Victoria Schiffer_Thumbnail
Quote I Live By
“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” - Mahatma Gandhi

I got into cyber…through our company’s CISO, who saw my experience and skills as valuable to our Security team, hired me into his team and said shortly after, “you’re like a fish takes to water.” But let’s circle back a little: I began my career journey as a Software Engineer once I completed my business computing Master’s equivalent in Germany (a combination of computer science and commerce). Six years into Software Engineering, my natural leadership skills took me down the paths of Product & Engineering leadership roles, and Agile & Professional Coaching.

Fast forward a few years, the opportunity came up to join the Cybersecurity team. Despite my initial lack of cyber experience, both our CTO and CISO recognized the potential in my transferable skills from my diverse technical, coaching, and leadership background, confident that I could quickly upskill.

I joined the Cyber team with the remit to co-define our Security strategy and was soon promoted to Head of Security Culture & Trust. In this role, my goal was to cultivate a robust security mindset across the company and protect our customers from fraud. This position allowed me to collaborate with teams across our business and global Security & Trust professionals, sharing intelligence to combat fraudsters and safeguard people — a purpose I deeply value.

Recently, I transitioned to MYOB as Senior Engineering Manager, Security, where I now combine my passions for technology, cybersecurity, and leadership, overseeing two exceptional teams in Security Engineering and Product Security.

For me, a positive cyber mindset is…about always considering who we are protecting and why, and recognizing that everyone has a role to play. Taking ownership of security in any role means that employees will comfortably raise concerns and propose better ways to protect our users and by doing so protecting our brand and company. It’s about sharing a compelling story to inspire our colleagues to care and engage in secure behaviors by using the carrot, and never the stick!

Something few people know about me is…that I recently discovered I am, and always have been, neurodivergent. While it was difficult to publicly admit and share this, I now recognize that many of my greatest strengths, which have brought me to where I am today and made me the leader I am, are due to my ADHD.

For anyone interested in learning more about neurodivergence, especially if you are unfamiliar with it or unaware that many people around you may be neurodivergent, I highly recommend exploring this topic. You can learn about its strengths and challenges, and how you can become an ally and positively impact those around you, in my article “A proud zebra in a world optimised for horses – My “coming out” as a neurodivergent leader.”

The skills and mindsets that set me up for success are…my educational background and my strong belief in people, collaboration, adaptability and growth. I’m humble yet confident in calling out areas for improvement. Thinking outside the box enables me and my team to overcome perceived constraints — a side benefit of being an ADHDer, as we’re creative and innovative thinkers who often don’t even see a box. Additionally, my family, friends, and colleagues have always seen me as a natural leader. I’ve simply followed my strengths and where they lead me. I view leadership as a wonderful privilege to contribute to my company’s goals, positively influence through my role, and help others grow their careers.

I would tell my younger self…to follow where your mind, personality, and natural strengths lead you. Be comfortable being yourself and support the friends around you. Always lift others up and remind them of the growth mindset — that they can achieve anything they are interested in if they put in the effort. Life becomes more enjoyable, and everyone benefits when we show care and a can-do attitude. As the video “Assume That I Can, So Maybe I Will” demonstrates, our belief in ourselves and others can significantly impact our success.

However, I would also add that if someone doesn’t treat you well, whether among friends or at work, it’s best to walk away. You are not obligated to, nor can you, “fix” people and the environments around you. I would highly recommend my younger self to learn about boundaries from the leader in this field, Nedra Tawwab. It’s better to use your energy and strengths where they are appreciated and where you can continue making a positive impact.

The quote I live by…“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi

My recommended read…for anyone is, “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team” by Patrick Lencioni. This leadership fable is an easy read and, in my opinion, should be essential for everyone, whether you’re a leader or just starting your career in cyber. It covers all aspects of building trusting relationships within teams as the foundation for high performance and achieving shared goals.

What I most want to be remembered for is…having made a positive impact on people, teams, companies, and communities. I want people to feel good about themselves and others, knowing they can grow and achieve great things when they work together with kindness and respect. I love the quote I learned at my new company recently in our leadership inception: “play the ball, not the player.” I want people to challenge the status quo and strive for improvement, never by putting others down, but by thinking bigger and better, always collaboratively and ensuring we make a positive impact on our customers.