Colleagues and Fellow IPA Members,

As I begin my tenure as President of IPA, I want to reach out directly to all of you. You are the backbone and continuity of IPA. Your expertise, experience, commitment to our mission, and, most importantly, your insights into future challenges and opportunities are invaluable.

I would like to share with you what I see as IPA’s priorities as we move forward. I believe IPA is well positioned to grow and evolve at the speed of opportunity as we continue to strengthen our role as a leader in the information and cognitive security domain.

First, I would like IPA to grow our brand, reputation, and leadership role. IPA has a strong reputation, and this is a great time to increase our visibility in forums and venues where we can have the greatest impact—through speaking engagements, publications, working groups, thought leadership, and engagement with key communities. Let’s find ways to demonstrate the professionalism and leadership that define IPA. Please send me your suggestions on speaking engagements, publications, working groups, and similar initiatives that allow IPA to engage.

Second, let’s grow our sponsor base. We have outstanding sponsors, but there is likely a broad array of potential sponsors that we have not yet reached. We plan to engage them. Please work with the IPA Board to identify and introduce potential sponsors who share our interests.

Third, let’s grow our membership and establish new IPA chapters. Our community is growing and becoming more professionally diverse than ever before. The definition of an information or cognitive security professional now spans multiple disciplines and professions, and we want all of those professionals to see a place for themselves within IPA.

We also believe chapters will be key to expanding our reach and connecting with new members. Cities such as Washington DC, London, and Tampa are already on the pathway to becoming chapters, and there are a number of other cities where we have a strong base of interest and support. I welcome your thoughts. You’ll hear soon from our new Board leads for membership and chapters, and we look forward to your support and insights.

Finally, a few notes on my role. I see myself as an ambassador and advocate for IPA, the Board, and all of you. I will actively pursue opportunities to advance IPA and our mission, engage with current and prospective sponsors, connect with aligned organizations, and spend time with our new and emerging chapters. Tell me what I can do to make this a better organization.

We welcome your participation in our September APEX conference on education and our flagship conference, Pinnacle, in spring 2027. There will also be more opportunities for IPA members to support committees and working groups, so stay tuned.

Please reach out to me anytime at ipa-president@information-professionals.org.

Respectfully,

Dave