Speakers

Zechariah Akinpelu is an award-winning cybersecurity executive with 15+ years of experience leading security strategy for Financial Institutions and Fintechs. A Forbes Tech Council member, he specializes in ethical hacking, Red Team Operations, and Cloud Security Architecture. He is highly certified (CISM, CRISC, CCISO) and a Co-Founder of a cybersecurity startup.

Rakesh Mahadevan is a seasoned Solutions Engineer with 17+ years in IT, currently with ManageEngine’s Strategic Account Management. He specializes in delivering enterprise-grade solutions to large organizations across banking and IT management. Rakesh empowers clients to strengthen operational resilience and security posture by aligning technology with core
business needs.

Nitin Devanand is a solutions leader focused on turning complex security needs into scalable, business-ready outcomes. He works with enterprises and partners to sharpen visibility, reduce identity sprawl, and improve security posture across hybrid environments. Recognized for his pragmatic approach, he helps CISOs map challenges like insider threats and compliance into clear, actionable strategies.

Manju Mude is an experienced CISO and cyber-risk executive with 25+ years overseeing security strategy for global firms like Oportun, Splunk, Yahoo, Apple, and Bank of America. She has led breach recovery, managed regulatory scrutiny, and advised Fortune 100s on M&A. A trusted boardroom voice, she positions cybersecurity as a catalyst for business value and digital trust.

Scot Miller is the SVP, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Mr. Cooper. He is a seasoned executive specializing in Global Security Management and Security Program Management, including policy, strategy, architecture, and audit/compliance. His expertise focuses on Critical Systems protection and Vulnerability Management, providing essential internal consulting across the organization.

Nathan Haselhorst serves as the Information Security Officer within the Office of State Administration at the Texas Military Department. He holds a Bachelor of Science in IT Management Systems and maintains several professional certifications, including CISSP, CISM, and CompTIA. Nathan is a member of ISC2, ISACA Austin Chapter, Texas Association for Strategic Solutions and Collaboration in Computing (TASSCC), and US Army Signal Corp Regimental Association.

Colonel Georgeo Xavier Pulikkathara is a CIO & CISO with 34+ years of leadership in banking, defense, and technology. A US Army Combat Veteran awarded two Bronze Star Medals, he serves as a Colonel, Cyber Operations Officer, supporting 50,000 soldiers. He leverages his background at Microsoft and Dovenmuehle to protect US data security and privacy.

Imran Khan is a battle-tested Information Security Officer with 15+ years of cybersecurity leadership at BNP Paribas, Capgemini, and Deloitte. He specializes in GRC challenges, including SOX and SEC cyber disclosure rules, and AI supply chain security. A recognized speaker and author, he helps organizations turn regulatory headaches into strategic advantages.

Hemanth Khambhammettu is the Director of Cybersecurity at Digital Turbine with 15 years of experience turning cyber risk into business value. He translates organizational risk into actionable, audit-ready security roadmaps. Leveraging mastery in GRC and IAM, he positions security as a competitive advantage that fuels enterprise growth and resilience.

Jesse Lands is the Director of Incident Response at United Airlines. He is a highly certified security leader, specializing in incident handling, forensics, and analysis. His extensive certifications, including CISA, CISSP, GCFA, GCIA, and GREM, reflect his deep technical expertise in both cloud security and network defense, driving strong organizational resilience.

James Brake has 40 years of experience in the electric utility industry, specializing in SCADA, NERC CIP, IT Infrastructure, and Cybersecurity. He currently leads the Lower Colorado River Authority’s Operational Technology Cybersecurity Services team, providing support and oversight for electric power generation security.

Aaron Lafferty is an information security professional with a background in systems and network engineering. His diverse experience includes designing security and compliance operations for a high-performance computing facility and an international retailer. He specializes in risk assessments, vulnerability management, penetration testing, and security architecture, and is actively involved in the information security community.

Todd Pauley is the Director of Security and Compliance at Hornblower Group, bringing over 25 years of experience in IT and cybersecurity. He joined Hornblower in May, following his role as Deputy CISO at the Texas Education Agency, where he led critical security initiatives across statewide education systems.

