From Passion to Profession

Online safety and digital ethics impact everyone—and they open doors for each of us to become champions of safer digital spaces. Whether it’s a personal passion, volunteer effort, or a full-fledged career path, your contribution matters. No matter your background or discipline, there’s a role for you to play. You could be an academic researcher, a tech professional, a STEM outreach leader, or a community advocate—your work can make a real difference.

Join us to explore how you can turn your values into action. Hear from inspiring professionals—most of them Concordia graduates—who have built impactful careers in a variety of fields while advancing the cause of digital responsibility and community well-being

How can you participate? Join us in person or online by registering for the Zoom Meeting or watching live on YouTube.

Have questions? Send them to info.4@concordia.ca

Windhya Rankothge

Dr. Windhya Rankothge is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Canadian Institute for Cybersecurity (CIC) at the University of New Brunswick. She leads the research collaboration between ADGA Group and CIC. Dr. Windhya received her PhD in Information and Communication Technologies in 2017 from the University of Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona. Her research interests include cybersecurity governance, risk, and compliance.

She has published her work in numerous journals and conferences and is a Senior Member of IEEE. She has served various international research communities as a reviewer, advisor, and executive committee member. Currently, she is a voting member of the IEEE MGA Awards and Recognition Committee, Chair of IEEE WIE Day 2025, and Vice-Chair of the IEEE New Brunswick Section.

Lianna Della Vecchia

Lianna Della Vecchia is a bilingual educator and program designer with over six years of experience in education and youth engagement. She currently serves as the Instructional Specialist and Coordinator for Digital Moment’s Social Innovation Lab, where she supports teens in identifying technological solutions to social issues impacting their communities.

Lianna holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Cultural Studies from Concordia University and a bilingual Master of Arts in International Education from the Universidad de Alcalá in Madrid, Spain. With a background spanning international teaching, EdTech, and digital literacy, she is passionate about the intersection of culture, innovation, and education—especially when it comes to empowering young people to become critical digital citizens.

Clara Olivia Levesque

Clara Olivia Levesque has served on the board of Women Aware since Summer 2022. Women Aware is a survivor-run organization based in Montreal that supports individuals experiencing intimate partner violence. Working from an intersectional and horizontal approach, it emphasizes the safety of clients and their children while empowering them to feel heard and confident in their decision-making. It is committed to education, awareness, and breaking the stigma around intimate partner violence.

A recent graduate of Concordia University's Fine Arts program, Clara is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Art Therapy. Her work is deeply rooted in ecofeminist perspectives, often blending human figures with natural elements to explore themes of identity, healing, and community connection. In addition to her studio work, Levesque is actively involved in community projects. She collaborated with fellow Concordia students and the Centre des femmes solidaires et engagées to produce a mural celebrating justice and equality.

Mohammad Habibur Rahman

Mohammad Habibur Rahman is a seasoned cybersecurity architect and cloud security expert. His expertise spans industry standards such as ISO 27001 and NIST, and he is proficient in major cloud platforms including Azure, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), and Amazon Web Services (AWS).

Mohammad obtained his Master of Engineering in Information Systems Security from Concordia University. Beyond his professional work, he actively shares insights on cybersecurity trends, automation strategies, and the evolving digital threat landscape.

Moderator: Azfar Adib

Azfar Adib is a PhD candidate in Electrical and Computer Engineering and a 2023–24 Public Scholar at Concordia University. His research focuses on privacy-preserving age verification technologies. With academic backgrounds in both engineering and business, and over 8 years of professional experience in the ICT sector, Azfar brings a multidisciplinary perspective to his work.

In addition to his research, he frequently writes and speaks on digital ethics and online safety, working to bridge the gap between technical innovation, public understanding, and policy development. Azfar is a Senior Member of IEEE and is currently serving as the Educational Services Chair of IEEE Canada.