Matt Bowman is a senior technology executive and CIO/CTO leader with more than two decades of experience leading enterprise technology, cybersecurity, communications, and digital modernization efforts in high-stakes environments. He has advised senior military and government leaders, managed large technical teams and multimillion-dollar portfolios, and led technology operations supporting tens of thousands of users across global and operational settings. Drawing from his background in combat communications, enterprise IT, cyber operations, AI governance, and strategic risk management, Matt helps organizations translate emerging technology into practical, mission-aligned outcomes. He speaks on leadership, technology strategy, cybersecurity, AI adoption, organizational resilience, and the human side of digital transformation.

Chris Lee serves as the Chief Information Officer for the City of Lewisville and brings over 24 years of experience in municipal information systems. With a deep passion for technology, people, and problem-solving, Chris has cultivated a strong expertise in IT governance, strategic planning, and technical leadership within the public sector. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Computer Information Systems from the University of North Texas and has earned the Certified Government Chief Information Officer (CGCIO) designation from the University of North Carolina. His leadership continues to drive innovation, operational efficiency, and digital transformation across the organization.

Kevin Dunn is a technology transformation leader with three decades of experience helping mid-market organizations build resilience at enterprise scale. As a seasoned CISO and technology executive, he has guided organizations through outages, mergers, acquisitions, and the sustained pressure of keeping critical systems running — including leading enterprise business continuity governance through COVID-19 and unifying cloud environments across more than 60 acquired firms.

Kevin’s work is grounded in a single belief: the goal is not to eliminate uncertainty, but to create confidence inside it. He brings that philosophy to every engagement — helping leadership teams move from reactive posture to disciplined, measurable resilience without losing the pragmatism that keeps things running in the meantime.

His experience spans cybersecurity, AI governance, private equity technology diligence, and operational risk — with a particular focus on organizations navigating complexity at the intersection of people, systems, and change.

Brent Forrest is a cybersecurity executive serving as Chief Information Security Officer at Crash Champions, where he leads the strategy, architecture, and execution of the company’s enterprise security program. Responsible for advancing security operations, DevSecOps, and compliance capabilities to protect critical business operations while enabling scalable growth. Focused on simplifying security architecture to reduce complexity, strengthen visibility, and improve incident detection and response, while aligning cybersecurity initiatives with executive and board-level risk priorities. Currently driving modernization efforts through high-impact controls that reduce tool sprawl while enhancing incident readiness, cloud and application security, and third-party risk management across a rapidly scaling organization.

With over two decades of technology experience, including more than a decade in cybersecurity leadership, bringing a pragmatic, business-aligned approach shaped by prior experience across Oil & Gas, Marketing, Insurance, and Construction sectors. Holding a bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity and certifications including CISSP and C|CISO, with deep expertise in security strategy, incident response, risk management, and building high-performing teams.

Trey Smith is Chief Information Officer at Discovery Land Company and a people-centric, commercially focused technology executive with more than 20 years of experience leading enterprise IT transformation. Known for aligning technology strategy with business outcomes, Trey specializes in modernizing IT organizations, driving digital innovation, and building high-performing teams that deliver measurable value across the enterprise.

Throughout his career, Trey has led large-scale technology initiatives spanning AI adoption, cloud migration, cybersecurity, infrastructure modernization, software development, and enterprise service delivery. He has managed multimillion-dollar operational and capital budgets for organizations generating billions in annual revenue, while guiding complex programs involving compliance, risk management, M&A due diligence, and operational transformation.

A two-time finalist for the Dallas Business Journal’s CIO of the Year ORBIE Award, Trey is recognized for his collaborative leadership style and ability to simplify complex technology challenges. He believes successful IT leadership is ultimately about people—empowering teams, solving business problems, and leveraging technology to drive innovation, resilience, and growth.

Chandan Kochhar is a cybersecurity executive with more than 20 years of experience leading enterprise security, cyber defense, and risk management programs across government, financial services, aviation, retail, and consulting sectors. He currently serves as the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for the City of Plano, where he leads cybersecurity, AI, and physical security strategy to protect critical infrastructure and public services.

