Leading Tech Conference

Registration Check-in, Networking, and Complimentary Breakfast

Keynote Address: All Risks, One Battlefield: Cybersecurity in the AI Era

Keynote Presenter: Camille Stewart Gloster (CAS Strategies)

The boundaries between risks—cyber, physical, operational, reputational—are collapsing. Artificial intelligence accelerates this shift, allowing attackers to scale, blend, and disguise threats across domains. The battlefield is no longer segmented; it is unified, dynamic, and relentless.

This keynote explores how leaders and teams must adapt to an “all risks, one battlefield” reality. It highlights how AI amplifies both the threat landscape and the defensive toolkit, demanding more collaboration across disciplines, sectors, and geographies. Drawing on Camille Stewart Gloster’s work with companies from startups to global enterprises, as well as her experience shaping national strategies at the highest levels of government, the talk will deliver a vision of what’s next and practical steps to act now.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognizing and responding to the collapse of traditional boundaries,
• Harnessing AI’s potential for resilience as well as risk, and
• Building collaborative, innovative defenses that resonate from the boardroom to the SOC floor.

The future of cybersecurity will be defined not by technology alone, but by leaders who embrace this unified battlefield with clarity, creativity, and courage.

From FOMO to Focus: A Strategic Approach to Cybersecurity Innovation

Presenters: Stacey Champagne (Hacker in Heels) and Anna Wheeler (SSAW, LLC)

In a field driven by constant change, the pressure to adopt the latest technologies can overshadow the strategic thinking that makes innovation meaningful. In this dynamic fireside chat, leaders will examine how organizations can build cybersecurity programs that are intentional, not reactive—where innovation is guided by clear threat models, realistic resource assessments, and defined business outcomes rather than industry hype. Together, we’ll explore the hidden costs of tool-first thinking and uncover practical frameworks for evaluating new technologies through a strategic lens. Attendees will gain insights on how to cultivate organizational discipline around innovation decisions, calculate true ROI beyond vendor promises, and create cybersecurity strategies that remain resilient to hype cycles while staying agile enough to capitalize on genuine breakthroughs that align with their mission.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand how to evaluate emerging technologies against your organization’s actual threat landscape, risk tolerance, and resource capacity.
• Learn practical approaches to building organizational discipline around innovation decisions, even when facing pressure from leadership or market trends.
• Discover methods for calculating the true costs and ROI of cybersecurity innovations beyond initial implementation, including hidden operational and cultural impacts.

Red & Blue Team Perspectives: Navigating the Evolving Threat Landscape

Moderator: Toni Benson (Peraton)

Panelists: Kelly McCracken (Salesforce), Lara Meadows (ThreatConnect), and Krissy Safi (Protiviti)

The threat landscape is evolving faster than ever, challenging security teams to stay ahead of sophisticated adversaries. Attackers are using AI to move faster, scale their operations, and outmaneuver traditional defenses. At the same time, defenders are innovating with automated detection and response and new approaches to resilience.

In this session, red and blue team perspectives come together to reveal how these shifting threats impact day-to-day operations and strategic decision-making. You’ll leave with both a strategic understanding of emerging risks and practical steps to strengthen your defenses and adapt your security program.

Learning Objectives:

• Anticipate emerging threats and trends across the evolving cybersecurity landscape.
• Apply defensive innovations, including detection, monitoring, and automated response strategies.
• Integrate red and blue team insights to improve controls, incident response, and proactive defense measures.

Lunch (provided) and Networking

Friend, Foe, or Force Multiplier? A Debate on Cybersecurity and IT Audit in Action

Moderator: Chaitra Devaraysamudram Krishna (Fannie Mae)

Panelists: Xin (Cindy) Tu and Kelly Volz (LPL Financial)

When it comes to protecting organizations, the first line of defense (cybersecurity) and the third line (IT audit) often find themselves in tension. Are they natural allies, necessary challengers, or something in between? In this dynamic debate session, leaders from both functions will tackle real-world business scenarios — from responding to audit findings to prioritizing risk to navigating the intersection of advisory agreements and formal audits — to explore how these roles should (or shouldn’t) collaborate. The audience will gain an unfiltered look at the friction, the opportunities, and the innovative paths forward when two critical functions come together. Expect lively discussion, spirited exchanges, and fresh insights on how collaboration — or healthy tension — can transform the future of cybersecurity.

Learning Objectives:

• Examine real-world scenarios that highlight both the friction and the opportunity between cybersecurity and IT audit.
• Differentiate when collaboration drives progress versus when pushback or healthy tension strengthens outcomes.
• Discover how to transform the audit–cybersecurity relationship into a catalyst for innovation, trust, and long-term resilience.

