CISO Dinner

Experienced executive security leader with 20+ years in the industry. Have built, ran, and optimized multiple security organizations spanning cyber, physical, and product security. Currently the Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer at McDonald’s.

Paige Adams has been a member of the Zurich executive team since 2014 and served as the Global Head of Cyber Response, Chief Information Security Officer for Zurich North America, and VP for Cyber Security before assuming his current role as Group Chief Information Security Officer in February 2018. Prior to joining Zurich, Paige spent a 26-year career in the United States Navy serving in a variety of intelligence and cyber roles. Paige has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Computer Information Systems) from Hawaii Pacific University and a Masters in Computer Science from the US Naval Postgraduate School..

Meet is a technology executive with extensive experience in large Asian and American firms. He is passionate about ideas that are at the intersection of business and technology and focuses on driving tech investments that deliver optimal business outcomes, by influencing the organization to be customer-focused, data-driven, and results-oriented. His areas of expertise include; strategy, mergers & acquisitions, ERP implementation, vendor management, financial technology, front office transformation, and emerging tech.

As the Associate Chair of IIT's Department of Information Technology and Management, designed and manage curriculum for Information Technology & Management and Applied Cybersecurity undergraduate and graduate degrees; advise undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in the programs. Design, write and manage curriculum and courses in Cybersecurity Management, Technology Ethics, Management, and Operating Systems for IIT School of Applied Technology. Evaluate and hire instructors for courses. Wrote and taught Web design courses for Stuart School of Business; Adjunct Professor of Public Administration for the Stuart School. Vice Chair, ACM Special Interest Group on Information Technology Education (SIGITE). ABET Program Evaluator in Information Technology and Cybersecurity. Past Chair, Illinois Institute of Technology Undergraduate Studies Committee. Past National Board Chair, Gamma Nu Eta, the Information Technology Honor Society. Served as a member of the Association of Internet Professionals Certification Accreditation Council. As former Director of Information Technology of the IIT School of Applied Technology, I was responsible for managing staff and assets including all computer laboratories, faculty and staff computer assets, UNIX/Linux/Windows/Solaris servers, networks, and multiple Web sites on two university campuses. As Manager of Client Services for university Computing and Network Services, I was responsible for managing staff and assets including all computer laboratories, Novell networks, Helpdesk services, and the university Web site.

Cole Sinkford is GE Renewable Energy’s Global Chief Information and Product Cyber Security Officer, responsible for cybersecurity across the organization. In this role, he is responsible for all aspects of cybersecurity strategy and operations for Renewable Energy products and enterprise. Prior to his current role, Cole served as the Deputy Chief Information Security officer of Renewable Energy, establishing Renewables’ standalone Cybersecurity capabilities. Prior to that, Cole spent 3 years as part of GE’s Corporate Audit Staff, leading numerous projects and audits across the Digital Technology and business environments. Cole began his career as an Aviation DTLP located in Cincinnati, OH and now resides in Chicago, IL. Cole holds a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Cincinnati.

• Global IT professional with 15 years of experience, specializing in application management, employee development, vendor management, offshore resource management and project management • Program manager and Financial Systems Applications Manager for a top international law firm responsible for the Firm’s Billing, AP, GL, Conflicts, HR, Procurement, Time Entry, Expense Reimbursement, Imaging, New Business Intake, Employee Performance Management, and Cost Recovery systems • Managed multiple software upgrades and new system implementations • Entrepreneur and co-founder of an international education business which tutors students in the U.S. using teachers off-shore

Erik Hart oversees global information security for Cushman & Wakefield, one of the world’s largest commercial real estate services firms. A recognized thought leader with more than 20 years of experience in providing information security services to various industries and organizations, he also serves in an advisory role for numerous companies and organizations in the information security field, including Mimecast, CrowdStrike, InfraGard Chicago Members Alliance and Western Illinois University. Before joining Cushman & Wakefield in 2018, he served as CISO and Director of IT Risk Management for Zebra Technologies, a provider of mobile, logistics and point-of-sale technology and systems to retail, health care, transportation, manufacturing and other industries. Erik earned his Bachelors from Western Illinois University and Masters from Western Governors University.

Cole Sinkford the Global CISO at Globalfoundries Inc. Prior to this he was GE Renewable Energy’s Global Chief Information and Product Cyber Security Officer, responsible for cybersecurity across the organization. In this role, he is responsible for all aspects of cybersecurity strategy and operations for Renewable Energy products and enterprise. Prior to his current role, Cole served as the Deputy Chief Information Security officer of Renewable Energy, establishing Renewables’ standalone Cybersecurity capabilities. Prior to that, Cole spent 3 years as part of GE’s Corporate Audit Staff, leading numerous projects and audits across the Digital Technology and business environments. Cole began his career as an Aviation DTLP located in Cincinnati, OH and now resides in Chicago, IL. Cole holds a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Cincinnati.