In this episode of CISO Confidential, Elias Oxendine, now the CISO of Tractor Supply shares a raw and candid account of his nerve-wracking first board meeting as a CISO prior to his current role, where technical metrics failed to engage the room and silence signaled a disconnect. Through trial, mentorship, and a strategic shift to risk-based financial narratives, he turned the experience around—gaining board trust, driving engagement, and securing buy-in. Tune in for invaluable lessons on how CISOs can better communicate cyber risk, avoid common pitfalls, and ensure their voice is heard at the highest level.

Elias Oxendine IV is the Vice President of Information Security and Privacy at Tractor Supply Company. Prior to this role, he served as the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Yum! Brands, where he was responsible for protecting the company’s systems and information. Before joining Yum! Brands, Oxendine held IT and security leadership positions at Brown-Forman and GE Appliances. He also served as a U.S. Navy officer for six years, securing classified information as an IT intelligence officer.

📌 Can’t Miss Insights for CISOs! ✔️ Why Most CISOs Struggle in the Boardroom ✔️ The Harsh Reality of the CISO Role ✔️ What NOT to Do in a Boardroom ✔️ How to Fix Boardroom Communication ✔️ A Game-Change for Future of Board Meetings ✔️ The Power of Cyber Risk Quantification

Hosted by Saket Modi, CEO of SAFE, CISO Confidential pulls back the curtain on real-life breach stories from top security leaders. If you’ve ever wondered what really happens during a cyber crisis, or what a day in the life of a CISO is like, this podcast is your front-row seat to the action.