I got into cyber…through my legislative fellowship program at Monument Advocacy. In this role, I was responsible for preparing congressional hearing memos and conducting policy research into cybersecurity related legislation and regulation. After covering my first hearing on the Log4j vulnerability – I was hooked.

Why did you get involved in UWIC? Between the incredible panels with excellent speakers and the amazing people within the UWIC community, I knew I had to get involved. From peers to mentors, UWIC presents a great opportunity to network and build lasting relationships. 

My top tip to those interested in transitioning to a career in cybersecurity is…to be curious and have an appetite for learning. There are so many different paths available to those interested in entering this space, especially for those who don’t come from a technical background. I would recommend getting as involved as you can to find communities and mentors in the specific field you want to work in, to provide guidance on the best opportunities to learn and grow.  

I would tell my younger self…that while it is good to try and plan out every step of your career, you never quite know where life is going to take you. Rather, it is important to try and be comfortable being uncomfortable and not shy away from opportunity. 

The quote I live by is…“There are two things you can control in life and that’s your attitude and your effort.” Jeff Milham (my dad)

A favorite place of mine is…Lake Tahoe. As a California native and fan of the outdoors, there is no better place to go hiking, swimming, and fishing!

Something few people know about me is…I always have a “killer” dad joke up my sleeve.