Proud to Be a Featured Speaker at CIO Meet NYC – March 12, 2026

I’m honored to share that I’ll be a featured speaker at CIO Meet New York on March 12, 2026 joining a community of CIOs and senior IT leaders for an open and collaborative discussion on leadership, technology, and the evolving responsibilities of the modern IT executive.

Events like CIO Meet matter because they bring leaders together for real conversations—not sales pitches, not theory, but honest dialogue rooted in experience. I’m proud to be part of an environment that values shared learning, peer engagement, and practical insight.

Why This Conversation Is Important

The roles of CIO and CISO continue to evolve rapidly. Today’s technology leaders are expected to balance innovation, risk, regulatory pressure, business alignment, and organizational trust—all while navigating constant change.

Career growth in these roles no longer depends solely on technical expertise. Success increasingly requires strong communication skills, business awareness, executive presence, and the ability to influence decision‑making across the organization.

That’s where perspective matters.

The Perspective I Bring

For the past seven years, I’ve served as a virtual CIO (vCIO) for Mandelbaum Barrett, a 90‑year‑old law firm with complex regulatory, legal, and risk considerations. Working within a long‑established organization has provided invaluable insight into how cybersecurity, governance, and technology leadership intersect with real business operations.

As a vCIO, I’ve had the opportunity to:

• Work closely with executive leadership and legal professionals
• Translate technical and security risk into business‑relevant language
• Align cybersecurity strategy with organizational culture and maturity
• Navigate compliance, client expectations, and evolving threat landscapes

These experiences have shaped how I think about both the CIO and CISO roles, especially in environments where trust, reputation, and risk management are paramount.

What I’ll Be Sharing at CIO Meet

At CIO Meet NYC, I’ll be sharing practical perspectives, lessons learned, and actionable suggestions focused on helping technology leaders grow and succeed in their careers.

My discussion will center on:

• How CIOs and CISOs can position themselves as business leaders and trusted advisors
• The importance of communication and credibility at the executive and board level
• Career insights for navigating increased responsibility and visibility
• Common challenges I see across organizations—and how to approach them strategically

My goal is to offer insight that attendees can immediately apply, whether they are established leaders or working toward their next role.

Looking Ahead

I’m genuinely looking forward to engaging with peers, learning from others’ experiences, and contributing to a thoughtful conversation about leadership and career growth in today’s IT landscape.

If you’re attending CIO Meet NYC on March 12th, I look forward to connecting and sharing perspectives.

— Tom Brennan