In this episode of The Identity Heroes, Heather Flanagan — Principal at Spherical Cow Consulting — shares how her background in library science laid the foundation for a career simplifying complexity and shaping global identity standards.

Heather takes us from her early days as a librarian-in-training to managing systems at Stanford and Duke, to becoming a key facilitator across W3C, IETF, and OpenID Foundation working groups. Along the way, she reveals how the skills of organizing, indexing, and communicating translate seamlessly into technology — and why non-coders play an essential role in driving progress in IAM.

🎯 This conversation dives into:

• The parallels between library science and identity standards
• How simplifying complexity — the “spherical cow” way — makes hard problems solvable
• Why non-coders, facilitators, and implementers matter in standards work
• The challenge of delegation and digital legacy in the AI era
• What mentorship and communication can teach us about collaboration

✨ Key Themes & Takeaways

• Library science and identity standards share the same DNA: structure, clarity, and organization
• Simplification is a superpower in problem-solving
• Diversity of skills strengthens technical communities
• Delegation and digital legacy remain key challenges in a digital-first world
• Mentorship and shared learning sustain the identity community

Whether you come from tech or the humanities, Heather’s story shows that identity needs every kind of mind — not just coders.

🔗 Explore more Identity Heroes: https://www.strata.io/identityheroes

🎙️ The views expressed in this episode are solely those of the guest and do not represent the opinions of their employer or family.

In this episode of The Identity Heroes, Clint Hardison — AVP of Identity & Access Management at Navy Federal — shares his non-linear journey from international furniture sales to IAM leadership.

Clint reflects on the turning points that shaped his career, from humbling resets to building authentication systems for millions of members. He opens up about the role of listening, vulnerability, and trust in leadership — and why his team lives by the motto “How can we help?”

🎯 This conversation dives into:

• Why IAM careers don’t follow a straight line — and why that’s a good thing
• How communication and listening (WAIT: “Why Am I Talking?”) build stronger leaders
• Why vulnerability creates trust and stronger team culture
• The importance of investing in training and people development
• How to position identity so it resonates across the business

✨ Key Themes & Takeaways

• Careers in identity don’t follow straight lines — and that’s a strength

• Listening and communication are underrated leadership superpowers

• Vulnerability builds trust and team culture

• Investing in training pays off for individuals and organizations

• Identity leaders must translate complexity into business value

• Simple mottos like “How can we help?” transform teams

Whether you’re new to IAM or leading a global team, Clint’s story proves that growth happens when you step outside your comfort zone.

🔗 Explore more Identity Heroes: https://www.strata.io/identityheroes

 🎙️ The views expressed in this episode are solely those of the guest and do not represent the opinions of their employer or family.

In this episode of The Identity Heroes, we’re joined by Amit Vaidya, former SVP of Identity, Fraud & Data Protection at PNC Bank.

From navigating fraud and security risk at one of the nation’s largest banks to thinking ahead about AI agents and enterprise IAM, Amit shares a grounded, strategic perspective on what it really takes to secure identity at scale. He unpacks how organizations can make identity measurable, prioritize the right outcomes, and build resilient systems—even with limited resources.

Amit also shares sharp insights for vendors, including what not to do when selling to enterprises, and how to build relationships that actually solve customer pain.

🎯 This conversation dives into:

• Why identity is the new perimeter

• How to lead IAM strategy with ROI and risk

• What AI agents mean for the future of IAM

• Why visibility and guardrails are critical in an AI-driven world

• The business-first mindset that elevates security leadership

  
  

✨ Key Themes & Takeaways

• AI agents must be accounted for in today’s IAM strategies

• Risk-based identity programs drive better business alignment

• Identity is core to fraud prevention—not just IT hygiene

• ROI is the language that gets IAM funded

• Vendors should solve problems, not pitch features

• Guardrails for AI are the next enterprise priority

  
  

🔗 Explore more Identity Heroes: https://www.strata.io/identityheroes

 🎙️ The views expressed in this episode are solely those of the guest and do not represent the opinions of their employer or family.

In this episode of The Identity Heroes, Chris Rich, the Business Information Security Officer at MassMutual, joins Aldo Pietropaolo for an insightful discussion on modern identity and cybersecurity leadership.

Chris shares his unique career journey—from sales and theater to leading IAM at a Fortune 100 financial firm—and explores the difference between customer and workforce identity, the importance of stakeholder trust, and the balance between risk and user experience. This conversation is full of real-world wisdom for those navigating the identity space.