Conference Conclusion and Networking

Date and Time

The conference will be held on November 13, 2025 from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Add this event to your calendar using the Add to Calendar link at the bottom of the page.

In-Person Event

George Mason University (GMU) Arlington Campus (Mason Square)
3351 Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22201

Parking: Visitor parking is available in the Van Metre Hall (formerly Founders) Garage, located directly beneath the school. To access the garage, use the entrance located off of Kirkwood Drive, in between Fairfax Drive and Washington Boulevard.  Please view the Mason Square parking map for additional information.

Metro: The nearest Metro station is the Virginia Square-GMU station. It is a 5-minute walk from the metro station to the GMU Campus

Pricing

The per-person fee for GWDC and Partner Organization Members is $99 for the conference until October 17, afterward the fee is $125.

The per-person fee for Non-Members is $139 for the conference until October 17, afterward the fee is $165.

Event Policies

Cancellation and refund for advance registrations is allowed if cancellations are submitted through the registration system by the date registration closes. Refunds vary depending on the date of cancellation and cost of the event. See ISACA GWDC Event Policies for details.

The GWDC welcomes your comments, complaints, suggestions, questions, and other feedback concerning our website information and services.
All complaints should be submitted through the Registration Contact Form.

Camille Stewart Gloster
DCEO and Principal @ CAS Strategies
CISSP, PMP

Camille Stewart Gloster is a strategist, attorney, and executive recognized for her expertise at the intersection of technology, cybersecurity, national security, and foreign policy. She is the CEO and Principal of CAS Strategies, a strategic advisory firm helping governments, companies, and nonprofits navigate converging risks across AI, cybersecurity, and digital governance.

Throughout her career, Camille has operated at the leading edge of emerging technologies and their impact on systems, institutions, and society. Her work spans technical, policy, and operational leadership across sectors. Early in her career, she worked at Cyveillance, focusing on internet governance, cyber defense, and digital safety. At the Department of Homeland Security, she advanced democratic resilience and privacy as Senior Policy Advisor for Cyber. At Google, she led product security strategy for Alphabet and built the Security Policy and Election Integrity teams for Google Play and Android.

As Deputy National Cyber Director for Technology & Ecosystem Security at the White House (2022–2024), Camille advised the President and led national efforts on AI security, quantum readiness, and tech workforce development. She played key roles in the 2023 National Cybersecurity Strategy, the AI Executive Order, and the 2024 Data Security Executive Order.

Camille is also a researcher, speaker, and the co-founder of #ShareTheMicInCyber. Her work has earned recognition from Business Insider (AI 100), Microsoft (Security Changemaker), and Washingtonian (500 Most Influential). She holds a J.D. from American University, a CISO certificate from Carnegie Mellon, and CISSP and PMP certifications.

Stacey Champagne
Founder & CEO of Hacker @ Heels

Stacey Champagne is the Founder & CEO of Hacker in Heels, a company on a mission to elevate women into positions of power within the cybersecurity industry. With over a decade of hands-on experience, she has built cybersecurity programs at Fortune 500 companies, startups, and the federal government, and continues to lead from the front lines as a Senior Principal Consultant specializing in insider risk management, cybersecurity strategy, and incident response. She holds two master’s degrees, one in Security and Resilience Studies, Cybersecurity Policy from Northeastern University, and the second in Criminal Justice, Cybercrime Investigation and Cybersecurity from Boston University, as well as multiple industry certifications including CISSP, GSLC, GSOM, and ITPM. For her efforts in coaching and championing women in cybersecurity, Stacey was recognized as a 2024 Top 20 Cybersecurity Woman of the World by United Cybersecurity Alliance, and 2023 Cybersecurity Advocate of the Year by Women’s Society of Cyberjutsu.

Anna Wheeler
Chief Executive Officer @ SSAW, LLC

Anna Wheeler is a seasoned cybersecurity strategist with over 20 years of experience bridging the gap between emerging technology, government, and commercial sectors. As a dynamic leader and technologist, she has played a pivotal role in shaping national security initiatives and driving innovative solutions across critical infrastructure.

While serving as a Strategic Initiatives Lead at Leidos, Anna was ]instrumental in penetrating the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (DHS CISA), transforming a strategic growth area into a $6 billion pipeline with $2.5 billion in awarded contracts. Her ability to identify and mitigate challenges years in advance resulted in over $900 million in cost savings while managing a portfolio valued at $15.5 billion.

