SecureWorld Dallas 2025

Larry Wilson was formerly the Chief Information Security Officer for Sumitomo Pharma Americas, Inc., Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and the University of Massachusetts (UMass) President's Office. In the CISO role, Larry was responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing compliance with the SMPA / WPI / UMass Information Security Policy and Written Information Security Plan (WISP). In addition to designing and deploying the respective cybersecurity programs, Larry has developed and delivered cybersecurity training at multiple industry events, workshops, training venues, etc. Courses include Designing and Building a Cybersecurity Program, Designing and Building a Ransomware Program, and Designing and Building a Third-Party Risk Program. Larry has also worked with multiple companies in multiple industries to help design, build, and maintain their Cybersecurity Programs, Ransomware Program, and Third-Party Risk Programs.

Kip Boyle is the Virtual Chief Information Security Officer of Cyber Risk Opportunities, whose mission is to help executives become more proficient cyber risk managers. He has over 24 years of cybersecurity experience serving as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and in other IT risk management roles for organizations in the financial services, technology, telecom, military, civil engineering, and logistics industries.

Shawn Tuma is an internationally recognized cybersecurity, computer fraud and data privacy law attorney, areas in which he has practiced for two decades. He is Co-Chair of Spencer Fane’s Data Privacy & Cybersecurity Practice where he regularly serves as cybersecurity and privacy counsel advising a wide variety of businesses ranging from small and mid-sized companies to Fortune 100 enterprises. Shawn has been named a Cybersecurity Law Trailblazer by the National Law Journal, SuperLawyers Top 100 Lawyers in DFW, and Best Lawyers in Dallas. He serves as the Practitioner Editor for Bloomberg Law’s Texas Privacy & Data Security Law, among many other activities.

Amy Chaney is a recognized security, technology and transformation executive leader with decades of experience in highly sophisticated and evolving financial environments. By architecting innovative ecosystems across cybersecurity, risk management, and evolving technologies, Amy brings deep expertise in identity systems, quantum-resilient architecture, and AI-driven security strategies and complex transformation initiatives that redefine digital trust and sovereignty.

Amy is experienced in organizationally imperative initiatives to modernize infrastructure, strengthen security, and employ modern solutions like artificial intelligence, and post-quantum security into scalable, future ready change to enhance resilience and prevent emerging threats.

Known for mobilizing elite global teams and catalyzing change with speed and vision, Amy’s influence spans corporate boardrooms, international think tanks, and high-stakes regulatory domains. Her leadership consistently delivers measurable outcomes, shaping secure, intelligent ecosystems for a rapidly evolving world.

Amy proudly serves as the President for the largest and flagship North Texas chapter of ISSA. International Systems Security Association is committed to promoting effective cybersecurity on a global basis through 150 chapters globally.

Jayaprakash Reddy Cheenepalli (JP) is an accomplished cybersecurity leader with extensive experience in managing and securing enterprise-wide IT systems. As a Director of Cybersecurity, he specializes in Cyber Defense, Cyber Engineering, Threat and Vulnerability Management, Application Security, Governance, Risk Management, and Compliance, ensuring robust protection against evolving cyber threats. With a proven track record of implementing innovative security strategies, JP is committed to fostering a culture of security awareness and delivering measurable value through effective risk mitigation.

Parrish is currently the CISO at MVB Financial Corp. and is the former SVP & CISO of Sunflower Bank. He has more than 25 years of technology experience and more than 14 years in cybersecurity. During this time, Parrish has worked in various functions of technology, risk management, infrastructure services and support, audit and compliance, incident response, and cybersecurity / information security. His experience also includes working in multiple industries including financial services, telecommunications, chemical manufacturing, real estate, and retail. In addition, he has worked in both global Fortune 500 companies and small start-up-based companies.

During his tenure as a CISO, he has been involved in the creation, staffing, building, and management of comprehensive information security programs for various companies across diverse locations and personnel. In all these companies, he has implemented programs based on risk and threat analysis and has implemented controls, services, and processes that have not only met the needs of the company but also the regulatory and compliance requirements of the company including incident response capabilities.

Parrish holds a Master of Business Administration from Texas Christian University and certifications as a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC), and Professional Project Manager (PMP).

