CIO & CISO Think Tank

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.

David Evans is the Group Data Protection Officer at Alter Domus, where he leads enterprise-wide initiatives to secure high-value data across the US, EMEA, and APAC. A highly credentialed expert (FIP, CIPP/E, CIPP/US, CIPM), David is a dual-licensed Solicitor (UK) and Attorney (US) who specializes in navigating the intersection of innovation and regulation. He is a recognized authority on the Illinois Bar Standing Committee on Artificial Intelligence, focusing on the ethical and legal implications of emerging tech. Throughout his career, David has advised CIOs on multi-million dollar software patents and negotiated global licensing agreements for data-driven industries, including autonomous vehicles and private equity. Known for his ability to "look around corners," he excels at building responsive compliance programs from scratch, ensuring that global business ventures can scale securely while staying ahead of shifting international privacy laws and AI-driven threats.

Russ Felker is the Chief Technology Officer at MegaCorp Logistics, bringing over 30 years of experience as a CTO, founder, and strategic technology advisor. A versatile leader with a career spanning municipal government, healthcare, and the beauty industry, Russ specializes in leveraging technology to solve complex business problems. His core mission centers on utilizing innovative digital solutions to simultaneously enhance the customer experience and drive significant operational cost savings. Based in the Greater Chicago area, Russ is a passionate advocate for technology-led change and organizational evolution. Throughout his three-decade tenure, he has built a reputation for creating resilient technology frameworks that align with long-term business goals. Whether navigating the high-stakes logistics sector or advising startups, Russ remains dedicated to the transformative power of technology as a tool for both efficiency and human-centric service.

Matt Rathbun is the Chief Security Officer and Managing Director at OCC, where he also serves as the Head of Technology Strategy & Innovation. A technologist at his core with 25 years of experience, Matt has built a career at elite organizations like Microsoft Azure and Two Sigma, rooted in the belief that security is a core business enabler rather than just a functional requirement. Reporting directly to the CEO, Matt oversees the cybersecurity posture for a systemically important financial market utility while leading OCC’s AI transformation. He is known for a "hands-on" leadership style, personally building proof-of-concepts for agentic workflows and AI governance before scaling them enterprise-wide. By bridging the gap between deep engineering and executive strategy, Matt transforms traditional security departments into proactive, service-delivery models that drive platform resiliency and high-fidelity decision-making.

Nitin has 25+ years of experience in performing IT, Security and Risk leadership roles for various organizations and serves as a global advisor tasked with prioritizing and evaluating trade-offs and conflicts among various security initiatives within the realm of ThoughtWorks businesses. Proven leadership with key skills like security governance, compliance, budgeting, hiring, risk management, project management, mentoring, negotiation, and problem-solving skills demonstrated throughout his career. Expert in translating between technical and business contexts; people, processes, technical aspects of technology, and in assisting organizations delivering effective, secure, and business-enabling solutions. Stakeholders/CxO advisory experience in IT/ITes organizations. Customer-focused and strategic mentality. Problem-solving and process-oriented. Nitin holds a Bachelor's degree (B.S) in Electronics engineering and Masters (PGDIT) in Information technology. He also holds the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) industry certifications and Board Qualified Technology Executive (QTE).

Strong record of success in information security management, IT strategy and budget planning, organizational development, and strategic technology architecture. Value creation through process improvement, organized optimization, talent development, and technology integration. Proven ability in collaboration, information security, application development management and governance structures. Over 20 years IT experience, over 10 years in information security and over 12 years in IT management roles. Experienced in leading web and application development functions and managing the delivery of systems on-time and under budget. Skilled at staff development, strategic and budget planning, project management, vendor management, process improvement, systems analysis, and technology integration. Adept at creating scalable internet architectures, managing multiple projects simultaneously. Able to bridge the gap between technical and non-technical personnel. Specialties: consulting, talent and organizational development,enterprise architecture,strategic planning, security and risk,cloud computing, networking Certifications: HCISPP, CISSP, CISM, CGEIT

Highly motivated Information Security Executive with a unique combination of IT Security and auditing backgrounds. Solid hands-on experience with; IT Security, Disaster Recovery, Sarbanes Oxley and EU Privacy Compliance, Identity and Access Management, IT Development, Project Management, Change Management, Risk/Penetration Assessments and Auditing with CISA, C|CISO and CRP credentials. Outstanding track record of managing projects, documenting & creating IT and business processes as well as assessing risk and controls within a business environment. Quickly adaptable to new situations and technologies; possess’ strong leadership and motivational skills in managing complex projects from strategy through completion.

