Headliner

Technology & AI keynote speakers

Theresa Payton

First Female White House CIO & Cybersecurity CEO

Speaking feeTypically $20k–$50kIndicative only, confirmed on request
  • Keynote · Fireside chat · Moderation
  • English
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Headliner can arrange a booking with Theresa Payton or their representative. This profile is compiled from public sources; availability and fees are confirmed on request. A listing here does not imply endorsement, affiliation, partnership, or exclusivity.

Signature keynotes

What your audience walks away with

  • Outcome

    AI and the Future of Us — Navigating the Promise and Perils of Artificial Intelligence

    Her signature AI keynote. Jargon-free explanations of what AI can do for your organization — and what it's already doing for your adversaries. Built around anonymized law-enforcement case studies and live demonstrations of cybercriminal tradecraft, so the audience sees the threat, not just hears about it, and leaves with concrete protective strategies.

  • Cybercrime is Accelerating — AI, Deepfakes & Voice Cloning

    The deepfake and voice-cloning keynote, including her widely-shared "hiring employees who don't exist" demonstration. How synthetic media, cloned voices, and AI-generated personas are being used to defraud organizations right now — and the practical playbook to future-proof your people and your processes.

  • Secured Digital Transformation — Innovating Without Compromising Trust

    For organizations racing to adopt new technology: how to move fast and stay secure. Strategies and case studies for protecting your assets and your customers' trust through digital change — including Zero-Trust framing built for boards and executives.

  • Manipulated — Defending Truth in the Age of Disinformation

    Drawn from her book Manipulated. The mechanics of the disinformation war — deepfakes, chatbots, election interference, and manufactured "truth" — and how organizations, institutions, and individuals can defend information integrity.

  • From the White House to Your House — Fearless Leadership

    A broader-audience keynote on leadership, resilience, and work-life balance drawn from her journey as White House CIO, founder-CEO, and public figure — how faith, purpose, and grit carry you through high-stakes environments.

  • Board & Executive Cyber Briefings

    Tailored, closed-door risk briefings for boards and C-suites: governance, resilience, enterprise threat posture, and the questions leadership should be asking — delivered by a sitting corporate director who has been in the room.

The story

Who Theresa actually is

Theresa Payton spent roughly 16 years leading technology in banking — including senior executive roles at Bank of America and Wells Fargo — before being called to the White House. In 2006 she became the first woman ever to serve as White House Chief Information Officer, administering the technology enterprise for the President and some 3,000 staff and standing up the White House's first dedicated 24/7 Security Operations Center.

In 2008 she founded Fortalice Solutions, the cybersecurity consulting firm she still leads as CEO, providing digital intelligence, concierge cybersecurity, and threat mitigation to governments, boards, and Fortune 500s. Fortalice has been named among Cybersecurity Ventures' "Global Hot 150 Cybersecurity Companies" and the "Top 5 Most Innovative Cybersecurity Companies," and is an Inc. Power Partner. She also co-founded Dark3, a cyber-product company later acquired by Celerium, and holds an approved U.S. patent in security.

Payton is the author of three books on security and privacy — Protecting Your Internet Identity (2012), Privacy in the Age of Big Data (2014), and Manipulated: Inside the Cyberwar to Hijack Elections and Distort the Truth (2020), named to The Guardian's "Top 10 Books About Cybercrime." Millions know her as the Deputy Commander of Intelligence on CBS's Hunted (2015), and she is a constant presence across CNBC, Forbes, CNN, Bloomberg, and the Today Show whenever a major cyber story breaks.

She has been named to Security Magazine's "Top 25 Most Influential People in Security," honored as CISO Magazine's "Cybersecurity Crusader of the Year," and received the FBI Director's Community Leadership Award. Today she also serves on corporate boards including Paychex and SMBC, bringing a rare combination of hands-on threat expertise and boardroom governance to every stage she takes.

