Ahmed Pasha is the US Head of IT Security and CISO at Nomura, responsible for driving the cybersecurity strategy and safeguarding the Nomura Americas franchise. In addition to his CISO role, Ahmed leads Nomura’s Global Threat Management program, enhancing security across the firm and ensuring the protection of its clients.

With Nomura’s integrated network spanning over 30 countries and regions, Ahmed plays a key role in securing the firm’s global operations, which include services in retail, investment management, global markets, and investment banking. His leadership is integral to Nomura’s mission of “Delivering a better tomorrow” by fostering a secure environment for both the firm and its clients.

Experienced security business leader with a strong background in technology strategy, cloud security, and DevSecOps. Proven track record in leading and managing teams, developing and implementing secure technology strategies, and aligning them with business objectives. Adept at communicating complex technical issues to senior management and fostering an enabling technology and security culture within organisations. Demonstrated commitment to advancing the technology field through community contributions, including 100 articles and blogs for organisations such as the Cloud Security Alliance and Deloitte UK. Delivered keynote addresses for events at the United Nations, Black Hat, and the Financial Times. Technical acumen honed through experiences in architecture and systems design at Cisco, PwC, and Deloitte. Practical experience in machine learning and artificial intelligence, which underpins LLMs and MLLM. Scientific training with a doctorate from the University of Oxford.

Amit Basu is Vice President, Chief Information Officer and Chief Information Security Officer at International Seaways (INSW). INSW, headquartered in New York city, is one of the largest tanker companies providing energy transportation services for crude oil and petroleum products worldwide. Amit has over 30 years of proven IT track record and almost 25 years of experience in maritime IT leadership roles. Prior to INSW, he worked with Overseas Shipholding Group from 1995 and was their CIO between 2013 and 2016. Amit pioneered maritime industry process automation efforts and lately optimized the IT services at INSW utilizing cloud computing and SaaS.

Amit holds an MBA as well as a Master of Science degree in Information Management from the Stevens Institute of Technology, New Jersey. Amit is also a Certified Information Security Manager from ISACA and a current Governing Body member of New York CIO Executive Summit.

Amit is instrumental in designing a cybersecurity risk management framework at INSW for protecting information assets against potential cyber risks; monitoring the emergence of new threats and vulnerabilities; timely detection and efficient response to any cyber incidents. He is currently focusing on leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to enhance cyber security defense efforts, especially to mitigate the security risks of the Internet of Things (IoT).

Atti held dual positions as Senior Vice President and CIO, as well as Interim Chief Digital Officer at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. There, she played a key role in advancing healthcare technology, from tech adoption to research and patient care. She also served for seven years as Assistant Secretary-General and Chief Information Technology Officer at the United Nations, where she redefined the organization’s technology infrastructure to enhance global effectiveness.

Atti is deeply committed to using technology for social good. As Executive Director of CIOs Without Borders, she applies her expertise to drive positive societal impact. Her extensive career also includes leadership roles such as Executive Vice President and CIO at the New York City Housing Authority, Global CIO at Ogilvy & Mather, and Vice President and CIO at MTA New York City Transit, where she pioneered the iconic MetroCard system.

In addition to her executive roles, Atti is a respected thought leader in technology. She regularly contributes to publications and speaks at industry events, focusing on critical topics like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and ethical tech practices. Through these efforts, she advocates for responsible innovation and works to ensure a secure and ethical tech landscape.

Claus B. Rahbek (b. February 16, 1980) is a seasoned leader specializing in cybersecurity, IT governance, and strategic management. Currently serving as CISO and center chief at the Danish Ministry of Defense Personnel Agency, he oversees cyber security, GDPR compliance, and AI regulations.

With a strong military and IT background, Claus has held key leadership roles, including CISO at the Danish Home Guard Command and head of cybersecurity initiatives within the Ministry of Defense. He played a pivotal role in strengthening Denmark’s cyber defense, managing significant projects, including a DKK 135 million cybersecurity initiative.

Claus holds a Master’s degree in IT Management from the IT University of Copenhagen and multiple certifications. He has also served as a military commander in Kosovo and held various leadership positions in voluntary organizations.

A strategic thinker and process-driven leader, Claus combines technical expertise with strong leadership.

Danielle Gomes is a dynamic and innovative technology executive with over 20 years of experience leading transformative IT organizations across multiple industries, including healthcare, consumer packaged goods, e-retailing, and finance. As Chief Information Officer for Healthcare Digital Transformation at J&J MedTech LATAM, Danielle is recognized for her ability to build and manage highly responsive, business-focused, and growth-oriented IT teams that drive strategic outcomes.

A visionary leader and servant leader at heart, Danielle excels in aligning technology initiatives with business objectives, fostering innovation, and delivering impactful digital solutions. Her deep industry expertise and collaborative approach make her a trusted partner in advancing healthcare innovation and operational excellence throughout the LATAM region.

Henrik Heidebo Svendsen is the Global CISO at NKT Cables, responsible for overall security management, risk management, and managing security requirements towards customers. Henrik has a robust background in cyber security management, with significant experience at Scalepoint Technologies and the Ministry of Defense. At Scalepoint Technologies, he managed security controls, crisis management, cyber security projects, and audit management. At the Ministry of Defense, he implemented risk frameworks, conducted risk assessments, and developed tools for cyber risk management.

Kevin Walsh is a seasoned and results-driven cybersecurity leader with over 20 years of experience in technology and security, including 14 years of leadership in managing cyber teams. As the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Party Holdings, Kevin has a proven track record of delivering business-enabling security programs across a diverse range of industries, including media, manufacturing, real estate, SaaS startups, defense, retail, and consumer products.

A strategic and people-focused leader, Kevin excels in creating collaborative, consensus-driven cultures that empower teams and foster ownership and autonomy. His expertise spans a wide array of security programs, including enterprise security, application and product security, identity and access management, data privacy, threat intelligence, incident response, and vulnerability management.

Kevin is also active in the security venture capital community, advising security and privacy startups and enterprises. His deep knowledge of security frameworks such as NIST CSF, ISO27001, and SOC2, combined with his experience in compliance areas like GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI, enables him to guide organizations through complex security and privacy challenges.

With a strong focus on emerging technologies like generative AI and cloud-native security, Kevin is committed to driving innovation and ensuring robust cybersecurity in today’s ever-evolving digital landscape.

Allow me to introduce myself, as a driven and visionary Digital Transformation Executive. With a passion for innovation and a track record of success in leading organizations through digital transformations, I thrive on embracing emerging technologies to drive business growth and enhance operational efficiency. My strategic mindset, coupled with a deep understanding of digital trends, equips me to identify and capitalize on opportunities that propel companies into the future of digital excellence. As a forward-thinking leader, I am dedicated to empowering teams, fostering a culture of agility, and steering organizations toward sustained success in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

As the Chief Digital Transformation Officer at EON, my role is to lead the company’s transformational efforts in driving significant organizational change and innovation to improve business performance and meet strategic goals. I oversee and manage various initiatives focused on transforming EON’s operations, technology, culture, and customer experience. This involves developing and implementing new policies and processes, identifying and adopting new technologies, managing people and resources, driving cost optimization, and fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. Ultimately, my goal is to help EON stay competitive and agile in a rapidly evolving market while delivering value to customers and stakeholders.

