In this lively and opinionated session, we bring you The Great Stakes Debate, featuring two seasoned leaders with very different perspectives on exam security shaped by years of building, operating, and scaling certification programs.

Taking the High-Stakes Side: Jill Burroughs

Jill Burroughs has spent her career ensuring that certification programs stand up to scrutiny from employers, regulators, and the market. With deep operational experience and a focus on defensibility, Jill argues that when the consequences of failure are high, exam security must be uncompromising. From protecting brand credibility to minimizing risk and preserving long-term value, she’ll make the case for why some exams truly demand high-stakes controls and rigorous oversight.

Taking the Low-Stakes Side: Ruben Garcia

Ruben Garcia has led the growth of modern, market-driven credentialing programs designed to move fast, reach new audiences, and support learning at scale. Ruben contends that not every exam needs fortress-level security, and that over-securing low-stakes assessments can slow adoption, increase cost, and limit impact. He’ll share when lighter security models make strategic sense, and how right-sizing security can fuel innovation and growth.