Join us for the ISACA Chicago Chapter Meeting - October 2025 - In-Person
Check-In: 2:30 PM
First Session @ 3:00 PM
Title: Career Insights Session:
Unlock Your Cybersecurity Career: Mentorship Panel on Working with Recruiters
Join us for an exclusive monthly meeting designed to empower you with insider knowledge on navigating today’s competitive job market in cybersecurity. This panel discussion will feature top industry recruiters, offering valuable insights on how to work effectively with recruiters to accelerate your career growth.
Session Highlights:
- Panel Discussion: A dynamic conversation where our expert panelists will share their experiences and advice on working with recruiters in the cybersecurity and IT security space.
- Q&A Opportunity: Get your burning questions answered in a live Q&A, where you can seek tailored advice and strategies directly from the panel.
Key Takeaways:
- Recruiter Partnerships: Learn how to build effective relationships with recruiters to boost your job prospects.
- Debunking Myths: Discover common misconceptions about recruiters and the hiring process, and how to avoid pitfalls.
- In-Demand Skills & Certifications: Understand the key skills and certifications that make you stand out to recruiters in the cybersecurity field.
- Hidden Job Opportunities: Uncover strategies for tapping into the “hidden” job market and gaining access to exclusive opportunities.
- Specialized Recruiters: Get tips on how to identify and approach recruiters who specialize in cybersecurity and IT security roles.
Whether you’re looking to make your next career move or just want to expand your professional network, this session will equip you with the tools you need to navigate the recruitment landscape with confidence.
We are pleased to introduce our panel moderated by Valerie Nielsen with George Wang, Allie Martins, and Sarah Frank
Valerie Nielsen is the Managing Director of Inside Edge Risk Advisors LLC. She is a Risk Executive with experience across a wide range of issues facing companies today related to operations, technology, finance, vendor management, governance, and risk mitigation. Valerie has an extensive background in risk management with a tech-focused, entrepreneurial mindset. Valerie mentors entrepreneurs from startup and growing companies at Chicago Innovation and the University of Chicago’s Polsky Center. Her professional designations are CPA, CIA, CTA (Certified Trust Auditor), GE Six Sigma Greenbelt.
George Wang is a business technology leader with over 30 years' experience in startups, mid-sized, and Fortune 500 firms. As the Chief Marketing Officer at PTP, George is responsible for strategic growth, client relationships, and new business development. George was also a former CIO and COO with industry experience in 7 different verticals.
George has a BS in Computer Engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and an MS in Engineering Management from National Technological University. In addition to his work with PTP, George also serves on the board of SIM Chicago and volunteers for various non-profits, including I.C.Stars, Northeastern, Illinois University Advisory Board, and Teen Innovators Board.
Allie Martins is the founder of The Martins Collective, a boutique technical recruiting firm. With seven years of full lifecycle recruiting experience, she partners with both job seekers and hiring leaders to create authentic connections that lead to lasting placements. Allie is passionate about bringing the human touch back into the hiring process, guiding candidates through the challenges of today's market, and delivering the right fit for both parties not just on paper, but in practice.
Sarah Frank is the Practice Director of IT Staffing and Solutions at Solving IT, an IT Staffing and Salesforce Consulting firm headquartered in Chicago. With nearly 15 years of experience in staffing and workforce solutions, Sarah partners with enterprise and midsized organizations to solve complex business and IT challenges by delivering precisely matched, highly skilled technology talent. Her company helps companies with multiple domains, including IT Security and Risk Management.
Second Session @ 4:00 PM
Title: Speed Networking
This isn’t your typical networking night—attendees will take part in five fast-paced rounds of 6-minute conversations, designed to maximize opportunities to meet new professionals, exchange ideas, and strengthen your involvement with the ISACA Chicago community.
Whether you’re looking to:
- Expand your professional circle
- Share experiences in governance, risk, and cybersecurity
- Explore new career opportunities
…you won’t want to miss it!
#ISACAChicago #Networking #Cybersecurity #Governance #RiskManagement #ProfessionalGrowth
Happy Hour: 5:00 - 6:00 PM
📅 Date: October 9, 2025
🕕 Time: 2:30 PM - 6:30 PM
📍 Venue: 10 S. Wacker Drive, ZO Conference Room, Chicago 60606
CPE: 2 CPE Credits will be earned by participating in this event.
Registration: FREE
Click on the Register Here button below to register for this in-person event.
Note: ISACA members are requested to register using the same email address as listed in their ISACA profile for direct CPE uploads.