Key Takeaways:

• IAM can transform organizations when aligned with business outcomes
• Security must enable—not obstruct—the user journey
• Prioritization is critical in cybersecurity decision-making
• Customer identity requires a different approach from workforce identity
• Courage and listening are vital leadership skills

This conversation dives into:

• The evolving role of a BISO
• The tension between security and friction
• How IAM supports customer trust in financial services
• Measuring success and prioritizing initiatives
• The future of cybersecurity in the age of AI

🎙 The views expressed in this episode are solely those of the guest and do not represent the opinions of their employer or family.

🔗 Explore more episodes: https://www.strata.io/identityheroes

In this episode of The Identity Heroes, David Lee—aka The Identity Jedi—opens up about his unfiltered path into identity and access management, from unexpected beginnings to big entrepreneurial swings.

David shares how adversity shaped his leadership style, how clarity often follows chaos, and why communication is the most overlooked superpower in tech. This isn’t a polished “success story”—it’s a raw, reflective look at identity careers, personal growth, and what it really takes to lead with purpose.

This conversation dives deep into:

• Turning challenges into clarity and growth
• What “representation” really looks like in identity
• Building programs that deliver business value
• How to empower teams when resources are tight
• The future of AI and identity collaboration

Whether you're navigating your own IAM path or coaching others, David’s story is a must-listen.

Key Themes & Takeaways

• Identity careers rarely follow a script—but that’s where the magic happens
• Communication is a leadership skill, not a soft skill
• Adversity builds clarity, focus, and grit
• Representation fuels visibility and connection
• Measuring impact matters more than measuring effort
• Creativity drives progress—especially in resource-constrained teams
• The strongest leaders know when to ask for help
• AI is an accelerator—not a replacement—for IAM strategy

Chapters

00:00 Intro to Identity Heroes & David Lee

02:59 David Lee’s Journey into Identity

06:09 Career Evolution: IAM and Beyond

08:57 Entrepreneurship and Lessons Learned

12:01 Communication: The Overlooked IAM Skill

14:59 Navigating Setbacks & Pivotal Moments

18:06 Future of Identity & Growth

31:01 Embracing Reflection in Career Paths

34:40 Finding Clarity Through Adversity

39:58 Representation and Connection in Identity

41:54 Empowering Teams with Limited Resources

45:36 Measuring Success in IAM Programs

49:31 Identity, AI & What’s Next

🔗 Explore more Identity Heroes: https://www.strata.io/identityheroes

 🎙️ The views expressed in this episode are solely those of the guest and do not represent the opinions of their employer or family.

In this episode of The Identity Heroes, Sulohita Vaddadi—Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at GE Corporate—joins us to share her unconventional journey into cybersecurity and identity.

From a background in biomedical engineering to leading identity at one of the world’s most recognized enterprises, Sulohita reflects on how technical expertise, project management, and humility helped shape her career. She shares the importance of cross-functional collaboration, what she learned from failed projects, and how vendors can earn lasting trust by being honest partners—not just sellers.

This conversation dives into:

• What skills matter most for IAM leaders today
• How to communicate identity’s value across the business
• Why it’s critical to design for compliance and adoption
• Practical tips for doing more with leaner teams

Whether you're building your first identity program or leading strategy at the enterprise level, Sulohita’s insights offer a candid, actionable view into modern IAM leadership.

Key Themes & Takeaways

• Identity is a business enabler, not a back-office function
• Success in cybersecurity should align with strategic outcomes
• Learning from failure is a vital part of career growth
• The best vendors act like partners—not just sellers
• Clear expectations and smart prioritization enable lean teams to thrive
• Asking for help is a sign of leadership, not weakness
• Project management and communication are IAM superpowers
• Defining business value clearly drives stronger adoption
• Empathy and transparency strengthen vendor and internal collaboration
• Technical success means nothing without operational success

Chapters

00:00 Exploring Sulohita's Heroic Journey

03:53 Accidental Journey into Cybersecurity Career

07:40 Career Transition: Architect to Identity Leader

09:45 Designing a Degree in Identity

14:23 Vendor to Client-Side Transition

19:14 Career Challenges: Lessons and Turning Points

20:24 Infrastructure Challenges Delay Project Success

23:35 Failing Forward in Business

28:20 Maximizing Cybersecurity Through Effective MFA Usage

32:37 Fostering Transparency and Empathy

35:31 Streamlining Identity Infrastructure Management

36:29 Maximizing Learning Opportunities

41:12 Skunk Work Innovations in AI Consulting

43:39 AI's Future in Sci-Fi Literature

🔗 Want more Identity Heroes? Visit strata.io/identityheroes to explore all episodes, get show notes, and meet our guests.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this episode are solely those of the guest and do not represent the opinions of their employer or family.

