Matt Shepherd is the Senior Vice President of Innovation at Tyto Athene, where he leads the company’s enterprise-wide innovation efforts under the Office of the CTO. In this role, Matt oversees the stand-up and strategic direction of Tyto’s Innovation Lab, an agile, technology-forward environment focused on developing advanced capabilities in cybersecurity, enterprise IT, and AI/ML to meet evolving federal mission demands.
Matt directs a team of engineers, architects, and researchers tasked with identifying unmet needs, accelerating capability development, and delivering scalable solutions that strengthen security and streamline operations. By working closely with cross-functional stakeholders from active programs and business development, his team ensures that innovation is technically sound and deeply mission-aligned. The Innovation Lab serves as a strategic engine for Tyto Athene, building, testing, and transitioning emerging technologies that give customers a head start on tomorrow’s challenges.
Before joining Tyto Athene, Matt co-founded and served as Senior Vice President of MindPoint Group, where he helped grow the firm into a recognized leader in cybersecurity services. He led major federal initiatives, scaled high-performing teams, and pioneered automation-centric approaches to cybersecurity compliance and service delivery.
With more than 20 years of experience in IT and cybersecurity, Matt brings a unique blend of technical expertise and business acumen. In 2024, he was named a FORUM IT100 Award Winner, honoring his contributions to innovation, collaboration, and impact across government IT.
Matt holds a Master’s degree in Information Assurance from Capitol College and a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Philosophy from St. Mary’s College of Maryland. His combined technical depth, entrepreneurial experience, and strategic leadership bring a critical perspective to Tyto Athene’s executive team—helping to translate innovation into mission-ready outcomes that align with the company’s long-term growth and customer impact goals.
