CyberWire Daily Sloane Menkes: What is the 2%? [Consultant] [Career Notes]
Oct 5, 2025
Sloane Menkes, a Principal at PricewaterhouseCoopers' Cyber Risk Practice, shares her captivating journey from a non-linear math enthusiast to a cybersecurity leader. She discusses how a simple question, 'What is the 2%?', motivates her during tough times. Sloane reflects on her experiences at the Air Force Academy and influences from mentors like Howard Schmidt. She thrives in the dynamic consulting world and encourages women to pursue cybersecurity, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and continuous learning.
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Life as a Nonlinear Problem To Solve
- Sloane framed life decisions as solving variables in nonlinear problems and used iterative steps to progress.
- This intuitive, problem-solving mindset guided her career choices and adaptability.
The 2% Mantra That Changed Her Mindset
- In high school a classmate told Sloane that 2% more effort would make her phenomenal and the remark stuck.
- She turned that into a mantra she uses when feeling like she's shutting down: "What is the 2%?"
Calculus Revealed Her Intuition
- At the U.S. Air Force Academy Sloane discovered operations research and dove deep into calculus, which clarified her intuitive thinking.
- Calc 3 and Calc 4 unlocked an understanding of nonlinear math that felt like a method to her prior intuitive problem solving.