CISO Ensemble Mountain - Hero

CISO Ensemble Mountain

An exclusive virtual forum for CISOs and senior security leaders in the Mountain timezone, exploring the evolving skillset required for tomorrow's security leaders.

📅 13th February 2026
🕐 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Mountain Time
💻 Virtual Executive Forum
🏔️ Mountain Timezone (AZ, NM, CO, MT, ID, UT)
🎫 Register Now 📋 View Agenda
✨ Mountain Regional Forum
CISO Ensemble Mountain
Date & Time
13 Feb 2026 · 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM MT
Format
Virtual Conference
Timezone
Mountain (AZ, NM, CO, MT, ID, UT)
Who Should Attend
CISOs, Senior Security Architects & Select CSOs
CISO Ensemble Mountain - Event Details

Format

Virtual + Interactive

Duration

6 Hours (9am-3pm MT)

Attendees

CISOs, Senior Security Architects & Select CSOs

CISO Ensemble Mountain - Current Sponsors

Current Sponsors

Meet the innovative organizations supporting the CISO Ensemble Mountain

CISO Ensemble Mountain - Sponsorship

Interested in Sponsoring?

Join industry leaders in supporting the CISO Ensemble Mountain and connect with senior security professionals from across the region.

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📚 Built on Success

The CISO Ensemble Legacy

CISO Mountain is built on the proven success of the Global CISO Ensemble—a prestigious virtual conference series that has been bringing together C-level security leaders, enterprise architects, and cybersecurity executives since 2020.

The Fifth Annual CISO Ensemble (December 2025) continues our tradition of delivering world-class thought leadership, practical insights, and meaningful connections among the security community. The mountain event leverages the same proven format, expert-led panels, and curated networking that has made the Ensemble a cornerstone event for security leaders globally.

5+

Years of proven success bringing together elite CISO and security leadership communities

1000+

Security leaders, architects, and CISOs connected across multiple continents and timezones

100%

Expert-led panels featuring working CISOs and security architects sharing real-world insights

📋 See the Proven Format

View the agenda from our Fifth Annual CISO Ensemble (December 2025) to understand the caliber of thought leadership and expert engagement you'll experience at CISO Mountain. The same proven format, elevated for regional audiences.

📄 View CISO Ensemble 2025 Agenda

CISO Mountain delivers the same expert-led discussions, peer networking, and actionable insights—tailored for the mountain timezone and regional security leadership community. You're joining a community with deep roots and proven impact in the cybersecurity industry.

CISO Ensemble Mountain - Overview

Forum Overview

The CISO Ensemble Mountain brings together select security leaders from the Mountain region for an exclusive, focused dialogue on the critical skillsets required for the next generation of security leadership.

This intimate virtual forum explores the convergence of business acumen and technical expertise, the role of AI in augmenting CISO decision-making, new leadership models, and the evolving career pathways for senior security professionals.

  • Expert-led panel discussions on CISO skillset evolution
  • Dialogue on Technical vs. Business Acumen balance
  • Exploring AI's role in security leadership
  • Leadership models for tomorrow's security teams
  • Career pathways and professional development
  • Networking with peer CISOs and senior architects
CISO Ensemble Mountain - Attendees

CISOs, Senior Security Architects & Select CSOs

Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs)
Enterprise security leaders managing complex security landscapes and strategic initiatives.
Senior Security Architects
Architects designing and implementing enterprise security programs and infrastructure.
Chief Security Officers (CSOs)
Select senior leaders responsible for physical and cyber security convergence.
Mountain Region Focus
This event is designed for security leaders based in or serving AZ, NM, CO, MT, ID, and UT.
CISO Ensemble Mountain - Agenda

