Brian Gardner, CIO, City of Dallas
Dr. Brian Gardner is an accomplished leader with over a decade of experience in securing and shaping digital landscapes across Healthcare, Telecom, Nonprofit, and Government sectors. A skilled communicator, he bridges the gap between technical teams and executive leadership, driving innovation in cybersecurity and ensuring strategic goals are met through secure technology solutions. As a former Chief Information Officer, Chief Technology Officer, and Chief Information Security Officer, Dr. Gardner has spearheaded transformative IT initiatives, including enhancing the City of Dallas' technological capabilities. His expertise spans global financial services, national healthcare, and public service, with a focus on cybersecurity architecture, compliance, and disaster recovery. He holds a Bachelor's in Forensic Accounting, a Master's in Information Security Management, and a PhD in Information Technology, Security, and Assurance, alongside certifications in Cloud Security and Privacy. A founding member of the Coalition of City CISOs, Dr. Gardner actively fosters collaboration among municipal cybersecurity leaders. He resides in the DFW area with his wife and seven children, fostering over 20 kids in the past seven years. He also supports the Dallas ISD P-TECH program, guiding students interested in IT security.