Santosh Bompally is a dedicated cybersecurity professional with a degree in Computer Science and a Master’s in Cybersecurity. He holds several certifications, including CISSP and CCSP, and currently leads cloud security engineering initiatives at Humana, focusing on security controls for multi-cloud environments. Before joining Humana, Santosh gained valuable experience in various industries and made significant contributions to a cybersecurity startup specializing in comprehensive services. He is actively involved in the cybersecurity community, participating in ISACA and (ISC)² circles, speaking at industry meetups, and contributing to publications from the Cloud Security Alliance, sharing his insights to foster collaboration in cybersecurity.

Ms. Haywood brings a highly diverse skill set to businesses. For more than 17 years, prior to moving into Security, she specialized in Human Resources, Business Development, Risk Strategy, Contracts Management, and Program Audit. Combined with her eight years in Security Governance, Risk & Compliance, she is considered a multi-talented leader, supporting Fortune 500 companies and government organizations in an array of industries (e.g., Healthcare, Education, Financial, Federal, Technology). Ms. Haywood's knowledge and experience of security frameworks, governance standards (such as NIST 800-53, SOC1/2 Type 2, ISO 27001:2013, HIPPA-HITECH, PCI), and risk methodologies have led to her success in program development, management, and audits for companies. This applied skillset has resulted in a savings of more than $1.1 million in potential contract losses. Additionally, she’s designed and developed a Medical Device Cybersecurity program for one of the largest Healthcare organizations in the Dallas-Ft. Worth region of Texas. Ms. Haywood holds a certificate as a Cyber Security Practitioner.

With more than 34 years of experience in information security and executive leadership, Ian Schneller has built a career advancing strategic cybersecurity and resilience across government, defense, finance, and healthcare sectors. His background includes three tenures as a large enterprise Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and recognition as the first CISO ever to win the national ORBIE Award.

Most recently, he served as CISO for HCSC and as a Board Director on the Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Association Cybersecurity Subcommittee (2021–2025), strengthening protections for a system that supports healthcare for one in three Americans. During this time, Ian also partnered with other senior executives at HCSC to create an organizational wide artificial intelligence governance process (of which he served too) to ensure fair, transparent, and secure use of artificial intelligence.

Ian also served as a fiduciary Board Director for Medecision and as Board Chair for “Dallas CISO Inspire”, bringing together more than 30 regional CISOs to uplift collective cyber defenses. In prior private-sector roles, Ian partnered with the Federal Government to shape national cybersecurity policy, including co-founding the Analysis and Resilience Center, a public-private partnership dedicated to protecting the United States from catastrophic foreign cyber attacks.

A retired U.S. Air Force officer with nearly 24 years of service as a cyber defender, cyber attacker, and senior intelligence officer, Ian has advised the U.S. Congress on cybersecurity priorities and led major initiatives to secure critical infrastructure from cyber attacks and to enhance the nation’s most sensitive intelligence capabilities.

Certifications: Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP); Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC); Information Systems Security Engineering Professional (ISSEP); Qualified Technical Executive (QTE – digital/cyber board director); Private Director Association Certificate; Wharton Corporate Governance Certification; and Corporate Governance Institute Board Director Certification with additional qualifications in governing Artificial Intelligence, Cyber, and Digital Transformation

Chad Thiemann has 14 years of active duty and national guard service as an Army Logistics Officer and is a combat veteran. He has been in Corporate America for over 26 years where he has served in various roles
spanning cybersecurity, privacy, and risk management. Chad currently serves as the Sr. Director of GRC – Global Information Security at Hilton.

Prior to Hilton, Chad had an eighteen-year tenure at CVS Health with varying roles: IT Audit Sr. Manager, Director - Information Governance & Privacy Operations, Lead Director -
Cyber Defense, and as a BISO. Chad also has held cybersecurity related roles at Arthur Andersen and Merck Pharmaceuticals before arriving at CVS Health. For the past seven years, Chad has served as an Adjunct Professor of Cybersecurity for the Carter Graduate College of Business at Dallas Baptist University. Chad has undergraduate degrees in MIS and Operations Management & Logistics from Boston University.
Additionally, Chad has a graduate certificate in ‘Cybersecurity: Technology, Application & Policy’ from MIT and an Executive Masters in Cybersecurity from Brown University.

Through the military, Chad completed various graduate level programs in leadership, strategy, and logistics from the Army Logistics Management
College; Command & General Staff College; and the Naval Postgraduate School. Chad enjoys reading, travel, wine, soccer, and ice hockey. Chad and his wife currently reside in Plano, TX.

Caheen Murphy is a highly experienced Security and Network Solutions Architect with a strong background in Information Technology, specializing in Cybersecurity. His expertise spans SASE solution development, Zero Trust Architecture, DevSecOps, and IT services. He has deep knowledge of Cisco Security, Palo Alto Networks, Meraki, and Fortinet, as well as Governance, Risk & Compliance, Data Center networking, and Enterprise networking, including routing and switching.

