Welcome to Cyera’s Office of the CSO

Jason Clark is the Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) at Cyera, where he leads the company’s vision and go-to-market strategy at the forefront of AI-driven data security. With over 25 years of cybersecurity leadership experience, Jason is passionate about helping CISOs and founders scale securely, build resilient businesses, and navigate the evolving risk landscape.

Prior to joining Cyera, Jason served as CSO at Netskope and held CISO roles at The New York Times, Emerson, and EverBank, where he spearheaded transformative security programs. He is also Chairman of the CISO Board at Cyberstarts, where he helps early-stage founders connect with seasoned security leaders to accelerate innovation and product-market fit.

A proud U.S. Army veteran and MBA graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, Jason is a lifelong advocate for innovation, inclusion, and leadership in the global security community.

Lamont has more than 20 years of experience in the information security industry, having previously served as vice president of enterprise security for Charter Communications (now Spectrum) and as senior manager for the security and technology services practice at Ernst & Young. Prior to joining Cyera, Lamont was the Global Chief Information Security Officer and DEI Co-Chair for Netskope. Lamont was CISO for Vista Equity Partners/Vista Consulting Group. He was responsible for managing the cybersecurity programs and development of cybersecurity talent within the Vista portfolio, which included more than 50 companies. Prior to Vista, Lamont was Information Security Officer for Websense. In that role, he was responsible for developing, maintaining and socializing the company’s internal security program.  He was also responsible for working with current and potential customers demonstrating security of the solutions and the connection to the overall security ecosystem.  Lamont is also an Adjunct Professor for Washington University St Louis in the Cybersecurity Master's Program.

Sol Rashidi is a distinguished technology executive, author, and keynote speaker renowned for her expertise in artificial intelligence (AI), data strategy, and digital transformation. With a career spanning over two decades, she has been instrumental in shaping the AI landscape within Fortune 100 companies and beyond.

Rashidi played a pivotal role in the launch of IBM's Watson in 2011, marking one of the earliest large-scale applications of AI. In 2016, she became one of the first individuals appointed as a Chief AI Officer, setting a precedent for leadership in the field. Her executive experience includes serving as Chief Data & AI Officer at Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Chief Analytics Officer at Estée Lauder, Chief Data & Analytics Officer at Merck Pharmaceuticals, and Executive Vice President and Chief Data Officer at Sony Music. She also held a senior partnership at Ernst & Young, leading their Digital & Innovation Practice.

An innovator at heart, Rashidi holds 10 granted patents and has filed 21 more in the realms of data and AI. Her contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including being named Forbes' "AI Maverick of the 21st Century," inclusion in the "50 Most Powerful Women in Tech," and recognition among the "Top 100 AI Thought Leaders."

As the author of the Amazon bestseller Your AI Survival Guide: Scraped Knees, Bruised Elbows, and Lessons Learned from Real-World AI Deployments, Rashidi offers pragmatic insights into the challenges and opportunities of AI implementation. Her approach demystifies complex technologies, making them accessible to business leaders across various industries.

Beyond her corporate achievements, Rashidi is a sought-after keynote speaker, having delivered presentations at over 200 conferences and events worldwide. Her talks often focus on the integration of AI into the workforce, the evolution of organizational operating models, and the importance of responsible AI practices.

Ash Hunt is a seasoned executive in technology, information security, risk, and product strategy, with a proven track record of leading multi-million-dollar enterprise programs across highly regulated, acquisitive, and high-growth sectors. Currently serving as VP of EMEA Strategy at Cyera, he plays a pivotal role in shaping the company’s strategic direction in data security and AI-driven innovation.

Prior to Cyera, Ash was FTSE 250 & Global CISO across international financial services, where he led international cyber, risk, and regulatory transformation programs. He has deep operational and advisory experience across UK Government, FTSE, Fortune 500, and Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) environments, giving him a comprehensive understanding of global cybersecurity, compliance, and digital resilience challenges.

Ash is the author of the UK’s first quantitative framework for technology risk, a landmark model adopted across sectors to improve risk-informed decision-making. He also acts as a trusted advisor to Boards and venture capital firms, guiding emerging technology businesses through innovation, governance, and scale. A recognized international keynote speaker and industry thought leader, Ash served as a media commentator for Sky News & ITV on cyber security issues.

Nick Puetz has nearly 25 years of experience helping organizations address complex challenges in cybersecurity, technology, and compliance. He has led high-performing teams across consulting, business development, and customer success, with deep expertise in areas such as program strategy, cyber operations, data protection, and risk management.

As an executive leader for over 17 years, Nick has guided large customer-facing teams, led major transformation initiatives, and built long-term partnerships that align technology with business objectives.

Nathan Smolenski is a highly skilled technology executive with over 20 years of experience across a full range of industry verticals; Financial Services, Insurance, Management Consulting, Executive Search, Managed Services, and Software. Throughout his career he has had broad exposure to various internal and external boards and committees, and is skilled at developing trusted advisor relationships and working partnerships to promote transformation and maturity of security, risk management, and technology programs in both large and small organizations. In the past Nathan served as CISO at Spencer Stuart, CISO at Zurich North America, CISO at Farmer's Insurance, and Head of Cyber Intelligence Strategy at Netskope.

Rob Preta is an accomplished cybersecurity executive with a career dedicated to protecting organizations from the ever-evolving landscape of digital threats. With over two decades of experience, he has a proven track record of developing and implementing robust, risk-based security strategies that align with business objectives and leverage modern technologies.

