Governing Body Spotlight

I’m the CISO at Delta Dental Plans Association, where I lead our cybersecurity strategy and operations to protect our customer's data and support our mission of improving oral health. My background spans over a decade across Army special operations roles, healthcare, and financial services, with over a decade of experience in information security, risk management, and IT leadership. I’m passionate about building security programs that empower people rather than restrict them, and I believe communication and empathy are the keys to success.

Fun fact: My hobby is cryptocurrency trading, but I do not claim to be good at it.

Learn more about the Chicago CISO community here.
 

Give us a brief overview of the path that led to your current role.

My introduction to cybersecurity began in the U.S. Army, where I served in Special Operations with the 75th Ranger Regiment. I quickly fell into the world of electronic warfare, which naturally transitioned into cybersecurity after I left the service. I entered the commercial ranks as a cybersecurity analyst at a major financial institution. From there, I progressed into increasingly senior roles in cybersecurity covering security and cloud engineering, application security, and other roles, eventually joining Delta Dental Plans Association as its second ever CISO.
 

What is one of your guiding leadership principles?

One of my core principles is to design security with the user in mind. I believe that if you make the secure path the easiest path, people will follow it. Security shouldn’t be a barrier; it should enable people to do their jobs safely and efficiently. Listening, empathy, and clear communication are essential to building trust and driving effective change.
 

What is the greatest challenge CISOs face today, and how are you addressing it?

The biggest challenge right now is balancing robust security with usability, especially as identity becomes the new perimeter and attackers increasingly target human behavior. We’re constantly evolving our authentication methods and incident response processes to anticipate real-world problems, not just ideal scenarios. My approach is to adapt our structures to fit human workflows, invest in access management, and foster a culture where users feel supported when things go wrong.
 

What is the key to success for someone just starting out as a CISO?

Success starts with curiosity and humility. Build relationships across the organization, listen to what people need, and never stop learning. Focus on communication and collaboration, and your job is to make security accessible, understandable, and integrated into the business. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and admit when you don’t know something; that’s how you grow and earn trust.
 

How do you measure success as a leader?

I measure success by the resilience of our organization and the confidence of our people. If our teams feel empowered to report issues, ask questions, and innovate securely, that’s a win. I also look at how well we adapt to change, whether it’s new threats, technologies, or business needs, and how effectively we communicate across departments. Ultimately, success means reducing risk while enabling the business to thrive.
 

What is the value of being a member of Gartner C-level Communities?

Being part of Gartner C-level Communities has been a breath of fresh air compared to many of the other vendor-led communities. It’s a place to share best practices, learn from peers, and stay ahead of emerging trends. The collaborative environment fosters open dialogue, which is essential for tackling the complex challenges we face as CISOs. It’s not just about networking; it’s about building a support system and driving the industry forward together.
 

Gartner C-level Communities Governing Body members share their insights and leadership perspectives to shape the agendas and topics that address the top priorities impacting business leaders today.