Root To CISO

In this Byte-Size Episode, Kris Rides chats with cybersecurity leader Jenai Marinkovic, President & Co-Founder of GRCIE, during the North Central Washington Cybersecurity Summit. Together, they explore how AI is transforming every layer of cybersecurity — from GRC to SecOps to architecture — and why the people who embrace AI will accelerate their careers the fastest. Jenai explains emerging op...

In this highlight from The Root to CISO Podcast, host Kris Rides speaks with Amanda Hartle, CSO and CIO at Prove Identity, about one of the most important leadership lessons she’s learned — and the advice she wishes she could give her younger self. Amanda shares the mindset shift that changed her approach to leadership: celebrate team wins, take ownership of mistakes, and lead authentically withou...

In this episode of The Root to CISO Podcast, host Kris Rides sits down with Andrew Wilder, cybersecurity leader and former CISO at Nestlé, to discuss how he made the leap from enterprise security to his first CISO role. Andrew shares how moving from a global company to a mid-sized organization gave him hands-on experience reporting directly to the board, building a security program from scratch, a...

CISO Barbee Mooneyhan joins The Root to CISO Podcast to discuss what truly matters when building a cybersecurity career — and it’s not just degrees or certifications.  Barbee explains why hands-on experience, community involvement, and the ability to apply knowledge often outweigh a long list of credentials. She shares why certifications like the CISSP or GPEN can be valuable tools for learning, b...

In this highlight clip, CISO Don Baham shares why soft skills are just as critical as technical expertise in cybersecurity hiring. From problem-solving and emotional intelligence to learning how to “figure things out,” Don explains what truly makes candidates stand out in today’s market. He also reflects on what he’d tell his younger self — the power of being intentional with your time, setting cl...

In this highlight from The Root to CISO Podcast, Global CISO of Carnival Cruises, Margarita Rivera, shares how she transitioned into cybersecurity without a technical background — and how transferable skills, a strong business mindset, and continuous learning helped shape her success. She discusses the growing challenges of breaking into cybersecurity today, why hiring managers need to rethink how...

In this Root to CISO highlight, Lori Anello shares the advice she wishes she could give her younger self: don’t let fear hold you back. From taking risks to embracing opportunities, Lori explains why careers in cybersecurity are never a straight line—and how each job, even the ones that aren’t perfect, can help you move forward toward leadership roles like CISO.

In Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Alissa “Dr. Jay” Abdullah, Deputy Chief Security Officer at Mastercard, we dive into the lessons she’s learned leading across industries — from healthcare and technology to financial services. Dr. Jay shares how relationships, curiosity, and communication have been the keys to her career growth, why likability matters in leadership, and how to build trust wit...

In the Season 2 finale of Root to CISO, we sit down with Dr. Alissa “Dr. Jay” Abdullah, Deputy Chief Security Officer at Mastercard and former Deputy CIO of the White House under President Obama. Her path to cybersecurity was anything but traditional, pivoting into mathematics, cryptography, and ultimately some of the most high-profile technology and security leadership roles in the world. Dr. Jay...

 In Part Two of our conversation with Barbee Mooneyhan, CISO at Uplight, we dive into one of the biggest challenges in cybersecurity—and beyond: breaking into the industry and advancing your career. Barbee shares practical advice on how to translate transferable skills, tailor resumes for each stage of your career, and approach interviews with confidence and authenticity. She also opens up about p...

In this episode of Root to CISO, we sit down with Don Baham, President of Kraft Technology Group and a seasoned security leader, for an open and insightful conversation about the road to executive leadership. Don shares his approach to building strong relationships, maintaining composure under pressure, and leading with clarity and trust. Whether you're growing into leadership or already mana...

In this episode of Root to CISO, Amanda Hartle, Chief Information Security Officer, reflects on the leadership lessons that shaped her career—from early ambitions to executive decision-making. She shares the pivotal advice she’d give her younger self, emphasizing the power of humility, accountability, and authentic leadership. Whether you're in cybersecurity or simply on your own leadership p...

In this episode of The Root to CISO Podcast, Amanda Fennell (Hartle)—Chief Security Officer and CIO at Prove Identity—shares her journey from digital forensics to leading enterprise security and technology strategy. Amanda discusses the pivotal moments that helped her find her voice in high-pressure environments, why curiosity is still her most powerful tool, and how a mission-driven mindset shape...

In this episode of The Root to CISO Podcast, Melina Scotto shares her unconventional path into cybersecurity and how she transformed early career uncertainty into executive leadership. From discovering cybersecurity later in life to leading large-scale federal programs, Melina talks about the importance of saying “yes” to new challenges, building cross-functional relationships, and making security...

In this episode of the Root to CISO Podcast, Melina Scotto shares her powerful story of breaking into cybersecurity, growing her career through persistence, and eventually becoming a CISO. From her early days as a network engineer to navigating federal cybersecurity contracts, Melina offers a candid look at the challenges and wins that shaped her path. She talks about earning her CISSP as a single...

Welcome to Part 2 of our conversation with cybersecurity executive Andrew Wilder on The Root to CISO Podcast. In this episode, Andrew reflects on his 18-year tenure at Nestlé and shares what kept him there, how strong leadership and succession planning shaped his career, and why creating a safe space for team growth is a cornerstone of his leadership style. He discusses his transition into his fir...

In this episode of the Root to CISO Podcast, we sit down with Andrew Wilder — Top Global CISO, CCISO Hall of Famer, and LinkedIn Top Information Security Voice — to explore his journey from warehouse work to the boardroom. Now the first-ever CISO at Vetcor, Andrew shares what it’s like to build a cybersecurity program from the ground up across 900+ veterinary hospitals. He also dives into his pass...

In this follow-up episode, Kristina dives deeper into breaking into cybersecurity, gaining certifications, and the importance of having a mentor. She emphasizes the need for effective communication at all levels, especially when influencing others. Kristina shares her insights into hiring practices, stressing the importance of a candidate's attitude and team fit over just technical skills. Sh...

Kristina Belnap, teacher-turned-technologist, and cybersecurity leader joins the Root to CISO Podcast to share her nontraditional career journey. In this episode, Kristina breaks down how her early experience in education helped shape her leadership style in cybersecurity. She reflects on the power of soft skills, the importance of curiosity, and how getting out of your comfort zone can accelerate...

In Part 2 of our conversation with Lori Anello, she opens up about the emotional and professional transition from a specialized threat role into the CISO seat. Lori talks candidly about being “on the back nine” of her career—no longer chasing titles, but focused on impact and alignment. She shares how trust, mentorship, and empathy have defined her leadership approach, from supporting others to fi...

In this episode of The Root to CISO Podcast , Lori Anello shares her incredible journey — starting work at just 17, discovering a passion for computing by accident, and forging a cybersecurity career long before the word even existed. Lori talks about how professional experiences, night classes, mentorship, and resilience shaped her path to becoming a security leader. She dives into how early setb...

In Part 2 of our conversation with Margarita Rivera, Global CISO at Carnival Corporation, we dive into the certifications that helped shape her cybersecurity career. Margarita shares why the CISSP was both the hardest and most rewarding certification she pursued, how continuous learning played a critical role in her journey, and her advice for balancing a busy life with professional development. W...