2025 Speakers

Tomás Maldonado is the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at the National Football League (NFL).  He is globally responsible for leading the information security program for the League and its entities.  Maldonado has over 23 years of experience in this area, having led global information security teams and programs at several large international organizations.

Prior to Joining the NFL, Maldonado was the CISO at International Flavors & Fragrances where he was globally responsible for establishing and leading the Cybersecurity & Technology Risk Management business unit.

Maldonado was also an executive director and CISO for the corporate sector of JPMorgan Chase, where he established and shaped the future direction of the security program and focus for the line of business. He was also a VP of technology risk management at Goldman Sachs where he worked on several key initiatives namely creating and leading the data loss protection program. He had additional opportunities at Schroders where he was the network security officer, Ernst & Young and Bloomberg LP.

Maldonado serves as an advisory board member to several innovative companies.  He has several industry recognizable certifications: he is a CISSP, a CISM, a CDPSE, and a CRISC. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in computer science from Fordham University.

Jason O’Dell is Walmart’s Global Vice President of Security Operations. He is a seasoned executive with 25+ years of security experience in multiple domains. In his current role, Jason is entrusted with safeguarding Fortune 1, its 250+ million weekly customers, and its 2.1 million associates from ever-growing cyber threats.

Prior to leading the teams responsible for protecting Walmart’s network, Jason successfully led a Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) that provided protection to more than 1,000 financial institutions, collectively holding assets worth over $500 billion. Under his guidance, the MSSP received accolades as a top 50 world-ranked provider for five consecutive years.

Jason holds a BS degree in Cybersecurity from Bellevue. He has been quoted in various national media outlets, holds over a dozen industry certifications, and has held multiple board level positions at various information security chapters. His work and dedication in the field of information security was acknowledged by the SANs Institute, which honored him with the Difference Maker Award. Outside of work, Jason is a neophyte vinyl collector, a BBQ judge, and an avid reader.

Xochitl Monteon is Intel’s Chief Privacy Officer (CPO) and VP of Cybersecurity Governance, Risk and Compliance in Information Security. As the CPO, Xochitl plays a pivotal role in leading Intel through the complex landscape of global privacy, AI, and cybersecurity legislation to seamlessly operationalize compliance while enabling continued business innovation. Xochitl’s expertise lies in her ability to integrate rigorous privacy policies with robust cybersecurity frameworks, fostering a secure and compliant digital environment. Her leadership is characterized by a proactive approach to emerging threats and vulnerabilities, ensuring that privacy and security considerations are at the forefront of corporate governance.

Xochitl has worked in the technology industry for 30 years. Prior to joining Intel, she worked for McAfee and PayPal in Senior leadership positions. Her tenure includes pivotal roles in a wide array of sectors such as high-tech manufacturing, SaaS, fintech, e-commerce, finance, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, education, and the broader technology landscape.

Xochitl is a member of several Advisory Boards including Future of Privacy, Evanta, and EWA Emeritus. She is passionate about diversity and STEM initiatives and is also a member of Latino Coroporate Directors Association and Women in STEM. She is a San Jose State Alumn where she received her BS in Environmental Sciences. She also holds numerous technical competencies and security certifications , including Certified Business Continuity Planner (CBCP), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Privacy Professional/United States (CIPP/US), Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer (CDPSE), Certified Information Privacy Technologist (CIPT), Fellow of Information Privacy (FIP), and Certified Information Security Manager (CISM).

Xochitl has received multiple recognition and awards including but not limited to the Exceptional WomanAlliance Award in 2019, CSO 40 Award and “”IT Team of the Year”” at the 2018 Women in IT Awards.

Taylor Lehmann is a Director in the Office of the CISO at Google Cloud. He leads customer engagements and drives the health security engineering and risk management strategy of the company’s core and cloud infrastructure and applications. Taylor is thrilled to be at Google after spending time as the CISO of some notable health companies. Even better, he works at a place where security is important.

Taylor values vulnerability and courage over personal comfort, and he strives to create a culture of trust, collaboration, and innovation in his organization.

Taylor has an MBA, Strategy and Operations from Boston College and a BS, Finance & IT from University at Buffalo.

