Meet Our Speakers

Summit Leaders

  • Chief Information Security Officer, Carnival Corporation

  • As the Global Chief Information Security Officer of Carnival Corporation & plc, Margarita Rivera has over 20 years of expertise in protecting digital landscapes for Fortune 50 & Fortune 200 companies. Starting as Vice President and Head of Brand Information Security, she now directs the global information security strategy.

    Margarita collaborates with senior executives to support growth, drive efficiencies, and enable secure innovation. She plays a key role in mitigating risks, ensuring compliance, and enhancing cybersecurity across Carnival’s nine cruise line brands.

    She holds a Master’s Degree in Information Systems from Harvard University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Florida International University. Margarita also has several certifications, including C-CISO, CISSP, CISM, CRISC, CISA, and CIPT. Recognized as a thought leader, she has received numerous awards, including the 2024 Authentic Leadership Award from the National Diversity Council.

  • VP Maritime Cyber Safety, Carnival Corporation

  • Leigh Carr serves as the Vice President of Global Maritime Cyber Safety at Carnival Corporation. She established and leads the Maritime Cyber Safety program, which works to safeguard the fleet's critical operations technology (OT) from cyber threats.

    Under her leadership, the team develops and manages a comprehensive global cyber safety program designed to counter digital threats targeting maritime OT such as navigation, propulsion, and automation systems. They ensure regulatory compliance for OT cybersecurity across all Carnival Corporation vessels and enhance security controls for shipboard OT environments. Additionally, the team acts as the primary liaison between Carnival Corporation's Maritime groups and IT, facilitating the integration of cybersecurity protections for OT on a global scale.

    Leigh holds a bachelor's degree in Business Management and Accounting, an MBA, a CISSP certification, and a Master's Certificate in Enterprise Cybersecurity from the Professional Development Academy.

  • Fleet Cruise Director, Carnival Cruise Line

  • Lee Mason, Fleet Cruise Director with Carnival Cruise Line, is from Cumbria, England. Previously, he has served as Inaugural Flagship Cruise Director onboard the award-winning Carnival Celebration. 

    He's served as Cruise Director on over a dozen ships across Carnival’s fleet, not only in North America, but also sailing in the European and Australaisan regions. Recognized across the industry with several awards and recognition, including Porthole Cruise & Travel Magazine's Readers Choice "Best Cruise Director" 2023 & 2024, Carnival Cruise Line's "Cruise Director of the Year" 2024 and "Ambassador of the Year" for St Jude Children's Research Hospital.  

Speakers

  • USN (Ret.), Former Director of the National Security Agency, & Former Commander of U.S. Cyber Command

  • Admiral Rogers is a member of the Board of Directors or Advisory Board to multiple companies in the private sector. He also works in the consulting and venture capital arenas across the globe while also speaking internationally to various business and academic groups in the areas of cyber security, geopolitics, technology, leadership, and crisis response. He can be seen on major media outlets across the globe on occasion addressing those same issues.  He is a Senior Fellow and Adjunct Professor with Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management’s and works with DoD in the mentoring and professional development of its General and Flag officers.

    Mike served in the U.S. Navy for nearly 37 years ending his service as a four-star admiral.  Admiral Rogers retired from the U.S. Navy in 2018 and culminated his career in uniform with a four plus year tour as both the Commander of U.S. Cyber Command and Director, National Security Agency – creating the DoD’s then newest combatant command (the senior-most war-fighting organizations within the DoD) and leading the largest intelligence organization in the free world.  In those roles, he worked with the senior-most leadership of the U.S. government, the DoD and the Intelligence community as well as their international counterparts in the conduct of cyber and intelligence activity across the globe.  He also assisted in the development of national and international policy with respect to cyber, intelligence, privacy and technology – including extensive work with corporate leadership in the finance, IT, telecommunications and technology – and global security more broadly.

    Prior to his final duties he also served as Commander, U.S TENTH FLEET/Fleet Cyber Command and the Director of Intelligence for the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the INDO-PACIFIC Command.   He served afloat and ashore around the world during his career.

    He is a graduate of Auburn University and holds a Masters in National Security (East Asia) and is a distinguished graduate of the National War College and a graduate of highest distinction from the Naval War College.  He is also an MIT Seminar XXI Fellow and a Harvard Senior Executive in National Security alum.     

  • Head of Digital Business, ABB Marine & Ports

  • Osku Kälkäjä has a passion for driving sustainability to the marine industry, making it available for ship owners with digital solutions and services, ultimately creating a positive impact to the world. In his role as the Head of Digital Business in ABB Marine & Ports, Osku is responsible in driving digitalization as an enabler to decarbonization to the marine industry, whilst ensuring the ABB Marine & Ports offering to marine digitalization reflects the industry needs.

