
Southern California CISO Community
Executive Summit
December 3, 2024 | Marriott Long Beach Downtown
December 3, 2024
Marriott Long Beach Downtown
Collaborate with your peers
Get together with Southern California'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:
Strategizing for a risk-aligned, resilient organization
Building a solid framework for an effective data governance program
Sharpening leadership skills to become a stronger ally for your board & team
Southern California 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

Matt Crouse
Solar Turbines
CISO

Trina Ford
iHeartMedia
SVP, CISO

Todd Friedman
ResMed
CISO

Nemi George
Pacific Dental Services
Vice President, Information Security Officer

Arthur Lessard
Universal Music Group
SVP & CISO

Dan Meacham
Legendary
VP, Global Security and Corporate Operations, CISO

David Tyburski
Wynn Resorts
Vice President, Chief Information Security Officer
What to Expect
Agenda
7:45am - 8:30am Registration & Breakfast
8:30am - 9:15am Keynote
You Speak, They Swarm — The Power of Story in Reaching Your Audience
Hosted by CyberArk

Arthur Zards
Thought Leader, TED/TEDx Speaker, Coach & Producer
Guest Speaker
"Those who tell the stories rule society." (Plato) Busy executives don’t have time to learn complex communication models or esoteric storytelling processes — you need a simple, effective framework that can help you not only connect with any audience, but also elicit real change. Enter the SWARM™ Effect.
Join this session with Arthur Zards — an expert on storytelling, TEDster and provocateur — to:
- Hone your skills in executive influence
- Adopt a more authentic and engaging approach to speaking
- Take your next presentation from “understandable” to “compelling”
9:15am - 9:40am Networking Break
9:40am - 10:25am Breakout Session
Cloud Success — The Process of Lifting and Shifting from A - Z
Hosted by Wiz

Quincey Collins
Chief Security Officer
Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton

Sasha Pereira
CISO / Director of IT Security
Wash Multifamily Laundry Systems
Cloud services have revolutionized the way businesses operate, but they also introduce new security challenges. This presents a holistic approach to cloud security, focusing on the interplay between security architecture, vendor management, and contractual obligations. By leveraging Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) tools and conducting thorough security architecture reviews, we outline strategies to fortify SaaS environments against potential vulnerabilities.
Join this session to discuss:
- Comprehensive cloud security framework & a holistic approach to security architecture, vendor management, and contractual obligations.
- Strategic use of CSPM tools which underscores the importance of your cloud security posture to strengthen the security of SaaS environments.
- importance of enforceable contracts, emphasizing the necessity for clear and lawful contracts to ensure compliance and accountability.
9:40am - 10:25am Executive Boardroom
Cyber Resilience in Times of Geopolitical Conflict

Eddie Galang
Chief Information Security Officer
Port of Long Beach

Jeremy Smith
VP, CISO
Avery Dennison
As global tensions rise, coordinated cyber-attacks are impacting organizations globally. Cyber-conflict isn’t just a security problem, it’s a business problem that requires a strategic partnership between CISOs and leaders across the enterprise.
Join this peer-led conversation to discuss:
- Gauging the business’ appetite for risk amidst geopolitical unrest
- Engaging leadership to make informed cybersecurity risk decisions
- Identifying and responding to politically charged TTPs
9:40am - 10:25am Executive Boardroom
How to Assess Security Maturity and Why It Matters
Hosted by Expel

Yanek Korff
Co-Founder and COO
Expel

Rushton James
VP, CISO
Liberty Dental Plan

Steve Schwartz
Vice President and CISO
Lionsgate Entertainment

Shoaib Qazi
Chief Information Security and Technology Officer
RXO
Maturing your security posture requires knowing how to objectively assess your organization, use industry best practices and frameworks, and select the right tools to advance your business. This complex, time-intensive process often takes a backseat to defending yourself against ever-evolving threats. Getting started can be overwhelming, so finding time to assess and improve your security maturity is a tall task.
Join this session to discuss:
- Benchmarking SOC performance using common assessment frameworks and tools
- Determining your security maturity level, and how to fill gaps you’ve identified
- Analyzing the impact of data and AI on your security posture
9:40am - 10:25am Executive Boardroom
Solving Supply Chain Risk with Intelligence, Analytics, and Action
Hosted by RiskRecon, a Mastercard Company

Kelly White
Co-Founder & CEO
RiskRecon - A MasterCard Company

Webb Deneys
SVP, Information Technology, CISO
Cardinal Financial Company

Virginia Lyons
SVP, Chief Information Security Officer
Sony Pictures Entertainment