Sid Chakravarty is a VP of Performance Insights at Synchrony and a Kellogg MBA / Georgia Tech MS (AI) graduate who bridges the gap between sophisticated engineering and enterprise economics. With 25 years of experience, Sid specializes in deploying pragmatic, ROI-driven AI—from Agentic AI and LLM frameworks (LangChain, LangGraph, MCP) to large-scale MLOps pipelines on AWS. A hands-on technologist and Adjunct Professor, Sid approaches AI through a unique "dual mindset," aligning technical fine-tuning with market structures and behavioral insights. He has a proven track record of transforming healthcare and financial services through intelligent automation, including developing language models for customer intent and multivariate time-series forecasting. Known for his focus on Responsible AI, Sid thrives on turning complex emerging capabilities into ethical, scalable strategies that move the needle for global organizations.

Grant Ecker is a senior technology executive leading Enterprise Architecture and Integration at Ecolab, managing a global team of architects and integration leaders. With 20+ years of experience, he drives transformation and innovation across billion-dollar IT portfolios, building proactive architecture communities and aligning technology strategy with business value. Grant is known for deploying enterprise architecture across multiple Fortune 150 companies, fostering trusted relationships with IT leadership, and advancing global strategy, planning, and governance initiatives.

George Wang is a multi-faceted Chief Marketing Officer at Peterson Technology Partners, recognized as a "Super Connector" in the Chicago tech ecosystem. A 2020 Chicago CIO of the Year nominee, George brings over 30 years of rare, balanced experience across CIO, COO, and CMO roles. From launching Motorola’s first digital cellular handset to architecting the State of Illinois’ 45-year technical modernization, his career is defined by "industry firsts." George has successfully led teams of up to 175, fostering a culture of trust and accountability across seven different verticals, including Healthcare, Finance, and Government. An expert in Agile DevOps, Blockchain, and Cybersecurity risk quantification, he leverages his deep technical roots and Lean Six Sigma expertise to help leaders execute with elite talent. A dedicated mentor and "pay-it-forward" advocate, George excels at bridging the gap between business innovation and technical excellence.

Malahat Qureshi is a distinguished Chief Enterprise Architect and Global Technology Executive at World Wide Technology, where he serves as a strategic maestro for AI and digital transformation. With a proven track record of architecting multibillion-dollar transformations and navigating high-stakes Mergers & Acquisitions, Malahat is a trusted advisor to C-suite leaders looking to bridge the gap between innovation and operational excellence. An expert in Automation and AIOps, he holds an elite suite of certifications, including NVIDIA AI, TOGAF, GCP, Azure, and AWS. Malahat is celebrated for his ability to cut costs and streamline processes while leading large-scale change across global enterprises. A lifelong learner and fearless explorer of emerging tech, he is dedicated to inspiring high-impact teams and leveraging data strategy to solve the most complex challenges in the modern digital landscape.

With over 30 years of C-level leadership in IT and security, Pete Nicoletti serves as the Global CISO (Americas) at Check Point Software Technologies. A seasoned veteran with two decades of experience as a CISO for Fortune 100 organizations, Pete is a recognized expert in AI, Cloud Security, and FEDRAMP/NIST compliance. His cloud designs have notably been ranked #1 and #2 in the industry by Gartner. Beyond his technical prowess in pen testing and incident response, Pete is a prolific public speaker and media personality, having demonstrated AI expertise on networks like ABC, Fox Business, and the BBC. A member of the FBI InfraGard and the Secret Service Electronic Crimes Task Force, he combines high-level strategic vision with tactical execution. Pete is dedicated to acting as a trusted advisor, helping global peers navigate complex risk landscapes with innovative, high-efficacy security solutions.

Kevin Dattolico, Syntax’s Regional CEO for SAP Technical Managed Services and Oracle Business Units, joined in 2020 as Chief Revenue Officer of Syntax Americas, later becoming CEO in 2022. With over 20 years in IT infrastructure sales, he excels in cloud solutions for enterprise and web scale clients, driving large and complex sales transactions. Formerly, Kevin served in leadership roles at Novell, VMWare, and Virtustream, driving global growth strategies and market leadership in cloud services and software solutions. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Marketing from Hofstra University. Since joining Syntax in 2020 as Chief Revenue Officer for the Americas, Kevin has demonstrated visionary leadership, facilitating large and intricate sales transactions through his blend of technical expertise and commercial acumen.

Gokula Mishra is a preeminent authority in Data Science and AI/ML, currently serving as a Strategic Advisor and Founding Editor of CDO Magazine. With high-impact leadership roles at global giants like McDonald’s and Oracle, Gokula specializes in the intersection of AI innovation and enterprise resilience. His expertise is anchored by a Top Secret Security Clearance, making him a trusted leader in high-stakes environments across Healthcare, Finance, and Defense. A master of Enterprise Information Management and Data Governance, he has pioneered secure, business-driven frameworks for massive global datasets. Beyond his corporate tenure as a former VP of Data Science and CDAO, Gokula serves as a Board Member and Director of Youth & Technology for Beautiful Minds Youth Mentoring (USA & India). He remains dedicated to the ethical deployment of GenAI, ensuring global enterprise excellence is built on a foundation of integrity, strategic foresight, and community impact.

