Identity Matters

In this episode of Identity Matters, SailPoint CEO Mark McClain is joined by Sudhakar Ramakrishna, CEO of SolarWinds, for a conversation on trust, leadership, and resilience in an increasingly complex digital world. Sudhakar reflects on SolarWinds’ evolution, from its roots in IT management to its central role in modern cybersecurity, and how the company’s mission has sharpened around trust, transparency, and accountability under his leadership.  Together, Mark and Sudhakar explore how enterprise thinking about identity, trust, and visibility has shifted as hybrid environments, cloud adoption, and distributed workforces redefine the security perimeter. They discuss the rapidly changing threat landscape, the dual impact of AI for attackers and defenders, and why “secure by design” must be a sustained mindset—not a one-time response.  Tune in for lessons on leadership under pressure, practical advice for leaders facing defining moments, and board-level perspective on risk and resilience! 

In this episode of Identity Matters, SailPoint CEO and Founder Mark McClain is joined by Andre Durand, Founder and CEO of Ping Identity. Andre shares personal and professional milestones that have shaped his career journey, how his view of “identity” has evolved over two decades, and what motivates him as a repeat founder. He and Mark discuss the biggest identity challenges enterprises face today, where AI and automation are driving real security impact, and how to ensure trust isn’t lost in the push toward automation.  Mark and Andre also dive into the business value of mature identity strategy, and what sets strategic identity leaders apart. This episode is a good listen for both newcomers and veterans in the identity security industry!

In this episode of Identity Matters, SailPoint CEO and host Mark McClain sits down with Emmy-nominated choreographer, keynote speaker, and founder of Groove Theory Bradley Rapier for a conversation that bridges art, leadership, and identity. Bradley shares his experience from the world of hip-hop and street dance to shaping leadership cultures in boardrooms and beyond. He and Mark examine how leaders can move past fear and hesitation, tap into their authentic selves, and transform organizational “transactions” into meaningful engagement. Bradley provides a fresh, creative perspective on leadership, from building inclusive, high-performing teams to redefining impostor syndrome and embracing constraints as catalysts for innovation. Tune in to discover how activating who you are can unlock the rhythm of authentic leadership in business, security, and beyond.

In this episode of Identity Matters, SailPoint CEO Mark McClain and Board Member Tracey Newell dive into leadership, innovation, and the evolving role of identity in enterprise security. Tracey shares her personal journey into technology and the pivotal experiences that shaped her leadership philosophy. She and Mark explore how today’s boards are engaging with cybersecurity and identity, and what that means for business resilience and trust. From navigating rapid change to overcoming impostor syndrome, Tracey offers actionable insights for leaders. Whether you’re leading a global enterprise or building your career, this episode is full of practical wisdom and perspective on leading with clarity, confidence, and vision.

On this episode of Identity Matters, SailPoint CEO Mark McClain reunites with co-founder Kevin Cunningham to reflect on three decades of innovation in identity security. From their early days at Tivoli to launching WaveSet and building SailPoint, they share the risks, lessons, and leadership insights that shaped their journey.  Hear how they navigated the dot-com era, built a resilient company culture, and pioneered identity governance in an evolving cybersecurity landscape. They also discuss the “lifeboat mentality” that kept their team aligned, the power of listening, and Kevin’s shift into mentorship and philanthropy.  This episode is packed with wisdom on staying steady, adapting, and leading with purpose. Listen now for a candid conversation on resilience, vision, and building a lasting company.

In this episode of Identity Matters, SailPoint CEO Mark McClain and Silverado Policy Accelerator Co-Founder and Chairman Dmitri Alperovitch examine the state of cybersecurity in the face of new technological advances.     Dmitri discusses the new role of cybersecurity as the frontline of conflict, and why it will never be as simple as solving one issue, because new tools, techniques, and technologies like social engineering and AI are continually emerging for security teams and attackers alike. He underscores the need for organizations to be resilient, with plans to rebuild quickly following attacks.     This episode examines the evolving threat and identity landscapes, and why the role and definition of identity within cybersecurity are shifting. Dmitri shares his sharp observations about the latest approaches to cyberattacks and why we should look to Ukraine as an example of rebuilding after a breach. Whether you’re a seasoned cybersecurity veteran or new to the industry, you won’t want to miss this.  

In this latest episode of Identity Matters, SailPoint CEO Mark McClain sits down with Olympic gold medalist Cole Hocker for an inspiring and deeply insightful conversation.   Cole shares his journey to becoming the 1500-meter champion at the 2024 Paris Olympics, beating world-class favorites in a race that stunned spectators worldwide. He delves into the mindset, preparation, and resilience required to overcome setbacks, including injuries and self-doubt, while maintaining focus on his goals.   The episode explores universal lessons about preparation, grit, and adapting to life's unexpected challenges, drawing parallels between athletic excellence and professional success. With memorable anecdotes—like seizing a fleeting opening in the race's final stretch—and actionable wisdom, Cole exemplifies what it means to stay "humble, hungry, and smart." Whether you're chasing dreams in sports, work, or life, this episode will leave you motivated to win your own race. 

On this episode of Identity Matters, Mark McClain, CEO and Founder of SailPoint, is joined by Sumit Dhawan, CEO of Proofpoint.  Dhawan discusses his approach to cybersecurity and leadership, and the culture he strives to model at Proofpoint. McClain and Dhawan dive into the critical role that cybersecurity organizations play in helping enterprises solve their security challenges, and the importance of partnership with CISOs.  A key theme of this episode is the changing nature of cyber threats, and why AI is necessary to help defend against these increasingly sophisticated attacks. The conversation examines the four key solution platforms that have emerged in the cybersecurity industry, as well as the CISO’s shift in mindset from defending every possible corner of their business to operationalizing and managing risk through a suite of key solutions.  This episode explores the future of cybersecurity, why we should be excited about the industry’s direction, and how security teams can best support their CISO customers in the midst of uncertainty. Cybersecurity buffs and newbies alike will come away inspired about the possibilities that lie ahead. 

In this first episode of Identity Matters, Mark McClain, CEO and Founder of SailPoint, is joined by Ron Green, cybersecurity fellow at Mastercard and SailPoint board member.   Green discusses his impressive career journey, from a childhood aspiration to become a Philadelphia police officer to serving in the U.S. Army, the Secret Service, and later leading security initiatives at major organizations like Bank of America and MasterCard. The conversation delves into the evolution of cybersecurity, reminiscing on Green’s early days dealing with cybercrime to today’s complex landscape to the human impact of cybersecurity during crises, comparing unique challenges of supporting teams through unexpected global threats.  A key theme of this episode is the importance of fundamentals in security—often overlooked but critical for preventing attacks. McClain and Green explore the role of AI in cybersecurity, not only for defending against today’s threats but also for anticipating future risks through techniques like threatcasting. They also discuss the growing significance of identity security, explaining how securing access to applications and data has always been the goal and why identity security is at the core of everything.  This episode explores the future of cybersecurity and the human side of defending in our digital world. It’s a must-listen for anyone trying to wrap their arms around the future of cybersecurity, threat intelligence and the critical role identity security plays in safeguarding our digital world.