Emily O’Carroll – Field CISO, GuidePoint Security

Meet Emily O'Carroll, a dedicated Field CISO at GuidePoint Security with over 15 years of leadership in cybersecurity. Previously, Emily served as CISO at Topgolf Callaway Brands for 9+ years, where she excelled at building effective security strategies and leading high-performing global teams.

💸 Career Journey:

Early Career: Emily began in a manager role at KPMG in early 2010 within the IT Advisory practice, focusing on cyber and GRC, advising major companies across multiple industries, including Fortune 50 organizations.

📚 Cybersecurity Leadership: She transitioned into executive cybersecurity roles, shaping global teams and strengthening enterprise security at Topgolf Callaway Brands. Today at GuidePoint Security, Emily helps organizations navigate cyber complexity and make informed, strategic security decisions.

🧠 Expertise & Certifications: Highly trained and top-certified, Emily leverages deep expertise to guide organizations in aligning the right security products and services with their unique risk posture.

🙌 Community & Involvement:

ISSA Leadership: Vice President of SD ISSA, Emily actively engages with the local cybersecurity community to foster collaboration and growth.

✍ Mentorship & Boards: She mentors emerging professionals through Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS), serves on the SD CISO Roundtable board, and participates in governing bodies like the SoCal Evanta C-Level Communities. Emily’s commitment to mentorship and community-building is a hallmark of her career.

🎉 Fun Facts:

Emily is a proud mom of two elementary-aged boys, enjoys family ski trips, coaches her son’s soccer team, and helps with swimming.

A former competitive soccer player and dancer, she continues to embrace an active lifestyle.

Her family includes a lively 1-year-old Australian Cattle Dog, Haylee, who keeps everyone on their toes!

💫 We’re thrilled to feature Emily O’Carroll in this month’s ISSA San Diego Member Spotlight. Her leadership, mentorship, and contributions to cybersecurity continue to inspire the next generation of professionals.

Chad Coalier – Application/Cloud/Security/AI Platform Architect!

Meet Chad Coalier MBA, CISSP, CCISO, Azure Architect, a seasoned architect and cybersecurity leader with a focus on building and managing large-scale, NIST RMF-compliant privacy and security platforms. With deep expertise in Application Security, Cloud Architecture, SecOps, and AI platform development, Chad is passionate about pushing the boundaries of tech—especially in today’s fast-evolving AI landscape.

🔐 Career Journey

Chad's career spans decades of impactful work, from the early days of IT infrastructure to pioneering security programs that protect billions of records containing PII, HIPAA, and CUI data. As a former CIO and CISO, he helped scale a cybersecurity company from $1 million to $250 million in annual revenue—focusing on fraud prevention and detection.

📚 Skills & Certifications

Chad’s journey has been fueled by constant learning and adaptation—particularly in areas like secure cloud deployment, threat detection, and now AI platform development, which he’s currently obsessed with mastering.

🌐 Community & Contributions

Chad is a proud board member of ISACA San Diego and an engaged participant in the cybersecurity community. He’s passionate about building programs, mentoring, and contributing to conversations that move the industry forward.

🌍 Fun Facts & Personal Interests

Originally from Missouri, Chad has lived in Spain, Chicago, and San Diego. He’s traveled to 51 countries, surfed many of their waves, and hiked countless trails. A live music aficionado, he’s seen over 1,000 live acts since childhood.

He also maintains a dedicated wellness practice—Vinyasa yoga 5x a week and daily Vipassana meditation—and is a member of the Insight Meditation Society.

🧘‍♂️ Fun Tidbit: He blends the rigor of cybersecurity leadership with the calm of mindfulness—and has a rare passion for both live concerts and AI algorithm development.

We’re proud to spotlight Chad Coalier as part of our ISSA San Diego community! His journey, leadership, and curiosity continue to inspire—and we can’t wait to see what he tackles next. 🌟

Kevin J. Coyle – Curriculum Developer & AI Solutions Architect | Teaching Fellow, Harvard University

Meet Kevin J. Coyle, a cybersecurity and education professional with more than two decades of experience in system architecture, network security, and advanced technical education. Now based in San Diego, Kevin brings a deep expertise in secure cloud solutions, DevSecOps, and generative AI, along with a passion for developing accessible, research-driven learning tools.

