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The Principals Committee
The CIG is a community of cyber professionals led by a group of distinguished experts with decades of experience. CIG Principals meet four times a year to help set the agenda for CIG Virtual Summits. They bring deep expertise and diverse perspective to the challenges of security, education, and collaboration in cyber.
General Michael Hayden (Ret.)​
Former CIA Director / Former NSA Director
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General Michael Hayden is a retired four-star general who served as director of both the Central Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency. General Hayden also served as the country’s first principal deputy director of national intelligence and the highest-ranking military intelligence officer in the country. Hayden previously served as commander of the Air Intelligence Agency and Director of the Joint Command and Control Warfare Center and served in senior staff positions at the Pentagon, U.S. European Command, and the National Security Council.
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General Michael Hayden is a retired four-star general who served as director of both the Central Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency. General Hayden also served as the country’s first principal deputy director of national intelligence and the highest-ranking military intelligence officer in the country. Hayden previously served as commander of the Air Intelligence Agency and Director of the Joint Command and Control Warfare Center and served in senior staff positions at the Pentagon, U.S. European Command, and the National Security Council.
General Keith Alexander (Ret.)
Co-CEO of IronNet / Former Director of NSA
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General (Ret.) Keith Alexander is the CEO and President of IronNet Cybersecurity. He served as the director of the National Security Agency and Chief of the Central Security Service from 2005-2014. He was also the first Commander of the U.S. Cyber Command. Prior to those roles, General Alexander served as the Deputy Chief of Staff, Intelligence, Department of the Army and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command.
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General (Ret.) Keith Alexander is the CEO and President of IronNet Cybersecurity. He served as the director of the National Security Agency and Chief of the Central Security Service from 2005-2014. He was also the first Commander of the U.S. Cyber Command. Prior to those roles, General Alexander served as the Deputy Chief of Staff, Intelligence, Department of the Army and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command.
Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery (Ret.)
Former Executive Director, U.S. Cyberspace Solarium Commission
Mark Montgomery formerly served as the Executive Director of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission. Before this position, he served as Policy Director for the Senate Armed Services Committee under the leadership of Senator John S. McCain. In this position he coordinated policy efforts on national defense strategy, capabilities and requirements, defense policy and cyber issues. Mark served for 32 years in the U.S. Navy as a nuclear trained surface warfare officer, retiring as a Rear Admiral in 2017. His flag officer assignments included Director of Operations (J3) at U. S. Pacific Command; Commander of Carrier Strike Group 5 embarked on the USS George Washington stationed in Japan; and Deputy Director, Plans, Policy and Strategy (J5), at U. S. European Command. He was selected as a White House Fellow and assigned to the National Security Council, serving as Director for Transnational Threats from 1998-2000. Mark graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history. He subsequently earned a master’s degree in history from Oxford University, and completed the U.S. Navy’s nuclear power training program.
Mark Montgomery formerly served as the Executive Director of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission. Before this position, he served as Policy Director for the Senate Armed Services Committee under the leadership of Senator John S. McCain. In this position he coordinated policy efforts on national defense strategy, capabilities and requirements, defense policy and cyber issues. Mark served for 32 years in the U.S. Navy as a nuclear trained surface warfare officer, retiring as a Rear Admiral in 2017. His flag officer assignments included Director of Operations (J3) at U. S. Pacific Command; Commander of Carrier Strike Group 5 embarked on the USS George Washington stationed in Japan; and Deputy Director, Plans, Policy and Strategy (J5), at U. S. European Command. He was selected as a White House Fellow and assigned to the National Security Council, serving as Director for Transnational Threats from 1998-2000. Mark graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history. He subsequently earned a master’s degree in history from Oxford University, and completed the U.S. Navy’s nuclear power training program.
​The Hon. Susan Gordon
Partner, Gordon Ventures / Former PDDNI, ODNI
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The Honorable Susan M. Gordon is former Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence (PDDNI). Prior to ODNI, Gordon served in multiple leadership roles in the IC including as Deputy Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) and 27 years at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), where she held senior executive positions in four of the Agency’s directorates. In 1998, she designed and drove the formation of In-Q-Tel, a private, non-profit company created to deliver innovative technology solutions for the agency and the IC.
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The Honorable Susan M. Gordon is former Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence (PDDNI). Prior to ODNI, Gordon served in multiple leadership roles in the IC including as Deputy Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) and 27 years at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), where she held senior executive positions in four of the Agency’s directorates. In 1998, she designed and drove the formation of In-Q-Tel, a private, non-profit company created to deliver innovative technology solutions for the agency and the IC.
General David Petraeus (Ret.)
