The Connect: C-Suite Edition | Houston - AfroTech
Back in Houston. Five CISOs/CIOs. The questions you have always wanted to ask.
The Connect: C-Suite Edition returns for its second Houston edition, this time during AfroTech week. Hacker Proof HQ and WiCyS Houston Affiliate are putting five CISOs/CIO in front of the people who rarely get direct access to them: working security professionals and aspiring tech and security talent.
This panel runs on your questions. The ones you have thought about on the job, in interviews, and on the way up. The ones you have always wanted to ask a CISO but never had the room to.
The Evening
A moderated panel with five CISOs/CIOs, built around questions from the community
Open Q&A from the floor
Structured networking between executives, security professionals, and aspiring security & tech talent
Free food, drinks, and music throughout the night
Fuel for the Firewall
ChopNBlok is feeding the room, and Hacker Proof HQ is pouring three signature cocktails: a Traditional Margarita, Rum Punch, and a Lavender Lemon Drop. Come for the panel, stay for the plate.
MEET YOUR MATCH
We're using ORE to pair you with someone in the room worth knowing: a business match, a partner, a collaborator, or your next hire. Join now so your matches are ready when you arrive: https://www.orenow.com/invite/the-connect-c-suite?c=DWK95 (event code DWK95). It takes about 3 minutes.
Meet the Panelists
Five security leaders. One room. Here is who is on stage.
Crystal Chatam Grant
VP of Cybersecurity and CISO, Speedcast
Crystal leads security across 140+ countries at Speedcast. An 18-year veteran of JPMorgan Chase, KPMG, and EY, she chairs AIXP, is a Global Responsible AI Ambassador, and is a 2026 ORBIE finalist.
Marc Crudgington
VP of IT Infrastructure and Cybersecurity, Crane Worldwide Logistics
An Air Force veteran with 25+ years in cybersecurity, Marc is VP of IT Infrastructure and Cybersecurity at Crane Worldwide Logistics and former CISO of Woodforest National Bank. A bestselling author, he is the 2025 ORBIE Houston CISO of the Year.
Mary Roberts
Vice President, Chief Information Security Officer & Infrastructure
Mary Roberts, MS and Ph.D. (ABD), is a cybersecurity and technology executive with 15+ years leading enterprise security, forensics, and AI governance. She has held leadership roles at Nike, Cardinal Health, and a global investment firm.
Bemi Anjous
Head of Global InfoSec / OT CISO
Bemi's experience spans the global energy industry, from nuclear and pipelines to refineries, offshore operations, and chemical plants. He specializes in OT/Purdue architecture, SCADA, DCS, and frameworks including IEC 62443, ISO 27001, and NIST.
Erica Connor
CISO, Sempra Infrastructure
Erica is CISO at Sempra Infrastructure, with nearly 30 years of IT experience across energy, healthcare, and insurance. After starting at Shell Oil and Enron, she led technology security at Cheniere Energy. She also mentors girls through STEM events.
Questions We Want on the Table
How did you actually get the seat, and what would you do differently?
What do you look for when you hire, and what gets someone passed over?
What does a board really ask a CISO, and how do you answer?
How do you stay ahead of threats without burning out your team?
What do you wish someone had told you at the start of your career?
Submit Your Question
When you register, tell us the one question you have always wanted to ask a security leader. Our moderator will build the conversation from what you send.
What to Expect
Straight answers from leaders who have lived it. No vendor pitches. No recruiting pressure. Just a real conversation between the people leading security and the people building their way into it.
Why Attend
For security professionals and aspiring tech and security professionals:
Get candid answers to the questions you usually cannot ask
Hear how CISOs think about risk, boards, hiring, and building teams
Build relationships that go beyond a LinkedIn connection
For executives:
Hear what the next generation of security talent actually wants to know
Connect with peers and the talent pipeline in one room
Invest directly in developing future security leaders
Who This Room Is For
Aspiring tech and security professionals, working security practitioners, and the CIOs, CISOs, and senior leaders willing to answer their questions honestly.
Getting In
1301 Fannin is a secure building. Check in with lobby security, bring a government-issued photo ID, and take the elevator to the 13th floor.
Hosted By
Hacker Proof HQ x WiCyS Houston Affiliate