Gary Harbison is the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at J&J, a role he has been in since he started at the company in October 2022. Gary is responsible for leading the Information Security and Risk Management (ISRM) organization which protects J&J’s critical data and information. He drives global security strategy and cybersecurity transformation of J&J’s products and services while also managing enterprise technological risks.

Gary has 27 years of overall technology experience, with 25 years in Information Security and Risk Management at multiple Fortune 500 companies. Gary also has public sector experience from the U.S. Department of Defense. His technical background includes security architecture and threat intelligence roles along with various leadership roles focused on building high-performing teams that partner with key stakeholders to enable crucial business objectives.

Prior to J&J, Gary was the CISO for Bayer, a leading global life sciences company. In that role, Gary was responsible for leading all aspects of the Cybersecurity Risk Management function (CSRM) with global ownership of information security strategy, IT risk management & compliance, security education & awareness, cyber defense, as well as governance of IT security controls.

Gary contributes to the greater information security community by serving on advisory boards for multiple cybersecurity companies and he helps engineer industry innovation through mentoring cybersecurity startups and advising venture capital investors and startup accelerators. He is also involved in the education sector and advises multiple universities about their Computer Science & Cybersecurity programs and serves as an Adjunct Professor in the Master of Science in Cybersecurity Engineering program at Washington University in St. Louis. Gary received his Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree from Webster University in St. Louis.

Gary resides in the St. Louis area with his wife and three children. In his spare time, Gary enjoys playing sports, fishing, and spending time outdoors. He is also very active in his community and coaches youth sports teams.

Michael Milligan is the Staff Vice President, Governance, Risk and Compliance for FedEx Corporation. Michael is responsible for the IT Risk Management Framework, Compliance and Controls, Data Privacy, Information Security Standards, Risk Analytics and Services, Product Security, and Business Continuity/Disaster Recovery programs. Michael has been with FedEx since 2007 and has been the Staff Vice President for the past year. He brings a diverse background with a variety of roles at FedEx and within the InfoSec.

Mr. Gurpreet Bhatia serves as the Department of Defense (DoD) Principal Director for Cybersecurity / Deputy Chief Infortion Security Officer (CISO). In this position, he is responsible for the definition and execution of the Department’s cybersecurity program, and oversees the coordination of cybersecurity standards, policies and procedures key stakeholders. Prior to assuming this position, Mr. Bhatia served as the Chief of Partner Engagements in Foreign Engagements at the National Security Agency (NSA), where he was responsible for the day-to-day management of NSA’s foreign cryptologic partnerships including technical guidance, management and implementation of cryptologic foreign partner strategies, and representing NSA positions to foreign partners.

Mr. Bhatia’s 28 years of experience spans the DoD and private industry, including three years at the Navy Public Works Center in Washington and three years in the private sector. Over his 22 years with NSA, he led the incubation of joint secure chip technology with private industry focusing on fostering U.S. manufacturing, built foundational GIG authentication and policy reference architecture, and overseeing development of authentication technologies for DoD key management infrastructure. While detailed to the Pentagon, Mr. Bhatia served as a Senior Information Assurance (IA) Representative to the Joint Staff, J6, and to the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Cyber Policy. In this role, he supported requirements and delivery of warfighter IA capability, was an integral part of the United States Cyber Command standup team, and a co-author of the 2011 DoD Strategy for Operations in Cyberspace. Upon returning, he led the organization responsible for development and delivery of the initial NSA cloud platform, analytics, and data stores.

After returning from an overseas assignment, Mr. Bhatia was selected to be a 2016 Brooking LEGIS Congressional Fellow. He served in a member office in the U.S. Senate, where he raised cybersecurity awareness writ large, advised on cybersecurity and privacy legislation across healthcare, Internet of Things and business IP theft, and supported legislative efforts to update the right of individuals to serve in the U.S. Armed forces, while retaining their articles of faith. He was then detailed as the Deputy Director, Legislative Liaison and principal advisor at United States Cyber Command, where he advised on all legislative matters and secured crucial legislative wins. In 2019, Mr. Bhatia served as a
member of the NSA cybersecurity strategy team, which recommended the standup of the Cybersecurity Directorate (CSD) and then led the CSD implementation team.

Mr. Bhatia is a Certified Information Security Systems Engineer, a two-time recipient of the Joint Meritorious Civilian Service Award, and a recipient of the National Partnership for Reinventing Government, Vice President Gore’s Hammer Award. Mr. Bhatia holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Alabama at Huntsville, a Master’s in Science in Electrical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University, and a Master’s in Business Administration from Georgetown University.

Mark Ryland is the Director, Amazon Security, reporting to the CISO of Amazon and engaging with a variety of external and internal stakeholders on behalf of Amazon and AWS Security leadership. Ryland works with public policy and public sector regulators and customers to help them understand how AWS builds and operates its highly secure cloud offerings, and how they can best leverage the AWS cloud to enhance their own cyber security. In addition, he works as a key channel for incoming feedback from customers and regulators, making sure their requirements in security and compliance are understood and prioritized across AWS service teams as well as Amazon as a whole. Ryland also works closely with industry partners to enhance the security of the broader information technology ecosystem as Amazon’s representative on the governing board of the Open Source Security Foundation as well as in industry groups focusing on the security and reliability of cutting-edge artificial intelligence systems.

Ryland has more than 32 years of experience in the technology industry across a wide range of leadership roles in information security, software engineering, distributed systems, technical standardization, and public policy. Most recently he founded and ran AWS’s Office of the CISO from 2018 to 2023, a team with which he still collaborates closely on a variety of efforts. Prior to that, he was the Director of Solutions Architecture and Professional Services for the AWS Worldwide Public Sector team, founding the team in 2011 and growing it to a large global organization through early 2018. Before joining AWS, Ryland worked for Microsoft for 13 years in two different stints (1991-2000 and 2008-2011) in multiple roles including founder and Director, Standards Strategy Group. In between stints at Microsoft, he was co-founder and CTO of two start-ups, and served as vice president and director of the Washington, DC office of a public policy think tank. Additional information on Mr. Ryland and his background is available at http://linkedin.com/in/markryland.

Bret Arsenault is Microsoft’s Chief Cybersecurity Advisor, responsible for advancing critical security initiatives and escalating impact across the entire Microsoft ecosystem: company, partners, customers, government agencies, and important communities. As Chief Information Security Officer for 14 years, Bret was responsible for enterprise-wide digital security and resiliency. Bret was charged with protecting Microsoft and our customers from ever-growing cyber-threats, while ensuring compliance with evolving regulations. In this role, he was also responsible for crisis management and overall business continuity and resilience at Microsoft. As part of this, he and his team coordinated the Microsoft Covid-19 response program and the cross-company response to the war in Ukraine. Bret provides cyber expertise and serves as an outside cyber-risk advisor to executives and boards at numerous Fortune 100 companies in the fields of finance, oil & gas, healthcare, and technology.

Arve Kjoelen is Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at McAfee, providing strategic and day-to-day leadership to McAfee’s security teams.

Arve has 25 years’ experience evaluating, building and running security programs in technology and financial services. He joined McAfee in 2018 from a Denver-based technology company where he was Chief Security Officer.

Arve is certified by the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD.DC); is on the Board of the Information Technology – Information Sharing and Analysis Center (IT-ISAC); and is an Advisory Board Member at Threatology, Inc.

Arve holds Master’s and Bachelor’s Degrees in Electrical Engineering. He writes occasionally on Substack about challenges facing CISOs and other cyber topics.

Cynthia Kaiser is a Deputy Assistant Director with FBI Cyber Division, where she leads the FBI’s cyber threat intelligence, cyber policy, and cyber partner engagement efforts.

Cynthia has covered cyber, technology, and counterintelligence issues for almost 20 years for the FBI, served as a PDB Briefer in two presidential administrations, and has led FBI cyber threat analysis and served as an FBI election lead since 2017. In these roles, she has reshaped FBI information sharing and collaboration with the private sector and federal, state, and local government officials to be robust, proactive, and aimed at imposing risks and consequences on malicious cyber actors.

Cynthia is also passionate about increasing diversity in cyber and tech professions. She was named a Women Tech Leader Ambassador by GovCIO in 2022, a Top Government Tech Leader to Watch by WashingtonExec in 2023, and received Cyber Guild’s “”Warrior Award”” in 2023. She holds a Master’s degree in security policy focused on science and technology and an Executive Master’s degree in leadership.

