Rusty D. Pickens, MS

Rusty D. Pickens is a Stonewall Longhorn who earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from East Central University in 2007 and a Master of Science in Public Policy and Management with a concentration in Cybersecurity from Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College in 2022. He is the Founder of 580 Strategies, a Native-owned digital transformation firm, and Capital Native Nations. Over his 25-year career, he has served as Senior Advisor for Digital Platforms at the U.S. Department of State and Acting Director for New Media Technologies at the Obama White House, leading teams that operated cloud platforms to increase public engagement, enhance staff productivity, and strengthen security posture. An enrolled member of the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma, his portfolio focuses on helping governments unlock the potential of cloud computing and agile software delivery while empowering Native communities and preparing students for industry-leading, remote-first careers based in Indian Country.