Meet our
cyber heroes

Ranga Yogeshwar

Science journalist

Ranga Yogeshwar is one of Germany’s leading science journalists. He is regarded as the “knowledge broker of the nation” and an expert on all topics relating to artificial intelligence. He presents complicated issues in a practical, understandable and passionate way.

Yogeshwar (*1959) grew up in Luxembourg and India, studied piano in Luxembourg and experimental physics at RWTH Aachen University. He then conducted research in Geneva at CERN and at the nuclear research center in Jülich.

He has worked as a journalist since 1983, initially for various publishing houses, then in radio and television. In 1987, Yogeshwar began working as a science editor at WDR Cologne and was involved in numerous programs, including “Wissenschaftsshow”, “Kopfball”, “Bilder aus der Wissenschaft” and “W wie Wissen” and developed numerous TV formats. From 1995 to 2001 he was deputy head and from 2001 to 2005 head of the science television program group at WDR. Since 2008, Yogeshwar has worked as an independent journalist and author.

Yogeshwar regularly contributes to leading newspapers and is a welcome expert on numerous talk shows. His books “Sonst noch Fragen?”, “Ach so!” and “Nächste Ausfahrt Zukunft” have become bestsellers and have been translated into numerous languages.

Philipp Westermeyer

Founder and CEO, OMR

Philipp Westermeyer is the founder and CEO of OMR, Europe’s leading platform for the digital economy. Its portfolio includes content, events and technology. Every year, around 70,000 people gather in Hamburg for the OMR Festival, one of the largest events in the global digital industry. OMR subsidiary Podstars produces over 100 podcast formats, including the OMR Podcast, hosted by Westermeyer with guests from business, sport and pop culture. The episodes reach more than 100,000 listeners. Prior to OMR, he co-founded two digital marketing companies that were sold to Bertelsmann and Zalando. His book “Digital Unplugged” reached the SPIEGEL bestseller list in 2021.

Aya Jaff

Tech founder, author, and coder

Aya Jaff, an Iraqi-born entrepreneur who sought refuge in Germany, is a renowned Forbes 30under30 honoree, keynote speaker, and author of the acclaimed book “MONEYMAKERS.” As Tradity’s voluntary CTO for five years, she attracted 5,000+ members across 80 schools, providing engaging finance education. A self-taught programming and trading expert, Aya’s commitment to learning earned her multiple tech scholarships.

Anna Hartl

Product Owner Global User Awareness, Allianz Technology

Anna began her career in economics and business administration, equipping her with analytical skills and a strategic mindset. She transitioned to consulting where she honed her ability to dissect and optimize business processes within the dynamic automotive industry. Her career took a pivotal turn when she entered the insurance industry, focusing on Infrastructure & Information Security.

Anna developed a profound understanding of the human element in cybersecurity, becoming an advocate for empowering individuals as the first line of defense. As Product Owner for Global User Awareness at Allianz, she leads a global strategy to strengthen the human firewall, equipping teams worldwide with the knowledge to protect their digital landscape.

Her leadership goes beyond disseminating information; she fosters a culture of security awareness embedded in the company’s ethos. Anna’s initiatives resonate globally, ensuring vigilance and responsibility against cyber threats are embraced by all employees.

Frank Schätzing

Best-selling author

Frank Schätzing, born in 1957, is a renowned German author best known for his groundbreaking eco-thriller “The Swarm,” which has sold over 4.5 million copies since its publication in 2004 and has been translated into 27 languages. Schätzing made his literary debut in 1995 with “Death and the Devil” and has continued to captivate audiences with a series of bestsellers, including “Limit” (2009), “Breaking News” (2014), and “The Tyranny of the Butterfly” (2018). In addition to his fiction, Schätzing has written two bestselling nonfiction books: “Notes from an Unknown Universe” (2006) and “What If We Just Saved the World?” (2021). His contributions to literature have earned him numerous awards, and his works have collectively sold some 9 million copies worldwide. Schätzing’s unique blend of scientific intrigue and complex storytelling has established him as a major figure in contemporary literature.

Carsten Thoma

President of Celonis

Carsten is the President of Celonis, the global leader in process mining. He has founded and scaled SAP Hybris, served as an advisor to La Famiglia/General Catalyst, and has been a long-standing investor and entrepreneur.

Julius van de Laar

International Political Campaign & Strategy Consultant; former Manager in Obama Campaign

Julius van de Laar is a campaign and strategy consultant with extensive experience in political and NGO campaigns. He served as Regional GOTV Director for Barack Obama in the pivotal swing state of Ohio during the 2012 U.S. presidential election and previously worked on Obama’s 2008 campaign. Since then, he has advised on German federal elections and various European campaigns, helping organizations develop integrated communication and mobilization strategies. Julius regularly provides political analysis for major media outlets and lectures on campaigning and digital strategy at institutions like the Hertie School, Harvard, and Oxford.

Frank Rieger

Spokesman of the Chaos Computer Club, Data Protection Expert

Frank Rieger is a hacker, author, internet activist and spokesman for the Chaos Computer Club (CCC), Europe’s largest hacker organisation. Since the 1990s, Rieger has founded various start-ups in the fields of data security, navigation services and e-reading and is the technical director of a communications security company.

