A fantastic episode of Talent First speaking to Mandy Andress, CISO for Elastic, about how to create efficient and effective cybersecurity teams - whether this is through leadership, tech tools or strategic recruitment. We also chat about the evolving role of the CISO, what quality leadership looks and sounds like and the myriad benefits of servant leadership to organisations and security teams. Mandy Andress is currently the CISO of Elastic and has a long career focused on information risk and security. Prior to Elastic, Mandy led the information security function at MassMutual and established and built information security programs at TiVo, Evant, and Privada. She worked as a security consultant with Ernst & Young and Deloitte & Touche, focusing on energy, financial services, and Internet technology clients with global operations. She also founded an information security consulting company with clients ranging from Fortune 100 companies to start up organizations. She is a published author, with her book Surviving Security having two editions and used at multiple universities around the world as the textbook for foundation information security courses. Mandy also tested and reviewed information security products for multiple publications as well as serving as the author for the weekly InfoWorld security column. She has been a sought after expert in the field, speaking at signature security conferences such as BlackHat and Networld+Interop. In addition, she has taught a graduate level Information Risk Management course for UMass Amherst in the College of Information and Computer Sciences. Mandy has a JD from Western New England University, a Master’s in Management Information Systems from Texas A&M University, and a B.B.A in Accounting from Texas A&M University. Mandy is a CISSP, CPA, and member of the Texas Bar.
SEASON FIVE - In this week's episode of Talent First, I chat to Ben Tasker, Senior AI Learning Strategist for National Grid. After all the news about AI generated layoffs, I wanted to learn more about how tech professionals can prepare and not panic when it comes to this iteration of tech. We talk about upskilling, reskilling (and how to find the time), as well as how to hire for skills not traditional pathways. Ben also describes just how agentic AI will effect the org chart.About Our Guest:Ben Tasker is a recognized leader in AI education, workforce transformation, and responsible AI adoption. He currently leads a Data & AI Academy focused on upskilling and reskilling 36,000 employees in the public utility sector, ensuring the workforce is AI-ready for the future. He also serves as a Technical Advisor for uCertify, a global leader in workforce certification and reskilling.Previously, Ben was the Dean of AI at Southern New Hampshire University, where he spearheaded Applied AI programs and pioneered a skills institute focused on workforce AI + Human upskilling and reskilling. He also teaches as a part-time faculty member at Northeastern University’s Khoury College of Computer Sciences, one of the world’s top universities for AI education.
SEASON FIVE: *Sensitive subject matter*. In this week's episode of Talent First, I welcome back one of my favourite guests to the show, Nadja El Fertasi, Founder of Thrive with EQ who talks to me about her most recent offshoot of this venture, Shield with EQ. Nadja's mission is to empower individuals and families to build their personal Emotional Firewalls against scams, deepfakes, and online manipulation. We talk about a sensitive topic, but one that we all need to be aware of, and that is sextortion and how it is impacting our young people. About our guest:Internationally recognized thought leader shaping the intersection of emotional intelligence (EQ), AI, and cultural resilience. Leverages nearly two decades of leadership experience from NATO, successfully heading high-stakes digital transformation initiatives in complex, multicultural environments.Pioneered the groundbreaking ‘Emotional Firewalls’ framework, a human-centered approach to building organizational resilience against sophisticated social engineering threats and digital disruption. This methodology embeds EQ into a company's cultural DNA to foster psychological safety and enhance threat detection at the human level.As the founder of the Thrive with EQ AI-cademy, I now develop and scale AI-powered toolkits and applications designed to up-skill leaders and their teams. My work equips organizations to build resilient cultures of trust, proving that EQ is the most critical human anchor in the disruptive age of artificial intelligence.
