Meet the ISSA SoCal Board

Mel Reyes, aka "Coach Mel," is a dynamic board advisor, executive coach, and community builder with over 30 years of experience in IT, cybersecurity, and leadership development. As a board member, Mel brings his passion for empowering teams and individuals through innovative training and mentorship programs. With a career spanning startups, IPOs, and multinational organizations, Mel is dedicated to leveraging his expertise to support nonprofits in fostering growth, resilience, and impactful community engagement. His approach combines strategic vision with a heartfelt commitment to "Educate and Elevate."

Kim Pham is a cybersecurity strategist and compliance expert with a deep commitment to empowering organizations and communities through innovative risk management solutions. As a board member, Kim brings over a decade of experience in cybersecurity strategy, compliance management, and information security training for high-risk sectors, including human rights organizations and international NGOs. A co-founder of Access Now and a finalist for the EU Parliament Sakharov Prize, Kim is dedicated to advancing digital security and human rights on a global scale.

Tom Sabbe is an experienced IT and cybersecurity professional and non-profit leader. His core experience is with F-1000 enterprises and startups. He shifted focus to SMB because they are the backbone of American business and are an underserved IT and cybersecurity community. As a board of directors’ member, Tom leverages stakeholder engagement, team building, and mentorship to foster growth and enhance member involvement. Tom is passionate about creating innovative solutions that align both his professional and non-profit goals with community needs.

David Lin is a seasoned technology and cybersecurity executive with a proven track record of transforming organizations, fortifying global security resiliency, and navigating complex risk landscapes. As a board member, David leverages over two decades of experience across industries including financial services, entertainment, education, and energy. With a background as a CISO, Big 4 leader, and strategic advisor, he brings a unique blend of technical expertise and relationship-building skills to advance organizations mission while fostering innovation and resilience.

Adriana Mendieta, is a Certified SAFe 6 Scrum Master and seasoned cybersecurity and insurance strategy professional with over 18 years of experience. As a board member, Adriana applies her expertise in Agile transformation, risk management, and servant leadership to empower teams and drive organizational success. A dynamic communicator and educator, she has reached over 35,000 listeners through cyber risk awareness initiatives and developed CE courses to enhance industry knowledge. Adriana is passionate about fostering collaboration, continuous improvement, and resilience within the communities she serves.

❝ We firmly believe that we grow strongest when we grow together, and we're committed to leading us in a direction where everyone has a voice and a seat at the table. ❞ – The ISSA SoCal Board

❝ Thank you for your time, trust, and commitment to making ISSA SoCal a chapter we are all proud to be part of. We look forward to the opportunity to serve you. ❞ The Board