Recognized Risk Assessment Leaders 2025

Josh Fleming is the Risk Advisory & GRC practice lead at Echelon Risk + Cyber, where he helps organizations strengthen resilience against today’s most complex cyber and physical threats. He brings a unique ability to bridge technical expertise with executive strategy, enabling leaders to make confident, informed decisions during both preparation and crisis. With extensive experience across industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, financial services, and energy, Josh has partnered with organizations to identify risks, fortify defenses, and implement effective governance strategies. His work spans from building incident prevention programs to leading executive tabletop exercises, risk assessments, and crisis response planning. Josh regularly advises executive teams, C-suites, and boards on incident response readiness and strategic risk management. He is known for developing actionable frameworks and clear decision-making playbooks that reduce risk exposure, accelerate response, and build stakeholder trust. As an industry thought leader, Josh is committed to advancing the conversation around governance, risk, and compliance. He stays at the forefront of emerging trends and regulations, particularly in areas such as AI governance and cybersecurity resilience, to ensure his clients and partners are not only compliant, but future-ready. Above all, Josh is recognized as a trusted advisor who combines technical depth, business acumen, and a client-centric approach to deliver lasting value. His mission is to help organizations move beyond compliance to achieve true resilience and competitive advantage in an evolving risk landscape.

I am a former Chief Risk Officer and today an industry-leading risk management authority, strategy advisor and author. I created the 52 Risks® management framework (www.52Risks.com) over a decade ago to guide board directors, executives and managers in the identification and management of business risks. Today it is used all over the world, across all industries. I like to describe it as the equivalent of the Balanced Scorecard for risk management. I was awarded Australian Banking & Finance magazine’s Chief Risk Officer of the Year award in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2018. I am a regular contributor to a range of strategy, risk and finance publications including Company Director Magazine (Australia), Director Today (India), FINSIA (Australia) and The Asian Banker (Singapore). You can read more about my talks and presentations here: https://notwithoutrisk.com/2025-presentations-and-papers/ I am also co-founder of the tech startup, Shelf Labs and Non-Executive Director of the equities trading platform Trade for Good. I am also an advisory board member for several technology and start-up companies. In December 2024, I released the book, Startup Toolkit: A Step-by-Step Guide for Founders (www.goruworld) to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs.

My professional journey has taken me through various roles where I've sharpened my skills in risk assessment, financial analysis, and building enduring client relationships.Achieving success for me goes beyond the immediate task at hand. It’s about seeing the bigger picture and making a tangible impact in the long term success of the organization. I’m passionate about developing new frameworks that create sustainable and repeatable outcomes within my work. I also believe in the power of collaboration and shared insights to drive progress for each member of my team.I welcome connections from fellow professionals and anyone interested in discussing the future of finance and the potential for innovation within our field. Together, let’s explore the possibilities.

Seasoned technologist with global experience in successfully overseeing and managing complex IT infrastructure (LAN/WAN/Data Centre) and managing build-out projects, cybersecurity initiatives, and application development projects. Skilled in various project management methodologies, including agile, Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), and waterfall, to drive project success and achieve desired outcomes. Demonstrated expertise in leading cross-functional teams across diverse geographical locations, delivering projects within budget and timeline constraints, and aligning technology solutions with strategic business objectives. Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and technical skills to drive project success and achieve desired outcomes. Adept at leveraging industry best practices, methodologies, and global standards to ensure efficient project execution, optimize resource utilization, and maximize value for organizations.