Chairman of KKR Global Institute / Former CIA Director
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General David H. Petraeus (US Army, Ret.) is a Partner and Chairman of the KKR Global Institute, which he established in May 2013. He is a member of the boards of directors of Optiv and FirstStream, a venture investor in some 20 startups, and engaged in a variety of academic endeavors. Prior to joining KKR, General Petraeus served over 37 years in the U.S. military, including six consecutive commands, five of which were in combat, including command of the Surge in Iraq, command of U.S. Central Command, and command of coalition forces in Afghanistan.
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General David H. Petraeus (US Army, Ret.) is a Partner and Chairman of the KKR Global Institute, which he established in May 2013. He is a member of the boards of directors of Optiv and FirstStream, a venture investor in some 20 startups, and engaged in a variety of academic endeavors. Prior to joining KKR, General Petraeus served over 37 years in the U.S. military, including six consecutive commands, five of which were in combat, including command of the Surge in Iraq, command of U.S. Central Command, and command of coalition forces in Afghanistan.
Teresa Shea
Former Vice President of Cyber Offense and Defense Experts (CODEX) for Raytheon Intelligence and Space (RIS)
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Teresa Shea is former Vice President of Cyber Offense and Defense Experts (CODEX) for Raytheon Intelligence and Space (RIS). Shea previously worked at In-Q-Tel as Executive Vice President of Technology and director of Cyber-Reboot. Shea spent thirty-two years at the National Security Agency (NSA) holding key leadership assignments including serving as Director of Signals Intelligence. Shea is a former Board Member at Recorded Future and former Board advisor to the Virginia Tech Hume Center. She currently serves on the Georgia Institute of Technology Board of Advisors.
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Teresa Shea is former Vice President of Cyber Offense and Defense Experts (CODEX) for Raytheon Intelligence and Space (RIS). Shea previously worked at In-Q-Tel as Executive Vice President of Technology and director of Cyber-Reboot. Shea spent thirty-two years at the National Security Agency (NSA) holding key leadership assignments including serving as Director of Signals Intelligence. Shea is a former Board Member at Recorded Future and former Board advisor to the Virginia Tech Hume Center. She currently serves on the Georgia Institute of Technology Board of Advisors.
Kevin Mandia
CEO of Mandiant
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Kevin Mandia is the Chief Executive Officer of Mandiant and previously served as the Chief Executive Officer of FireEye, a position he held from June 2016 through September 2021. Mandia was appointed to the company’s Board of Directors in February 2016. As CEO of Mandiant, Mandia grew the company to more than $100 million in revenue and has spent more than 20 years in information security. He is a former United States Air Force Officer and former special agent in the Air Force Office of Special Investigations.Â
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Kevin Mandia is the Chief Executive Officer of Mandiant and previously served as the Chief Executive Officer of FireEye, a position he held from June 2016 through September 2021. Mandia was appointed to the company’s Board of Directors in February 2016. As CEO of Mandiant, Mandia grew the company to more than $100 million in revenue and has spent more than 20 years in information security. He is a former United States Air Force Officer and former special agent in the Air Force Office of Special Investigations.Â
Rick Ledgett
Former Deputy Director of NSA
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Rick Ledgett served as the Deputy Director of the National Security Agency from January 2014 until his retirement in April 2017, culminating a nearly 40-year career in cryptology at NSA and in the U.S. Army. He previously led the Media Leaks Task Force, the Agency's response to the Snowden leaks. He was the first National Intelligence Manager for Cyber at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and he directed NSA's 24/7 cyber threat operations center.
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Rick Ledgett served as the Deputy Director of the National Security Agency from January 2014 until his retirement in April 2017, culminating a nearly 40-year career in cryptology at NSA and in the U.S. Army. He previously led the Media Leaks Task Force, the Agency's response to the Snowden leaks. He was the first National Intelligence Manager for Cyber at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and he directed NSA's 24/7 cyber threat operations center.
The Hon. Leslie Ireland
Board Member, Citi Group / Former Asst. Secretary of the Treasury for Intelligence and Analysis
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The Honorable Leslie Ireland joined Treasury in 2010, after serving 25 years at CIA where she specialized in Iran, the Middle East and WMD. From 2008-2010, Ireland served as daily intelligence briefer to President. As the first DNI Iran Mission Manager from 2005-2008, she served as the principal advisor to the DNI on Iran and was responsible for overseeing the intelligence process on Iran for the entire US government. Ireland sits on the Board of Directors at Citigroup, Inc. and The Stimson Center.
