Lauren is the founder and CEO of Girl Security. Lauren began her career in national security in Chicago, IL in 2003 as a policy analyst with the National Strategy Forum, a nonpartisan national security think tank. In 2009 while attending law school, Lauren launched her consulting firm, Stele Consulting, which provided support to clients on local policy issues, including exclusionary land use policies and racial segregation in Chicago. In 2016, Lauren recognized both the continued underrepresentation of women in national security and the need for a more intersectional approach to security. In response, she launched Girl Security – the only organization dedicated to advancing girls, women, and gender minorities in national security through supportive pathways.

Lauren is a mom to two amazing humans. In September 2022, Lauren was named one of the Most Influential People in Security by Security Magazine. She was also named one of "50 Women Making the World a Better Place" by Instyle Magazine in 2021. She was recently awarded the 21st Century Leader Award by the National Committee on American Foreign Policy. She is also a former Fellow with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (2003), Truman National Security Project (2006), American Bar Association Standing Committee on Law and National Security (2012), and Chicago Council on Global Affairs (2017). She has authored articles, reports, and book chapters on national security, foreign policy, and public policy.

Nabeela Syed is proud to represent the 51st District of the Illinois State House of Representatives, serving the communities of Palatine, Inverness, Barrington, Hoffman Estates, Rolling Meadows, Lake Zurich, Hawthorn Woods, Kildeer, Deer Park, Vernon Hills, and Long Grove. Nabeela previously worked for a non-profit in digital strategy supporting a variety of civic engagement efforts including voter mobilization, ending sexual assault on college campuses, and promoting gender equity. In the legislature, Nabeela has worked to champion prescription drug affordability and access to healthcare, passed paid leave policies for organ donors, defended and helped expand access to reproductive healthcare, and has been a staunch supporter of firearm safety reform. Nabeela was born and raised in Palatine, Illinois.