As CISO, I bring 20 years of experience in cybersecurity, IT operations and IT Development. I’m passionate about building secure, scalable IT environments that drive business success while mitigating risk. My focus is on strategic cybersecurity, risk management, and fostering a culture of security across the organization. With a hands-on, data-driven approach, I ensure robust protection against evolving cyber threats. Always looking for innovative ways to strengthen digital resilience in today’s dynamic landscape. 

Olu has over twenty years’ experience in Information technology and Security and has spent most of those years in the public sector. He is currently the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT). Before joining NYC DOT, he worked as Senior Director, Security and Risk Management at the New York City Health + Hospitals. Olu holds numerous certifications that include Certification Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Certified Chief Information Security Officer (CCISO), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), GIAC Critical Controls Certification (GCCC), Project Management Professional (PMP), and Proofpoint Certified Ransomware Specialist.

Patricia Voight is the CISO and Head of 1st Line Technology Risk Management at Webster Bank. Previously, she was a Managing Director at Ernst & Young LLP in the Financial Services (FS) Risk Consulting sector, and the FS Technology Risk Integrated Cybersecurity Leader for the Americas. Patricia has extensive experience serving large global, medium-size regional, and startup clients with a focus on financial, operational, and technology risk management; cybersecurity and digital transformation; organizational and technology strategies; risk remediation; process, risk, and control (PRC) frameworks; and meeting regulatory expectations. She works directly with board members and C-Suite leaders to help each organization accelerate its company’s mission and protect its purpose. She has held numerous strategic executive roles in the industry across all Three Lines of Defense.

Robyn Ready is the Sr. Vice-President, CISO, Infrastructure and Operations at the KnitWell Group.  With over 17 years’ experience in the cyber security field and over 20 years’ experience in IT, Robyn has led five organizations in their transformation from no security program or a minimal security program to mature security organizations.  Starting with an organization that needed to achieve NIST compliance to survive, moving to a Fortune 100 financial firm that required a SOC, and then into the retail industry Robyn has been instrumental in achieving continuous risk reduction for all these organizations.  These risk reductions allowed her to move to her next challenge while leaving teams that were set up to succeed and continue their maturity journey.  At the KnitWell Group Robyn has led her teams through three acquisitions in four years which required the integration and consolidation of teams, tools, and processes.  As a firm believer in ensuring you take care of the basics before anything else she has adopted the philosophy that, “if you don’t have secure, stable systems, you don’t get to do fun things”.

Ron Ongley is the Chief Information Security Officer and Chief Technology Officer at Russell Reynolds Associates. Based in New York, he oversees the firm’s security program, network, voice/video, distributed infrastructure, and all core systems, along with a global Client Services team. Ron established and leads the RRA cybersecurity program, guided the firm through ISO security and data privacy certifications, and modernized the global network and voice services delivery model. Currently, he is spearheading a digital ERP transformation and modernizing legal operations.

Ron has been with Russell Reynolds Associates for 23 years, progressively advancing in seniority. He has driven operational and technological efficiencies, including creating a flexible workforce foundation and redesigning infrastructure for the firm’s first automated fault-tolerant network. Key initiatives include migrating to modern IP technology phone systems and introducing global video and collaboration programs, significantly enhancing daily business operations. Before joining RRA in December 2001, Ron was Director of Enterprise Systems at Rare Medium and held roles in technology management and engineering at a small educational firm and Quaker State Corporation.

Ron earned a BS in Business Administration from Ambassador University in Texas and holds CISO Certification from Carnegie Mellon University.

Sharon Dhall is Chief Information Officer at Kroll, based in New York. Sharon has more than 25 years of experience and a proven track record of success in technology, operations, business and process transformation and finance leadership roles. Throughout her career, she has led many successful enterprise-wide initiatives, including transformation efforts, enterprise robotics programs and process re-engineering. In her role at the firm, she has global responsibility for shaping and supporting Kroll’s growth through the strategic use of technology, data and people resources to deliver an improved customer and employee experience. 

Prior to being appointed Chief Information Officer at Kroll, Sharon led Enterprise Technology for the Human Resources, Legal and Compliance functions as well as Enterprise Business Process Automation at TIAA. She was instrumental in the continued progress of the organization’s Robotics Center of Excellence and developed a community to share learnings across the enterprise. Sharon’s leadership made an enduring impact in the Women in IT initiative and the diversity, equity and inclusion efforts across the firm. She was the co-sponsor for Women in Technology along with Ally programs to help develop, shape and retain technology talent. She also drove human resource transformation efforts globally, including a long-term initiative that transformed how TIAA delivered HR services. 

Sharon joined TIAA in 2017 from JPMorgan Chase, where she was Technology CFO/COO for the corporate investment bank, responsible for $3.6 billion in annual technology spend and the delivery of a $200 million (mn) multi-year efficiency program. She also held technology and process leadership roles of increasing responsibility at JPMorgan Chase, including managing transformational initiatives across the banking technology portfolio, driving process re-engineering efforts in the wholesale business and being the auto and student lending CIO. She also spent more than 12 years with General Electric in the GE Capital and Finance divisions in roles that ranged from project management to chief information officer, where she managed a $25 mn technology budget and more than 400 resources globally. 

Sharon serves on the boards of the Emma Willard All Girls High School, Syracuse University’s iSchool and the Institute for the Study of Knowledge Management, a non-profit open education organization. She has also authored a book on information technology in higher education. 

Sharon holds a bachelor’s degree in information sciences and technology from Syracuse University and a master’s degree in organization psychology from Teachers College at Columbia University. She also received an Executive MBA from the University of Connecticut. She is actively involved in her community supporting Operation Walk Maryland and participates in several Asian and women’s diversity networks. 

Srini Gudipati is a visionary technology executive with a legacy of leading and aligning cross-functional teams to drive complex end-to-end enterprise initiatives and deliver impactful digital solutions that scale business, drive operational excellence, and revolutionize the customer experience. 

With 25+ years of experience in the supply chain and logistics industry, Srini has been recognized as a technical thought leader in innovative software development, digital transformation, and IT portfolio and program management, with expertise in consumer-packaged goods (CPG), manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, logistics, and transportation.  

In his current role as CIO at Reworld, Srini directs an operating budget of $32M and $15M of capital budget, providing leadership for 100+ direct and indirect reports.  

As a forward-thinking change agent, Srini delivers transformational results by building bridges across functions, revitalizing IT organization performance, and empowering teams to “up their game” to exceed performance expectations. Srini aligns cross-functional teams around a unified vision to develop and deploy digital products that create competitive advantage, increase business agility, and enable organizations to generate multimillion dollars in revenue and deliver excellent customer service.   

He is also focused on increasing application scalability, reliability, and performance while minimizing corporate cybersecurity risks and costs by championing the latest trends in digital technology and data-driven processes, modernizing outdated network infrastructure, building autonomous cloud-based data warehouse/data lake platforms, and accelerating migrations of legacy systems to the cloud. As a testament to his leadership and digital transformation achievements, Srini was recognized with a CIO100 Award (Business Intelligence). 