Conference Agenda

February 13, 2026 | Mountain Timezone (Online)
9:30 AM MT
Opening Welcome
9:40 AM - 10:20 AM MT
Focusing on Business Alignment? Balancing Technical and Business Acumen for the Leader of the Future
Exploring the critical balance between technical expertise and business acumen required for modern CISO leadership and organizational impact.
Moderated by: Chris Ichelson, CEO, SOC 360
Panelists: Kristy Westphal (Global Security Director, Spirent Communications), Stacy Wallace (CISO, Arizona Department of Revenue), Ed Vasko (Executive Director, cyberIdaho), Jason Hayek, Rohbair Jean (Chief Information Security Officer, American Financing)
10:20 AM - 10:50 AM MT
Looking Beyond the CV
A thought-provoking discussion on hiring, talent evaluation, and the skills that truly matter in security leadership.
Speaker: Ashwin Krishnan, Host, StandOutin90Seconds
10:50 AM - 11:10 AM MT
Fireside Chat: Healthcare-Focused CISO of the Future
An intimate conversation on the evolving role of CISOs in healthcare organizations, strategic leadership, and emerging challenges in health IT security.
Guest: Michael Archuleta, Chief Information Officer, Mt San Rafael Hospital and Clinics
11:10 AM - 11:40 AM MT
The CISO and vCISO as a Team? Working More Effectively and Securely with Third Parties
Examining modern organizational models where CISOs collaborate with virtual CISOs and managed service providers for enhanced security outcomes.
Panelists: Bindi Dave (Field CISO, Optiv), Gary Perkins (CISO, CISO Global), Steve Allison (Field CISO, CDW), Manny Amador (Sr. Principal Engineer – Product Security, Stryker), Dave Coles (Managing Partner, Castle Rock Sky), Christopher Riley (CISO, RyeField Solutions)
11:40 AM - 12:10 PM MT
Developing Security Leaders for Tomorrow
Insights on academic pathways, curriculum development, and preparing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.
Speaker: Shalini Kesar, Director of Masters Cyber Security Program, Southern Utah University
12:10 PM - 12:40 PM MT
Fireside Chat: Security Operations and Institutional Leadership
Perspectives on managing security at scale in large, complex organizations and the role of leadership in driving cultural change.
Guest: Lester Godsey, Chief Information Security Officer, Arizona State University
12:40 PM - 1:40 PM MT
Uncovering the Converged ISOC: Contextual Intelligence and Operational Excellence
Exploring the integration of cyber and physical security operations centers and the role of actionable intelligence in modern security architecture.
Speaker: Mike Goedecker, CEO, Hakdefnet
1:40 PM - 2:10 PM MT
'Everyday AI Skills' and Developing a Career Pathway for the Leader of Tomorrow
Practical discussion on AI literacy, career development, and preparing leaders for an AI-augmented security landscape.
Moderated by: Mike Goedecker, CEO, Hakdefnet
Panelists: John Roig (Chief Information Officer, Los Alamos County NM), Jeremy Baca (Cybersecurity Manager – Critical Infrastructure Protection, DSA), Robert Weber (Principal Software Architect, XONA), Dick Wilkinson (CISO, ProofLabs)
2:10 PM - 2:40 PM MT
Uncovering the 'Super Architect' of the Future
Panel discussion on the emerging role of security architects who bridge AI, cloud, infrastructure, and governance to drive organizational transformation.
Panelists: Chris Clark (Sr Staff GenAI Security Architect, Albertsons), Abel Sanchez (Cloud Architect, STAIDWORKS), Jordan Potti (Head of Cybersecurity Assurance, Rivian), Nichole Gomez (Cyber Assurance Architect, Sandia National Laboratories), William Herron, Ryan Sidebottom (Senior Security Engineer, Milwaukee Tool)
2:40 PM - 3:10 PM MT
Fireside Chat: Security Leadership in Scaling Organizations
Insights from a seasoned CISO on navigating security strategy, board relations, and operational priorities in fast-growing environments.
Guest: Mike Manrod, Chief Information Security Officer, GCE
3:10 PM - 3:40 PM MT
Where Does Convergence Matter Most to Corporate Security Modernization?
Strategic discussion on cyber-physical convergence, its impact on security architecture, and organizational readiness for integrated defense.
Moderated by: Phelim Rowe
Speaker: David Case, Head of Security, NXP Semiconductors
3:40 PM - 4:10 PM MT
Fireside Chat: Security in Regulated Environments
Perspectives on managing security and compliance in highly regulated industries and the role of leadership in navigating complex requirements.
Guest: James Johnson, Chief Information Security Officer, Holland & Hart LLP
4:10 PM MT
Closing Discussion & Takeaways
CISO Ensemble Mountain - Register

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Join select CISOs and senior security architects from the Mountain region for this focused, high-value forum. Places are limited to maintain the quality and exclusivity of discussions.

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