🧭 Career Journey:

Kevin began his career in the early days of the Internet boom, building foundational systems for enterprise clients. His path led him through notable roles at PrimeCo, Capital One, and Nokia, working across critical sectors like finance, energy, and telecom. Today, he shares his knowledge as a graduate computer science instructor at Harvard University, while also designing AI-powered curricula and training solutions.

🛠️ Certifications & Skills:

Kevin holds several Amazon Web Services (AWS) and cybersecurity certifications and specializes in secure cloud architecture and scalable education technology.

🤝 ISSA Involvement:

A long-time ISSA member, Kevin has remained actively engaged in the community, contributing to knowledge-sharing initiatives and fostering growth among security professionals. His dedication reflects ISSA’s mission of advancing individual and collective cybersecurity expertise.

🌍 Giving Back & Beyond Work:

Kevin serves as a volunteer with San Diego ARES, supporting emergency communications throughout San Diego and Imperial Counties. He’s an FCC-licensed Amateur Extra Class radio operator (callsign: K5KJC) and is fluent in multiple languages—making him a true communicator in every sense.

🎓 Fun Fact:

Kevin was educated by Hungarian monks—yes, really! (And according to him, it was much more fun than it sounds.)

We’re proud to spotlight Kevin J. Coyle as part of the ISSA San Diego community. His commitment to cybersecurity education, innovation, and service continues to inspire. We can’t wait to see what’s next in his journey!

Zane Prunella – Cybersecurity Engineer & DevX Co-Host!

Meet Zane P., a passionate cybersecurity professional blending technical expertise with an appreciation for the human side of security. Currently serving as a Cybersecurity Engineer, Zane manages Data Loss Prevention, patching, and a variety of critical security responsibilities — strengthening organizational defenses from the inside out.

Zane’s journey into cybersecurity has been as diverse as it is inspiring. Raised in the Santa Cruz Mountains and having lived in cities around the world — including Sydney, Australia — he’s held a wide range of roles before finding his calling in cybersecurity. What draws him most to this field is how it uniquely combines technology with psychology and philosophy.

Outside of work, Zane stays deeply engaged with the tech community. He co-hosts DevX, a San Diego meetup for developers and security enthusiasts, and recently launched a podcast where he interviews people about their passions. And during the pandemic? He taught himself music production and released a full album — proving his creativity knows no bounds.

We’re proud to spotlight Zane Prunella as part of our ISSA San Diego community. Keep an eye on him as he continues to grow, lead, and inspire in cybersecurity and beyond. 🎧💡💻

Charles Rose – Aspiring Cybersecurity Professional | Creative Technologist

Meet Charles Rose, a passionate and versatile cybersecurity enthusiast who is actively seeking new opportunities in the cyber and tech space. With a unique background that spans high-profile event coordination, culinary arts, and aerial cinematography, Charles brings a one-of-a-kind perspective to the cybersecurity world—and he's ready to get his foot in the door.

🛡️ Charles was recently offered a contract ISSO position at Camp Pendleton, but due to unforeseen contract freezes, the role was halted before it began. While this meant his Top Secret Clearance wasn’t reinstated and he hasn’t yet worked directly with RMF, it hasn’t slowed him down. In fact, he plans to take an RMF course next month taught by the very professor who initially recruited him.

📍 Originally from Houston, Texas, Charles began his professional journey in Fayetteville, Arkansas, where he studied at the University of Arkansas. His early career included managing a millionaire’s estate and organizing luxury fundraising events with brands like Versace, Gucci, and Renoir—right in the heart of Northwest Arkansas, home to Walmart, Tyson Foods, and JB Hunt.

💻 After a successful pivot from the food and beverage industry, Charles dove into cybersecurity with full force. He regularly attends industry events such as DEFCON, Black Hat, and participates in the DEFCON 858 Cyber Group—continuing to learn, grow, and build connections in the field.

🎥 Charles also gives back to the community by volunteering his drone cinematography services to organizations such as Mount Soledad National Veterans Memorial, San Diego Food Drive, and Armed Services YMCA.

🍷 A Level I Sommelier and trained chef, Charles blends creativity and precision into everything he does. When he’s not learning about cybersecurity, he’s outdoors skiing, surfing, scuba diving, hiking, or tinkering with electronics and locksmithing.

🙌 Charles Rose is a passionate self-starter looking for a role in cybersecurity—whether it's with the DOD, a defense contractor, or a large private-sector company that needs advanced protection. He's exploring opportunities in roles like ISSO, Sales Engineer, or IT Management with the ultimate goal of working his way toward becoming a CISO, CTO, or CIO.

📩 If you’re hiring—or know someone who is—reach out to Charles! He’s ready to bring his energy, adaptability, and commitment to any team that’s building secure and forward-thinking tech.

Daniel Hoffman – IT Expert and Lifelong Learner!

Meet Daniel Hoffman, an IT professional with a career that spans over two decades, driven by a passion for continuous learning and self-improvement. From his early days at Symantec to his more recent focus on cybersecurity, Daniel's journey exemplifies the power of adaptability and the value of community.

Daniel began his career at Symantec in 1995 while studying at the University of Oregon. He took full advantage of their after-work tech classes, which helped him advance in his career. Later, at GoldMine CRM Software, he expanded his skills in data synchronization, programming, and technical writing, learning from the expertise of his coworkers along the way.

In 2008, Daniel shifted to the healthcare manufacturing sector, where he learned about HIPAA, FDA 510K compliance, and security issues. It was during this time that he joined ISSA, where he was inspired by the community's support and knowledge sharing.

After a round of layoffs in 2024, Daniel decided to further his skills in data analytics, data warehousing, and cybersecurity. He proudly passed the ISC2 CC certification and went on to earn his CISSP in February 2025.

Fun Fact: Daniel is always on the lookout for new certifications and learning opportunities. He enjoys taking classes, particularly in cybersecurity, and continues to explore new career paths in IT.

Daniel, your dedication to learning and growth is inspiring, and we look forward to seeing where your career takes you next!

Armando Rodriguez - Cybersecurity Leader and Competitive Golfer!

Meet Armando, a cybersecurity professional with extensive IT and security experience. Focused on keeping systems secure and efficient, he is committed to advancing cybersecurity awareness and cloud-based security solutions.

Armando started his career supporting employees with secure system access. At WD-40, he co-founded the Purple Team, strengthening security through BitLocker, Intune, SOC monitoring, email security, and risk management. Now at Avoya Travel, he leads cybersecurity efforts in infrastructure security, incident response, and endpoint protection, aligning with NIST CSF 2.0 strategies.

Beyond cybersecurity, Armando is a competitive golfer. In the SCGA One-Day Series, he ranked in the top 32 out of nearly 800 golfers, reaching the semi-finals and finishing 4th overall. He has also completed 12 half marathons and is training for his first full marathon. Passionate about personal finance, he actively participates in the FIRE movement, helping others achieve financial independence.

With a BS in IT (Cybersecurity emphasis), Armando continues expanding his expertise through certifications via Pluralsight and LinkedIn Learning.

Fun fact: A lifelong San Diego resident, he can't imagine living anywhere else. Whether on the green or securing systems, Armando is always striving for growth.

Armando, we admire your dedication to cybersecurity, fitness, and finance. We look forward to your continued success!

Riley Scott - Rising Star in Cybersecurity!

Meet Riley Scott, an inspiring member of the San Diego ISSA community. As an active-duty Fire Controlman in the US Navy, Riley serves as an instructor for the Tomahawk weapon system and has discovered a passion for cybersecurity.

Riley’s tech journey began early as an IT intern at just 14. Now, he’s in his senior year of cybersecurity at National University and plans to pursue a master’s in cyber/information security at UC Berkeley.

In addition to his career, Riley gives back to the community, volunteering with organizations like Voices for Children and Comic Con’s deaf & disabled services. He also enjoys video games, Magic: The Gathering, Dungeons & Dragons, and Star Wars.

Riley’s contributions to cybersecurity are growing, and his dedication to securing his Navy command and working with his ISSO team shows his commitment to the field. We can't wait to see what he accomplishes next!

Fun fact: Riley is working on personal projects like renovating his backyard, crafting a custom watch, and building a home server. And yes, he has an adorable husky named Sokka.

Riley, you're an inspiration to us all. We look forward to celebrating your future successes!