Experienced data and security professional with a demonstrated history of working in the financial services industry. Skilled in architecture design, data patterns, data services to achieve desired business outcomes, information management, data governance, and data security practices. Strong research professional with a Doctor of Philosophy - PhD focused in Information Assurance and Security.

Teresa Merklin is a Principal Information Assurance Engineer for Cybersecurity Engineering at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, where she is responsible for technology identification and evaluation for aeronautics platforms. Teresa holds a BS in Electrical Engineering from Oklahoma State University, a Masters of Software Engineering from Texas Christian University, an MBA in Information Assurance from the University of Dallas. She is a CISSP and CSSLP.

David DellaPelle is the Co-Founder and CEO of Dune Security. With a visionary yet pragmatic approach, he leads Dune in tackling one of today's most pressing enterprise challenges: employee-based cyber risks. David holds a BS in Economics and Management from Cornell University and an MBA from NYU, where he received the prestigious Andre Koo Tech Scholarship. He drove security product innovation and revenue growth at leading cybersecurity and AI companies, including Perimeter 81, At-Bay, and Waycare, following an early career in management consulting at EY.

Doug Mitchell is an Air Force veteran with a background in security operations & engineering. Leveraging expertise in vulnerability management, incident response, and threat detection, he now serves as a solution engineer at Tanium helping reduce enterprise risk. Doug holds a Masters in Cybersecurity and various certifications, including CISSP, CCSP, and GCIH.

Joe Paul is a seasoned Information Technology and Cybersecurity leader, currently the Deputy Chief Information Security Officer and Director of Cybersecurity Compliance for Choreograph, A WPP Media Brand. Choreograph is the big data and ad tech subsidiary of WPP Group, the most extensive worldwide advertising, media, and public relations conglomerate. Joe earned his Master of Business Administration in Marketing and Finance from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale (Florida) and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from CUNY College of Staten Island (New York). He holds numerous professional certifications in Information Security, Risk Management, Governance, Disaster Recovery, and Project Management. Joe is an active member of multiple professional organizations and associations, including ISSA, InfraGard, ISACA, and ISC2. In his spare time, he is an avid photographer and automobile enthusiast.

Janie Aggas is the Head of Global Business Information Security Office (BISO) at CBRE. She is a visionary information security leader and change agent with an impeccable record spanning 20+ years, contributing to technology transformations and cybersecurity strategies to solve complex business challenges while reducing risk for Fortune 500 companies. She is recognized as a passionate leader and trusted advisor for the C-suite, business, technology teams, and with partners such as compliance, legal, privacy, risk, and internal audit. She is no stranger to protecting valuable assets having begun her technology career in the defense industry and spending 10+ years in the financial services industry prior to her transition to CBRE. She earned a BBA in Computer Information Systems and an MBA from West Texas A&M University and recently completed an MLS in Cybersecurity Law & Policy from Texas A&M School of Law.

Marivell Alicea-Gamlin is a Senior Cybersecurity BISO Analyst at CBRE, where she connects cybersecurity strategy to business outcomes through client assurance, audit support, and third-party risk engagement. With more than 20 years of experience across IT operations, governance, and compliance, she plays a key role in shaping cyber strategy and building client trust. Marivell serves on the board of ISSA Puget Sound as Director of Membership and actively mentors emerging cybersecurity professionals. She holds a Master’s in Network and Communications Management, is ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC), and brings a global perspective with fluency in Spanish and developing proficiency in Portuguese.

Elvis is an award-winning senior executive in the field of information security and privacy risk management. He ranks among the top 5% of these risk management experts in the world, with 30 years’ experience plus elite level credentials including certifications from the National Security Agency, the ISC2 Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), the Information Systems Security Engineering Professional (ISSEP), and the Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT) and Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) from ISACA.

Elvis is a subject matter expert in cyber risk management and cybersecurity laws that impact the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. He has coached mid-sized organizations, Fortune 500 companies, federal government agencies, and institutions of higher education to leverage industry standards while complying with complex legal mandates and regulatory requirements. He has been recognized and honored as a Computerworld Premier 100 IT Leader and a Distinguished Expert in Information Security Governance, Risk Management, and Compliance.