Throughout his career, Chandan has led large-scale security transformations focused on Zero Trust, SOC modernization, cloud security, incident response, and regulatory compliance across Fortune 100 organizations and public-sector environments. His expertise spans cybersecurity architecture, security operations, threat management, governance, and AI-driven security innovation.

Chandan has also been actively exploring the application of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in cybersecurity operations, including AI-assisted threat detection, alert prioritization, automation of security controls, and reducing analyst fatigue within SOC environments. He has helped drive automation initiatives leveraging AI/ML-based technologies to improve operational efficiency, accelerate response times, and strengthen enterprise resilience against evolving threats.

Prior to joining the City of Plano, Chandan held leadership roles at multiple organizations, where he directed global security engineering and operations teams, managed multimillion-dollar programs, and helped organizations strengthen resilience against sophisticated cyber threats.

Chandan is an active contributor to the cybersecurity community as a keynote speaker, Gartner panel moderator, RSAC panelist, and advisor to emerging security initiatives. He holds multiple industry certifications, including CISM, CCIE-Security, and GIAC certifications in industrial control systems, security operations, and detection engineering.

I have broad experience from different industries working as a senior consultant with strategic management consulting, especially within cyber security followed by 12 years in Chief Information Security Officer positions. Co-founding a consulting company has given me valuable business experience.
A key issue for me is to understand the business processes and apply the correct, risk based, level of security that is needed to keep the business running uninterrupted but with reasonable security. Ultimately, business is about taking risks – but it has to be the right level of informed risk.

I have worked as a CISO in industrial manufacturing and retail and as a consultant delivering strategic advisory services around cybersecurity in many different industries, e.g. energy, IT, defense, chemical, retail and public sector.

Experienced Information Security leader with a track record of success working within large and complex global organizations to drive transformative initiatives. I currently support Nobina Group as their CISO. Here I am responsible for leading the development and implementation of the company’s information security strategy, ensuring the protection of digital assets, managing risk and ensuring compliance with industry standards (ISO27001) and regulations (i.e. NIS2) across the Nordic region’s largest public transportation network.

Strategic and business-oriented Chief Security Officer (CSO) and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) with extensive expertise in cybersecurity, information security, enterprise risk management, regulatory compliance, and operational resilience across the financial services, fintech, and technology sectors.
I combine executive leadership with a proven track record of developing security strategies, building high-performing security organizations, and ensuring compliance with complex regulatory requirements. My strength lies in aligning security with business objectives, enabling growth, innovation, and digital transformation while maintaining strong risk governance and stakeholder trust.

Experienced Information Security Specialist with a demonstrated history of working in the information security area within various industries. Skilled in ISO 27001, security governance and Privacy. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP). Strong operational ability, graduated from Stockholm University.

Chief Technology Director with 30 years of experience in electronics manufacturing and global product development, bridging engineering, operations, and business strategy. His background spans system architecture, Industry 4.0 platforms, and international standards development. Today, he focuses on cyber security, and AI adoption, guiding Mycronic to balance innovation speed with cost and risk.  Known for connecting people across disciplines, he turns technical questions into shared understanding and actionable decisions

As a fractional CIO at German Doner Kebab, I lead the data and technology strategy for one of the fastest-growing names in QSR, building client-owned platforms that turn raw information into smart, actionable insights.

Data is the key. In the right hands it can change real-world behaviours, form habits and drive real-world results, especially in the hospitality and service sector. That conviction sits at the heart of my work.

I founded and exited a hospitality tech startup, and have led complex technology and change management projects for major clients including Itsu and Pret. I’ve run multinational, multi-location teams and led steering committees at corporate level, with experience spanning commercial relationship-building and successful business sales.

Shamsaldin Al-Said is Chief Information Security Officer at Brink’s Inc., bringing more than 14 years of C-suite cyber security leadership and extensive experience protecting multinational organisations operating in highly regulated and complex environments. A Chartered MBCS professional with an MSc in Cyber Security, he has led global security programmes spanning security operations, governance, risk and compliance, incident response, disaster recovery, business continuity, and cyber resilience across multiple jurisdictions.