The receipts

Books & publications

  • Manipulated: Inside the Cyberwar to Hijack Elections and Distort the Truth

    2020

    battlefront stories from the disinformation war: deepfakes, chatbots, and election interference, and how to defend truth. (The Guardian "Top 10 Books About Cybercrime.")

  • Privacy in the Age of Big Data

    2014

    how data collection really works, and how to recognize the threats and defend your rights and your family.

  • Protecting Your Internet Identity: Are You Naked Online?

    2012

    a practical guide to managing your online footprint, reputation, and security.

Gravity

Career highlights & recognition

  • Credential

    First female White House Chief Information Officer

    stood up the White House's first 24/7 Security Operations Center

  • Credential

    Founder & CEO of Fortalice Solutions

    "Global Hot 150" & "Top 5 Most Innovative" cybersecurity company; Inc. Power Partner

  • Credential

    Co-founder of Dark3

    holder of an approved U.S. security patent

  • Credential2020

    Author

    Manipulated (2020, The Guardian "Top 10 Books About Cybercrime"), Privacy in the Age of Big Data (2014), Protecting Your Internet Identity (2012)

  • Milestone2015

    Deputy Commander of Intelligence on CBS's *Hunted

    * (2015)

  • Recognition

    Security Magazine — "Top 25 Most Influential People in Security"

  • Award

    CISO Magazine — "Cybersecurity Crusader of the Year"

    · FBI Director's Community Leadership Award

  • Recognition

    "Top 50 Women in Tech"

  • Credential

    Corporate director

    Paychex, SMBC (Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation); Trustee, Immaculata University

  • Milestone

    CNBC, Forbes, CNN, Bloomberg, Axios, the Today Show

Booking with confidence

What to expect when you book Theresa

  • 01

    Compiled from public sources

    This profile is built from public, verifiable material and stamped with the date it was last reviewed. Nothing here is a claim we cannot trace to a source.

  • 02

    Availability and fees, confirmed

    Tell us your date and brief, and we confirm Theresa's availability and current fee on request. We never publish a fabricated figure or imply an exclusivity we do not hold.

  • 03

    Managed end to end

    From first inquiry to the day itself, Headliner handles briefing, contracting, and logistics, so your team can focus on the event.

Answers

Booking questions, answered

What is Theresa Payton's speaking fee?

Typically $20k–$50k (indicative; confirmed on request). Theresa's fee varies by event, date, format, and location, so we confirm the exact figure for your booking. Share your brief for current pricing and live availability.

Is Theresa Payton available for my event date?

Availability changes with Theresa's schedule and the season. Tell us your date and we'll confirm whether Theresa is open, and hold the slot while you decide.

How do I book Theresa Payton for my event?

Theresa Payton is booked through Headliner. Tell us your event date, audience, and goals, and we'll confirm availability and the next steps — typically within four business hours.

How much does Theresa Payton charge to speak?

Typically $20k–$50k (indicative; confirmed on request). It depends on event, date, format, location, and whether the session is in person or virtual. Share your brief and we'll confirm the exact figure and availability.

Can I hire Theresa Payton for a corporate event?

Yes. Theresa is represented for speaking engagements through Headliner on a non-exclusive basis and regularly takes corporate keynotes, conferences, and leadership events. Share your brief to check availability.

Can I book Theresa Payton for a virtual keynote?

Yes. Theresa presents virtual keynotes as well as in-person sessions. Virtual fees are typically quoted below a live keynote, so tell us your format for a precise quote.

What formats does Theresa offer?

Theresa is available for Keynote, Fireside chat, Moderation, Virtual and Workshop engagements. We'll match the format to your audience and run-of-show.

What does Theresa speak about?

Theresa's keynote themes include Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence. Each talk is tailored to your audience and outcomes.

What languages does Theresa present in?

Theresa presents in English.

Where does Theresa travel from?

Theresa is based in Charlotte, NC and travels internationally for engagements; virtual sessions are also available.

Profile updated . Compiled from public sources — confirm current fees and availability with Headliner.

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