In this episode of The Identity Heroes, Sebastian Rohr—Founder of Umbrella Associates and the globally beloved “IdentiBeer Guy”—joins us to share his unfiltered journey through the identity space.

From a start in chemical engineering to building community and driving innovation in IAM, Sebastian reflects on the surprising twists that shaped his career. He opens up about how pivotal moments—including those that didn’t go as planned—ultimately led him to discover his passion for mentorship, entrepreneurship, and helping others succeed.

This conversation dives deep into:

• The power of networking and storytelling in career growth
• Why autonomy builds better teams and better IAM outcomes
• How to empower others and pay it forward in your own journey
• The importance of diversity, mentorship, and continuous learning in tech
• Future identity trends—from AI to community-driven innovation
  

Whether you’re leading an IAM team or just getting started in your career, Sebastian’s story is a reminder that identity work is deeply human—and no two paths look the same.

Key Themes & Takeaways

• Identity careers don’t have straight lines—and that’s a good thing
• Networking is an underrated superpower in IAM
• Community matters more than credentials
• Failures can be the best turning points
• Empowered teams do more with less
• Autonomy fuels growth—for individuals and orgs
• Open source and open doors go hand-in-hand
• Everyone can mentor—even if you're still learning
• AI will change IAM—but curiosity will keep you ahead

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Identity Heroes and IdentiBeer
• 02:47 The Growth of the IdentiBeer Community
• 06:03 Sebastian's Career Journey: From Chemistry to Identity
• 08:50 The Importance of Networking in Identity Management
• 11:50 Lessons from Microsoft: The Value of Resilience
• 15:09 Building a Career in Identity: Skills and Insights
• 17:53 The Role of Autonomy in Professional Growth
• 24:49 Finding Mentorship in the Industry
• 31:14 Measuring Success in Entrepreneurship
• 38:12 Empowering Teams to Do More with Less
• 43:58 Future Trends in Identity and Access Management
• 48:04 Engaging with the Community and Networking

🔗 Want more Identity Heroes? Visit strata.io/identityheroes to explore all episodes, get show notes, and meet our guests.

Welcome to the premiere episode of The Identity Heroes, a podcast series that explores the real-world journeys of identity leaders and the unexpected turns that shaped them.

Our first guest is none other than Eve Maler, President and Founder of Venn Factory, and a foundational force in identity standards. She’s also one of the most sharp, candid voices in the IAM space. In this episode, hosts Mark Callahan and Gerry Gebel sit down with Eve to unpack her multifaceted journey—from technical editing to standards author to CTO—and how every “non-obvious” step opened up the next. For Eve, identity has never been linear: “My career is a fractal, not a ladder.”

We cover a lot of ground, including:

• How vendor vs. enterprise mindsets shape innovation cycles
• Why consent is broken—and what identity can’t fix alone
• The rise of agentic AI and the future of delegation in identity
• Why relationship graphs might be identity’s next superpower
• And how mentorship and discomfort helped Eve grow into leadership
  

Key Themes & Takeaways

• Identity careers aren’t linear—and they shouldn’t be
• “Flow lives just outside your comfort zone”
• Vendors live in the future; enterprises live in the past
• Consent can’t be solved by IAM alone—it’s a cross-functional challenge
• Delegation needs to evolve beyond OAuth semantics
• Identity must move beyond claims to relationships
• Mentorship, coaching, and real talk make careers (and keep us sane)
  

Chapters

• 00:00 – Introduction to Identity Heroes
• 05:52 – Navigating Comfort Zones and Imposter Syndrome
• 12:00 – Trends and Innovations in Identity
• 18:05 – Future Trends and Challenges in Identity
• 25:24 – The Future of Privacy and Security
• 31:09 – The Role of Standards and Organizations in Identity
• 36:43 – Making the Business Case for Identity
• 44:50 – Coaching and Mentorship in Identity Management

Visit https://www.strata.io/identityheroes to watch the episode in video.