Steve Pettit, an Associate Director at Verizon, holds a Masters of Science in Cybersecurity and CISSP certification, bringing more than 35 years of cybersecurity experience, with 25 of those years dedicated to Application Security. He has been a pivotal figure in the field, evangelizing the space, creating tools like AppScan and the first Application Firewall, while developing concepts such as the Positive Security model. A popular speaker, patent holder, and author. Steve has spent the last 15 years at Verizon, where he and his team established a world-class Static Analysis Security Testing process, widely regarded as the industry's best. Currently, he leads four teams: SAST, OSS UI, Secrets Detection, and AppSec Event Management. Steve is actively leveraging AI to tackle complex problems and advance Application Security, with a keen interest in AI's transformative impact on the role of Application Security professionals.

David is a U.S. Army veteran who served as a Systems Administrator and Information Assurance Security Officer for more than 10 years. He has led teams in the planning, configuration, and management of both tactical and commercial radio and computer networks. After transitioning from the Army, he used his growth mindset to upskill and prepare for his next career. He’s currently serving as the JROTC Senior Cyber Instructor where he educates, trains, and mentors high schoolers as they prepare for future careers as cybersecurity professionals. He continues being a lifelong learner as he’s currently participating in graduate level certifications and technical certifications. When he's not inspiring youth or improving his skill set, he enjoys spending time and traveling with his wife and three children.

Jeremy Rucker is a partner in the law firm Pierson Ferdinand LLP and leads businesses through the evolving and complex landscape of data privacy, security, and incident response. Jeremy regularly counsels clients in all industries on the emerging federal, state, and international data laws and regulations and also serves as a breach coach to guide organizations of all backgrounds through national data breach notification processes and resultant regulator investigations.

Jeremy is certified by the International Association of Privacy Professionals as a Privacy Law Specialist, and holds certifications as a Certified Information Privacy Professional for United States law (CIPP/US) and European law (CIPP/E).

Shreyas Kumar is a Professor of Practice in Computer Science & Engineering at Texas A&M University, specializing in Cybersecurity, AI, and Risk Management. With 22 years of industry experience, he has held security engineering and leadership roles at Uber, Adobe, and Oracle. His research focuses on cyber warfare and AI-driven security.

Hiya Sharma is currently working as a researcher at Texas A&M University, where she is also an Honors Computer Science student pursuing a minor in Business. She has worked on projects involving AI-powered anomaly detection, blockchain-based data integrity, and real-time analytics pipelines for industries including agriculture and cybersecurity. Her experience includes internships in AI software engineering, sustainability analytics, and research in data integration and visualization. Hiya’s current work explores how emerging technologies such as AI and blockchain can impact the security and resilience of critical infrastructure.

Geethamanikanta Jakka (Mani Jakka) is an experienced Data Engineer with a strong focus on Cyber Data Delivery, Threat Analysis, and Machine Learning. With a proven track record of building secure, scalable data infrastructure, he combines deep technical knowledge with a passion for cybersecurity innovation. Mani has led critical data initiatives in high-impact environments, helping organizations proactively detect threats, optimize data pipelines, and apply intelligent analytics for real-time decision-making. He is also an advocate for responsible AI and open-source collaboration in the cybersecurity domain.

Shawn Tuma is an internationally recognized cybersecurity, computer fraud and data privacy law attorney, areas in which he has practiced for two decades. He is Co-Chair of Spencer Fane’s Data Privacy & Cybersecurity Practice where he regularly serves as cybersecurity and privacy counsel advising a wide variety of businesses ranging from small and mid-sized companies to Fortune 100 enterprises. Shawn has been named a Cybersecurity Law Trailblazer by the National Law Journal, SuperLawyers Top 100 Lawyers in DFW, and Best Lawyers in Dallas. He serves as the Practitioner Editor for Bloomberg Law’s Texas Privacy & Data Security Law, among many other activities.

Gladys is a seasoned Cybersecurity Career Coach and professional with a passion for family and changing lives. As the founder of Cyber Potential and Director of Career Services for Cyversity, she helps mentor aspiring Cybersecurity professionals with a goal of helping them have a better future.

Harry Lu is a seasoned and action-oriented Cybersecurity practitioner specialized in security and privacy advisory. He is a strategic thinker with hands-on implementation experience supporting the growth of security and privacy programs at top global companies. Harry is committed to helping organizations securely embark their digital transformation journey and elevate their customer trust at the speed of business.

At Cyversity North Texas, Harry is responsible for building out the Chapter's sponsorship and partnership relationships with organizations in the industry that share the passion and vision of Cyversity.

