National CIO & CISO Summit

Sameer is the SVP , Technology at Forbes Media LLC and leads their DevOps, Security , Corp IT , Engineering and QA . He has extensive experience in all facets of IT right from starting out as a C++, Java developer to DevOps , Security and Cloud infrastructure. Sameer is also a member of ISC2 and has CISSP and CCSP certifications. He loves to work out , to go on long walks , a Linux hobbyist and avid gardener

Visionary, results and solutions-driven professional with 20+ years of experience in progressively responsible Cyber Security and IT leadership roles in the financial services, insurance, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, consumer goods,and chemical manufacturing industries. Adept in building and leading global Cyber Security, IT technical and support functions. Creative, resourceful problem solver with a track record of success in delivering cost-effective and value-added services to his customers. Additional experience in industrial engineering and process improvement. Specialties: Areas of expertise include: Cyber Security, Network Security,Application Security, Infrastructure Management and Security Incident Management, Disaster Recovery, Forensic Investigations, Operations Management, Financial Management, Project/Portfolio Management, Policy/Procedure Development, Budget Preparation, Strategic Planning, Process Design/Implementation, Risk Mitigation, Enterprise Architecture, IT Governance, Manufacturing/Laboratory Automation, Organizational Design, Vendor Audits, System, Start-Up Operations, Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX), Talent Development/Mentoring, International Team Management, and Regulatory Compliance

Scot Miller, CISSP, CISM, is the Senior Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer for Mr. Cooper Group. He serves on the Dallas CISO Board, has presented on advances in Information Security and Technology Governance at consortiums in Florida, Texas, New York, Arizona, and Connecticut, and has been quoted in national magazines and other industry symposiums. Scot built high performing Security and Operations teams from the ground up, and over the past few years, brought Mr. Cooper’s Identity Governance and Compliance teams to a new level. The supporting projects won the 2021 Cybersecurity Team of the Year and CSO50 Award from a pool of national and international candidates for innovation, agility, and meaningful impact on a business. Scot’s team is responsible for identifying, analyzing, and reducing risk for all Mr. Cooper’s Group business entities. Previous to his duty at the Mortgage Servicing institution, he was CISO for HMS (a Texas based Healthcare Information Services organization), Head of Global IT Security for Alcon Laboratories, and Chief Security Architect at MassMutual Financial Group. Scot was also the VP and CTO for the CT chapter of ISSA.

Joined Health Care Service Corporation, the nation’s largest customer owned health insurer offering Blue Cross Blue Shield plans in Illinois, Montana, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas, in September of 2017 as DVP Information Security Architecture and Design. In this role, John was responsible for driving the future state Cyber Security Architecture with a focus on securely enabling HCSC’s use of the public cloud for sensitive workloads, overall modernization of HCSC’s Member facing and Enterprise Identity & Access Management products and enhancements to Cyber Defense capabilities. Promoted to Deputy CISO / Head of Information Security for Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC) in Fall of 2021. John is responsible for delivering a fiscally responsible and pragmatic Information Security program that securely enables the HCSC enterprise, systems development entities, and strategic initiatives. He is an Information Services Security thought leader with over twenty-five years combined experience with Fortune 500 firms in life sciences, healthcare and consumer products industries. Actively participates on Executive Customer Advisory Boards and Healthcare Industry Executive Leadership forums. John has a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Temple University and holds CISSP certification.

Demond Waters is a highly accomplished and visionary leader serving as the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for the New York City Public Schools, the largest school district in the United States. With a career marked by a deep commitment to safeguarding sensitive information, securing critical systems, and dedication to building the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. His extensive experience spans over 15 years in the field of information security. As the CISO of NYC Public Schools, Demond has established himself as a forward-thinking leader who embraces innovation while preserving a strong commitment to the safety of students, staff, and sensitive data. He has played a pivotal role in designing and implementing a comprehensive cybersecurity framework tailored to the unique requirements of the school district, prioritizing both proactive threat mitigation and responsive incident management. With Demond Waters at the helm as CISO, the New York City Public Schools are setting the benchmark for cybersecurity in the educational sector. His dedication to creating a safe and secure environment for students to learn and thrive ensures the continued success of the largest school district in the United States.

Eric has been in the cybersecurity industry for over 20 years and is currently part of the GSO Security Operations team at TikTok . Prior to TikTok, Eric was the Global Head of Mobile and Mac Security for HSBC. Previously Eric served as Security Strategist for CyberAdapt after its acquisition of the startup Mobile Active Defense he helped co-found. He also simultaneously was the program director for SC Magazine, the industry’s leading cybersecurity magazine from 2009 -2019. Eric had the privilege of being an SME for the NSA’s National Information Assurance Partnership in developing the requirements for the mobile device management protection profile used to create a Common Criteria for mobile device management. He was also part of the team tasked with the creation of a mobile security management certification for CompTIA. Past experience includes running a technology book division publishing 12 books with a wide variety of industry luminaries, primarily in security.

