In the middle of a live breach, experience matters more than theory. The leaders below have built, scaled, and defended security programs across healthcare, finance, entertainment, government, and global enterprises. They are operators, not commentators, security executives shaped by high-stakes environments, regulatory scrutiny, and moments where the wrong decision carries real-world consequences. These are the people organizations rely on when resilience, judgment, and execution must converge.
Michael McNeil — Chief Information Security Officer, Omnicell
Michael McNeil brings decades of executive leadership across security, privacy, IT, and physical security, shaped by roles at organizations such as Philips, Medtronic, Johnson & Johnson, and McKesson. Now CISO at Omnicell, he is focused on strengthening security across both product and operational technology while embedding governance and compliance into everyday operations. Known for decisive leadership and ethical rigor, McNeil has led enterprise-scale transformations and guided security strategy through critical moments, including the global deployment of COVID-19 vaccines.
James Beeson — Field CISO and Executive Cyber Advisor, CloudCom
James Beeson operates at the intersection of strategy and execution, advising organizations globally as a Field CISO and executive cyber advisor. His work centers on simplifying complex security roadmaps while strengthening cyber posture across diverse environments. With deep experience guiding leadership teams through risk decisions, Beeson is valued for translating cybersecurity challenges into actionable business-aligned strategies.
Anthony Candeias — Chief Information Security Officer, Bridgewater Associates
Anthony Candeias is a cybersecurity and technology executive with a track record spanning Fortune 500 enterprises and high-growth platforms. Prior to joining Bridgewater Associates, he served as CISO at WeightWatchers, where he led global security, IT, payments, and AI initiatives across eCommerce and healthcare platforms. His leadership delivered SOC 2, PCI DSS, and HIPAA compliance while advancing fraud prevention, AI governance, and M&A integrations, consistently aligning security with operational growth.
Brett Conlon — Chief Information Security Officer, American Century Investments
With more than two decades of experience across fintech, investment management, and national security, Brett Conlon blends strategic vision with operational depth. A former FBI executive, he led large-scale technology and cybersecurity programs and managed significant portfolios supporting cloud and data modernization. As CISO at American Century Investments, Conlon focuses on resiliency, regulatory compliance, and scalable security architectures, while advising boards and executives on AI, identity, and cloud risk.
Chrisma Jackson — Director of Cybersecurity & Mission Computing and CISO, Sandia National Laboratories
Chrisma Jackson oversees cybersecurity and mission computing at Sandia National Laboratories, supporting one of the most sensitive research environments in the world. With more than two decades at Sandia, her leadership spans national security, advanced research systems, and mission-critical infrastructure. Jackson’s role demands precision, resilience, and trust—qualities essential in breach scenarios where stakes extend far beyond the enterprise.
Dan Meacham — VP of Cyber and Content Security and CISO, Legendary Entertainment
Dan Meacham has built a reputation as one of the entertainment industry’s most respected cybersecurity leaders. With multiple industry awards and training from U.S. Secret Service and NSA professionals, he brings deep technical and strategic expertise. At Legendary Entertainment, Meacham protects high-value intellectual property while advancing security frameworks across media and content production, making him a trusted voice in complex, fast-moving threat environments.
Dina Mathers — Chief Information Security Officer, Carvana
Dina Mathers leads Carvana’s security program with a people-first philosophy grounded in collaboration and execution. She is known for building strong partnerships across the organization to drive practical improvements to security maturity. In addition to her CISO role, Mathers serves on advisory boards and leadership councils, contributing to the broader cybersecurity community while reinforcing security as a shared organizational responsibility.
Jairo Orea — Global Chief Information Security Officer, Royal Caribbean Group
As Global CISO at Royal Caribbean Group, Jairo Orea is responsible for protecting complex, globally distributed operations where uptime and safety are paramount. His background in business continuity, IT operations, and governance informs a security strategy designed to enable resilience at scale. Orea’s work focuses on aligning cybersecurity with operational continuity and digital transformation across the organization.
Jeff Trudeau — VP, Chief Information Officer and Chief Security Officer, Chime
Jeff Trudeau holds dual responsibility as CIO and CSO at Chime, overseeing both technology and security for a major financial platform. Since 2020, he has guided Chime’s infrastructure and security strategy through periods of rapid growth, balancing innovation with risk management. His combined operational and security oversight provides a holistic approach well-suited to crisis response.
Darin Hurd — EVP and Chief Information Security Officer, Rate
Darin Hurd brings more than 20 years of financial services cybersecurity leadership to his role at Rate. Recognized with multiple CISO awards, he is known for engaging boards and executives while building resilient, enterprise-wide security programs. Hurd’s experience designing and operating security functions across the organization makes him a steady presence during high-pressure incidents.
Kenny Cunningham — Senior Director of IT Security, OneDigital
Kenny Cunningham leads IT security at OneDigital with a focus on architecture, vulnerability management, and enterprise resilience. With over two decades of experience and a background supporting high-security environments, he emphasizes transforming security into a strategic business enabler. Cunningham is also a founding member of GeorgiaCISO, contributing to peer collaboration and leadership development.
Charles (Chuck) Miller — Chief Information Security Officer, Blackbaud
Chuck Miller is a seasoned cybersecurity executive with deep expertise in post-breach response, regulatory engagement, and critical infrastructure protection. At Blackbaud, he leads security efforts informed by decades of experience navigating disruption and rebuilding trust. Miller is widely recognized for his ability to integrate technical execution with executive-level risk management.
Eric Aslaksen — Chief Information Security Officer and General Manager, ivision
Eric Aslaksen combines security leadership with operational management as CISO and General Manager at ivision. With a background in enterprise architecture and IT strategy, he focuses on building scalable, business-aligned security programs. His career reflects a consistent emphasis on execution and enterprise-wide integration.
Zulfi Ahmed — Chief Information Security Officer, HP
Zulfi Ahmed brings more than two decades of global CISO experience across finance, insurance, retail, and healthcare. At HP, he leads security strategy for a Fortune 50 organization facing a broad and evolving threat landscape. His expertise lies in designing long-term security roadmaps and executing them across complex, multinational environments.
David Ginn — Chief Information Security Officer, Johnson Controls
David Ginn serves as CISO at Johnson Controls, overseeing security for a global organization operating across industrial and commercial sectors. Based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Ginn focuses on strengthening enterprise security posture while supporting large-scale operational technology and infrastructure environments.
When Experience Becomes the Differentiator
In a live breach, credentials matter less than judgment earned under pressure. The leaders on this list have navigated complexity, scale, and consequence, often simultaneously. They represent the kind of security leadership that moves beyond frameworks and playbooks, responding decisively when every minute counts and trust is on the line.