Rieger initiated the EU’s Charter of Digital Fundamental Rights and regularly publishes in the FAZ. Together with Felix von Leitner, he runs the podcast ‘Alternativlos’, which was honoured as Political Podcast of the Year in 2011.

He has written three books with Constanze Kurz, including ‘Cyberwar’. Rieger has made a name for himself as a critical observer of digitalisation, he is a sought-after speaker and was an expert witness in the NSA investigation committee in 2014.

Michael Widmann

Defensive Cyber Operations Branch Lead, NATO Maritime Command

Michael Widmann is an active-duty U.S. Navy officer with over 20 years of distinguished service specializing in leadership, cyber defense, and strategic operations. Currently serving as the Defensive Cyber Operations Branch Lead at NATO Maritime Command, Michael brings a wealth of experience in coordinating multinational teams and managing complex security initiatives. With previous roles including Strategy Branch Head at the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defense Center of Excellence (CCDCOE) and Project Manager at the NATO C2 CoE, Michael has consistently driven interagency collaboration to improve security operations.

An expert in ISO 27001 and cybersecurity, Michael holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the United States Naval Academy and a Master’s in Space Systems Operations from the Naval Postgraduate School. Known for his team-oriented approach, Michael is passionate about fostering collaboration to achieve strategic goals and developing solutions that protect critical infrastructure across military and civilian domains.

Hannan Ouhlous

Security Awareness Officer

Hannan is the Security Awareness Officer for Eneco Group and a speaker. Creating a vision on how to approach human behavior and reaching those goals in unconventional ways is what characterizes her. Using storytelling as a powerful tool and creating new views on interventions.

During her studies, Hannan started her corporate career at Eneco Group. After several project management roles, she started her journey in optimizing value chains as a lean six sigma blackbelt. Driven by making impact and making people part of that process, she started her leadership journey. The human part is really what drew her to the Cyber Security domain.

“I’m still amazed by the fact that in all my years in change management, I feel that Cyber Security is the first domain that really acknowledges the importance of human behavior and that it really is an expertise.”

Her aim is to make everyone with a heartbeat aware by finding creative new ways of learning, but also keeping it inclusive.

Lia Fey

Team Lead Information Security

Guided by the motto “You can achieve anything, you just need the courage,” and inspired by Lucius Annaeus Seneca’s words, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity,” Lia Fey embarked on a new career after completing her training as a dental assistant and serving in the military. She became a Data Protection Officer at a rehabilitation clinic, taking her first step into the field of information security. Recognizing that security awareness and the implementation of sustainable security cultures are fundamental pillars of information security, she spent several years as a Customer Success Manager, helping clients implement these practices in their organizations through phishing training and eLearning. After building the enterprise customer support and assuming a leadership role, she moved to Kaufland e-commerce. There, she took on new challenges as the Team Lead of the Information Security Team, further sharing and deepening her expertise in the field.

Yasmine Douadi

Cybersecurity expert & CEO of RISKINTEL MEDIA and RISK SUMMIT

Yasmine Douadi is the founder of RISKINTEL MEDIA and RISK SUMMIT, and a renowned speaker on cybersecurity issues in Francophone social and mainstream media. As the leading content creator on cybersecurity in France, her media aims to inform professionals about pressing issues and make cybersecurity a mainstream topic to raise global awareness. With over 15 million annual viewers, RISKINTEL MEDIA is a premier hub for learning and discussion. Risk Summit is an exclusive event for decision-makers in cybersecurity (CISOs, CEOs, Army and Police Officials), held annually in Paris at les Salons du Pré Catelan, with conference content broadcast via Riskintel Media channels.

Christian Ortholf

IT Security Officer, Federal Ministry of Justice in Berlin

Christian Ortholf is the IT Security Officer of the Federal Ministry of Justice in Berlin. Before joining the Ministry of Justice, he worked for nine years as the Information Security Officer for the Ministry of Finance of the state of Saxony-Anhalt and the state’s 14 tax offices. During this time, he was responsible, among other things, for developing a basic protection profile for the state’s tax authorities. As an external lecturer at the University of Applied Sciences in Harz, he contributed his practical experience and knowledge in the field of information security to teaching in the Department of Administrative Sciences and still supervises bachelor’s and master’s theses in this field. In 2021, he was deployed on site for several weeks in the district of Anhalt-Bitterfeld, helping to manage Germany’s first ‘cyber disaster’ and was able to gain valuable experience in the process.

Daniela Almeida Lourenço

CISO from the financial industry

Daniela is a Netherlands-based information security practitioner who bridges the gap between technical and cultural understanding. With international experience and a unique academic background – a master’s in communication and Cultural Studies and an Executive Master’s in Cybersecurity – she understands the human element of information security in tech, as well as the cultural nuances of organizations. Daniela also holds top cybersecurity certifications (CISM, CISSP, C|CISO) and leverages this expertise as Chief Information Security Officer for a financial services company. She is committed to creating an attitude of security awareness and ensuring that everyone plays a sustainable role in protecting information. She is a frequent industry contributor with thought-provoking keynotes, webinars, and insightful panel discussions.

