I got into cyber – by serving as the Deputy CIO of EPA and my dedication to it was enhanced by serving as the NASA CIO. Serving as a federal CIO taught me that cyber was a national security issue.

For me, a positive cyber mindset is – one that includes focusing on an excellent customer and user experience while protecting your organization’s data and people.

The skills that helped me transition to a career in cyber – The job of the CIO is multifaceted from setting IT and cyber policy, to delivering enterprise services to ensuring your data is protected. My negotiation and collaboration skills honed while working on environmental policy prepared me well for serving as a CIO, including cybersecurity. In the end, the job is about people – those you serve and those you protect against.

My recommended reads are – The Arbinger Institute’s: Leadership and Self-Deception and The Outward Mindset. I highly recommend these books as your biggest challenges, personal and professional, begin with how we see and treat others.

A favorite place of mine is – home with family or traveling with family to experience different cultures together.