Liesyl Franz is Vice President for Information Security and Global Public Policy at TechAmerica, working with industry and government leaders on such issues as cyber security, critical infrastructure protection and Internet Governance. In this role she leads TechAmerica’s strategic and tactical efforts on public policy in these areas with the Administration, Congress, and international organizations. In addition, she represents TechAmerica in the Information Technology Sector Coordinating Council (IT SCC) under the National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP), where she currently serves on the Executive Council.
Liesyl joined TechAmerica (previously ITAA) from the Department of Homeland Security, where she served as deputy director for outreach and awareness and director for international affairs and public policy at the National Cyber Security Division (NCSD). She led programs in the areas of global affairs, public policy, communications and messaging as well as stakeholder outreach, including building international partnerships, coordinating public relations for key events such as the Cyber Storm National Cyber Exercise and conferences, and managing events for National Cyber Security Awareness Month held annually in October.
Prior to her service at DHS, Liesyl was director for global government affairs at EDS Corporation working on cyber security, privacy, financial services, and trade issues, and she worked with the Coalition of Service Industries where she managed industry’s participation and input into services trade negotiations in the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Liesyl was recognized in 2005 by the Women's High Tech Coalition with the Women in Cyber Security Award for her contribution to public-private partnerships and international collaboration in cyber security. She holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Texas at Austin and an MA from the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University.