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The Honorable Leslie Ireland joined Treasury in 2010, after serving 25 years at CIA where she specialized in Iran, the Middle East and WMD. From 2008-2010, Ireland served as daily intelligence briefer to President. As the first DNI Iran Mission Manager from 2005-2008, she served as the principal advisor to the DNI on Iran and was responsible for overseeing the intelligence process on Iran for the entire US government. Ireland sits on the Board of Directors at Citigroup, Inc. and The Stimson Center.
Dmitri Alperovitch
Executive Chairman, Silverado Policy Accelerator
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Dmitri Alperovitch is the Executive Chairman at Silverado Policy Accelerator and is a co-founder and former CTO of CrowdStrike. In 2016, Alperovitch revealed Russian intelligence agencies’ hacking of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), events which unveiled the full scope of cyber influence operations being launched against the 2016 US Election. Alperovitch is currently a Senior Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center’s Defending Digital Democracy Project and a Senior Fellow at Atlantic Council. He currently serves on the RSA Conference Advisory Board.
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Dmitri Alperovitch is the Executive Chairman at Silverado Policy Accelerator and is a co-founder and former CTO of CrowdStrike. In 2016, Alperovitch revealed Russian intelligence agencies’ hacking of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), events which unveiled the full scope of cyber influence operations being launched against the 2016 US Election. Alperovitch is currently a Senior Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center’s Defending Digital Democracy Project and a Senior Fellow at Atlantic Council. He currently serves on the RSA Conference Advisory Board.
Robert Hannigan
Chairman, BlueVoyant / Former GCHQ Director
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Robert Hannigan serves as Chairman of BlueVoyant. He previously served as Director of GCHQ, the UK’s largest intelligence agency (and NSA equivalent) from 2014-17. Hannigan established the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre in 2016 and was responsible for the UK’s active cyber defence and offensive cyber programs. He spent twenty years in national security roles, including serving as the Prime Minister’s Security Adviser from 2007-2010. Hannigan is a long-standing member of the UK’s Joint Intelligence Committee.
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Robert Hannigan serves as Chairman of BlueVoyant. He previously served as Director of GCHQ, the UK’s largest intelligence agency (and NSA equivalent) from 2014-17. Hannigan established the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre in 2016 and was responsible for the UK’s active cyber defence and offensive cyber programs. He spent twenty years in national security roles, including serving as the Prime Minister’s Security Adviser from 2007-2010. Hannigan is a long-standing member of the UK’s Joint Intelligence Committee.
Kelly Rozumalski
Senior VP, Booz Allen Hamilton; Exclusive Knowledge Partner
Kelly Rozumalski is a senior vice president leading Booz Allen’s national cyber defense business. She develops solutions that address some of the nation’s top cybersecurity challenges, including protecting critical infrastructure, safeguarding connected devices (e.g., medical devices), securing the supply chain, and defending the federal enterprise against cyber threats.
Kelly has over a decade of experience driving differentiated solutions to help clients identify and understand cyber risks, automate compliance for real-time insights into security weaknesses, and mitigate vulnerabilities to reduce cyber threats. She supports the core missions of our national clients, including the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Kelly is also passionate about advancing the healthcare industry’s cybersecurity capabilities. She takes a holistic approach to bringing medical device manufacturers, regulators, hospital systems, medical providers, and patients together to secure the healthcare ecosystem. With the rise of connected medical devices and the acceleration of digital health transformation, Kelly and her team collaborate with federal and commercial clients to drive next-generation service offerings that combat vulnerable channels to biological data. Supporting the development of an increasingly connected, resilient healthcare system, she takes a patient-focused approach to risk, remediation, and secure product development frameworks.
Consulting Magazine named Kelly a 2021 Woman Leader in Technology, honored for Excellence in Innovation. In addition, Kelly leads cyber talent programs to help Booz Allen attract and retain the industry’s top talent.
She has a B.S. degree in business from the University of Maryland.
Kelly Rozumalski is a senior vice president leading Booz Allen’s national cyber defense business. She develops solutions that address some of the nation’s top cybersecurity challenges, including protecting critical infrastructure, safeguarding connected devices (e.g., medical devices), securing the supply chain, and defending the federal enterprise against cyber threats.
Kelly has over a decade of experience driving differentiated solutions to help clients identify and understand cyber risks, automate compliance for real-time insights into security weaknesses, and mitigate vulnerabilities to reduce cyber threats. She supports the core missions of our national clients, including the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Kelly is also passionate about advancing the healthcare industry’s cybersecurity capabilities. She takes a holistic approach to bringing medical device manufacturers, regulators, hospital systems, medical providers, and patients together to secure the healthcare ecosystem. With the rise of connected medical devices and the acceleration of digital health transformation, Kelly and her team collaborate with federal and commercial clients to drive next-generation service offerings that combat vulnerable channels to biological data. Supporting the development of an increasingly connected, resilient healthcare system, she takes a patient-focused approach to risk, remediation, and secure product development frameworks.
