We are excited to welcome back to the podcast Maria Roat, founder of MA Roat Consulting and former U.S. Deputy Federal Chief Information Officer. For our discussion we double click into the cyber workforce gap and how to attract diverse skillsets to the industry, introducing STEM earlier in education, understanding how to nurture non-traditional learners and the awesome experience veterans bring to supporting the cyber mission. She also shares insights from her decades of experience as an IT leader on the criticality of taking risks, being comfortable with the uncomfortable, and the power of mentors. We had so much to talk about we made this a two-part episode!

Maria Roat, former U.S. Deputy Federal CIO

Maria Roat is currently retired from federal service after more than 40 years in the industry. She started her own consulting firm called MA Roat Consulting LLC, which takes up most of her time. However, she is also on the Board of Directors for On Mission IT, AFCEA Bethesda, and Aquia Inc. She also works closely with VETSports Inc. as a member of the Board of Directors.

Maria Roat served as the Deputy Federal Chief Information Officer for two years after starting the role in May 2020 with over 35 years of professional experience in information technology.

Previously, Ms. Roat served as the Small Business Administration Chief Information Officer October 2016 – May 2020 where she led SBA's digital transformation to a more proactive and innovative enterprise services organization responsive to the business technology needs of SBA program offices and small businesses & entrepreneurs across the United States.

Ms. Roat also served more than two years as the U.S. Department of Transportation Chief Technology Officer and was responsible for establishing and leading DOTs technical vision and strategic direction, driving innovation and planning for technology growth supporting internal and external facing mission activities.

Additionally, she served 10 years at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) joining in June 2004 and serving in a number of capacities including Federal Risk Management and Authorization Program (FedRAMP) Director, FEMA Deputy CIO, Chief of Staff for the DHS CIO, USCIS Chief Information Security Officer and CIO Chief of Staff, and Deputy Director, Technology Development, for TSA's Secure Flight Program.

Prior to joining DHS in 2004, Ms. Roat was in the private sector for 5 years deploying and managing global enterprise network management systems, as well as running Network and Security Operations Centers.

Ms. Roat is a graduate of the University of Maryland (UMUC), Harvard Business School Executive Education Program for Leadership Development, and the Navy Senior Enlisted Academy.

For links and resources discussed in this episode, please visit our show notes at https://www.forcepoint.com/govpodcast/e225