Charlotte CISO Community
Executive Summit
October 28, 2025 | The Westin Charlotte
October 28, 2025
The Westin Charlotte
Collaborate with your peers
Get together with Charlotte's top CISOs to tackle shared business challenges and critical priorities facing your role today. Participate in this one-day, local program with peer-driven topics and interactive discussions with your true C-level peers.
Join your peers to discuss the most critical issues impacting CISOs today:
Building a Foundation for Cyber Resilience
Leveraging Collaboration to Enable Innovation and Risk Management
Maximizing Emerging Technologies for Strategic Advantage
Charlotte CISO Governing Body
The Governing Body Co-Chairs shape the summit agenda, ensuring that all content is driven By CISOs, For CISOs®.
Governing Body Co-Chairs
Ken Athanasiou
VF Corp
Global CISO
Christina Bray
Collins Aerospace
CISO
Frank DePaola
Enpro
VP, CISO
John Scrimsher
Kontoor Brands
CISO
What to Expect
Interactive Sessions
Hear from CISO practitioners and thought leaders on how they're solving critical challenges impacting your role today in Keynote sessions, and join smaller, interactive discussions with your peers in Breakout and Boardroom sessions.
Community Networking
Make new connections and catch up with old friends in casual conversations during dedicated time for networking designed to better acquaint you with your Charlotte CISO community.
Peer-to-Peer Meetings
Connect with like-minded peers in a private, one-on-one setting through Peer-to-Peer Meetings. You will be matched with peers in your community based on your shared interests and priorities.
Agenda
Breakout Session
10-Minute Wins — AI Use Cases With Impact
Why learn from one peer when you can learn from three? Grab a seat as your fellow community members each take the floor for 10 minutes to share how they’re implementing AI to deliver value to their organization.
Executive Boardroom Sessions
Crafting a Compelling Risk Narrative
Gaining leadership buy-in for risk mitigation is not just about the metrics; it’s about the story. Tech and cybersecurity leaders can work to reframe conversations about risk by not only developing consistent and quantifiable models, but also ensuring key stakeholders can understand and engage throughout the process.
Join this session to discuss:
- Measuring, documenting and communicating cyber- and IT-related risks
- Connecting risk management to broader organizational goals and enterprise strategies
- Engaging the board and executive leadership with refined messaging and impactful presentations
Cyber Resilience in Action
Cyber resiliency remains a top concern in 2025, yet Gartner finds many organizations focus on defining and quantifying resilience rather than improving it. Leaders must develop proactive strategies that speak to a “when, not if” mentality, ensuring business continuity when incidents occur.
Join this session to discuss:
- Developing resilient people and processes in a complex threat ecosystem
- Minimizing the impact of cyber incidents and quickly restoring operations
- Maintaining compliance amid increasing regulatory requirements
A Business-First Approach to IT
As IT and cybersecurity become increasingly central to driving business outcomes, leaders within these spaces will need to shift from transactional interactions to ongoing partnerships to solidify their influence.
Join this session to discuss:
- Linking every tech and cybersecurity initiative to overall business objectives
- Navigating transformation with an outcome-driven leadership approach
- Translating data and technical information into insights that resonate with business leaders
CISO Role Evolution — How Are You Adapting?
Being a well-rounded CISO can’t be hacked. It takes consistent reflection and re-invention as the role evolves from a solely technology-focused position to a business-enabling one.
Join this peer-led boardroom to discuss:
- Embracing the evolving demands of the CISO role
- Building trust and influence amongst C-Suite peers and key stakeholders
- Demonstrating your value as a proven leader and business-enabler
Gartner Keynote Session
Gartner Expert Keynote Session
Gain expert guidance from Gartner on the latest tech insights and the unfolding of the future through predictions, trends and evolving digital business cycles. Gartner Experts give you the clarity you need to move your priorities forward.
Apply to Participate
Apply to participate in the Charlotte CISO Community Executive Summit.
Gartner facilitates exclusive, C-level communities by personally qualifying and understanding the priorities, challenges and interests of each member.
Our selective approach maintains the high quality of the network and ensures top-level discussions with peers from the world’s leading organizations.
Each application will be reviewed, and once your participation is confirmed, you will have access to year-round community programs.
Location
Venue & Accommodation
The Westin CharlotteThe Westin Charlotte - Room Block Cancellation Policy:
Any cancellations made after the Cut Off (October 5, 2025) are subject to a cancellation fee of one (1) night room charge plus tax.
A block of rooms has been reserved at the The Westin Charlotte at a reduced conference rate. Reservations should be made online or by calling (704) 375-2600. Please mention Charlotte Executive Summit to ensure the appropriate room rate.
Deadline to book using the discounted room rate of $299 USD (plus tax) is October 6, 2025.
Your Community Sponsors
CISO Thought Leader
Key Sponsors
Program Sponsors
Community Program Manager
For inquiries related to this community, please reach out to your dedicated contact.
