Hemanth Tadepalli (’23, CS) was recently honored as one of Oakland County’s 40 Under 40. The award honors individuals either living or working in Oakland County, Michigan, who excel in professional achievements and community leadership and embody the "Oakland Together" ethos and, of course, was born after December 31, 1983.

With a rich background as a cybersecurity compliance engineer and tech-consultant Tadepalli's journey highlights the value of experiential learning and pursuing mastery across multiple sectors.

“After working in the tech and consulting realm for a while, I wanted to pursue my interests in the entrepreneurial space since I had a Minor in Innovation and Entrepreneurship,” Tadepalli said. “Creating a sustainable impact in my line of work is something I take into consideration and that is where I started working in the start-up space, where I started working for SensCy, which is owned by former Michigan Governor Rick Snyder and helped many small and medium-sized companies across the United States with various cybersecurity related projects.”

Reflecting on his academic and professional journey, Tadepalli credits Kettering University's emphasis on experiential learning for his success in cybersecurity.

“The university has provided various programs and initiatives for students to be involved not only with cybersecurity from an infrastructure perspective but also from an automotive and embedded standpoint,” he explains. “Since Kettering is an automotive industry sectored school, many students can get involved with classes in the ECE department and pursue the cybersecurity concentration from a computing and defense perspective.”

Looking ahead, Tadepalli identifies several emerging technologies poised to reshape the cybersecurity landscape. He emphasizes the critical role of AI and machine learning, IoT security, 5G networks, quantum computing, zero trust security and the security challenges in connected and autonomous vehicles.

Tadepalli has demonstrated robust leadership and commitment across multiple arenas, contributing significantly to civic and political initiatives. His experience ranges from collaborating with the Sierra Club for US Senator Gary Peters to serving as Deputy Campaign Manager for Troy Mayor Ethan Baker. He has also played a key role in leadership for various Troy City Council members and worked on the campaign of Congresswoman Haley Stevens.

More recently, Tadepalli was appointed by Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and the Michigan Department of State and serves on the Michigan Collegiate Student Advisory Task Force, which is crucial for overseeing election security across Michigan campuses. He is a City of Troy Brownfield Redevelopment Authority member, further emphasizing his dedication to public service and community development.

Hemanth Tadepalli's trajectory from an enterprising student at Kettering University to a distinguished cybersecurity and autonomous vehicle technology leader showcases his innovative spirit, influential leadership and steadfast commitment to making a significant impact. His active participation as a speaker and panelist at prestigious conferences such as Automotive IQ, FutureCon, SecureWorld and others further solidifies his role in the evolving realms of technology and security. As he continues navigating the complex landscape of technology and security, his story inspires aspiring professionals everywhere, proving that one can shape the future with the right foundation, vision and determination.