Sugato Bose is the Senior Director and Chief Enterprise Architect at Medline Industries, where he leads technology strategy and modernization across a global, highly regulated landscape. With over 25 years of experience across Life Sciences, Supply Chain, and CPG, Sugato is an expert at balancing high-stakes transformation with operational resilience. He currently oversees a multi-billion dollar platform scope, including SAP S/4HANA, Manhattan-class WMS, and Azure-based cloud data platforms. Accountable for the architectural risk posture of Tier 1–5 platforms, Sugato has delivered up to $90M in value through standards-driven portfolio rationalization. He is a pioneer in embedding practical AI and agentic workflows into enterprise execution, ensuring that innovation translates into measurable business outcomes. A leader of globally distributed teams, Sugato’s core philosophy is that architecture must create clarity, turning complex strategies into scalable, high-performance platforms.

John Barnett is a seasoned IT professional with over 30 years of experience, including more than a decade in Enterprise Architecture roles. He has assisted large organizations such as Reyes Holdings, Walgreens Boots Alliance, Health Care Service Corporation, and Motorola Mobility in driving their business and digital transformation efforts. He is currently an Enterprise Architect for a national healthcare association where he focuses on aligning business and technology strategies to maximize IT investment value. John holds a BA in Computer Science from Southern Illinois University.

Ram Tyagi is a high-impact Chief Information Officer and Forbes Technology Council member with over 25 years of experience spanning elite financial institutions - including Citadel, UBS, and Credit Suisse - and the public sector. Currently leading the digital evolution for the City of Aurora, IL, Ram oversees a $17.2M budget, where he has already secured $7M in cost savings and established cutting-edge AI governance and local GPT environments. A marathoner and "practical AI" advocate, Ram is known for bringing private-sector discipline to public service, earning recognition as an IDC Smart Cities Awards finalist. Beyond his technical feats in cloud adoption and cybersecurity, he is deeply committed to global impact through LibraryCreate, building libraries for underserved children in India. Ram excels at fostering high-trust teams that prioritize experimentation, transparency, and technology that serves a higher purpose.

Shawn Surber is a seasoned leader in Information Technology Operations and Security, currently managing Island's North America Sales Engineers. With decades of experience, he has successfully engineered solutions for complex business challenges at key technology and information systems firms. Previously, Shawn served as a VP, Technical Solutions Engineering at Tanium and held key technical leadership roles at Fortinet, Ascension Health, and Trinity Health, consistently demonstrating his strategic vision and expertise in navigating the evolving landscape of information security.

Oded, a veteran of the IDF Cyber-Security elite unit, specializes in Identity and Access Management technologies and has held various senior product and project management positions in both enterprise organizations and startups. Among his previous roles were Director of Product Management at Moovit (acquired by Intel) and Senior Project Manager at CA Technologies. Oded holds a BA in Management & Economics from the Open University of Israel.

Amir Shavitt serves as Head of Research for Zafran, an AI-native exposure management platform designed to eliminate manual toil. In his leadership role, he focuses on cutting through the noise of vulnerability management to reveal what is truly exploitable. By leveraging the security controls teams already have, Amir’s research enables the automation of mitigation and remediation. He is a builder driven by the belief that clarity and speed matter most in stopping the exploitation of vulnerabilities.

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.

Shirley Mui-Lyles is the Principal Consultant at Optimus Risk Management, bringing over 30 years of elite experience in risk management, cybersecurity, and operational transformation. A University of Chicago Booth alumna, Shirley specializes in reengineering processes for highly regulated industries, including healthcare, banking, and insurance. Her career is defined by high-stakes turnarounds, including the successful lifting of a Cease & Desist Order and revamping sales processes that elevated revenue by $20 Billion. An expert in GRC frameworks recognized by OCEG, Shirley excels at building front-line control programs from scratch and presenting strategic insights to Boards of Directors. She is a dedicated mentor known for fostering information-sharing cultures and high-performing teams. By blending technical sales strategies with rigorous financial modeling, Shirley consistently bridges the gap between complex information system controls and bottom-line business growth.

Senior Network and Security Engineer with extensive experience designing and securing large-scale enterprise infrastructures. I specialize in bridging the gap between robust network architecture and a proactive security posture. Having worked on some of the largest networks in the world, including hyper-scalers, Tier 1 ISPs, and Fortune 500 enterprises, I bring a unique perspective on global-scale connectivity. My passion lies in building highly secure, high-performance environments while reducing operational complexity through automation and deep system integration.