Natalia Bakhtina is a strategic CISO-level leader and is globally recognized as the Women in IT Canada Finalist 2022. Natalia holds a Master’s of Business Administration Degree from Dalhousie University and is Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC). Experienced results-oriented Director of Cybersecurity and IT Risk Management, Natalia is well regarded for her innate strategic analytical mindset, critical thinking, strong business acumen and demonstrated first hand experience to successfully lead multimillion-dollar strategic enterprise wide initiatives and complex risk management programs in global financial services, fintech and insurance industries. Passionate about cybersecurity, Natalia is the Governing Body Member for the Toronto CISO Community by Evanta, a Gartner Company, a Board of Directors Member for the CyberEd Board by the Information Security Media Group, and an actively contributing member of ISACA Toronto Chapter. Natalia is often invited to speak at cybersecurity conferences, expert roundtables, industry panel discussions and is cited in various publications. Natalia is also a trusted successful mentor for younger professionals in the fields of risk and project management. Natalia is respected as an approachable and diplomatic relationship builder with excellent interpersonal, communication and influencing skills and inherent ability to effectively develop long term trusting sustainable partnerships with various IT, business and legislative stakeholders of different personalities, backgrounds, levels and styles. As a car enthusiast, Natalia is on the Board of Directors for the Yorkville Exotic Car Show, an annual Father’s Day charity car exhibition downtown Toronto. At her spare time Natalia enjoys downhill skiing, salsa dancing, swimming, reading and choir singing.