Warren Pulley brings 40 years of threat assessment and crisis management expertise across military, law enforcement, diplomatic, corporate, and educational environments. As founder of CrisisWire, he provides professional threat assessment services to organizations throughout Hawaii, Nationally and Internationally. Credentials: BTAM (Behavioral Threat Assessment & Management) trained - University of Hawaii West Oahu 20+ FEMA certifications (IS-906, IS-907, IS-915, complete ICS/NIMS) Former LAPD Veteran Police Officer (12 years) 6+ years U.S. Embassy Baghdad security operations (zero incidents under daily threat) Former Director of Campus Safety, Chaminade University Former California Private Investigator 7 years U.S. Air Force (nuclear security & paralegal) Published Authority: Author of five books on threat assessment: The Prepared Leader, Threat Assessment Handbook, Campus Under Siege, Locked Down: The Access Control Playbook, and Uniformed Silence. Published researcher with 9+ peer-reviewed papers on threat assessment, workplace violence, and crisis management. Media-Ready Expertise: Available for expert commentary on threat assessment, school safety, workplace violence prevention, crisis management, executive protection, insider threats, and emergency preparedness. Find CrisisWire online at https://rypulmedia.wixsite.com/crisiswire

Govind Balachandran is the founder of Continuuiti, a climate and operational risk intelligence platform that helps enterprises quantify physical climate risk at the asset level. The platform delivers hazard assessments across 12 physical climate perils, flood depth modelling, and financial loss estimation using peer reviewed damage curve methodologies, enabling banks, insurers, and corporates to translate climate exposure into monetary terms. Previously, Govind founded SignalX, a leading AI-based third-party risk management and due diligence platform that he built over seven years into a 600+ customer business serving all Big Four consulting firms, major enterprises with global supply chains, and private equity houses. He raised venture capital from marquee funds, grew the business to profitability, and currently serves as Board Observer, supporting the board and leadership through a GenAI transformation of the business. He brings deep expertise in enterprise risk management, climate risk quantification, physical risk modelling, and building B2B SaaS platforms for regulated industries. Areas of expertise: Physical climate risk assessment, climate value at risk (CVaR), flood risk modelling, climate stress testing for financial institutions, operational resilience, enterprise risk management, third-party risk management, due diligence, supply chain resilience, climate risk for real estate and infrastructure portfolios, B2B SaaS for regulated industries.

As a Cybersecurity Auditor operating at the intersection of complex digital infrastructures and human systems, my mission is to build resilience in an increasingly volatile world. With over 20 years of experience in Global MNCs, I’ve realized that protecting a network is only half the battle; the ultimate firewall is the clarity and alignment of the professional mind. ​I am a published author of three works that explore the architecture of security and the science of patterns: ​'The Interview': A deep dive into the technical and psychological nuances of Cybersecurity. ​'Cosmic Catalyst' & 'Beyond Constellations': Research into systemic cycles, predictive analytics, and ancient pattern-recognition frameworks. ​ My methodology is unique. By day, I audit global cybersecurity frameworks for US-based clients. Beyond the code, I am a dedicated researcher of Bio-Energetic Systems and Chronobiological Trends. I have successfully applied these 'multidimensional' patterns to predict global events and organizational shifts with high accuracy—bridging the gap between the measurable and the metaphysical. Through my research I offer high-performance philosophy to fellow cybersecurity professionals. My goal is to help leaders navigate 'zero-day' life challenges with the same precision they apply to their digitalecosystem. ​ I believe the future of leadership belongs to those who can traverse both the logical and the intuitive. I am here to help you audit your path to sovereign success.

Karthikeyan Ramdass a seasoned cybersecurity professional with over 18 years of experience securing mission-critical systems for leading Fortune 500 companies across industries including aviation, finance, automotive, and technology. I have played a pivotal role in protecting organizations such as Southwest Airlines, Wells Fargo, Morgan Stanley, Toyota Motors North America, AIG, Cognizant, Salesforce, and Deluxe Corporation. Specializing in application security, vulnerability management, secure architecture, and supply chain defense, led the design and implementation of enterprise-scale security frameworks, CI/CD pipelines, and advanced security testing solutions. Extensive experience in SAST, DAST, SCA, zero-day vulnerability management, and penetration testing, ensuring compliance with global standards such as NIST CSF, PCI DSS, and OWASP Top 10.

Behavioral threat assessment and workplace violence prevention expert with 35+ years in public safety, consulting, and criminal justice education.

