The Identity Underground Summit 2026
Denver

Event Description

October 12–14, 2026

Halcyon Hotel Cherry Creek · Denver, Colorado
245 Columbine Street, Denver, CO 80206

We're bringing our global community of identity security leaders together, in person, to connect and collaborate.

The Identity Underground Summit is where the most pressing challenges in identity security get the depth they deserve. This is a members-only, practitioner-first event, with two days of real conversations between the people actually doing the work and the executives setting the direction.

What makes this summit different is who's in the room. Practitioners and executives from leading organizations sit side by side — sharing what's working, debating what isn't, and building a clearer picture of where identity is headed. That mix of perspectives doesn't happen at most conferences. It happens here.

Expect candid keynotes, working breakouts, CISO panels, and hands-on workshops, all set against the backdrop of Denver, Colorado in October.

Halcyon Hotel Cherry Creek · Denver, Colorado
Halcyon Hotel Cherry Creek · Denver, Colorado
Halcyon Hotel Cherry Creek · Denver, Colorado

Unlock the Future of Identity

Join the Identity Underground Summit: Shaping the Future of Identity Security

Denver, Colorado (Credit: Bill Griepenstroh)

Practitioner-Led Content

Every session is led by working identity professionals — no vendor pitches, no theory. Hear directly from IAM leaders at Fortune 500 companies sharing what's actually working and what isn't.

Small, Curated Community

Space is limited, intentionally. Every person in the room is a peer — CISOs, CIOs, VPs, Security Engineers, Security Architects, and Directors and Managers of Identity who speak your language and face your challenges.

Deep-Dive Format

Choose your own path through breakout sessions and workshops designed for real depth. Walk away with actionable frameworks, not just talking points.

Exclusive Networking

The connections you build here go beyond the sessions. From the welcome reception to the evening events, the relationships you leave with are often the most valuable thing you'll take home.

Location

There's no better time to be in Colorado than the fall. Crisp mountain air, stunning fall color, and the energy of a city that knows how to host. Denver sets the tone for the kind of open, exploratory thinking this summit is built around.

Agenda

Explore our dynamic lineup of keynotes, panel discussions, and interactive roundtables designed to tackle the most pressing challenges in identity security. From deep dives into AI’s impact to collaborative problem-solving sessions, the agenda is packed with opportunities to gain insights, share ideas, and connect with industry leaders.

Monday, October 12th

5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Welcome Reception

Tuesday, October 13th

7:30 AM – 8:45 AM
Breakfast
9:00 AM – 9:05 AM
Welcome Remarks
Jessica Stone
Jessica Stone
 — LinkedIn profile
Managing Director

The Identity Underground

LinkedIn
9:05 AM–9:45 AM
Keynote
Driving Identity Forward
GM's Real-World Lessons and Best Practices
andrew cameron
Andrew Cameron
 — LinkedIn profile
Distinguished Engineer - Identity and Cybersecurity

General Motors

LinkedIn
James Barclay
 — LinkedIn profile
Director, GM Cybersecurity

General Motors

9:45 AM–10:30 AM
Panel
CISO Perspectives
Advancing Identity Security Across People, Process, and AI
mike reterstorf
LinkedIn
John Barrow
John Barrow
 — LinkedIn profile
Senior Director Cybersecurity & CISO

J.B. Poindexter

LinkedIn
10:30 AM – 10:50 AM
Networking Break
10:50 AM – 11:25 AM
Session
AI Meets Identity
From Innovation to Implementation to Security
hed kovetz
Hed Kovetz
 — LinkedIn profile
CEO & Founder

Silverfort

LinkedIn
sean odell
Sean O'Dell
 — LinkedIn profile
Distinguished Engineer, Identity and Security

CVS Health

LinkedIn
11:25 AM – 12:00 PM
Looking Ahead:
Identity Leaders Predict What's Next
george roberts
George Roberts
 — LinkedIn profile
Principal Architect, Identity & Access Management

McDonalds

LinkedIn
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Lunch
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Breakout Session #1
(Choose 1 of 3):
Option 1
Lessons Learned from a Failed IGA Program
The pillars of a successful IGA program aren't what most teams think. People, process, policy, product — and the order matters. Anu unpacks what goes wrong, and what a program that actually sticks looks like.
anu k
Anu Kothandaraman
 — LinkedIn profile
Director: Identity and Access Management

United Airlines

LinkedIn
Option 2
How to Sell Identity Security to Leadership
Funding is hard to get. Leadership buy-in is harder. Extending your reach across an organization that doesn't fully understand what you do is harder still. Kelli shares what's worked.
kelli hepburn
Kelli Hepburn
 — LinkedIn profile
Head of IAM and Vulnerability Management

Cox Enterprises

LinkedIn
Option 3
Account Discovery, Identity Management & Identity Fabric
Biji didn't set out to build an identity fabric. He started with discovery. One question led to the next. This is the honest story of what that journey looks like from the inside.
biji john
Biji John
 — LinkedIn profile
Director, Workforce Identity and Access Management Engineering

USAA

LinkedIn
2:45 PM – 3:45 PM
Breakout Session #2
(Choose 1 of 3)
Option 1
Passkey Rollout — Lessons Learned
Two very different organizations. One very familiar set of deployment lessons. Rob and Hannah get into what passkey rollout actually looks like — the use cases that held up, the ones that didn't, and what they wish someone had told them first.
rob west
Rob West
 — LinkedIn profile
Senior Information Technology Manager

Gates Foundation

LinkedIn
hannah sutor
Hannah Sutor
 — LinkedIn profile
Product Manager, Identity and Access Management