    He has an extensive background in shipping industry, having worked in the Finnish Navy before joining ABB Marine & Ports.

  • Director of Maritime Cybersecurity, Wärtsilä Marine

  • Matti Suominen leads cyber security across the Wärtsilä Marine business, focusing on security of products and services. For the past 20 years, he has worked on cyber security and software development across different industries. 

  • Head of Section Digital Ship Systems, DNV

  • Jarle Coll Blomhoff is Head of Digital Ship Systems in DNV where he leads the team responsible for the development of rules and approval of vessels and vessel systems when it comes to maritime cyber security, data connectivity and autonomous and remotely operated vessels. He holds a Master of Science in Engineering with specialization in Navigation, Guidance and Control of Ships from Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and has more than 15 years of experience from both advisory and classification.

  • Lead Specialist for IT /Navigation/ Communication, Fincantieri

  • Matteo Lenardon is the lead specialist for IT/Navigation/Communication at Fincantieri Merchant Ship Business Unit. After the master’s degree in electronic engineering with telecom specialization at University of Trieste, he started working as R&D engineer for industrial telecom applications at Finmek Space. He joined Fincantieri in 2004 working in electrical technical dept., contributing to the design and development of navigation and internal/external communication systems of newbuilds and becoming the technical reference for these systems, focusing on their digital evolution, including their cyber resilience.

  • Cyber Security Expert, NAPA

  • Mika Väkiparta is Chief Cyber Security Officer at NAPA Safety Solutions. He is a Master Mariner, Global Industrial Cyber Security Professional, serving 16 years at Napa.

  • Sr. Director, Maritime Cyber Safety Engineering, Carnival Corporation

  • Viurniel Sanchez joined Carnival Corporation in 2018, bringing over 6 years of Operational Technology (OT) experience in the utilities sector. He began his Carnival journey as a Project Manager in 2018. He was then promoted to Program Manager and subsequently to Sr. Director, showcasing exceptional skill in delivering critical IT and OT projects such as Firewall Analyzer, Antivirus Consolidation, Pentest Remediations, and USB Scanners.

    Additionally, Viurniel has played a key role in helping complete risk assessments and in the introduction of cyber safety OT procedures into our safety management system. Today he serves as the Senior Director of Maritime Cyber Safety Engineering, focused on OT cyber architecture, engineering, and operations. 

  • Executive Director, MTS-ISAC

  • Shawn Whiteside is a 25-year cybersecurity veteran and retired U.S. Coast Guard officer with extensive experience in maritime threat intelligence, critical infrastructure security, and national security strategy. As SVP of Commercial Practice at OneZero Solutions and Executive Director of the MTS-ISAC, he has been at the forefront of maritime cybersecurity and intelligence-sharing. Shawn holds a Master of Public Administration from Harvard Kennedy School and an MBA, equipping him with a unique blend of technical insight, policy expertise, and leadership acumen.

  • SVP, Technical Operations, Carnival Cruise Line

  • Martina Gallus is the Senior Vice President of Technical Operations at Carnival Cruise Line, bringing over 20 years of industry experience. She holds a Master of Science in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from the Università degli Studi di Genova, Italy.

    Martina began her career in ship design and repairs. She joined Carnival Corporation in 2008 as a Costa New Building Superintendent and later became a Ship Manager. In 2013, she was promoted to Fleet Safety Enhancement Manager for the Costa fleet.

    In 2014, Martina transitioned to Carnival Cruise Lines as Deck and Safety Asset Director, overseeing Safety Systems, Stability, and Fire Safety for the fleet. By 2019, she also took on the role of Fleet Director for eight ships, in addition to her responsibilities as Deck and Safety Director. In 2021, Martina was promoted to Vice President of Technical Operations.

  • VP, Global Technology Services, Carnival Corporation

  • Steve Ciske, VP of Global Technology Services at Carnival Corporation, is a seasoned technology leader with over two decades of experience driving transformative change across healthcare, consulting, manufacturing, and private equity. Known for his results-driven approach, Steve excels at aligning technology strategies with business objectives to accelerate growth, improve productivity, and deliver measurable outcomes.

    As a hands-on executive, he seamlessly balances leadership and operational involvement, navigating the player/coach dynamic to empower teams and optimize performance. His expertise spans innovation, turnarounds, strategic planning, architecture, product acceleration, and building high-impact teams. From startups to Fortune 50 companies, Steve’s proven ability to lead through complexity makes him a vital force in advancing Carnival Corporation’s Global Technology Services.

  • Director, IT Security and Compliance, Carnival Cruise Line

  • Michelle Garcia is the Director of IT Security & Compliance at Carnival Cruise Line, where she plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the digital assets and infrastructure of one of the world’s leading cruise operators with industry experience that includes call centers, guest services, e-commerce, newbuilds, dry docks, safety systems and people tracking. With a robust background in information security and industry experience, Michelle is responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive security strategies to protect the company’s critical systems and ensure compliance with international regulations and standards.

