In this powerful March episode of Forward, I sit down with Dr. Safi Mojidi, a cybersecurity leader, educator, and unapologetic change agent to unpack a journey that spans federal agencies, including NASA, and now academia.

From delivering secure enterprise solutions under pressureto earning a doctorate to challenge systemic gaps in cybersecurity, Dr. Mojidi shares:

• Why security is a business strategy, not a blocker.

• The reality of navigating tech as a Black professional, and as a trans man.

• Why diversity is not optional in cybersecurity.

• The truth about AI hype and what you actually need tosucceed.

• How documentation, clarity, and “professionally pushing back” can protect your career.

• What executive leaders really need to understand about cyber risk.

This episode is about more than cyber. It’s about courage,identity, impact, and building secure systems that protect everyone.

If you’re in cybersecurity, tech, leadership, or aspiringto be, this conversation will challenge and equip you.