Phyllis Newhouse

Phyllis Newhouse is a retired U.S. Army officer, serial entrepreneur, investor, and technology executive recognized for her leadership in cybersecurity, innovation, and women’s empowerment in business. She is the Founder and CEO of Xtreme Solutions, Inc., a cybersecurity and IT services company that provides advanced technology solutions to government and commercial clients, and the Founder of ShoulderUp Technology Acquisition Corp., a SPAC focused on investing in technology-driven growth companies.

A pioneering figure in the technology and investment sectors, Newhouse made history as the first African American woman to serve as CEO of a publicly traded SPAC and among the first women to achieve major recognition in the cybersecurity industry. Her company, Xtreme Solutions, has grown into a nationally recognized firm with a strong focus on federal cybersecurity work and a workforce that includes a significant number of military veterans, reflecting her continued commitment to service and opportunity.

Before transitioning into entrepreneurship, Newhouse served as a senior officer in the United States Army, where she specialized in national security and cyber operations. During her military career, she helped establish initiatives focused on cyber intelligence and security strategy, laying the foundation for her later work in private-sector cybersecurity leadership.

In addition to her corporate ventures, Newhouse is the Founder of ShoulderUp, a nonprofit organization created in partnership with actress and advocate Viola Davis. ShoulderUp is dedicated to supporting and investing in women entrepreneurs, helping them build economic power, leadership capacity, and access to capital through education, mentorship, and community.

Newhouse has also co-founded and led multiple SPACs, including Athena Technology Acquisition Corp., further expanding her influence in capital markets and public company formation. Through these ventures, she has played a key role in bringing innovative companies to market and advancing investment in emerging technologies.

A widely recognized thought leader, Newhouse has been honored for her contributions to entrepreneurship, cybersecurity, and diversity in leadership, including recognition from organizations such as Ernst & Young and various industry and civic groups. She serves on multiple corporate and nonprofit boards, where she continues to advise on strategy, governance, and innovation.