The recent Vision & Voice panel at Black Hat 2024 brought together some of the most inspiring women leaders in cybersecurity to discuss the challenges, triumphs, and strategies of authentic leadership. Moderated by Jaime Walker, CMO of Keyfactor, the panel featured insights from Lisa Einstein, Chief AI Officer - CISA, Joanna Burkey, Board Member, Advisor, and Former CISO at HP and Siemens, Brooke Motta, CEO and co-founder of Rad Security, and Barbara Massa, Partner and COO at NightDragon.
Here are the top actionable takeaways from this impactful discussion:
Barbara Massa emphasized the power of self-awareness and vulnerability in leadership. “Self-awareness is powerful; vulnerability builds trust,” she shared. Authentic leaders understand that showing vulnerability isn’t a weakness but a strength that fosters trust and deeper connections within their teams. To lead effectively, consider how you can integrate more transparency into your leadership style, making space for open dialogue and trust-building.
Brooke Motta highlighted the importance of finding mentors who align with your leadership style. “Find mentors who represent your style and can significantly impact your growth and development as a leader. This approach allows you to channel your authenticity while navigating the complexities of leadership. Seek out mentors who resonate with your values and leadership approach, and learn from their experiences to enhance your leadership journey.”
Joanna Burkey shared that leadership requires intentionality. Joanna urged attendees to ground themselves and be deliberate in their leadership journey. “Compare where you think you are versus where you want to be.” This practice of self-reflection helps leaders stay focused on their goals while adapting to the evolving leadership landscape. Regularly reassess your progress and ensure your actions align with your long-term vision.
Empowering teams starts with having the right people in the right places. Barbara Massa stressed the importance of this, noting that leaders must be conscious of who they place in key roles. “You need people on site; you can’t adequately lead people with a remote leader,” she stated. Additionally, great leaders practice transparency, especially when making decisions that impact the team. By sharing your thought process, you empower your team with clarity and a sense of ownership.
Create an environment that exemplifies why accountability is so important - for every team member. Lead by example when it comes to your work and objectives for the business. One panelist reflects on instances throughout her life and professional journey in which people didn’t follow through on promises. Rather than owning up to it through open, honest communications, these individuals ultimately lost trust. “Leaders are often pulled in many different directions; this creates challenges towards always being accountable. You can’t be everywhere for everyone. Honestly communicating what you can commit to instills trust.”
The panel concluded with a vision for the future of women in cybersecurity. Lisa Hayashi, Founder of Vision & Voice: “There is still much work to be done. However, the panelists expressed hope for the future, where women’s natural strengths—intuition, big-picture thinking, and empathy—are increasingly recognized and valued. Today's leaders are encouraged to create environments where young women are inspired to lead and where women are founders, board members, and drivers of innovation. As leaders, it’s crucial to build up your team and those around you, creating a ripple effect of positive influence.”
The Vision & Voice panel gave attendees a clear message: Authentic leadership is about more than just leading; it’s about fostering an environment where others can also lead. By embracing vulnerability, finding aligned mentors, being intentional, empowering your team, and inspiring future generations, women leaders in cybersecurity can continue to break barriers and shape a more inclusive and equitable industry.
These insights apply to women in cybersecurity and anyone seeking to lead with authenticity and purpose in today’s complex world. Let’s take these lessons, implement them with our teams, and continue to push for a future where leadership is diverse, inclusive, and genuinely impactful.