If you had asked me in middle school whether I envisioned myself pursuing a career in cybersecurity, my answer would’ve been a definitive no.
Having studied broadcast journalism in college, I fully anticipated building a career in that world. But after moving to San Francisco and landing my first tech role in 2013, I quickly discovered a passion for cybersecurity that would shape the future of my professional life.
Like many people working in cybersecurity today, my journey into the field wasn’t planned. It happened through curiosity, opportunity, and a willingness to learn along the way.
An Unexpected Career Shift
My first role in the tech industry was as ‘Happiness Officer’ at a small startup. While the title might not immediately suggest a path into cybersecurity, this experience laid the foundation for all that followed.
My day-to-day responsibilities included resolving customer issues, identifying ways to improve products and services, and troubleshooting technical problems.
After about a year, I discovered product management—and suddenly the direction of my career became clear.
At its core, product management is about listening: talking to people, uncovering the root of their challenges, and finding creative ways to solve them.
Today, in my role at Security Journey, that mindset shapes how I think about developer security. The central question is simple: What is taking software developers away from the things they love building, and how can we remove those obstacles so they can create secure software more effectively?
The Highs of a Career in Cyber
Even with more than a decade in this industry, I still see myself as a student. Cybersecurity evolves constantly, and adopting a learning‑first mindset has opened doors to opportunities I never imagined, including building something entirely new that became patented.
Right now, we are living through one of the most transformative moments in cybersecurity. The rapid rise of AI has created incredible opportunities and new security challenges. Organizations across industries are trying to understand how to harness the benefits of AI while maintaining strong security practices.
In many ways, we are all learning in real time and are experimenting, adapting, and defining best practices as we go.
As Director of Product at Security Journey, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with developers to help shape how they use AI safely. By listening to real customer challenges, we’ve been able to build products that empower developers to embrace AI’s benefits while being supported by the right guardrails to keep security front and center.
Navigating the Industry
Working in cybersecurity has given me an incredibly rewarding career, and it is something I wish more women had the opportunity to experience.
Despite the growth of the tech industry, women still represent only a fraction of the technology workforce, and that number is even lower in cybersecurity roles. While the industry has progressed in recent years, longstanding “bro culture” still persists.
Like many women in tech, I’ve encountered moments when my capabilities were underestimated or when I wasn’t immediately taken as seriously as my male peers, especially early in my career.
But that doesn’t mean women don’t belong in this space. In fact, the opposite is true.
Cybersecurity challenges are complex, global, and constantly evolving. Solving them requires diverse perspectives, different ways of thinking, and people who are willing to challenge assumptions.
Women deserve a seat at the table: not just to participate, but to lead and help shape the industry’s future.
For women interested in entering cybersecurity, my advice is simple: stay curious, ask questions, and never let intimidation keep you silent. The most valuable rooms you can be in are the ones where you’re surrounded by people who challenge you and push you to learn more.
