May 13-14, 2025
CISO/Executive Leadership Forum
Napa Valley Marriott Hotel & Spa
3425 Solano Ave.
Napa, CA 94558
There are plenty of places to stay in Napa Valley, but nowhere like the Napa Valley Marriott Hotel & Spa. It’s a combination of luxury rooms and suites, extensive gardens, a resort-style pool and splash bar, multiple lively restaurants like Little Summer that offer everything from locally sourced ingredients and professional wine pairings to burgers and local beers. Guests can relax around multiple fireplaces artfully situated in gorgeous landscaping that highlights the area’s beauty, and use over 22,000 sq ft of event space for everything from business events to weddings under soaring Redwood trees.
Meet Our Guest Speakers
My Transition and Learnings from CISO to VC with Justin Somaini and David Hahn
Resilience Awakens: Tapping into Your Inner Force for Managing Stress Effectively
Steve Shelton
Chief Executive Officer
Green Shoe Consulting
Next Generation Leadership in Tech with MK Palmore, Al Ghous and Michael Lyborg
Fireside Chat with Michael Piacente and Jason Elrod about the Art of Storytelling
Secure & Strategic Adoption of Disruptive Technologies
Troy Rydman
Chief Information Security Officer
Packsize
What did the FBI Encounter in 2024 and how can that apply to your organization with Scott Hellman and Jeffrey Fields
Thanks to Our Partners
Thanks to Our Affiliate Partners
Agenda
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
9:00am - 10:00am
Stop by the Welcome Table and say “Hello” and pick up your Goody Bag!
10:00am - 10:15am
Howell Mountain & Stag's Leap
Mindfluence Introductions and Ice Breaker
What's one interesting way you've found ChatGPT to be useful or helpful in your cybersecurity work?
10:15am - 11:00am
Howell Mountain & Stag's Leap
Invited Guest Speaker
My Transition and Learnings from CISO to VC with Justin Somaini and David Hahn
As a 30 year veteran of being a Security practitioner, I've just recently made the transition to venture capital. In reflection on those 30 years, I've gleaned what contributed to my career change, what I'm currently learning, and what I still have yet to learn. In this talk I'll share openly what I've seen be helpful in this journey as well as talk about how the venture world works and how you can leverage that for your practitioner benefit.
Joining me in this discussion will be David Hahn, CISCO Operating Partner with Ballistic Ventures, who brings a unique perspective and valuable experience to the table. Together, we’ll explore how this transition works from both sides and provide insights that can help you make the most of your own career journey.
Justin Somaini, Partner, YL Ventures
David Hahn, CISO Operating Partner, Ballistic Ventures
11:00am - 11:45am
Howell Mountain & Stag's Leap
PANEL #1
Lessons Learned from Managing Cyber Incidents
Moderator:
Anton Chuvakin, Security Advisor at Office of the CISO, Google Cloud
Panelists:
Sangram Dash, CISO and VP of IT, Sisense
Vijay Jajoo, Partner, KPMG US
Erik Bloch, VP of Security, Illumio
11:45am - 12:45pm
Pool Patio
LUNCH
12:45pm - 1:30pm
Howell Mountain & Stag's Leap
Invited Guest Speaker
Steve Shelton, Chief Executive Officer, Green Shoe Consulting
Resilience Awakens: Tapping into Your Inner Force for Managing Stress Effectively
This is a Star Wars-inspired presentation designed to equip professionals with the skills to understand, manage, and alleviate stress and burnout. Attendees will explore the science behind stress, discovering how unmanaged stress can lead to burnout, much like a journey to the "dark side." Using relatable Star Wars analogies, they will learn how to recognize early signs of burnout and build resilience through practical, actionable strategies.
This session emphasizes the "Jedi mindset," teaching techniques like knowing yourself, emotional regulation, mindfulness, and maintaining a growth mindset to stay calm and balanced under pressure. Attendees will leave with tools to apply immediately in their daily lives, including knowing your workplace stressors, identifying how you respond to these stressors, learning two real time stress management strategies, and identifying support networks — all key to preserving their energy and mental well-being.
Attendees will gain a new perspective on handling stress, viewing it as an opportunity to build resilience rather than a force to be feared. By the end of the presentation, participants will feel empowered to overcome stress, stay focused on their goals, and prevent burnout by tapping into their "inner force" to remain resilient in challenging situations. This experience offers a unique, interactive approach to mental wellness, helping professionals thrive in high-stress environments.
