I was approached by my company a few years back with an opportunity to build a cybersecurity program. At the time, I was working in our internal audit department and cybersecurity risk was a rising and prominent concern for our company.
I remember feeling uneasy about such a big move that was outside my comfort zone, but I signed up for an ISACA cybersecurity conference to help me with my decision. By the end of the conference, I knew that I was all in for cybersecurity, and the support and encouragement from leaders, mentors, peers and my family gave me peace of mind about the change.
My current role as Director, Cybersecurity PMO, at Advance requires me to stay up to date on the changing cyber threat and risk landscapes and emerging technologies, as well as to develop, plan and deliver strategic cybersecurity initiatives for a diverse portfolio of companies. It also requires me to stay abreast of the changing business landscape, new products and services, financial health, and the regulatory and compliance landscape. Given these many challenges, it is essential to be a continuous learner.
Committing to continuous learning is not always easy, but it is something that I value. For example, I recently read up on the Microsoft PowerAutomate (formerly Microsoft Flow) application to see how we can apply automation to some of our workflows. Continuous learning requires staying curious, checking your ego at the door, maintaining a level of professional skepticism and being willing to challenge yourself and others. There is a balancing act to how you challenge people and when you challenge people. You need to really learn the person’s way of thinking, evaluate the nature of your relationship, and play out the potential outcomes.
Outside of work, a big passion of mine is overall mental health and well-being. I am an active runner, I practice yoga, and like to keep up to date with alternative health practices. I am also passionate about supporting my 15-year-old daughter’s performance arts interests and attending her dance recitals, musicals and plays. My favorite part is seeing the audience enjoy her performances.
Living in the New York area, which was hit especially hard in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, has made 2020 a difficult year. The pandemic has forced me to reflect deeply on who I am and what I want to contribute to the world. I have shifted my energy to being a voice for the voiceless, supporting my local community and lending my support to the causes that I care deeply about: advocating for women, youth education and Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) issues.