ISACA CEO Announces Departure

ISACA, the professional association self-billed as the "trusted source of knowledge, standards, networking, and career development for information systems audit, assurance, security, risk, privacy, and governance professionals," is about to get new leadership at the highest level.

In a development first announced at the end of last week, CEO Matthew Loeb will step down Nov. 9, concluding a four-year tenure. Loeb's official stay at the top of the ISACA food chain began Sept. 1, 2014, when he replaced interim CEO Ron Hale, who had filled the post since the 2013 departure of 21-year CEO Susan M. Caldwell.

Loeb said in a statement that there have been many rewards of his time in office, but that working with ISACA members and employees had the greatest impact. "What I will remember most is the inspiration I have received from my many interactions with our dedicated chapter leaders around the world, our 165,000 member and certified professionals who look to us each day for ways to work for greater impact and better navigate their careers, and our 220 employees who work tirelessly each day on behalf of our incredible professional community," Loeb said.

Under Loeb's leadership, ISACA achieved the highest certification levels in its 50-year history: The number of credentialed ISACA professionals grew by 30 percent, with certification renewals rising to 96 percent. Loeb also oversaw the launch of ISACA's CSX Practitioner cybersecurity certification.

Loeb joined ISACA after a 20-year career working at the management level of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) that included serving as executive director of the IEEE Foundation. At the outset of his ISACA term, Loeb touted the organization's trust and respect and expressed his desire to increase "appreciation for the role our professionals play in advancing economic prosperity and keeping the digital world safe."

Rob Clyde, chair of ISACA's board of directors, said in a statement that Loeb's leadership has helped to ensure ISACA's continued growth and increase positive feedback among members.

"We have grown our core business of membership, certification, conferences, and knowledge services, resulting in our highest level of member satisfaction in our history, while also building new business development and public affairs capabilities that will serve as the foundation of our future growth," Clyde said.

ISACA's board has created a selection committee to choose Loeb's successor and will begin a global search this month.