Inge van der Beijl

Human Resilience enabler & threat actor communications expert, Northwave

Meet Inge, an expert in cyber resilience. With her mission to make organizations more cyber resilient, Inge understands the importance of involving people in this process. She knows that the psychological factor in cybercrime has been neglected for too long, and she is determined to change that. Inge’s goal is to turn the people in your organization into a human sensor, enabling your staff to secure your organization. With degrees in Social & Organizations psychology and Change Management, and solid experience at research institute TNO, Inge has a strong scientific basis. Additionally, her practical side shines through her service in the military in Afghanistan and being a lead communicator in ransomware incidents. Inge currently is the Head of Expertise and Director Behaviour and Resilience at Northwave.

Martin Gesithard

Commercial Managing Director, 1.FC Magdeburg

Martin Geisthardt is the Commercial Managing Director of 1. FC Magdeburg and brings extensive experience in driving growth and innovation in sports marketing and commercialization. With a background that includes five years leading marketing, digital strategy, eSports and commercialization at FC St. Pauli, Martin has a deep understanding of the strategic and operational demands within the sports industry. His career began in sponsorship consulting at akzio! (now Sportfive), followed by influential sales roles at Nielsen Sports in Cologne and Hamburg. A passionate advocate for sales and marketing excellence, Martin combines his professional insight with his passion for the game as a former soccer player and dedicated family man.

Lars Kukuk

CISO, German Federal Employment Agency

Lars Kukuk has more than 17 years of professional experience in various positions (engineer, architect, project manager) in IT security. He has been working as a department head and Information Security Officer (CISO) at the German Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) since 2000.

As a computer scientist, he has been working in the field of IT security since 2004, mainly in the areas of network and application security, penetration testing and IT baseline protection.

Today, he is responsible for defining the BA’s information security strategy and has overall responsibility for the Information Security Management System (ISMS), maintaining the German security certificate for one of the largest information networks and important critical infrastructures in Germany, as well as compliance with the associated legal regulations (BSIG, Kritis -Vo).

His vision is to be a pioneer in information security in public administration and a promoter of digitalization and automation transformation. He wants to set the standards in information security, resilience and performance.

Andrea Szeiler

Global CISO, Transcom

Andrea Szeiler is a passionate IT Cyber security expert working as a global CISO of Transcom today. She is also a mentor and the proud president of Women4Cyber Hungary Chapter and serve as a role model for the next generation. She is active members of several security initiatives and associations. Her passion is to help motivated women to land their dream role in IT security by mentoring them and guiding them through potential challenges which they may face along this journey.

She is a regular keynote speaker in international cyber security conferences and round table discussions. She helps organizations and senior executives to protect the services provided to their clients by defining the appropriate controls according to the risk portfolio without spending more than is required. She also partners and builds strategic cooperations with stakeholders and business leaders to define global IT Security Governance Frameworks by also working together with SMEs and local compliance teams without wasting time on recurring adjustments.

During her career she built high performing teams to deliver on critical business projects under extreme pressure by providing emotional security, professional guidance, supporting teamwork and communicating clear expectations and involving them in solution design and having a customer first approach. She believes cybersecurity is vital for all companies, independently / regardless of their sizes. Therefore, she helps organizations to achieve the required level of security for their operations and clients.

Jens Becker

Chief Information & Digital Officer, Zurich Group Germany

Jens Becker has been the Chief Information & Digital Officer of Zurich Group Germany since January 2021, and his role focuses on driving the modernization of Zurich’s IT. In addition to simplifying the system landscape, increasing internal value creation and gradually migrating to the cloud, his focus is on long-term resilience. Prior to joining Zurich, Jens spent more than 12 years at the multinational insurance company AXA, where he held various IT management positions in software development and IT operations. Jens started his career in IT consulting at KPMG. He holds a master’s in finance from the Goethe University Frankfurt and a Diploma in Business Informatics from the University of Cologne.

Yousef Farschtschi

Director IT & Digital, PROKON

Dr. Yousef Farschtschi holds a Ph.D. in computer science and leads the IT department at Prokon eG, Germany’s largest energy cooperative. After completing his computer science studies in Hamburg, he began his career as a researcher in the aviation sector, culminating in his Ph.D. at TU Clausthal. He then transitioned to Generali Deutschland AG, where he worked in the life insurance division and later served as a senior consultant in data analytics. At Hamburg Airport, he initially took on the role of Data Analytics Lead and was later promoted to CTO. In this role, he was responsible for IT security at Germany’s fifth-largest airport. His guiding principle: “IT security must be considered in the design phase of an IT system to ensure a secure application landscape.”

Vera Sikes

Head of Technology Strategy and Information Technology, BSI

Vera Sikes is head of the technology strategy and information technology department at the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI). After studying business administration and electrical engineering and working for many years in IT operations and cybersecurity, Sikes joined the BSI in March 2022. She works with the centers for security in cloud computing and artificial intelligence, among others, to identify technical changes and develop appropriate solutions to ensure information security.

Bianca Zonne

Risk Compliance Manager

After more than 20 years in security, one slogan still really makes Bianca wince: “people are the weakest link”. She has made it her mission to fight the camp of the “user” and arm them with information and knowledge to stay safe on- and offline. “Let’s remind everyone why the PPT framework starts with People!”

Dirk Schwarz

Head of IT, RB Leipzig

Dirk Schwarz brings over 25 years of experience in the IT industry, with a strong focus on designing and implementing complex software architectures, particularly in web-based environments. His career includes various international roles that have broadened his expertise. Since April 2020, Dirk has served as Head of IT at RB Leipzig, where he manages all aspects of IT for the Bundesliga club, merging his dual passions for soccer and technology to drive innovation and efficiency.