Alongside his executive leadership, Shamsaldin is a visiting MSc lecturer and postdoctoral professorial fellow in cyber security and artificial intelligence at internationally recognised universities and institutions. His expertise spans AI and machine learning, cloud and hybrid security, threat intelligence, third-party risk, critical infrastructure protection, and strategic cyber security transformation. Throughout his career, he has worked across financial services, critical infrastructure, consulting, research, and emerging technology, helping organisations strengthen resilience while navigating an increasingly complex threat landscape.

Johann van Duyn is Chief Information Security Officer at DO & CO AG, bringing more than 25 years of experience leading cyber security strategy, transformation, and resilience across multinational organisations in a wide range of industries. Throughout his career, he has helped organisations navigate complex cyber incidents, regulatory scrutiny, and large-scale security transformations, turning high-pressure challenges into opportunities for long-term business success.

Passionate about aligning cyber security with business outcomes, Johann works closely with executive leadership and boards to build resilient security programmes that enable growth while effectively managing risk. He is recognised for combining strategic vision with practical execution, challenging conventional thinking, and driving organisational resilience in an increasingly complex threat landscape.

Sailesh Panchal is the CTO at TSB, leading enterprise technology strategy, architecture, and delivery. Since joining in 2023, he has established the bank’s architecture function and led key transformation initiatives including Payments, Agile and AI adoption.

He brings over 20 years of experience across financial services, with senior roles at Metro Bank, the Payment Systems Regulator, Lloyds Banking Group, and Travelex, specialising in payments technology and large-scale transformation.

Craig McEwen is Chief Information Security Officer at Dechra, bringing extensive leadership experience gained across the defence and security sectors, where he has worked in complex air, land, and maritime environments. Throughout his career, he has led large-scale programmes, managed significant budgets, and delivered strategic initiatives that balance operational priorities with long-term organisational objectives.

Craig has extensive experience leading cross-functional teams, managing complex stakeholder relationships, and bridging the gap between defence organisations and their civilian counterparts. His expertise spans programme delivery, cyber security leadership, governance, and organisational resilience, with a strong focus on achieving results in highly regulated and mission-critical environments.

Known for his pragmatic and collaborative leadership style, Craig thrives in high-pressure environments where strategic decision-making, adaptability, and effective execution are essential. He is passionate about building resilient organisations, developing high-performing teams, and enabling secure business transformation in an increasingly complex threat landscape.

Carl Baron is Chief Information Security Officer at First Quantum Minerals, where he leads the organisation’s global cyber security strategy, governance, and resilience initiatives across a complex international operating environment. With extensive experience in information security leadership, Carl has built and transformed security capabilities, helping organisations strengthen resilience while enabling business growth. He is passionate about aligning cyber security with business priorities, fostering a pragmatic approach to risk, and developing security strategies that support operational excellence in an increasingly complex digital landscape.

Stephen Monaghan is Chief Technology Officer at TalkTalk and has built a distinguished career as a CIO and CTO across organisations ranging from global brands including Sony and Waterstones to high-growth start-ups. He has developed and led high-performing, diverse teams to drive business change, improve performance, strengthen security, and increase profitability by leveraging technology to enhance customer experience and transform operations across both B2B and B2C environments.

Stephen has extensive experience leading business change, finance and operations transformation, technology strategy, digital roadmaps, security and operations, governance, organisational culture, and large-scale transformation programmes. He is passionate about harnessing technology to solve business challenges and is particularly interested in the commercial and societal potential of emerging technologies, including blockchain and machine learning.

Alongside his executive career, Stephen serves as a Trustee of the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), where he supports the organisation’s mission to create a world where blind and partially sighted people can participate equally.

Julian Wheeler is an experienced leader of technology teams as a CIO, CTO and CPTO.  He has extensive experience in multiple sectors including Media, Telecommunications and Software Product industries across both B2B and B2C products and services. He has led global teams through multiple phases of growth, industry disruption and company transitions, including leading business, product and technology transformations to build and launch new products taking advantage of the latest technology including AI, to drive innovation, reach new markets and customers and create new operating models.