As a caring and inspiring people leader, Srini raises the performance bar and coaches for success to meet challenging corporate goals while providing career growth and advancement opportunities. He is proud of the leaders he has developed, creating diverse and inclusive cultures that foster innovation and collaboration to deliver unmistakable value for the company and its customers. 

Srini’s academic credentials include a Master of Science in Computer Science from Villanova University, a Bachelor of Science in Metallurgy from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, a PMP certification, and several professional development courses in leadership, communication, operational excellence, warehouse & distribution, and logistics. 

A 35-year veteran in the technology space, Mr. Taylor has a stellar track record of guiding IT transformation, design, deployment, and integration initiatives, including multiple large-scale corporate mergers and acquisitions (M&A) integrations. With his deep expertise in high-level operational and technical skill sets, Mr. Taylor is an integral part of the company and a partner in innovation with the business. He strives to improve operating efficiency that stays as the business grows. Previously he was President and CEO of his own consulting firm where he advised C-suite corporate leaders on the need for technology investments to drive transformative growth. He was paramount in several successful M&A transactions, providing expert consulting to executive leaders throughout the transitions. Before he was a consultant, Mr. Taylor held multiple roles at Fidelity National Financial and Fidelity Information Services. Most recently he was an Account & Technical Delivery Executive where he delivered expert operational and technical guidance and coaching to a multidisciplinary technical team of 110+.

An accomplished executive leader with over 20 years of experience in leading data and digital strategy & transformation. Proven track record of success in developing and executing strategies that have resulted in significant business growth and innovation. Extensive experience working for large organisations in a variety of industries, including financial services, insurance, retail, telecommunications, mining, and engineering. Accolades include Global Womans Data Power List 2023, Top Data Activators award = Hottopics 2022, Chief Data Officer of the Year 2017 IQPC , Global Business of Data Advisory board member- CoriniumGlobal 2021, DataIQ advisory board member 2020 /2021, Data Top 100 innovators 2019, 2020 and 2021 DataIQ, Ranked No. 2 on the DataIQ Top 100 most influential people in data-driven business 2018, Profiled as one of the Top 20 women in Data by The Female Lead in 2018

Roel Schouten has over 25 years of experience in developing and executing strategic security initiatives that align with business objectives. As Vice President of Information Security and CISO at Trivium Packaging, he drives global cybersecurity strategy, risk management, and governance to safeguard the organization’s IT and OT environments.

With deep expertise in threat detection, incident response, and security operations, Roel has successfully designed and built Security Operations Centers (SOCs) and led high-performing teams. He excels at translating complex cybersecurity challenges into actionable insights for senior executives and boards, ensuring a strong security posture across the enterprise.

At Trivium, he oversees security risk management, governance frameworks, and compliance initiatives based on NIST CSF and ISO 27001. His leadership ensures continuous improvement in cybersecurity resilience, aligning security programs with business priorities and regulatory requirements. Passionate about mentorship, Roel is committed to fostering the next generation of security professionals while driving innovation and operational excellence in information security.

Frans Jorna is an experienced public innovator. He combines years of experience in public leadership on a local level with the craft of creating and tending innovative public-private ecosystems. As a characteristic voice in the Dutch digital transformation, he has focused on the twin sustainable mobility and energy transition that most cities go through in this time. He is well versed in regenerative leadership, the design of sustainable systems and organisations, the transformation of organisational trauma, urban governance and asset-based community development. He holds a PhD in public administration and has published multiple peer-reviewed articles on citizen-centric digital urban governance. He currently functions as the chief innovation officer at the City of Apeldoorn and is board-member of the Dutch Metropolitan Innovation ecosystem.

Daniel Gebler is CTO of Picnic, the world’s fastest growing online supermarket that makes grocery shopping simple,fun, and affordable for everyone. Previously, he was Director R&D of Fredhopper, responsible for the product and technology roadmap, and led engineering teams located in Amsterdam and Sofia. Daniel holds a PhD in Computer Scienceand an MBA. He published papers, edited journals, and chaired international workshops on software correctness. 

With over 15 years of experience, George Schizas is a seasoned Cybersecurity Expert dedicated to enhancing organizational cybersecurity readiness. His expertise spans technical leadership, governance, risk, and compliance across diverse sectors including Banking, Media, IoT, Fintech, Blockchain, and AI. George is passionate about staying at the forefront of cybersecurity. He actively participates in various events including Capture The Flag (CTF) competitions and consistently ranks among the top 3% of participants on a leading cybersecurity training platform. His hands-on approach, combined with his contributions to renowned Fortune500 entities like Ford Motor Company and consulting roles with start-ups and SMEs, has cultivated a comprehensive outlook on cybersecurity. A firm believer in promoting cybersecurity as a habit rather than a liability, George has recently focused on bolstering digital defenses for high-profile European institutions such as the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) and the European Space Agency (ESA). Currently, he spearheads cybersecurity operations across the EMEA region for NEP Group. 

Ann Maya is the EMEA CTO at Boomi. Ann has nearly 20 years in the software industry, serving varying roles — from software developer, application services consultant, solution architect, product manager and product marketing manager. Ann has been at Boomi for 6 years and currently resides in London in the UK. To relax she’s a keen tag rugby player and surfs and snowboards whenever near waves and mountains, respectively.

Filip Verloy serves as the Technical Evangelist for the EMEA region at Noname Security. In that role, Filip engages and advises customers, partners and the security industry at large, sharing his experience, insights, and strategies on API security. Prior to joining Noname Security, Verloy was the Field CTO for EMEA at Zero Trust Data Management start-up Rubrik, he has previously served at various IT vendors including Citrix, Dell, Riverbed, and VMware in roles ranging from Architect to Solutions Executive supporting some of the largest and most complex customer environments. He has been in the IT industry for over 20 years, spanning the customer-, consulting-, and vendor-side.

Stuart is the UK CIO at Société Générale London Branch, where he is responsible for the oversight and leadership of the UK IT Community, developing and supporting the Global IS Strategy, and ensuring the delivery of business-critical technology and core infrastructure. He also has responsibility for the UK Digital Office, working with business units in the digital transformation of their systems, processes and staff mindset. Stuart started his career within IT at Salomon Brothers, then moved to Rabobank to design & implement an equity trading platform for a new Equities division. After this he was a founding member of a “dot com” called Omiris Networks, which although unsuccessful in changing the industry to a new trading & settlement paradigm, did provide a number of life lessons on building a company from 8 people with a Powerpoint deck to 80+ staff and a global platform! After Omiris was sold to Tradeware, Stuart moved to Credit Suisse for 6 years prior to joining Société Générale.

Lynda has significant leadership versatility across a broad range of technical domains and industries gained whilst working with and for FTSE 20, PE owned and Fortune 200 businesses. She thrives in dynamic and results focused organisations and enjoys environments with a strong team culture and clear purpose. Throughout her career, she has consistently delivered trailblazing solutions when businesses and industries have encountered epic disruption and has been at the forefront of industry re-invention in a number of sectors during her time at New Look, Accenture and Barclays.

