Meet 2025 Mentors – First Cohort

John Salomon
Spain
Experienced, international information security leader. vCISO, board & startup advisor, strategist.
Innixuscomplete Profile
Saba Bagheri
Australia
Cyber Threat Intelligence Manager | CyAN Board | CISM, CEH, CRISC, ATT&CK® SOC & CTI
Bharat Raingangar
UAE
Board Advisor, 1CxO, vCISO CyberSecurist & Mentor - Digital Transformation CyberResilience - CyberInsurance-SupplyChain Threat
Shantanu Bhattacharya
Australia
Cyber Doctor✨ I Help Small Finance/Legal/Retail Businesses Fight Phishing/Ransomware. Get Action Plan & Budget Sensitive & Tailored Tools In 60 DAYS (25+Yrs Exp)
Mohammed Shakil Khan
UAE
CAE | CRO | Board Advisory | Corporate Governance | Risk Management | Business Strategy | Transformation | Cybersecurity | ESG | Start up & Innovation | LinkedIn Top Voice
Mathew Nicho
UAE
Associate Professor (Research) at Research and Innovation Centre, ISO 27001 Lead Implementer; Rabdan Academy, Abu Dhabi

Mentors

Mentorship in Motion

Saba Bagheri
Dr. Saba Bagheri · Mentor
LinkedIn

“It has been an absolute privilege to be a mentor in this program and to work with such a dedicated and driven mentee. One quality that stood out to me throughout our mentorship journey was his unwavering punctuality and commitment to our sessions. He was consistently on time, actively engaged, and always eager to follow through with the guidance provided. What I appreciated most was his insatiable curiosity and his determination to keep learning and growing. These traits will undoubtedly pave the way for him to become a remarkable professional in the cybersecurity field. Although the formal program is coming to an end, I’m committed to continuing our mentorship until the end of June to provide any additional support or guidance he may need. Watching him grow and develop has been a truly gratifying experience, and I have no doubt that he has a bright and impactful career ahead of him.”

Guiding the Future

John Salomon
John Salomon · Mentor
LinkedIn

“I’ve had the privilege of working with Nicholas Rebeiro, a recent graduate in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning at Karunya University in Tamil Nadu (India), over the course of the first 2025 CyAN mentorship programme. Niky is a smart cookie and an avid listener. I’ve tremendously appreciated both the opportunity to help a promising aspiring professional learn from my own experience and mistakes, and in turn to gain a better understanding of areas I was not previously very familiar with from his academic background and knowledge. I am looking forward to watching him embark on his professional journey as a member of the CyAN community!”

Mentees

Cyber Pathways: Insights from the CyAN Mentorship Experience

Kuljit Kaur
Kuljit Kaur · Mentee
LinkedIn

“Starting a career journey in cybersecurity can be both exciting and challenging. Thanks to the mentorship program offered by CyAN Mentorship Program and the guidance of Mr. Shakil Khan, I have gained clarity, confidence, and a practical roadmap to transition into the cybersecurity industry.”

“Shantanu Bhattacharya”: A Pillar in My Professional Growth

Sumandeep Kaur
Sumandeep Kaur · Mentee
LinkedIn

“Throughout my participation in the CyAN Mentorship Program, I had the privilege of being guided by an exceptional mentor whose unwavering support and expertise were instrumental in my development.”

A Lifelong Mentor and a Safe Space to Grow

Sasha Mathew · Mentee
LinkedIn

“Bharat is an incredible mentor. He has great advice to give and is always keen to help and have a chat. It is very evident he is a seasoned professional. He knew the areas of tech I would thrive in and guided me on how to excel. This program was a great way to gain a valuable connection. I truly appreciate that the mentors and organisers are passionate about helping those entering the industry. Through this program, I feel I have gained a lifelong mentor.”

Related Articles from the 2025-1 Cohort

Explore stories, reflections, and perspectives written by our mentors and mentees.