The Future of IT & Cybersecurity

CIO & CISO Think Tank

April 24, 2025 - Atlanta, GA

Visionaries

Sulabh Sood Lumen Technologies
Sulabh Sood

VP, IT

Lumen Technologies

Think Tank Speaker

Sulabh Sood is currently working as Vice President at Lumen Technologies. He has been tasked to build the execution engine for global technology, IT, engineering, and product organizations. He is leading an organization to manage and direct Program Management, Business Operations, Program governance & prioritization, Budget management, IT Operations, IT Compliance, IT Vendor Management, Strategic outsourcing, and Agile Transformation Office. Before joining Lumen, Sulabh worked in global companies such as GE, Atos and in pre-IPO startups. Sulabh is an accomplished technology leader with diverse experience in digital transformation, cloud implementation, DevOps, GTM strategy, operations, and product & program management. He has led org-wide transformation by partnering with functions such as engineering, product management, customer success, commercial, marketing, finance, and HR. Sulabh firmly believes in establishing a culture of trust, customer obsession, learning, excellence, and holistic people development through inclusion. Sulabh started his career as a Software Engineer after completing Engineering in Computer Science. He gained valuable leadership experience while working with startup CEOs and VCs during his education at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in New Delhi. He is also an alumnus of GE leadership programs. Sulabh has performed leadership advisory to the C-suite including the board of directors and has been a speaker at multiple leadership conferences. As a contribution back to his alma mater, he serves as Vice President for PAN IIT Alumni USA, Atlanta chapter.

Ashok Narayan Florida's Natural
Ashok Narayan

VP, Information Systems

Florida's Natural

Think Tank Speaker

Founded in 1959 Tosca provides reusable packaging and supply chain solutions across markets including poultry, protein, eggs, produce, and cheese. The company is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.

Jonathan Waldrop The Weather Company
Jonathan Waldrop

CISO

The Weather Company

Think Tank Speaker

Jonathan Waldrop is an experienced and passionate leader in cybersecurity and technology. He started his career on Active Duty in the Air Force as a communications and information officer and spent seven years in active service before transitioning to the Air Force Reserve. He is a participating reservist supporting Headquarters Air Force, Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Cyber Effects Operations. He has more than 15 years of experience across a broad range of technologies, industries, and government organizations. His current role at Insight Global is the Senior Director of Cybersecurity, where he has spent the past 6+ years building and developing the cybersecurity team, scaling the people, processes, and technology to support a company that has experienced rapid growth both from an employee, and revenue standpoint. He initiates projects to streamline business processes that are secure by design with a focus on usability and pragmatic security. Additionally, Jonathan has presented at security conferences on a variety of topics and frequently appears on podcasts. He earned a Master’s of Science degree in Management Information Systems and Services from the University of Maryland, and a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Meteorology from Florida State University. He also holds multiple certifications including CISSP, Qualified Technology Executive (QTE), and others. As a Veteran and participating member of the Air Force Reserve, he also works closely with the Veteran community, mentoring and guiding Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Coasties, and Guardians during their transition from active duty service, whether it was after 2 years, or 20 years. On the personal side, he is a runner, cyclist, reader, and all-around family man.

Marc Mackey Nike
Marc Mackey

Global IT Director

Nike

Think Tank Speaker

• Accomplished Technology executive with over 20 years experience leading portfolio / program / release / project management operations in both high-growth startups and large enterprise software companies with documented success in critical roles. • Built a business value driven, high performing, cross-functional PMO with geographically distributed PMO/TPM teams. • Specializes in driving business value by aligning all levels of leadership and cross-functional teams through the implementation of OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) and KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) based framework and tools. • Recognized for improving customer satisfaction by standardizing processes, procedures and removing inefficiencies to eliminate downtime. • Increased productivity by fundamentally re-architected how Product Development teams and people align and collaborate at all levels. • Experienced public speaker, reporting to C-level executives with solid strategy and presentation skills. • FDIC and OCC presence and presentations for National Bank Charter for Technology.

Sameer Agarwal Cummins
Sameer Agarwal

Global Head of IAM

Cummins

Think Tank Speaker

Executive Leadership, Global Strategy, Key Accounts and Client Partnership Management: Leadership experience in managing global security programs, building and supervising large diverse workforce and overseeing complex strategic initiatives. Expert in developing strategic plans and delivering complex Information Security and Risk Management solutions. Leading, mentoring and growing a global technology focused solution/service delivery organization.