Lynda is a transformational leader who has worked with B-corps on creating the world’s most sustainably operating businesses albeit with a deep sense of commercial practicality. She has significant depth of experience in risk management gained whilst working at Barclays during the financial crash, which is now enabling her to lead conversations on the increasingly complex global regulatory landscape as relates to sustainability.

Her experience as an executive in Retail, Banking and Consulting, combined with non-executive positions at the British Fashion Council and CFIN (government sponsored circular fashion initiative) has resulted in Lynda having a truly differentiated and distinct perspective when engaging with fellow executives. She possesses a ‘flat structure’ mindset which she believes is essential to harness true innovation and enable diversity in thought and being.

Jon Townsend is a leader in technology and is the Chief Information Officer for the National Trust, where he was previously the CTO and CISO. He holds an MBA with the Open University and an MSc with Cranfield University in the Design of Information Systems. He previously held a commission as an Officer in the British Army, fulfilling a variety of technical and leadership roles culminating in Regimental command. Upon leaving the military he became a Senior Civil Servant in the UK Central Government responsible for developing cyber security and intelligence capability for the Department for Work and Pensions. He is also a Certified Data Protection Practitioner with the British Computer Society, a Certified Information Security Manager with ISACA and GIAC Certified Enterprise Defender with SANS.

I have worked in the information security field for over 23 years, the majority of the time in the telecommunication industry covering various roles in the Incident Response and Security Operations, Security Architecture and Design and Information Security Management space. I am currently the CISO for VMO2. I am passionate about ensuring security controls are aligned with business needs and promoting security as an enabler with a key focus on how we can maximise ROI and continue to manage our attack surface. 

Darren Desmond is an information security leader and Certified Information Systems Security Professional with diverse experience in security risk management within the UK Defence sector, global online gambling industry, a major UK telecommunications & media company, a ‘Big Four’ managed services company and latterly as the CISO at one of the UK’s most recognisable brands. 

Anaïs Beaucousin, currently Chief Business Security Officer for ADP International, is accountable for the delivery of centralized security services, in accordance with the needs, risk level, and plans of ADP International businesses (covering LATAM, EMEA and APAC) and ADP Corporate security. She is accountable for managing risk posture, regulatory compliancy assurance, and for the coordination of ADP International Security plans in accordance with Chief Security Office. Anaïs holds a Master’s degree in Management & Business from the Ecole Supérieure de Commerce in France. She enjoys working in multi-cultural environments, helping the organization with Security matters as well as digital transformation initiatives and is committed to deliver Service Excellence to associates and clients. She is a firm believer that being inclusive and diverse at the workplace brings the best ideas and leads businesses to success. 

Rob is a Principal Architect for Ping Identity in the UK and also the Field CTO for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Rob has 24 years experience in identity and access management. He has worked on complex implementation projects in the UK, USA, Europe and South Africa.

His current area of focus is on applying identity orchestration to enable businesses to deliver exceptional experiences to their customers across channels . He is specifically passionate about using mobile applications and digital wallets to enable strong authentication, data sharing and consent.

Max Killinger is a seasoned executive in IT leadership with extensive experience managing international responsibilities and driving transformative initiatives. As the Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Vice President of Corporate IT at the Hoffmann Group in Munich, Germany, Max oversees the development and execution of IT strategies that align with the organization’s evolving business goals. His expertise spans digital business model transformation, IT governance, compliance, information security, and the operation of cutting-edge datacenters and IT infrastructure.

Before joining the Hoffmann Group, Max served as Director of IT at Schwarz Dienstleistung KG, the parent company of Lidl and Kaufland, for seven years. During his tenure, he led the IT organization and established a groundbreaking Business Consulting Department, spearheading the digital agenda for the Schwarz Group’s Central Services, founded in 2014. His visionary leadership and ability to align technology with business objectives have consistently delivered innovative solutions and operational excellence.

Max’s leadership philosophy centers on fostering innovation, ensuring robust IT compliance, and enhancing infrastructure to support global operations. His experience in both strategic planning and hands-on execution makes him a key driver of digital transformation in the corporate IT landscape.

Boyan is the Chief Technology Officer of SIXT, responsible for the company’s tech vision and strategy. Prior to joining SIXT in 2015, Boyan had a long career in the startup ecosystems in the UK and Bulgaria. He has successfully delivered mission critical services and digital transformations in the mobility, security, and finance areas.

Boyan has been an AWS user since 2008 and has over 15 years of experience in cloud architecture and distributed systems. He has helped many small and large businesses increase their efficiency and delivery by migrating their workloads to the cloud and designing cloud-native applications. He is a frequent speaker at AWS meetups and Summits, sharing design patterns for developing and operating solutions at scale. A devoted Golang enthusiast, Boyan has maintained in the past one of the most popular AWS SDKs in Go, helping the community to utilize AWS services.

Outside of work, Boyan enjoys spending time with his young family, and practicing his hobbies: martial arts and skiing.

Prof. Dr. Torsten Eymann is Chief Information Officer (CIO) at the University of Bayreuth, Germany. He is spokesperson for all Bavarian universities’ CIOs and co-president of the German association of University CIOs. He is University professor at U Bayreuth and co-director of the Fraunhofer institute for Applied Informatics (Fraunhofer FIT), Branch Business & Branch Business & Information Systems Engineering of the Fraunhofer FIT. From 2015 to 2021, he served as Vice President for Digitalization and Innovation at the University of Bayreuth. His research focuses on the digital transformation of society, focusing on areas such as digital health and digital education, and the acceptance and social impact of digital technologies such as artificial intelligence.

Itay serves as the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at SIXT, a leading global premium car rental company. In his role, he is responsible for devising and implementing the company’s global security strategy and overseeing its global information security organization. With over a decade of experience in military-grade defensive and offensive cyber operations, Itay has held various technological, operational, and management roles within the Israeli 8200 cyber unit. His extensive career also includes significant expertise in Cyber Crisis Management and Incident Response, providing consultation to Boards and key stakeholders of Fortune 500 companies and large enterprises. Itay’s background in developing and working with cutting-edge technologies and teams equips him with a unique overview of the information security landscape, enabling him to effectively strategize and lead the implementation of resilient and efficient security programs.

Currently as the CISO at Allianz Direct, a leader in the insurance industry, and formerly at PagoNxt – A Santander Company, a leader in payments, Naveen brings 18+ years of experience in crafting and executing impactful cybersecurity strategies. Known for transformative leadership and building high-performance teams, Naveen combines a strong background in software engineering with visionary leadership to drive security excellence.  A dynamic, results-oriented leader and popular speaker in cybersecurity circles, Naveen is dedicated to advancing security in forward-thinking organizations.