Anna’s expertise spans public sector leadership roles at Giant Oak, Qualys, Akamai, and Symantec, where she developed and executed high-impact strategies, advised federal agencies, and built coalitions to enhance cybersecurity resilience. Her deep understanding of risk management, compliance, and technology integration has enabled government agencies to stay ahead of evolving threats.

A U.S. Army veteran, Anna served as a Blackhawk helicopter crew chief and door gunner, an experience that shaped her leadership, adaptability, and mission-first mindset. She is a sought-after speaker on cybersecurity, AI, and national security, having engaged audiences at Cyber Women on Capitol Hill, the Offset Symposium, and AI for Good.

Beyond her professional roles, Anna serves on advisory boards for emerging technology companies, guiding innovation in cybersecurity and risk management. She holds an active Top Secret clearance and continues to drive forward-thinking solutions that safeguard the nation’s digital and physical security.

Toni Benson
Director @ Peraton
PMP, CISSP

Toni S. Benson is a senior cybersecurity and strategy leader with more than 20 years of experience spanning the U.S. Air Force, federal government, and private sector. She is recognized nationally for her leadership in building cybersecurity workforce initiatives, advising C-suite leaders, and developing technology-driven strategies that empower diverse Teams.

She currently serves as a Director at Peraton where she is the Program Manager who leads strategic optimization initiatives across Department of State programs, supporting innovation, operations, and threat intelligence.

As a federal government civilian she served in many roles the supported the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), in cyber threat intelligence, workforce development, and stakeholder engagement. Toni directed over $42M in federal grants expanding cyber education across the nation, developed shared curricula for workforce growth, and advised at White House-level forums. Toni is a Harvard Executive Leadership Fellow, PMP, and CISSP whose dynamic presence and storytelling connect strategy to action, helping audiences see the human side of cybersecurity and leadership.

Kelly McCracken
Senior Vice President, Detection and Response @ Salesforce

Kelly McCracken is a highly accomplished executive with over 20 years of experience in the cybersecurity and technology industry, specializing in establishing and standardizing incident response programs and Security Operations Centers (SOCs). Her expertise includes developing and leading national-level cybersecurity initiatives for the federal government, notably co-authoring the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Standard Publication (SP) 800-61, Computer Security Incident Handling Guide, rev. 1, which stands as the national standard for incident response. Ms. McCracken has successfully applied this deep experience to assist Fortune 100 companies in building world-class incident response programs capable of detecting and responding to advanced threats.

Since joining Salesforce in 2015, Ms. McCracken has significantly advanced and matured the company’s detection and incident response capabilities. Under her leadership, she matured the global incident response organization into the Cyber Security Operations Center (CSOC), overseeing all of detection and response for Salesforce to maintain Salesforce’s position as the world’s most trusted customer relationship management platform. She oversees a global team of incident handlers, security event analysts, security engineers, threat intelligence analysts, data scientists, and communications specialists.

Ms. McCracken holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Computer Information Systems from James Madison University, a Master of Science in Information & Telecommunication Systems from Johns Hopkins University, and a Master of Business Administration from the Kenan-Flagler School of Business, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill.

Lara Meadows
Global Vice President of Security Architects @ ThreatConnect
CISSP, CISM

Lara Meadows is the Global Vice President of Security Architects at ThreatConnect, a Threat and Risk-Informed Defense Platform. With more than 20 years of experience, she began her career as a security systems engineer at Trusted Information Systems (TIS), the pioneer of the first firewall, and went on to hold technical leadership roles at Symantec, Cisco, HP ArcSight/Micro Focus and Recorded Future. She has built and led global security engineering teams, helped start-ups grow into Gartner-recognized leaders, and guided Fortune 500 companies and U.S. federal agencies in strengthening their cybersecurity strategies. A passionate advocate for advancing women in technology, Lara mentors through organizations like WiCyS, #GirlsClub, WiT, and the PreSales Collective. She holds CISSP, CISM, and GIAC certifications.

Krissy Safi
Managing Director @ Safi

I am a creator, builder and leader of global businesses and highly effective teams, with over 2 decades of Information Security experience across all domains of security in support of Fortune 500 companies and government agencies, working throughout numerous international locations. [Ethical] Hacker turned business leader = creative thinker with an entrepreneurial spirit driving the development of multi-million dollar security practices for both private and public sector.

I serve as Managing Director at Protiviti, where I lead our Global Offensive Security Services practice. For over five years, I’ve driven business growth, nurtured high-performing teams, and spearheaded initiatives that advance innovation and integrate AI into our solutions. My focus extends beyond operational excellence to shaping strategies that deliver impact both internally and across the industry.