SEASON FIVE: This week sees the return of the wonderful Lisa Ventura who talks to me about her new venture the AI and Cyber Security Association whose mission is to secure the future of AI and defend the future of security by supporting companies with training, policy and governance and risk mitigation around the use of AI integration.We chat about her career to date, the features and benefits of working with AICSA, the biggest risks being faced at the moment and who is really responsible for AI in the workplace.Don't miss Lisa's previous episode on cybersecurity, neurodiversity and menopause!About our guest:Lisa Ventura MBE is an award-winning cyber security specialist, published writer/author, journalist and keynote speaker. She is the Founder of Cyber Security Unity, a global community organisation that is dedicated to bringing individuals and organisations together who actively work in cyber security to help combat the growing cyber threat and Neuro Unity, a non-profit that champions and promotes neuroinclusion for all. As a consultant Lisa also provides cyber security awareness and culture change training, along with neurodiversity in the workplace training, and works with cyber security leadership teams to help them collaborate more effectively. She has specialist knowledge in diversity, equity, belonging and inclusion (DEIB), neurodiversity, the human factors of cyber security, cyber psychology, neurodiversity and AI in cyber. More information about Lisa can be found on
SEASON FIVE: In this week's episode, I chat to Christopher Carter, Chairman and CEO at Approyo and four time best-selling author. We talk all things SAP migration, the security risks and how Approyo helps mitigate them through their range of services, and what really makes for successful change management.About Our Guest:Since 2011, Carter's worked with companies in over 55+ different industries. His advice has been featured on Inc., Forbes, ASUG.com, Tech Target, Entrepreneur, CRN, and many others around the world.Some other personal highlights include:✓ Founder of one of the “Best Sap companies to work with” Philippe Chaudron KPMG✓ Named as "One of America's Top 10 Industry Influencers" - MirrorReview✓ Go-To contributor for Newsmax-TV for Technology✓ A four-time best-selling Amazon author, “The #1 Book series “Mastering SAP." ✓ ACQ Award winner for SAP servicesServices include SAP, Cloud AI, Security, Oracle, ServiceNow, and Technology.You can follow him on LinkedIn, X (@Ccarter1969 or @Approyo )www.Approyo.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-carter-885159/Books:Mastering SAP: A Comprehensive GuideMastering SAP: The Power of AI with SAPMastering SAP: The Power of Cloud with SAP
SEASON FIVE: In this week's episode of Talent First, I chat to parenting expert Sue Atkins about something that is becoming of increasing concern to parents globally - children and technology. When is the right time to give your child a smartphone? What should schools be doing and what support do they need? Is the UK government doing all it can to tackle online safety and security? For parents, teachers and security people - this is one not to miss.About Our Guest:Sue Atkins is an internationally recognised Parenting Expert, Broadcaster, Speaker, Freelance Writer & Columnist and Author of the Amazon best-selling books “Parenting Made Easy – How to Raise Happy Children” & “Raising Happy Children for Dummies" one in the famous black and yellow series as well as author of the highly acclaimed “Navigating the Digital Jungle: Scripts to Start Family Tech Conversations About Smartphones, AI, Online Safety, and Other Essential Topics” and the Parenting Made Easy resources. She regularly appears on the award-winning flagship ITV show ‘This Morning,’ Good Morning Britain, ‘Jeremy Vine on 5’, The Vanessa Feltz Show & is the parenting expert for numerous BBC Radio Stations around the UK.Her highly acclaimed ‘Can Do Kid’s Journal: Discover your Confidence Superpower’ gives children the gift of self-esteem and empowers them to become creative, innovative, independent, resourceful, resilient & confident in their own abilities to try new things & able to bounce back after setbacks. She has created The Sue Atkins ‘Toddler Roadmap,’ which is bursting with over 40 Quick Win Videos, Audios and eModules. around raising happy confident, resilient toddlers. It is bursting with exclusive content for parents around toddler tantrums, picky eating, potty training, bedtimes & sleep, and covers the ‘Why’ and ‘No’ Stages and much, much more and is bursting with fresh ideas, tried and tested strategies and lots of practical tips to raise toddlers with strong self-esteem and good mental health – not damaged by living through a pandemic. Sue produces ‘The Sue Atkins Parenting Show’ a free weekly podcast which is bursting with Sue’s practical ideas, techniques, and down to earth strategies for raising happy, confident, resilient children with strong self-esteem. Sue has also created the ‘Parentverse’ her exclusive platform for her podcast interviews with global Experts from around the world in her ‘Sue in Conversation With …’ series. Sue is the host of ‘Navigating the Digital Jungle with Sue Atkins and Friends’ a podcast where tech meets family life, and she is also the global spokesperson for World Digital Detox Day. https://navigatingthedigitaljungle.com/home/ Her latest book is ‘Navigating the Digital Jungle: Scripts to Start Family Tech Conversations About Smartphones, AI, Online Safety, and Other Essential Topics’ is now available to download. Sue offers practical guidance for bringing up happy, confident, resilient children and helps parents create happy childhoods, free from finger pointing or judgement.Websites: www.thesueatkins.comwww.navigatingthedigitaljungle.comSue on Twitter @sueatkinsSue on InstagramSue on TikTok Sue on Facebook: Sue Atkins The Parenting ExpertSue on LinkedIn: Sue AtkinsSue on Pinterest: Sue Atkins Parenting ExpertSue on YouTube: Sue Atkins Parenting Expert
SEASON FIVE: In this weeks episode, I chat to Diana Kelley, CISO at Noma about a range of issues around AI integration, policy and governance and about what she is seeing when it comes to the impact of generative AI on recruitment and hiring. We also talk about the CISO role - is it becoming totally unmanageable and will we see a rise in the Deputy CISO position - or will CISOs need to become HR managers for AI Agents?About Our Guest:Diana Kelley is the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Noma Security. She also serves on the boards of WiCyS, The Executive Women’s Forum (EWF), InfoSec World, CyberFuture Foundation, TechTarget Security Editorial, and DevNet AI/ML. Diana was CISO at Protect AI, Cybersecurity CTO for Microsoft, Global Executive Security Advisor at IBM Security, GM at Symantec, VP at Burton Group (now Gartner), a Manager at KPMG, CTO and co-founder of SecurityCurve, and Chief vCISO at SaltCybersecurity.Her extensive volunteer work has included serving on the ACM Ethics & Plagiarism Committee, Cybersecurity Committee Advisor at CompTIA, CTO and Board Member at Sightline Security, Advisory Board Chair at WOPLLI Technologies, Advisory Council member Bartlett College of Science and Mathematics, Bridgewater State University, and RSAC US Program Committee.She is a sought-after keynote speaker, the host of BrightTALK’s The (Security) Balancing Act, co-author of the books Practical Cybersecurity Architecture and Cryptographic Libraries for Developers, instructor for the LinkedIn Learning classes Security in AI and ML and Introduction to MLSecOps, has been a lecturer at Boston College's Masters program in cybersecurity, one of AuditBoard's Top 25 Resilient CISOs in 2024, a 2023 Global Cyber Security Hall of Fame Inductee, the EWF 2020 Executive of the Year and EWF Conference Chair 2021-Present, an SCMedia Power Player, and one of Cybersecurity Ventures 100 Fascinating Females Fighting Cybercrime.
