Theresa Payton has become one of the most highly-respected authorities and keynote speakers on cybersecurity, intelligence and fraud. CEO of Fortalice Solutions, and former Chief Information Officer at the White house, Theresa has a wealth of experience on digital security and security led technology. Now a sought-after speaker, Theresa is has invaluable insights on everything from AI to innovation and security to the resilience and determination it takes to succeed at the top of your field.
Following sixteen years climbing the rungs of the US banking ladder taking on leadership roles such as Senior Vice President of Wachovia, and then the Bank of America, she rose to colossal heights in 2006 when she became the White House’s first female Chief Information Officer under George W. Bush. After leaving executive office, Theresa has held a number of esteemed positions at the forefront of cybersecurity. She spent a three year tenure on the Transformation and Innovation Advisory Board for UniCredit and in 2014, she Co-Founded Dark Cubed, a company that provides enterprises with cost effective methods to understand and manage their cyber-security threats.
In recent years, Theresa continues to be the Chief Executive Officer and Senior Partner at Fortalice Solutions, a positions she’s held since 2008. The security company aims to protect businesses and governments from risk and fraud, and Theresa lends her expertise to government and private sector organisations to help them advance their information technology systems. Fellow of the University of Virginia, Theresa is also a Member of the Board of Directors at Paychex. One of the most influential names in industry, her experience and expertise was recognised when she became one of the stars of the American hit reality TV show, “Hunted” in 2017. In a show teeming with highly-skilled analysts and investigators Theresa is one of the shows leading intelligence investigators in the command centre, answering only to FBI Commander Robert W. Clark. Named one of Security Magazine’s Top 25 Most Influential People in Security in 2010, Theresa is also the author of three books including “Manipulated” where she explores the ongoing battle with cyber threats including AI-driven attacks, deepfakes and self-replicating chat-bots.
Theresa's visionary leadership and extraordinary experience has led her to become one of the most respected experts on cybersecurity and secured digital transformation. Frequently called on to advise CEO’s and technology executives, Teresa is a thought leader with unique insights to share. Theresa is one of the most enticing motivational keynote speakers on the circuit, she can exemplify her experiences and delve into areas of internet security and cybercrime, offering insights and demystifying complex topics. Champions Speakers are honoured to be an official speaker agent for Theresa Payton, so if you’re looking for an expert on cyber security, get in touch with one of our speaker agents today!
Social Media
Books
Manipulated
Protecting Your Internet Identity
Privacy in the Age of Big Data
Agent Recommendation
"Theresa Payton is a highly respected cybersecurity authority, with an impressive background as CEO of Fortalice Solutions and former Chief Information Officer at the White House. Her expertise spans digital security, AI, innovation, and resilience. A sought-after keynote speaker, Theresa brings invaluable insights from her extensive experience in the US banking sector and cybersecurity industry. Engaging, knowledgeable, and dynamic, she is a top choice for any event focused on technology, security, and leadership."
Theresa Payton's official speaking topics are listed below:
AI and the Future of Us: Navigating the Promise and Perils of Artificial Intelligence
Few technological developments of the last century have fueled as much curiosity, misinformation and fear as AI. In this highly-engaging, jargon-free presentation, Theresa unpacks AI's transformative power while exposing its looming risks, then demonstrates how our businesses, security and individual daily lives are being impacted by them. With anonymized stories from law enforcement's front lines and stunning live demonstrations that reveal the tradecraft of modern cybercriminals, Theresa will equip you with practical actions to harness AI's vast potential while protecting yourself, your clients and your organization.
Secured Digital Transformation: Innovating Without Compromising Trust
Balancing innovation and security in a rapidly evolving digital world requires know-how, sensitivity and constant vigilance. From streamlining operations to enhancing customer experiences, Theresa shares strategies for driving transformation while safeguarding your organization's critical assets. With compelling case studies and easily-understood, actionable takeaways, Theresa will show you how to future-proof your organization and lead confidently in the age of relentless cyber threats.
Faith, Family, and Fearless Leadership: Thriving in Every Role
Theresa shares her amazing journey of faith, resilience, and determination as a business professional, wife and mom of three that led her to the most visible position in the tech world, White House CIO. And that's before she became a CEO, one of the media world's leading voices on technology and cybersecurity and star of the hit CBS TV series, "Hunted". Drawing from her experiences leading in high-stakes environments, she reveals how faith and purpose have been her guiding lights in balancing family, career, and service. Theresa’s uplifting message will inspire you to lead boldly, embrace challenges with grace, and thrive in every role you’re called to fulfill.
Official Feedback from In-Person and Virtual Events:
"Theresa was absolutely wonderful, and her message and her personality was just the perfect fit for our audience. I received excellent feedback about her, and she was an absolute rockstar and all-round lovely human being who I was so grateful to meet.” - CANARIE
"Theresa: I was so impressed by you this morning on the AI Cybersecurity webinar. So wonderful to see another woman in leadership in AI/Cyber! You were spot on." - Dell, Inc
"We had a lovely time with Theresa and the events she participated in all hit our internal objectives. We are very satisfied with the results!" - Unico
"Theresa was amazing. It was wonderful to work with you and we were so very grateful to have Theresa join us." - Maine Credit Union League
- 2024 – Independent Director, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
- 2024 – Fellow, The University of Virginia
- 2023 – Member of the Board of Directors, Paychex
- 2019 – Transformation and Innovation Advisory Board Member, UniCredit
- 2014 – Co-Founder, Dark Cubed
- 2008 – Chief Executive Officer, Senior Partner and President at Fortalice Solutions
- 2006 – Chief Information Officer, Executive Office of the President at The White House
- 2004 – SVP, Bank of America
- 1995 – SVP, Wachovia
- 1990 – AVP, Barnett Bank
How to hire Theresa Payton
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Theresa Payton for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
** We do NOT accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, birthday messages or any other non-commercial contact with the speakers or acts. Each speaker on the website may not have necessarily worked with Champions in the past but are known to perform such engagements within the industry.