Sunil Agarwal
CISO, VP Information Security and Risk Management
OSI Systems
Intelligence-driven decisions and actions are often embedded into the enterprise security fabric, with defenses against malware, malicious sites, and application attacks updated based on rapid deployment of intelligence-based rules. In contrast, most third-party risk management programs are rooted in episodic, questionnaire-based assessments which, according to RiskRecon surveys, are trusted by less than 20% of third-party risk teams.
Join this session to discuss:
- Gaining full visibility into risks across the entire supply chain using advanced analytics and AI
- Effective strategies for utilizing intelligence to manage and monitor business partners
- Actionable steps to overcome resource challenges and scale risk management efforts
9:40am - 10:25am Workshop
Office Hours with Arthur Zards, Storytelling Expert

Arthur Zards
Thought Leader, TED/TEDx Speaker, Coach & Producer
Guest Speaker
Meet one-on-one with storytelling expert Arthur Zards for expert insights and candid feedback on honing your skills in executive influence, adopting a more authentic and engaging approach to speaking, and taking your next presentation from “understandable” to “compelling.” Feel free to come prepared with specific questions or even a presentation you'd like to discuss.
10:25am - 11:05am Networking Break
10:30am - 10:55am Peer-to-Peer Meetings
Peer-to-Peer Meetings
Connect with like-minded peers in a one-on-one setting through Evanta’s Peer-to-Peer Meetings. You will be matched with peers in your community based on your shared interests and priorities.
11:05am - 11:50am Breakout Session
Embracing Innovation — Real-World GenAI Use Cases
Hosted by Cyera

Alex Hall
Global CISO
Gensler
The present moment offers an opportunity to unlock GenAI's transformative power, but maturity across organizations varies. Business leaders recognize this technology is a catalyst for innovation. By understanding real-world case studies with lessons learned, those leaders can create real movement forward inside of their own organizations.
Bring your questions to this session as you hear from executives who have:
- Implemented practical GenAI use cases and identified opportunities
- Compared and measured platforms and solutions for value outcomes
- Balanced approach to value and risk
11:05am - 11:50am Executive Boardroom
Cyber Risk — Telling the Right Story

Trina Ford
SVP, CISO
iHeartMedia

Chris Stoneley
CISO
Cathay Bank

Tony Velleca
CISO
UST Global
In an era where cybersecurity incidents often dominate headlines, managing stakeholder risk expectations has become more critical than ever. CISOs must ensure key stakeholders remain informed and confident in the organization’s risk posture.
Join this session to discuss:
- Telling the story of cybersecurity’s impact on people, processes, and technology
- Navigating the complexities of risk management in a highly interconnected digital world
- Articulating the business impact of assumed risk
11:05am - 11:50am Executive Boardroom
Beyond Detection — Ensuring Business Resiliency

Raj Gupta
AVP Information and Security Officer & Data Governance
Pacific Life Insurance

John Rojas
VP, Head of IT (CIO/CISO)
Air Lease Corporation
Cybersecurity incidents are not an 'if' but a 'when,' even for organizations with mature programs. Security teams must go beyond initial detection and response to ensure business resilience in today's interconnected digital landscape.
Join this boardroom session to discuss:
- Identifying cybersecurity's role in business resiliency
- Engaging and communicating proactively with key partners and stakeholders
- Enabling security and business operations to move forward through turbulence
11:05am - 11:50am Executive Boardroom
Paving a Path for Tomorrow's CISOs

Eddie Galang
Chief Information Security Officer
Port of Long Beach

Doug Murray
Global Head of Information Security
Centerfield Media

Shoaib Qazi
Chief Information Security and Technology Officer
RXO
Succession planning is critical for CISOs to ensure continuity and resilience in leadership roles. By identifying and developing internal talent, organizations can mitigate risks associated with unexpected departures and maintain strategic momentum.
Join this boardroom session to discuss:
- Identifying emerging leaders and enabling development
- Cultivating a forward-thinking security culture
- Ensuring leadership continuity and organizational resilience
11:50am - 12:35pm Lunch Service
Apply to Participate
Apply to participate in the Southern California 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
Marriott Long Beach DowntownParking
Self-Park Only
- $25 daily
- $30 overnight
A block of rooms has been reserved at the Marriott Long Beach Downtown at a reduced conference rate. Reservations should be made online or by calling 1 888 236 2427. Please mention Evanta Executive Summit to ensure the appropriate room rate.
Deadline to book using the discounted room rate of $249 USD (plus tax) is November 11, 2024.
Community Program Manager
For inquiries related to this community, please reach out to your dedicated contact.