Theresa Payton

Theresa Payton is a pre-eminent authority on cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and digital privacy, recognised for her historic tenure as the first woman to serve as the White House Chief Information Officer. During her time at the Executive Office of the President, she managed all technology operations and defended sensitive data for over 3,000 staff members amidst a landscape of evolving global threats. This high-level public service followed a successful career as a senior executive at major financial institutions including Bank of America and Wells Fargo, providing her with a comprehensive understanding of both state-level security and private-sector innovation. As the CEO of Fortalice Solutions, her consultancy advises Fortune 500 boards and government agencies on how to navigate the complexities of AI disruption and cybercrime. A prolific author, she has published works such as Privacy in the Age of Big Data and Protecting Your Internet Identity. Her expertise is frequently sought after by major media outlets, and she has contributed her specialist skills to hit television programmes like the CBS series Hunted. Security Magazine notably named her one of the Top 25 Most Influential People in Security for her ongoing impact on the industry. Theresa is highly regarded by audiences for her ability to translate technical concepts into clear, practical strategies for business leaders. Her presentations combine real-world examples with live demonstrations, offering a unique perspective on secure digital transformation and the human elements of risk management. On stage, Theresa Payton is best known for talks on Cybersecurity and Digital Business & Strategy. Audiences leave with a clear, practical view of the subject rather than a generic overview — every keynote is shaped around the brief and the room. Their work resonates with leaders across Business & Consulting and Technology, where the themes translate directly into team decisions, customer experience and growth strategy. Theresa Payton is regularly booked for Business Speaker and Conference Speaker, adapting tone, length and format to suit the event — from a 20-minute opener to a full conference keynote with Q&A. Based in UK, Theresa Payton travels internationally for engagements. To check availability or request a tailored brief for your event, send an enquiry and we'll come back with fees, dates and a short summary of how Theresa Payton would approach your audience.