverse thinkers more than ever. I would tell her to be curious, to build strong fundamentals, and to not wait until she feels perfectly ready. None of us ever do. Most importantly, I would tell her to take up space. Speak up in technical rooms, ask questions, and don't underestimate the value of her perspective. The industry is changing, and women have a huge role to play in shaping the future of secure and responsible technology.

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