Phoenix CISO Community
Executive Summit
November 5, 2025 | Hyatt Regency Phoenix
November 5, 2025
Hyatt Regency Phoenix
Collaborate with your peers
Get together with Phoenix'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 Data & Analytics to Drive Strategic Business Outcomes
Maximizing AI to Advance the Business and Create Value
Phoenix 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
Bob Schlotfelt
Valleywise Health
CISO
Robert Wahl
Harley-Davidson
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 Phoenix 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
8:00am - 8:30am Registration & Breakfast
8:30am - 9:15am Keynote
Turning Tech Talk into Business Impact — The Value Equation
Max (LJ) Chan
CIO
Avnet
Sener Degirmenci
Senior Vice President & Chief Information Officer
Republic Services
In today’s digital-first economy, IT and security leaders are under increasing pressure to justify investments in terms that resonate with the business—measurable outcomes, competitive advantage, and tangible value. Yet, bridging the gap between technical activities and business impact remains a persistent challenge.
Join this session to hear perspectives from your peers on:
- Identifying and aligning IT initiatives with core business objectives
- Moving beyond traditional metrics to business-relevant KPIs such as revenue growth, customer experience, risk reduction, and innovation enablement
- Building a value-driven IT narrative for the C-suite and board, making the case for strategic investments in digital transformation and cybersecurity
9:15am - 9:40am Networking Break
9:40am - 10:25am Breakout Session
Driving Innovation — Technology, Value Creation & Strategic Partnerships
Matt Hoag
CTO
Koch Industries
Rohan Pal
EVP – Chief Technology Officer
WillScot
The intersection of digital business and advanced technologies presents unprecedented opportunities to create value, fuel profitability, and strengthen business outcomes. As organizations face economic uncertainty and increasing fiscal responsibility, IT and security leaders must unlock hidden technology value and drive innovation to connect the business to new possibilities.
Join this session to explore:
- Encouraging experimentation and learning from failure to unlock new sources of benefit and profitability
- Leading cultural change for effective prioritization of technology initiatives
- Partnering with legal and compliance for responsible innovation and business transformation
9:40am - 10:25am Executive Boardroom
Executive Boardroom hosted by Google Cloud Security
Hosted by Google Cloud Security
Luke McNamara
Deputy Chief Analyst, Mandiant Intelligence
Google Cloud Security
More details coming soon.
10:25am - 11:10am Networking Break
10:35am - 11:00am Peer-to-Peer Meetings
Peer-to-Peer Meetings
Connect with like-minded peers in a 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.
11:10am - 11:55am Executive Boardroom
Executive Boardroom hosted by Cloudflare
Hosted by Cloudflare
Ranee Bray
Sr. Director, Cybersecurity Strategy & Execution
Cloudflare
Details coming soon.
11:10am - 11:55am Executive Boardroom
Optimizing IT Operating Models — Driving Value and Accelerating Growth
Chris Nielsen
CIO
Troon Golf
CIOs are under increasing pressure to deliver measurable value and must proactively evolve their IT operating models to drive enterprise objectives. However, a disconnect between a task-driven culture and an outcomes-oriented mindset can hinder sustained business growth.
Join this session to discuss with your peers:
- Assessing and realigning your IT operating model to support your organization’s digital vision and strategic goals
- Shifting from operational efficiency to models that boost business performance and enable enterprise-wide transformation
- Building stronger partnerships with business stakeholders and fostering collaboration for greater impact
11:55am - 12:30pm Lunch Service
Apply to Participate
Apply to participate in the Phoenix 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
Hyatt Regency PhoenixA block of rooms has been reserved at the Hyatt Regency Phoenix at a reduced conference rate. Reservations should be made online or by calling 844-535-2979. Please mention G-ABC9 to ensure the appropriate room rate.
Deadline to book using the discounted room rate of $249 USD (plus tax) is October 13, 2025.
Your Community Sponsors
CISO Thought Leaders
Key Sponsors
Program Sponsor
Community Program Manager
For inquiries related to this community, please reach out to your dedicated contact.