Stella Alamil is a transformation leader with a robust 20 years’ experience blending business acumen with the power of data, digital, and technology. As the CIO for Europe and Global Key Account at ISS A/S, a global leader in facility management and workplace experience based in Denmark, Stella orchestrates the strategic direction and tech advancements across 14 countries.  Her strong experience in leading Commercial and Operations team enables her to focus technology leadership that spans the full spectrum of strategy development to meticulous execution. Her recent accomplishments include leading the programme management for ISS’ Global Cybersecurity Recovery initiative and pioneering the establishment of ISS Tech Portugal, a growing software development hub with 70+ people in Porto. A Harvard Business School alumna, Stella is committed and recognized as a champion for diversity, inclusion, and education. She is featured in the Women to Watch Index 2024 by MBS Group and named among the 100 Most Influential Filipino Women in LinkedIn 2023. With her advocacies and speaking engagements, Stella hopes to inspire and pave the way for the next generation of leaders and tech enthusiasts in global corporations.

Jim Rutt is the Chief Information Officer/CISO at the Dana Foundation. His responsibilities include providing strategic planning for information security and technology management and overseeing all back office technology operations necessary to support the Foundation. Jim is an early adopter of cutting edge cloud security solutions, having led Dana through a complete cloud transformation seven years ago. Jim has frequently spoken at peer organizations on corporate cybersecurity strategy and risk management, and also advises early stage technology companies on their business strategy to the financial and healthcare sector.

Jim is a graduate of Stetson University, where he received a B.B.A. degree. He has 26 years of technology experience (spanning financial, healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors) and has been at Dana for fourteen years. Jim has presented at multiple CIO and leadership conferences and has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal (among other publications) for his view on security and governance. Jim is the former President and Chairman of the Board of the Technology Affinity Group (TAG) and is Vice President and Board Director for the New York Metro Chapter of the Cloud Security Alliance, as well as a founding advisory board member of BWG Strategy LLC, a Work-Bench Venture Capital Mentor/Advisor, a venture partner at 645 Ventures, and advisor to numerous venture capital firms and tech startup companies.

Jason Shockey is the SVP, Chief Information Security Officer at Cenlar FSB. Shockey has 22 years of experience in IT and global cybersecurity operations specializing in governance, risk management, compliance, IT operations, architecture, software engineering, and incident response. Before joining Cenlar, Jason was the CISO for Cyberpoint International.

In addition to his work in the private sector, Shockey has an extensive background in leading cybersecurity efforts for the U.S. Marine Corps and partnering with the intelligence community. He directed and guided cybersecurity operations, infrastructure development, and software engineering for Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command at Ft. Meade, MD. He led national level operations for the Cyber National Mission Force at Ft. Meade, MD, and served as a special liaison to the National Cyber Investigative Joint Task Force. He was selected by the Commander of U.S. Cyber Command to lead high performance teams consisting of world class cyber experts, scientists, engineers and national level defensive cyber professionals to characterize risk associated with unattributed, global emerging cyber threats.

Henry is a seasoned CISO with over 20 years of expertise in information technology and cybersecurity. He had spearheaded teams at Fortune 500 companies in both the financial and pharmaceutical sectors. Known for his exceptional communication skills, Henry is a regular speaker at industry cybersecurity conferences. Currently, he serves as the CISO for Bank of Communications in New York and San Francisco, where he drives the company’s cybersecurity strategy and risk management efforts.

Billtrust is a fintech accounts receivable saas provider that is used by thousands of businesses to enable demonstrable improvements in their financial operations and with their customers. As of Dec, 2022, Billtrust is a portfolio company of EQT, a leading private equity firm. As Chief Technology Officer, Joe Eng is responsible for Billtrust’s product strategy and delivery of the AR saas offering to the marketplace, while ensuring the company continues to offer a best-in-class user experience and exceed its customers’ expectations. Most recently, Joe served as Chief Information Officer for Travelclick where he drove technology innovation for the hotel solutions provider. Previously, Joe was CIO at JetBlue Airways where he led technology for the airline, including its successful customer reservation system transition. Prior to JetBlue, Joe was CIO for SWIFT, the mission critical financial services industry messaging provider. He has also held leadership positions in the telecommunications industry at Ameritech and Bellcore. Joe attended Rutgers University and New York University where he received his bachelors and masters degrees in computer science.

Rachel Hopkins is an accomplished technology leader with deep expertise in IT strategy, digital transformation, and team development. As CIO of ArrowXL, she leads the organisation’s technology function at a time of exciting growth and investment, using innovation to drive business performance and customer value. Prior to joining ArrowXL, Rachel was a management consultant at Deloitte, where she delivered complex technology engagements across multiple sectors and global markets.

Known for her people-first leadership style, Rachel is passionate about developing high-performing IT teams and creating environments where talent can thrive—an approach that’s proving critical in today’s highly competitive tech landscape. Her appointment reflects ArrowXL’s strategic focus on aligning technology with commercial growth, and her insights on leadership, transformation, and talent retention make her a valued voice in the industry.

Martin Astley is an emerging Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) focused on building strong, business-aligned security strategies and fostering a proactive security culture. As a finalist for European CISO of the Year, Martin brings fresh leadership, a passion for cybersecurity innovation, and a commitment to helping organisations navigate an increasingly complex threat landscape. He believes in using security not just as protection, but as a foundation for trust, growth, and resilience.

Laura Kendrick is an experienced and dynamic IT leader with a proven track record of delivering complex transformation programmes across a range of sectors, including Publishing, Travel, and Telecoms. As CIO of Elior UK, she brings deep cross-sector expertise in IT operations, strategic planning, and business alignment. Known for her engaging and empathetic leadership style, Laura is passionate about building high-performing teams that drive real business outcomes. Her ability to unite business and technology stakeholders under a shared vision has been key to her success in leading impactful, long-term change.

Melissa Kraft is a seasoned public sector technology leader with over two decades of experience driving digital transformation, innovation, and operational excellence across municipal and county governments. She currently serves as the Chief Information Officer for the City of Frisco, Texas, following impactful tenures as CIO for Dallas County and CTO for the City of Denton.
Throughout her career, Melissa has led multimillion-dollar IT modernization efforts, overhauled project governance structures, and introduced enterprise data-driven strategies that significantly improved service delivery and cost efficiency. Under her leadership, Dallas County saved over $2 million annually by transitioning from legacy software and was recognized as a finalist for the HIMSS Davies Public Health Award.
Melissa holds numerous certifications including Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, and CISM, and is a graduate of prestigious programs from the Harvard Kennedy School, the University of North Carolina, and the University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center.
A passionate advocate for talent development and inclusive leadership, she has designed city-wide mentorship programs, IT career ladders, and leadership certification initiatives that empower teams and build sustainable public sector innovation.

Deepak Sachdeva has served as the chief information and technology officer in various companies. He directs and executes technology strategy and decisions, builds technology products, and manages technology operations, cybersecurity, and data-driven products ecosystem to bring accelerated growth rate, increase revenue, and improve customer base. Mr. Sachdeva has supervised globally distributed teams of more than 200 people and completed 12 M&A and 6 Private Equity transactions representing more than $4 billion in aggregate transaction value, including Due Diligence, Valuation, Restructuring, and post-deal Integrations.