Markus Beckedahl

Founder of netzpolitik.org, co-founder of re:publica, activist

For over 25 years, Markus Beckedahl has been observing, analyzing, and explaining how the internet and key digital technological developments are shaping our societies, cultural practices, and political decisions. In doing so, he has played a key role in shaping a new field of politics: digital and network politics.

As a prominent political journalist with an IT background, he provides a critical, up-to-date, and far-sighted assessment of the effects of digitalization and challenges decision-makers at all levels to think about digital societies in a fairer, more sustainable and bolder way.

A blogger from the very beginning, he founded netzpolitik.org, one of the most influential public interest-oriented journalistic media in Germany and has received numerous awards as editor-in-chief.

In 2007, Markus founded re:publica, the most important event platform for the digital society in Europe and is currently the curatorial director again.

Markus also advises organizations on digitalization issues, in the broad field of campaign and communication strategy and accompanies them on their way to digital sovereignty.

He writes an irregular newsletter that can be subscribed to at digitalpolitik.de.

Oliver Schneider

Managing Partner, RiskWorkers GmbH

Oliver Schneider is the managing partner of RiskWorkers GmbH. He has been working as a so-called Kidnap Response Consultant for over 20 years and has negotiated with kidnappers, blackmailers and pirates all over the world. For several years he has also been advising companies on ransomware attacks, both preventive and reactive. More than 30 successfully managed cyber extortions with 100% provision of decryptors are on the credit side here.

As an author, he has published the book “The Will Decides” in Germany and China, where he provides an exciting insight into his field of activity.

Frank Fengel

CEO, Protektis GmbH

Frank Fengel is a renowned expert in information security management systems in accordance with ISO 27001 and the Managing Director of Protektis GmbH. With more than 15 years of experience in the industry, he has made a name for himself by advising medium-sized companies and public authorities on the pragmatic implementation of IT security measures.

His expertise covers a wide range of areas, including security audits, the creation of emergency plans, the promotion of security awareness and the implementation of IT policies. His approach is characterized by its pragmatism and efficiency, making him a valued advisor to his clients.

Frank advises a wide range of industries, including hospitals, energy suppliers and district offices as well as freight forwarders, plant manufacturers and architects. His extensive expertise enables him to develop and implement customized IT security solutions for these diverse industries.

In his private life, Frank enjoys spending time with his family and tending to his garden. He appreciates quiet moments with a good book and a glass of wine. He also has a passion for soccer and is a fan of Eintracht Frankfurt.

Bettina von Abercron

Information Quality & Security Manager, Dr. BABOR

Bettina von Abercron has been with Dr. Babor since 1999, beginning her career with an apprenticeship as an industrial clerk. She then spent over 15 years in the sales department, holding various roles that deepened her understanding of customer needs and business operations. Since 2016, Bettina has brought her expertise to BABOR’s IT department, where she oversees master data modeling and information security, focusing equally on both areas. Her extensive experience in sales and IT uniquely equips her to bridge operational requirements with robust data management and security practices.

Simona Autolitano

International Relations Officer, Federal Office for Information Security (BSI)

Simona Autolitano is an International Relations Officer at the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) in Bonn, Germany.

Her responsibilities focus on EU cybersecurity policy and managing relations with EU bodies.

Prior to joining the International Relations Department, Simona worked in the private sector cybersecurity unit, where she supported the Alliance for Cybersecurity, Germany’s largest public-private cybersecurity partnership.

Simona has a background in the private sector, having spent three years working on cybersecurity policy at Microsoft in Brussels. Prior to that, she also worked at the European Commission (DG Home). She has published and co-authored several articles and book chapters on European cybersecurity policy.

Philipp Rosch

Ressort-CISO im Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung

Philipp verfügt über mehr als 10 Jahre Erfahrung im Bereich Cybersicherheit, IT-Recht und Datenschutz. Er ist derzeit Chief Information Security Officer des Ressorts im Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung und verantwortet in dieser Funktion den Aufbau und die Weiterentwicklung eines Informationssicherheitsmanagementsystems nach ISO/IEC 27001 auf Basis IT-Grundschutz und unter Berücksichtigung der Mindeststandards des BSI für die Bundesverwaltung als kritische Infrastruktur. Zuvor war er u. a. in leitender Funktion beim Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz tätig, wo er den Aufbau der Abteilung Cyberabwehr im Grundsatz-, Strategie- und Rechtsbereich mitverantwortete, operativ nachrichtendienstlich gesteuerte Cyberangriffsgruppierungen aufklärte und die Bundestagswahlen vor cybergestützter Desinformation schützte. Als gelernter Volljurist bringt er fundierte Expertise insbesondere in den Bereichen Compliance, Datenschutz, Governance und (IT-)Risikomanagement mit.

Dr. Meltzian

Referatsleitung CI 1 – Grundsatz; Cyber- und Informationssicherheit Bundesministerium des Innern und für Heimat

Dr Daniel Meltzian heads the Policy Department for Cyber and Information Security at the German Federal Ministry of the Interior and for Homeland Affairs. Prior to this, he worked in the BMI in the area of public security and data protection, among others. In addition to the implementation of the NIS 2 Directive, his current priorities include the cyber security strategy, the National Cyber Security Council, the coordinating technical supervision of the BSI and further legislative proposals in the area of cyber security.