Andrey Morochko Novelis
Andrey Morochko

Chief Enterprise Architect

Novelis

Think Tank Speaker

Novelis is a producer of flat-rolled aluminum products and recycler of aluminum. They are based in Atlanta, Georgia.

Thomas Klein DigiCert
Thomas Klein

Senior Director - Digital Trust Specialists

DigiCert

Think Tank Speaker

Tom Klein is a 40+ year IT professional with 10 years of specialization in Digital Trust, IoT, and PKI. His experience includes running business groups for IBM, Microsoft, and AWS in both product and professional services. In addition, he has served as a senior go-to market specialist in PKI, IoT, and access management with several high-growth organizations. Tom has contributed to the FDA’s Cybersecurity Premarket Guidance for Medical Device Design and is currently speaking on the tenants of Digital Trust and Post Quantum Cryptography. He is passionate about business outcomes that represent customer value.

April 24, 2025

Agenda

All times Eastern Time

8:30 AM-9:00 AM

Registration


9:00 AM-9:30 AM

Morning Networking


9:30 AM-9:40 AM

Opening Remarks


9:40 AM-10:05 AM
Keynote

Unleashing Cryptoagility: A Blueprint for Modernizing PKI Solutions

In the ever-evolving landscape of digital transformation, organizations are facing unprecedented challenges in securing and scaling their cryptographic infrastructure. Yet the need for crypto agility has never been more critical as companies grapple with risks posed by advanced technologies such as AI, emerging threats like Post Quantum Cryptography (PQC), and the complex web of compliance mandates, management hurdles, and technology transformations.

This session will help gain actionable strategies as we explore:

  • Reducing IT resource burdens and costs through centralized certificate management
  • Preventing costly business outages and addressing potential security vulnerabilities
  • Building private and public trust while eliminating human error

Don't miss this opportunity to learn best practices and elevate your organization's cryptographic resilience. Be part of the conversation that prepares for a quantum-safe future and shapes the future of secure digital landscapes

In partnership with:
DigiCert

10:10 AM-10:55 AM
Keynote Panel

2025 Executive Evolution: Mastering the Art of Business-Technology Harmony

Bridging the gap between business and technology is not easy and requires discipline and balance between technology, people, and business. For so many organizations today, technology is the business. Technology needs to be understood as a critical enabler in every part of the organization from the front line to the back office. It creates new value by crunching data to deliver new insights, it spurs innovation, and it disrupts traditional business models.

For business and technology leaders alike, new actions and behavioral changes can help their organizations make this shift. CIOs and CISOs must take responsibility for problems, they should convey that when technology fails, many people typically share responsibility.


10:55 AM-11:15 AM

Coffee Break


11:15 AM-12:00 PM
Panel

Building Cyber Fortitude: CISO Strategies for Resilient Cybersecurity

In the realm of building cyber resilience, organizations confront increased risk exposure amidst bold moves and evolving external challenges. Despite investments in technology and data, risk leaders, including CISOs, express difficulty in keeping pace with the persistent threat of cyber crises. However, in today's business landscape, discussions of digital transformation or reinvention are inseparable from considerations of cybersecurity. Looking ahead, stakeholders, from the board to frontline cybersecurity operations, pose critical questions about resiliency. This includes inquiries about the adequacy of efforts to safeguard the company and its customers in the face of cyber attacks. The focus shifts to identifying opportunities to minimize the impact on business and shareholder value through effective threat response. Embracing cybersecurity as a whole-of-business endeavor, organizations are urged to align themselves with business owners, adapting to changes in the cyber landscape and fortifying resilience against disruptions. Building confidence in the cybersecurity program becomes paramount in navigating the dynamic and challenging cyber landscape effectively.


12:05 PM-12:40 PM
Fireside Chat

Cybersecurity Leadership in the Era of AI and ML: Navigating Innovation and Responsibility

In the dynamic realm of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), CISOs play a pivotal role in leveraging these advancements for enhanced cybersecurity. Strategic integration of AI and ML is essential for bolstering security measures, optimizing decision-making, and driving innovation. CISOs must adopt a comprehensive approach, considering the entire lifecycle of these technologies to ensure both efficiency and ethical use. Establishing robust governance frameworks becomes paramount, addressing biases, ensuring transparency, and minimizing unintended consequences.


