
Detroit CISO Community
Inner Circle
September 3, 2025 | The Whiskey Factory
September 3, 2025
The Whiskey Factory
Collaborate with your peers
Join Detroit's top CISOs for an intimate networking dinner and facilitated discussion on key business challenges. Enjoy a relaxed evening of dinner and drinks with your peers to share best practices, make new connections and build professional relationships.
Join your peers to discuss the most critical issues impacting CISOs today:
Creating user-friendly platforms that inspire the co-leadership of digital initiatives
Overcoming interdepartmental challenges to derive value from technology and security investments
Detroit CISO Governing Body
The Governing Body Co-Chairs shape the discussion topics and agenda, ensuring that all content is driven By CISOs, For CISOs®.
Governing Body Co-Chairs

Janette Barretto
Yazaki North America
Head of Cybersecurity

Brent Cieszynski
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
VP & CISO

Steve Herrin
DTE
Director, Information Protection and Security/CISO

Rich Hook
Penske
EVP & CIO

Rachelle Putnam
General Dynamics Land Systems
CIO

Jeff Small
Great Lakes Water Authority
CIO

Ryan Talbott
BorgWarner
VP & Global CIO

Erik Wille
Cabinetworks Group
SVP & Interim CIO
Agenda
September 3, 2025
4:30pm - 5:30pm Executive Networking Reception
5:30pm - 6:30pm Discussion Topics
Strategic Leadership – Maximizing Digital Investments Amid Unprecedented Advancements
Hosted by Concentric AI

Scott Bennett
CIO
Lear Corporation

Tiziana Galeazzi
General Manager, IT, Department of Technology, Management & Budget
State of Michigan

Maria Haight
Global Information Security Officer
Joyson Safety Systems

Madhu Shashanka
Co-Founder and Chief of AI
Concentric AI
Rapid innovation and widespread AI implementation in the past 18 months is presenting unmapped opportunities and hitherto unseen challenges for organizations across industry and geography. Determining digital priorities to drive the business forward is complex, and the pressure on technology leaders to maximize their digital investments is higher than ever.
Gartner's 2025 survey of CIOs and executive leaders outside of IT reveals that so-called "digital vanguards" drive growth by co-owning digital initiatives to deliver better outcomes across the organization. This approach maximizes the value of digital investments, gives direction to digital priorities and enhances organizational effectiveness. Security leaders play a pivotal role in balancing and communicating risk associated with the digital initiatives to enable the business.
Join this conversation to discuss strategic approaches for leveraging partnerships to ensure the best ROI on technology and security investments.
- Do you consider yourself a “digital vanguard?” How can CIOs and CISOs create inclusive, user-friendly platforms that encourage IT and non-IT collaboration for secure solutions?
- What challenges do you face in getting the rest of the organization to understand the technology roadmap, especially when it comes to setting realistic expectations around AI use cases?
- How do you envision capturing the maximum value from your AI strategy? What role will other stakeholders play in making sure you are successful?
- How are you approaching developing business and IT skills, ensuring accurate tech skills forecasting?
- Based on tonight’s conversation, how well equipped do you feel your department and you, as a leader, are to act on these insights?
6:30pm - 7:00pm Networking Break
7:00pm - 8:00pm Summary Discussion & Dinner
8:00pm - 9:00pm Social Hour
Apply to Participate
Apply to participate in the Detroit CISO Community Inner Circle.
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
The Whiskey FactoryMore Information
Information regarding parking coming soon
Community Program Manager
For inquiries related to this community, please reach out to your dedicated contact.