Talent First

In this epsiode, Michelle talks entry level and what it should really mean, qualifications and if they are necessary and whether now is the right time to get into security leadership with her guest, Jessica Nemmers.

Jessica Nemmers is a Field Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) with Flair Data Systems. In her role, Jessica acts as an advisor to organizations providing guidance on all aspects of cybersecurity, from developing strategies for protection and resiliency to implementing controls to meet compliance requirements. With over 25 years in the IT industry, Jessica’s passion for security began while working in datacenter operations at Perot Systems (now NTT Data). She later became the first CISO at Commercial Metals Company (CMC) where she built a cybersecurity program from the ground up. She went on to become a Chief Security Officer in the financial industry at Elevate Credit. As a board member and an experienced Chief Security Officer, Jessica works with security leaders, executives, and boards to establish a common understanding of cyber risk and improve the decision-making process around cyber program investments.

Jessica is a co-author of “The CISO Mentor” and has received recognition as a trailblazer for women in technology by the Dallas Business Journal and one of the “Dallas 500” most powerful business leaders in North Texas by D Magazine. She is known in the Dallas/Ft. Worth community as “The Ballerina Turned CISO” due to her prior career as a professional ballerina.  Her unique career journey has fostered passion projects focused on mentorship for women in technology and those wishing to transition into cybersecurity from other careers.

Jessica is a proud mom of 4 grown children and works in Texas and Maryland, where she lives with her husband, David.

In Episode 1 of this new season of Talent First - the CISO season - Michelle talks to Chris Brown, CEO of New Cyber Executive, about how CISOs can move from feelings of isolation in organisations to empowered business leaders working closely with the C Suite.

Chris Brown specializes in executive coaching for Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs), leveraging his own experience as a former CISO and insights from interactions with hundreds of CISOs.
At New Cyber Executive, which he founded, Chris merges empathy, hands-on experience, and innovative coaching methods to deeply understand and address the unique challenges faced by CISOs. His coaching has reshaped careers, empowering cybersecurity executives with clarity in their roles, lead with renewed confidence, and experience markedly less stress.

In this episode, I speak to Jennifer Cox, award winning cyber security specialist who is renowned in her field as an advocate for and ally of women in this industry.

During this chat, we discuss her entry into cybersecurity, her work with WiCyS, what diversity should look like in tech and how companies can attract diverse talent by creating and selling the culture - something that some businesses neglect.

Jennifer Cox is a multi-award-winning professional with over 18 years of experience in tech and in the Cyber Security industry. She has been nominated/shortlisted for over 25 awards in her field and received the prestigious Stevie award in 2022 following the Women in IT award for Outstanding Contribution in 2021. She supports her team in Tenable, who work with techies across the Globe in enabling best practices and cyber exposure prevention. Jennifer is an Ambassador for Wentors global mentorship programme, Director for Ireland at the WiCyS UK & Ireland Affiliate, an active member of WITS Ireland (Women in Technology and Science Ireland), WomenTech Community and WiCyS Global (Women in CyberSecurity) and works hard to insure diversity and inclusion within her industry by partaking in roles such as Judging at the Coolest Projects event for kids in the RDS, launching a mentoring project in Tenable, speaking at events such as BSides Dublin, WomenTech Global, BBWIC, CWiCS (Cisco Women in Cyber Security), CBF Fest (Coding Black Females Fest) HexCon, UK CyberWeek, Cyber Summit Ireland, WiCyS Global and more.

Bandana Kaur, who is my guest in this episode of Talent First, is an inspiration. At 15 years old, she is already on her way to becoming a leading figure in the cyber security industry and a spokesperson for underrepresented groups.

In this podcast, we discuss the importance of attracting young people into the profession and how this can be done, why there are still barriers for women, and the issue of cyber safety for teenagers.

Bandana also talks to her passion for AI and the opprtunities and threats it poses for the cyber security industry.

In this episode, I speak with David Pugh-Jones, charity trustee and chairman for Neurodiversity in Business, about how they partner with businesses globally who are looking to improve inclusivity for neurodivergent employees.

We talk at length about the stigma that sometimes accompanies the diagnoses of neurodiversity, especially in adults, and about the reticence that some companies still have in talking to and about neurodivergent people. David also offers actionable steps that businesses of any size can take to create a safe and inclusive workplace so that diversity can benefit everyone.

Here are some useful links should you wish to contact David, learn more about NiB or offer your support and services to this fantastic charity.

(3) David Pugh-Jones | LinkedIn
David Pugh-Jones (@davidpj) / X (twitter.com)
Research - Neurodiversity in Business

neurodiversityinbusiness.org

Neurodiversity in Business

(3) Neurodiversity in Business (NiB) - the Neurodiversity Charity: My Company | LinkedIn

In this episode, I speak to Jeremy Ventura about the importance of allyship and its crucial links to DEIB in the cyber security industry. 

Jeremy Ventura is a cybersecurity professional, specializing in advising organizations on information security best practices. He has years of experience in vulnerability management, email security, incident response and security center operations. At ThreatX, he is responsible for the development and presentation of thought leadership across all areas of cybersecurity. Ventura is an industry leader that can regularly be seen in media, blog posts, podcasts and at speaking events. Previously, Ventura has worked at Gong, Mimecast, Tenable and IBM, among other security organizations. He holds a Master’s Degree in Cybersecurity and Homeland Security.

During this fascinating discussion, we cover topics ranging from what makes up a diverse team, the dangers of diversity tick box hiring and the difference between being an ally and a 'saviour'. 

Other links that will interest listeners:

https://www.worklife.news/dei/cybersecurity-women/

https://www.youtube.com/live/V46B7ccCE6w?feature=share

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEE25NuTjXI

https://www.dianainitiative.org/

In this episode, I speak to Wendy Goucher, cyber security consultant turned author about her fantastic books for children, her short stories for the older generation and about what lead her to creating her characters. We also discuss the topic of neurodiversity in cyber security and Wendy talks about what it is like to be a neurodiverse person in this industry, why organisations need to hire neurodiverse people and what they can do to put the B into DEIB.

If you would like to support Wendy's ventures, please head to her GoFundMe page at - https://gofund.me/5d434f5d

The link to the first Nettie book on Amazon is -  https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nettie-Cyberland-introduce-security-children/dp/1800319843/ref=sr_1_2

The Eesha book is called 'Eesha and Mud Monster Mystery' and will be published by New Frontier Publishing towards the end of the year.

Contact Wendy via her email to talk about Canon Doyle and how you can share these wonderful stories.

In this episode, I speak to Sarah Browning, Communications expert and kindness cheerleader. We discuss the foundation of Time for Kindness, and the benefits kindness can have to leaders and to organisations. An uplifting conversation that covers everything from empathy in the workplace to Freddo Frogs!

Here are some useful links that Sarah mentioned during our chat this episode -