david petko
President
Current President of the San Diego ISSA Chapter since 2024 after joining the board in 2017 as the Membership Director. Over a decade since getting into IT with a start in IP networking and firewalls, and spending the last 8+ years heavily involved in the SoCal Cybersecurity community. Recently launched the Apprentice Management Project to solve a major gap in the industry.
The Vision for my term as President is to make SD ISSA the go-to San Diego cybersecurity community networking group for fun and career advancement. The Mission I set this new Board on is split into 3 main phases which are to bring new structure to the board and chapter processes for efficiency, clarity to SD ISSA’s brand focused around who we serve, and creativity to our expanded programming offerings.
Email: president@sdissa.org
Emily O’Carroll
Vice President
I have nearly 20 years combined experience in cybersecurity and IT governance, risk and compliance. I started my career as an intern at KPMG in the IT Advisory practice in San Diego and spent the next 10 years honing my skills and mastering execution of consulting engagements for clients across diverse industries including Fortune 50 clients headquartered in San Diego, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Chicago. Areas of expertise and focus for these consulting engagements included IT Audit (SOX, J-SOX, FSA), IT and Cyber Attestation (SOC 1 previously SAS 70, SOC 2 and 3 previously WebTrust and SysTrust, PKI assessments, etc.), IAM for ERPs (Oracle, SAP, and Netsuite), and moved into cybersecurity consulting in the Bay Area in 2009. I left KPMG in 2015 as a Director leading global, diverse teams of up to 15 team members, and joined Callaway Golf, now Topgolf Callaway Brands, as their Head of Global Information Security and IT Compliance (CISO). When I joined Callaway, I was a team of one with support from consultants, 3rd parties, and IT. Over my 9+ years with Topgolf Callaway Brands, we expanded the team including building out a seasoned leadership team and offshore support team totaling 34 team members globally supporting 5 major global brands and 25,000 users globally covering areas of Information Security (Architecture, Engineering, and Operations), Application Security, IAM, and IT Risk and Compliance. I am incredibly proud of all that our team accomplished during my tenure as the CISO at Topgolf Callaway Brands, and it was bittersweet to move on to a new opportunity this year. I am spending some well deserved time with my family this summer before moving back into consulting as a Field CISO for GuidePoint Security in the fall. Mentoring and advocating for underserved populations and youth has been a passion and motivator for me throughout my career. I look forward to the opportunity to expand ISSA's reach to the community and promote inclusivity in my role as the Education Director.
Email: vice.president@sdissa.org
Steven lengua
Treasurer
Treasurer of the San Diego ISSA Chapter. 20+ years in technology. Started cabling work in Manhattan skyscrapers just out of school which led to telephony in the Definity G3 space. Jumped to Cisco Networks which evolved into the security space in the last 5 years. Settled in now but always happy to discuss any layer of the stack.
Reach out to the Chapter President if you are interested in this role as Steve plans to step down this year.
Email: treasurer@sdissa.org
Katie Holleback
Recording Secretary
Hey there, cyber security enthusiasts! I'm thrilled to be part of the SD ISSA leadership team. With 20+ years of experience in enterprise systems and risk management, I've had the opportunity to work with a variety of businesses, helping them navigate complex challenges and protect their valuable assets.
I'm passionate about leveraging technology to drive efficiency and security. I've successfully implemented automation solutions that have streamlined operations, reduced costs, and enhanced overall resilience. I believe that by combining a strong understanding of business needs with cybersecurity best practices, we can create a safer and more secure digital world.
I'm excited to connect with like-minded individuals in the San Diego cybersecurity community and hope to meet you at one of our upcoming events.
Email: recording@sdissa.org
Justin Hook
Corresponding Secretary
In the business world, I have 15+ years of experience in the cybersecurity industry... 20+ years in Information Technology... and am a seasoned, successful and empathetic tech consulting professional who helps organizations of all sizes solve their critical business needs with cutting-edge tools across cybersecurity, applications, infrastructure, artificial intelligence and more.
In my personal life I have WAY too many interests and hobbies including being a musician and a struggling voice over artist. I also love hiking, fishing, camping, writing, reading, golfing, photography, gaming… and sometimes just driving out to Anza Borrego and getting lost in the desert in my Subaru. I am an adventurer at heart and love meeting new people and doing everything I can to better our Cybersecurity Community here in San Diego County. I’m also the proud Dad of a 16-year old (Sophomore at Carlsbad High).
