Forcepoint Executive and Leadership Team

November, 2026

Leadership Overview

Forcepoint has 7 executives leading key functions including marketing, operations, finance, legal, and technology.

Focused on human-centric cybersecurity, Forcepoint delivers advanced protection solutions to secure data across global enterprises. This leadership team drives innovation to mitigate modern digital threats while maintaining operational excellence.

Leadership Roles at Forcepoint

  • Chief Financial Officer - Matt Derdeyn
  • Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer - Michael Newman
  • Chief Operating Officer - Shayne Higdon
  • Chief Marketing Officer - Vincent Merlin
  • Operations Senior Director, Legal & Chief of Staff - Cass Dabbs
  • Chief Technology Officer & Head of Global Engineering - Bakshi Kohli
  • Chief Operations Officer - John Maina
  • Matt Derdeyn - Chief Financial Officer

    Matt Derdeyn, the Chief Financial Officer at Forcepoint, governs the financial health and fiscal strategy of the organization. Overseeing capital allocation and budgetary planning, the Chief Financial Officer ensures that investments align with the company's long-term cybersecurity objectives. This leadership role involves managing financial reporting, risk assessment, and investor relations to maintain transparency and stability. By analyzing revenue streams and cost structures, Derdeyn identifies opportunities for margin improvement and sustainable growth. The Chief Financial Officer collaborates with the executive team to evaluate potential acquisitions and strategic partnerships that enhance the company's technological capabilities. Through disciplined financial management, Derdeyn secures the resources necessary for ongoing research and development. This focus on fiscal rigor supports the organization's ability to innovate within the cybersecurity market, ensuring that financial performance remains a strong foundation for future expansion and competitive success.
    Matt Derdeyn

    Michael Newman - Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

    Michael Newman, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at Forcepoint, drives the overarching financial strategy and corporate development. Overseeing the long-term financial planning, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer ensures that the company maintains a robust balance sheet to support aggressive innovation in cybersecurity. This leadership role involves managing complex financial operations and providing strategic guidance to the board regarding market expansion. By evaluating the financial impact of new product lines, Newman optimizes the company's investment portfolio. The Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer collaborates with other executives to ensure that financial goals remain synchronized with the company's mission of protecting human-centric data. Through sophisticated financial modeling and risk management, Newman supports the organization's ability to navigate volatile market conditions. This focus on financial leadership ensures that the company remains well-positioned to lead the cybersecurity industry through sustained growth and operational efficiency.

    Shayne Higdon - Chief Operating Officer

    Shayne Higdon, the Chief Operating Officer at Forcepoint, manages internal business processes and organizational efficiency. Overseeing the integration of cross-functional workflows, the Chief Operating Officer ensures that internal systems support the rapid deployment of cybersecurity solutions. This leadership role involves streamlining operational protocols to enhance productivity across global teams. By refining resource allocation, Higdon optimizes the delivery of services to enterprise clients, ensuring that internal infrastructure scales alongside market demand. The Chief Operating Officer works closely with department heads to remove bottlenecks, fostering a culture of agility and performance. Through rigorous oversight of daily operations, Higdon maintains the stability required for sustained growth. This focus on operational excellence allows the organization to respond effectively to evolving security challenges, ensuring that internal capabilities remain aligned with the company's commitment to protecting critical data assets worldwide.

    Vincent Merlin - Chief Marketing Officer

    Vincent Merlin, the Chief Marketing Officer at Forcepoint, directs all global brand positioning and demand generation strategies. Overseeing the alignment of market messaging with the company's human-centric cybersecurity mission, the Chief Marketing Officer ensures consistent engagement across diverse international markets. This leadership role involves scaling digital outreach programs to capture enterprise market share while optimizing the customer acquisition funnel. By analyzing competitive landscapes, Merlin identifies emerging trends that inform long-term growth initiatives. The Chief Marketing Officer collaborates with product teams to translate complex security features into compelling value propositions for global clients. Through data-driven campaigns, Merlin elevates the brand presence, ensuring that the organization remains a top-of-mind partner for businesses seeking robust data protection. This strategic focus on market visibility directly supports the broader objective of expanding the company's footprint in the competitive cybersecurity sector.
    Cass Dabbs, the Operations Senior Director, Legal & Chief of Staff at Forcepoint, coordinates executive initiatives and legal compliance frameworks. Overseeing the alignment of corporate governance with operational goals, the Operations Senior Director, Legal & Chief of Staff ensures that all business activities adhere to international regulatory standards. This leadership role involves managing the flow of information between the executive office and various departments to facilitate rapid decision-making. By streamlining administrative processes, Dabbs enhances the efficiency of the leadership team. The Operations Senior Director, Legal & Chief of Staff works to mitigate legal risks while supporting the company's mission to provide secure, human-centric cybersecurity solutions. Through careful oversight of corporate policy, Dabbs maintains the integrity of the organization's operations. This role is essential for ensuring that strategic objectives are executed within a framework of compliance and operational excellence across all global markets.

    Bakshi Kohli - Chief Technology Officer & Head of Global Engineering

    Bakshi Kohli, the Chief Technology Officer & Head of Global Engineering at Forcepoint, architects the technical vision and product development roadmap. Overseeing the global engineering teams, the Chief Technology Officer & Head of Global Engineering ensures the delivery of cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions that address modern data protection needs. This leadership role involves managing the lifecycle of software development, from initial concept to deployment. By fostering a culture of technical innovation, Kohli drives the creation of advanced security features that distinguish the company in the global market. The Chief Technology Officer & Head of Global Engineering collaborates with product managers to ensure that technical capabilities meet the evolving demands of enterprise clients. Through the implementation of scalable infrastructure, Kohli supports the company's mission to provide reliable, human-centric security. This focus on engineering excellence ensures that the organization remains at the forefront of technological advancement in the cybersecurity sector.
    Bakshi Kohli

    John Maina - Chief Operations Officer

    John Maina, the Chief Operations Officer at Forcepoint, manages the supply chain and logistics framework for global service delivery. Overseeing the physical and digital distribution of security products, the Chief Operations Officer ensures that client requirements are met with precision and speed. This leadership role involves optimizing the operational footprint to support regional market expansion. By refining the logistics strategy, Maina enhances the efficiency of service deployment across international territories. The Chief Operations Officer works to integrate operational workflows with customer support functions, ensuring a seamless experience for enterprise users. Through the management of vendor relationships and operational partnerships, Maina maintains the reliability of the company's service delivery model. This focus on operational logistics supports the organization's ability to scale its cybersecurity offerings globally, ensuring that the company consistently meets the high standards required for protecting sensitive data in a complex digital environment.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Forcepoint Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Forcepoint?
    Forcepoint is led by Matt Derdeyn (Chief Financial Officer), along with executives such as Michael Newman (Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer) and Shayne Higdon (Chief Operating Officer).
    Who is part of Forcepoint’s executive team?
    The executive team of Forcepoint includes leaders such as Matt Derdeyn (Chief Financial Officer), Michael Newman (Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer), Shayne Higdon (Chief Operating Officer) 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, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Marketing Officer, Operations Senior Director, Legal & Chief of Staff.