Executive leader with over 25 years of global experience driving business growth through Data, Artificial Intelligence, Digital, and Technology strategy across Africa, the Middle East, India, Canada, the USA, Australia and Europe. Leading commercial Digital, data & AI strategy, data and technology platform and product operations, transformation, risk management & regulatory compliance. Experienced in M&A and the development of new business models across Public and private entities.

Recognised international leader and key note speaker, I bring deep expertise driving business growth through Data, AI & digital transformation. (Deliver expertise in digital, cloud and technology platform enablement, hyperautomation, agile operating models, advanced analytics, data science, artificial intelligence. I have delivered bottom line results across Financial Services, Insurance, Retail, Telecommunications, Mining, Infrastructure and Engineering, software and consulting. I have hands on experience with driving economic & commercial strategies in early-stage start-ups and with public‑sector/ government organisations across Africa and the Middle East

In non‑executive and advisory roles, I provide boards with strategic oversight on digital transformation and technology investment, data ethics, data security and digital risk, AI innovation and governance, innovation acceleration, and organisational modernisation. I am passionate about helping executive teams unlock sustainable growth, strengthen operational resilience, and build future‑ready digital and data capabilities.

Global Recognition & Awards:
– Gartner Evanta CDAO Advisory Board
– Global Data Power Women
– Top Data Activators Award, HotTopics
– Chief Data Officer of the Year, IQPC
– Global Business of Data Advisory Board, Corinium
– DataIQ Advisory Board
– DataIQ Top 100 Innovator (multiple years)
– Ranked #2, DataIQ 100 Most Influential in Data‑Driven Business
– Featured in Top 20 Women in Data, The Female Lead

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.

David Whitelegg is Deputy CISO – Compliance at Compass Group PLC, responsible for global cybersecurity compliance, IT controls, risk assurance and governance across multiple international markets. David specialises in cyber governance, operational resilience, regulatory compliance and the implementation of risk-based security controls that enable business transformation. He is a regular contributor to discussions on AI governance, enterprise risk management and cybersecurity strategy.

Joe Kelly is the Head of Information Security at New Look and a senior cyber security leader with experience across security strategy, governance, risk management, resilience, and operational security.

With over a decade of experience in the retail sector, Joe joined New Look as a Senior Security Analyst and has since led the Cyber Security function for the past five years. He is accountable for driving the organisation’s cyber security maturity and business resilience programmes, ensuring the company can operate securely in an evolving threat landscape. Joe is also a key member of New Look’s Gold Team, providing strategic Information Security leadership during major cyber incidents.

Previously, Joe led the Security function at Dorset Council, where he established and strengthened core security capabilities. He holds an MBA (2022), enabling him to combine technical expertise with strong commercial acumen, ensuring cyber security initiatives are aligned to business priorities and support continued trading and operational resilience.

➢ Chairman of the Board – International Cyber Security Leadership Committee (ICSLC)
➢ Voted Top 10 Most Influential CISO in the world. – in 2023
➢ Voted 4th Most Influential CISO in the world. – in 2021
➢ CISO of the Year 2018 (Final 3 – achieved 2nd place)
➢ FinTECH Technology Leadership award 2016
➢ BAME CISO of the Year 2014

Azeem Bashir is an award winning industry recognized business-driven Global CIO\CISO with a highly successful background in B2B, FinTECH, Crypto, Investment\Retail Banking, Financial Services, Consulting, Transport, Airline, Energy, Utilities Oil & Gas, Government & Global Corporate sectors, Sovern Wealth Funds. Azeem has held positions as a leading CIO\CISO for EMEAR for many global businesses and is a ‘Trusted Advisor’ on many Cyber Councils & Committees for Cyber Security & Information Security Risk Management, throughout the UK Government, Global Governments, Technology and private banking sectors while working as a Mentor & Leader to other CIO\CISOs. Over 25+ years leading Information\Cyber Security and Information Risk Management delivery and business process change management across multiple sectors, with extensive proven track record across EMEAR & APAC Regions, managing Banking, Oil & Gas, Critical National Infrastructure Cyber-attacks and building Cyber Security & Digital Transformation Programs. Azeem holds numerous industry qualifications across Cyber Security \ Risk Management \ Program Management and is recognized by his peers as an industry leader, a mentor, a SME for incident response \ Handling across multiple sectors, a Global Cyber Security Advisor, Risk Practitioner, Panel\Keynote Speaker & Non-Executive on Information\Cyber Security & Risk Management. Azeem has chaired & Spoken at many Global Cyber Security Summits, is a member of various Cyber Councils\Committees across EMEAR & APAC Regions and is a NED and Advisor to various Organizations.