An engineer first, an innovator, and a technology executive who reports to the CEOs and the Board of Directors. Deepak has been responsible for building strategy, technology, products, roadmap, and budgets, prioritizing technology investments linked to the company’s growth. He has established OKRs and health metrics for Digital Transformation, Data Analytics, Data Products, Machine Learning, Product Engineering, IT Infrastructure, Data Centers, Cloud (AWS, Azure, GCP), Data Accuracy, QA, APIs, DevOps, DevSecOps, Corporate Systems, ERPs, Warehouse Management Systems, Device Management, End-User technologies, Cybersecurity, and IT Compliance. Built, hosted, and maintained Software as a service (SaaS), Infrastructure as a service (IaaS), DaaS, B2B, and B2C products for Financial Services, FinTech, Real Estate, Lending, Home Equity, Investment Portfolios, Banking, Risk Assessment, Insurance, Airlines, Merchandising, Ecommerce, Retail, and FMCG industries. He managed over 100+ enterprise systems distributed in over 50 countries.

Regulatory experience with SEC, SOX, US GAAP, PCI DSS, SOC II, FAA, HIPPA, GLBA, FTC, CCPA, EU GDPR, and FCA UK.

Trusted advisor to CEOs and Investors on IT investments and evaluated Opportunity Costs, Revenue Potential, ROICs, IRRs, NPVs, TCOs, Payback Periods, and Value Creation. He specializes in IT and Financial due diligence, company valuations, tech platforms integrations, cost management, revenue/expense synergies, and operational efficiencies.

An engineering graduate from Delhi College of Engineering and an MBA in Finance at the Unversity of Texas, Deepak has attended the leadership and management program at Wharton Business School.

Worked for behemoths like GE, PepsiCo, Sabre, and Cisco, mid-size companies like MrCooper, Clear Capital, and Fujitsu Network, PE Funded companies and Startups with various funding stages from Series A to D

Cheryl Nifong is the Chief Information Security Officer at the University of Texas at Arlington, where she oversees the Information Security Office and the University’s security program. A strategic leader with more than 20 years in the Information Security field, Cheryl has served in multiple industries including private sector, government, healthcare, and higher ed.
Cheryl is passionate about training the next generation of Cyber Security leaders and enjoys being a mentor for staff and students. In 2024, Cheryl became a DallasCISO Orbie award recipient and serves on the Inspire Leadership DallasCISO Advisory Board.
In her spare time, she loves taking long walks with her fluffy dog, writing music and spending time with her husband of 27 years and her two daughters.

Corrina Taylor is the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at SMU’s Office of Information Technology, bringing nearly a decade of hands-on experience in cybersecurity. With a strong foundation in information assurance and a track record of building global security programs from the ground up, Corrina specializes in aligning cybersecurity with business strategy, regulatory compliance, and risk management. She holds a Master’s in Information Security Engineering from the SANS Technology Institute and multiple industry certifications, including CISSP and SANS GIAC. Corrina is passionate about fostering resilient security cultures, leveraging emerging technologies, and empowering teams to stay ahead of evolving threats.

As a seasoned Chief Information Security Officer, I specialize in driving cybersecurity strategies that protect enterprise ecosystems while enabling business growth. With expertise in financial tech, healthcare, and government verticals, I have built and led robust security frameworks tailored to the unique challenges of these industries.
My approach combines strategic vision with technical insight, encompassing risk management, threat intelligence, incident response, and regulatory compliance. I excel at collaborating with stakeholders at all levels, translating complex security challenges into actionable solutions that align with organizational objectives.
Whether navigating stringent regulatory landscapes or safeguarding sensitive data, I thrive in dynamic environments where innovation, resilience, and leadership converge to ensure secure, sustainable success.

Georgeo Pulikkathara is a seasoned technology and cybersecurity executive with over 20 years of leadership experience across the defense, financial services, healthcare, and tech sectors. He currently serves as the CIO & CISO (G-6) and Deputy Chief of Staff for the U.S. Army Reserve’s 81st Readiness Division, overseeing IT services and cybersecurity for over 50,000 personnel across nine states.
A combat-decorated U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel and two-time Bronze Star Medal recipient, Georgeo brings unmatched discipline and insight to enterprise security and cloud transformation. His civilian experience includes executive cybersecurity roles at DataStax, Dovenmuehle Mortgage, Microsoft, Hewlett Packard, Avanade (Accenture), and Bank of the West. At Microsoft, he spent over 15 years, culminating in a leadership role at the Microsoft Security Response Center.
Georgeo also provides interim CIO & CISO advisory services through GXP Security, helping U.S.-based clients complete mission-critical cybersecurity initiatives. He holds an MBA from UNC-Chapel Hill, a BBA in Finance from the University of Houston, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Cybersecurity at National University. He maintains a Top Secret SCI clearance, held by less than 1% of U.S. citizens.

Russell Scott is an accomplished IT leader with nearly 30 years of global experience across 40+ countries. He currently serves as Chief Information Security Officer for Tarrant County, Texas, where he champions a security-first culture and spearheads cybersecurity strategy. His leadership earned Tarrant County a key role in shaping state cybersecurity legislation—highlighting his commitment to innovation and public sector excellence.
Previously, Russell served as Deputy Chief Information Officer, overseeing a team of 200+ professionals supporting 63 distinct business units. Under his direction, the department embraced an enterprise mindset, leading to improved financial performance, enhanced governance, and revitalized team morale. His modernization efforts included deploying low-code development platforms, hyper-converged infrastructure, and a bold cloud-first strategy to drive long-term resilience.
A visionary strategist, Russell designs outcome-based IT roadmaps by deeply understanding business operations and long-term goals. He has successfully led complex digital transformations, global acquisitions and divestitures, and major infrastructure deployments in widely dispersed and fast-paced environments. With a background spanning government, construction, and enterprise IT, he consistently delivers technology solutions that reduce costs, increase agility, and create tangible business value.
Russell is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). He also serves as a leader in the Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District’s Leadership Academy and Campus Level Improvement Committee—reflecting his dedication to mentorship and community engagement.

With an illustrious career spanning over a decade in high-impact roles including Chief Information Officer and Vice President of Global Digital & Innovation, I specialize in steering large-scale digital transformations that align IT with core business strategies. My expertise lies in transforming technology departments into strategic entities that not only support but drive business objectives, evidenced by a track record of delivering substantial cost savings and efficiency improvements across multinational corporations.

As a seasoned leader, I have successfully led the integration of cutting-edge technologies and strategies such as ERP systems, cloud solutions, and AI across various industries. My strategic approach to IT management has consistently resulted in enhanced customer engagement, revenue growth, and a strong competitive edge through technological innovation.

My tenure at companies like RS, Gates Corporation, and Eaton has been marked by my ability to lead transformative initiatives, from cloud strategy implementation and global digital transformations to initiating AI programs and leading enterprise-wide migrations to global leading practice ERP templates. My leadership style is characterized by a strong focus on collaboration and building relationships with all stakeholders to ensure IT alignment with business goals. I have efficiently led diverse teams of professionals, including FTEs and contingent workers, in dynamic environments, emphasizing talent development and team building to drive organizational success.

I am driven by challenges and the opportunity to use technology to solve complex business problems, always with an eye towards future-proofing organizations and driving sustainable growth

As Group CIO at Guardian Media Group, Pooja Bagga leads the strategic direction and governance of technology transformation across the organisation’s global operations. She is responsible for aligning digital, data, and cybersecurity strategies with enterprise-wide goals—setting vision, shaping investment decisions, and influencing board-level outcomes to deliver scalable, secure, and customer-centric innovation.

With extensive experience in e-commerce strategy, digital platform modernisation, and emerging technologies—including AI, machine learning, IoT, and automation—Pooja works closely with C-suite and board stakeholders to drive multi-year transformation programmes. Her leadership focuses on embedding new ways of working, enhancing customer experience, and strengthening organisational resilience.

Widely respected as a trusted advisor, mentor, and inclusive leader, Pooja brings clarity and conviction to complex challenges—ensuring technology acts as a strategic enabler of long-term value, not just operational delivery.

Natasha Davydova is CIO of AXA UK&I. Prior to joining AXA, Natasha was Global Head of Infrastructure and Information Security and Executive Board member of Allianz Technology. Natasha is an experienced leader with a proven track record of 25+ years in technology and operations, solutions engineering, financial services, strategy and governance, operational risk management, customer-centric agile transformations and customer success, management consulting and outsourcing.

Natasha’s leadership roles include Global Head of Technology in Standard Chartered Bank, Global Head of IT Strategy in Deutsche Bank, Head of Solutions Engineering UKI and CTO FS EMEA in Salesforce. Natasha has extensive international experience of people and organisational leadership, including implementation of major transformation programs in the UK & Ireland, Germany, France, Netherlands, Italy, APAC, USA, IberoLatAm and Eastern Europe. She started her career in Accenture where she worked over 10 years delivering complex digital transformations programs.

Natasha was awarded PhD certificate in Banking & Finance by London School of Economics and Political Science, where she was a Soros Foundation scholar. She holds Global Operations Management Diploma by Securities and Investments Institute UK and MSc., International Economic Relations and Finance, First Class Honours Degree. She has been volunteering as a mentor in Cherie Blair Foundation for Women. Natasha is Global CIO 100 Award Winner 2025 by HotTopics, she is also a finalist of the CIONET European Digital Leader of the Year Awards 2023 as well as Cisco WebexOne Customer Award Winner 2022 and UBS Forums “Innovation in Infrastructure Management” Award Winner 2022 for cognitive automation initiative.

With over 20 years of leadership in technology, Yann Chatreau serves as CIO at Walkers—a leading law and professional services firm—where he oversees strategic IT initiatives and safeguards information systems across a large, complex multinational environment. Since joining Walkers in November 2019, he has spearheaded digital transformation efforts, consistently aligning technology with business objectives while prioritizing security and innovation. Before Walkers, Yann held senior IT leadership roles at Allen & Overy across London, New York, and Hong Kong, managing IT and risk management for the Asia‑Pacific region. Earlier in his career, he was a cybersecurity consultant with Accenture, focusing on telecommunications and healthcare sectors, and was instrumental in implementing robust cybersecurity programs, including ISO 27001 standards. A seasoned expert in risk management and information security, Yann has a proven track record of leveraging technology to drive business transformation in demanding global contexts. He holds an MSc in Computer Science from Telecom SudParis and is fluent in English and French.

Since 2021 Sarah has been working with Urenco, a supplier of enriched uranium within the global nuclear fuel cycle, as their Group CIO. She has three decades of expertise in leading IT delivery teams for Blue Chip, Central Government and Secure organisations and was recently ranked 20th in the 2024 UK Top 100 CIO Awards having demonstrated her expertise in Digital Transformation, Business Change, Consultancy, Service Delivery, Programme, Project, and Organisational Management. Sarah lives in the North West of England on the edge of the beautiful Pennines with her family and dog!

Nimisha is a highly experienced Technology Executive who was previously the Chief Digital & Information Officer for Bupa Global and UK. Prior to this, she was the Chief Digital Information Officer at the Cabinet Office and the Chief Information Officer for RSA UK & International. Over the course of a 20 year career, Nimisha has worked in various Digital and Technology roles across the public and private sectors. She is also a Non-Executive Director.

Reza Salari, Head of Business Information Security (BISO), oversees the global cybersecurity and technology risk program for Pacific Life Re and its Insurtech subsidiary, UnderwriteMe. He is primarily responsible for advising the business on cyber risks, security risk management, awareness, and driving adoption of security services and best practices.  Reza served in the US Air Force and participated in several deployments as part of a communications element based in Europe. Later as a civilian, he spent over a decade in the US defense industry working on cybersecurity projects, operations, and research for the US Department of Defense and intelligence agencies.   

He holds two Masters degrees, most recently an MBA from University of California, Irvine. Prior to that he obtained an MS in Computer Information Systems from Boston University. For undergraduate studies he attended San Diego State University and holds a BA in International Security and Conflict Resolution. He is a Chartered Security Professional (CSyP). He holds multiple industry leading certifications to include the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP); Certified in Risk and Information Systems Controls (CRISC); and certified in Strategic Planning, Policy, and Leadership (GSTRT).   

Chris Denbigh-White is a Cyber Security leader with over 17 years’ experience in global information security leadership. He has worked in various senior roles within banking and finance, fintech and the cybersecurity software industry following a career in Counter Terrorism. Chris engages heavily in the wider cyber security community through public speaking, mentoring and developing questions for the ISC2 CISSP exam. Most recently Chris delivered cyber security training in Poland for Eastern European and Baltic CISOs in “Combatting non-nation state Threat Actors” on behalf of Global Affairs Canada. Chris now serves as the UK CISO at PayPal.

Florence Kaleta is a passionate cybersecurity professional serving as Regional CISO for the UK & Ireland at Deutsche Bank. She has a strong track record of leading global risk reduction and technology programs, specializing in Identity & Access Management and cloud security, to drive process re-engineering and organizational transformation across complex international environments. 

Fluent in English, German, and French, Florence is an exceptional communicator who adapts quickly to changing landscapes. Her sharp analytical skills enable the development of strategic solutions and action plans for intricate security challenges, earning trust from stakeholders at all levels. Balancing attention to detail with an eye on the big picture, she consistently delivers robust, scalable security frameworks aligned with business objectives. 

Florence’s leadership is defined by innovation, collaboration, and a focus on enabling secure growth, ensuring that Deutsche Bank stays resilient and agile in the face of emerging cybersecurity threats. 

Hammond Reddie is a passionate cybersecurity leader with a deep commitment to protecting healthcare systems and the people they serve. As Chief Information Security Officer, he’s spent years navigating the complex intersection of clinical care and digital risk, helping organisations build resilience while staying patient focused. Hammond believes security should empower, not hinder, innovation, and he’s known for creating inclusive, forward-thinking teams. Whether mentoring future leaders or shaping national strategy, he brings clarity, warmth, and a sharp eye for what matters.Hammond Reddie is a passionate cybersecurity leader with a deep commitment to protecting healthcare systems and the people they serve. As Chief Information Security Officer, he’s spent years navigating the complex intersection of clinical care and digital risk, helping organisations build resilience while staying patient focused. Hammond believes security should empower, not hinder, innovation, and he’s known for creating inclusive, forward-thinking teams. Whether mentoring future leaders or shaping national strategy, he brings clarity, warmth, and a sharp eye for what matters.

