Chris Krebs

Director, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, Department of Homeland Security

As the first director of CISA, Krebs is in charge of defending civilian networks, securing federal facilities and managing risk to systems — all while working with stakeholders. He was previously the undersecretary for the National Protection and Programs Directorate, CISA’s predecessor. Krebs said stepping back and letting employees take over is a “struggle” but “something I’m always striving to get right.” “Everyone mentors a little differently,” he added. “For me, I learn a lot by watching, listening and discussing. That helps you set priorities, and then you make sure your entire workforce knows what those priorities are.”