CTO at goLance • Making software simple • Startup Mentor

80% of companies quit on AI before it helps.

Why? 
• One doubtful engineer
• Scary tool costs
• Or no clear plan

I make those problems disappear.

Who I Am
• 20+ years in code and leadership – from hands-on developer to CTO.
• Scaled SaaS platforms used by millions of customers.
• Trained global teams of 10 – 200 engineers to work faster and smarter.
• Guided “boring-industry” firms like healthcare and banks through tough tech shifts.

What I Bring
• Plain-language coaching – Your leaders and engineers get the “why” and the “how” without buzzwords.
• Tool fit & cost control – Pick the right AI tools, keep data safe, and stop surprise credit charges.
• Team habits that stick – I show devs how to fold AI into daily tasks—code reviews, tests, docs—until it feels natural.
• Measurable gains – Expect quicker releases, fewer bugs, and happier engineers in weeks, not years.
• Outcome pricing – You pay for real results, not for my hours on a clock.

The Bottom Line
If you lead a steady, no-flash company and keep hearing, “AI sounds cool, but…,” let’s talk. I turn that “but” into better software, lower costs, and a team that loves its work.

Brian Childress

I started my career as a software engineer and application architect, spending over a decade writing code before transitioning into cybersecurity leadership. Today, I specialize in building security programs that drive real behavioral change—leveraging motivation, psychology, and gamification to create sustainable security cultures.

I’ve led large-scale security initiatives at companies like Staples and Fivetran, helping organizations embed security into their development processes without sacrificing speed or innovation. As the co-founder of Katilyst, I partner with security and engineering teams to design Security Champion programs that are engaging, rewarding, and—most importantly—effective.

Need to launch or scale a Security Champion program? Katilyst provides the strategy, tools, and services to ensure your champions are empowered and motivated. www.katilyst.com

Looking for a practical guide to security culture change? I wrote the Security Champion Program Success Guide, a free resource for security teams looking to build high-impact champion programs. securitychampionsuccessguide.org

Want to connect with like-minded security & engineering leaders? Join our “Let’s Talk Software Security” community—a vendor-free space for open discussions. Join us here: https://www.meetup.com/lets-talk-software-security/

Key Expertise:
- Security Champions | Human Motivation | Gamification | Behavioral Science | Culture Change
- Application Security | Secure Development | Threat Modeling | DevSecOps | OWASP
- Leadership | Community Building | Developer Enablement | Security Strategy

If you're passionate about transforming security from a blocker into a business enabler, let's connect!

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The Battle

Brian Childress

Dustin Lehr

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