SEASON FIVE - In this episode I’m joined by Joe Wells, a passionate and driven voice in cybersecurity who is determined to make the online world safer for children. Together, we explore Cyberherd, his inspiring initiative designed to guide parents, educators, and communities in protecting young people as they grow up in an increasingly connected world.Our conversation covers practical strategies for parents — including those with little technical knowledge — to engage their children in meaningful, age-appropriate conversations about online safety. We discuss the critical role of teachers and schools in reinforcing these messages, and examine the broader horizon: the opportunities and risks of AI, deepfakes, and a post-truth digital era.We also address the issue of accessibility and equity in cyber-safety resources, ensuring that no family or child is left behind. Finally, Joe shares what lies ahead for Cyberherd, and how you can connect with and support his work.This is an episode for anyone who believes the digital future should be safe, fair, and empowering for every child.Abour Our Guest:I’m Joe Wells, a first-class cyber security graduate, public speaker, and advocate for inclusive, human-centred digital safety.Over the last 800+ days, I’ve committed to learning cybersecurity every single day, building skills across blue team, red team, and digital resilience. My mission is to make online safety accessible, engaging, and empowering, especially for children, students, and underserved communities.I’m currently building CyberHerd - THE gamified learning platform that teaches children how to navigate the internet with confidence, curiosity, and kindness. Alongside this, I run MVP, a student cyber cluster based in Wales, where I support university students with CTFs, talks, and career development.My journey hasn’t been easy. I’ve overcome disability, homelessness, and exclusion, and those experiences now fuel everything I do. I believe digital safety should be built with empathy, not just encryption.
SEASON FIVE: This episode, I chat to Aska Kuwabara, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer at Axartoys.ai and Founder of Getitdonewith.AI.We chat about her amazing new AI powered soft toy, MAXI, that aims to educate children not just around the use of AI but in traditional academic subjects too - no screen, just fun. We talk about her journey as a tech entrepreneur, what MAXI can do as well as the parental controls and guardrails that have to be put in place when it comes to EdTech. We also talk about the UAE, its approach to AI education and the pros and cons.About Our Guest:Aska is a product builder, founder, and someone who’s constantly figuring things out on the go.With 20+ years of experience across product management, corporate strategy, and digital transformation, she has worked in industries such as finance, e-commerce, telecom, and now AI. She has led teams, shipped products, and driven change across Japan, Singapore, France, India, and the UAE - often as the only woman, the only Japanese, or the only one asking “why are we doing it this way?”Aska is Co-Founder of AxarToys.ai as well as Founder of GetItDoneWith.ai, a platform for non-techies to learn how to actually use AI - without the hype. MeetMAXI.ai – Pre-order and stay informed about MAXI’s progress. MAXI’s Kickstarter Preview PageGetItDoneWith.AI – For non-technical individuals and companies looking to grasp AI fundamentals without the overwhelm.The Silicon Tree – A founder-built local guide to startup growth — covering events, accelerators, and insider reports in Singapore, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai.
SEASON FIVE: In this episode of Talent First, I chat to Dr Elena Zehndorfer, academic, researcher and editor-in-chief at Blackheath Publishing. We cover a range of topics that will be of particular interest to parents of teenagers who are navigating the digital world. We discuss the issues of deepfake tech, how to parent in this post-truth era, and why our teens are susceptible targets for cyber criminals.About Our Guest:Dr. Elesa Zehndorfer is a Managing Partner at Austrian consulting firm Lakeside Partners GmbH, a Senior Advisor to the Paddy Ashdown Research Forum, an eMBA lecturer and Research Officer for British Mensa. An award-winning writer, she has authored six non-fiction books for global publisher Taylor & Francis, and one novel (political thriller Upload) for Blackheath Publishing. Most recently, her political book Post Truth Politics: A Brave New World was released in February of this year. She earned her PhD from Loughborough University in 2006. LINKS:Website: www.elesazehndorfer.comTEDx YouTube video: https://youtu.be/2OOtS8QnBMM?si=TaC6HmVkHehRp50M LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/elesazehndorfer001Latest book: Post-Truth Politics: A Brave New World? - 1st Edition - Elesa Zehndorf
SEASON FIVE - In this week's episode, I speak to Stuart Walton about all things security awareness and training for businesses and for the family. We talk about his superhero analogy when it comes to online safety, the different forms of social engineering we encounter every day and how to protect our loved ones in particular from becoming a victim of cybercriminals. With plenty of humour and heart, this is one not to miss.About Our Guest:Stu Walton is the Security Awareness Specialist for Pinsent Masons. With more than twenty years of work in the education and technology world he has spent the last four years learning about and building cyber security culture programmes. As an experienced public speaker, he has combined his love of superheroes with his passion for cyber security in a series of talks titled “Protecting Your Secret Identity Online”.