John White is the Field CISO for EMEA at Torq. A respected security executive with more than 20 years of leadership experience, John previously served as CISO at Virgin Atlantic, where he led a multi-year transformation deploying the Torq AI SOC Platform to modernize cyber operations. Prior to that, he built and transformed security functions for global organizations, including ASOS, Liberty Global, AEG Europe, and KPMG.

Lauren is a cybersecurity leader with over a decade of experience in cyber defence. She spent much of her career at the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), specialising in incident management. She led the response to major cyber incidents and built capabilities across government and critical national infrastructure.

As a Field CTO at Splunk, Lauren works with organisations across EMEA to strengthen digital resilience. She advises executives and security leaders on how to prepare for, respond to and recover from cyber disruption. Her focus is on bridging the gap between strategy and execution, bringing an operational perspective to the realities of building and sustaining cyber resilience.

George Nursey is a seasoned technology leader and CTO at Portwest, bringing nearly three decades of experience helping organisations scale, transform, and navigate complex digital change. With expertise spanning digital transformation, cybersecurity, operational excellence, and strategic growth, he is known for translating emerging technologies into practical business outcomes. George has worked across startups, high-growth environments, and established enterprises, combining innovation with execution to drive sustainable growth. Passionate about the role of AI in business evolution, he focuses on helping organisations adapt, innovate, and thrive in an increasingly digital world.

Dr. John McCarthy is Director of Innovation & Technical Services at Dublin Bus, where he leads the organisation’s IT, PMO and technology delivery functions, alongside enterprise innovation and digital transformation. His remit spans core IT services, data and digital platforms, large scale technology programmes, and the integration of emerging technologies into live public transport operations. He oversees digital platforms, data and large scale technology programmes that support service reliability, electrification and sustainable urban mobility.
As Ireland’s largest public transport operator, Dublin Bus delivers over 500,000 customer journeys every day. John’s role focuses on ensuring that technology, data and infrastructure investments directly support service reliability, operational efficiency and decarbonisation, including the large scale rollout of electric buses and supporting systems.
With more than 25 years’ experience across the public, private and academic sectors, John has led complex technology and change programmes at the intersection of IT, engineering, policy and operations. He is a Fellow of the CIHT and a member of the OECD’s AI Working Group on Risks and Ethics, contributing to international thinking on the responsible deployment of digital and AI technologies in critical infrastructure.

Sabahat Khan is a senior executive with leadership experience across global financial services and Ireland’s public sector. As Assistant Chief Executive, Chief Information Officer and Chief Information Security Officer at the Local Government Management Agency, he leads sector-wide digital transformation and cybersecurity initiatives, including the Local Government Digital and ICT Strategy, which supports the digital transformation of Ireland’s 31 local authorities, and a centralized Cybersecurity Operations Centre, which was recognized as Best Cybersecurity Project and Best Overall Project at the 2025 Ireland eGovernment Digital Transformation Awards.

Previously, he held senior roles at DTCC, a New York based fintech, where he delivered multi-year transformation and modernization programs, and led IT governance, service management, and product management. He has also held leadership positions at Moody’s and TESM Americas, with a focus on IT strategy and governance, infrastructure service delivery, and product management. He is recognized for building high-performing global teams, strengthening governance and risk management, and championing inclusion, mentoring, and talent development.

Mark Cliffe is a senior engineering leader with over 25 years of experience delivering scalable, high-performance software in regulated, data-sensitive industries. As Chief Engineer at Fintua, he leads the modernisation of enterprise platforms to enable international growth. Mark has a proven track record in building systems that support high-volume transactions with near-limitless scalability. He combines deep technical expertise with a strategic mindset, leveraging cutting-edge technologies to deliver secure, reliable, and future-ready solutions. Known for developing high-performing global teams, Mark ensures strong governance, continuous innovation, and alignment between technology and business success.

David is an experienced IT leader with over 25 years’ experience in the higher education sector, with a strong track record in operational optimisation and the delivery of secure, resilient, and high quality IT systems and services. He brings deep expertise in digital and data strategy, cyber aware programme and project delivery, and large scale change management, including complex digital transformation initiatives.

David has extensive experience in IT governance, risk, and compliance, with a particular focus on cyber security, operational resilience, and executive accountability. He has led the responsible adoption of AI, ensuring that emerging technologies are implemented with appropriate security, ethical, and governance controls, and aligned with organisational risk appetite and strategic goals.

A core strength of David’s leadership is translating cyber and technology risk into clear, meaningful insight for senior leadership and boards. An enthusiastic and trusted leader, he places strong emphasis on effective communication, recognising its critical role in building organisational resilience, enabling informed decision making, and supporting confident incident preparedness and response.

Oskar Fösker is the CEO and Co-Founder of Xensam. He brings deep experience in software asset management and enterprise software from his earlier work at Snow Software, where he saw firsthand how legacy approaches struggled to keep pace with SaaS, cloud, and the growing complexity of modern software environments.
In 2016, Oskar co-founded Xensam with his brother Gustav to challenge the status quo in the SAM market and build a new generation of software intelligence designed for how organizations actually operate today. As CEO, he leads Xensam’s global expansion and works closely with enterprise customers to rethink how software data is governed, trusted, and used for decision-making across IT, Finance, and Procurement.

Cybersecurity executive with over 20 years of international experience in implementing security programs focused on resilience and compliance. Experienced in aligning cybersecurity strategy with business growth, regulatory standards (ISO27001, IEC 62443), and digital transformation for IT, OT, and cloud environments. Regular industry speaker, adept at leading cross-functional teams to establish comprehensive security measures and promote continuous improvement. Passionate about innovation, Zero Trust architecture, and equipping organisations to face AI-driven threats and future-ready cyber resilience.

Peter Boujev is Chief Technology Officer for Personal Investors at BNP Paribas, based in Germany, where he leads the technology strategy and IT production for Personal Investors, driving the delivery and resilience of customer-facing investment platforms. Since joining BNP Paribas, Peter has held a series of senior technology and transformation roles across Europe and Asia-Pacific, including Senior Program Manager, Head of IT for Export & Credit and Special Trade Solutions within BNP Paribas CIB, and Head of Asia-Pacific Technology for BNP Paribas Corporate and Investment Banking. He has also led large-scale core banking industrialisation programmes, including the ATLAS initiative, focused on modernising operations through offshoring and outsourcing. Peter brings extensive experience in large-scale IT transformation, global delivery models, and technology leadership within highly regulated financial services environments.

Nawid Sayed is a Chief Information Security Officer and security and IT risk leader with extensive experience building resilient, compliant, and scalable security organizations in global, highly regulated, and digitally transforming environments. His focus is on aligning cybersecurity, IT governance, and business strategy to enable secure and sustainable digital growth.

He leads enterprise-wide initiatives across cybersecurity strategy, cloud security, IT governance, regulatory compliance (including ISO 27001, BAIT, MaRisk, and GDPR), and operational resilience. His approach combines strong governance structures with measurable risk reduction and close collaboration with executive leadership, technology teams, and business stakeholders.

Across financial services, digital platforms, healthcare, and manufacturing, Nawid has built security capabilities from the ground up, established SOC and incident response functions, strengthened cloud and platform security, and implemented scalable control frameworks. He operates at the intersection of technology, business, and regulation — translating complex cyber risks into clear, strategic decisions for boards and executive teams.
He believes cybersecurity is not just about protection, but about enabling innovation and building organizations that can evolve with confidence in an increasingly digital world.