Sergio Torrontegui serves as Unilever´s Business Information Security Officer (BISO) for North America and Latin America (polar bears to penguins as he calls it) and he is responsible for business engagement in the delivery of cyber security strategy on behalf of the CISO, Kirsten Davies.  He is a passionate cyber security and risk management executive with a track record of over 20 years of tailoring and delivery of Enterprise Security Programs across three continents. He has dedicated his career to help Global companies like Barclays, Siemens and Axa to understand and manage risk within complex technical and business environments in tightly regulated industries such as Financial Services, Manufacturing, Critical Infrastructure Engineering, and Telecomm.

In his previous role, Sergio was Deputy CISO and Head of Cybersecurity Architecture & Data Protection at Banorte, Mexico’s second largest financial services company. Sergio is a recognized Subject Matter Expert in the fields of Cyber Security Strategy, Governance Risk and Compliance (GRC), Cyber Security Architecture, Identity & Access Management, Data Protection and Vulnerability Mgmt.

Jeff Northrop was recently promoted from Chief Information Security Officer for Mars Petcare into his current role as Chief Information Officer for Mars Wrigley North America. Mr. Northrop joined Mars, Incorporated in May 2019 as Director, Security CoE where he established an OT security program, operationalized the data protection program, and managed Security Architecture before assuming the CISO role for Mars Petcare.

Prior experiences include positions as Security Officer for Liberty Mutual, CTO for the IAPP, and Head of Technology for Reed Elsevier. Mr. Northrop lives in Maine where, along with his wife, he has raised two boys. He now spends his free time hiking, tending to his gardens, and spoiling his cat and chickens.

Linda Marcone is a Cybersecurity leader with 20+ years’ experience.  As a trailblazer in cybersecurity, she specializes in building and maturing Cybersecurity & IT Compliance Programs from the ground up.  Her expertise spans across multiple sectors including Telecom, Retail and Manufacturing.  Since 2022, Marcone has been serving as the VP & CISO, at Crate & Barrel Holdings Inc..  Her responsibilities include three iconic brands: Crate & Barrel, CB2 and Hudson Grace. Linda is passionate about cybersecurity, enjoys speaking at conferences, is currently a member of the Gartner CISO Community Governing Body, served on the Infragard Atlanta Board and recently was recognized as a “2024 Top 100 CISO” in North America by the CISOs Connect Board.

Stacee Jones is the IT Director and Deputy CISO for Lear Corporation, a global automotive technology leader in Seating and E-Systems that delivers intelligent in-vehicle experiences for customers around the world. More than two decades of experience in manufacturing IT and Information Security have equipped her with a deep understanding of the field, enabling her to take on roles of increasing responsibility and impact.

Stacee is a lifelong learner, holds a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry with a concentration in Computer Science from Oakland University and is a CISSP. As a mentor with the Women’s Security Alliance and a board member of the Michigan Cyberpatriot Program, Stacee is committed to shaping the future of cybersecurity through dedicated guidance and leadership. She is passionate about developing the next generation of diverse talent in the ever-changing world of cybersecurity.

When she’s not leading tech initiatives or mentoring the next generation of cybersecurity professionals, Stacee enjoys spending quality time with her family traveling and “”glamping””.

Eddie Borrero is Vice President, Chief Information Security Officer at Blue Shield of California, a nonprofit health plan with $21 billion in annual revenue serving 4.6 million members in the state’s commercial, individual, and government markets. Borrero drives Blue Shield’s IT security strategy to enable the growth and digital transformation of Blue Shield of California, maintain and build trust amongst our consumers, and accelerate a secure shift to a digital business model. With a strong focus on integrating security controls through a “DevSecOps” strategy of automation and development integration, he leads the organization in proactively identifying and mitigating information security risks to their business.

In addition, he is a core leader in Blue Shield’s corporate executive Diversity Council as well as the internal Hispanic and Veterans Groups. In his community, Borrero is committed to being a role model by supporting Hispanics and veterans in pursuing careers in technology.

He understands highly structured and regulated cultures as well as more dynamic and innovative cultures. He has held roles in Engineering, Sales Support, Product Development, IT and Operations within Financial Services, Entertainment, Professional Services, Biotech, Healthcare and Gas and Power companies, including Intuit, Robert Half, Pacific Gas & Electric, Electronic Arts, Workday, Amgen, and Blue Shield of California. His experience as a leader in a variety of industries gives him a unique perspective as a business leader and in partnering with corporate boards.

