Theresa Payton: AI Strategist

Theresa Payton is America’s first female White House CIO to empower your audience with cutting-edge insights on cybersecurity, digital trust, and the future of AI.

Highlights:
  • First female Chief Information Officer of the White House
  • Named one of the “Top 25 Most Influential People in Security” by Security Magazine
  • Recognized expert on AI, data privacy, and cyber resilience
  • Author of Privacy in the Age of Big Data and Manipulated

Formats:

Keynote (45–60 minutes), fireside chat, or leadership session


Audience:

Executives, CIOs, CISOs, policymakers, and digital transformation leaders across finance, government, and enterprise sectors


Outcomes:
  1. Learn how to stay ahead of evolving cyber and AI-driven threats.
  2. Gain actionable frameworks for building trust and resilience in digital systems.
  3. Understand how leadership, culture, and innovation intersect in cybersecurity.
Reviews: (0 reviews)
  • Travels from: Charlotte, North Carolina
  • **Fee range: $20,001 - $35,000

Keynote Topics

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. 

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. 

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.

Talent Short Bio

Theresa Payton is one of the world’s most respected authorities on cybersecurity, data privacy, and digital transformation. As the first female Chief Information Officer at the White House, she guided the U.S. government through major technological and security transitions, setting new standards for cyber resilience and innovation. Today, as the CEO of Fortalice Solutions, Theresa helps Fortune 500 companies and government agencies secure their infrastructure, defend against emerging threats, and harness technology responsibly.

With decades of experience in both the public and private sectors, Theresa brings a rare combination of executive leadership, technical acumen, and foresight into the future of artificial intelligence, cyber warfare, and digital ethics. A frequent commentator on CBS’s “Hunted”, and a recipient of numerous industry awards, she’s known for making cybersecurity personal, practical, and empowering. Her presentations inspire leaders to turn security into strategy and innovation into trust.

Theresa Payton stands at the forefront of this mission, renowned as the first female Chief Information Officer (CIO) at the White House. Her pioneering efforts in cybersecurity have cemented her status as a leading authority in the field. As the founder and CEO of Fortalice Solutions, a premier cybersecurity consulting firm, Theresa combines her extensive experience with a profound commitment to protecting organizations against emerging cyber threats.

Theresa’s journey from banking executive to White House CIO showcases her dedication to technological advancement and security. Her insights into the complexities of cybercrime, coupled with her hands-on experience in both public and private sectors, make her an invaluable asset to any organization seeking to fortify its digital defenses.

Theresa Payton’s career is a testament to her expertise and leadership in cybersecurity. Before her historic appointment as the first female CIO at the White House under President George W. Bush, she honed her skills in the financial sector, holding executive roles at Bank of America and Wells Fargo. These positions allowed her to develop a deep understanding of the technological challenges and security risks inherent in large financial institutions.

In 2008, Theresa founded Fortalice Solutions, where she leads a team of cybercrime fighters dedicated to protecting businesses and governments from risk and fraud. Her firm is recognized as one of the top cybersecurity consulting companies, known for its innovative approaches to combating cyber threats.

Theresa Payton’s unique blend of frontline experience, strategic insight, and engaging communication skills makes her an exceptional choice for any event focused on cybersecurity, technology, or leadership. Her presentations are enriched with real-world anecdotes and actionable takeaways, providing audiences with a deeper understanding of the cyber landscape and practical strategies to enhance their security posture.​

Event planners can trust Theresa’s professionalism and ability to connect with diverse audiences, ensuring that her message resonates and inspires action. Her track record of successful engagements with organizations across various industries attests to her versatility and effectiveness as a speaker.​

Theresa Payton’s distinguished career, from breaking barriers as the first female White House CIO to leading a top-tier cybersecurity firm, exemplifies her commitment to protecting and advancing our digital world. Her expertise, coupled with her engaging speaking style, offers audiences invaluable insights into cybersecurity challenges and solutions. Booking Theresa for your event ensures a compelling and informative experience that will empower attendees to navigate the complexities of today’s cyber environment confidently.​

Hashtags: #Cybersecurity #Leadership #WomenInTech #DigitalTransformation #InformationSecurity

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Talent Videos

Theresa Payton: Profile of a Woman in Cybersecurity (2m55)

Former White House CIO Theresa Payton shares her journey as a trailblazer in cybersecurity and her mission to empower the next generation of digital leaders.

Summary

In this inspiring video profile, Theresa Payton reflects on her groundbreaking career as the first female Chief Information Officer of the White House and her ongoing mission to strengthen cybersecurity and leadership diversity. She discusses how her early experiences in technology shaped her drive to protect critical systems while paving the way for more women in cybersecurity.

Theresa highlights the increasing complexity of digital threats and the need for organizations to blend innovation with vigilance. Drawing from her work as CEO of Fortalice Solutions, she shares how cybersecurity is as much about people as it is about technology — emphasizing collaboration, empathy, and leadership as the foundation of digital resilience.

The video captures her passion for mentorship, her belief in the power of inclusion, and her optimism about the future of cybersecurity as a field where creativity and courage drive progress.

Key Moments

  • 00:36–01:15 — Lessons from serving as White House CIO

  • 01:16–01:55 — Building Fortalice Solutions and advancing cyber resilience

  • 01:56–02:30 — Encouraging women and underrepresented voices in cybersecurity

Theresa Payton explains why clear communication and shared understanding are essential to building effective cybersecurity at every level of an organization.

Summary

In this concise and insightful clip, Theresa Payton, former White House Chief Information Officer, highlights one of the most overlooked elements of cybersecurity: communication. She explains that many security failures stem not from technology, but from a disconnect in language between IT professionals and executive leadership.

Theresa urges organizations to develop a “common cybersecurity vocabulary” — one that bridges technical detail and business strategy — so everyone from engineers to board members can understand risk, urgency, and priorities in the same way. She emphasizes that effective security begins with empathy, clarity, and collaboration across departments.

The video captures her trademark ability to turn complex cybersecurity ideas into accessible, actionable leadership lessons that empower both technical and non-technical audiences.

Key Moments

00:21–00:40 — The communication gap between IT teams and executives

00:41–00:55 — How shared language strengthens cyber awareness

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Talent FAQ's

Cybersecurity strategy, AI ethics, data privacy, digital transformation, and leadership in crisis.

She combines top-level White House experience with relatable, business-driven insights and real-world solutions.

Yes. She customizes content for finance, healthcare, government, and corporate audiences.

Talent Resources

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Talent FAQ

Cybersecurity strategy, AI ethics, data privacy, digital transformation, and leadership in crisis.

She combines top-level White House experience with relatable, business-driven insights and real-world solutions.

Yes. She customizes content for finance, healthcare, government, and corporate audiences.

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