SEASON FIVE: In this episode, the first episode of season 5 of our award-winning podcast, I speak to Brenda Darden Wilkerson, President and CEO of AnitaB.org. We discuss a range of topics on our responsibility for understanding AI, not just in organisation but as individuals, so that we have a voice when it comes to its implementation and integration. We also chat about AI literacy and education and why diversity is becoming increasingly important in the current geopolitical landscape.About Our Guest:Brenda Darden Wilkerson is a nationally recognized tech and education leader, and President & CEO of AnitaB.org—one of the world’s most influential organizations supporting women and allies in technology. A former software engineer turned changemaker, Brenda founded the groundbreaking Computer Science for All initiative in Chicago Public Schools, which became a national model and earned her a spot on President Obama’s Tech Inclusion Task Force.At AnitaB.org, she champions access, inclusion, and innovation—expanding pathways into tech, growing a global community of 150,000+, and shaping policy to drive systemic change. Named to Forbes 50 Over 50 in Impact and honored with the White House Champion of Change Award, Brenda is a sought-after speaker and host of the award-winning podcast B the Way Forward.
BONUS EPISODE: In this week's episode of Talent First, I chat to Dora Boussias, Founder of DoraB Global and a woman with a fascinating and inspiring personal story. We talk about her unique approach to leadership coaching, the frameworks she provides her cohorts so that they can SOAR and what being authentic really means. We also talk inclusivity, as well as about what is next for her fantastic organisation.About our guest:An award-winning thought leader in AI, Data, and Leadership, Dora Boussias is a global keynote speaker, career & leadership coach, and strategic advisor with a passion for business transformation and impact. With 30 years of real-world experience at top firms like GE, Stryker, and Prudential, she has led complex transformations while mentoring and empowering professionals to accelerate success with clarity, confidence, and proven strategies.An immigrant at 17 with limited English, Dora rose through the ranks to executive leadership, gaining expertise across Financial Services, Insurance, Retail, Education, and Healthcare/MedTech. Recognized with numerous industry accolades, including Global Data Power Woman and AI100 Innovation Leader, she serves on multiple boards and has been featured in leading publications, NYC Times Square, and over 30 podcasts.After transitioning from corporate, Dora’s mission is clear: to help professionals in data and tech accelerate success, lead with confidence, and create lasting impact in their careers and organizations.Helpful links:SOAR with Confidence™ Program Info PageCareer Lift-Off Guidedoraboussias.com website, includes signup to DORAisms newsletter of bite-sized video tips on career, leadership. data & AI (launching soon)LInkedIn Profile
In this week's episode of Talent First, I chat to Oluwadamilola Obamehinti, Founder of Cyber Culture about the future of this industry. We cover topics ranging from the issues in diversity, how Gen Z will learn leadership skills if working remotely and what tech leaders should really be concerned about when it comes to security.About Our Guest:Oluwadamilola has 14+ years of professional experience leading global security teams. She has worked at various technology companies such as eBay, Citizen, and Cybersecurity Ventures. Currently, she's the founder of Cyber Culture, a consulting company, and is completing her Master’s of Information & Cybersecurity at UC Berkeley.In addition to being a technology leader, Oluwadamilola specializes in speaking to various audiences about cybersecurity, AI, privacy, and inclusion in tech. As a keynote speaker, some of the events and companies Oluwadamilola has spoken at include AFROTECH™ Conference, Capital One, YMCA, Blackbaud, MassMutual, AbbVie and Ulta Beauty. Due to her tech expertise, Oluwadamilola has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Business Insider, and Silicon Valley Business Journal.LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/OluwadamilolaOSpeaker site: www.vimeo.com/OluwadamilolaCyber Culture website - www.cybercultureconsulting.comCyber Culture LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/company/cybercultureconsulting