Daria Catalui

Head of Allianz Group Human Firewall

Daria Catalui is a cyber security professional always searching for impact and connecting ideas. Daria gained over 15 years of experience at local, regional, and European level while working for EU’s cyber security agency ENISA, the European Commission and the RO Presidency of the Council of the EU. Another initiative she leads since 2019 is a public private collaboration called #CyberEDUcall4papers one of the few focusing on cyber education and the complementarity of a trained Human Firewall vs up to date Technical Firewall.

Philipp Amann

Group CISO, Österreichische Post AG

Philipp is an internationally recognized cybersecurity expert with more than 20 years of experience in fighting cybercrime and managing complex projects. His technical expertise and ability to communicate with various stakeholders enable him to provide innovative solutions in the areas of strategy, governance, and operations.

He holds advisory roles at ENISA, the Cyber Defenders Council (Cybereason) and the World Economic Forum and is a member of international cyber security task forces and advisory boards. He also chairs the Security Advisory Board for the H2020-funded CC-Driver project on cybercrime.

As co-founder of an NGO for peace, justice and security, he is also committed to these important goals outside of his professional activities.

Immanuel Bär

Co-Founder, ProSec GmbH

As Co-Founder of ProSec GmbH, a company active in the field of IT security and cyber defense, the protagonist has over 25 years of experience in the IT industry. His professional background includes previous employment with one of Germany’s largest insurers and involvement in government and military-related projects at an international level. His expertise lies particularly in IT security and white-hat hacking.

He specializes in social engineering, using his humanistic/alt-linguistic background to address the human factor in IT security. He has successfully put his skills and knowledge into practice, including taking down a large BlackHat hacking community in 2022 that had nearly 70,000 members.

He is currently involved in a media project with the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) and hosts the podcast “Hacking against cyber attacks?”, in which he shares his knowledge and experience. In addition to his professional activities, he is also involved in private life and is the father of a daughter.

Stéphane Ischia

Cybersecurity Senior Director, Stamus Networks

Stéphane Ischia is a certified cyber security expert and business strategist with a distinguished career in global corporations and technology sectors. As Cybersecurity Senior Director at Stamus Networks, he specializes in developing key accounts and partnering with leading cyber security players.

Stéphane holds an Executive MBA and teaches at Cyber Campus and Epitech Technology School of Technology. He was awarded the 2021 IT PARTNER Trophy in the Business and Strategy category for his pioneering work in the French cyber insurance market.

He previously held strategic roles at Telefonica, Dassault Systèmes and British Petroleum, where he honed his expertise in cyber security and major account management. Stéphane continues to influence the future of cyber security through his professional endeavors, educational contributions, and innovative strategic partnerships.

Eileen Jennings-Brown

Award-winning, globally recognized technology leader

Eileen Jennings-Brown is an award-winning, globally recognized technology leader known for her strategic vision, cross-sector expertise, inclusivity, and commitment to driving business growth.

In her roles as Chief Information Officer at Exscientia plc, a Forbes top 50 AI company focused on drug discovery, and as a senior leader at Wellcome Trust, a £37 billion philanthropic organization funding global scientific research, she has spearheaded significant digital transformations and innovations.

In 2023, Eileen was ranked among the top 10 CTOs in global healthcare technology, holding the highest position for women, and in 2024, she was named one of the top 100 CIOs in the UK. She has also consistently been recognized among the most influential women in UK technology since 2020.

With an extensive IT career spanning over 25 years, Eileen has led business transformations, founded IT businesses, and provided strategic consulting for organizations such as the Chartered Institute for IT, the National Health Service UK, the Ministry of Defence UK, Kier Construction, Prudential, Simplyhealth, and others.

She is a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion in STEM, a judge for IT industry awards, and a board advisor. In 2022, her inspiring story was featured in Wonder Women, a book celebrating female leaders by She2 Leadership.

Ralf Schneider

Allianz Senior Fellow and Head of Cyber Security and NextGenIT Think Tank

Ralf Schneider’s impressive career in IT and cyber security spans more than two decades, marked by his long tenure at Allianz, where he served as Group CIO for 13 years. He has also served as a board member for Allianz Managed Operations & Services and recently took on the role of Allianz Senior Fellow and Head of Cybersecurity and NextGenIT Think Tank. He holds a PhD in computer science from the Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich.

Katrin Hahn

Chief Resources Officer, BWI GmbH

Katrin Hahn is the Chief Resources Officer at BWI GmbH, bringing over two decades of expertise in human resources and leadership. After earning her degree in business administration from Mannheim University of Applied Sciences, she held key roles in HR at MVV Energie AG. She further honed her skills with an Executive MBA from Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz. Katrin later served as head of Corporate HR & Social Benefits at juwi AG, a global leader in renewable energy, before joining BWI GmbH in 2020. Her career spans strategic HR management, corporate development, and executive leadership.

Bruce Hallas

CEO, Re-Thinking the Human Factor™️

Bruce originally trained in law, marketing and finance, before spending 20+ years’ working within the information security industry with a focus on the human aspects of governance, risk and compliance where he demonstrated a knack for innovation.