Or Eshed is the CEO and Co-Founder of LayerX Security. Or is a cybersecurity expert with 15 years of unique network security experience. Or is a former chief operational security officer of the IDF information warfare unit. He has filled various intelligence and research roles for cybersecurity vendors and global enterprises, was involved in arrests of hackers and threat operations takedown, and has led the takedown of the largest browser hijacker campaign in history.

Experienced and passionate cybersecurity leader. Responsible for all facets of cyber security to Schneider Electric's enterprise IT, encompassing approximately 140,000 employees in 100 countries, including 220 factories, 35 distribution centers, and 1,200 sites

Thomas Rizzo is a seasoned IT professional with over 20 years of experience across various sectors and is currently serving as the Chief Architect at Lazard. His diverse background spans finance technology, digital services, utilities, social media, legal, and education sectors. Prior to joining Lazard, Thomas made significant contributions to companies like Zebra, where he helped shape their digital services and SaaS offerings, and Con Edison, where he drove technological advancements in the utilities sector. In his current role at Lazard, Thomas leads the design and architecture of technology solutions that drive the company's digital transformation journey. His strategic vision and ability to foster an engaging work environment have earned him the reputation of an 'IT Rock Star'. He is committed to driving business growth through digital transformation, and he does so by fostering a creative and enjoyable workplace atmosphere as part of his leadership approach.

Oren serves as the North America Vice President of Cyber Security Services for Sygnia, the foremost global cyber readiness and response team, applying creative approaches and battle-tested solutions to help organizations beat attackers and stay secure. In this role, he brings over 25 years of technology and security consulting and leadership experience serving as a trusted advisor to clients across many industry verticals. Most recently, Oren led a cyber advisory practice at one of the leading cyber insurance brokerages. He has also held leadership and consulting positions at KPMG, Grant Thornton, RSA Security, ran his own consulting business in the healthcare technology space, and served as a CTO for a New York based publishing company. As a subject matter expert, Oren is frequently called upon by journalists and leading industry events to share his insights. Oren holds a bachelors degree in Computer Science and Corporate Communications from the City University of New York.

Visionary, results and solutions-driven professional with 20+ years of experience in progressively responsible Cyber Security and IT leadership roles in the financial services, insurance, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, consumer goods,and chemical manufacturing industries. Adept in building and leading global Cyber Security, IT technical and support functions. Creative, resourceful problem solver with a track record of success in delivering cost-effective and value-added services to his customers. Additional experience in industrial engineering and process improvement. Specialties: Areas of expertise include: Cyber Security, Network Security,Application Security, Infrastructure Management and Security Incident Management, Disaster Recovery, Forensic Investigations, Operations Management, Financial Management, Project/Portfolio Management, Policy/Procedure Development, Budget Preparation, Strategic Planning, Process Design/Implementation, Risk Mitigation, Enterprise Architecture, IT Governance, Manufacturing/Laboratory Automation, Organizational Design, Vendor Audits, System, Start-Up Operations, Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX), Talent Development/Mentoring, International Team Management, and Regulatory Compliance

Karl is known globally as a cybersecurity innovator with over 25 years of diverse experiences as an enterprise CISO, technology strategist, and startup advisor across technology, retail and financial industry verticals. He serves today as the CISO for Endor Labs, a startup focused on software supply chain security. Prior to joining Endor Labs, Karl served as the CISO for Noname Security, specializing in API and Application Security. Previously, Karl held several leadership positions in the Financial Service community, including CISO for City National Bank, and later PennyMac Financial Services. Additionally, he was an active member of the FS-ISAC Mortgage Risk Council, President of the LA Cyber Lab, Financial Services Sector Chief for InfraGard, graduate of the FBI CISO Academy, and Adjunct Faculty at the University of Minnesota for over 10 years.

Rogier is a serial entrepreneur and digital security enthusiast, currently Co-Founder and CEO of Hadrian Security. Hadrian is modernizing offensive security practices with automation, making security teams faster and more scalable. As a teenager he was acknowledged by large companies like Google, PayPal, Microsoft and Yahoo for ethically breaching their systems. In 2013, at only 17 years old, he was one of the first innovators in the cryptocurrency industry by founding LiteBit, a custody and brokerage platform with over a million traders. Driven by a passion for company building and startups, Fischer has started angel investing and advising other startups. He founded an angel syndicate and has been investing in healthcare, security, gaming, and deep tech startups.

For 15 years, I found myself defined by my accomplishments on the track. I’m proud of these achievements -- three-time Olympian, World Champion, World Record Holder, and 2-time World Bronze medalist -- but they do not fully define me. I have also excelled academically, graduating Magna Cum Laude from Duke before going on to earn my Master’s degree. A lifelong advocate in women’s sports, I was selected by the US Department of State to serve as a Sport's Envoy to Morocco. I have also worked with Nike and USATF to update maternity policies to make Track & Field more equitable. My long career in professional sports, including becoming a mother in 2018 and navigating a return to top form, offers a unique perspective into the full range of the athlete experience. As I move on from competition, my mission now is to find ways to share that insight with other dreamers and high achievers.