SEASON FOUR: In this episode, I chat to Lisa Plaggemeir, Executive Director of the National Cybersecurity Alliance about her career to date (from marketing to cybersecurity!), and about the incredible work of the NCA. When it comes to security awareness training, their free resources are second to none and created for people of all ages, including our aging relatives, and for organisations of all sizes.About Our Guest: Lisa Plaggemier is Executive Director at the National Cybersecurity Alliance. She is on a mission to empower people and organizations to stay safe online, so that everyone can experience the benefits of technology without worry. Lisa started her career in marketing with Ford Motor Company before migrating to automotive technology and eventually security. Lisa is honored to serve on the US Secret Service Cyber Investigations Advisory Board. She is a University of Michigan graduate (Go Blue!) and while she wasn’t born in Austin, Texas, she got there as fast as she could.Facebook: StaysafeonlineInstagram: @natlcybersecurityallianceTwitter: @LisaPlaggemierLinkedIn: Lisa PlaggemierProfessional Title: Executive DirectorWebsite Link: https://staysafeonline.org
Disclaimer - This episode covers topics that some listeners might find sensitive.BONUS EPISODE: This week we are celebrating a key milestone - 50 guests have joined me to discuss all things tech, security and leadership and we could be prouder in the Talent First office! And who better to chat to for this special episode than Lisa Ventura MBE who talks to me about her career so far, and about three topics that are rarely seen together - cybersecurity, menopause and neurodiversity, and how the three are connected.About Our Guest: Lisa Ventura MBE is an award-winning cyber security specialist, published writer/author, journalist and keynote speaker. She is the Founder of Cyber Security Unity, a global community organisation that is dedicated to bringing individuals and organisations together who actively work in cyber security to help combat the growing cyber threat and Neuro Unity, a non-profit that champions and promotes neuroinclusion for all. As a consultant Lisa also provides cyber security awareness and culture change training, along with neurodiversity in the workplace training, and works with cyber security leadership teams to help them collaborate more effectively. She has specialist knowledge in diversity, equity, belonging and inclusion (DEIB), neurodiversity, the human factors of cyber security, cyber psychology, neurodiversity and AI in cyber. More information about Lisa can be found on www.lisaventura.co.uk
SEASON FOUR - In this week's episode I return to the theme of the season, The Women Securing Texas, discussing all things empathy and leadership with Founder of Green Reed, Farrah Mitra. We talk about her new framework for change management, her work as a radical candor coach and about her own experiences with Imposter Syndrome and how she overcame it to successfully partner with top US businesses.About Our Guest: Farrah Mitra is an executive coach and advisor specializing in leadership, communications, and people strategy. She has over 15 years of experience as a Bain strategy consultant and people and culture executive at hyper-growth tech companies. She has supported the development of successful leaders across every industry. Farrah’s clients span the C-suite at Fortune 50 companies to small startups and nonprofits. Farrah knows what it takes to be an operator in high-performance environments and she helps others create sustained change by centering her coaching around a mindset shift and practical skill building. As a communications expert, Farrah is one of just 15 Radical Candor coaches globally and has led over 200 workshops and keynotes to empower others to deliver feedback in both a kind and clear way. Her Communicating Change framework helps leaders navigate and communicate change clearly and effectively, while also being empathetic, creating a positive employee experience no matter how challenging the topic. Farrah Mitra's LinkedIn profileGreen Reed website The biggest reason we run from challenging conversationsHow to receive feedback without being apologetic or defensiveRadical Candor websiteAir BnB Layoff Communication Example