Andrew Albrecht serves as the CISO at Domino’s, where he is responsible for overseeing strategic and tactical Cybersecurity capabilities for one of the World’s leading QSR organizations, managing a dedicated team delivering all aspects of information security. Andy has over 27 years of experience in the cybersecurity arena, most recently serving as CISO at IAA Holdings. His tenure in Information Security has evolved from a highly tactical security engineer to a business-focused Cybersecurity leader dedicated to optimally aligning Cybersecurity goals with business strategy to enable tangible growth. He has also held CISO, Deputy CISO, or Executive Cybersecurity roles at Best Buy, LBrands, The Michael’s Companies, La Quinta Inns & Suites, and Designer Brands.

Kelly Brickley has over 20 years of experience providing leadership across public and private sectors to achieve business and security objectives. The combination of positions within the financial services sector and intelligence community have uniquely equipped her to understand how public and private sectors can collaborate to advance shared security and intelligence priorities. Kelly is also skilled at aligning businesses and intelligence objectives and consistently demonstrates expertise in building relationships to develop and implement large-scale organizational initiatives.

Jennifer Franks directs the Center for Enhanced Cybersecurity within GAO’s Information Technology and Cybersecurity team. She oversees reviews that primarily focus on emerging cybersecurity issues and assessing an agency’s ability to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of its sensitive data and computing infrastructure. In addition, she leads reviews in the areas of IT management and operations, financial management, healthcare and public health IT, data protection, and privacy.

Jennifer is a Diversity Champion who leads efforts to increase inclusiveness at GAO, and has facilitated numerous Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) courses.

Jennifer earned a master’s degree in information security policy and management from Carnegie Mellon University and earned a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems from Hampton University.

Hazleena Hashim has over 20 years of experience in business process engineering, digital transformation and organizational change. She helps travel companies that are facing growing pains, scale that growth and turn drowning work into manageable tasks. She believes in the travel industry’s capacity (when done responsibly) in inspiring travelers to conserve this beautiful planet, and in doing so, boost the local communities as well. Hazleena is both technologically and business savvy. Her background is in electrical engineering and she has a business graduate degree. Recently, she’s worked in the capacity of Chief Information Officer and Chief Operating Officer at Natural Habitat Adventures. When not working, you can almost always find Hazleena outside in any weather.

Anne Coulombe Anne is the Global Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for Werfen, a worldwide leader in specialized diagnostics and medical device manufacturer. She has responsibility of all cybersecurity and data privacy aspects globally. Most recently, Anne worked at Amazon Web Services (AWS), as Security Lead and “Field CISO” for Professional Services Healthcare & Life Sciences division. Previous roles include CEO, CISO and Head of Data Protection where she has built and lead security practices focused on digital transformation, securing highly regulated and sensitive workloads on premises and in the cloud across the globe. She has brought 200+ products and services to worldwide markets. An avid public speaker for security and diversity in cyber security, she is bilingual in French and English, holds several AWS certifications, CISSP, CDPSE, CISM and a PMP.

Phillip Arthur is Vice President & Chief Technical Architect for AdventHealth. He has previously served as Chief Technology Officer for AdventHealth, a position held from 2015 to 2023. Phillip has 30 years of healthcare IT experience having held several leadership roles over the last 16 years and the 14 years prior held various technical roles at AdventHealth.

Phillip has a bachelor’s degree in Business Management with an emphasis on IT from Western Governors University and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance.

Rick Rampersad currently works as the Chief Information Officer at the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County.  Rick has over 20 years’ experience driving organizational efficiencies and leading digital transformation teams across verticals such as healthcare, education and global manufacturing and hospitality organizations. Rick has completed advanced coursework in Business Management and Information Systems/Decision Sciences from the University of South Florida. In addition, Rick is a Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Project Management Professional (PMP), and Six Sigma Green Belt.

