ClearTech Loop: In the Know, On the Move

ClearTech Loop podcast with Stephenie Southard image

Release Date: July 1, 2025

Series: The CISO Slant (Episode 1 of 10)

Guest: Stephenie Southard, Chief Information Security Officer, Baxter Credit Union

Host: Jo Peterson, Chief Analyst, ClearTech Research

Episode Summary

In this kickoff episode of The CISO Slant, Jo Peterson talks with Stephenie Southard, CISO at Baxter Credit Union, about how today’s security leaders are reframing risk in a business-first context. In just 10 minutes, they dive into how cyber risk is increasingly viewed through a financial lens, the evolution of communication strategies with executives, and the growing governance demands around AI adoption.

About the Guest – Stephenie Southard

Stephenie Southard is the Senior Vice President and Chief Security Officer at Baxter Credit Union, where she leads cybersecurity, fraud, and operational risk. With 30+ years in IT and security across government, manufacturing, and financial services, she’s recognized for advancing organizational security maturity and driving thought leadership in the field.

Recognition Includes:

  • Tech Magazine “10 Best CISOs of 2021”
  • CUNA Technology Council “Professional of the Year,” 2021
  • Chicago CISO of the Year nominee, 2020
  • 2022 IT Wondrous Women Award
  • 2023 OPCON Top 10 IT Professionals

She’s a strategic, board-facing leader with deep knowledge of NIST, SOC, PCI, HIPAA, ISO, and FFIEC frameworks.

3 Key Questions We Answer

    1. How should CISOs think about cyber risk in terms of dollars and business impact?
    2. What’s the best way to integrate cyber risk into a company’s overall financial risk model?
    3. How should CISOs approach AI adoption—both as a defense mechanism and governance challenge

Key Takeaways

    • Cyber risk needs to be translated into financial terms to engage executives meaningfully.
    • · A tailored communication strategy is critical—executives absorb risk differently.
    • · AI introduces not just new threats but governance complexity; preparedness means having both tools and playbooks ready.

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