CyberWire Daily Debra Danielson: Be fearless. [CTO] [Career Notes]
Dec 1, 2024
Debra Danielson shares her inspiring journey from aspiring astronaut to Chief Technology Officer. She discusses the gender shift within tech, revealing how the number of women dwindled as she advanced. Debra emphasizes the importance of taking risks early in one's career, as challenges often lead to growth and opportunity. With a keen focus on fearlessness, her insights resonate especially for women in a male-dominated field. Her story showcases resilience and the significance of embracing challenges in pursuit of success.
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Unintentional Tech Career
- Debra Danielson initially aimed for a career outside of technology, even aspiring to be an astronaut.
- However, a chance encounter with a local software company led to a five-year stint at Applied Data Research and a subsequent 32-year career at Computer Associates after an acquisition.
Setbacks as Stepping Stones
- Debra Danielson reflects on a recurring pattern in her career where setbacks turned into opportunities.
- She emphasizes that what seemed like negative experiences often paved the way for valuable growth and advancement.
Shifting Gender Ratio
- Debra Danielson observed a decline in the number of women in technology as she transitioned from programming to leadership roles.
- She notes that this shift brought on a new challenge: the energy required to navigate a male-dominated environment.