Gigawatts and Governance: The Data Security Crisis No One Is Talking About (<– add to your schedule)
Gigawatts of power. Trillions in investment. A data security crisis hiding in plain sight. The explosive growth of AI data centers has created an infrastructure layer most security frameworks were never designed to govern. When ownership of that infrastructure determines who truly controls the data inside it, conventional perimeter thinking is not enough. This session makes the case that infrastructure governance is the defining data security challenge of our generation.
Nancy Coblenz:
Nancy Coblenz is a transformational leader, tech visionary, and global strategist redefining what digital sovereignty means in the 21st century. As Co-Founder and President of Stellenium, she is pioneering sovereign AI infrastructure at a scale never before attempted, empowering governments to take control of their digital futures. With over 15 years of experience in technology, innovation policy, and large-scale systems strategy, Nancy combines geopolitical insight with human-centered design to solve urgent digital equity challenges.
Nancy served as CEO of MyBrand AI, an AI strategy and implementation firm that laid the groundwork for Stellenium. She held senior leadership roles at a private equity firm and a multibillion dollar global workforce solutions provider, scaling dozens of business units. Her early ventures, including a spatial computing agency, showcased her pioneering spirit.
Through deep government and enterprise partnerships, Nancy built innovation ecosystems that aligned global solutions with regional realities. Stellenium’s strategic roadmap includes sovereign infrastructure initiatives ranging from $500M to $3B.These projects go beyond AI data centers and energy plants; they include full-stack digital infrastructure and workforce programs like the Institute for Sovereign Infrastructure & Innovation (ISII), which provides accredited degrees, certifications, and apprenticeships through national university partnerships.
Nancy has cultivated relationships with government leaders and ministries across Africa, positioning Stellenium as a trusted partner in national digital transformation. She was a featured speaker at the IMF World Congress African Summit, where she addressed ministers of finance and ambassadors on the future of AI sovereignty.
Currently, Stellenium is building one of the world’s first sovereign AI cloud platforms, a fully autonomous, air-gapped system giving countries complete control over their data, infrastructure, and AI governance. This innovation marks a historic shift in global technology independence.
Nancy’s impact has been recognized globally. Her accolades include Los Angeles Time’s Most Inspirational Leader in Innovation (Finalist), Global Tech Awards’ Infrastructure Technology Winner, Stevie Awards Woman of the Year, Best Woman CEO in IT (USA), WomenTech Global Mentor of the Year, and recognition from cover feature for CEO Monthly, Los Angeles Business Journal, MSN, SIA’s 40 Under 40, and the International PlayMaker Digital Leader Award. She exemplifies what it means to lead with courage, clarity, and purpose, building not just infrastructure, but a future where every nation can own its digital destiny.
