Inclusive Cyber: Unlocking Innovation in Cybersecurity

In this fireside chat, Danny sits down with Max Margolis to cut through the noise surrounding AI in cybersecurity. While the industry races to slap "AI-powered" on every product and executives pour hundreds of millions into tools they barely understand, the real story is far more nuanced and far more urgent. From hallucinations in audit reports costing hundreds of millions of dollars to...

What happens when a high school cybersecurity class changes everything? Meet Lavanya, a first-year computer science college student who went from dreaming of dentistry to diving deep into cybersecurity. In this refreshingly honest conversation, Lavanya shares her journey from being the only girl taking notes in a room full of guys to competing in CyberPatriot competitions and landing meaningful in...

Sofia Rodriguez spent 8 years in help desk and technical roles, navigating visa sponsorship challenges while pursuing her cybersecurity dreams. Today, she's a Security Operations Manager and VP of Operations for Latinas in Cyber, proving that non-traditional paths can lead to leadership. In this raw conversation, Sofia dismantles common career myths, shares her journey from Costa Rica to lead...

hink you need a computer science degree to break into cybersecurity? Think again. In this eye-opening conversation, Smriti shares her unconventional journey from biomedical engineering to medical device cybersecurity, revealing how patient safety and security are two sides of the same coin. This isn't your typical "hacker in a hoodie" story. Instead, discover how systems thinking, s...

From Capitol Hill to cybersecurity leadership, Stacy O'Mara's career journey proves you don't need a technical background to make a significant impact in cyber. In this episode of Inclusive Cyber, Stacy shares how she transitioned from political science and public policy into becoming a trusted advisor helping governments and Fortune 500 companies navigate the complex intersection o...

 Why are intelligence professionals stuck in the shadows while other executives climb to the C-suite? In this compelling fireside Chat, Danny and Melissa dive deep into a question that has been largely ignored in the corporate world: what is holding intelligence professionals back from reaching CEO, Chief Strategy Officer, and other top leadership roles? With backgrounds spanning FBI, military, an...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Melina Scotto, a cybersecurity leader whose career spans from database management in the 90s to CISO roles protecting billions in federal healthcare contracts and Fortune 500 enterprises. Melina shares raw insights on leadership, the hidden challenges of the CISO role, and why the fundamentals of security still matter more than flashy new tools. From navi...

 Ready for some real talk about cybersecurity? Danny and Quintana pull no punches in this unfiltered conversation about the state of the industry. From AI's breakneck pace to the harsh realities of breaking into cyber, they tackle the topics everyone's thinking about but few are brave enough to say out loud. This isn't your typical tech podcast full of buzzwords and empty promises....

In this episode of Inclusive Cyber, Danny sits down with Liz Wharton, an attorney turned tech and policy leader whose career proves there is no single path into cybersecurity. From big law to startups to advising the world’s busiest airport, Liz shares how curiosity, asking better questions, and leaning into vulnerability open real doors. Together they unpack practical ways to find mentors, build...

 In this conversation, Maman Ibrahim shares his remarkable journey from Niger to France, detailing his experiences in telecommunications, startup culture, and the evolution of governance in technology. He emphasizes the importance of mentorship, the challenges of language barriers, and the dual nature of generative AI as both an opportunity and a risk. Maman also discusses his transition into entr...

In this episode of Inclusive Cyber we talk to Angela Díaz, a fraud and risk leader who turned a single day of crisis into a decade-long career in financial crime prevention. We explore how she built her own ladder in an industry that rarely makes space for new voices, from manually canceling fraudulent orders in a startup to designing enterprise-level fraud controls for global banks. Angela shares...

In our first Fireside Chat, Jo Anna and I dug into a topic that’s reshaping everything around us: Artificial Intelligence and Accountability. Jo Anna said it best: “We can’t stop AI. It’s everywhere. But we can govern it.” We explored the growing tension between innovation and responsibility. Tech giants are moving fast, but who’s ensuring they move safely? If the past decade taught us anything, i...

Ale’s career journey is anything but linear. From her roots as the granddaughter of Mexican farmworkers to advising high school students, to shaping education policy in Washington DC, and finally landing in the world of technology, her story is one of resilience, mentorship, and serendipity. In this episode Ale shares how her immigrant background shaped her values, why giving back through educatio...

