Jody W. Blanchard is a seasoned cybersecurity expert with over 25 years of exceptional leadership experience, both in the US Army and in global corporate environments. Currently serving as the Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Zimmer Biomet, Jody leads a team of 56 senior managers and directors in executing advanced security strategies.

His career is a blueprint for excellence in cybersecurity, reflecting a deep commitment to protecting organizational assets and national interests through innovative strategies and solutions. His ability to lead, innovate, and educate makes him a paragon in information security.

A strategic thinker, Jody has been instrumental in risk management, overseeing compliance programs and developing Key Risk Indicators (KRIs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that elevate the standards of information security and identity management. His foresight in managing assets worth over $8 billion and his ability to innovate security measures stand as a testament to his unparalleled professionalism in IT security.

Jody's career has been marked by significant leadership roles, particularly during his tenure with the US Army. He managed a robust team that shaped the strategic direction for cybersecurity and compliance with federal regulations. His military service endowed him with a profound understanding of national security and information assurance, making him an expert in integrating COTS services and capabilities.

Currently serving as Vice President, CISO at Zimmer Biomet, Jody also served as the Director of Global IT Security, where he laid down the vision for IT security, spearheading significant projects focused on cloud compliance, incident response, and security control automation. He has always been at the forefront of enhancing an organization's security posture through continuous development and execution of network security architecture and standards.

Jody's academic achievements are equally impressive. He is on track to complete a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership from Columbia International University by 2025, holding a CISO Executive Certificate from Carnegie Mellon University, an M.S. in Information Management from Syracuse University, an M.S. in Cybersecurity from Bellevue University, and a B.S. in Criminal Justice from Bellevue University. A highly certified professional, Jody holds numerous industry certifications, including CISSP, CISM, CRISC, CISA, CDPSE, CASP, and several others from ISC(2), ISACA, CompTIA, and EC-Council. His education has provided a strong foundation for his professional pursuits, enhancing his expertise in leading complex cybersecurity initiatives.

Jody also contributes to the industry through various board memberships and advisory roles. He is a member of the Technology Executive Council at CNBC, an Incident Handler Scheme Committee Board Member at EC-Council, and an Advisory Council Member for the Transformative Leadership Program at Seton Hall University. These roles reflect his dedication to shaping the future of cybersecurity leadership and policy.

His expertise and leadership have not gone unnoticed, as evidenced by his industry recognitions, including the CyberDefense Media Top Global CISO Award in 2023 and 2024, and he is listed among the Top 10 Information Security Professionals by OnCon in 2023 and Top 50 in 2022 and 2024.