Recognized Virtualization Leaders 2025

Mark Lynd is the Head of Executive Advisory & Strategy at Netsync, one of the nation's leading value-added resellers, where he works daily with C-Suite executives on AI, cybersecurity strategy, and digital transformation. A 5x CIO/CISO, author, thought leader and keynote speaker with decades of hands-on operational experience, Mark brings a rare combination of boardroom perspective and practitioner depth to every engagement. Ranked as a Top 5 Global Thought Leader in both AI and Cybersecurity by Thinkers360, Mark has facilitated over 150 incident response tabletop exercises across school districts, Fortune 500 enterprises, healthcare systems, government agencies, and mid-market manufacturers. His original research from these exercises represents the most comprehensive tabletop dataset published by a single practitioner. Mark has delivered more than 100 keynotes at marquee events including RSA Conference, Oracle CloudWorld, Cisco Partner Summit, Dell Technologies World, IBM Think, and Gartner Security & Risk Management Summit. His speaking topics span AI generative strategy, AI infrastructure, cybersecurity operations, ransomware preparedness, incident response, and business continuity. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Tulsa and attended The Wharton School. Mark served honorably in the United States Army's 3rd Ranger battalion, and 82d Airborne. My Newsletters: - Cybervizer: Weekly strategic briefings for 10k+ professionals. (www.cybervizer.com) - AI Bursts: Cutting through the noise of AI adoption. (www.aibursts.com) My Published Books: Books available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, and many other outlets: - Cyber War: One Scenario – A guide to infrastructure resilience. - A Leader’s Playbook to Cyber Insurance – Managing the financial ROI of risk. - Cybersecurity Life Skills for Teens – My passion project for digital safety.

Sam Gupta has been a digital transformation thought leader for nearly two decades, with the primary focus on business systems. Sam is rated as the #1 thought leader in the ERP and CRM categories and #15 in the digital transformation category on Thinkers 360. He is also among the top 100 thought leaders across all categories. He has been part of large transformation initiatives for Fortune 500 corporations, but now spends his time consulting with SMEs as a Principal Consultant at ElevatIQ. Sam regularly speaks at industry conferences and contributes his experiences through many popular blogs and publications. He also hosts a podcast called WBSRocks and co-hosts a show with distinguished analyst Robert Kramer called Analysts Gone Wild--focused on the enterprise software industry.

Tom Cloud is the founder of Vertex CTO Advisory, a fractional CTO practice serving private equity firms and mid-market portfolio companies nationwide. A 25-year technology executive, Tom spent nine years at Lehman Brothers as VP of Technology across New York, Tokyo, Sydney, and Hong Kong, and transitioned the technology operation to Nomura International following the 2008 collapse. He is also the owner-operator of 48 Technologies, a Dallas-based MSP, giving him direct visibility into both sides of the MSP relationship — how portfolio companies experience managed service delivery and how MSPs operate internally. His work focuses on the specific problems PE operating partners face: MSP oversight and transitions, technology due diligence, post-close IT integration, cybersecurity strategy, and building board-ready technology reporting during hold periods. Based in Dallas, Texas. Available for expert commentary on private equity technology, MSP industry dynamics, mid-market cybersecurity, and fractional CTO trends.

Deepak Gupta is a serial entrepreneur specializing in AI, cybersecurity, and B2B SaaS scaling. As Co-founder and CEO of GrackerAI, he's building the world's first GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) Platform for cybersecurity companies. He also co-founded LogicBalls, a hallucination-free AI assistant for businesses and individuals. Previously, Deepak co-founded and served as CTO/CISO of LoginRadius, scaling it from the ground up to $8 million ARR while serving over 1 billion users globally through a Product-Led Growth strategy. His expertise in Customer Identity and Access Management (CIAM) at massive scale gives him unique insights into enterprise authentication, security architecture, and digital identity challenges. With 15+ years of experience in cybersecurity and digital identity, Deepak has authored multiple books on cybersecurity and data privacy, holds patents for DDoS defense systems and searchable encryption. His work has been featured in Forbes, FastCompany, CIO, VentureBeat, and other leading publications. Deepak holds an MS in Computer Forensics and Cybersecurity from Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago and has spoken at major industry conferences. He provides expert commentary on AI implementation, machine identity management, zero trust architecture, passwordless authentication, and the intersection of AI and cybersecurity.