Netflix

LinkedIn
Option 2
Leading Identity Across the Enterprise
You cover the whole company. Most of the company doesn't know that. Join Greg on building real influence as an identity leader — earning respect, extending reach, and making the case to people who don't think they have a problem.
greg handrick
Greg Handrick
 — LinkedIn profile
Director- Identity, Directory, Access Management (IAM)

Best Buy

LinkedIn
Option 3
NHI / Discovery
Service accounts. API keys. AI agents. Non-human identities already outnumber humans in most environments. Josh gets into what real discovery looks like — and what you actually do when the numbers come back.
josh sargel
Josh Sargel
 — LinkedIn profile
Head of Identity & Access Management

3M

LinkedIn
3:45 PM – 5:00 PM
Evening Reception
6:00 PM
Dinner

Wednesday, October 14th

7:30 AM – 8:45 AM
Breakfast
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Workshop Sessions
Practitioner Workshop
The 18-Month Front Lines: Identity Priorities from the Trenches
This working session gives identity practitioners space to get real about what's actually on their plate. Facilitated peer discussion surfaces the technical priorities, implementation challenges, and capability gaps that will define the next 18 months — straight from the people doing the work. The output feeds directly into the Summit's closing roadmap session.
Executive Workshop
The 18-Month Mandate: Identity Priorities from the Top
In this closed-room session, identity executives set aside the day-to-day and focus on what matters most over the next 18 months. Through facilitated discussion, participants surface their highest-priority identity initiatives, the organizational and budget pressures shaping them, and where they see the greatest opportunity for progress. The output feeds directly into the Summit's closing roadmap session.
11:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Break
11:30 AM – 12:15 PM
From Priorities to Progress
A Shared Identity Roadmap
After separate deep dives into the identity challenges facing executives and practitioners, both groups reunite to share what rose to the top. In this closing session, participants present their 18-month priority frameworks, find common ground across roles and organizations, and leave with a collectively-shaped view of where the identity community is headed — and what it will take to get there.
12:15 PM – 1:30 PM
Closing Lunch

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Getting to the Summit

    Denver International Airport (DEN) is 35–40 minutes from the venue. Rideshare services (Uber/Lyft) are readily available from DIA. If you're driving, parking is available near the Halcyon Hotel Cherry Creek, with both street parking and nearby garages. Denver is also well-connected via light rail, and the A Line runs directly from DIA to Union Station downtown, where rideshare and taxis are easy to find.

  • Where to Stay

    We recommend staying at the Halcyon Hotel Cherry Creek, where the summit is hosted, for the full experience. A discounted room block will be available for registered attendees, where details will be shared upon registration confirmation. The Cherry Creek neighborhood also has a variety of hotel options nearby for different budgets. Book early, as October is a popular time to be in Denver.

  • What's Included With Your Ticket

    Your ticket includes access to all main stage sessions, keynotes, panels, and breakout sessions across all three days, plus both workshop options on Day 3. All hosted meals and receptions are included — breakfasts, lunches, the Day 1 welcome reception, the Day 2 evening reception, and the group dinner. You'll also have full access to all networking opportunities throughout the event.

  • What is the dress code for the summit?

    Business casual. Think: polished but comfortable. Denver in October can be cool, especially in the evenings, so layers are a good idea if you plan to step outside. The overall vibe is professional but relaxed — this is a working summit, not a trade show.

  • Things to do in Denver

     Denver and the surrounding area offer something for everyone. Just steps from the venue, Cherry Creek North is one of Denver's premier neighborhoods for dining, shopping, and galleries. If you have extra time before or after the summit, consider a day trip to Rocky Mountain National Park, a hike in Red Rocks, or exploring the vibrant RiNo Arts District. October is an ideal time to be in Colorado — crisp air, stunning fall color, and clear mountain views.

  • Refund Policy – The Identity Underground Summit

    Find our refund policy on our registration page.

Advisory Committee Members

The Identity Underground Summit is shaped by the community it serves. Our Advisory Committee is made up of senior identity and security leaders who help define the agenda, curate the attendee experience, and ensure every session reflects the real challenges practitioners face today.

josh sargel
Josh Sargel
 — LinkedIn profile
Head of Identity & Access Management

3M

LinkedIn
rob west
Rob West
 — LinkedIn profile
Senior Information Technology Manager

Gates Foundation

LinkedIn
Buzz Woeckener
Buzz Woeckener
 — LinkedIn profile
Director Identity Security

Nationwide

LinkedIn
sean odell
Sean O'Dell
 — LinkedIn profile
Distinguished Engineer, Identity and Security

CVS Health

LinkedIn
andrew cameron
Andrew Cameron
 — LinkedIn profile
Distinguished Engineer - Identity and Cybersecurity

General Motors

LinkedIn
greg handrick
Greg Handrick
 — LinkedIn profile
Director: Identity, Directory, Access Management (IAM)

Best Buy

LinkedIn
biji john
Biji John
 — LinkedIn profile
Director, Workforce Identity and Access Management Engineering

USAA

LinkedIn
kelli hepburn
Kelli Hepburn
 — LinkedIn profile
Head of IAM and Vulnerability Management

Cox Enterprises

LinkedIn
Anthony Viggiano
Anthony Viggiano
 — LinkedIn profile
Senior IAM Leader

Ascension Health

LinkedIn
anu k
Anu Kothandaraman
 — LinkedIn profile
Director: Identity and Access Management

United Airlines

LinkedIn

Claim your ticket

Spots are limited. The Identity Underground Summit is designed to stay small — so every conversation counts. Register early to secure your seat

The Identity Underground Summit is by invite only.
If you'd like more information, please contact: