Theresa Payton Biography

Theresa Payton is recognized in the cybersecurity and technology sectors for her role as the first female White House chief information officer under President George W. Bush. During her tenure, Payton led technology and operations supporting the administration's digital transformation initiatives, including the implementation of an all-digital budget and photography system. She established the first dedicated 24/7 Security Operations Center at the White House, setting standards for cybersecurity frameworks and advancing secure digital transformation within government institutions. Prior to her White House service, Payton spent 16 years in the U.S. banking sector, holding leadership positions at Wachovia and Bank of America.

After her government service, Payton transitioned to the private sector, co-founding Dark3, a cybersecurity product company, and Fortalice Solutions, a cybersecurity consulting firm. As CEO of Fortalice Solutions, Payton leads a team specializing in digital intelligence, cybersecurity strategy, and threat mitigation for organizations, including Fortune 500 companies. She is recognized as an AI strategist and cybersecurity expert, advising boards, CEOs, and technology leaders on artificial intelligence, digital risk management, and privacy protection.

Payton is the author of several books, including "Manipulated: Inside the Cyberwar to Hijack Elections and Distort the Truth," "Privacy in the Age of Big Data," and "Protecting Your Internet Identity." "Manipulated" explores digital deception and cyber manipulation impacting election integrity and personal security. Payton was named a William J. Clinton Distinguished Lecturer by the Clinton School of Public Service.

Her work has been acknowledged with honors such as inclusion in Security Magazine's "Top 25 Most Influential People in Security," the FBI Director's Community Leadership Award, and recognition as the Woman Cybersecurity Leader of the Year. She is a U.S. patent holder and has been featured in the book "100 Fascinating Women Fighting Cybercrime." Award Magazine named her among the "Top 50 Women in Tech." Payton also served as head of intelligence on CBS's reality series "Hunted." She is a frequent guest on The Today Show, Good Morning America, Fox Business, and Fox News, and has been featured on CBS News, CNN, NBC News, and MSNBC, where she discusses cybersecurity, privacy, and digital risk topics for broad audiences.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 09/10/2026.

Theresa Payton Speaking Topics

  • AI and the Future of Us: Navigating the Promise and Perils of Artificial Intelligence

    Few technological developments of the last century have fueled as much curiosity, misinformation and fear as AI. In this highly-engaging, jargon-free presentation, Theresa Payton unpacks AI's transformative power while exposing its looming risks, then demonstrates how our businesses, security and individual daily lives are being impacted by them. With anonymized stories from law enforcement's front lines and stunning live demonstrations that reveal the tradecraft of modern cybercriminals, Theresa will equip you with practical actions to harness AI's vast potential while protecting yourself, your clients and your organization.

  • Secured Digital Transformation: Innovating Without Compromising Trust

    Balancing innovation and security in a rapidly evolving digital world requires know-how, sensitivity and constant vigilance. From streamlining operations to enhancing customer experiences, Theresa Payton shares strategies for driving transformation while safeguarding your organization's critical assets. With compelling case studies and easily-understood, actionable takeaways, Theresa will show you how to future-proof your organization and lead confidently in the age of relentless cyber threats.

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Theresa Payton Videos

Theresa Payton -  Introduction Video

Theresa Payton - Introduction Video

Theresa Payton - Protect Your Digital Identity:  Don't Fear A.I.

Theresa Payton - Protect Your Digital Identity: Don't Fear A.I.

Theresa Payton - Bloomberg Tech

Theresa Payton - Bloomberg Tech

Who Will Dominate AI?

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  • What topics does Theresa Payton speak about?

  • Where does Theresa Payton travel from?

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Theresa Payton is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as AI and the Future of Us: Navigating the Promise and Perils of Artificial Intelligence, Secured Digital Transformation: Innovating Without Compromising Trust and Faith, Family, and Fearless Leadership: Thriving in Every Role. The estimated speaking fee range to book Theresa Payton for your event is $20,000 - $30,000. Theresa Payton generally travels from Charlotte, NC, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Tyler Cohen Wood, Asha Saxena, Amy Jo Martin, Nicole Perlroth and Tiffani Bova. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Theresa Payton for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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