Consulting Magazine named Kelly a 2021 Woman Leader in Technology, honored for Excellence in Innovation. In addition, Kelly leads cyber talent programs to help Booz Allen attract and retain the industry’s top talent.
She has a B.S. degree in business from the University of Maryland.
Jeanette Manfra
Director of Risk & Compliance at Google Cloud; Former A/S for Cybersecurity and Communications, DHS
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Jeanette Manfra is Director of Risk & Compliance at Google Cloud and is the former Assistant Secretary for Cybersecurity and Communications at the Department of Homeland Security. She previously served as Counselor to the Secretary and served as Director for Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity as part of the National Security Council staff from 2014-2015. Prior to that she served as Deputy Director of both Enterprise Performance Management and the Office of Emergency Communications at the Department of Homeland Security.
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Jeanette Manfra is Director of Risk & Compliance at Google Cloud and is the former Assistant Secretary for Cybersecurity and Communications at the Department of Homeland Security. She previously served as Counselor to the Secretary and served as Director for Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity as part of the National Security Council staff from 2014-2015. Prior to that she served as Deputy Director of both Enterprise Performance Management and the Office of Emergency Communications at the Department of Homeland Security.
Kelly Bissell
CVP, Microsoft
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Kelly Bissell joined Microsoft as CVP in 2022.
Prior to this, Bissell led Accenture’s Global Security business and oversaw security services including strategic consulting, cyber defense, digital identity, response and remediation services, and managed security services. With more than 25 years of security industry experience, Bissell specializes in breach incident response, identity management, privacy and data protection, secure software development, and cyber risk management. His role at Accenture spanned strategic consulting, proactive risk management and digital identity to cyber defense, response and remediation services, and managed security services—across all industries.
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Kelly Bissell joined Microsoft as CVP in 2022.
Prior to this, Bissell led Accenture’s Global Security business and oversaw security services including strategic consulting, cyber defense, digital identity, response and remediation services, and managed security services. With more than 25 years of security industry experience, Bissell specializes in breach incident response, identity management, privacy and data protection, secure software development, and cyber risk management. His role at Accenture spanned strategic consulting, proactive risk management and digital identity to cyber defense, response and remediation services, and managed security services—across all industries.
Glenn Gerstell
Former General Counsel, National Security Agency
Glenn S. Gerstell, a Senior Adviser at the Center for Strategic & International Studies, served as the General Counsel of the NSA and Central Security Service from 2015 to 2020. Prior to this, Mr. Gerstell practiced law for almost 40 years at Milbank, LLP, focusing on the global telecommunications industry and serving as the managing partner of four offices. He has written and spoken widely about the intersections of technology, national security, and privacy. He served on the President’s National Infrastructure Advisory Council, which reports to the President and the Secretary of Homeland Security on security threats to the nation’s infrastructure, as well as on the District of Columbia Homeland Security Commission.
Glenn S. Gerstell, a Senior Adviser at the Center for Strategic & International Studies, served as the General Counsel of the NSA and Central Security Service from 2015 to 2020. Prior to this, Mr. Gerstell practiced law for almost 40 years at Milbank, LLP, focusing on the global telecommunications industry and serving as the managing partner of four offices. He has written and spoken widely about the intersections of technology, national security, and privacy. He served on the President’s National Infrastructure Advisory Council, which reports to the President and the Secretary of Homeland Security on security threats to the nation’s infrastructure, as well as on the District of Columbia Homeland Security Commission.
Debora Plunkett
Former Director of Information Assurance, NSA
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Debora Plunkett is a cybersecurity leader with over 30 years of experience. A former Director of Information Assurance at the National Security Agency, she is currently Principal of Plunkett Associates LLC, a consulting business. She is a Senior Fellow at Harvard and a Professor at the University of Maryland University College. Plunkett is a Director on JCPenney’s Corporate Board, a member of the Strategic Advisory Board of Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems and the Advisory Board of the International Consortium for Minority Cybersecurity Professionals. She was on the National Security Council at the White House in two administrations.
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Debora Plunkett is a cybersecurity leader with over 30 years of experience. A former Director of Information Assurance at the National Security Agency, she is currently Principal of Plunkett Associates LLC, a consulting business. She is a Senior Fellow at Harvard and a Professor at the University of Maryland University College. Plunkett is a Director on JCPenney’s Corporate Board, a member of the Strategic Advisory Board of Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems and the Advisory Board of the International Consortium for Minority Cybersecurity Professionals. She was on the National Security Council at the White House in two administrations.