In this inspiring episode of Inclusive Cyber , Lorena Mejia, CEO & Founder of Unleashing the Lion in Us, shares how she went from entry-level roles to becoming a leader in technology, cybersecurity, and AI. Lorena opens up about the importance of curiosity, self-advocacy, and mentorship, and why closing the digital divide is critical to building equitable, responsible AI. We cover: Lorena’s un...

Alexis Dieter, working in Offensive Cyber Operations, proves there’s no one “right” way into cyber. After 13 years in bartending, Alexis pivoted careers, went back to school, and is now thriving in penetration testing all while finishing her degree. Here are her lessons for anyone looking to break in (or breakthrough): ✅ Life Skills More Important than Tech Skills Bartending taught her resilience...

Meet Marivell, a proud Latina from NYC who turned curiosity into a career in cybersecurity, governance, risk & compliance (GRC), and leadership. 🔑 Highlights that resonate: Curiosity as a Superpower → Asking the “dumb” questions launched her career in tech. Representation Matters → A Latina voice proving that you don’t need a perfect path: just grit, curiosity, and community. Breaking Silos →...

We sit down with Robert, CIO of a leading healthcare services company, to explore how non-traditional career paths, life skills, and human-centric leadership can reshape technology teams. Robert shares his journey from political-science graduate to tech executive, his work closing educational gaps with Teach For America Colorado, and candid lessons on mentorship, failure, true role of AI in our wo...

🔐 She Built a Zoom Bot at 13 to Skip Class… and Ended Up Securing NASA. Meet [@Bandana | Hack With Her], a rising cybersecurity force who’s not waiting for permission to shape the future. At just 17, Bandana is: ✨ A cybersecurity researcher focused on adversarial attacks on LLMs 🌐 A UN Dynamic Team Coalition Cybersecurity Lead 🎓 A National Cybersecurity Education Ambassador 👩‍💻 A bug bounty...

In the latest episode of Inclusive Cyber, I had the honor of speaking with Nicole Lilly, founder of Deeply Devoted Lilly, somatic coach, and former corporate wellness strategist. We didn’t talk tech. We talked about what tech often ignores—how emotional wellbeing, nervous system regulation, and inner safety are critical to sustainable performance in high-pressure fields like cybersecurity. Nicole...

Kylee's journey to cybersecurity is amazing. From the Midwest to Southern California’s music and production scene, she built a foundation in audio engineering before pivoting to cybersecurity. Facing life-changing challenges, including single motherhood, Kylee earned degrees in speech, language, and hearing science, followed by a master's in cybersecurity operations and leadership. Her s...

In the latest episode of Inclusive Cyber, Laura shared her inspiring journey through the IT and cybersecurity world. Starting from a humble role in a school district without formal education, she quickly realized the immense opportunities available, thanks to encouragement from mentors who recognized her potential. Laura emphasized the importance of mentors, not necessarily formal educators, as cr...

In this episode, I sit down with Teressa, a cybersecurity professional with a fascinating journey from art history and anthropology to technical writing and cybersecurity. Teressa shares how her curiosity led her to explore the world of network security and how her non-traditional background has become a unique asset in her career. 🔥 What You'll Learn: How Teressa transitioned from anthropol...

Have you ever had to completely pivot your career dreams? On the latest Episode of Inclusive Cyber, I sat down with Eunice A. Golloh a cybersecurity professional  with a remarkable story of determination and adaptability. Eunice's journey began with dreams of becoming a doctor, but the financial challenges of medical school led her to explore other options. Thanks to a friend’s recommendation...

In this episode, Ana Diaz takes us on her inspiring journey from physical security to becoming a cybersecurity leader. With refreshing honesty, she shares how mentorship and meaningful connections shaped her career, offering valuable insights on building organic relationships that empower growth. Ana discusses the unique challenges faced by underrepresented communities in tech and highlights the i...

In this episode of Inclusive Cyber , Danny explores the role of influencers, discussing their impact on society, IT, and cybersecurity. He emphasizes the importance of critical thinking when consuming influencer content, whether it's about technology, lifestyle, or professional advice. He shares his own viewing habits, mentioning influencers like MKBHD and iJustine, while highlighting the nee...