In this episode of Identity at the Center, recorded live from Identiverse 2025 in Las Vegas, Jim McDonald and Jeff Steadman are joined by special guests Diane Vicezar and Arynn Crow. Diane is a recent recipient of the Digital Identity Advancement Foundation's (DIAF) prestigious Kim Cameron Award, and Arynn is the Director of Governance and Transparency for DIAF.

Join us for a conversation about breaking into the identity and access management (IAM) industry. Diane shares her journey from a college intern at Microsoft to a full-time employee in the identity space, and what her experience has been like as a first-time attendee at Identiverse. Arynn provides valuable insights into the mission of DIAF, which aims to make professional development in identity more accessible through merit-based awards like the Kim Cameron Award for newcomers and the Victoria O'Connor Award for established professionals.

The group discusses the critical question of how the industry can attract new talent. Do people choose a career in identity, or does it choose them? They explore the importance of outreach to universities, the power of social media, and reframing the narrative around identity to focus on its mission-driven impact on society. From career ceilings and the role of AI to favorite conference sessions and hallway conversations, this episode is packed with insights for both seasoned professionals and those just starting their identity journey.

Chapter Timestamps

00:00:10 - Welcome to Identiverse 202500:02:21 - Introducing Diane Vicezar and Arynn Crow00:03:00 - What is the Digital Identity Advancement Foundation (DIAF)?00:05:33 - Diane's Experience as a Kim Cameron Award Winner00:07:26 - The Legacy of Kim Cameron and Vittorio Bertocci00:10:17 - How Did You Get Into Identity?00:12:08 - How to Attract New Talent to the Identity Industry00:16:51 - Reframing the Conversation Around Identity's Mission00:20:27 - Is There a Career Ceiling in Identity?00:22:34 - Advice for Those Starting Their Career in Identity00:27:10 - The Future of AI in the Identity Industry00:28:32 - Favorite Sessions at Identiverse 202500:34:15 - If You Were a Potato, How Would You Be Prepared?00:36:20 - Closing Remarks

Connect with Diana: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianavicezar/

Connect with Arynn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arynn-crow-821761103/

Learn more about the Digital Identity Advancement Foundation: https://digitalidadvancement.org/

Connect with us on LinkedIn:

Jim McDonald: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmcdonaldpmp/

Jeff Steadman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffsteadman/

Visit the show on the web at http://idacpodcast.com

Keywords

IDAC, Identity at the Center, Jeff Steadman, Jim McDonald, Diane Vicezar, Arynn Crow, Digital Identity Advancement Foundation, DIAF, Kim Cameron Award, Identiverse 2025, Identity and Access Management, IAM, Career in Identity, Cybersecurity, Professional Development, Women in Identity, Identity Industry, Microsoft, AI in Identity, FIDO, Passkeys, Verifiable Credentials

Hashtags

#idac #Identiverse #DigitalIdentity #IAM #Cybersecurity #CareerDevelopment #WomenInTech #DIAF #KimCameronAward