Michael Ferrara is an IT Analyst at Arnold & Porter in Boston, a technology writer, and an industry commentator with extensive experience supporting complex technology environments, including enterprise organizations and law firms. Throughout his career, Michael has worked across IT support, infrastructure, systems administration, end-user technology, audiovisual support, and technology operations. His experience includes supporting executives and professionals in demanding environments where reliability, security, communication, and business continuity are essential. He has also worked with technologies spanning endpoint management, virtualization, cloud services, networking, identity and access management, and enterprise infrastructure. In addition to his professional IT experience, Michael is the creator of Conceptual Technology and the author of Tech Topics, a technology-focused publication followed by a growing audience of professionals and technology enthusiasts. Through his writing, he translates complex technology topics into clear, accessible insights for a broad audience. Michael frequently writes and comments on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, IT leadership, workplace technology, digital transformation, technology adoption, enterprise IT, employee experience, and the practical impact of emerging technologies on organizations and individuals. His perspective is shaped by hands-on experience. Rather than focusing solely on technology theory, Michael brings a practical understanding of how technology is implemented, managed, supported, and experienced by the people who rely on it every day. He is particularly interested in the intersection of technology, business, and human behavior. Michael has contributed expert insights to publications including Fast Company and Software News, offering commentary on topics such as artificial intelligence, performance management, and essential cybersecurity practices. He has also been recognized among the top 5% of LinkedIn influencers by Favikon. As a technology professional and writer, Michael is available to provide expert commentary and insights on enterprise IT, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, technology trends, digital transformation, workplace technology, IT operations, and the evolving relationship between people and technology.

𝐈𝐬 𝐈𝐓 𝐚 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧?Is your tech strategy aligned with your overall business vision?Are you too reliant on your IT vendor, or a tech middle manager?Do you need expert IT guidance, but can’t justify the cost of a full-time CIO?How we help midsize organizations solve these problems:At Innovation Vista, we specialize in providing tailored, strategic, and economical IT guidance specifically designed for midsize organizations. Our approach goes beyond simply keeping the lights on; we aim to transform your IT into a powerful driver of business results. By leveraging our network of over 400 hand-picked, top-flight consultants, we ensure you receive 100% of the expertise of a seasoned C-level IT leader at a fraction of the cost of a full-time hire. Whether it’s leading digital transformation, optimizing current systems, or creating new revenue streams, our experts are equipped to help you innovate beyond efficiency and achieve your strategic objectives.Who is a good fit for our services?- Midsize businesses who have lost trust in their IT platform- Organizations with a stable tech infrastructure but seeking IT-driven growth and innovation- Companies without a need for a full-time CIO/CTO, but who nonetheless need high-level IT strategy - Businesses undergoing M&A or digital transformation requiring expert IT guidance- Organizations needing C-suite or Board-level IT advisory servicesOur results speak for themselves:- $1,400,000,000+ in new client revenue from IT & Analytics- $1,200,000,000 in IT-driven efficiencies & cost savings- 700+ C-suites/Boards advised by our consulting team+1 832.271.9100 · innovationvista.com · beyond@innovationvista.comPublication bio:Jeff Roberts, the founder of Innovation Vista, has over 30 years of IT leadership experience, including five tenures as a CIO. He has guided dozens of successful mergers, led multiple digital transformations, and turned around struggling IT departments into profit centers. His journey has been recognized with myriad awards, including nomination as Enterprise CIO of the Year. 19 of his former subordinates have advanced to C-level positions themselves. Since founding Innovation Vista in 2019, he's built a team of over 400 consultants that deliver C-level IT strategy and leadership services to midsize organizations, advising over 700 boards/C-suites, and powering over $2.6 billion in client results to date. For several years running, they have been named the #1 Provider of CIO Services in the U.S.