More about Steve Shelton
Steve Shelton is the visionary CEO of Green Shoe Consulting, where he combines his passion for peak performance with a flair for creativity. With a background in psychology and years of experience in the tech industry, Steve has dedicated his career to helping cybersecurity professionals manage stress and prevent burnout. Known for his engaging and lighthearted approach, he believes that laughter and connection are powerful antidotes to workplace stress. Under his leadership, Green Shoe Consulting has become a trusted partner for organizations seeking to cultivate resilience and boost employee engagement. When he's not strategizing innovative workshops or delivering thought-provoking presentations, Steve can be found exploring the great outdoors, indulging in sci-fi films (Star Wars and The Men Who Stare at Goats are personal favorites), or enjoying a good cup of coffee—always on the lookout for the next opportunity to inspire others to thrive in their personal and professional lives!
1:30pm - 1:55pm
Carneros & Mount Veeder
Peer-to-Peer Meeting #1
2:00pm - 2:25pm
Carneros & Mount Veeder
Peer-to-Peer Meeting #2
2:30pm - 3:15pm
Howell Mountain & Stag's Leap
Fireside Chat
Next Generation Leadership in Tech
The rapid evolution of the tech industry presents both challenges and opportunities in developing leaders at all levels. This session will explore innovative mentorship approaches that foster innovation, inclusivity, and career growth amidst shifting workplace expectations, new technologies, and a diverse workforce. We will discuss best practices and strategies to build a strong leadership pipeline at all levels and overcome challenges like skill gaps, remote work, and knowledge transfer. Attendees will learn how to create a culture of mentorship that empowers emerging tech leaders at all levels.
MK Palmore, CEO, Apogee Global RMS
Al Ghous, CISO, Notable Capital
Michael Lyborg, CISO, Swimlane
3:15pm - 3:40pm
Carneros & Mount Veeder
Peer-to-Peer Meeting #3
3:45pm - 4:10pm
Carneros & Mount Veeder
Peer-to-Peer Meeting #4
4:15pm - 5:00pm
Howell Mountain & Stag's Leap
Fireside Chat with Michael Piacente and Jason Elrod about the Art of Storytelling.
Facilitators:
Michael Piacente, Managing Partner & Cofounder, Hitch Partners
Jason Elrod, CISO, MultiCare Health System
5:00pm - 5:15pm
Howell Mountain & Stag's Leap
Closing Remarks and Partner Appreciation Spotlight
5:15pm - 6:00pm
Free Time
6:00pm
Pool Patio
Bar Opens
6:00pm - 7:00pm
Pool Patio
Dinner
6:30pm - 9:30pm
Cabernet/Merlo
Casino Night
Feel Free to mingle with colleagues during this time either outside on the Pool Patio or inside in the Cabernet/Merlot Rooms!
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
7:00am - 8:00am
Pool Patio
Breakfast
Kickstart your day with premium java, tea, and AM favorites.
8:00am
Howell Mountain & Stag's Leap
Welcome and Opening Remarks; Gina Gianikos, Mindfluence
8:15am - 9:00am
Howell Mountain & Stag's Leap
Invited Guest Speaker
Troy Rydman, Chief Information Security Officer, Packsize
Secure & Strategic Adoption of Disruptive Technologies
In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, organizations face the dual challenge of harnessing transformative technologies while ensuring business value. Creating an adoption framework that not only protects your organization from emerging threats but also delivers measurable ROI. Through real-world examples and actionable insights, we’ll cover how to transform disruptive technologies from potential risks into powerful drivers of business growth.
More about Troy Rydman
Troy Rydman is a Chief Information Security Officer at Packsize. Troy has over 20 years of experience in executing, developing, and leading security programs for large financial organizations, fintechs, and B2B organizations.
9:00am - 9:25am
Carneros & Mount Veeder
Peer-to-Peer Meeting #5
9:30am - 9:55am
Carneros & Mount Veeder
Peer-to-Peer Meeting #6
10:00am - 10:45am
Howell Mountain & Stag's Leap
Invited Guest Speaker
What did the FBI Encounter in 2024 and how can that apply to your organization
Scott Hellman, FBI Cyber Supervisory Special Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
SSA Scott Hellman from San Francisco FBI will present on and answer questions about current cyber-crime trends, discuss where AI fits in, and provide some thoughts on best practices for prevention and resilience.
Jeffrey Fields, FBI Assistant Special Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Jeff Fields is the Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Branch in San Francisco, with over 18 years of global experience supporting U.S. national security, including deployments with U.S. Special Operations Command in Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa. He specializes in the intersection of intelligence, emerging technology, and innovation. Jeff holds a B.S. from Hampton University and an M.P.A. from the Harvard Kennedy School, is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and a former Belfer Center Fellow. He also mentors with Girl Security and is a devoted fan of both Hip Hop and Opera.
