About Coach Mel

A Personal Note from Executive Coach Mel

Hi, I'm Coach Mel, a.k .a. Mr. Tech, and welcome to ETC!!!  Here's some of the nuttiness I've orchestrated as a CEO, CIO, CISO, and, yes, CTO "Chaos to Order" Executive!

First, I've built teams that make or save companies money and successfully navigated the IT & Cybersecurity drama for over 30 years.  I've done this across application development and eCommerce to backend data integration and everything in between, including cybersecurity, infrastructure, and fraud management.

Executive Coach

As an Executive Coach, I've worked with hundreds of clients to help them elevate and educate themselves, their families, and their teams to achieve 10x level goals.  From CEOs, CIOs, CISOs, CFOs, senior leaders, startup founders, and business owners across many verticals, I've been the Executive Coach who delivers on the power of connections and proven frameworks, removing limiting beliefs and shining a star on his clients' superpowers.

Champion for Elevating Women, BIPOC, & LGBTQ Efforts

I've been heavily involved in mentoring, coaching, sponsoring affinity groups, and many leadership programs.  From WiCyS, ALPFA, SIM Women's, OC Tech Life for Women, Black Cybersecurity Professionals, GRCIE, Youth Business Alliance, Life After Next, local education foundations, and as an Executive sponsor to organizational affinity groups.

McGuyver of IT & Security

I am the McGuyver of IT & Security, proudly building a safe and empowered culture.

My superpower is my learned ability to create an unfettered, shielded, and responsive culture resilient to radical context-switching by building a modern, collaborative, and agile environment.

I've partnered with businesses, media agencies, manufacturing groups, CPG organizations, and Fortune 50-1000 companies to create scalable and affordable technology value streams, delivering even when resources are constrained and timelines appear unattainable.

I'm also a mentor and coach who attracts, retains, and develops high-performing talent.

Startup Advisor and Board Member

On the flip side, I'm also an advisor and board member of several prestigious organizations, including the CISO Executive Network, CyberRisk Alliance, The CyberNest, Society for Information Management (SIM), Gartner Peer Insights, Vation Ventures, HMG Strategy Financial Services, and Pace University's Cybersecurity Board.  I am a 10x+ startup advisor for Uno.ai, Apolyta, Scrut Automation, Zluri, Otomo, Lend for Good, VeraScore, Live Fr8, PieEye, and Reshuffle.

Keynote Speaker

I'm a highly sought-after advisor, mentor, moderator, and speaker for industry-leading organizations like ISSA, NYU, SIM Women’s Leadership Summit, AFCOM, Black Cybersecurity Professionals, CISO Executive Network, Blue Lava, HMG, IIBA, Oracle World, Hot Topics, and others.  I've also participated in four organizational Toastmasters programs for over 23 years.

He's a Giver Folks - Educate and Elevate

I'm an advisor and mentor for nonprofits like Secure the Village, Tech Impact, Tech Elevator, GRCIE, B.R.I.D.G.E., Youth Business Alliance, Life After Next, Upkey, and many others. I'm passionate about giving back to the community and founded the Fellowship of Digital Guardians.  I still volunteer my experience to help non-profits educate and elevate.

Mel's a Total Geek

To all my fellow tech geeks, please know I've managed all the major cloud providers and many mainstream and legacy development languages. I am a massive supporter of real Agile management.  I've also led security, risk, and audit assessments for PCI-DSS, NIST, ISO 27001, NYS DFS 500, SOX, HITRUST, HIPAA, as well as support CFPB, OCC, M&A, divestitures, AML, and compliance reviews.

Cybersecurity & Technology Clients

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Speaking Engagement Clients

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Startup, Board, & Advisory Roles

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Certifications:

• Certified Professional Coach, Mentor, & Master Mind Leader (CPC)
• Aspen Institute Tech Executive Leadership Initiative Certification
• ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity Certification (CC)
• DDN Board Certified Global Security & IT Leader (QTE)
• Ordained Minister via Open Ministry
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace Certification
• Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO)
• Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)

Pending Certifications:

• ISC² CISSP Certification
• ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC) Certification
• The Landmark Forum Certification
• Neuro-Linguistic Programming Practitioner (PNLP) Certification – ICF & INA Accredited
• Neuro-Linguistic Programming Master (MNLP) Certification – ICF & INA Accredited

Core services: Keynote Speaker, Personalized Executive Coaching, Group Masterminds Sessions, and Executive Leadership Training