May 3-5, 2026
CISO/Executive Leadership Forum
Silverado Resort
1600 Atlas Peak RdNapa, CA 94558
Less than 1 mile from the William Hill Estate Winery, this upscale resort is 4.4 miles from the Napa Valley Opera House. The chic, modern rooms, suites and cottages are spread around the resort; some are private and gated. They feature private balconies, full kitchens, separate living areas and fireplaces, plus private pools and tennis courts, and Wi-Fi access. There are to 2 championship golf courses. The spa offers health and beauty treatments. Complimentary wine tastings are offered.
Meet Our Guest Speakers
AI: Beginning of the End or End of the Beginning
Jason Elrod
CISO
MultiCare Health System
From “Magic Beans” to Personal Productivity: How AI Reshapes the CISO Role
Anton Chuvakin
& Archana Ramamoorthy
Agenda
Sunday, May 3, 2026
2:00pm - 2:10pm
Vintner’s Court
Opening Remarks

Gina Gianikos, Founder, Mindfluence
2:15pm - 3:00pm
Vintner’s Court
Invited Guest Speaker:
AI: Beginning of the End or End of the Beginning

Jason Elrod, CISO, MultiCare Health System
3:00pm - 3:30pm
Vintner’s Court
Lightening Panel:
Droids That Actually Help: Practical AI Use Cases for Security Teams
Beyond the hype, this session explores where AI is genuinely delivering value for security teams today—from detection and response to analyst efficiency and decision support. CISOs will share real-world examples of what’s working, what isn’t, and how to deploy AI as a force multiplier without creating new risk.

Sangram Dash, CISO and VP of IT, Sisense

Pathik Patel, Products CISO, Informatica

Anand Thangaraju, Field CISO, Alchemy Cyber
3:30pm - 4:00pm
Chappellet – Beringer – Robert Mondavi Rooms
Peer-to-Peer Meeting #1
4:00pm - 4:30pm
Chappellet – Beringer – Robert Mondavi Rooms
Peer-to-Peer Meeting #2
5:30pm - 8:00pm
The Arbor
Welcome Reception: Drinks and Appetizers
Monday, May 4, 2026
Reset, Strategy, Leadership & Balance
7:30am - 8:30am
Inside Terrace
Breakfast & Networking
8:30am - 9:15am
Vintner’s Court
The Web We Build: How Relationships Drive Opportunity Over Time
Exploring how trust, collaboration, and long-term connections turn strategic alliances into powerful opportunities—no Force required.

Vijay Jajoo, Partner, KPMG

David Hahn, CISO Operating Partner, Ballistic Ventures
9:15am - 10:00am
Vintner’s Court
From Zero to Baseline: What First-Time CISOs Get Right, Get Wrong—and Wish They’d Known Before Joining the Rebellion
Stepping into the CISO role often means inheriting ambiguity, legacy risk, and high expectations on day one. This session explores the early decisions that matter most—where first-time CISOs tend to focus correctly, where they misstep, and the lessons they wish they’d learned sooner when building a security baseline. Real-world insights on prioritization, people, influence, and surviving the first year without turning to the Dark Side.

Pritam Mungse, Head of Security, Poshmark

Henry Levin, Head of Product Security, Automation Anywhere

Terry O'Daniel, CISO, Scribe Security

Dylan DeAnda, Field CTO, Doppel
10:00am - 10:30am
Break
10:00am - 2:00pm
Inglenook
Chair Massages will be available
10:00am - 10:30am
Chappellet – Beringer – Robert Mondavi Rooms
Peer-to-Peer Meeting #3
10:30am - 11:00am
Chappellet – Beringer – Robert Mondavi Rooms
Peer-to-Peer Meeting #4
11:00am - 11:30am
Chappellet – Beringer – Robert Mondavi Rooms
Peer-to-Peer Meeting #5
11:30am - 12:00pm
Chappellet – Beringer – Robert Mondavi Rooms
Peer-to-Peer Meeting #6
10:45am - 11:30am
Vintner's Court
Invited Guest Speakers:
From “Magic Beans” to Personal Productivity: How AI Reshapes the CISO Role
Look, we’ve all heard the "magic beans" stories about AI saving the world. But for a CISO, the reality is more complicated. AI is reshaping not just security tools, but the CISO role itself. We spend our days defending the enterprise against AI-powered threats and trying to govern "Shadow AI," but we rarely stop to ask: How can this actually save my Monday morning?
This session cuts through the hype to explore where GenAI and AI agents are delivering real value—not just for the SOC and other security teams, but personally for the CISO.

Anton Chuvakin, Security Advisor at Office of the CISO, Google Cloud

Archana Ramamoorthy, Sr. Director PM, Cybersecurity and Data Protection, Google
11:30am - 12:15pm
Vintner's Court
Fireside Chat:
When the Jedi Is Away: Who Runs Security When the CISO Is Out?
Whether due to travel, burnout, transition, or the unexpected, every security program needs to operate without a single point of failure. This session explores how CISOs design durable leadership models—empowering a deputy CISO, clarifying decision rights, and building succession plans that ensure security, trust, and momentum continue even when the Jedi is off-planet.
Facilitator:

Michael Piacente, Managing Partner, Hitch Partners
Guests:

Justin Somaini, Founder, Somaini LLC

Jamie Knobles, Director, Cyber Resilience & Readiness, Immersive
12:15pm - 1:15pm
Inside Terrace
LUNCH
1:15pm - 2:00pm
Vintner’s Court
Speaking Galactic: How CISOs Translate Cyber Risk into Business Decisions
Unpacking the strategies, frameworks, and communication techniques security leaders use to make complex cyber risks actionable for the business.

