About
Know more about Theresa Payton
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Theresa Payton is a trailblazer in technology and cybersecurity, making history as the first female White House Chief Information Officer under President George W. Bush. Known as one of the nation's top advisors on secured digital transformation, she works with Fortune 500 Boards, CEOs, and technology executives to safeguard critical assets and navigate complex digital challenges.
Theresa’s career began in banking, where she quickly rose through the ranks to brief the Board of her institution at just 23 years old. She led a variety of portfolios of work including M&A technology integration teams, spearheading customer-focused digital transformation efforts, and delivered significant cost savings and revenue growth through innovative technology rollouts.
Today, as the CEO of Fortalice Solutions, Theresa leads the fight against cybercrime, combining her experience as a technologist and entrepreneur. She is also a co-inventor of a U.S. patent holder in security design and a recognized thought leader on AI, privacy, safety, and security.
Whether as a Board member, consultant, or keynote speaker, she delivers unmatched value to organizations striving to achieve secure, customer-centric innovation in a rapidly changing world. A dynamic speaker, Theresa blends compelling stories with cutting-edge insights to educate and inspire.