Explore the transformative potential of Generative AI in this forward-looking session, where we will delve into how this cutting-edge technology is set to revolutionize business and technology landscapes. We will discuss emerging trends, anticipated advancements in the next 12-24 months, and their impact on various industries. Learn about practical applications of Generative AI, from enhancing customer experiences to driving innovation and operational efficiency. Our experts will also address the ethical considerations, regulatory challenges, and best practices for successful AI integration. Join us to gain insights into how Generative AI can unlock new opportunities and shape the future of your organization.
The Future of IT & Cybersecurity
CIO & CISO Think Tank
April 23, 2026 - Atlanta, GA
Past Visionaries
Felicia Hedgebeth
CIO
Department of Banking and Finance, State of Georgia.
Belinda Mobley
VP, Security Enablement Truist
Truist
Bill Brown
CIO
Ingress
Shashank Kadetotad
Global Sr Director, Enterprise Data Science & AI
Mars
Jelani Campbell
Cyber risk director
Fannie Mae
Mayor Michael Owens
CEO / CISO
U.S. Global Center Cyber Policy
About Me
Dr. Michael Owens is an innovative, collaborative, and distinguished leader with over 25 years of experience in startup, corporate, government, and military organizations. A transformation leader and sought-after speaker, Michael frequently keynotes on topics related to cybersecurity, cyberwarfare, and national security matters. As a cybersecurity executive, he has been at the vanguard of some of the most complex issues dealing with breach mitigation/recovery, threat intelligence sharing, and diversity within the tech and cyber industry. Michael is the president and CEO of the U.S. Global Center of Cyber Policy, where he leads the organization in providing federal, state, and local governments with non-partisan thought leadership and expert information and analysis on cybersecurity, cybercrime, and cyberwarfare trends, strategies, and policies from a domestic and international perspective. Prior to this, Michael led the Global Cybersecurity, Cybercrime, and Critical Infrastructure Program for EY within the Forensics, Investigations & Dispute division. In that role, he was responsible for the global strategic direction and standardization of threat intelligence, cybersecurity assessments, audits, and incident response services. Before this, Michael worked at Cisco Systems leading the Advanced Services, Public Sector service delivery team. During this time, he led cybersecurity, wired and wireless networks, and IT strategy engagements for government agencies in the U.S. southeast across and New York. Michael has extensive international and geopolitical experience with projects completed in over 100 countries. As an entrepreneur, Michael pioneered the practice of SMB MSP and fractional CIO/CISO services. Michael is an eight-year veteran of the United States Marine Corps and a current member of the US Marine Corps Cyber Auxiliary. He is a member of the World Affairs Council of Atlanta, a Political Partner with the Truman National Security Project, and serves on the State Advisory Committee for the US Global Leadership Coalition, the Evanta/Gartner Atlanta CISO Governing Body, and the Leadership Board of the Cybersecurity Collaboration Forum. Michael's educational background includes a bachelor’s from North Carolina A&T State University, a master’s degree from Georgia Institute of Technology, a doctorate from California Intercontinental University, and advanced certificates and executive programs from the U.S. Army War College and Harvard University. He resides in Mableton, Georgia with his two children.
Tamika Bass
Head of Cybersecurity Director (CISO)
Gannett Fleming
About Me
Highly qualified IT Security Analyst & Adjunct Professor with 15+ years experience specializing in business continuity, disaster recover, IT security, and knowledge transfer. Applies methods for assessing and mitigating risk, analyzing impacts, and managing incidents. IT security experience including security auditing, governance risk and compliance, ITGRC implementation and business continuity planning.Highly qualified IT Security Analyst & Adjunct Professor with 15+ years experience specializing in business continuity, disaster recover, IT security, and knowledge transfer. Applies methods for assessing and mitigating risk, analyzing impacts, and managing incidents. IT security experience including security auditing, governance risk and compliance, ITGRC implementation and business continuity planning.