Brandon Carter is a Senior Cybersecurity Analyst with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – Water Infrastructure & Cyber Resilience Division, with over 20 years of experience in evaluating and enhancing the security posture of IT systems. Before joining the US EPA, Brandon provided Cybersecurity services to a myriad of federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of State, Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Defense. Brandon takes pride in doing his part in enhancing cyber resiliency and protecting the water and wastewater systems sector from cyber threats. In addition to emphasizing the adoption of basic cyber hygiene principles, he has learned that one of the most effective forms of protection is educating users on their role in keeping their information technology and operational technology systems secure.

Josh Serba serves as the CIO for AHC Hospitality, which is a hospitality management company.  He leads a team of IT professionals to provide service, support, and technology for a wide range of properties that fall under the company’s management.  AHC Hospitality manages 10 properties, with many on the horizon.  The company specializes in delivering an extra degree of hospitality.

During his time at AHC Hospitality, he’s been a part of significant growth and has continued to reshape and redefine the IT department.  His team is responsible for networks, systems, information security, point of sale, and support for everything in between, including guest rooms.  Josh helps with planning new technology initiatives for not only the staff that work at their managed properties, but the guests as well.

DeWayne serves as the CISO of Bass Pro; Leveraging 20+ years of experience in the technology and retail industry, he leads their Cyber Security, Fraud, and Investigations organizations.   Prior to joining Bass Pro in 2022, DeWayne held various retail, engineering, and leadership roles at Walmart. He started his career as a cashier in the Weatherford Ok store and worked his way up through the ranks to become the Director of Global Cyber Security responsible for the security footprint across Walmart’s Asia, Latin America, Europe, and Africa Regions. DeWayne holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and Engineering from SW Oklahoma State University.

Chief Information Security Officer with over 26 years of experience in Information Technology. Focus on information security, risk management and internal controls in the LNG, gas and electric utility industries. Specific focus on intelligent grid security, gas control system security, pipeline cybersecurity, LNG facility cybersecurity and maritime cybersecurity.

Specialties: Identity Management, Role Based Access Controls, Zero Trust, Risk and Vulnerability Management, Security Architecture, User Access, Network Security, Regulatory Compliance.

Jeremy Schumacher’s career in technology leadership, marked by his impact on security, digital transformation, and technical operations, began in an unexpected arena – the theater. This unique starting point endowed him with a dynamic blend of creativity and strategic thinking, shaping his approach to driving technological innovation and operational excellence. His journey from the arts to becoming a visionary in technology underscores his versatility and adaptability, qualities that have been instrumental in navigating complex business landscapes and achieving significant growth and efficiency in various leading organizations.

Joseph Welch is the Chief Information Officer at City Utilities in Fort Wayne, with a strong background in IT and cybersecurity. Since March 2015, he has managed IT infrastructure for a population of 450,000, overseeing both business networks and Industrial Control Systems (ICS). His role involves the development and implementation of IT and cybersecurity strategies, essential for protecting city infrastructure. Before joining City Utilities, Welch served as the IT Director at the Institute for Study Abroad in Indianapolis, Indiana, from June 1998 to December 2014. Here, he managed a global network in 18 countries, focusing on technological solutions in international education and demonstrating strong skills in team leadership and cybersecurity. Welch holds an Executive Education Certificate from Harvard Kennedy School, focusing on Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) in cybersecurity, and a Cybersecurity Graduate Certificate from Harvard University, where he gained extensive knowledge in network security and information security policy. His expertise includes cybersecurity management, IT infrastructure modernization, and strategic planning.

Leo Howell, a visionary IT leader with over two decades of experience, currently serves as the interim vice president for IT and chief information officer at Georgia Tech. In this role, he provides vision, leadership, and oversight in the development and implementation of information technology. He is also responsible for establishing the strategic direction of how the university handles its information technology resources. He formerly served as the Institute’s chief information security officer (CISO). He previously served as the CISO of the University of Oregon where he showcased his leadership in cybersecurity and information technology. His dedication to leveraging data for decision analytics sets him apart. Leo holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Electronics from the University of the West Indies, and an MBA from NC State University. As a CISSP and CISA, he demonstrates deep knowledge and commitment to cybersecurity. Leo’s distinguished career is marked by strong collaborative leadership and the recognition of data as a strategic asset for decision-making in the ever-evolving information technology and cybersecurity landscape.

