March 14th, 2025 meeting

ABSTRACT

Ever noticed how nobody likes ice cold butter on warm toast? That’s the perfect metaphor for how many organizations approach risk management – cold, rigid frameworks meeting warm, complex human systems. This talk challenges traditional GRC programs that ignore the human element, despite risk being part of our daily decision-making. We’ll propose a more nuanced approach that blends relationship dynamics, systems thinking, and cultural awareness to create programs that actually stick. Since dramatic transformations are rarely achievable or sustainable, we’ll focus on consistent 1% gains, knowing when to lean on numbers and when to address underlying fears and metaphors. We’ll pull insights from social science and psychology, helping us navigate the balance between art and science in risk management, transforming it from a dreaded necessity into something people and teams will embrace.

BIOGRAPHY

Jason was previously the Head of GRC globally for Starbucks, and is now a certified Leadership & Team coach. He brings 20+ years of experience in Cybersecurity, Risk Management, GRC, and Privacy to his work with those in high stress roles. Day-to-day he works with leaders & teams centered around their development goals, helping identify obstacles that might be getting in their way, and then working to break free from anything limiting them. He applies coaching and the social sciences to work in risk management with people and teams, understanding the most powerful component of managing risk: the human beings involved in making those decisions.