Dan VanBeek
Head of Information Security GRC
MarketAxess
Upcoming events
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 - 9:55 AM
Vision Voices Keynote
The Future of Generative AI: Transforming Business and Technology
10:00 AM - 10:25 AM
Keynote
Data Revolution Leadership: CIOs at the Helm of Modernization for Strategic Value
11:05 AM - 11:25 AM
Coffee Break
11:25 AM - 12:10 PM
Panel
Rearchitecting the Enterprise for Agentic AI: Control, Collaboration, and the Next Frontier of Automation
Agentic AI, autonomous systems that perceive, reason, and act with minimal human intervention is poised to redefine how work gets done. As these intelligent agents move beyond experimentation into enterprise-scale deployments, organizations must prepare to fundamentally rearchitect their digital environments.
This panel will explore how leaders can operationalize agentic AI to drive efficiency, creativity, and strategic advantage while preserving oversight, governance, and trust. Discussion topics will include designing workflows around autonomous decision-making, managing human-agent collaboration, and navigating emerging risks such as bias, security, and operational drift. Join us as we unpack what it truly means to lead in an era of intelligent, action-oriented AI and how to ensure these agents serve both your innovation goals and core business values.
12:15 PM - 12:30 PM
Disruptor
From Chaos to Control: Solving Data Sprawl & DSPM at Scale
Sensitive data is everywhere—stored, shared, and duplicated across environments without clear ownership. Data Security Posture Management (DSPM) has emerged to help organizations regain control. In this roundtable, leaders from heavily regulated industries walk through their DSPM implementations: how they located hidden data, prioritized risks, and implemented policy-based protection at scale. Expect real-world lessons on mapping data flows, minimizing blast radius, and integrating data security into DevOps and compliance workflows. If you're struggling with data chaos, this session shows how to take charge.
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Lunch & Networking
1:30 PM - 2:05 PM
Fireside Chat
The Future of Cyber Resilience: Winning in a World of Constant Threats
In an era of escalating cyber threats, evolving attack surfaces, and accelerated digital transformation, traditional security models are no longer enough. This keynote will explore what it means to build cyber resilience in today’s complex environment—where speed, adaptability, and business alignment are paramount. From securing hybrid and multi-cloud environments to integrating AI-driven threat intelligence, we’ll examine how leaders can future-proof their security strategies while enabling innovation. Learn how to shift from reactive defense to proactive resilience, ensuring your organization can not only withstand but thrive amid disruption.
2:10 PM - 2:55 PM
Panel
Securing the Rise of Agentic AI: Trust, Control, and Resilience in Autonomous Systems
As agentic AI systems evolve from experimental tools to enterprise-grade digital workers—capable of making decisions, taking actions, and adapting in real time—they introduce a new paradigm of both possibility and risk. Unlike traditional automation, agentic AI operates with greater autonomy, raising urgent questions for security leaders: How do we ensure control? How do we manage risk when systems learn, act, and adapt independently?
This panel will explore the security implications of deploying agentic AI across business operations—from data privacy and decision integrity to real-time threat mitigation and adversarial AI risks. We'll dive into the intersection of governance, identity management, and AI observability, and how CISOs can build frameworks that safeguard both the systems and the outcomes.
3:00 PM - 3:15 PM
Disruptor
What’s AI Doing for You?
3:15 PM - 3:35 PM
Networking Break
3:55 PM - 4:30 PM
Fireside Chat
The Human Side of Tech: Why Soft Skills Are the Real Superpower
In a world obsessed with digital transformation, AI, and automation, it’s easy to forget the power of human connection. But the truth is—technology doesn’t lead, people do. As roles evolve and teams become more cross-functional, the ability to listen, influence, adapt, and collaborate has become just as critical as technical expertise.
Today’s CIOs, CISOs, and tech leaders are expected not only to drive innovation, but to communicate across departments, manage diverse teams, and navigate uncertainty with empathy and clarity. Emotional intelligence, storytelling, active listening, and resilience are no longer “nice to have”—they’re essential for anyone leading in a fast-moving, high-stakes environment.
Nowhere is this leadership shift more relevant than in the US particularly in NYC, a city built on creativity, reinvention, and cultural diversity. Here, the ability to connect across perspectives isn’t just a professional skill—it’s a way of life. As tech and business worlds converge, NYC’s unique blend of innovation and human-centered thinking offers the perfect backdrop to explore how soft skills are reshaping the future of leadership.
This session dives into why the most successful executives are blending EQ with IQ to inspire trust, build alignment, and drive lasting impact.