Jim Blevins is a senior, solutions-oriented IT Executive highly regarded for a distinguished career in operational and strategic leadership with the responsibility of complex IT environments and in driving the development of successful technology solutions for industry leaders within the banking and manufacturing sector.

Jim is a motivational team leader known for taking a hands-on approach to guiding security teams and ensuring corporate-wide security and compliance requirements are met across all systems and data for the enterprise. Mr. Blevins closely manages the IT and IS programs to establish, evolve and enforce information policies, standards, and guidelines and document security solutions and operational methods and procedures. He drives portfolio management and strategic planning in large-scale, global Information Technology (IT), Cyber, and Financial / Resource Management organizations. Jim serves as a consulting partner and expert, collaborating and influencing strategy and improvements with an enterprise perspective. Mr. Blevins has earned recognition for personal integrity and commitment to building coalitions and aggressively implementing best practices that yield results above expectations.

He has demonstrated excellence in leading systems architecture, design, and operations, leveraging cutting-edge data center and network virtualization technologies. Jim has been the First Vice President and Security Officer at Delaware County Bank & Trust, the CIO at Columbus First Bank, the Senior Information Security Manager at Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, and his current role as the CIO for The Richwood Bank.

David Mullenix, VP of IT at JPI, brings over 20 years of experience in IT strategy, cybersecurity, and innovation. He focuses on driving technological advancements and optimizing operations. David is known for his collaborative approach and commitment to implementing effective solutions that support organizational growth. His dedication to continuous improvement has consistently yielded positive results in the technology sector.

Andrew Cook is the Senior Manager of IT Security and Infrastructure at Milo’s Tea Company. With over 17 years of experience in IT security and infrastructure within the CPG industry, Andrew was hired in 2022 to develop the IT security program at Milo’s, the nation’s leading freshly-brewed sweet tea brand.

Tom has spent the last 12 years working as the CIO for 3 different wholesale distributors in the mid-Atlantic region.  He’ll share his experience constructing resilient and robust cyber security postures on a panel discussion that describes the steps to fortify an organization that does not have a CISO or dedicated security team.  Implementing cyber security effectively in the mid-market is Tom’s specialty.

Experienced Chief Information / Technology Officer with over 33 years of experience working in the education industry.  Skilled in Data Centers, Infrastructure, Windows, Servers, Active Directory, Group Policy, Microsoft 365, Cisco, VMware / Hyper V, OS X, Fiber Optic Cable, Databases, Domain Name System (DNS), Project Management, Cyber Security Architect, Ethical Hacking, and Data Wiring.  Proficient in Microsoft products such as Surface, Windows, Azure, 365, PowerShell, and Intune.  Strong information technology professional with a BS-NSE / Specialist in IT- Network / Software Systems Engineer – from Barry University in Miami, Florida.  Focused on Network Systems Engineering and Security.  Credits include Microsoft MVP • MIE Expert • Microsoft Showcase School Mentor • Speaker (Tech Mentor, Live 360, E2 Education Exchange, Microsoft Showcase School Summit, Misbo, Lenovo, FCIS, ISTE, etc). • Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC) Speaker • Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC) review committee member. • Florida Council of Independent Schools Technology Coordinator Committee and Speaker • VEX Robotics Judge / Head Referee • Esports Director • Executive Board Member for Miami Dade County Public Schools Technology Advisory Committee • Executive Member for the Global Advisory Board for the Showcase Schools Program.

Jessie Minton is the Vice Chancellor for Technology and Chief Information Officer at Washington University in St. Louis. An accomplished leader and information technology professional with deep expertise in higher education, health care, and biomedical research technologies, Minton came to WashU in spring of 2022. Following 10 years in leadership roles in the corporate sector, she served for 6 years in a senior IT leadership capacity at Oregon Health & Science University, followed by 5 years at the University of Oregon as vice provost and chief information officer.

Andrew has a broad range of cybersecurity, risk management, audit, merger & acquisition, organizational design, and international experience cultivated over more than two decades across the consumer packaged goods, manufacturing, financial services, logistics, healthcare and consulting industries. He is a multi-time CISO and has led Cybersecurity teams at Community Veterinary Partners, Hillenbrand, and Nestle.

Kishore has been working with ManageEngine for the past 6yrs. He has a technology driven process with overall 14 years of expertise in delivering value to small, medium and enterprise organizations.

