Organizational culture is often described as the invisible force that determines whether security strategies thrive or fail - yet few leaders know how to shape it deliberately. In this co‑hosted masterclass, Prof. Dr. Ulrich Pfeiffer, Professor for Digital Transformation at Thine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, lays the foundation by breaking down what culture really is: the behaviors, norms, and informal rules that drive how decisions get made, how teams collaborate, and how organizations respond to pressure. He introduces the cultural levers leaders can use to shift mindsets, strengthen trust, and build an environment where people and performance can flourish.

Building on this foundation, Olivier Busolini, Group CISO at Mashreq, shares how these cultural principles translated into real‑world transformation inside a complex, high‑growth financial institution. Drawing on his experience evolving the CISO role from a technical gatekeeper into a strategic business partner, he illustrates how culture shaped security, governance, and cross‑functional collaboration. From developing influence beyond IT to fostering trust with senior leadership and driving change in a highly regulated, multi‑country environment, Olivier shows how culture becomes the differentiator that enables resilience, innovation, and long‑lasting impact.

Participants will leave with a dual lens: Ulrich’s deep understanding of culture and Olivier’s applied blueprint - along with practical exercises and leadership behaviors they can use to shift their own organizational cultures with intention and confidence.