Rene is Chief Business Information Security Officer (BISO) for Capital Markets at DZ BANK. He drives the implementation of information security and ICT risk management, together with global ICT service providers and in cooperation with the European Banking Authority (EBA). Previously an IT auditor, he worked in multinational teams and with systemically important institutions. As a core member of the PwC DORA campaign, he translated security frameworks and regulatory requirements such as ISO/IEC 27001, NIST CSF 2.0, and the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) into holistic and pragmatic operating models.

A seasoned Cyber Security and Resilience leader with extensive experience leading ICT security, resilience, and transformation initiatives across global, high risk environments.
With a decade of service in United Nations Peacekeeping Missions throughout Sudan, Afghanistan, Syria, Israel, and Somalia, bringing expertise in securing complex infrastructures and delivering operational resilience under extreme conditions.

Daniela Almeida Lourenço is the Global Chief Information Security Officer at Hunkemöller, where she leads the company’s cybersecurity strategy and initiatives to safeguard its digital assets and operations. As a dedicated cybersecurity leader, Daniela is passionate about developing security strategies that reflect an organisation’s identity and mission, enabling sustainable growth and building resilience for all stakeholders. She believes that information security is not just about protection, but about empowerment, helping organisations make confident, informed decisions that balance risk and opportunity. With a forward-thinking and collaborative approach, Daniela champions cybersecurity as a true business enabler, driving trust, innovation, and long-term success.

Martijn Nykerk is CISO at Randstad, the global leader in the HR services industry. We support people and organizations in realizing their true potential by combining the power of today’s technology with our passion for people.

As CISO, Martijn leads global security operations, including a 24×7 SOC, vulnerability management at scale, and application security to ensure adherence to Randstad secure software development policy. He oversees diverse services and projects, collaborating closely with markets and global teams, balancing critical business needs with a pragmatic information security approach.

Haissam (Hal) Hariz is a seasoned information security and data strategy leader currently serving as CISO at Barentz, where he drives enterprise-wide cybersecurity initiatives and embeds governance into data-driven operations. With extensive experience in managing complex technology landscapes and delivering secure transformation programs, Hal has spoken widely on metrics, identity and access management, and aligning data, IT and business functions. At this event, he will share actionable insights on bridging digital transformation, cybersecurity and data value—equipping CIOs, CISOs and CDOs to measure what matters and protect the business.

Andrei Ilchenko is the CIO for Personal & Business Banking at ABN AMRO, where he leads a 1,500+ strong technology organization focused on agile, data-driven, and customer-centric innovation. With extensive experience building scalable cross-country tech teams, Andrei has driven transformation across digital channels, AI, and in-house software development while maintaining strong governance, security, and operational excellence. His leadership centers on aligning technology strategy with business value, enabling faster delivery, continuous improvement, and meaningful impact for customers and teams alike.

Group Information Security Officer and strategic advisor with extensive experience in Governance, Risk, and Compliance, focused on strengthening organizational resilience and enabling secure business growth.

With more than 15 years of experience in Information Security, Audit, and Risk Management, I lead programs that integrate protection, compliance, and business performance within a unified governance framework. My approach ensures that security objectives directly support organizational strategy, regulatory obligations, and operational effectiveness.

In my current role, I advance the company’s information security maturity through an enterprise GRC framework that encompasses risk management, SOC and SIEM operations, third-party oversight, and security awareness initiatives. I have also led PCI-DSS compliance, and ISO 27001, ISO 9001 certification programs, business continuity planning, and the implementation of key security controls and assurance activities.
Expertise: Information Security Leadership | Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) | Cyber Risk & Resilience | Cloud & Enterprise Security | SOC/SIEM | Identity and Access Management | Business Continuity | Third-Party Risk | ISO 27001 | NIST | PCI DSS | GDPR | Audit & Assurance | Security-by-Design | AI & Automation in Security | Executive & Board Advisory

Chris is Chief Information Security Officer for Bodycote Plc, responsible for responsible for protecting the organisation’s digital assets and ensuring resilience against cyber threats while enabling business growth.