Josh is a Principal in Crowe’s Consulting practice and serves as Crowe’s Cyber Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) leader for consumer markets and life sciences industries. He has over 20 years of experience helping companies align cybersecurity programs including IT risk management, third party risk, business resiliency, threat analysis, and IT compliance.  His responsibilities include overseeing the strategic direction of Crowe’s Cyber GRC offerings focusing on risk metrics, cyber risk quantification, and board reporting.

Jerry Carlson has over three decades of IT and Security expertise, with 23 of these years spent at Microsoft. He currently leads a team of cyber security experts for Bulletproof across the United States. His team is driven by helping organizations protect themselves from cybercrime because they believe stealing is wrong. Jerry is an expert in the Microsoft security portfolio, including M365 Security (Defender for Endpoint, Defender for Email, Defender for Identity), and Entra Cloud Permissions Management, as well as Microsoft Copilot for M365 and Copilot for Security. He has assisted many small and large businesses in transitioning from an outdated best of breed model to a Microsoft best in class integrated security platform, lowering their security expenses, enhancing their visibility, and ultimately decreasing risk.

Jack Wilson is an accomplished Senior Executive, Entrepreneur, and Advisory Board Member with more than 25 years of successful executive leadership experience in various industries. Wilson is currently the CRO of Bulletproof, a leader in the cybersecurity industry, leveraging extensive experience in developing strategies, building high-performance teams, and delivering revenue and profitable growth.

I love winning, I love building a business to address a new market opportunity and I love making people better at what they do. Experienced in building and leading highly motivated, global revenue and customer success teams solving complex challenges to arrive at successful solutions.

I’m an avid runner who has participated in many Marathons (2:23PR), and numerous Ultra Marathons including the Moab 240, and placed in the top 20 (10:21) in the Ironman.

Josh Cridlebaugh is a seasoned expert in secure cloud networking, with over 10 years of experience in cloud, data center, network, and network security. Currently, as the Director of Solutions Marketing at Aviatrix, Josh has been pivotal in driving the success of Aviatrix CoPilot, a flagship network visualization platform. His strategic planning and product marketing acumen have led to the launch of several innovative product lines, including Network Behavior Analytics and CostIQ.

Bryan Woodworth, or Woody as he is called, has been at Aviatrix for almost 3 years, where he helps with GTM, content, and strategic partnerships. Prior to Aviatrix, Woody was helping the F500 build some of the largest and most complex cloud networks in the world as a Global Black Belt at Microsoft Azure. Woody’s career has also spanned roles in training, sales, and cloud infrastructure, with over 15 years in the industry.

Tom Tovar is CEO and co-creator of Appdome, the mobile industry’s first no-code mobile solutions platform. Tom also leads Appdome’s Cyber Security Research team. The cyber research team has access to 100Ms of “sentinel” data points tracking threats and attacks on mobile users and apps globally. Prior to Appdome, Tom served as executive chairman of Badgeville, an enterprise engagement platform acquired by CallidusCloud, and as CEO of Nominum, a DNS security and services provider that was acquired by Akamai. Tovar holds a JD from Stanford Law School and a BBA in finance and accounting from the University of Houston.

Stephen Manley is the CTO of Druva. He leads Druva‘s AI strategy, Infosec team, and cloud & security subject matter experts. He has spent his career protecting and securing data at  data and security infrastructure companies including NetApp, LogLogic SIEM, and Dell.

Neil Ashwroth is the Sr. Solutions Architect for Security at Druva and has been working in public/ private InfoSec for over 24yrs. A career beginning in Royal Navy SIGINT, HUMINT and Cyber Operations in support UK/US counter terrorism efforts. Helping define early guidance around Cyber Intelligence operations, then migrating to the US 10yrs ago working to enable customers achieve maximum resiliency when architecting hybrid/ multi-cloud data security solutions.

As Vice President of Product for CAST Highlight, Greg leads strategy for CAST’s SaaS product helping clients and partners govern application portfolios, accelerate application modernization, control open source risks, and make greener software. He has held technology leadership roles with Fortune 500 companies such as Microsoft, IDG, and Arrow Electronics for over 20 years. Greg has a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and an M.S. in Management of Technology and is passionate about applying technology to improve business and our everyday lives.