John Sapp is a Global Information Security Executive with 35+ years of experience at the intersection of technology, risk, and security innovation. He has led transformative programs across finance and healthcare. Now at Texas Mutual Insurance Company, he architects cloud-native security and drives cyber resilience, notably saving $1.6M while enhancing capabilities.

Josh Poage is the Technology Risk Manager at Dimensional Fund Advisors, overseeing the firm’s information security program. He has extensive experience in technology and risk across manufacturing, utilities, government, and financial services. Josh holds a BA in Computer Science and an MS in Information Security from UT Austin, plus CISA and CISSP certifications.

Krystal Mosshart is a Director of Security Governance, Risk & Compliance at Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

Alexanne Collison is a cybersecurity leader and Threat Operations Manager at Cargill, the world’s largest privately owned company. With over 14 years of experience, including six years with the NSA Red Team, she brings deep expertise in advanced threat intelligence and adversary emulation. She is committed to driving security posture improvements for a safer digital world.

Chip Witt is a Principal Security Evangelist at Radware, bringing over two decades of experience in cybersecurity and product management. A recognized thought leader, he translates ** complex technical concepts** into actionable defense strategies. Known for blending technical acumen with business needs, he is a sought-after speaker on emerging cyber threats and cutting-edge security solutions.

Cameron Molfetto is a Senior AI Consultant at Darktrace, specializing in leveraging cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence for cyber defense. He is instrumental in deploying and optimizing Darktrace’s unique Enterprise Immune System technology, providing strategic guidance to clients on how to autonomously detect and respond to sophisticated cyber threats.

William (Bill) Clark is an Enterprise Strategist at Effectual, focusing on complex cloud migrations and modernization for enterprise clients. Leveraging his CISSP/Infosec and cloud security background, his mission is to drive strategic business outcomes, refine sales processes, and lead technology service delivery with a focus on customer success.

Special Agent Caleb Patten (NCIS) has 20+ years of global experience in cybercrime, counterintelligence, and insider threat investigations. A CISSP and FBI Cyber Task Force Officer, he holds an MS from SANS Institute and leads complex digital forensic investigations. He also teaches cybersecurity at Caltech.

Jennie Davidowitz is a Solutions Engineer at Sublime Security in Austin, Texas. Starting her career at Cisco, she’s worked across the full security stack, from identity to detection, and now email security. Jennie focuses on making automation and security work seamlessly, proving that being secure doesn’t have to be complicated.

Swati Popuri is a Data Privacy Architect working at the intersection of technology and society. She has led technical privacy implementations at Fortune 500 companies and social media platforms. In her current role she leads the Data Privacy and Protection efforts at Allegis Group.

Sean Mack is an award-winning technology executive, author of The DevSecOps Playbook, and CIO.com CIO100 recipient. He brings extensive experience as a visionary leader in cybersecurity, DevOps, and platform engineering. He transforms global organizations, aligns strategy and execution, and delivers world-class services that increase revenue and resilience.

Gaurav Malik is an Associate Information Security Manager at Goldman Sachs, specializing in risk, vulnerability, and security operations. With over 9 years of experience at firms like SAP, Capgemini, and Infosys, he has led large-scale initiatives to improve efficiency and security posture across global infrastructures. He holds an MS in IT & Management and is CompTIA Security+ certified

Vijayent Kohli is a Principal Cybersecurity Engineer at Ford Motor Company, architecting Zero Trust frameworks and scalable security automation. A U.S. patent holder specializing in security, AI, and software development, he previously led technical roadmaps at Microsoft, PayPal, and Oracle. He holds two Master’s degrees, blending deep technical and business acumen.

Chad Johnston is an Account Executive at Axonius since 2022, leveraging his background in finance and risk mitigation. Previously, he led an accounting team and was recognized for his ability to quickly identify and mitigate financial risks, collaborating with executives and the CEO. He’s skilled in improving processes, managing cybersecurity projects, and implementing innovative solutions.

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