In this episode of the Cyber Talent Matrix, host Jeff Welgan is joined by experts Dr. Sasha Vanterpool and Will Denman, along with special guest Dawn Butler, a former senior leader at Citi and host of "Bytes Bits and Brilliance." Together, they delve into the challenges of navigating an uncertain job market in cybersecurity, focusing on career disruption, identity, and resilience. Dawn shares her personal journey from senior leadership to job seeker, offering insights on maintaining authenticity and finding comfort amidst chaos. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about embracing change and redefining success in the face of adversity.

In this special Thanksgiving edition of The Cyber Talent Matrix, we step away from dashboards and datasets to focus on what really drives cybersecurity: people.

CEO Jeff Welgan, alongside co-hosts Sasha Vanterpool and Will Denman, takes a candid look at the cyber workforce narrative — and Jeff doesn’t hold back. In this episode, he calls “bullsh*t” on the long-standing myth of a cyber talent shortage, arguing that what we truly face is a strategy problem, not a supply problem.

Together, the hosts explore:

• Why the “cyber workforce shortage” narrative is misleading
• The real reasons organizations struggle to hire and retain cyber talent
• How early-career professionals are being overlooked despite high interest and capability
• Why senior talent demands are misaligned with reality
• How workforce intelligence and data-driven planning can reshape the future of cyber talent
• And, in the spirit of the season, what each host is grateful for this year — across the cyber community, their work, and the people behind every success

Whether you’re a security leader, HR/L&D professional, cyber practitioner, or simply need a thoughtful break from turkey, family, or football — this episode offers honesty, insight, and a moment of gratitude for the people who keep cybersecurity moving forward.

What does it take to strengthen our nation’s cyber resilience? Collaboration, intelligence sharing, and people ready to act when it matters most.

In this episode of The Cyber Talent Matrix, host Jeff Welgan and co-hosts Sasha Vanterpool and Will Denman are joined by Dr. Katrina Rosseini, Chairwoman of the Board for the Civilian Reserve Information Sharing and Analysis Center (CR-ISAC) — an organization dedicated to organizing and mobilizing cyber, IT, and analyst volunteers who can surge in defense of the nation when needed most.

Together, we’ll explore:

• The mission and vision behind CR-ISAC and why readiness before crisis is critical.
• How public-private collaboration and volunteerism strengthen national defense.
• The growing intersection between threat intelligence and talent intelligence — and how skillrex is partnering with CR-ISAC to support the human layer of resilience.
• What the future of cyber readiness looks like for organizations across every sector.

Whether you’re part of critical infrastructure, government, industry, or the broader cyber community — this conversation will inspire you to think differently about what national resilience really means and the role every cyber professional can play.

What does it take to build a more inclusive, confident, and capable cyber workforce? Data, community, and a clear mission.

In this episode of The Cyber Talent Matrix, host Sasha Vanterpool is joined by co-hosts Jeff Welgan and Will Denman, along with special guest Rebekah Skeete, Executive Director and CEO of BlackGirlsHack, to explore insights from the 2025 BlackGirlsHack Cyber Talent Study — a collaboration between BlackGirlsHack and skillrex.

Together, we’ll uncover:
1. How community-driven programs like BGH are expanding access and opportunity in cybersecurity.
2. What the data reveals about skill confidence, growth areas, and workforce readiness.
3. How BGH used study insights to shape new initiatives and empower members for success.
4. What organizations can do today to turn data into action and build the next generation of cyber talent.

Whether you’re a CISO, workforce strategist, HR/L&D professional, or advocate for diversity in cyber — this episode will inspire you to think differently about how we grow, support, and sustain talent in the field.

🎙️ Join the conversation — and see how data and purpose can work together to build a stronger, more resilient cyber workforce.

S1E3: Forecasting Cyber Talent: Today’s Market, Tomorrow’s Skills
Oct 7, 2025

The headlines say cybersecurity is facing a talent shortage — but what’s the real story in today’s labor market? And more importantly, what skills will define the cyber workforce of tomorrow?

In this episode of The Cyber Talent Matrix, co-hosts Jeff Welgan, Sasha Vanterpool, and Will Denman are joined by special guest Will Markow, CEO of FourOne Insights, to break down the state of the cyber labor market and where it’s headed next.

Together, we’ll explore:
> The realities of cyber hiring and retention in 2025.
> What the data tells us about supply, demand, and the so-called “cyber talent gap.”
> The emerging skills and hybrid roles that will shape the profession in the years ahead.
> What leaders can do today to future-proof their workforce strategies.

Whether you’re a CISO, workforce manager, or HR/L&D leader, join us for an engaging, data-driven conversation on how to align your talent strategy with the shifting labor market.

S1E2: What's your Skill Language:
Sep 24, 2025

Cybersecurity has no shortage of frameworks and taxonomies — NIST NICE, Defense Cyber Workforce Framework (DCWF), SFIA, ENISA, and more. Each provides a structured way of defining roles, skills, and competencies, but they don’t always speak the same “language.”

In this episode of The Cyber Talent Matrix Live, co-hosts Jeff Welgan, Sasha Vanterpool, and Will Denman break down the big frameworks and skill taxonomies shaping the cyber workforce today. We’ll explore what makes them useful, where they fall short, and how organizations can translate across them to build clarity, consistency, and smarter workforce strategies.

Whether you’re a CISO, HR leader, or L&D professional, join us for a practical and conversational look at how to speak frameworks and taxonomies fluently — and why it matters for your cyber talent strategy.

Welcome to the Matrix: Co-Hosts, Cyber Talent, and Workforce Intelligence
Sep 10, 2025

Join us for the very first episode of The Cyber Talent Matrix! In this kickoff episode, you’ll meet your co-hosts — Jeff Welgan, Sasha Vanterpool, and Will Denman of skillrex — and hear what drives their passion for cyber workforce strategy. We’ll also unpack two big ideas that will shape the show: the Cyber Talent Matrix and Cyber Workforce Intelligence.

Tune in for a casual, engaging conversation about the people side of cybersecurity and why talent is the key to resilience.

Why attend? If you’re a CISO, workforce manager, HR or L&D professional, this show offers ongoing insights into how data and strategy can transform your approach to cyber workforce challenges.