Board Roles
Board service across three industries.
Current directorships, the governance work behind them, and the executive experience that shapes how Darren works with management.
Current board roles
2025–Present
Board Director, Vice Chair, Chair of the Governance Committee — ISC2
The international nonprofit behind the CISSP and other cybersecurity certifications. Darren serves as Vice Chair of the board and chairs the Governance Committee.
2019–Present
Independent Director — Protocase
Advanced manufacturing: custom sheet metal fabrication, CNC machining and 3D printing for engineers and researchers. A directorship outside technology services, and a practical test of how governance principles hold up in a different industry.
2025–Present
Board Director, Audit Committee — Sydney (McCurdy) Airport Authority
The authority responsible for Cape Breton's public airport. Darren serves on the Audit Committee, with oversight of financial reporting, internal controls and risk.
Governance contributions in practice
Board service is easier to list than to evidence. The work below is what Darren has contributed at ISC2 since joining the board, alongside fellow directors and committee members.
- Championed the creation of a Board Governance Committee, which the organization did not previously have, and now chairs its work.
- Brought more structure and intent to how directors are recruited, selected, oriented and developed.
- Initiated the development of formal board assessment and governance audit practices.
- Advocated for a culture of urgency, agility and candid discussion, so decisions are made while they still matter.
At Protocase and the Sydney (McCurdy) Airport Authority the contribution is different in kind. Both are organizations where the governance questions are operational and financial rather than reputational, and where a director earns their place by understanding the business. Three boards in three industries is a good check on which governance practices matter and which are just habit.
Working with boards as a founder and CEO
Darren came to board service from the chief executive's chair, and still occupies it. That shapes what he expects of himself as a director: clear expectations, useful challenge, and decisions management can actually act on.
2018–Present
Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer — Carbide Secure
A software company working in cybersecurity, data privacy and compliance. Darren co-founded it and has led it since, setting product and market positioning strategy, reporting to the board and raising venture and private capital.
2008–2018
Founder and Chief Executive Officer — Marcato Digital Solutions
Built software for the festival and events industry, used by more than 300 major events worldwide, through to the company's acquisition by Patron in 2018. Marcato's board was established in 2011, and Darren chaired it from then until the acquisition.
2021–2024
Entrepreneur in Residence — Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst
Advised and mentored cybersecurity and data privacy founders on scaling, fundraising, leadership, governance and strategy. An advisory role rather than a directorship.
Earlier board service
2009–2011
Board Director — Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation
Nonprofit governance in regional healthcare fundraising.
2007–2009
Founder and Board Director — Cape Breton Music Industry Cooperative
A nonprofit cooperative supporting musicians and music businesses in the region.
Education and credentials
Degree
Master of Engineering, Engineering Management — University of Colorado Boulder
Director certification
NACD.DC, Directorship Certification — National Association of Corporate Directors
Director education
Chairing Boards · Governance Essentials · Board Oversight of Strategy — Institute of Corporate Directors
Director education
Introduction to Directorship · Director Professionalism · Governing Into the Future · Introduction to ESG Oversight — National Association of Corporate Directors
Executive education
Executive Strategy Programme — University of Oxford, Saïd Business School
Certifications
CISSP · CISM · CISA · CIPM · CIPT · AIGP · CMMC RP — ISC2, ISACA, IAPP and the Cyber AB
Security, privacy, AI governance and compliance certifications.
Languages
English, French and Spanish
Fluent in all three, relevant to boards and committees that operate across markets.