Meet the stack behind the stack
Optica Labs is a collective of builders, thinkers, and problem-solvers exploring how humans and intelligent systems evolve together. We move fast—running hands-on design sprints with our clients, prototyping, testing, and architecting strategies to ensure that emerging technologies are not only powerful but also resilient, adaptable, and aligned with human needs.
Tiarne Hawkins
Co- Founder | Chief Executive Officer
Meet “T”, An AI pioneer shaping innovation in enterprise AI. With a track record of building AI pipelines for AWS, Meta, and Google, she has contributed to over $500M+ in revenue. A recognized host, speaker, and advocate for ethical development, she champions technology for good and the responsible deployment of AI at scale.
Hallie Stern
Co- Founder | Chief Innovation Officer
Meet Hals, a Chief Innovation Officer and global authority on AI-driven security, specializing in counter-surveillance, algorithmic threat mitigation, and cognitive security frameworks. Partnering with NATO, the U.S. Department of Defense, and international policymakers, she leads strategic innovation at the intersection of AI safety, national defense, and enterprise resilience
Dr. Chris Mattmann
Chief Technology Officer
Meet “The Beast’ UCLA’s inaugural Chief Data and AI Officer, driving AI and data strategy at the highest levels. A former NASA JPL Chief Innovation & Technology Officer, he is a DARPA-funded researcher and a key contributor to Apache and TensorFlow, bringing deep expertise in AI, ML, and data science to enterprise and government applications.
Nick Reese
Chief Operating Officer
Meet “Ops ” with a background in military intelligence, national security, and tech policy, Nick brings deep expertise in leading complex operations and aligning innovation with mission-critical goals. A former DHS Director, Frontier Foundry co-founder, and advisory board member at GWU, he drives Optica’s operational edge while also teaching emerging tech at NYU.
Our Advisors
Alex Fielding
CEO Privateer Space
Alex Fielding is a seasoned technology executive and entrepreneur, currently serving as CEO and co-founder of Privateer Space—a space data platform he launched with Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak and MacArthur Fellow Moriba Jah. He previously co-founded Ripcord, a robotics company specializing in automated document digitization, and began his career as an engineer at Apple and Cisco. Fielding is also a founding member of Singularity University and an advisor to several organizations, including Astra Space and TEDMED .
Ted Harrington
Ethical Hacking
Ted Harrington is the Executive Partner at Independent Security Evaluators, a renowned ethical hacking firm known for pioneering security research on cars, medical devices, and password managers. He is the author of Hackable: How to Do Application Security Right and a keynote speaker who helps organizations like Google, Amazon, and Netflix address critical security vulnerabilities. Harrington also co-founded IoT Village, a DEF CON Black Badge-winning event that advances IoT security awareness and research.
Andrea Huels
AI Growth & Strategy, Lenovo, Radius AI, Vody
Andi Huels is an award-winning AI futurist and business strategist with over 20 years of global innovation leadership, recognized among the “50 Most Powerful Women in Technology” and “Top 200 Business & Technology Innovators” for her transformative work in AI adoption across retail, supply chain, and healthcare sectors.
Colonel Clinton Mixon
Advisor US Cyber Command, Airforce Cyber Collage Operations Officer
Clinton Mixon is a 26-year U.S. Air Force veteran and cybersecurity strategist, currently serving as Information Security Lead at The New School and adjunct professor at NYU and the Naval Postgraduate School, with prior leadership at U.S. Cyber Command and the Air Force Cyber College.
Gus Kagnas
Advisor US Cyber Command, Airforce Cyber Collage Operations Officer
Gus Kangas is a former CIA operations officer with over 28 years of service, now Chief Strategy Officer at Vigilant Pictures, where he bridges national security and storytelling to drive innovation at the intersection of intelligence and creative arts.
Rachel Kerry
Brand and Biz Dev Advisor
Meet “Amp”, known for scaling purpose-driven ventures at the intersection of technology, culture, and impact. Co-Founder of World Artists United, she helps high-growth companies amplify their mission through brand strategy, partnerships and leadership development. An advisor to emerging leaders in AI and precision health, she turns bold ideas into trusted brands.