Accomplished program manager focusing on physical security (PS), information security (INFOSEC), continuity of operations (COOP), exercises and experiments, and knowledge management (KM) programs and projects for military, Federal/state government agencies, and private sector clients. Work for small-to-large size engineering, logistics or consulting firms includes security, continuity and analysis project management for Departments of Defense, Justice, Agriculture, Interior, Energy and Homeland Security (DoD, DoJ, USDA, DoI, DoE and DHS) client organizations, and global commercial enterprises.

Senior cybersecurity and AI leader with over 20 years of experience across three continents (United States, South Africa, India). Currently Vice President of DevSecOps Engineering at a major financial institution. Proven track record of building high trust teams, mentoring future leaders, and driving innovation that measurably improves software supply chain security. Recognized by a UN leader, an AWS Principal Specialist, and invited to the Forbes Technology Council. Dedicated to advancing the cybersecurity & AI profession through service as IEEE Symposium on Security and Privacy (IEEE S&P) Artifact Evaluation Committee member, PEARC'26 Program Committee member, judge, peer reviewer, and mentor.

Matt Lindley is the Chief Innovation & Information Security Officer at NINJIO, a leading cybersecurity awareness training and human risk management platform. Matt leads NINJIO’s cybersecurity team and AI innovation projects. Previously, he was the CEO and Principal Consultant at REIN Cybersecurity, which focused on governance, risk management, and compliance (GRC). He has also served as the Director of Security Services at Cal Net Technology Group and the virtual CIO at Convergence Networks. Matt is an authority on IT, cybersecurity, GRC, and operational maturity whose expert insights have been published in media outlets spanning cybersecurity and many other relevant verticals. His byline has appeared in a wide range of cybersecurity and tech publications, including Dark Reading, Cyber Defense Magazine, Innovation & Tech Today, Spiceworks, Security Magazine, Cybersecurity Insiders, Security Boulevard, U.S. Cybersecurity Magazine, Information Week, and Cyber Protection Magazine. Matt has also published extensively in outlets serving specific industry verticals, such as InsuranceNewsNet, Business Traveler, Manufacturing.net, and Carrier Management. He is considered a leading security analyst whose research and expertise cover AI strategy and transformation, emerging cyberthreats, behavioral psychology, social engineering, and organizational resilience. Matt has over a decade and a half of experience as both a practitioner and a thought leader in cybersecurity, and he is particularly focused on human risk management—a core pillar of cybersecurity at a time when the human element is implicated in the majority of breaches.

A pragmatic leader with experience guiding, building, and scaling cybersecurity and privacy programs across sectors. I formerly led the Information Security program for Udemy an EdTech firm. Implemented company-wide cybersecurity and data privacy governance programs for payment organizations, Led service delivery strategy, audits and penetration testing engagements for Consulting organizations and help company stakeholders understand likely business threats and practical methods to minimize risk.

Renze Jongman is the founder and CEO of Liberty91, an operational cyber threat intelligence platform that makes CTI accessible to mid-market security teams. He spent his early career at the Dutch National High Tech Crime Unit and was a founding member of Europol's Joint Cybercrime Action Taskforce (J-CAT), before moving into the private sector to lead strategic threat intelligence at Barclays in London and run threat intelligence consulting at Mandiant (now part of Google Cloud) across EMEA and the Middle East. He also advises the Abu Dhabi Department of Government Enablement's CTI function. Based in Abu Dhabi, he writes regularly on the practitioner realities of threat intelligence.

SEO and Web Design Specialist at KKT Management Enhance digital strategies and website functionalities. Improve search engine rankings and design user-centric interfaces. Conduct successful SEO campaigns, staying abreast of the latest trends and algorithms. Operations Manager at Anna Nasi Lemak Spicy Asia City Manage day-to-day operations and spearhead online presence. Oversee digital engagement and brand management. Integrate traditional marketing with digital solutions to boost brand visibility and customer interaction.