Stu Solomon
President, Recorded Future
Stu Solomon is the President of Recorded Future, the world’s largest provider of intelligence. In this role, he is responsible for leading the intelligence research, analysis, sales and marketing, services, enterprise and product security, and client delivery functions for Recorded Future. Prior to his current role, Solomon led the product, R&D, and strategy functions for the same. Prior to joining Recorded Future, he served as the CTO for Optiv and held various leadership roles at iSIGHT Partners and Bank of America. He is an advisor and investor across the cybersecurity industry, and currently a senior officer in the Air National Guard, focused on cyber operations. Solomon holds a J.D. from Rutgers University School of Law and is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy.
Stu Solomon is the President of Recorded Future, the world’s largest provider of intelligence. In this role, he is responsible for leading the intelligence research, analysis, sales and marketing, services, enterprise and product security, and client delivery functions for Recorded Future. Prior to his current role, Solomon led the product, R&D, and strategy functions for the same. Prior to joining Recorded Future, he served as the CTO for Optiv and held various leadership roles at iSIGHT Partners and Bank of America. He is an advisor and investor across the cybersecurity industry, and currently a senior officer in the Air National Guard, focused on cyber operations. Solomon holds a J.D. from Rutgers University School of Law and is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy.
Paolo Dal Cin
Lead, Accenture Security
Paolo oversees the full spectrum of security services across the globe and is a member of Accenture’s Global Management Committee. Previously, Paolo led Accenture’s Security Business in Europe and was responsible for driving complex international projects for Accenture's clients across multiple sectors. He brings over 20 years of deep experience to C-Level leadership across the largest organizations in the world. He is an expert in security strategy, business resilience, cyber defense and offense, cloud protection, security analytics, threat intelligence, application security, data protection and managed security services. He has helped major telecommunications, media and banking clients establish and safeguard their digital businesses. He led and rebuilt Accenture's security practice in Italy, central Europe and Greece.
Paolo specializes in the automotive, banking, communications, electronics, energy, high-tech, insurance, and media and entertainment industries. He has authored several publications and is frequently invited to speak in the security community. He has taught information and communication technology (ICT) security at the Universities of Udine, Modena and Milan.
Paolo oversees the full spectrum of security services across the globe and is a member of Accenture’s Global Management Committee. Previously, Paolo led Accenture’s Security Business in Europe and was responsible for driving complex international projects for Accenture's clients across multiple sectors. He brings over 20 years of deep experience to C-Level leadership across the largest organizations in the world. He is an expert in security strategy, business resilience, cyber defense and offense, cloud protection, security analytics, threat intelligence, application security, data protection and managed security services. He has helped major telecommunications, media and banking clients establish and safeguard their digital businesses. He led and rebuilt Accenture's security practice in Italy, central Europe and Greece.
Paolo specializes in the automotive, banking, communications, electronics, energy, high-tech, insurance, and media and entertainment industries. He has authored several publications and is frequently invited to speak in the security community. He has taught information and communication technology (ICT) security at the Universities of Udine, Modena and Milan.
Christopher Krebs
Partner, Krebs-Stamos Group
Matt Hayden
Former A/S for Cyber, Infrastructure, Risk and Resilience Policy, DHS
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Matt Hayden served as the Assistant Secretary for Cyber, Infrastructure, Risk and Resilience Policy at DHS where he was responsible for leading policy development in support of department-wide efforts to reduce national risks with a focus on critical infrastructure cybersecurity, federal network security, countering cyber-crime, and improving the security and resilience of the global cyber ecosystem, as well as national resilience initiatives that enhance Federal, State, and local government and community preparedness and response capabilities. Additionally, he served as an expert advisor on Cyber, Infrastructure, Risk and Resilience matters to the Under Secretary, Secretary, and other high-level officials.
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Matt Hayden served as the Assistant Secretary for Cyber, Infrastructure, Risk and Resilience Policy at DHS where he was responsible for leading policy development in support of department-wide efforts to reduce national risks with a focus on critical infrastructure cybersecurity, federal network security, countering cyber-crime, and improving the security and resilience of the global cyber ecosystem, as well as national resilience initiatives that enhance Federal, State, and local government and community preparedness and response capabilities. Additionally, he served as an expert advisor on Cyber, Infrastructure, Risk and Resilience matters to the Under Secretary, Secretary, and other high-level officials.
The Experts
When you engage with the Cyber Initiatives Group community, you're talking with individuals who include the experts below, who come from diverse backgrounds rooted in the public and private sectors.
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