Cyber909: Episode 16 Special Edition - Women in Tech: Executive Leadership Panel Pt1

The episode begins with the host, Den Jones, introducing the Cyber 909 podcast, which focuses on cybersecurity and leadership. This particular episode is part one of a two-part series featuring a panel of five distinguished women in technology and leadership roles. Den emphasizes the unique perspectives and insights that the guests will share, aiming to provide valuable takeaways for the audience. Guest Highlights Shannon Rowbury: A three-time Olympian and Olympic bronze medalist in track and field, currently a managing partner at West Strategy Group, focusing on performance optimization and leadership. Melissa O'Leary: Partner and Chief Strategy Officer at Ford Solutions, a female-led boutique cybersecurity services firm. She has a background serving as the first CIO at the White House under President Bush. Sarah Tenisi: Founder and CEO of Tenisi Tech, a managed services firm specializing in IT strategy, roadmaps, and budgets. Mona Ghadiri: A two-time Microsoft MVP in SIM, XDR, and cloud security, currently a Senior Director of Product at Blue Voyant, specializing in security operations, threat intelligence, and incident response. Sandi Green: Co-founder of Miracle Max Marketing, a growth company that helps early-stage startups with marketing strategies, with a specialty in cybersecurity marketing. Main Topics Covered Advice for Younger Selves: The guests share personal insights and advice they would give to their younger selves, emphasizing the importance of experience, resilience, and accepting imperfections. Challenges and Adversity: The panel discusses overcoming gender-related challenges in the tech industry, offering strategies for dealing with adversity and maintaining self-confidence. Building a Business: The guests provide advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, highlighting the importance of starting early, leveraging personal networks, and maintaining a clear vision and values. Work-Life Balance: The discussion covers strategies for achieving work-life balance, the importance of prioritization, and the evolving nature of work environments post-COVID. AI in Cybersecurity: The panel explores the potential benefits and risks of AI in cybersecurity, including its impact on threat detection, automation, and the ethical considerations involved.