An invitation-only council designed to catalyze executive growth and industry influence.
In the world of enterprise SaaS, the Customer Advisory Board (CAB) is a standard fixture of the corporate playbook. Yet, while many companies check the box by hosting them, few treat them with the strategic intentionality they deserve.
We’ve all seen it: a vendor invites you to a nice dinner, only to spend three hours trapping you in a windowless conference room for a relentless product pitch. Too often, these boards devolve into lovefests that over-praise products or, worse, thinly veiled sales pitches in which the vendor talks and the executives are expected to simply listen.
For years, SAFE has been privileged to work with dedicated design partners who have helped us innovate at both a technical and strategic level. Their insights have been the bedrock of our growth. Now, it is time to elevate that collaboration. Because our members aren’t just helping SAFE, they are helping the entire industry navigate the next generation of cybersecurity superintelligence. Let me show you how.
A Different Kind of Board
At SAFE, we’re doing things differently, starting with the name. This isn’t a Customer Advisory Board, it’s a CXO Advisory Board. We’ve intentionally removed the “customer” label because member value isn’t defined by a contract; it’s based on their expertise, vision, and standing as a thought leader in cybersecurity.
The SAFE CXO Advisory Board is an invitation-only council designed to catalyze executive growth and industry influence. It’s a peer community where C-level executives co-innovate on the future of cyber risk while accessing exclusive platforms to promote their individual success and company brands. It is a space dedicated to the professional legacy of its members, ensuring their insights drive the conversation around global cybersecurity superintelligence.
Meet Our Founding Members
A board is only as strong as the perspectives within it. To move the needle on global cyber resilience, we have assembled a group of executives who aren’t afraid to challenge the status quo. These founding members, listed in alphabetical order below, represent a diverse cross-section of industries and experiences, bringing the unvarnished truth necessary to shape the future of our craft.
Chris Grant (BECU): Chris brings over two decades of technical and leadership experience to the board. As the VP of Cybersecurity at BECU, he leads the strategic oversight of risk management and compliance for one of the nation’s largest community-focused credit unions. His career is rooted in the front lines of security operations, moving from deep technical roles in healthcare to executive governance in financial services.
Dan Holland (Tampa General Hospital): As the Deputy CISO at Tampa General Hospital (TGH), Dan oversees cybersecurity governance, data protection, and FAIR-based risk quantification. His unique path to the C-suite began in the U.S. Coast Guard, where he served as an officer pursuing drug traffickers and maritime threats. His high-stakes background fuels his mission-driven approach to healthcare resilience.
Vinod Madhavan (Solstice Advanced Materials): Vinod is a recognized expert in Next-Gen GRC and Cyber Risk Quantification. After leading global cybersecurity efforts at Honeywell for many years, he now serves as the CISO at Solstice Advanced Materials. He is a vocal advocate for breaking down silos and using data-driven quantification to turn risk into business decision-making.
Chuck Miller (Blackbaud): With over 25 years of experience across financial services and telecommunications, Chuck serves as the CISO for Blackbaud, where he leads global trust and security. A veteran of several high-profile advisory boards, he is also a founding member of GeorgiaCISO, an elite peer network dedicated to fostering candid, non-commercial collaboration among cybersecurity leaders.
Travis Nichols (Shelter Insurance): As a seasoned Information Security leader, Travis is no stranger to safeguarding digital assets. His career spans countless dimensions of cyber risk, from software development to corporate leadership. Now serving as the CISO at Shelter Insurance, his relentless pursuit of knowledge and dedication to growth have been the backbone of his success. One of his favorite questions to ask is “How can I help you be your best self?”, personifying the essence of this board.
Harsha Reddy (Veterinary Emergency Group): Harsha leads information security at Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG), where he manages security strategy, enterprise risk, and privacy compliance. With a career spanning more than 20 years, he has expertise in navigating global security programs, AI governance, and the complex requirements of IPO readiness, helping high-growth organizations scale securely.
Ben Smith (Optimum): Ben is the Senior Vice President and CISO at Optimum. He brings an extensive background in leading large-scale enterprise security programs and managing complex digital infrastructures. His focus on strategic risk alignment and executive leadership helps ground the board’s vision in the realities of major telecommunications and media environments.
Architecting a Future
The SAFE CXO Advisory Board represents more than just a meeting of minds; it is a commitment to a new era of technical innovation. By fostering a space where the traditional boundaries between vendor and customer dissolve, we are building a foundation for long-term professional collaboration. As cybersecurity moves into a more complex, agentic era, these human relationships will remain the ultimate differentiator. Together, we aren’t just reacting to the market; we are co-creating the future of cybersecurity.
You can meet the board members and other SAFE-Stars at the Gartner Security and Risk Management Summit in June. And be sure to follow SAFE’s LinkedIn page to stay up-to-date on the latest from our CXO Advisory Board!
