Forcepoint Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

Forcepoint has 6 executives leading key functions including financial strategy, operational efficiency, engineering innovation, and global market expansion.

Focused on human-centric cybersecurity, Forcepoint delivers advanced data protection solutions that empower organizations to secure their digital environments while maintaining seamless productivity across global markets.

Leadership Roles at Forcepoint

  • Chief Financial Officer - Matt Derdeyn
  • Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer - Michael Newman
  • Chief Operating Officer - Shayne Higdon
  • President - GTM - Rick Hanson
  • 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, directs all fiscal planning and capital allocation strategies. Overseeing the financial health of the organization, the Chief Financial Officer ensures alignment between budgetary resources and long-term cybersecurity innovation goals. This leadership role involves managing complex reporting structures and optimizing cost efficiencies across North American and international operations. By maintaining rigorous oversight of capital expenditures, Matt Derdeyn directly impacts the ability of the company to scale its human-centric security platforms. Derdeyn secures the financial foundation necessary for sustained growth in the competitive software security landscape. Through precise forecasting and risk management, the Chief Financial Officer supports the broader mission of protecting critical data assets while driving shareholder value. This executive maintains constant communication with the Board regarding fiscal performance and strategic investment opportunities.
    Matt Derdeyn

    Michael Newman - Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

    Michael Newman, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at Forcepoint, architects the long-term financial strategy and investment roadmap. Overseeing the financial reporting and treasury functions, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer ensures the company maintains a strong balance sheet to support aggressive market expansion. This leadership role involves evaluating potential acquisitions and partnerships that enhance the cybersecurity portfolio. By managing complex financial risks, Michael Newman directly impacts the stability and growth trajectory of the organization. Newman collaborates with the executive team to align fiscal objectives with the mission of delivering human-centric security. Through disciplined capital management, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer enables the company to invest in cutting-edge research and development. This executive provides the financial insights required to navigate the complexities of the global software security market.

    Shayne Higdon - Chief Operating Officer

    Shayne Higdon, the Chief Operating Officer at Forcepoint, manages internal business processes and organizational scaling. Overseeing the integration of cross-functional teams, the Chief Operating Officer drives operational excellence to support the delivery of human-centric cybersecurity solutions. This leadership role involves streamlining workflows and enhancing productivity across global departments to ensure consistent service quality. By optimizing internal infrastructure, Shayne Higdon directly impacts the agility of the company in responding to evolving security threats. Higdon coordinates with other C-suite leaders to execute strategic initiatives that improve overall business performance. Through the implementation of robust operational frameworks, the Chief Operating Officer fosters a culture of efficiency and accountability. This executive monitors key performance indicators to ensure that all internal systems remain aligned with the overarching goal of providing superior data protection to clients worldwide.

    Rick Hanson - President - GTM

    Rick Hanson, the President - GTM at Forcepoint, directs all go-to-market strategies and revenue generation activities. Overseeing the global sales and marketing organizations, the President - GTM ensures that the company effectively communicates the value of its human-centric cybersecurity solutions to the market. This leadership role involves building high-performing sales teams and expanding the footprint of the company in key international territories. By driving revenue growth and market penetration, Rick Hanson directly impacts the overall success of the business. Hanson collaborates with product leadership to align sales messaging with the latest technological advancements. Through the development of strategic channel partnerships, the President - GTM secures a strong competitive advantage in the software security sector. This executive focuses on accelerating the sales cycle and ensuring that the organization meets its aggressive growth targets while delivering exceptional value to enterprise clients.
    Rick Hanson

    Bakshi Kohli - Chief Technology Officer & Head of Global Engineering

    Bakshi Kohli, the Chief Technology Officer & Head of Global Engineering at Forcepoint, directs the development of advanced cybersecurity technologies and software architecture. Overseeing the global engineering teams, the Chief Technology Officer & Head of Global Engineering ensures the continuous innovation of human-centric security products. This leadership role involves setting the technical vision and managing the lifecycle of complex software solutions. By driving the adoption of emerging technologies, Bakshi Kohli directly impacts the competitive positioning of the company in the global security market. Kohli collaborates with product management to translate market needs into robust technical specifications. Through the oversight of engineering talent across multiple regions, the Chief Technology Officer & Head of Global Engineering maintains high standards for product performance and reliability. This executive ensures that all technical initiatives support the core mission of protecting data in an increasingly digital world.
    Bakshi Kohli

    John Maina - Chief Operations Officer

    John Maina, the Chief Operations Officer at Forcepoint, manages supply chain logistics and service delivery frameworks. Overseeing the operational execution of client-facing projects, the Chief Operations Officer ensures that security solutions reach customers with maximum efficiency. This leadership role involves coordinating with regional teams to maintain consistent service standards across diverse geographic markets. By optimizing the delivery pipeline, John Maina directly impacts the customer experience and retention rates. Maina works closely with the engineering and sales departments to ensure that operational capabilities match the evolving demands of the cybersecurity industry. Through the implementation of scalable processes, the Chief Operations Officer supports the company's ability to handle large-scale enterprise deployments. This executive focuses on reducing friction in the service lifecycle, ensuring that the organization remains responsive to the needs of global clients while maintaining operational integrity.

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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 6 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, President - GTM, Chief Technology Officer & Head of Global Engineering.