I’ve spent more than 20 years working in 3D visualization, building on my background in industrial design from HfG Offenbach. When I started Render Vision, I wanted it to stand on three simple but powerful principles: precision, attention to detail, and creative problem-solving. For me, great 3D rendering isn’t just about technical perfection - it’s about emotion. I love using small, almost invisible details - like how morning light filters through curtains or how atmosphere shapes the feeling of a space - to make people feel what they see. That idea grew into what I now call “emotional realism.” It’s become the heart of Render Vision’s work and what makes our images stand out in an industry that often focuses purely on the technical side. To make sure this approach runs through everything we do, I developed a shared visual language for the team. It helps every artist understand and create that same emotional depth - so together, we can tell stories through spaces that people don’t just look at, but truly connect with.

Dan Goman is a Los Angeles-based entrepreneur and technology founder with experience building companies across AI, media technology, software, and digital platforms. His work centers on developing practical technology products from complex systems, helping transform ideas in software, data, and emerging tech into scalable business solutions. With a background in enterprise technology and media innovation, Dan Goman has built and led ventures focused on video intelligence, cloud-based workflows, digital content management, automation, and AI-powered operations. His expertise includes artificial intelligence, SaaS strategy, product development, media infrastructure, business scaling, and technology commercialization. As a founder, he brings a strong mix of technical understanding and business leadership. He has worked on solutions that help organizations manage, distribute, analyze, and improve digital media workflows while making advanced technology easier to use in real-world business environments. Media features may highlight Dan Goman’s role in shaping the future of video AI, intelligent content systems, enterprise automation, and digital transformation. His experience makes him a relevant voice on how companies can adopt emerging technologies, build scalable platforms, and turn innovation into measurable business value.

Sebastien Fenelon is the founder of InthraOS, a privacy-first operating system for agentic AI, and co-founder of Eclos.io and E-strateji, platforms that bridge AI innovation with practical business outcomes. Known as “The Practical Architect”, Sebastien translates complex AI, compliance, and edge-computing concepts into clear, actionable strategies for founders, investors, and enterprises. His work spans building local LLM systems, advising on data privacy architecture, and helping startups design AI products that are fast, secure, and regulation-ready. With roots in Haiti and a career spanning design, marketing, and full-stack engineering, he brings a rare mix of creativity and technical depth. His mission is simple: make AI trustworthy, practical, and deployable where it matters most.

Deborah Sass is the CEO and Founder of SpaceVrse, a global space community platform connecting leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, academics and emerging professionals across 150+ countries. A woman of colour with 25 years of experience building platforms and communities at Amazon, SpaceHero, Shazam and Spotify, she pivoted into the space industry and built one of its most internationally diverse communities — from Ibiza, Spain. Deborah is a TEDx Speaker, a former member of the WEF Global Future Council on Space, and a founding member of the Rotary eClub Ibiza International. The SpaceVrse Women of Space Podcast won Best Breakthrough Podcast at the e4m Play Streaming Media Awards 2026. Areas of expertise: Entrepreneurship and business growth · Career pivots and reinvention · Women in leadership · Community building and platform development · The global space economy · Diversity and access in innovation · Personal branding · Building without permission

Tom Terronez is a hands-on leader in the dental technology industry, committed to helping practices reach their efficiency and IT security potential. Since founding two tech companies in the early 2000’s (Medix Dental and Terrostar Interactive Media), he has become a nationally respected and increasingly sought-after expert in his field. His mission to help practices mitigate risk, protect patients, and maximize overall success has allowed dentists all over the country to embrace a new type of technology partner. Tom’s philosophy is best likened to Benjamin Franklin’s sentiment, “An ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure.” Accordingly, he enjoys regularly educating prominent dental universities, associations, and societies about proactively combating the critical cybersecurity threats that face time. His ability to explain these complex topics in an accessible and inclusive fashion has allowed him to connect with both novice and expert audiences alike. Still, Tom’s time in the classroom is not always spent leading; he has attended executive education programs at both Stanford and Dartmouth College.

