We are proud to announce the Cluster’s Brand Ambassadors whose roles will be to collaborate and promote opportunities.
Meet Lina Boudelaa: Future Cyber Security Leader and Advocate for Inclusion in Tech
Lina Boudelaa is from the Royal Holloway University of London — a driven a
nd dynamic BSc Computer Science student, President of the Cyber Security Society, and passionate private tutor with a growing presence in the tech world.
🔗 Connect with Lina on LinkedIn
Leading with Purpose
Lina was recently elected President of the Cyber Security Society, a testament to her leadership and commitment to the field. Her dedication extends far beyond titles — she’s an active community builder and educator.
With three years of experience in teaching and tutoring, Lina has already mentored future tech talent at Sarah Bonnell School for Girls, where she’s helped demystify Computer Science for younger students and encouraged more girls to get involved in STEM.
Getting Hands-On with Cyber Security
Lina’s practical experience is just as impressive. She’s taken part in highly regarded Capture the Flag competitions including SCSC CTF and Kings x BAE Systems, and contributed to backend development during a Hackathon hosted by Encode. She’s also a member of the Stemettes Social Enterprise, aligning with her mission to champion diversity in tech.
Technical Toolkit
Lina’s core technical and professional skills include:
- Programming Languages: Python & Java
- API Testing & Development: Postman
- Soft Skills: Teaching, Leadership, Event Organisation
Whether she’s mentoring, coding, or organising society events, Lina brings consistency, energy, and a deep curiosity for the evolving landscape of cyber security.
Vision for the Future
Lina is particularly interested in the human side of cyber security — how our behaviours shape security practices. Her long-term goals include:
- Expanding her expertise in cyber security
- Making cyber security more accessible to women and people from global majority backgrounds
- Exploring the wide-ranging career possibilities within the field
Beyond the Screen
Outside of her academic and technical life, Lina is a dedicated writer with her own blog, where she shares everything from personal stories to commentary on current events. She also maintains a healthy, active lifestyle, training at the gym, swimming regularly, and playing tennis weekly as part of her university’s Tennis Society.
Meet Keleigh Berenger: Blockchain Innovator, Cybersecurity Advocate & Community Leader
Keleigh Berenger is a dynamic Software Engineer (Blockchain and Applications) and current MSc Information Security student at the University of Surrey. Keleigh is a trailblazer in both the blockchain, and cybersecurity spaces and currently serves as President of the WiCyS Surrey Student Chapter, where she leads with passion, purpose, and a mission to make tech more inclusive.
🔗 Connect with Keleigh on LinkedIn
Building the Future Through Blockchain and Cybersecurity
Keleigh brings over three years of hands-on experience in backend development, blockchain application design, and secure digital solutions. Her portfolio spans innovative startups and international tech projects, showcasing her technical depth and ability to deliver impactful products.
As a blockchain enthusiast, she’s worked with platforms like Stellar, Solana, Ethereum, Polygon, and Soroban, building end-to-end solutions that are secure, scalable, and forward-thinking.
In parallel, her academic journey in Information Security has allowed her to develop solid expertise in areas like application security, digital forensics, ethical hacking, and network governance, which she actively applies through workshops and initiatives led by WiCyS.
Technical Skills at a Glance
- Blockchain Platforms: Stellar, Solana, Ethereum, Polygon, Soroban
- Programming: Golang, Solidity, C#, Python, Java, JavaScript
- Frameworks & Tech: Angular, Angular Material, .NET Core, ASP.NET MVC, Django, Flask, Flutter
- Cloud & Tools: AWS, Microsoft Azure, Docker, Postman, Git, Jira, Visual Studio
- Cybersecurity: Application security, forensics, ethical hacking, governance, network management
- Soft Skills: Solution architecture, project management, collaboration, technical leadership
A Mission-Driven Leader
As President of the WiCyS Surrey Student Chapter, Keleigh champions diversity and inclusion in cybersecurity. She has organised and led hands-on cybersecurity events, helped create a thriving student community, and mentored others entering the field. Her leadership is defined by action, empathy, and an unshakable belief in tech as a force for good.
Keleigh leads social impact initiatives focused on empowerment and community support, proving that her commitment to transformation extends far beyond the tech industry.
Goals and Vision
Keleigh is deeply committed to:
- Engineering secure, real-world blockchain and cybersecurity solutions
- Driving innovation in digital systems
- Mentoring future tech leaders and advocating for greater diversity in the industry
Beyond the Code
Outside of her work and studies, Keleigh finds balance through music, church, and creative expression. She’s an avid networker, constantly building bridges across disciplines to create opportunities for growth and knowledge sharing.
Keleigh Berenger represents the future of secure, ethical, and inclusive technology. Whether through code, community, or compassion, she’s determined to build systems — and spaces — that uplift and empower.
📩 Want to learn more or collaborate? Connect with her on LinkedIn
Meet Ziyan Baloch: Surrey Cyber Cluster Work Placement
Not everyone’s journey into cybersecurity starts in a computer lab. For Ziyan Baloch, it began with a BSc in Economics at Royal Holloway, University of London — and a curiosity for how systems (both financial and digital) can be protected, optimised, and reimagined.
Connect with Ziyan on LinkedIn here
While juggling lectures, essays, and the occasional badminton match (Ziyan’s an ex-county player, by the way), he also served as Events Manager for the Private Equity and Venture Capital Society. There, he organised networking events, guest lectures, and simulations — skills that would later prove invaluable in managing complex technical projects. But Ziyan’s real leap into the world of tech came when he founded his own startup. With a vision for a community-based app that put privacy first, he taught himself app development using Flutter and Webflow. Alongside his co-founder, he navigated development cycles, tested prototypes, and worked with Barclays Eagle Labs mentorship to figure out how to bring the idea to market. Security wasn’t just an afterthought — it was baked into the design from day one.
Around the same time, Ziyan joined a cybersecurity mentorship programme, working directly with a Warwick graduate and practising analyst. Together, they explored network security, penetration testing, and hands-on tasks like configuring a firewall in Ubuntu. This practical, roll-up-your-sleeves learning deepened his understanding of how to protect systems from emerging threats. Ziyan’s technical journey didn’t stop there. As a freelance trader, he wrote Python scripts to automate trading strategies, placing special emphasis on securing sensitive financial data. It’s the kind of cross-disciplinary experience — finance, coding, and security — that gives him a unique perspective on cybersecurity challenges.
He’s also no stranger to working in a team. Whether it was delivering regional social action projects with the National Citizen Service or collaborating online with fellow aspiring cybersecurity professionals, Ziyan has shown that he thrives in environments where communication and collaboration are key.
Now, as he joins the Surrey Cyber Security Cluster for his work placement, Ziyan brings a rare combination of entrepreneurial creativity, technical skills, and a problem-solving mindset. With certifications like Security+, CompTIA A+, and CCNA in progress, he’s well on his way to becoming a cybersecurity professional capable of tackling whatever the digital world throws his way.
We look forward to working with Ziyan as he helps develop the Cluster and work alongside us to make it a place where the community can engage and share insights.