His most recent role, as Founder and CEO at Re-thinking the Human Factor™, has seen him lead a research programme into human awareness, behaviour and culture, which started in 2012. This research has involved interviews and collaborations with some of the world’s best known thought leaders and practitioners in human awareness, behaviour and culture.

Bruce shares insights from this research through his Re-thinking the Human Factor™ podcast, a number of books and a range of training courses for security professionals responsible for employee awareness, behaviour and culture which culminates in the achieving the status of Certified Human Factor Architect™.

Bruce is passionate about the need to re-think how industry sees the role of the education & awareness professional, their seniority and position within the security leadership team and their need to fundamentally understand what makes us human to more effectively design interventions to manage risks associated with the human factor.

Maxime Lecoeur

Head of Service Line Security Strategy, Risk & Compliance, Capgemini

With 15 years of experience, including 10 years as a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), Maxime Lecoeur is a seasoned expert in governance, risk management and cyber security. He has successfully led GRC initiatives in global industrial environments and implemented awareness programs for top French retailers, shaping security policies, and driving organizational awareness. Maxime also shares his expertise as a cybersecurity lecturer at the Catholic University of Lille.

Ricardo Diaz-Rohr

CDO/CIO, Grand Automotive

With over 30 years of experience in IT leadership and digital transformation, Ricardo Diaz Rohr is the owner of RIDIA Consulting GmbH and a board advisor at Swish.ai. He is currently CDO/CIO of Grand Automotive. Previously, he was CIO of the Emil Frey Group and CEO of Emil Frey IT Solutions AG, where he drove the digital strategy across the entire organization. His career also includes roles as CIO of Media Saturn Holding and CEO of Media Saturn IT Services GmbH, as well as nearly two decades with the Lufthansa Group, where he led information management initiatives in both the cargo and passenger segments.

Ann Mennens

Chair interinstitutional Technical Advisory Group on the Human Factor in cybersecurity, European Commission

Ann Mennens is a seasoned cybersecurity and communication professional specializing in cybersecurity awareness and training, with a focus on the human factor. Currently, she manages the European Commission’s CyberAware Programme within the Cybersecurity Directorate, where she leads awareness initiatives across the Commission. She is also in charge of training and communication on cybersecurity and oversees the network of Local Informatics Security Officers (LISOs). In addition, she serves as the Chair of the interinstitutional Technical Advisory Group on the Human Factor in Cybersecurity, guiding collaborative efforts to enhance cybersecurity awarenessraising, training and skills development, across EU institutions, bodies and agencies.

Ann’s contributions extend beyond the European Commission. She is a founding member of Women4Cyber Belgium, a member of ENISA’s Ad-Hoc Working Group on Awareness Raising, and a long-standing member of the Belgian Cyber Security Coalition. Her previous roles include Manager of the Belgian Cybercrime Centre of Excellence for Training, Research, and Education (B-CCENTRE) and various leadership and consulting roles at Unisys Belgium. Ann holds a Master’s in European Studies and a Master’s in History from KU Leuven.

Catalina Al Hok

Senior Manager Cybersecurity & Data Protection, SIA Partners

Catalina Al Hok is a Senior Manager in the Cybersecurity & Data Protection Business Line at Sia Partners. She has more than 8 years of experience in Cybersecurity and Resilience programs and has worked on major worldwide cybersecurity and resilience assessments. She brings with her deep expertise and experience in areas such as: audit and maturity assessments, crisis simulations, wargaming, and training and awareness programs.

Britta Behrens

LinkedIn marketing expert

Britta Behrens is a seasoned LinkedIn marketing expert with a deep focus on B2B social selling, content strategy, and corporate influencer programs. With over a decade of experience, she brings expertise in personal branding, employer branding, and customer-centric digital marketing. Currently, as a Senior B2B Marketing Manager at “Nerds,” Britta leads social selling initiatives for B2B clients, helping them build a sustainable lead pipeline. A recognized speaker and author, she has contributed extensively to professional publications on LinkedIn strategies and conducts specialized workshops and training sessions on maximizing LinkedIn for marketing and sales.

Christian Klatt

CIO, Krombacher

Christian Klatt has been working in IT management and IT project and portfolio management for more than 15 years. Since October 2021, he has been Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Krombacher Brauerei Bernhard Schadeberg GmbH & Co. KG and is thus responsible for all aspects of modern IT. This starts with the IT strategy and extends to IT portfolio and project management. In addition to classic IT topics, he also plays a key role in IT security, awareness campaigns and successfully completed the KRITIS project in spring 2024.

Before joining Krombacher, he held significant positions, including IT manager at HARIBO, deputy head of IT at Miltenyi Biotec, head of IT program and portfolio management at toom Baumarkt and head of stationary retail IT at REWE Systems.

Throughout his career, Christian Klatt has driven digital transformation and implemented strategic IT projects in various industries, repeatedly demonstrating his expertise in IT strategy and program management.

Dr. Niklas Horstmann

VP Secure Networking, Telekom

Dr Niklas Horstmann heads the Secure Networking business unit at Deutsche Telekom, which is laying the foundation for resilient digitalisation of companies of all sizes with secure networking of locations, devices, clouds and workloads. He was previously, among other roles, VP B2B Strategic Growth Areas and assistant to the CEO. Niklas has a technological and economic background with degrees in industrial engineering and economics.

