Robyn Frye, VP at Workday, shares her journey in cybersecurity and the importance of mentorship. Ann and Robyn discuss strategies for fostering diversity, inclusion, and talent development. Topics include empowering women through mentorship, fostering inclusivity, and connecting dots in cybersecurity programs.
Importance of mentorship and sponsorship in career growth.
Promoting diversity and inclusion in cybersecurity organizations.
Fostering trust, connection, and empathy for diverse perspectives.
Advocacy for dot connecting to efficiently mitigate cybersecurity risks.
Deep dives
Story of Transition into Cybersecurity Leadership
Robin Pry shares her journey from Silicon Valley upbringing to cybersecurity leadership at Workday. Starting with a passion for technology in her youth, she navigated through auditing and consulting to ultimately lead a global cybersecurity team at Workday.
Addressing Gender Inequity in Cybersecurity
Robin discusses the gender gap in cybersecurity leadership roles and board positions. At Workday, initiatives like WISIS support women in cybersecurity and focus on resourcing creatively to empower underrepresented groups.
Promoting Trust and Inclusivity for Innovation
Robin highlights the importance of trust, connection, and empathy for diverse perspectives. By fostering vulnerability and empathy in team leaders, deep trust can be established, enabling innovation, creativity, and resilience.
Encouraging Skill Development through Gig Experiences
Workday's innovative approach includes gig experiences for employees to expand their skills. These time-bound part-time opportunities enhance upskilling, capacity management, and employee retention while fostering cross-functional understanding.
Creating Inclusive Environments and Advocating for Sponsorship
Robin emphasizes the collective responsibility to amplify underrepresented voices and promote inclusivity at all levels. She addresses the challenge of finding mentors and sponsors, advocating for clear goals in mentorship relationships and encouraging explicit sponsorship requests.
Advice for Aspiring Cyber Leaders: Be Dot Connectors
Robin advises aspiring cyber leaders to be dot connectors, understanding the breadth of cybersecurity roles to efficiently mitigate risks. Connecting the cybersecurity landscape enables speed in achieving business goals, positioning dot connection as a valuable leadership skill.
Closing Remarks and Invitation for Future Episodes
The episode concludes with grateful acknowledgments to Robin Pry for her leadership insights in cybersecurity. The Microsoft threat intelligence podcast is promoted for upcoming hot takes with industry experts, encouraging listeners to tune in for valuable insights.
Robyn Frye, Vice President at Workday join’s Ann on this week's episode of Afternoon Cyber Tea. Robin has spent the last 20 years working in security and compliance consulting and is currently the Vice President of Cybersecurity Governance, Risk, and Compliance at Workday. Robyn shares her background, growing up in Silicon Valley and her journey into cybersecurity. The conversation touches on the significance of mentorship and sponsorship in career growth, with Robyn providing practical advice on how individuals can seek out mentors and sponsors to support their professional development. Ann and Robyn provide insights into the current landscape of cybersecurity and offer actionable strategies for promoting diversity, inclusion, and talent development within organizations.
