8 January 2025 – The Global Cyber Alliance (GCA), an international nonprofit organization working with communities to improve the Internet and help people and organizations be more secure online, announces a new Chair of the Board of Directors, William Pelgrin. Mr. Pelgrin co-founded GCA and served as its first Board Chair until December 2016 and then as a Strategic Advisor. He now returns as GCA’s Board Chair. In addition, the Board of Directors add Debora Plunkett, Principal of Plunkett Associates LLC, and Ian Dyson, former Commissioner of the City of London Police (retired), as new members.
“I am honored to step back into the role of Chair of the Global Cyber Alliance (GCA). At a time when cybersecurity challenges are more pressing than ever, GCA’s mission to unite communities, governments, and organizations to drive innovation and deliver practical solutions are both vital and inspiring. Phil Reitinger’s exceptional leadership, vision, and dedication have established GCA as a global leader in cybersecurity. I look forward to working alongside Phil, the extraordinary GCA team, and GCA board members to create a safer digital world. I also want to recognize Heli Tiirmaa-Klaar for her outstanding work as Chair over the past two years. Together, we can make the Internet a safer and more secure place for everyone,” said William Pelgrin.
Outgoing Board Chair Heli Tiirmaa-Klaar said, “I am very proud to see the Global Cyber Alliance grow into a globally recognised organisation, expanding its reach and mission, championing new groundbreaking initiatives such as the Common Good Cyber program, and driving impact and innovation to create a safer and more secure cyberspace. I am confident that in its next phase of development, GCA will continue to pursue its vision and work tirelessly to achieve its ambitious goals. I am glad to hand over the role of Chair of the Board of Directors to William Pelgrin, who has an impressive track record leading nonprofit organisations and many years of experience in the field of cybersecurity.” Ms. Tiirmaa-Klaar will remain on the GCA Board of Directors.
“Welcoming new board members is not just about adding seats to the table; it’s about bringing fresh perspectives, new energy, and a shared commitment to our mission. We have been honored to have Heli Tiirmaa-Klaar as Chair, bringing strong European ties, and we are pleased to have Will Pelgrin, co-founder of this organization that he knows so well, back on the front line. Bringing on board Ian Dyson, with his extensive history of combating cyber crime, and Debora Plunkett, with her deep national security expertise, will help us grow stronger and move even faster toward a more secure Internet for everyone. I’d also like to thank Shawn Henry, Boon Hui Khoo, and Rob Wainwright for their service – they rotated off the board this year,” added Philip Reitinger, GCA President and CEO.
“It is my great pleasure to join the Board of Global Cyber Alliance. Since its inception almost ten years ago, GCA has been a force in advancing the security of the Internet globally. Building coalitions, developing capabilities, and advancing causes all in pursuit of a safer Internet is lifework. I’m honored to have the opportunity to contribute to GCA,” said Debora Plunkett.
“I am honored and excited to be joining the Board of GCA. I was involved with GCA when I worked as the Commissioner of the City of London Police and I saw the fantastic and truly game-changing work it was doing. I particularly liked the partnership between the private sector, public sector, and law enforcement that enabled activity to have maximum impact. I look forward to making my contribution to the organization into the future,” said Ian Dyson.
Board Members Bios
William Pelgrin, appointed as the new Chair of the Board of Directors of the Global Cyber Alliance, served as its first Chair until December 2016.
Mr. Pelgrin is co-founder and Partner of CyberWA, Inc., an exclusive cyber security company recognized for its expertise, integrity, confidentiality, and trustworthiness, and is dedicated to protecting high-profile individuals against cyber attacks. CyberWA has a proven history of providing elite cyber VIP protective services to Ultra/High Net Worth (U/HNW) individuals, their families, family offices, and organizations who are frequently targets of cyber attacks.
He is the former President and Chief Executive Officer of the Center for Internet Security (CIS), an international nonprofit organization focused on enhancing the cyber security readiness and response of public and private sector entities. He is also the founder and former chair of the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC).
Mr. Pelgrin was honored to have served as a Commission Member of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Commission on Cyber Security, which briefed the 44th President of the United States on cyber security.
Debora Plunkett is a cybersecurity leader with over 35 years of experience in government, academia and industry. A former Director of Information Assurance at the National Security Agency, she is Principal of Plunkett Associates LLC, a consulting business. She is also a Professor of Cybersecurity at the University of Maryland.
Ms. Plunkett serves on the corporate boards of CACI International, Nationwide Insurance, Mercury Systems, and BlueVoyant. She is a founder and board member of Defending Digital Campaigns, a nonprofit entity focused on providing free or low-cost cybersecurity services to election campaigns. She also serves on the Towson University Foundation and Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation boards.
Ms. Plunkett served on the National Security Council at the White House in the Administrations of Presidents Clinton and George W. Bush where she developed national cybersecurity policies and programs. She earned an undergraduate degree from Towson University, an MBA from Johns Hopkins University, and a Master of Science in National Security Strategy from the National War College.
Ian Dyson joined the Metropolitan Police in London in 1983. For eleven years, Ian was a public order trained senior officer with extensive experience of commanding the policing of large public events, including 18 Notting Hill Carnivals. Ian then joined Surrey Police as Assistant Chief Constable in June 2008, overseeing some of the highest confidence levels in the country and improving Neighbourhood Policing.
Mr. Dyson joined the City of London Police as Commander in September 2010, becoming the chief officer lead on Economic Crime, for which the force was the National Lead. He was also the National Police lead for Contact Management and led the national roll out for the 101 non-emergency number. Two years later he was promoted to Assistant Commissioner leading business change and performance within the Force.
He was promoted to Commissioner on January 3, 2016, and led the force through challenging times of financial constraint and two terror attacks on London Bridge in 2017 and 2019. During this time though he expanded the force’s national responsibilities for Economic Crime to embrace Cyber Crime, Financial Investigations and Business Crime. He retired from the Police Service after 38 years in January 2022.