Looking ahead, as AI and ML continue to advance, CISOs face evolving challenges and regulatory considerations. Proactive engagement involves staying informed about changing regulations, particularly in areas such as data privacy and ethical AI practices. CISOs should strive for a tech-enabled understanding of AI and ML systems, encompassing deployment, impact, and security measures. This approach positions organizations to navigate the regulatory landscape effectively, ensuring responsible and competitive integration of AI and ML into cybersecurity strategies.


12:40 PM-1:40 PM

Lunch & Networking


1:40 PM-1:55 PM
Disruptor

Navigating the Cyber Frontier: CISO Strategies for Effective Risk Management

In the context of effective cyber risk management, the challenge lies in keeping up with evolving technology, particularly during cloud or technology transformations. The adoption of threat intelligence, Gen AI, the metaverse, and machine learning presents both opportunities and challenges, with a need for technology leaders to grasp the security implications. While these technologies enhance cyber risk management, they also offer efficiencies through task automation. Striking a balance between risks and rewards is crucial for gaining trust and staying competitive. Looking forward, organizations must explore innovative approaches to cyber risk management, emphasizing resilience against third-party risks. Collaboration with the leadership team is essential to take an enterprise-wide view of current and future threats, develop action plans, safeguard critical assets, and facilitate quick recovery. Early collaboration with the executive team is encouraged to integrate risk management into transformation strategies and extract maximum benefits from emerging technologies.

In partnership with:
Deep Instinct

2:00 PM-2:45 PM
Panel

Next-Level Innovations: Unveiling Gen AI - The Hype, The Reality, and The Future

We will explore the evolution of Gen AI, from its inception to its transformative impact across various industries. Experts will discuss the disparity between the media-driven hype and the technology's real-world capabilities, sharing case studies and addressing current challenges. The conversation will also cover the economic and ethical implications of Gen AI, providing insights into its future advancements and regulatory landscape. Attendees will gain a nuanced understanding of Gen AI's potential and the strategic considerations necessary for its successful integration into diverse sectors.


2:15 PM-2:50 PM
Fireside Chat

Innovation Unleashed: Navigating the Future through IT Evolution with CIOs at the Helm

In this session, embark on a transformative exploration of the evolving landscape of IT operations. Delving into the strategic imperative for Chief Information Officers to reshape and modernize their IT operating models, the discussion unfolds the critical role technology plays in driving business success. Participants will gain practical insights into the adaptive strategies CIOs can employ to enhance organizational agility, foster innovation, and align IT with overarching business goals. Join us for a dynamic conversation that unveils the power of evolving IT operating models, empowering organizations to thrive in the ever-evolving digital age.


2:50 PM-3:25 PM
Fireside Chat

AI Innovation on an Enterprise Scale: Are We Focused on the Right Priorities?

Successfully driving AI transformation requires asking the right questions. Organizations must identify how to extract real value, manage risks, and leverage data to navigate the complexities of AI adoption amid a crowded vendor landscape. This panel discussion will explore strategic approaches for business leaders to implement AI thoughtfully, ensuring it aligns with key organizational objectives and delivers meaningful impact.


3:25 PM-3:45 PM

Networking Break


3:45 PM-4:00 PM
Disruptor

Maximizing Business Impact: Measuring and Achieving ROI with AI Across Industries

This panel will explore how AI innovations can be effectively implemented and scaled across different industries to drive tangible, measurable ROI. Experts from diverse sectors, including healthcare, manufacturing, customer experience, and business strategy, will share practical insights on how AI solutions are transforming operations, reducing costs, improving decision-making, and enhancing customer satisfaction. Attendees will learn how to set clear KPIs, track AI’s financial impact, and overcome challenges in scaling AI across the enterprise. From automating processes to enhancing productivity, this session will highlight how to ensure AI investments deliver measurable returns at every stage of the journey.


4:00 PM-4:35 PM
Fireside Chat

Future-Proofing the Workforce: Upskilling for the Next Era of IT Innovation

The global IT talent shortage isn’t going away — and hiring alone won’t close the gap. To fully capitalize on disruptive technologies like AI, cloud, and cybersecurity, CIOs and IT leaders must prioritize upskilling and reskilling their existing workforce. This panel will dive into how organizations can identify critical skill gaps, create effective upskilling programs at scale, and foster a culture of continuous learning and innovation. We’ll also explore how emerging technologies like AI and automation are reshaping workforce demands and what leaders need to do now to ensure their teams are ready for the future.


4:40 PM-4:45 PM

Closing Remarks & Raffle Giveaway


4:45 PM-5:30 PM

Cocktail Networking