Soulful CXO

Episode Summary:
In this episode of Soulful CXO, Dr. Rebecca Wynn sits down with Jack Leidecker, Chief Information Security Officer at Gong, a leading revenue intelligence platform. They discuss:

• Challenges CISOs face in communicating cybersecurity needs to business leaders
• How to select projects that deliver real business value
• Writing effective business cases and navigating misaligned security strategies
• Identifying red flags ...

Episode Summary:
In this episode of Soulful CXO, Dr. Rebecca Wynn speaks with Jason Elrod, Chief Information Security Officer for MultiCare Health System, a healthcare organization in the Pacific Northwest. They discuss:

• How early programming experience and a people-first mindset helped Jason rise to leadership without a traditional college degree
• Balancing ambition with energy and habits for long-term success
• The importance of...

Episode Summary:
In this episode of Soulful CXO, Dr. Rebecca Wynn speaks with Avani Desai, CEO and President of Schellman & Company, a leading CPA firm specializing in technology and security assessments. They discuss:

• Avani’s journey from growing up as the daughter of Indian immigrants to leading a top 100 accounting firm
• Building a successful career without compromising identity, values, or personal life
• The importance of...

Episode Summary:
In this episode of Soulful CXO, Dr. Rebecca Wynn welcomes Jane Frankland, a leader in cybersecurity known for her expertise in leadership and promoting diversity of background and experience. They discuss:

• The persistent challenges CISOs face in securing a seat at the leadership table
• How effective communication and trust-building create lasting partnerships
• Industry burnout and aligning leadership values with ...

Episode Summary:
In this episode of Soulful CXO, Dr. Rebecca Wynn welcomes Chris Roberts - also known as “Dr. Dark Web” - AI & Deepfake Cyber Strategist at World Wide Technology and a renowned expert in counter-threat intelligence. They discuss:

• The hidden risks of generative AI and AI-generated misinformation
• Data manipulation and adversarial intelligence eroding trust in digital content
• Critical thinking, multi-source ver...

Episode Summary:
In this episode of Soulful CXO, Dr. Rebecca Wynn welcomes Joey Johnson, CISO at Premise Health, who brings a unique background in archaeology and hospitality to cybersecurity leadership. They discuss:

• Aligning security with organizational strategy through strong internal relationships and understanding business risk tolerance
• Using storytelling, not just metrics, to resonate with boards
• Listening as one of the ...

Episode Summary:
In this episode of Soulful CXO, Dr. Rebecca Wynn welcomes Randi Levin, a pioneering technology executive with leadership experience at NASA JPL, the City of Los Angeles, NBC Universal, and more. They discuss:

• How Randi’s early career transitions shaped her leadership style
• The importance of strategic communication and explaining the “why” behind decisions
• Navigating challenges as women in male-dominated industr...

Episode Summary:
In this episode of Soulful CXO, Dr. Rebecca Wynn welcomes Gary Hayslip, CISO at SoftBank Investment Advisors. They discuss:

• How elite cybersecurity teams stay ahead of constantly evolving threats
• The critical role of proactive defense strategies, risk governance frameworks, and resilience-building techniques
• Aligning cybersecurity initiatives with business objectives
• Fostering executive collaboration and develop...

Episode Summary:
In this episode of Soulful CXO, Dr. Rebecca Wynn welcomes Todd Fitzgerald, Founder & Chief Strategy Officer of CISO Spotlight. They discuss:

• Mastering cybersecurity leadership and aligning initiatives with business goals
• Balancing technical priorities with strategic leadership responsibilities
• Leveraging frameworks like NIST and ISO to build structured, resilient security programs
• Using risk-based approaches...

Episode Summary:
In this episode of Soulful CXO, Dr. Rebecca Wynn welcomes executive coach Debra Benton to discuss the critical role of executive presence in leadership. They explore:

• How to be memorable, credible, and trusted as a leader
• Developing authenticity and confidence without arrogance
• Aligning words and actions to inspire and motivate teams
• Fostering consideration, self-esteem, and adaptability in leadership styles
• Over...

Episode Summary:
In this episode of Soulful CXO, Dr. Rebecca Wynn sits down with Jennifer Brick, CEO and Founder of Capdeca Solutions and known as “Your New Career Bestie” on YouTube. Jennifer discusses:

• How misaligned hiring practices, unclear role expectations, and toxic workplace cultures drive employee turnover
• Leadership strategies to foster autonomy, trust, and respect
• Building stronger teams and healthier organizational ...

Episode Summary:
In this episode of Soulful CXO, Dr. Rebecca Wynn sits down with Caroline Wong, Chief Strategy Officer at Cobalt. They discuss:
• Navigating the complexities of the job search process
• Crafting tailored resumes, leveraging professional networks, and preparing effectively for interviews
• Evaluating potential employers and assessing organizational culture
• Embracing change as a constant and maintaini...

Episode Summary:
In this episode of Soulful CXO, Dr. Rebecca Wynn sits down with Chuck Brooks, President of Brooks Consulting. They discuss:
• The double-edged role of artificial intelligence in cybersecurity — automating threat detection while posing potential risks
• Strategies to address the cybersecurity talent gap using AI
• Proactive risk management and robust cyber hygiene for businesses of all sizes
• Supply ...

Episode Summary:
In this episode of Soulful CXO, Dr. Rebecca Wynn sits down with Sarah Armstrong-Smith, Chief Security Advisor at Microsoft. They discuss:
• Critical steps organizations must take to prevent data breaches and maintain business continuity
• The interconnected nature of incident response, disaster recovery, and enterprise risk management
• Debunking the myth of “black swan events” and recognizing early war...

Episode Summary:
In this episode of Soulful CXO, Dr. Rebecca Wynn sits down with Gary Berman, CEO of Cyberman Security. They discuss:
• Gary’s journey from victim to advocate in the fight against cybercrime
• The emotional and organizational impact of experiencing a major breach
• Lessons learned and actionable strategies for strengthening cybersecurity defenses
• Building resilience and awareness in the digital age ...

Episode Summary:
In this episode of Soulful CXO, Dr. Rebecca Wynn sits down with Lisa Plaggemier, Executive Director of the National Cybersecurity Alliance and advisor on the U.S. Secret Service Cyber Investigations Advisory Board. They discuss:
• Free resources and support for businesses and individuals from the National Cybersecurity Alliance
• Strategies to harness the benefits of technology securely and worry-free
•...

Episode Summary:
In this episode of Soulful CXO, Dr. Rebecca Wynn sits down with Justin Daniels, WSJ & USA Today Best Selling Author and Shareholder at Baker Donelson. They discuss:
• Treating cybersecurity as a strategic risk rather than just a technical issue
• The importance of robust disaster recovery plans and modern IT infrastructures for business resilience
• Lessons from major outages and the implications fo...

Episode Summary:
In this episode of Soulful CXO, Dr. Rebecca Wynn sits down with Scott Montgomery, Chief Customer Officer at Worldgate and WSJ & USA Today best-selling author. They discuss:
• Establishing good habits and routines, including structured daily schedules and early morning workouts, to boost performance
• Treating professional relationships as partnerships to foster collaboration and trust
• Assuming pos...

Episode Summary:
In this episode of Soulful CXO, Dr. Rebecca Wynn sits down with Steven “Cash” Nickerson, Chairman & CEO of Nickerson Stoneleigh, Inc. and WSJ best-selling author. They discuss:
• Lifelong learning and engaging the mind to enhance leadership and negotiation skills
• Strategies for flipping the script in negotiations and managing complex relationships
• Lessons from high-profile cases, including the E...