Jonathan Chan, Former Fortune 5 IT & Security Executive

Dušan Vuksanovic, CEO & VP Security, Swisscom

Roshmik Saha, Co-founder & CTO, Skyflow
2:00pm - 2:45pm
Vintner's Court
Roundtable Discussion:
2:45pm - 3:15pm
Prep for Activities
3:15pm
The coach bus will depart Promptly from the Market & Forno to head out to our Wine Tasting
3:30pm
Pickleball Instructional/games and Spa appointments to start
6:30pm
The coach bus will depart Promptly from the Market & Forno to head to dinner
6:30pm - 8:30pm
Off Site
Dinner
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Recharge & Renewal
7:30am - 8:30am
Inside Terrace
Breakfast & Networking
8:30am - 9:15am
Vintner's Court
AI One Year Later: The True Integration of AI in Security
A candid look at what has actually changed one year into the AI wave—where AI is delivering real value in security operations, where expectations have fallen short, and how security leaders are integrating it into their programs today.

Jimmy Sanders, Senior Director of IT Security, The Save Mart Companies

Michael Myint, CISO, Former AdaptHealth

Brian Anderson, Global Field CTO, CATO Networks
9:15am - 9:45am
Chappellet – Beringer – Robert Mondavi Rooms
Peer-to-Peer Meeting #7
9:45am - 10:15am
Chappellet – Beringer – Robert Mondavi Rooms
Peer-to-Peer Meeting #8
10:15am - 11:00am
Vintner's Court
Insider Threats with the FBI
SSA Kevin Kwong and SA Nelson Layfield will highlight trends and evolving tactics used to exploit vulnerabilities from a counterintelligence perspective.

Supervisory Special Agent Kevin Kwong
Supervisory Special Agent Kevin Kwong has over 20 years of experience in counterintelligence matters for the FBI. His work has primarily focused on threats to critical infrastructure and conducting offensive operations against adversarial intelligence services. SSA Kwong currently oversees a squad dedicated to countering asymmetric and hybrid commercial threats.

Special Agent Nelson Layfield
Special Agent Nelson Layfield joined in the FBI in 2004. His work has primarily focused on counterespionage and counterintelligence matters. SA Layfield is currently the coordinator for the FBI San Francisco Counterintelligence Task Force (CITF), which has the goal of marshalling efforts, resources, and authorities across various federal, state, and local government agencies to generate awareness and thwart adversarial instances of transnational repression and foreign malign influence. He is additionally a certified FBI crisis negotiator.
11:00am - 11:30am
Vintner's Court
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
Aaron Wycke
Skyflow
Gina puts on a great event with a truly personal 5 star experience. As a Partner, Mindfluence opened doors and scheduled meetings with strategic companies and Executives which made the event extremely valuable.
Ashish Garg
CISO
Mindfluence brings great quality events one after the other. The venues are amazing, the setting are relaxing that provide ample time for thought provoking panels and discussions with peers. I always get a lot out of these events and appreciate the entire team of Mindfluence for bringing such good topics for discussion. (Menlo 2024) One of the best events of the year, bar none! (Napa 2026)
Azeem Nizam
CISO
The Mindfluence Annual Cybersecurity Forum in Napa was outstanding. The presentations were exceptionally informative, and the timeline was perfectly paced. The venue was excellent, and the casual, easy-going atmosphere created an ideal environment for networking. What truly made this event special was the quality of connections - meeting incredible new colleagues while reconnecting with industry peers. The afternoon activity break remains a key differentiator that sets Mindfluence apart. I highly recommend these events to any cybersecurity professional looking to learn and connect.
Colin Anderson
CISO
Where security leaders cut through the noise, share what actually works, and build relationships that matter
Devin Ertel
CISO
It was a fun interactive event as always.
Jason Cooley
SentinelOne
As usual, Mindfluence Napa delivers. Every detail is taken care of when you attend an event put on by Gina. Text Messages indicating when and where the next event is, great food and drinks, and overall community is what Gina builds. I would highly recommend Mindfluence to anyone looking to make connections and to learn more about Cyber Security in a welcoming environment.
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)
Jeremy Swann
Fortinet
From a vendor perspective, Mindfluence is the perfect balance between relaxation and concentration needed for C-levels to engage comfortably.
Jonathan Chan
Head of Global IT and Security
Mindfluence - influence great minds. Where visionary leaders unite to forge a secure and resilient economy.
Patrick Henning
Red Canary
Unparalleled event from the perspective of a Sponsor.
Rohit Jain
VP/CIO
I loved the insightful discussions and the building of great relationships.
Travis Johnson
Illumio
Mindfluence is an event I look to every year! Amazing people attend it and fantastic conversations take place. If anyone has not been, you have to sign up next year!
Victor Hsiang
CISO
An intimate conference where you can meet and socialize with your CISO peers and partners. The topics and sessions are not all related to Security which makes the conference more interesting and interactive. (Lake Geneva 2024) Presenters were top and had great differing topics. The venue was great as well the refreshments. You will walk away immediately with ideas as well as peer contacts that will help you excel in your profession. Definitely would attend again. Save the date and make sure you attend the next Mindfluence AI Conference. (Rosemont 2026) Mindfluence Napa was a beautiful place where interesting sessions and meaningful conversations flowed as naturally as the wine, leaving me feeling truly refreshed. (Napa 2026)