Axel Fehrmann

CISO, Emil Frey Group

With over 20 years in cybersecurity and IT leadership, Axel Fehrmann is the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Emil Frey Group since 2018, where he oversees the company’s information security strategy and drives initiatives to mitigate cyber risks. Prior to that, he was head of the Microsoft Platform team at the Emil Frey Group Switzerland.

Axel also worked as a CIO in the business center industry earlier in his career. In this position, he managed the ICT department of a main branch and was responsible for the IT infrastructure throughout Europe.

Axel is a Villiger at Team8, a global community of cyber leaders and thought leaders in the security industry. He has participated in the Team8 CISO Summit several times, underscoring his commitment to collaboration and innovation in the industry.

David Mossop

Expert in Security Awareness and Culture

With over 30 years of experience in cyber security, including previous roles in the military, David focuses on building strong security cultures within organizations through innovative awareness programs. As a member of the Global Advisory Board at VigiTrust and co-owner of Whitegate Tactical Security Services, David leverages her extensive expertise to advise on cybersecurity best practices. His career spans leadership roles in multinational organizations with a deep commitment to continuous improvement and security education.

Fred-Mario Silberbach

Head of the Cybercrime Subdivision – Strategy, Bundeskriminalamt (Federal Criminal Police Office)

Fred-Mario Silberbach is the Head of the Cybercrime Subdivision – Strategy and Service (CC1) at the Bundeskriminalamt (Federal Criminal Police Office) in Germany, where he has served for over 36 years. Since January 2024, he has led strategic efforts to combat cybercrime, focusing on policy development, threat detection, and cross-agency cooperation. Previously, he held various leadership positions, including overseeing investigations into severe and organized crime and managing cybercrime operations. His extensive experience includes collaborating with Europol on high-priority cyberattacks and contributing to the Joint Cybercrime Action Taskforce (JCAT).

With a background in criminal law, criminology, and law enforcement leadership, Fred-Mario has a proven track record in managing complex criminal investigations and shaping cybersecurity strategies at both national and international levels. He has also completed advanced training in federal criminal service leadership at the Police Leadership Academy in Münster.

Monika Geitlinger

Information Security Officer, Raiffeisen Schweiz

Monika is an Information Security Officer at Raiffeisen Schweiz, where she promotes security awareness and builds a strong security culture across the organization. Drawing on her background in risk management and change communication, she has created a dynamic security awareness program that keeps security practices at the forefront of daily operations. Her initiatives, from interactive training to engaging campaigns, make complex security topics accessible and relevant to all employees.

With a degree in International Management for Business and IT, Monika bridges the gap between technical security and business needs. Outside of work, she volunteers as a job coach with Powercoders, helping refugees and migrants launch IT careers, reflecting her passion for empowerment and education.

Can-André Birol

Associate Director, Mutares

Associate Director at Mutares SE & Co. KGaA, specializing in cyber security and private equity, Can-André Birol is an expert in organizational cyber security and project management with over a decade of experience. His career includes a significant tenure at KPMG Deutschland, where he held leadership roles in security strategy development, ISMS implementation, and security risk management. With a proven track record in TISAX assessments, BCMS compliance, and team leadership, Can-André combines his technical skills with a strategic approach to organizational resilience. He holds an International Master of Science in International Management from Universidade Católica Portuguesa. Fluent in six languages, he brings a diverse, global perspective to his work in cyber security and risk management.

Dave Maasland

CEO, ESET Netherlands

Dave Maasland is the CEO of ESET Netherlands, one of the largest IT security companies in the Netherlands, and the ESET brand is represented worldwide. He is also a board member at Sparta Rotterdam, one of the oldest professional football clubs in the Netherlands. From his field of cyber security, he speaks about the risks, but more importantly, the opportunities that the digital world offers. With his passion for IT and technology, he wants to motivate people and remove the fear of ignorance. He emphasizes: “We want to help people and companies move forward and make the Netherlands more and more secure”.

Michael Beaupre

Head of Cyber Security, Hays

Michael Beaupre is an accomplished cybersecurity leader and CISO with over 25 years of experience in IT and cybersecurity. Currently serving as Head of Cyber Security at Hays, he is dedicated to bridging the cybersecurity skills gap through strategic partnerships, enhancing corporate resilience against cyber threats, and supporting safe digital environments. His leadership journey includes roles as Managing Director at RPC Services and Global CISO at Merck KGaA, where he oversaw major security integrations, including a $17 billion acquisition. A former U.S. Army and Air Force service member, Michael brings a wealth of expertise in cybersecurity, leadership, and strategic advisory across public and private sectors.

Holly Sorce

Change and transformation leader

Holly has spent over a decade designing, leading and implementing large-scale change and transformation programs. As a result, she has a deep understanding of the strategic and operational challenges faced by organizations and an in-depth knowledge of the skills required to embrace and deliver complex change. Professionally qualified in all areas of change and transformation, Holly works as a business consultant, executive coach and APMG accredited trainer, partnering with organizations to help them understand their change and transformation challenges and goals, and to develop effective solutions to help them achieve their strategic objectives.