Hi, I’m Zertashia Awan author, educator and advocate for sustainable productivity. For years, I led thousands while teaching excellence but practicing exhaustion, building a career that looked full but felt hollow. That realization made me pause and study leaders who stayed steady under pressure, discovering that beyond talent or effort, it came down to how they designed their work: structures that protected energy, created clarity, and supported sustainable growth.

Ra'ad Siraj is a senior technology executive and investment leader specializing in responsible AI governance at enterprise scale. Most recently, he led AI and privacy governance for a Fortune 10 technology company, building frameworks that reduced review cycle times by 80% while managing risk across global operations in regulated environments. Currently, Ra'ad is developing international AI investment strategies, including pioneering work on cross-border technology corridors that connect established AI ecosystems with emerging markets. This work focuses on responsible AI deployment frameworks that can scale across diverse regulatory environments and cultural contexts. Notable Achievements: -Governed thousands of AI/ML use cases across multinational workforce operations -Reduced AI governance review cycles by 80% while maintaining regulatory compliance -Established enterprise-wide responsible AI programs at Fortune 500 financial services company -Led technology transformations as CIO/CTO at multiple leading financial institutions -Harvard MS Computer Science graduate and frequent technology conference speaker Key Areas of Expertise: Artificial Intelligence • AI Governance • Machine Learning • Data Governance • Enterprise Risk Management • Regulatory Compliance • Financial Services Technology • Digital Transformation • CIO Leadership • Technology Strategy • Privacy Engineering • Cross-border Investment • International Business Development • Board Advisory • Startup Governance • PropTech • FinTech • InsurTech • Enterprise Architecture • Cloud Strategy • Cybersecurity • Data Analytics • Change Management • Team Leadership • Venture Capital • Private Equity • Technology Due Diligence • Responsible AI • AI Ethics • Global Technology Partnerships Ra'ad is available for expert commentary on AI governance, global technology investment, enterprise AI leadership, and the intersection of innovation, regulation, and international business development.

I’m a security consultant and the founder of North Star Group, where I help individuals, organizations, and communities strengthen their overall safety and preparedness. With over 20 years of experience across military and private-sector security, my work focuses on physical security assessments, threat and vulnerability analysis, CPTED principles, workplace violence prevention, and expert witness consulting. I’ve supported clients across a wide range of sectors—including education, government, business, healthcare, critical infrastructure, and houses of worship—by providing practical, real-world guidance rooted in proactive risk management. Whether it’s improving day-to-day security, planning for emergencies, or helping legal teams understand foreseeability and duty of care, I bring a layered and strategic approach to every situation. If you're looking for expert insight on how to build safer environments and reduce risk, I'm always open to contributing. *If any portion of my response is used, I’d appreciate attribution as follows: Daniel Loo, CPP®, PSS, SRMP — Principal Consultant at North Star Group, a Houston-based security and risk management firm.

I am a cybersecurity professional with over 18 years of experience in offensive security, penetration testing, and cyber defense. I focus on deeply understanding complex security challenges and developing practical, real-world solutions that strengthen organizations against evolving threats. I enjoy working across various security domains and approaching problems with a hands-on, analytical mindset. My colleagues and clients describe me as a hardworking, disciplined professional who remains calm and solution-oriented when handling high-risk incidents and challenging environments. My areas of expertise include vulnerability assessment, exploit development, incident response, network security architecture, and enterprise systems administration. I hold industry-recognized certifications such as OSCP, OSCE, GWAPT, GCIH, CCNA, and RHCE, which demonstrate my commitment to continuous learning and technical excellence.

Puneet Bhatnagar is an identity and AI security expert with nearly two decades of experience advising global enterprises on identity governance, access risk, and emerging AI-driven security challenges. He has led large-scale identity modernization initiatives across financial services, technology, and regulated industries, and regularly speaks at industry conferences on modern IAM and access intelligence. His work focuses on translating complex security risks into practical, business-aligned strategies.