BONUS EPISODE: This week's episode of Talent First is with an incredible woman in cyberscurity who I have been wanting to chat to for some time! She is Candace Williams, Founder of Cyb(H)er Ally Solutions and staunch advocate for all those entering the profession and for women who are looking to get in and up in this industry. We talk all things influence, thought leadership and how to close the gap with the C Suite as a security leader through reciprocity and messaging.About Our Guest:Candace Williams is a pioneering figure in cybersecurity, recognized as a LinkedIn Top Voice for her thought leadership and industry influence. As an Associate Director of Cybersecurity Leadership at Raytheon, an RTX Business, she oversees key cybersecurity operations, ensuring strategic security initiatives align with organizational goals.Beyond her corporate leadership, Candace is the founder of Cyb(H)er Ally Cybersecurity Solutions, an organization dedicated to expanding opportunities for women in cybersecurity. Through keynotes, workshops, and coaching, she empowers individuals and organizations to build strong careers and leadership pathways. As part of this mission, she leads Cyb(H)er Sync, a membership-based community focused on professional growth and influence-building in cybersecurity.Her commitment to mentorship and community-building is evident through the Cyb(H)er Series in Tampa, Florida, including Cyb(H)er Brunch, Cyb(H)er Roundtable, and Cyb(H)er Connect—events designed to create meaningful connections, facilitate mentorship, and open doors for more professionals in the field.An accomplished speaker, Candace frequently shares her expertise on cybersecurity, career strategy, and influence at industry events. She is also the author of No Experience Required: Your Cybersecurity Career Kickstart Guide, a resource that helps aspiring professionals navigate and break into the field. Additionally, she serves on the RSA Conference 2024 and 2025 Program Committee, contributing her expertise to shape critical industry discussions.Through her work, Candace continues to help others advance, lead, and make an impact in cybersecurity.Links to share:www.cybherally.com Candace is now booking keynote talks for 2025.Her signature talk is titled: “The Influence Hack: Shaping Your Future in Cybersecurity”In this powerful keynote, Candace challenges the idea that technical skills alone are enough to succeed in cybersecurity. She introduces influence as the missing link—an overlooked but essential ingredient for career growth, organizational impact, and industry transformation. Through compelling storytelling and real-world insights, Candace shows how professionals can leverage influence to position themselves as trusted voices, unlock new opportunities, and shape the future of cybersecurity from wherever they stand. Candace brings energy, clarity, and inspiration to every stage—making this a must-hear message for conferences, leadership forums, and organizations ready to think beyond the technical.
SEASON FOUR: In this episode of Talent Fist, I'm talking everything cybersecurity SaaS sales with Jessica Bookman, AVP of Commercial at Sublime Security. From how to scale excellent teams to how to interview for human skills, Jessica gives you a range of advice for how to be a successful leader in this space.About Our Guest:Jess Bookman is the Area Vice President of Commercial for Sublime Security, a transformational email security company. She has been in sales for over 15 years, focusing on security software for the last 9 years. Jess started her journey into security sales as a top performing rep at Duo Security before moving onto Wiz to build their Mid-Enterprise team, and eventually taking on a Regional Vice President of Commercial role. Jess lives in Austin, TX with her family, where she and her husband own and run a jiu jitsu school.
BONUS EPISODE - This week, I welcome back a guest from Season One of Talent First, Stacey Champagne, Founder of Hacker in Heels and advocate for women in cybersecurity everywhere. We talk about her career journey so far, the important work Hacker in Heels in doing in this space (and how YOU can support the venture) and what it's really like to take the CISSP.About Our Guest:Stacey Champagne is the Founder & CEO of Hacker in Heels, a company on a mission to increase the number of women in cybersecurity and influence greater societal change. She started the company on the belief that her own success in the field could be replicated. By transferring the skills she had as a graphic designer to the increasingly important and lucrative field of cybersecurity, Stacey dramatically changed the trajectory of her life. Now she is helping others do the same through her community and programs that help women launch and grow six-figure careers in cybersecurity. Become a Hacker in Heels Insider: https://bit.ly/hih-insidersAttend or sponsor a Hacker in Heels Salon: https://bit.ly/hih-salonFund women cybersecurity leaders, give $5 for 5 years of Hacker in Heels: https://bit.ly/hih-go-fund-me