The Future of Technology-savvy Boards

AGENDA

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM: Registration & Networking Breakfast

Check-in | Breakfast and Networking Opportunity

9:00 AM – 9:15 AM: Welcome & Opening Remarks

Byron Loflin | Global Head of Nasdaq Board Advisory & Nasdaq Center for Board Excellence

Overview of conference goals, importance of tech-savvy boards in today’s digital world, and a glimpse of key sessions ahead.

9:15 AM – 9:30 AM: Keynote: The Evolution of Corporate Governance in the Digital Age

Julia Valentine | Founder, Digital Evolution Institute | Board Member, Apple Bank
Understanding how boards are evolving to meet the challenges of the digital era. The importance of embracing technology to drive business innovation, risk management, and long-term strategy.

9:30 AM – 10 AM: What Boards Must Know about how the U.S. Defends Most Critical Information Systems against Sophisticated Global Threats

Discuss quantum-resistant encryption and operational standards, safeguarding the U.S. government’s classified networks, DOD’s networks, and their weapons systems.

Moderated by: Thomas Bryan | Senior Advisor - Investments at Starr Companies

Rob Joyce | Former Director, Cybersecurity Directorate, NSA. Led NSA’s critical cybersecurity activities, heading an organization of thousands with yearly budgets of almost a billion dollars and served as a member of the NSA Board of Directors. Former Special Assistant to the President, Cyber Security Coordinator and Acting Homeland Security Advisor.

Chris Hetner | Cyber Risk Advisor to the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD), Former Senior Cybersecurity Advisor to the SEC Chair, Former Senior Member for the US Department of Treasury Financial Banking Information Infrastructure Committee and G-7 Cyber Expert

10 AM – 10:20 AM: Fireside Chat: Investing in Cybersecurity and AI in 2025

Discuss the current market environment and investment opportunities.

Moderated by: Krystal Hu | VC and Tech Investment reporter at Reuters
Kenneth Taylor | Vice Chairman, Cyber Security Investment Banking | Cohen & Company

10:20 AM – 10:30 AM: City Dreams: Introducing Justin Wadlington, Artist

Presented by Vanessa Simon, the Metropolitan Museum of Art

10:30 AM – 11 AM: Morning Break & Networking

The Digital Evolution Institute is proud to present select artwork by Justin Wadlington

11AM – 11:30 AM: Cybersecurity, Data Privacy and AI for Boards: Risks & Oversight

Insights on how boards should meet their oversight responsibilities in regard to cybersecurity, data privacy and AI

Moderated by: Missy Godfrey | Advisor, Ridgeback Network Defense
Orrie Dinstein | Global Chief Privacy Officer at Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc.
Dominique Shelton Leipzig | Chief Executive Officer, Global Data Innovation
Edna Conway | Board Chair, Board Member, and Chair Compensation Committee at Attabotics Inc.
Christina Dolan | NetWitness: LATAM Managing Director, Head of Americas Channel and Global Alliances, RSA Security

11:30 AM – 11:45 PM: Keynote: Executive Protection for Boards

Anthony Carter | Senior Advisor, AlphaMille | Former NYPD Inspector

11:45 PM – 12:15 PM: Cutting Edge Trends: Insights on Next-Gen Family Office Investment Strategies

This exclusive session will bring together industry leaders to explore innovative strategies and opportunities in next-gen family office investing, providing valuable insights on how to thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape

Moderated by: David Friedman | Partner, Forbes Global Talent
Consuelo Vanderbilt | CEO, SohoMuse
Cris Auditore Zimmermann | Co-Founder, Medici Global Ventures
Ali Graham | Founder and CEO, Six and Twenty Property Group
Michael Loeb | Founder & CEO, Loeb.nyc

12:15 AM – 12:30 AM: The Human Face of AI

Tahji LaComb Wolpert | CEO, Yoga Bees Are Beautiful
With a live demo of CODA technology presented by Shani Bibi, CEO of CODA.

12:30 PM – 1:30 PM: Networking Lunch + Book Signing

• An opportunity for attendees to meet, network, and exchange ideas.

The Digital Evolution Institute is proud to present the illustrated book, Yoga Bees Are Beautiful, by Tahji LaComb Wolpert

Attendees receive this highly regarded book free of charge, courtesy of the Yoga Bees Are Beautiful.

