CIO & CISO Think Tank

Robert is the Vice President, Information Security and CISO for Invitation Homes. He is responsible for leading the Information Security program for Invitation Homes. Responsibilities include establishing a sound security strategy, governance, operations, service delivery, business integration and end-user awareness training. Robert’s career spans over 20 years in leading global teams in the delivery of IT Security operations. Robert has been influential in the leadership, design of security operations and delivery at First American Payment Systems, Dell Services, Williamson-Dickie Mfg. Co., Bell Helicopter, Textron and Ameritech. Robert also has significant consulting experience obtained while working at PricewaterhouseCoopers. Robert has a Bachelor of Science Degree from Michigan State University and a Master of Science Degree from Walsh College of Business and Accountancy. Robert has completed the Executive Leadership Program at Thunderbird - Gavin School of International Management. He is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), a Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Certified Chief Information Security Officer (C|CISO), ITILv3 and a Certified Six-Sigma Green Belt.

Mr. Richard Rushing is the Chief Information Security Officer for Motorola Mobility LLC.; Richard participates in several corporate, community, private, and government Security Council’s and working groups setting standards, policies, and solutions to current and emerging security issues. As Chief Information Security Officer for Motorola Mobility, he has led the security effort by developing an international team to tackle the emerging threats of mobile devices, targeted attacks, and cyber-crime. He organized developed and deployed practices, tools and techniques to protect the intellectual property across the worldwide enterprise. A much-in-demand international speaker on information security Richard has presented at many leading security conferences and seminars around the world.

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.

Grant Ecker is the Founder and Chairman of the Chief Architect Network, and most recently the Vice President Chief Enterprise Architect at Danaher where he partnered closely with the architects across the company to lead strategy development, establish technology standards and to identify opportunities for modernization and transformation.  Prior to Danaher, Grant was the VP, Global Head of Architecture at Walgreens Boots Alliance, and he held a similar role at Medtronic. Earlier in Grant’s career he held architecture and management roles with expanding responsibility at Lowe’s and General Mills.  Grant is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach, he received an MBA from University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management, and his BS in Computer Science from Washington University in St. Louis.  Grant is a board member of the Women in Architecture initiative and he holds various board advisory roles out of Chicago, Illinois. Please connect with Grant at

Bradley J. Schaufenbuel is currently Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer at Paychex. Prior to his current role, he held security leadership positions at Paylocity, Midland States Bank, Midwest Bank, Zurich Financial Services, Experian, and Arthur Andersen LLP. Bradley is the author of multiple books (including two "For Dummies" titles) and has had numerous articles published in professional journals on a wide variety of topics related to information security and governance. He is licensed to practice law in Illinois and is a member of the United States Supreme Court Bar. Bradley holds twenty-five professional designations in the areas of information security management, IT compliance, information privacy, fraud examination, IT audit, computer forensics, ethical hacking, business continuity planning, project management, cloud security, and process improvement, including the C|CISO, CISSP, CISM, CISA, CCSP, CIPP/US, CIPP/E, CIPM, CSSLP, PMP, CRISC, CGEIT, ISSMP, ISSAP, CFE, C|EH, CBCP, CCSK, CDPSE, DFCP, CIFI, CSOXM, CSOE, ITIL v3 Foundation, and Six Sigma Black Belt. He holds an MBA from DePaul University's Kellstadt Graduate School of Business and a JD and an LLM in information technology and privacy law from the University of Illinois at Chicago's John Marshall Law School. Bradley has served as a director on several corporate and non-profit boards, is a regular speaker at industry conferences, and has served numerous clients in the legal, financial services, and healthcare industries as a freelance consultant. He is an advisor to YL Ventures GP, Ltd., Glilot Capital, Eclipz, Inc., Great North Ventures, EventCombo, AttackIQ, Eclipz,io, Privatise, WireX Systems, Menlo Ventures, and ThirdPartyTrust. Bradley was recognized as the Chicago CISO of the Year in 2018, as one of the Top 100 CISOs by Cyber Defense Magazine in 2020, and as the North America Information Security Leader of the Year by GDS in 2021.

Innovative executive that has experience making sound business decisions and can think rationally in difficult situations. Visualizes the big picture and provides proper context and perspective tailored for the target audience. Clearly articulates the mission, standards, and priorities to achieve strategic and tactical objectives.

Lee has 20 years of experience in Cyber and Information Security. In his current role, he serves as the Global Head of Information Security Governance at Zurich Insurance group, a leading multi-line insurer that serves its customers in global and local markets. With about 55,000 employees, it provides a wide range of property and casualty, life insurance products and services in more than 215 countries and territories. Prior to Zurich Lee worked in various IT, Security, Governance, and Leadership roles including penetration testing, security consultant, network/domain administrator, and Director of Threat Analysis and Network Forensics for the US Navy’s enterprise environment. Lee has a significant amount of experience in Governance Risk and Compliance and works to maintain a current level of understanding on emerging threats as well as strategies to prepare, defend, and respond from an organizational standpoint.

Yaël Gomez is a fractional CIO/CTO and former Vice President, Global IT, Integration & Intelligent Automation at Walgreens Boots Alliance. As an accomplished technology executive, technologist, and strategic business partner across large-scale enterprise organizations, Yaël has proven expertise in successfully developing technology delivery centers, delivering complex technology strategies and transformations generating business growth. He is skilled at driving global strategies whilst meeting business specific local requirements, with the goal of enabling business innovation, agility and performance with the right technologies. Yael finds his energy at the intersection of people, business and technology, and taps into 25 years of experience in small and large organizations such as Walgreens, in aligning business and technology, and in bringing clarity to complex problems to drive growth, operational excellence and product/service leadership for the businesses he serves.

Valvoline Inc. manufactures and markets automotive and industrial lubricants. It operates through three segments: Core North America, Quick Lubes, and International. The company offers lubricants for passenger car/light duty and heavy duty; antifreeze/coolants for original equipment manufacturers; functional and maintenance chemicals, such as brake fluids and power steering fluids, as well as specialty coatings for automotive and industrial applications comprising rust prevention, sound absorption, and release agents; and oil and air filters for light-duty vehicles. It also provides windshield wiper blades, light bulbs, serpentine belts, and drain plugs. The company sells its products through approximately 1,068 Valvoline branded franchised and company-owned stores. Valvoline Inc. was founded in 1866 and is headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky.