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William Houston

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+1 202 774 1300

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Will Houston has more than 20 years of experience in the industrial and technology sectors, the military, and federal government. He is active in our Technology and Industrial practices and co-leads the CISO/Cybersecurity practice.

I’m passionate about teasing out the strengths that might make a candidate suited to a role, as well as identifying important weaknesses. I get a real charge when a candidate’s interests and abilities meet a client’s requirements.

Prior to joining Egon Zehnder, Will was a Head of Strategic Partner Development in Google’s Emerging Business Development group. Previously, Will served as the Director of Policy and Planning for Customs and Border Protection in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and as a consultant with Diamond Technology Partners, where he advised Fortune 500 clients on digital strategy. Will began his career as an Army Intelligence Officer, serving four years on active duty, and recently retired as a Colonel in the Army Reserve. He helped establish and led US Cyber Command’s Reserve unit in Silicon Valley.

Will earned an AB from Princeton University, an MBA from the Wharton School, and a master’s from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. He was also a Fellow with the Robert Bosch Foundation in Berlin and serves on the advisory board of the Alumni & Friends of Princeton University ROTC.

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Thought Leadership

Thought Leadership by William Houston

What Did You Say? Boards Tackle Corporate Jargon

What Did You Say? Boards Tackle Corporate Jargon

Governments around the world have introduced laws that require plain language in public communications. Directors in the corporate world could benefit from similar efforts,… Read more

CISO to Board Member: Enhancing your readiness to serve

CISO to Board Member: Enhancing your readiness to serve

Drawing from experience working with boards and cybersecurity executives, explore insights to enhance your readiness to land your first board seat. Read more

Rewiring Boardroom Cybersecurity

Rewiring Boardroom Cybersecurity

In this e-book, Dr. Moudy Elbayadi, author of Big Breaches: Cybersecurity Lessons for Everyone, offers a concise and practical playbook for boards of directors… Read more

Twitter Hack Underscores Need for CISOs with People Skills

Twitter Hack Underscores Need for CISOs with People Skills

The recent Twitter hack shows that companies must continue to bolster the most critical part of their security infrastructure—their workforce. While cybersecurity professionals have… Read more

The Effect of a Breach on a CISO’s Value

The Effect of a Breach on a CISO’s Value

Will Houston joins Steve Durbin, managing director of the Information Security Forum, for an episode of the ISF Podcast focusing on “The Effect of… Read more

Security Roundtable — Making Boardroom Changes Today to Ensure a Cyber-Secure Tomorrow

Security Roundtable — Making Boardroom Changes Today to Ensure a Cyber-Secure Tomorrow

Cyber risk experts Kal Bittianda, Selena Loh LaCroix, and William Houston explain why changes to improve security are necessary at the board level. Read more

The Amazon Effect

The Amazon Effect

Egon Zehnder hosted an intimate roundtable discussion on the impact of Amazon’s second headquarters, with a focus on the DC, Maryland, and Virginia region… Read more

Digital Disruption In Agriculture, Construction and Mining Equipment

Digital Disruption In Agriculture, Construction and Mining Equipment

Given the growing danger of being left behind and commoditized by advancing technology, we asked ten senior leaders in Construction, Agriculture and Mining Equipment… Read more

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