ShaQuill (ShaQ) Thomas ’15 M.S. ’21 leads from the front lines of cybersecurity. As senior manager of Global Security Operations for Appfire, a global software supplier, he oversees teams handling more than 20 projects annually. Highlights include building a Threat and Vulnerability Management team and expanding a 24/7 security operations center protecting the company’s cloud infrastructure.

In 2025, Stevens honored him with the Harold R. Fee 1920 Alumni Achievement Award, recognizing his leadership and service to the alumni community. For Thomas, whether volunteering through Stevens or leading in cybersecurity, the goal is the same: helping people succeed.

Leadership, for Thomas, is as much about people as it is about process. Successfully completing Appfire’s nine-month FUEL Leadership Pro-gram refined his skills in guiding with empathy and vision. “The program helped me connect the dots between my technical expertise and my ability to inspire people,” he says. “That alignment is how I want my career to continue.”

Before Appfire, Thomas built his expertise at Verizon, Citi and iCIMS. At Verizon, he worked on mobile app analytics; at Citi, on information security and incident response. He then spent six years at iCIMS, rising to principal security engineer and leading initiatives to strengthen the company’s defenses.

The foundation for that path traces back to his teenage years. Always curious about how technology worked, he spent hours tinkering with phones and video games. In high school, the only computing coursework was part of the business track — an experience that introduced him to leadership and management.

At Stevens, Thomas chose computer engineering, where his technical skills and business curiosity came together. He also served as president of the campus chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), organizing study groups and networking events. Through those roles and the co-op program, he built the technical foundation and real-world experience that shaped his career. “The co-op program opened my eyes to the range of opportunities available in engineering,” he recalls.

Looking ahead, Thomas plans to keep building at the intersection of business and technology. He is considering either an MBA, to grow companies and lead at the executive level, or a Ph.D., which would enable him to shape education and expand access to STEM. He expects to move into executive cybersecurity roles and use that platform to mentor the next generation of professionals.

Thomas takes pride in his accomplishments but stays focused on what’s ahead. “At 16, I knew I wanted to build a career in technology,” he says. “Now I’m living that vision — and I still feel like I’m only getting started. There’s still so much more I can contribute, and my voice is needed in many spaces.”

– Charles O’Brien