10:45am - 11:30am
Howell Mountain & Stag's Leap
PANEL #2
Navigating Third-Party Risk in the Age of AI: Strategies for Resilience and Compliance
As organizations increasingly rely on third-party vendors, the risks associated with cybersecurity, compliance, operational resilience, and reputational damage have grown significantly. The rise of AI-driven tools and automated risk management solutions has added both opportunities and complexities to third-party risk management (TPRM). This panel will explore best practices for identifying, assessing, and mitigating third-party risks while leveraging AI to enhance vendor oversight. Industry leaders will share insights on emerging threats, evolving regulatory requirements, and the role of AI in continuous monitoring, predictive risk assessment, and compliance enforcement.
Moderator:
Tolgay Kizilelma, Ph.D., Director of MSC Pgm, Dominican University of California
Panelists:
Uttej Badwane, Senior Security Engineer, Carta
Adnan Dakhwe, VCISO, GLG
Jeremiah Kung, CISO, AppLovin
11:30am - 12:00pm
Redwood Grove Lawn
Lunch
Please grab your lunch and grab a seat for the final Panel Discussion.
12:00pm - 12:45pm
Redwood Grove Lawn
PANEL #3
What Cybersecurity Consolidation Means for Enterprises
As cybersecurity threats evolve and become more complex, enterprises are increasingly recognizing the need for a more streamlined and unified approach to their security infrastructure. "Cybersecurity Consolidation" refers to the practice of integrating various cybersecurity tools, technologies, and processes into a cohesive and simplified framework. This panel will explore the growing trend of cybersecurity consolidation and its significance for enterprises. Key discussion points will include how consolidation can improve efficiency, reduce complexity, and lower costs, while simultaneously enhancing threat detection and response capabilities. Experts will also address the challenges of consolidating security systems, such as the risk of vendor lock-in, interoperability issues, and the need for a balanced approach to automation and human expertise. Finally, the panel will highlight real-world examples and strategies for successfully navigating cybersecurity consolidation, emphasizing the importance of alignment with an organization's overall risk management and business goals.
Moderator:
Aaron Landgraf, VP Product Marketing, Red Canary
Panelists:
Mala Punyani, Director, Docusign
Michael Eisenberg, Executive Advisor, Data Risk Services, Cyera
Rohit Shirwadkar, Head of Security Strategy, Equinix
12:45pm - 1:00pm
Pool Patio
Closing Remarks
Kick off your heels and loosen your ties! (Actually, ties not required) Thank you!
Dress Attire:
Business Casual
Questions:
Gina Gianikos
847-800-4433
gina@mind-fluence.com
Think Boldly!
What People Are Saying
Al Ghous
CISO
Mindfluence events are highly informative and one-of-a-kind with its unique format. Every event I attend, I take back vast amount of knowledge while sharing my own experiences with my peers.
Alan Nicholson
Executive Advisor, Cybersecurity
Great job Gina, Todd, and entire Mindfluence team!
Dušan Vuksanovic
CEO
Mindfluence was a great opportunity to connect and exchange with cybersecurity leaders. The event provided valuable insights and takeaways to bring back to our business.
Jay Martinage
Immersive Labs
Really enjoyed the event. Great set of cyber professionals for us to connect with. Looking forward to the next one! - (Napa 2025) Mindfluence events are not only educational and informative, but they also build an awesome sense of community among security professionals. Attendees really lean into a day full of thoughtful and engaging speakers, which makes the day feel worth the time commitment. - (Denver 2025) Mindfluence Napa provides a unique opportunity to learn, network, and have fun with your peers. Respected thought-leaders fully open up and share their experiences in an effort to help other security leaders get better within their roles. (Napa 2026)
Manny Thinakaran
Director of Security
The event was very much handcrafted to perfection with the right amount of discussion topics with ample time for networking. The content shared was very useful and it was great interacting with like minded CISOs, sharing pain-points and relevant solutions.(Napa 2024) It was great event, Gina! Nothing can match your energy of keeping things going during every event. I appreciate the efforts you all put into this to make it a great experience for every participant. It is also great to see how you change things up every year. (Napa 2025)
Sakthiswaran Rangaraju
Product Security Leader
Mindfluence CISO/Executive Leadership Event brought together industry leaders for real talk on leadership, innovation, and resilience. The insights were game-changing—especially the fireside chats and peer networking. Easily one of the most valuable cybersecurity event I’ve attended. I left energized, informed, and more connected than ever.
Shali Goradia
Vice President, Product Management
Had a great time at the Mindfluence event — it was an incredible opportunity to connect with fellow industry leaders. The venue was top-notch, and the speakers delivered real insight and inspiration. Looking forward to the next one!
Tammy McMahon
Tanium
Overall great first experience with Mindfluence and will be recommending future events to our team.