Notes from the Boardroom: vol. 12
Editor’s note: “Notes from the Boardroom” is a series of blog posts from ISACA board directors providing transparency, context and perspective on how the ISACA board is carrying out its governance responsibilities. In this installment, ISACA Board Director Dr. Tim Sattler shares his perspective on how ISACA helps to cultivate leadership skills among its global community.
When we talk about ISACA, the conversation often turns to certifications, frameworks and knowledge resources – and rightfully so. These have been central to ISACA’s credibility for over five decades. However, there is another aspect of ISACA’s value that deserves equal attention: leadership development.
In our profession, leadership is not just about having a title or a seat at the table. It’s about inspiring trust, navigating uncertainty and uniting diverse groups around a shared vision. Whether you are leading a cybersecurity team through an incident response, guiding a privacy program through new regulations, or directing a digital transformation initiative, your technical expertise is only one part of the equation. The other, often decisive, part is leadership capability.
ISACA’s leadership development ecosystem is more robust and intentional than many members realize.
Chapters as Leadership Laboratories
For many of us, the first opportunity to develop leadership skills outside our day jobs comes through volunteering in our local ISACA chapters. Serving on a chapter board, as I have for 10 years with the ISACA Germany Chapter, leading a working group, or organizing an event may initially seem like an extracurricular activity. But in reality, these experiences are a leadership laboratory.
In a chapter role, you manage budgets, set strategic priorities, recruit and motivate volunteers, negotiate with partners, and communicate with a diverse membership base. You learn to build consensus, resolve conflicts and adapt when plans inevitably change. You also gain the confidence to lead in settings where you may not have formal authority – a critical skill in today’s matrixed organizations.
These experiences go far beyond theory; they provide practical lessons that shape real leadership skills.
The ISACA Chair’s Fellowship Program
While chapters serve as local laboratories, the ISACA Chair’s Fellowship Program provides an opportunity to experience leadership at the global level.
This initiative is designed to cultivate the next generation of ISACA board directors – people who can influence not just within their chapters, but across the association’s worldwide network and beyond. Fellows are selected through a competitive process, and the program provides an intensive, structured experience over the course of a year.
The Chair’s Fellowship is not just about passive learning. It provides mentorship from seasoned ISACA directors who openly and honestly share their perspectives.
Fellows also have the opportunity to work closely with ISACA’s global board and senior leadership on issues with real-world impact. They may develop recommendations for member engagement, contribute to thought leadership on emerging topics, or help shape the governance of our global community.
I had the opportunity to participate in this program for a year, prior to joining the ISACA Global Board in July. For me, one of the most powerful aspects of the program was the direct exposure to how strategic guidance and oversight are provided at the highest levels of our association. Equally valuable was the exchange with my mentor, whose insights and advice continue to resonate with me well beyond the fellowship year.
Learning Resources for Leadership Growth
Beyond chapters and the fellowship, ISACA offers a variety of learning opportunities, including leadership-themed webinars, conference sessions and training courses on topics such as governance and digital trust. Many of these resources are designed for immediate application, so members can practice new skills in real time.
Leadership is also a recurring theme in ISACA’s online resources and publications. In these, practitioners share case studies and personal stories about leading through crises, managing stakeholder expectations and balancing innovation with governance.
Why Leadership Development Matters Now More Than Ever
The challenges our profession faces today are unprecedented in scope and complexity. We are grappling with the implications of artificial intelligence, balancing global collaboration with data sovereignty and managing an ever-expanding web of interconnected risks. These are not purely technical problems; they are socio-technical, organizational and even geopolitical in nature.
Solving these problems requires leaders who can:
- Bridge technical and business domains
- Build coalitions across sectors and borders
- Decide under uncertainty
- Communicate risk in a way that drives action
ISACA aims to cultivate precisely these capabilities.
A Personal Reflection
Throughout my journey, I have witnessed firsthand how ISACA’s leadership opportunities can accelerate growth. From volunteering early on with the ISACA Germany Chapter to representing my chapter as president in global discussions to participating in the Chair’s Fellowship, each step has expanded my skills and perspective.
I have learned that leadership is not about having all the answers; it’s about asking the right questions, actively listening and empowering others to contribute their best. Leadership is about holding a vision while being flexible about how to get there. It’s also about acting with integrity, even when difficult choices are required.
Equipping Members to Shape the Future
As a board, we believe that leadership development is not a “nice to have.” Rather, it is central to ISACA’s mission of advancing the professional community. Technical skills may get you in the door, but leadership skills will determine the impact you can make once you are there.
Through platforms such as chapter leadership, the ISACA Chair’s Fellowship Program and a robust library of learning resources, ISACA helps members not only succeed in their current roles, but also equips them to shape the future of our field.