    Michelle holds a master's degree in cyber security management and policy and has over 15 years of experience in the IT security industry with over 30 years of cruise experience. Her career is marked by a commitment to innovation and excellence in cybersecurity, focusing on risk management, threat identification, and the development of secure IT environments. Before joining Carnival Cruise Line, she held key positions at several major corporations where she implemented advanced security solutions and helped to elevate their cyber defense mechanisms.

    At Carnival, Michelle leads a talented team dedicated to ensuring the privacy and security of both customer and corporate data. She collaborates closely with cross-functional teams to facilitate a secure digital transformation and adopts a proactive approach to cybersecurity challenges. Under her leadership, the IT Security & Compliance division has successfully navigated the complexities of maritime regulations while maintaining high standards of data protection.

    Michelle is also a passionate advocate for diversity in tech and actively mentors young professionals entering the cybersecurity field. Her ability to balance strategic vision with technical expertise makes her an invaluable asset to Carnival Cruise Line as it continues to adapt to the digital age. Outside of work, Michelle enjoys traveling and exploring new destinations, embodying the spirit of adventure that is central to Carnival’s mission.

  • Senior Manager Automation, Princess Cruise Lines

  • James Webb is the Senior Manager, Automation for Princess Cruise Lines. James has been working in the marine industry for 22 years. His seagoing career started as a joint ETO/Engineering cadet with P&O ferries before joining Princess Cruise Lines in 2005. James worked his way through various electrical positions onboard before leaving Island Princess as Chief Electrical Officer in 2019, moving into the Technical Operation/Electrical Asset Management Team supporting the ships he sailed on. Having emigrated from England, James is now based in and calls Nova Scotia, Canada home.

  • AVP Threat Management & Intel, Carnival Corporation

  • Alex Tabares is an accomplished security and regulatory compliance professional, presently serving as the Associate Vice President of Threat Management for the Global Cybersecurity Services (GCS) team. With a distinguished career at Carnival Corporation, Alex has honed his expertise across diverse security domains, consistently enhancing his capabilities in each successive role.

    Demonstrating proficiency in security operations, Alex possesses a comprehensive understanding of regulatory frameworks such as SOX and PCI-DSS. His proficiencies extend to security management, vulnerability management, identity and access management, web application security, incident response, security monitoring, and project management. Alex excels in fostering collaborative relationships across organizational boundaries, facilitating seamless coordination and cooperation.

    Backed by an MBA and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management of Information Systems (MIS), Alex combines academic rigor with practical acumen. Most recently completing the CISO Certification Program from the Carnegie Mellon University Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy. Moreover, he holds a spectrum of esteemed industry certifications, including Certified Information Systems Security Professional (ICS2-CISSP), Certified Information Security Manager (ISACA-CISM), Certified Information System Auditor (ISACA-CISA), GIAC Certified Incident Handler (SANS-GIAC), Microsoft (MCSA, MCP), and several CompTIA (Security+, Network+), underscoring his commitment to ongoing professional development and mastery within the security landscape.

  • Sr. Research Scientist, ReliaQuest

  • A.J. Ledwin is a Senior Research Scientist specializing in operational technology security threat visibility and response. With over a decade of experience in cybersecurity, A.J. helps organizations protect their OT environments through enhanced monitoring and incident response capabilities. Previously serving as an Information Security Analyst and Incident Response Manager, A.J. brings practical expertise in identifying cyber threats and implementing effective defensive strategies.

  • GreyMatter Engineer, ReliaQuest

  • Matthew Byers is a GreyMatter Engineer at ReliaQuest with over four years of experience in the cybersecurity industry. He is passionate about working directly with customer technical teams to help optimize their security platforms and empower organizations to build stronger, more resilient defenses.

    When not focused on "making security possible," Matthew is a part-time security expert and a full-time Dungeon Master, blending strategic thinking and creativity both in his professional life and hobbies. He thrives on tackling challenges in the ever-evolving threat landscape and helping teams navigate their way to success.

  • Global Compliance Director for Safety, Health & Security (SHS), Carnival Corporation

  • Manny Canino is an accomplished Corporate Director with over 20 years of experience offering a proven track record in establishing, cultivating, and overseeing global teams. As a former NCIS Special Agent, I possess a unique skill set in executing intricate investigations, evaluating risk, and navigating cyber compliance challenges. As an expert in Maritime Security and with broad knowledge of Occupational Health & Safety, I ensure the highest standards of safety and efficiency. An MBA graduate and decorated military veteran, I am adept at orchestrating, guiding, and inspiring personnel during high-stakes operations.