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Leadership

Driving innovation and transformation through strategic technology leadership and cybersecurity expertise.

Leadership Philosophy

My leadership approach is built on the foundation of aligning technology initiatives with business objectives, fostering a culture of innovation, and developing high-performing teams. I believe in leading by example, maintaining clear communication, and empowering team members to reach their full potential.

Strategic Vision

Developing forward-thinking strategies that align technology initiatives with business goals to drive growth and innovation.

Team Development

Building and mentoring high-performing teams by fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional growth.

Leadership Achievements

Cybersecurity Transformation

Led a comprehensive cybersecurity transformation program that significantly improved the organization's security posture and resilience against cyber threats.

  • Improved NIST CSF maturity score from 2.4 to 3.2 over 3 years
  • Implemented a Zero Trust Architecture across multiple platforms
  • Developed and implemented a 3-year Cybersecurity Operating Model
  • Received CSO50 award in 2019 for Zero Trust model implementation

Cloud Transformation

Spearheaded the organization's cloud transformation initiative, moving from traditional on-premises infrastructure to a modern, cloud-native architecture.

  • Reduced on-premises dependency by 70%
  • Achieved 15-minute RTO and 5-minute RPO for critical systems
  • Increased operational efficiency by 20%

Cost Optimization

Implemented strategic cost optimization initiatives while maintaining high service levels and enhancing operational capabilities.

  • Delivered $27M cost savings through strategic infrastructure outsourcing
  • Maintained >99.99% network uptime with optimized infrastructure
  • Reduced annual operational costs by $1M through SOC outsourcing

Organizational Transformation

Led the reorganization of IT into a more efficient, agile-driven model that better aligned with business objectives and improved service delivery.

  • Improved project delivery efficiency 10x through Agile methodology
  • Established Agile product teams for more effective M&A integration
  • Created unified organizational design with clear roles and responsibilities

Professional Leadership Roles

  • Board Chair, CUFSLP Cyber Board

    Leading strategic cybersecurity initiatives for the Credit Union Financial Services Limited Partnership.

  • Advisory Board Member – Okta / BeyondID

    Providing strategic guidance on identity and access management solutions and market trends.

  • Board Member, CISOExec Network

    Contributing to the advancement of the cybersecurity profession through collaboration and knowledge sharing since 2018.

  • Gartner IAM Speaker (2022–2024)

    Sharing expertise on identity and access management strategies and best practices at Gartner events.

Recognition

  • CSO50 Award Winner (2019)

    Recognized for innovative Zero Trust security model implementation at TDECU.

  • Featured Speaker on Cloud and Security Podcasts

    Regularly invited to share insights on technology transformation, cloud migration, security, and governance.

Ready to Transform Your Organization's Technology Strategy?

Let's discuss how my leadership experience can help drive innovation and security in your organization.

Connect With Me

John Gallo

Senior Technology & Cybersecurity Executive

Driving innovation, transformation, and cyber resilience in financial services

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