Dr. Niklas Hellemann

CEO of SoSafe

Niklas Hellemann is a studied psychologist, social engineering expert, and CEO at SoSafe. Before founding his own company, he worked as a management consultant at the Boston Consulting Group for six years in the areas of People and Organization. Besides his Ph.D. in Business Administration, Niklas studied psychology – which led him to the human approach in the tech-savvy cyber security market. In 2018, Niklas founded SoSafe together with Lukas and Felix to strengthen digital self-defense worldwide. Today, Niklas is engaged as a speaker on various stages worldwide, including the OMR Festival, the Web Summit, and the RSA Conference, where he talks about the pressing challenges of social engineering and the newest cybercrime developments.

Gonçalo Gaiolas

Chief Product Officer at SoSafe

Gonçalo Gaiolas – a computer scientist with extensive experience in the tech industry – joined SoSafe as Chief Product Officer in April 2023. During his more than 15 years in the B2B SaaS space, he has been committed to maintaining high standards in product development. Most recently, as CPO at low-code platform provider OutSystems, he was responsible for scaling the platform strategy and was leading developer and community relations. He is excited to meet security experts from all over Europe at the Human Firewall Conference and to jump into conversations about the latest trends that will inspire and inform the future development of the SoSafe product.

Gina Dragulin

VP Product Marketing, SoSafe

Gina is the Vice President of Product Marketing at SoSafe and has over 18 years of experience in marketing leadership roles at companies such as Miro, Microsoft, Siemens and others. She was recognized as one of the “Top 100 Future B2B CMOs” in 2022 for her innovative approach to product marketing. In addition to her role at SoSafe, Gina is passionate about mentoring and education. She is an active mentor on the ADP List and Meander platforms, helping to guide and support the next generation of marketing professionals.

Andrew Rose

Chief Security Officer at SoSafe

Andrew Rose is the Chef Security Officer (CSO) at SoSafe. He has 25+ years of experience as CISO for UK Air Traffic Control, Mastercard, Proofpoint, and two ‘magic circle’ global law firms. He was also Principal Analyst at Forrester Research. Andrew recognitions include ‘European CISO of the year’ (2018), “Best Security Awareness Campaign” (2015), and is regularly listed in the CSO30 (2020-2023).

Shannon Jaritz

VP Customer Success at SoSafe

Shannon Jaritz is Vice President Customer Success at SoSafe. She and her team are responsible for everything concerning our customers – from onboarding and supporting with the integration of our awareness product to customer satisfaction and retention. Shannon’s whole career journey was and still is dedicated to customers. She is a data-driven person that believes that customers are the highest asset in any company – and that is what she and her team are advocating for at SoSafe.

Frank Piotraschke

CRO at SoSafe

Frank Piotraschke is Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) at SoSafe. He is responsible for all go-to-market areas and therefore understands exactly the main concerns of our customers. He uses his many years of experience in SaaS companies to question the status quo on a daily basis, constantly driving innovations forward. The close exchange with other organizations is particularly important to him in order to give enough room for new impulses.

Dr. Gundula Zerbes

Digital Learning Expert, SoSafe

Dr. Gundula Zerbes is a Digital Learning Expert specializing in integrating behavioral science into SoSafe’s products. With a strong background in learning and memory research, Gundula takes an evidence-based approach to design solutions that enhance security awareness and reduce risky behavior. By incorporating the latest scientific insights, she helps create lasting behavioral changes and empowers users to strengthen their digital self-defense.

Tommy Courtney

Senior Product Manager, SoSafe

As Senior Product Manager at SoSafe, Tommy leads the Phishing Simulation team, focusing on developing personalised, behavior-based phishing simulations. He is dedicated to enhancing user engagement and improving cyber security awareness by creating effective simulations that respond to individual learning needs. With a strong background in cyber security and product strategy, Tommy is committed to delivering solutions that help customers reduce their human cyber risk and build a stronger security culture.

Lisa Wagner

Senior Product Manager, SoSafe

As Senior Product Manager at SoSafe, Lisa Wagner leads the development of innovative solutions like the Sofie chatbot and the Human Risk Operating System. With a background in behavioral science, product and computer science, Lisa focuses on transforming the human factor in cybersecurity into actionable insights that help CISOs reduce mental load and improve security posture. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and behavioral data, Lisa aims to build tools that drive meaningful, lasting changes in organizational cyber security practices.

Stefano Ferrara

Implementation Manager International Markets, SoSafe

Stefano Ferrara is a seasoned expert in cyber security awareness and digital risk management, specializing in implementing transformative security practices that empower organizations to build a resilient human firewall. With extensive experience guiding enterprises toward proactive security cultures, Stefano drives impactful outcomes in security awareness and risk mitigation.

Niklas Tausend

Implementation Manager, SoSafe

Niklas Tausend is a cyber security strategist with a strong focus on security behavior change and awareness, helping organizations navigate the complexities of implementing security programs that prioritize human-centered protection. His expertise in leveraging benchmarks and best practices ensures tailored, effective solutions that foster lasting security awareness across teams and industries.

Kanu Priya Sindhu

Principal, Product Marketing

Kanu Priya Sindhu is a seasoned product marketing professional with extensiove expertise in Marketing, Product Innovation, GTM Strategy, and Research. As Principal, Product Marketing at SoSafe, she leads the product marketing and go-to-market initiatives for Sofie and the Human Risk Operating System, ensuring innovation meets market demands and helps organizations build proactive security cultures. Kanu is also a mentor and educator at various startup forums, sharing her knowledge and experience to help emerging businesses grow.