Renaldo McKenzie is a seasoned professional & security leader with a diverse background of proven success in various industries and critical infrastructure sectors.

His knowledge and expertise are in program development, management, and advancement of Governance, Risk, and Compliance, Identity & Access Management, and Awareness Education & Training where he has successfully developed, managed, and transformed several organizational security programs through collaborative stakeholder engagement to drive change, alignment with business objectives, and scalability.

In addition to his professional experience, Renaldo often gives back to the industry and community by serving as an advisor, mentor, and ambassador for several individuals and organizations.

Ankit Gupta is a cybersecurity leader with over 15 years of experience in cloud security, identity protection, and threat detection. He currently leads enterprise security initiatives at Exeter Finance, focusing on building resilient, future-ready architectures. Ankit holds multiple industry certifications, including CISSP and CCSP, and is a contributing author and speaker at IEEE. His work emphasizes secure design, AI governance, and preparing organizations for post-quantum threats.

Shilpi Mittal is a Lead IT Security Engineer at Tyson Foods, where she leads strategic initiatives in secrets management, application security, cloud governance, and DevSecOps automation. She specializes in designing secure, scalable systems and enhancing the security posture of enterprise environments through streamlined processes and modern architecture.

Her current areas of focus include applied cryptography and research on emerging quantum threats, particularly in the context of secure key management and the resilience of cryptographic protocols in a post-quantum world.

Shilpi actively contributes to both internal security strategy and external cybersecurity forums. She combines deep technical knowledge with a forward-thinking approach, emphasizing automation, identity modernization, and risk-based decision-making.

IT and managed security sales specialist with over fifteen years of experience. Proficient at gathering business requirements, analyzing business needs, and presenting technology strategies and solutions that align with business objectives. My main goal is to help the enterprise increase user productivity, decrease risk and control costs.

Specialties: Cybersecurity, EDR, MDR and XDR services, Managed aiSIEM, Penetration Testing & Vulnerability Assessment, Managed IT Services, Virtualization, Data Storage and Protection, Data Center Solutions, Disaster Recovery Expertise and Network Infrastructure Solutions.

Larry Slusser is the Vice President of Strategy for SixMap. A former Air Force Officer, Larry has built his career responding to and preventing sophisticated cyber attacks through continuous cyber risk assessment, vulnerability monitoring, and mitigation strategies. Most recently at SecurityScorecard, he led their Global Cyber Risk Solutions Team innovating Scorecard’s MAX offering, a Supply Chain Detection and Response tool. Larry has developed market leading strategic and tactical roadmaps aligning technical service offerings with customer needs across digital forensics, incident response, and ransomware mitigation. His leadership spans people, process, and practice excellence, developing operational infrastructure and highly skilled global teams that drive cybersecurity innovation.

As a seasoned Chief Information Security Officer, Fred specializes in driving cybersecurity strategies that protect enterprise ecosystems while enabling business growth. With expertise in financial tech, healthcare, and government verticals, he has built and led robust security frameworks tailored to the unique challenges of these industries.

His approach combines strategic vision with technical insight, encompassing risk management, threat intelligence, incident response, and regulatory compliance. He excels at collaborating with stakeholders at all levels, translating complex security challenges into actionable solutions that align with organizational objectives.

Whether navigating stringent regulatory landscapes or safeguarding sensitive data, Fred thrives in dynamic environments where innovation, resilience, and leadership converge to ensure secure, sustainable success.

Elaine Flesch is an accomplished cybersecurity and technology executive with experience in leading global cyber and risk programs. She is the Chief Information Security Officer at Taxwell (a leading digital tax filing platform). She also serves as an Executive Board Member to TXCPA and an Advisory Board Member to the University of Texas at Dallas MS Accounting program. Elaine has an MBA from The University of Texas at Dallas. She also has a Master and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from UFMG (Brazil). She is a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the state of Texas. She actively holds multiple professional and cybersecurity certifications, including the National Association of Corporate Directors’ Directorship Certified (NACD.DC), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), and Certified Information Security Manager (CISM).

Bryce Carter is the Chief Information Security Officer for the City of Arlington, Texas, a major city known for its world-class entertainment district, where he leads an enterprise security office overseeing all critical infrastructure and essential services. He holds approximately 20 years of executive leadership experience across government, aviation, healthcare, utilities, and technology services. Recognized as a 2025 ORBIE Award Winner and named a Top 100 CISO Globally in 2025, he also serves on numerous advisory boards, mentors new and emerging leaders, and commits much of his time to the outdoors.