Overview
The path to the boardroom is often hidden from view, leaving many aspiring directors unsure of how the process really works. In this episode, we shine a spotlight on the mechanics of board-member selection, from how nominating committees identify candidates to the role networks, skills, and emerging competencies like cybersecurity and ESG play in shaping the pipeline. Joining us are experts from a leading executive search firm and seasoned industry leaders with direct experience in selecting board members. Together, they will reveal what differentiates candidates, how boards make decisions, and what it truly takes to earn a seat at the table.
Moderator
Speaker/s
JC Vega – Founder, Executive Security Advisors, LLC
Colonel J. Carlos Vega is a former military officer and current cybersecurity executive with over 30 years of leadership experience across defense, government, and industry. He is widely recognized for bridging mission and market, bringing deep expertise in cyber risk, governance, and organizational transformation.
A former CISO, CIO, and strategic leader, Vega has led innovation within the Department of Defense and shaped cybersecurity strategy across startups, public agencies, and corporate boardrooms. His work focuses on systemic cyber risk, supply chain security, and enterprise resilience.
Vega was the first Cyber Operations Colonel in the U.S. Army and played a central role in the creation of the Army’s cyber branch. As a co-founder of the Army Cyber Institute, he helped define the history, doctrine, and future of Army Cyber Operations, building a professional culture rooted in high performance, ethics, and mission-first leadership. His experience provides a rare, first-hand perspective on the institutional evolution of military cyber power.
He serves as a board member and strategic advisor to multiple organizations, where he provides executive oversight and guidance on digital risk, resilience, and cybersecurity governance. He is Vice Chairman of the ISSA Board of Directors Special Interest Group (BoD SIG), a forum dedicated to advancing cybersecurity expertise in corporate boardrooms.
A frequent keynote speaker and trusted voice in national security and cyber policy circles, Vega draws on decades of operational leadership to inform and empower decision-makers navigating complexity and disruption.
He is a Senior Army Aviator and Blackhawk Instructor Pilot, ISC2 CISSP certified, a Board Certified Qualified Technical Expert, and has taught at West Point. He holds a graduate degree from the Naval Postgraduate School.
Michael Piacente – Cofounder and Managing Partner, Hitch Partners
Michael Piacente is a cofounder and managing partner at Hitch Partners, a global executive search firm specializing in AI Security, Product Security, Information security, Information technology, and Business Technology. With two decades of experience in executive recruiting, Michael and his team have successfully placed over 100 CISO, CSO, CIO and Board members.
Beyond his executive search work, Michael serves as a board advisor for several security startups and is actively involved in several nonprofit organizations. Prior to founding Hitch Partners, he held IT leadership positions in enterprise storage and data center infrastructure operations. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Michael brings a unique blend of industry expertise and executive search acumen to the community.
Recent On-Demand Web Conferences
ISSA Webinars and Conference series cover all the continuing education credits to maintain your cyber security certifications. (CPEs, CEUs, ECE, etc). Each hour is equal to one continuing education credit. Certificates of completion are available upon request after completion. For instructions, click here.