About the Speaker
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    Zachary Lewis
    AVP of IT & CISO, University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis

    Zach is a seasoned IT executive with a distinguished career spanning strategic IT management, cybersecurity, risk mitigation, and budget oversight. As the AVP IT and CISO for a private higher education institution, Zach has orchestrated transformative initiatives that have fortified the institution's cybersecurity landscape while driving strategic growth. His leadership in negotiating vendor contracts, managing multi-million-dollar budgets, and chairing the Enterprise Risk Management Committee has resulted in substantial cost savings and operational efficiencies.

    With a focus on aligning IT strategies with organizational goals, Zach has led successful cloud migrations, implemented robust cybersecurity measures, and established a culture of transparency and collaboration. His expertise extends to compliance with GLBA and FERPA regulations, managing cybersecurity training programs, and optimizing network infrastructure. Zach's passion for innovation, user-centric approach, and ability to build cross-functional teams have been instrumental in driving organizational success, enhancing cybersecurity defenses, and positioning the institution as a leader in health education and operational excellence.

    Zach is a 2X recipient of Cyber Defense Magazine’s Top Global CISOs, was named 40 Under 40 Security Leaders by CDO Magazine, and was St. Louis Non-Profit CISO of the Year. He’s a recent graduate of the FBI CISO Academy. Zach provides his industry expertise to others by speaking at conferences, webinars, and universities throughout the country.