1:30 PM – 2:10 PM: From  Synapse  to  Startups:  Michael  Loeb’s Blueprint for  Building  and Governing the  Future

A Fireside Chat with Michael Loeb moderated by Christianna Silva, Mashable

Michael Loeb, the visionary behind Synapse Group and Priceline.com, and the founder of Loeb.nyc, has redefined venture building by blending operational excellence with strategic investment. In this conversation, 
Mr. Loeb will delve into his unique approach to entrepreneurship, the evolution of venture capital, and how effective board governance plays a pivotal role in steering high-growth companies toward sustainable success.

2:10 PM – 2:30 PM: Cyber Crisis Unscripted: The Board’s Role in Live Response

A fireside chat on a few aspects of cyber crisis, including the evolving role of technology in cyber crisis management, how AI tools are becoming essential in combating increasingly sophisticated attackers, the shift from cyber crises as technical incidents to business and leadership-level challenges, and why being proactive in cyber crisis preparedness is no longer a luxury, but a must-have.

Dr. Nimrod Kozlovski | Founder & CEO, Cytactic, Cyber Crisis Management & Readiness Solution & Adj Prof. Cyber Studies.

Tim Brown | CISO at SolarWinds and a member of Cytactic’s Advisory Board

Evan Roberts | Senior Managing Director, Crisis & Litigation at FTI Consulting

Michal Barzuza | Professor of Business Law & Regulation, Caddell & Chapman Professor of Law, UVA Law School

2:30 PM – 3:00 PM: How to Win Consulting, Scout, Board, Operating, and Investment Roles with Private Equity and Venture Capital Funds

How you can win board memberships or full-time executive roles with the portfolio companies of private equity and venture capital firms.  Discusses how institutional investors typically identify and partner with outside executives: through executive recruiters, expert networks, senior advisor networks.

David Teten | Venture Partner, Orange Collective

3:00 PM – 3:30 PM: Building a Tech-Savvy Board – What Skills Are Essential?

Discussion on the key technical skills boards should have today and in the future. Topics will include cybersecurity, AI, data analytics, digital transformation, and managing tech-driven innovation.

Moderator: Michael Wilkes | Adjunct Professor NYU and former CISO Major League Soccer
Rob T. Lee | Chief of Research and Executive, SANS Institute
Jeffrey W. Brown | Cybersecurity Advisor, Microsoft
Mathieu Gorge | CEO, VigiTrust
David Hendrickson | CEO, DLH International and Board Director at NACD Connecticut

3:30 PM: Announcing Our Next Conference on October 23, 2025

3:35 PM – 3:50 PM: Afternoon Break & Networking + Book Signing

The Digital Evolution Institute is proud to present The Cyber-Elephant In The Boardroom: Cyber-Accountability With The Five Pillars Of Security Framework by Mathieu Gorge.

Attendees receive this highly regarded book free of charge, courtesy of VigiTrust.

3:50 PM – 4:30 PM: Culture Makers: The Rise of Technology in Luxury and Music

As luxury brands and family enterprises face a rapidly shifting landscape—from AI and blockchain to ultra-personalized digital experiences—boards must evolve beyond traditional stewardship. This panel explores the emergence of technology-savvy boards in luxury and music and how forward-thinking governance is shaping the future of brand legacy, innovation, and value creation.

Moderator: Charles Jenkins | Entrepreneur, multi-award winning singer-songwriter-producer, 2025 BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards "2025 Songwriter of The Year," and "2025 Most Performed Song of The Year"
Alex Luke | Former Head of Worldwide Music Programming at Apple, Former Head of Global Programming and Content Strategy at Amazon Music
Pauline Brown | Former North American Chairman of LVMH and former Board Member at Neiman Marcus Group,  Moncler SpA, and other luxury retail companies
Brant Cryder | President & CEO, Saint Laurent Americas

4:30 PM – 4:50 PM: How to Achieve Optimal Marketing Using AI and Beyond

A master class on the Holy Grail of Marketing, De-Positioning and Competitive Strategy

Moderator: Meghan Sullivan Boustany | Managing Partner, AlphaMille
Greg P. Licciardi | Author, Holy Grail of Marketing: How to Achieve Optimal Marketing Using AI and Beyond
Todd Irwin | Chief Strategy Officer and Founder, Fazer

Book Signing

The Digital Evolution Institute is proud to present Holy Grail of Marketing by Greg P. Licciardi.

Attendees receive this highly regarded book free of charge, courtesy of Professor Licciardi.

4:50 PM – 5:00 PM: Closing Remarks & Key Takeaways

Speakers: Conference Chairs Julia Valentine and Chris Hetner | Digital Evolution Institute Board Member Brinkley Skye
Summarize key insights from the day’s sessions, and provide actionable takeaways for attendees to implement in their own boards.