Shintaro Takeda is the Regional CISO and Information Security Director at KDDI Europe, where he leads the company’s internal cybersecurity strategy across Europe. In this role, he is responsible for fortifying KDDI’s digital infrastructure, managing enterprise risk, and ensuring compliance with key European cybersecurity legislation, including the EU Cybersecurity Act, NIS2 Directive, and GDPR.

Shintaro oversees the development and execution of strategic security initiatives that align with the EU’s broader goals for technological sovereignty, resilience, and operational readiness against cyber threats. His leadership ensures that KDDI’s European entities maintain robust internal security postures, capable of responding to sophisticated cyberattacks and adapting to the rapidly evolving regulatory landscape.

He also plays a pivotal role in fostering cross-functional collaboration within KDDI, promoting a culture of cybersecurity awareness, and integrating best practices across departments to support secure digital transformation. His work directly contributes to KDDI’s commitment to excellence in governance, risk management, and compliance across Europe.

Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Ocorian, a global leader in corporate and fiduciary services. With over two decades of experience in cyber security, network architecture, and digital transformation. Previously, Head of Digital Cyber Security Architecture and Delivery at Lloyds Banking Group, with a focus on protecting digital platforms and Lead Architect at Crossrail, Europe’s largest infrastructure project, guiding the project’s infrastructure and security architecture.

Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Intelligent Processing Services Limited (IPSL) who are the largest cheque processor in the UK with over 190 million items worth over £250 billion processed each year. With more than 15 years military leadership experience within Data, Voice and Communications fields and 18 years experience within financial, retail, manufacturing and B2B sectors, specialising in establishing, implementing and maintaining large strategic corporate information security and cybersecurity programs primarily within highly regulated financial services related environments.

Andrew Waples is the Chief Information Security Officer at St Andrew’s Healthcare, the UK’s leading specialist mental health charity. He leads the development and implementation of a comprehensive information security programme, ensuring the protection of sensitive patient and operational data across multiple hospital sites.

With over three decades of experience, including foundational service with the UK Ministry of Defence, Andrew has held senior cybersecurity and IT leadership roles across healthcare, education, and the private sector. His previous positions include Deputy Head of Technology and Head of Cyber Security at NHS University Hospitals of Northamptonshire, Interim CISO at Nike Computing, and global IT and security leadership roles at Swiss International, Rugby School, and Eracent.

Andrew holds both a BSc and MSc in Information Technology from Liverpool John Moores University, along with a Diploma in Senior Management. He is certified in Mental Health First Aid and Strategic Planning, and is currently pursuing advanced credentials such as CISM and CISSP. Known for his pragmatic leadership and deep technical insight, Andrew is committed to advancing digital security while supporting compassionate, patient-centred care.

Herman Brown Jr has over 25 years of IT experience spanning the military, private sector, and public service. As the Chief Information Officer for the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, he has dedicated the past 13 years to driving innovation and efficiency within The City and County of San Francisco, with the last eight years as the SFDA CIO leading the office’s digital transformation.
With a proven track record of consolidating services, streamlining processes, and reducing operational costs, Herman has been instrumental in modernizing a traditionally paper-heavy “law firm” into a technology-driven enterprise. His strategic vision focuses on leveraging smart technology to enhance efficiency, transparency, and productivity.
Herman brings a results-driven approach to IT leadership, drawing on his diverse background to implement forward-thinking solutions that meet the evolving needs of government and justice systems. His commitment to innovation continues to shape the future of technology in public service.

Tony Batalla serves as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the City of Oakland, California, where he leads the city’s Information Technology Department. With over 20 years of experience in both the public and private sectors, Tony is dedicated to leveraging technology to enhance public services and promote digital equity.

In his role, Tony is instrumental in driving initiatives that bridge the digital divide, including the development of Oakland’s Broadband Master Plan and the implementation of a municipal fiber optic broadband network. These efforts aim to provide free, high-speed internet access to underserved communities, ensuring equitable access to digital resources.

Prior to his tenure in Oakland, Tony served as the Chief Technology Officer for the City of San Leandro, where he led the creation of the city’s Fiber Optics Master Plan and Smart City Strategy. He also spearheaded digital inclusion initiatives, such as launching public Wi-Fi and distributing computing devices to residents.

Tony holds a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems from the University of San Francisco and an MBA in Technology Leadership from the UCLA Anderson School of Management. He is currently pursuing an executive doctoral degree with a focus on public-sector innovation.

As a CIO within the healthcare industry, transforming and improving the consumer and patient experience through innovative and creative partnerships with high-tech has been an ongoing focus and passion. With more than 25 years of combined nursing, clinical, healthcare and technology experience, I have held various healthcare IT leadership positions focused on the delivery and realization of premier technology solutions and best practices. Over my career, I have served at the executive level within health care organizations leading enterprise-wide digital transformation spanning multiple acute care hospitals, outpatient facilities, ambulatory clinics and community networks. In my current role as CIO, I am responsible for leading technology strategy, digital experience, innovation, information services resources, clinical engineering, and cybersecurity while re-defining services and products to meet today’s unique healthcare environment.

I have been honored to receive the HMG Strategy Global Leadership Institute Award, Becker’s Healthcare “100 Community Hospital CIOs to Know,” YWCA “Tribute To Women Award” and an Orbie “Bay Area CIO” and Iowa Technology Association “Women of Innovation” Award” finalist.

Auston Davis is the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for the City of San Jose, bringing more than two decades of experience defending enterprise systems in an evolving cyber landscape. His career spans military service, Fortune 500 companies, healthcare systems, and technology start-ups, with deep expertise in healthcare and health technology industries.

Auston began his security career in the U.S. Air Force Reserves, advancing to Special Agent in Charge in the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, where he led cyber-crime and counterintelligence investigations. He later managed information security for organizations including Stanford University IT Systems & Services, First Franklin Financial, Visa, Inc., and Symantec Corp.

In healthcare, Auston served as CISO for Kaiser Permanente and Stanford Children’s Health, successfully remediating breaches and strengthening enterprise security across more than 60 locations. At HeartFlow, Inc., he established the company’s first security function and drove a cloud transformation. Most recently, as CISO at Versant Health, he transformed the security organization and fostered a company-wide culture of cybersecurity awareness.

Auston is recognized for his executive strengths in information security management, IT infrastructure, cloud security, risk assessment, threat and vulnerability management, incident response, disaster recovery, business continuity, and regulatory compliance across frameworks such as FedRAMP, HITRUST, SOC 2, ISO 27001, NIST 800-53, NISPOM, and HIPAA. He is also a dedicated team builder and leader.

In addition to his professional roles, Auston has served as an Adjunct Professor of Computer Science at San Jose State University since 2015, mentoring the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.

Awards and Recognition:

• Top 10 Information Security Professionals, Cyber Defense Group (2023)
• OnCon Icon Top 100 Information Security Professionals (2023)
• Top 25 CISOs to Know, Becker’s List (2018 & 2019)
• Adjunct Faculty of the Year, San Jose State University (2019 & 2020)