Throughout his journey, Rob has held key leadership positions, where he honed his skills in safeguarding critical systems. His leadership is defined by an ability to quickly adapt to new challenges and guide teams to achieve strategic goals.. He has consistently demonstrated a commitment to staying ahead of emerging threats and fostering a culture of proactive defense.

Rob is particularly passionate about the critical areas of cloud security and data protection. In an era where organizations are increasingly cloud and SaaS-based, he is a strong advocate for embracing modern security tools to tackle these unique challenges. His insights have been featured in a Cyera customer spotlight video, and he has contributed to various discussions and podcasts on topics such as Identity and Access Management. Beyond his professional calling, Rob has a zeal for poker. His participation in tournaments highlights his ability to analyze risk, strategize, and adapt—skills that are equally valuable in the demanding world of cybersecurity.

As Cyera’s Customer #1 he has a unique view of Cyera and can  speak to the journey the product has been on since its inception to present.

Shane Coleman is a seasoned cybersecurity expert with over 20 years of experience in data protection and compliance. As Cyera's Chief Data Security Evangelist, Shane guides organizations through complex data risk and governance challenges.

His career spans leadership and engineering roles at organizations such as Netskope, F5 Networks, CheckPoint, Forescout and vArmour Technologies. 

This diverse background has honed Shane's expertise across networking, application, and data security domains.

A CISSP-certified professional, Shane holds an M.S. in Operations & Technology Management from the Illinois Institute of Technology. He brings a unique blend of technical knowledge and strategic insight to help Cyera's clients navigate the ever-evolving data security landscape.

Based in Chicago, Shane balances his professional pursuits with family life, residing with his wife and children.

Nick Daruty is an innovative and respected Information Security and Network Technology Leader with over 25 years of experience securing, designing, and managing enterprise IT networks, infrastructure, and applications. Known for his ability to bridge the gap between technology and business, he excels at translating complex technical concepts into clear, actionable strategies. Nick is a strong communicator and collaborator who consistently aligns information security initiatives with business objectives and operational goals, ensuring both security and efficiency across the organization.

Rick Holland is the Data and AI Security Officer at Cyera, where he helps enterprises secure their data and harness AI responsibly. A seasoned cybersecurity executive, Rick previously served as Field CISO at ReliaQuest and as CISO and VP of Strategy at Digital Shadows, which ReliaQuest acquired in 2022. He was an early employee at Digital Shadows, where he led Strategy, the Security and IT functions as well as the Photon Research threat intelligence team. Earlier, Rick was a Vice President and Principal Analyst at Forrester Research, authoring more than 100 research reports and advising Fortune 500 companies on security program strategy. A former U.S. Army Intelligence Analyst and co-chair of the SANS Cyber Threat Intelligence Summit, Rick is a frequent speaker and media commentator who has presented at RSAC, SANS, and BSides conferences and has been featured by CNN, The Wall Street Journal, BBC News, and NPR. Rick is also a proud Texan and BBQ aficionado.

Vinitha is a cybersecurity and risk leader with strong business focus and close to 20 years’ industry experience. She is passionate about creating positive team dynamics and a firm believer in the power of collaboration, she serves as a champion for all people and especially women in tech. 

The bulk of her career has been focused on management consulting with Deloitte’s Cyber Risk Services practice where she advised blue chip technology, healthcare and financial services clients, and led multimillion-dollar onshore/offshore engagements. She also worked with Veritas and PwC before finding her way to Rubrik in 2019 where she built and scaled the Information Security program from the ground up, and was part of the core team that took Rubrik public in 2024. She also held a GTM-facing role at Rubrik where she built a business value creation function to enable Rubrik’s CXO buyers to glean value from their cyber resilience solutions.

Vinitha is particularly passionate about partnering with CXOs to align the health of their company’s data posture with their business objectives, with the goal of accelerating their objectives securely and economically.

Thomas Mazzaferro is a executive recognized globally for pioneering advancements in AI, data, and digital transformation across leading banking and fintech organizations. With a career spanning executive leadership roles at Truist, Western Union, HSBC, and JPMorgan Chase, he has directed multi-billion-dollar strategies that fuse innovation with operational discipline to deliver sustained competitive advantage.

As Chief Data, AI & Analytics Officer at Truist, Thomas oversaw a $400M P&L and 2,000+ IT professionals, driving enterprise-wide AI, cloud, automation and data strategies that unlocked billions in capital efficiencies and won the 2025 American Banker Innovation of the Year award. At Western Union, he scaled the digital business from $500M to $900M, launched five digital banks across Europe and Latin America, and modernized global platforms serving 200+ countries. His tenure at HSBC and JPMorgan Chase was marked by transformative AI deployments, regulatory remediation, and capital optimization initiatives that strengthened financial resilience and customer engagement.

Named among the Top 100 Most Influential People in Data, Top 100 Chief AI Officers, and multiple innovation award lists, Thomas blends board-level governance expertise with hands-on technology leadership. He is committed to shaping the future of AI and technology through responsible AI adoption, scalable data ecosystems, and breakthrough digital products that redefine customer value in a rapidly evolving market.

Bob West is a seasoned senior executive with more than three decades of leadership experience across consulting, enterprise and startup environments. At Cyera, Bob is a Data & AI Security Officer, playing a pivotal role in helping define and execute strategies that scale our impact and deepen our market footprint — aligning growth, innovation and trust at the heart of our mission.Renowned for building high-performance organizations and forging strategic relationships, he brings a unique mix of operational acumen and visionary leadership. Bob has been honored with the HITEC 100 Award in both 2022 and 2024, recognizing his influence as a Hispanic leader in the technology industry.