Charlotte CISO Community
Executive Summit
October 28, 2025 | The Westin Charlotte
October 28, 2025
The Westin Charlotte
Collaborate with your peers
Get together with Charlotte's top CISOs to tackle shared business challenges and critical priorities facing your role today. Participate in this one-day, local program with peer-driven topics and interactive discussions with your true C-level peers.
Join your peers to discuss the most critical issues impacting CISOs today:
Building a Foundation for Cyber Resilience
Leveraging Collaboration to Enable Innovation and Risk Management
Maximizing Emerging Technologies for Strategic Advantage
Charlotte CISO Governing Body
The Governing Body Co-Chairs shape the summit agenda, ensuring that all content is driven By CISOs, For CISOs®.
Governing Body Co-Chairs
Ken Athanasiou
VF Corp
Global CISO
Christina Bray
Collins Aerospace
CISO
Frank DePaola
Enpro
VP, CISO
John Scrimsher
Kontoor Brands
CISO
What to Expect
Interactive Sessions
Hear from CISO practitioners and thought leaders on how they're solving critical challenges impacting your role today in Keynote sessions, and join smaller, interactive discussions with your peers in Breakout and Boardroom sessions.
Community Networking
Make new connections and catch up with old friends in casual conversations during dedicated time for networking designed to better acquaint you with your Charlotte CISO community.
Peer-to-Peer Meetings
Connect with like-minded peers in a private, one-on-one setting through Peer-to-Peer Meetings. You will be matched with peers in your community based on your shared interests and priorities.
Agenda
8:00am - 8:30am Registration & Breakfast
9:15am - 9:40am Networking Break
9:40am - 10:25am Breakout Session
Breakout Session presented by Aviatrix
Hosted by Aviatrix
Chris McHenry
Chief Product Officer
Aviatrix
Details coming soon.
9:40am - 10:25am Executive Boardroom
Crafting a Compelling Risk Narrative
Gaining leadership buy-in for risk mitigation is not just about the metrics; it’s about the story. Tech and cybersecurity leaders can work to reframe conversations about risk by not only developing consistent and quantifiable models, but also ensuring key stakeholders can understand and engage throughout the process.
Join this session to discuss:
- Measuring, documenting and communicating cyber- and IT-related risks
- Connecting risk management to broader organizational goals and enterprise strategies
- Engaging the board and executive leadership with refined messaging and impactful presentations
9:40am - 10:25am Executive Boardroom
Data Foundations for an AI-Enabled Enterprise
As enterprises pursue AI-driven innovation, success hinges on the integrity, governance and culture surrounding their data. Without trusted data and a workforce prepared to use it effectively, even the most advanced tools will fall short.
Join this session to discuss with peers:
- Implementing robust data governance to ensure timely, secure access for the right stakeholders
- Strengthening data integrity to empower data-driven decision-making
- Transitioning from traditional reporting to predictive and AI-powered tools for greater efficiency and insight
10:25am - 11:10am Networking Break
10:35am - 11:00am Peer-to-Peer Meetings
Peer-to-Peer Meetings
Connect with like-minded peers in a one-on-one setting through Peer-to-Peer Meetings. You will be matched with peers in your community based on your shared interests and priorities.
11:10am - 11:55am Breakout Session
Confronting the Internal Threat – Reclaiming Well-Being in Tech
CIOs, CISOs, and CTOs face mounting pressure to manage evolving threats, comply with complex regulations, reduce costs, and integrate emerging technologies—all while maintaining team performance. But in this high-stakes environment, cyberattacks aren’t the only danger. The personal resilience of leaders and their teams is also at risk.
Join this session for insights into:
- Embracing a human-centric leadership approach in IT and cybersecurity
- Bridging the gap between technical priorities, business strategy and mental health
- Creating a culture that prioritizes both business results and team well-being
11:10am - 11:55am Executive Boardroom
Executive Boardroom hosted by Twilio
Hosted by Twilio
Details coming soon.
11:55am - 12:30pm Lunch Service
Apply to Participate
Apply to participate in the Charlotte CISO Community Executive Summit.
Gartner facilitates exclusive, C-level communities by personally qualifying and understanding the priorities, challenges and interests of each member.
Our selective approach maintains the high quality of the network and ensures top-level discussions with peers from the world’s leading organizations.
Each application will be reviewed, and once your participation is confirmed, you will have access to year-round community programs.
Location
Venue & Accommodation
The Westin CharlotteThe Westin Charlotte - Room Block Cancellation Policy:
Any cancellations made after the Cut Off (October 5, 2025) are subject to a cancellation fee of one (1) night room charge plus tax.
A block of rooms has been reserved at the The Westin Charlotte at a reduced conference rate. Reservations should be made online or by calling (704) 375-2600. Please mention Charlotte Executive Summit to ensure the appropriate room rate.
Deadline to book using the discounted room rate of $299 USD (plus tax) is October 6, 2025.
Your Community Sponsors
CISO Thought Leader
Key Sponsors
Program Sponsors
Community Program Manager
For inquiries related to this community, please reach out to your dedicated contact.
