See It To Be It Spotlight

I got into cyber by…wanting to serve my country. In my early career, I was an  Air Force communications officer, which shaped how I think about mission, discipline, and accountability. 

As a federal civilian, I focused on shaping policy, the protection of critical infrastructure, and bridging the communication lanes between the federal government and private sector. 

Now, I am focused on supporting the federal government in their protection of our country, while driving new technological solutions and strategies to stay ahead of the adversary. 

For me, a positive cyber mindset is…understanding that cybersecurity is both a technical discipline and a human one. You can have the best tools in the world, but if you do not have alignment, trust, and clear communication across teams, you will not succeed. Cyber is ultimately a team sport.

The skills that helped me succeed in cyber are…leadership, emotional intelligence, and the ability to translate complexity into clarity. Cyber can be overwhelming, but strong leaders simplify, align, and move teams forward with purpose. 

The real impact is not just technology, it is in leading people, aligning strategy, and delivering outcomes that matter at scale.

The skills that differentiate me in cyber are…vision, execution, and the ability to connect people to purpose. I believe the strongest leaders do not just manage; they inspire and mobilize.

My top tip to those interested in cybersecurity is…do not wait until you feel “ready” to step into rooms that stretch you, build relationships, and know that you embody everything you need for the moment. Opportunity often comes from visibility and connection, not just credentials.

The moment that changed my career trajectory is…when I realized that I did not have to see it to be it, I was the “it” for someone else, my purpose is bigger than me.

Leadership is not just about delivering results; it is about developing people. A commander once told me, “Take care of the people and the people will take care of the mission.” That realization led me to mentorship, including helping lead programs like RISE, where we focus on guiding and elevating the next generation of cyber professionals.

The skills that helped me transition and grow are…empathy, communication, and adaptability. Cyber is constantly evolving, and so are people. 

What I enjoy most about The Cyber Guild is…the intentional focus on community. It is not just about networking—it is about building a coalition of people committed to lifting others as they grow.

Something few people know about me is…I am an introvert. I had a leader say one time “I am an introvert with an extrovert’s job” that is me. Also, I genuinely enjoy mentoring and coaching just as much as leading large programs. Helping someone unlock their next step is just as rewarding as delivering a major mission outcome. I am also an author in the making…stay tuned.

Are you ready to take the next step in your cybersecurity journey?

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