Forcepoint Executive and Leadership Team

June, 2026

Leadership Overview

Forcepoint has 8 executives leading key functions including finance, product, technology, operations, people, and go-to-market.

Driven by a commitment to human-centric cybersecurity, Forcepoint empowers organizations to protect their data and users by understanding and managing risk.

Leadership Roles at Forcepoint

  • Chief Financial Officer - Matthew Derdeyn
  • Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer - Arthur Locke
  • President, Go to Market - Eric Hanson
  • Chief Product Marketing Officer & Chief People Officer & Chief Marketing Officer - Naveen Palavalli
  • Chief Technology Officer & Head of Global Engineering - Bakshi Kohli
  • Chief People Officer - Emilie McLaughlin
  • Chief Operations Officer - John Maina
  • Matthew Derdeyn - Chief Financial Officer

    Matthew Derdeyn, the Chief Financial Officer at Forcepoint, directs the company's financial strategy and operations. Overseeing all fiscal activities, Derdeyn ensures robust financial planning, accurate reporting, and effective resource allocation to support Forcepoint's global growth initiatives. This leadership role involves managing budgets, forecasting financial performance, and optimizing capital structure to enhance shareholder value. By driving financial discipline and strategic investment, Matthew Derdeyn directly contributes to the company's long-term stability and market competitiveness. The Chief Financial Officer's purview extends to managing investor relations and ensuring compliance with all financial regulations, solidifying Forcepoint's position as a trusted cybersecurity provider.
    Matthew Derdeyn

    Arthur Locke - Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

    Arthur Locke, the Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer at Forcepoint, provides critical financial oversight and strategic guidance. Locke's responsibilities encompass managing financial planning and analysis, ensuring fiscal integrity, and supporting executive leadership in strategic decision-making. This senior financial role involves optimizing financial operations and driving efficiency across departments to align with Forcepoint's business objectives. By contributing to financial strategy and risk management, Arthur Locke plays a vital part in sustaining the company's financial health and enabling its expansion in the global cybersecurity market. The Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer's focus on financial performance directly supports Forcepoint's mission to deliver innovative, human-centric security solutions.

    Eric Hanson - President, Go to Market

    Eric Hanson, the President, Go to Market at Forcepoint, leads the company's global sales, marketing, and customer success organizations. Hanson drives the strategy for market penetration and revenue growth, ensuring Forcepoint's cybersecurity solutions effectively reach and serve its diverse customer base. This executive position involves aligning sales efforts with product innovation and market demands, fostering strong customer relationships, and expanding Forcepoint's global footprint. The President, Go to Market's leadership ensures a cohesive and impactful market presence, translating technological advancements into tangible business value for clients. Eric Hanson's strategic direction is pivotal in achieving Forcepoint's mission to deliver human-centric cybersecurity solutions worldwide.
    Eric Hanson
    Naveen Palavalli, the Chief Product Marketing Officer & Chief People Officer & Chief Marketing Officer at Forcepoint, orchestrates the company's product positioning, market engagement, and talent development strategies. This multifaceted role drives the go-to-market strategy for Forcepoint's cybersecurity solutions, ensuring clear communication of value propositions to diverse customer segments. Palavalli also spearheads human capital initiatives, fostering a high-performance culture and attracting top talent essential for innovation in the cybersecurity sector. The Chief Product Marketing Officer & Chief People Officer & Chief Marketing Officer's leadership ensures seamless integration between product development, market outreach, and employee engagement, directly impacting Forcepoint's brand perception and market penetration. Naveen Palavalli's strategic oversight guarantees that Forcepoint's offerings resonate with market needs while cultivating a thriving internal environment.

    Bakshi Kohli - Chief Technology Officer & Head of Global Engineering

    Bakshi Kohli, the Chief Technology Officer & Head of Global Engineering at Forcepoint, architects the company's technological vision and oversees all engineering functions. Kohli directs the development and implementation of Forcepoint's advanced cybersecurity platforms, ensuring innovation and technical excellence. This leadership position involves guiding research and development efforts, managing global engineering teams, and driving the technological roadmap to address evolving cyber threats. The Chief Technology Officer & Head of Global Engineering's strategic direction ensures Forcepoint remains at the forefront of cybersecurity technology, delivering robust and effective solutions. Bakshi Kohli's expertise is crucial in translating complex technical requirements into market-leading products that protect customers worldwide.
    Bakshi Kohli

    Emilie McLaughlin - Chief People Officer

    Emilie McLaughlin, the Chief People Officer at Forcepoint, leads the company's human resources strategy and talent management initiatives. McLaughlin is responsible for cultivating a positive and productive work environment, driving employee engagement, and developing programs that attract, retain, and develop top talent within the cybersecurity industry. This critical role ensures that Forcepoint's workforce is equipped with the skills and motivation necessary to achieve organizational goals. The Chief People Officer's focus on people operations directly supports Forcepoint's human-centric approach to cybersecurity by fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation. Emilie McLaughlin's leadership is instrumental in building a strong organizational foundation that underpins the company's success.

    John Maina - Chief Operations Officer

    John Maina, the Chief Operations Officer at Forcepoint, directs the company's operational efficiency and global business processes. Maina oversees the execution of strategic initiatives, ensuring seamless delivery of Forcepoint's cybersecurity solutions and services to customers worldwide. This leadership role involves optimizing internal operations, managing supply chains, and enhancing service delivery to drive customer satisfaction and operational excellence. The Chief Operations Officer's purview extends to managing risk and ensuring business continuity across all operational facets. John Maina's strategic management of operations is fundamental to Forcepoint's ability to scale its business and maintain its commitment to providing reliable, human-centric cybersecurity.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Forcepoint Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Forcepoint?
    Forcepoint is led by Matthew Derdeyn (Chief Financial Officer), along with executives such as Arthur Locke (Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer) and Eric Hanson (President, Go to Market).
    Who is part of Forcepoint’s executive team?
    The executive team of Forcepoint includes leaders such as Matthew Derdeyn (Chief Financial Officer), Arthur Locke (Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer), Eric Hanson (President, Go to Market) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Forcepoint have?
    Forcepoint has 7 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Forcepoint’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Forcepoint includes roles such as Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, President, Go to Market, Chief Product Marketing Officer & Chief People Officer & Chief Marketing Officer, Chief Technology Officer & Head of Global Engineering.