Geoff Shank
Geoff Shank serves as Divisional Vice President and Chief Security Officer for Global Security at Abbott Laboratories, where he leads a comprehensive, enterprise-wide security program supporting a global healthcare organization operating across complex regulatory, operational, and geopolitical environments. In this role, Geoff is responsible for protecting people, products, and operations while enabling business growth, resilience, and trust across Abbott’s worldwide footprint.
Since joining Abbott in 2016, Geoff has been a driving force behind the transformation of global security into a converged, intelligence-led function. He launched integrated security programs that bring together cyber, physical, and intelligence capabilities, and developed Abbott’s SAFEE (Situational Awareness for Everyone Everywhere) program, which educates thousands of employees annually on risk awareness and personal security. Under his leadership, Abbott has implemented zero-loss supply chain security processes spanning raw materials through consumer endpoints, and pioneered interconnected security services to address insider threat, fraud, counterfeiting, and illicit e-commerce.
Prior to Abbott, Geoff served in senior leadership roles with INTERPOL, including Director and Deputy Director of the United States National Central Bureau from 2012 to 2016. In this capacity, he worked at the intersection of international law enforcement, intelligence sharing, and global cooperation, supporting complex investigations and security initiatives across more than 70 INTERPOL member countries. His tenure at INTERPOL further strengthened his global perspective and intercultural competence in addressing transnational threats.
Geoff’s career foundation was built over nearly two decades with the United States Marshals Service, where he held a range of senior operational and leadership roles, including Deputy Assistant Director, Chief Inspector, and Supervisory Instructor. During this period, he led high-risk operations, developed national-level programs, and trained leaders in protective operations, investigations, and crisis response.
Across his career, Geoff has consistently demonstrated the ability to deliver measurable business value through security. His work has generated tangible return on investment through proactive anti-counterfeiting strategies, strengthened employee safety and threat management processes, and the integration of cybersecurity and physical security into a unified enterprise architecture that supports business continuity and resilience.
Geoff brings more than 30 years of global security leadership experience spanning healthcare, federal law enforcement, and international organizations. His expertise includes crisis management, business continuity, product integrity, insider threat mitigation, counter-fraud, and enterprise risk management, all informed by extensive experience operating across diverse cultures and risk environments.
Deeply engaged in advancing the profession, Geoff serves as a Board Member of the International Security Management Association (ISMA). He is a recognized subject matter expert and thought leader in global security strategy and convergence and is a frequent speaker and educator on enterprise risk, product protection, and modern security operating models.
A lifelong learner, Geoff holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminology from the University of Maryland and is a graduate of the FBI National Executive Institute’s Senior Executive Management Program. He continues to invest in leadership development through global security forums and executive education.
In addition to his professional leadership, Geoff is a committed mentor and community volunteer. He is a proven public speaker and team builder with a strong focus on leadership development, and volunteers his time as a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and the Department of Justice’s Points of Light program.
Visionary Leaders are practitioners helping shape the future of corporate security. They move beyond traditional program management to expand security’s role as a strategic business function. Through innovation, leadership, and a willingness to share their experience, they contribute to the advancement of the profession. The Security Executive Council recognizes these leaders for their ongoing influence and engagement within the security community.
