David Sledge
CISO | Investor | Advisor | Speaker | Thought Leader | CISSP | CISM | MBA
- Role
- Member & Investor at U&i Ventures
- Location
- Houston, TX, US
- LinkedIn followers
- 500 followers
About David Sledge
Cybersecurity executive with 18+ years of experience supporting organizations, boards, and founders on cyber risk, governance, and security transformation during growth and change.My work centers on aligning cybersecurity strategy with business objectives, strengthening governance and risk management, and guiding leadership teams through complex transitions across regulated industries including aviation, energy, construction, and professional services.I also advise and invest in early-stage cybersecurity startups, serving as a non-fiduciary advisor, angel investor, and limited partner in multiple cybersecurity-focused investment funds. I provide experience-based guidance on customer discovery, ICP definition, enterprise buyer expectations, product-market alignment, and go-to-market readiness, with a strong focus on connecting founders with CISOs, design partners, and senior technology leaders to accelerate validation and early adoption.I bring a background spanning enterprise cybersecurity, IT strategy, compliance, and data privacy, with a proven ability to translate technical risk into clear business impact for executive and board audiences. I remain active in the cybersecurity community through board service, speaking, and mentorship.MBA (Information Technology), BS in Cybersecurity & Information Assurance, 20+ certifications including CISSP, CISM, and CIPM.I believe strong cybersecurity is built on trust, governance, and clear communication.
Experience
Member & Investor
Feb 2026 — Present · San Francisco, CA, US
The global operator network at U&I Ventures is an invite-only, diverse community that brings together distinguished technical operators across various industries.
Education
University of Colorado Boulder
Enterprise Security Leadership
The University of Georgia
Managing Cybersecurity for Business
Texas McCombs School of Business
Project Management
Western Governors University
MBA - Information Technology
University of Colorado Boulder
Homeland Security and Cybersecurity
The University of Tulsa
Petroleum Geology for the Non-Geologist
Western Governors University
Bachelor of Science - BS, Cybersecurity and Information Assurance
Rice Business
The Management Incubator, Business Management
2020 — 2020
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