He is an experienced global cyber security, risk, resilience, intelligence and crisis management leader with a proven track record, in consulting and industry, of reducing business risk, transforming business resilience and minimising harm to customers.

Working with organisations across the financial services, pharmaceutical and consumer goods sectors, his strategies have consistently created high performing, secure and highly resilient organisations.

Chris has a degree in Industrial Economics from the University of Nottingham. He enjoys working in different cultures and has worked extensively across Europe, India and the US.

Ade is CTO at the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. His remit includes strategic business engagement, new / disruptive technology, architecture and data strategy. Ade has worked across several sectors over the last twenty years, including legal, automotive, publishing, healthcare, retail and non-profit. Leveraging new technology to deliver change and business improvement has been a consistent theme. He is also a Certified Information Privacy Professional, an area that is becoming increasingly important as more effort is delivered to enabling efficient public sector services through data driven decision making and where there is much sensitivity around the management and use of personal data. Outside of his public sector role he advises non-profit organisations on technology strategy, cyber security and data privacy.

Mike Pitman is a seasoned Chief Information Security Officer with over two decades of experience driving global cybersecurity strategies for multinational organizations. He specializes in building and scaling security functions, delivering complex transformation programs, and aligning security governance with business objectives.

Mike has held senior leadership roles at dunnhumby, Adecco Group, and Rentokil Initial, where he drove strategic security programs, managed global teams, and advised boards on risk reduction and compliance. Currently serving as CISO at BSI, Mike oversees global IT and cybersecurity operations across 31 countries, including ISO 27001 certification and enterprise-wide risk reduction initiatives. His leadership spans security architecture, operations, data privacy, network operations, and IT continuity.

A CISSP-certified professional and (former) advisory board member for InfoSec Europe, Mike is a frequent speaker at industry events, sharing insights on risk management, resilience, and the evolving threat landscape.

Katie Friis is an accomplished technology leader with over 20 years’ experience driving innovation, data modernisation, cyber security, and customer-centric design. She has helped organisations harness technology to deliver measurable business value and sustainable growth.

As Head of IT and Regional CIO for North Europe Packaging at DS Smith, Katie currently leads the region’s technology strategy and digital transformation. Her career spans multiple sectors, including Maersk, Queen Mary University of London and Shell where she held strategic technology leadership roles across different geographies. She is passionate about empowering diverse and collaborative teams to innovate and build technology solutions that make a lasting impact.

Kirsty Kelly is the Group Chief Information Security Officer at CFC, a global cyber insurer based in London. She brings over 16 years of expertise across public and private sectors, including roles at the UK Ministry of Defence, Lloyds Banking Group, State Street, Mimecast, Nomura, and Beazley, where she provided intelligence-driven oversight to enhance business resilience and safeguard digital assets. At CFC, Kirsty leads the development of advanced cybersecurity strategies designed to counter emerging threats like AI-enabled attacks, ensuring that the organisation remains ahead of evolving risk landscapes . She is recognised for her pragmatic and collaborative approach, bridging technical depth and executive insight to fortify CFC’s cyber confidence. With a foundation in strategic intelligence and third-party risk management, Kirsty has continually applied her knowledge to anticipate and mitigate complex security challenges. She is a respected leader and influencer who values integration of intelligence into business operations, and she is committed to nurturing diverse and resilient cyber teams capable of thriving in dynamic environments.

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!

Chief Information Officer at Marshalls since July 2025. Marie is a seasoned technology executive with deep expertise in digital transformation, enterprise IT strategy, and aligning technology with business outcomes. She has led transformational change across logistics, consumer care, and life sciences sectors, with previous technology leadership roles at DB Cargo UK and Croda. Her career began at Goldman Sachs in Frankfurt, followed by a transition into commercial, technology, and transformational leadership roles in the UK. Marie is known for her strategic vision and ability to harness technology to drive sustainable growth and resilience. She holds a degree in Business Administration and German, and an MBA from the University of Hull.

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.

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.