Feature Stories
Faith M. Heikkila,
Dr. Faith M. Heikkila, ’81, is chief information security officer
for Greenleaf Companies. She is responsible for overall information
security governance and compliance, and oversees the protection of
personal and financial information for clients of the Greenleaf
Companies, which include Greenleaf Trust, Greenleaf Hospitality Group
and Catalyst Development Company.
Heikkila earned a Bachelor
of Science in criminal justice from Grand Valley State University in
1981, and was a decorated student athlete, lettering in basketball,
softball and field hockey. She gained over 18 years of paralegal and
IT project management experience at Varnum, Riddering, Schmidt &
Howlett, and Miller, Canfield, Paddock & Stone prior to earning
her graduate degrees.
Heikkila earned a Master’s of Science
in information systems management from Ferris State University in
1998. She completed her Ph.D. in information systems specializing in
information assurance from Nova Southeastern University in 2010, and
was honored with the Distinguished Ph.D. Dissertation in Information
Systems Award.
Heikkila spent five years as an instructor
and chair of computer information systems and administrative services
at Davenport University, and was most recently Great Lakes regional
security services manager for Atlanta-based Pivot Group.
Heikkila is widely recognized as a leading expert in information
security policies and procedures, computer security breaches,
e-discovery, regulatory compliance laws, data privacy, and has a vast
wealth of knowledge of the best information security practices. She is
a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP) and a Certified
Information Security Manager (CISM). She also holds graduate
certification in Information Assurance: System Administration in
Information Security.
In recognition of her authority in
this burgeoning field, Heikkila’s expertise is globally sought through
publications, invited lectures and presentations, and in organizing
regional conferences. She has held elected positions in professional
organizations and serves on numerous boards and committees. In
January, she was elected president of the FBI’s Michigan InfraGard
Member Alliance executive board, for which she plans training and
meetings regarding the protection of critical infrastructure and key
resources for the State of Michigan. She recently orchestrated and
served as co-chair of the successful Securing the Next Decade: Great
Lakes 2010 InfraGard Conference bringing in speakers from the
Department of Homeland Security, FEMA, and the FBI.
Heikkila
continues to make West Michigan her home.
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