I build infrastructure for emerging technology transitions—and have been doing it for 20 years. Many know me for my work in digital health, where I spent two decades helping the industry understand how technology shapes behavior and decision-making. That work taught me something: every major platform shift creates new vulnerabilities and opportunities, and the companies that thrive are the ones who see them early. Today I'm focused on the agentic era—where AI systems operate autonomously and require fundamentally new approaches to security, commerce, and trust. WHAT I'VE SHIPPED Co-author of the #1 bestselling book ePatient 2015: 15 Surprising Trends Changing Healthcare (featured in Bloomberg, Forbes, and other publications). Co-founder of the FemAging Project, a global initiative driving women's health innovation. Creator of Femalytics, an AI-powered intelligence platform. Author of two FemAging Index studies, including one sponsored by AARP. Founder of Enspektos, LLC (est. 2005), which has evolved through Web 2.0, mobile, and ML eras—always at the intersection of emerging tech and real-world application. WHAT I'M BUILDING NOW AI Security Guard (aisecurityguard.io) is a multi-faceted platform for securing autonomous AI, combining protection APIs, product tooling, education, and original research on the agentic future.

David Vu is a technologist and AI innovation specialist with over a decade of experience building scalable real-world solutions across cloud infrastructure and software engineering. As the founder of FlowStarts LLC and a former engineer at Amazon AWS, David specializes in bridging the gap between deep technical execution and business strategy. He provides expert commentary on Generative AI implementation, DevSecOps, and digital transformation, helping organizations move beyond the hype to build practical result-driven automation. With a background spanning early-stage startups to enterprise platforms, David offers unique insights into how AI is reshaping human productivity and industry scalability. He is a frequent contributor to discussions on cloud security, AI-driven decision making, and the future of automated workflows.

I am an Information Security Professional with years of experience in Application Security, Penetration Testing & Information Risk Management. I have rich experience with working on complex security engagements, from designing and executing of Application Security Strategy, Supply Chain Security to Compliance Consulting. Some of the topics that is fascinating to me is DevSecOps, Advancement and usage of AI in Application Security, Security Awareness and Vulnerability Management. My mission is to use my existing knowledge and expertise to assist organizations in making their applications more resilient. Always enthusiastic about sharing my insights and best practices with other security professionals and enthusiasts via talks and coffee chats.

Ganesh Ariyur is a global enterprise technology executive and a Top 100 Digital Adoption Leader for 2025. He is known for delivering more than $500M in measurable enterprise value through large-scale digital transformation, enterprise systems modernization, cloud strategy, artificial intelligence adoption, data governance, & enterprise architecture leadership. His work spans more than 90 countries across Fortune 500 organizations, private-equity owned companies, and highly regulated industries. Ganesh serves as the Global Head of Enterprise Technology Strategy and Transformation at Gainwell Technologies, a $3B healthcare technology organization. He directs modernization programs across SAP S/4HANA, Oracle Cloud ERP, PeopleSoft, cloud platforms on AWS and Azure, enterprise applications, reporting and analytics, generative AI, intelligent automation, enterprise architecture, IT governance, and cybersecurity, aligned with operating models. His programs have delivered multi-million-dollar cost savings. He has directed enterprise portfolios valued at more than $1B. He has unified 450-plus legacy systems, led technology programs supporting more than $30B in M&A value, and guided organizations through complex TSA exits and carve-outs. Ganesh brings deep expertise in artificial intelligence-enabled operating models, multi-ERP modernization including SAP S/4 HANA, Oracle Cloud, & Workday, cloud strategy and FinOps, enterprise architecture, data, infrastructure, cybersecurity improvement, data quality & analytics modernization, robotic process automation & intelligent automation, shared services/global business services, organizational design, and long-term value creation. His people-process-technology approach led to his being named a Global Top 100 Digital Adoption Leader. He is a Certified AI Business Transformation Practitioner & a Certified Technology Innovation Practitioner. He is also a member of the Forbes Technology Council. He was publicly recognized for global transformation leadership when he was featured on billboards across Germany during a major enterprise program at Bayer. Ganesh is known for partnering with boards, CEOs, CFOs, & private equity operating teams. He aligns technology strategy with growth objectives, cost discipline, compliance needs, & long-term enterprise value. Based in Atlanta, he is regarded as a CIO leader who turns complexity into clarity and who consistently converts technology investment into measurable business outcomes.

Technology professional with 20+ years of experience in solving complex business challenges through innovative digital solutions. I've successfully delivered custom technology solutions for AT&T, HP, Transamerica, Comcast, Epicor, YMCA, Sealed Air, D. R. Horton, Pulte Homes, Intrado, Merck, Bottomline, Federal Reserve Bank, YMCA, Columbus McKinnon, Southco, Kiss Products, Bottomline, and many others. Author of Amazon Best-seller, "The Digital Transformation Cookbook". This book condenses twenty years of industry experience contributing to successful digital transformation initiatives and offers business leaders easily digestible insights into digital transformation strategies, technologies, and methodologies that are key to continual business growth.

My path to security leadership came through offensive security testing, software engineering, and product management. I've written code, designed and built security products, created and sold managed security services, and served as both GM and CISO for organizations ranging from early-stage startups to multi-billion-dollar enterprises. That background shapes how I approach security: I understand the trade-offs engineering teams face, I know what's actually feasible to implement and operate, and I prioritize controls that reduce real risk over ones that just satisfy auditors. I stay hands-on with cloud architecture, application security, AI, and emerging threats. At IOmergent, my co-founder Brett Wilson and I work with growing companies that need real security leadership but aren't ready for a full-time CISO. We provide fractional CISO (vCISO) services, managed cloud security, and practical assessments that tell you where you actually stand. Our focus is on building security into engineering culture and operations, as well as with executive teams. We work extensively with SaaS companies, healthcare and fintech organizations, and AI startups navigating their first enterprise customers, dealing with incidents or near misses, or trying to figure out what "good enough" security actually looks like for their stage. If you're a founder or technical leader looking to mature your security posture, preparing for your first compliance audit, or navigating an incident and need experienced support, I'm always happy to connect. And if you just want to talk through a security challenge with someone who's been there, reach out.

Experienced professional with a deep background in technology across 20+ years fulfilling many IT functions, consulting, team leadership, and as a pre-sales engineer. This includes developing and executing sales strategies and technical campaigns, creating and delivering strategy and technical presentations to customer Business Owners, CISO’s, Architects, Managers, and Engineers. Designing and managing multi product and multi year strategic deployments, proof of concepts, delivering post-sales monitoring and follow-up, and working with Product Management on improvements and features.

Cybersecurity expert with over a decade and a half of deep-dive experience, I bring an unparalleled level of understanding and expertise in strategic Cybersecurity planning, effective risk control, and pioneering product innovation. My career reflects my role as a reliable authority for organizations of all sizes, as well as an effective liaison with different regulatory bodies.

Nikolas Lamprou is a Principal Consultant in Vulnerability Management with 15 years of hands-on experience in IT, spanning web development and e-commerce before specialising in cybersecurity. He holds an MSc and industry certifications including GCFR, SC-200, Security+, PNPT, eJPT, and BTL1, and works daily at the intersection of vulnerability management, penetration testing, and practical security defence. He is also the founder of Solve Tech Today, where he writes clear, no-nonsense guidance on security, Windows, and everyday tech problems.