Caltech CTME ELEVATED: From Rocket Science to Cybersecurity: How Program Management + Systems Thinking Fuels Innovation

In this ELEVATED episode, Dr. Tina Srivastava, an MIT-trained rocket scientist, inventor, and co-founder of Badge, shares her journey from aerospace engineering at Raytheon to founding a cybersecurity company and developing Badge’s “identity without secrets” platform. She explains how her experiences in systems engineering and program management revealed the importance of collaboration between PMs and SEs, especially through practices like shadowing, rotation programs, and defining clear roles.

Dr. Srivastava discusses her research and books, including Innovating in a Secret World and another she edited Integrating Program Management and Systems Engineering, which explores how innovation thrives even in secure, high-stakes environments. The conversation expands into how AI tools can enhance project collaboration, communication, and education when used responsibly and with privacy in mind. Finally, Dr. Srivastava emphasizes the need for lifelong learning and technological literacy, urging leaders to immerse themselves in technical understanding to drive better decision-making and innovation.