In addition to my professional pursuits, I am deeply committed to fostering Diversity, Equity & Inclusion within the industry through initiatives such as Women in Cyber and Tech, P-TECH, Cyber Patriots, and Cyber Day for Kids among others. I firmly believe that empowering diverse voices not only enriches our community but also ignites creativity and innovation.

I serve on the board of the Innovation Center for the St. Vrain Valley School District in Colorado, where I help shape the future of education. By bringing real-world industry insights into the classroom, I aim to inspire bold ideas, empower educators, and prepare students to thrive in a world driven by innovation and possibility.

Chaitra Devaraysamudram Krishna
IT Internal Audit Director @ Fannie Mae

Chaitra has 18 years of experience in the Technology Audit field, where she started out as an intern in Fannie Mae’s IT Audit team back in 2006. Chaitra currently serves as a director within the same team. In her role, she is responsible for overseeing technology infrastructure, data, and cybersecurity audits. She regularly collaborates with Infosec and technology infrastructure organizations as part of audits, issue follow-up, and continuous monitoring – focused on delivering Internal Audit’s point of view on top risks. She is also involved in problem-solve and team engagement efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of audit processes.

Chaitra’s recent experience includes access management, vulnerability management, security configurations, threat management and incident response, third-party security, AWS, data governance, including assessment of emerging risks such as GenAI and quantum computing – serving as a trusted partner for technology leadership. She regularly provides thought leadership in the validation of closure of high-risk and regulatory findings. Additionally, she has participated in several leadership, career development and cybersecurity panels to inspire and encourage other members of the field.

Chaitra holds a master’s degree in computer science from Louisiana State University. She is also a Certified Internal Auditor, Certified Information Systems Auditor, and Certified Information Systems Security Professional. Chaitra enjoys developing team members by helping them build competencies to achieve their career goals.

Xin (Cindy) Tu
Audit Executive in AI, Data and IT, Financial Services

Xin “Cindy” Tu is an Audit Executive in the Financial Services industry with over 18 years of experience. Cindy has spent the last 10 years designing and improving IT and Data Audit Frameworks for Financial Services Companies. Additionally, Cindy specialized in Data Governance and AI Governance Framework.

In her spare time, Cindy participates actively in industry groups. She serves on the editorial board of CDO Magazine and AI Advisory Board of HotTopics and contributes to Data Governance and AI Governance Framework development by participating in CDMC Working Group and AI, Data & Analytics Capabilities Working Group at EDM Council and American Bankers Association.

Kelly Volz
SVP, Governance Risk and Controls @ LPL Financial
CISSP

Kelly Volz is the Senior Vice President leading Technology Governance Risk and Controls under the Chief information Security Officer for LPL Financial. She is responsible for policies, program and third-party assessments, issues and risk management, regulatory readiness, and the business office and works closely with stakeholders across business, technology, cybersecurity, data, finance, legal, risk, and internal audit. Kelly is living out her passion by operating strategically across the business and making an impact in an innovative company going through transformation.

Kelly joined LPL from EY, where she was a Managing Director and Regional Leader in the Cybersecurity Practice for the Financial Services Sector. She was the executive sponsor for EY’s relationships with Financial Services Information Sharing and Analysis Center (FS-ISAC), Cyber Risk Institute (CRI), and was the group diversity champion. While at EY, Kelly was instrumental in uplifting cybersecurity program governance and maturity, measuring and reducing risks, gaining executive buy-in and investment, leading major initiatives and closing regulatory findings, and uniting teams across the enterprise towards joint outcomes.

Kelly is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), a member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), and has achieved certificates in Forensic Accounting, Georgetown University CCPE and Insider Threat Program Manager, Carnegie Mellon University SEI. Kelly recently spoke at the Executive Women’s Forum (EWF) Annual Conference and FAIR Institute Annual Conference and is the current executive sponsor for Women in Cybersecurity (WiCys) at LPL.

Poll Questions

Participants must respond to all the poll questions via the Zoom polling feature or chat log in order to receive NASBA CPE credits. The GWDC will not be responsible for the participant’s inability to respond to the polls.

CPE Distribution and Evaluation Survey

CPEs will be distributed via e-mail along with the event evaluation survey after the completion of the event. Attendees must be present for the full event to receive full CPE credit.

Learning Objective

After attending this event, attendees will learn about current and future trends in the technology space.

CPE-Related Details

• Prerequisites: None
• Advance Preparation: None
• Program Knowledge Level: Basic
• Delivery Method:  Group Live
• Field of Study:  Information Technology – Technical