My vision for this role is to bring my creativity and communication skills to the organization however possible in order to broaden the reach of ISSA in our community, and ultimately bring more of us together.
Email: corresponding@sdissa.org
JoLynn Blatz
Communication Director
JoLynn is a B2B Marketing Communications professional with more than 15 years of experience with startups, SMBs, not-for-profits and global corporations in the Cyber and Tech spaces. She has developed Go-To-Market (GTM) strategies to drive growth with engagement and demand strategies for mid-market and enterprise accounts in leading industries Finance, Healthcare, Retail, Professional Services, Higher Education, Private Equity and Insurance. JoLynn is proficient at partnering with stakeholders to execute senior leadership vision and strategy to drive revenue and foster successful acquisitions and exit strategies. She has worked with cyber startups in Silicon Valley and Southern California, and currently leads North America Cyber Growth Marketing for Aon with a portfolio of 13 proactive and reactive cyber solutions, and cyber insurance.
Her dedication to building meaningful relationships within the cyber and IT ecosystems will lend to building the San Diego ISSA chapter growth and community involvement.
Email: communication@sdissa.org
Jalane Olds
Membership Director
With over 15 years of experience in telecommunications and technology helping both public, private, and government organizations with digital transformation and their technology initiatives to achieve their strategic objectives. I am particularly excited to share and strategize about the inner workings of cyber security technology and the countless ways it innovates individuals to continue to push the limits of its capabilities to support and safeguard information with my fellow cybersecurity community.
My vision is to build meaningful connections with our members, celebrate their achievements, and champion more diversity in the cybersecurity field. I am committed to fostering an inclusive and dynamic space where members can collaborate, learn, and inspire each other.
Email: membership@sdissa.org
Kristen Berglas
Awards Director
With over 14 years of experience in the healthcare field, I've decided to embark on a new career journey to merge my passion for connecting with people and solving complex problems. I'm excited to join ISSA and contribute to its growth. I look forward to learning from each other and offering a fresh perspective to the ISSA community. As the Awards Director, I'm thrilled about connecting with members on a personal level, building meaningful relationships, and bringing creativity to the table by exploring unique ways to recognize and celebrate achievements.
Email: awards@sdissa.org
Giri Sonty
Program Director
Giri's leadership spans all key security domains and holds numerous certifications including CISA, CISM, CISSP, CDPSE, CRISC, and cloud architecture certifications from AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure. His expertise in standards like ISO 27001, HIPAA, TOGAF and COBIT ensures alignment between security initiatives, business goals, and regulatory requirements and led the implementation of the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. His strategic approach integrates best practices to secure both physical and cloud environments.
With a strong commitment to staying ahead of emerging threats, Giri is passionate about helping organizations proactively manage risks and protect their most critical assets in an ever-changing digital landscape.
Email: program@sdissa.org
Sydney Solomon
Education Director
I am a Senior Information Security Consultant at K logix with a background in cybersecurity and advisory services. I started at K logix as a Technology Research Analyst, where I developed a technology advisory service focused on Identity and Access Management (IAM). Before that, I completed a fellowship where I worked at the Cybersecurity Department at the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, gaining valuable experience in cybersecurity policy and international security.
I am passionate about helping organizations mature their cybersecurity program and improve security decision-making. With a degree in politics and a strong foundation in cybersecurity, I bring a unique perspective by bridging the gap between technical threats and geopolitical influences.
As Education Director for ISSA San Diego, I am excited to bring engaging and practical learning experiences to our members. I love helping people jumpstart their cybersecurity careers and expand their skills, and I’m committed to creating opportunities for continuous learning in this dynamic field.
Email: education@sdissa.org
David Meyers
Sponsorship Director
David is a 30-year veteran in the IT procurement and infrastructure space. He specializes in connectivity, data center, mobility, cloud, software licensing, disaster recovery, IT infrastructure and cybersecurity solutions for Biotech, Manufacturing, Department of Defense (DoD) and Professional Services companies. As a co-founder in his current company, Network Quotes, he works with more than 100+ global providers to provide solutions to these clients globally. He is up-to-date on the latest technology advancements to ensure successful client execution and engagements.
His trusted relationships with vendors will support his role as Sponsorship Director to help grow and expand the San Diego ISSA chapter.
Email: sponsorship@sdissa.org
