See It To Be It Spotlight
Powerful Under Pressure
CEO
I got into cybersecurity through…when I moved to DC in late 2024, the tech landscape was really different than Silicon Valley, where I’d run an executive coaching practice for two decades. I found Uniting Women in Cyber, asked Debbie Sallis if I should attend, and I was absolutely riveted!
Looking at the cyber workforce through a mind/body lens, I quickly grasped the intense cognitive, emotional, and even physical demands on Chief Information Security Officers and Security Operations Center leaders and their teams. I care deeply about helping reduce the strain of working in cybersecurity in strategic ways that cascade down from the top of organizations.
My personal mission is to advise and support teams under pressure to increase resilience, reduce burnout, increase employee satisfaction, and retain top talent.
For me a positive cyber mindset is…keeping a positive cyber mindset can be tough when you’re addressing constant threats, particularly if you’re being perpetually vigilant. That kind of focus is hard on our human brains and nervous systems.
Instead of always pushing through, I’m a proponent of self-monitoring how you’re doing mentally, emotionally, and physically throughout the work day — and then making adjustments (like setting boundaries, requesting support, taking breaks).
I would tell my younger self…trust your instincts. (Now, with a PhD in Somatic Psychology, I have the research to back up that wisdom!)
I live by the quote…“If you want a sensational life, pay attention to your sensations.” (that’s my own quote)
The biggest influencers in my life are…my faculty in somatic (mind/body) psychology, who really helped me learn how to maintain my own resilience, starting from the inside out.
Until I started my PhD, I felt at the mercy of my emotional responses. I discovered that making small shifts in my body (like how I breathe, stand, move) generated meaningful shifts in my thinking, resilience, and energy. Now, that ability is one of my favorite things to teach clients.
My recommended read is…Non-Violent Communication, by Marshall Rosenberg. It has nothing to do with violence, and everything about how to communicate clearly — especially when the message is difficult.
What I thought I wanted to be when I grew up was…a published author — 2026 is the year I’m going to be that — writing about how to be powerful under pressure.
What did you enjoy most about being part of UWIC? I’m thrilled about how inclusive UWIC is — it made me realize that I’m technical — in a big, picture strategic way. I may not understand the bits and bytes level, but I see how vital it is for cyber professionals to generate shared understanding of risk across their organizations.
Are you ready to take the next step in your cybersecurity journey?
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