Did you enjoy school?
I did. I’ve always been curious about people, systems, and how things work. School was where I learned to ask questions, to challenge assumptions, and to connect ideas across disciplines. That curiosity has stayed with me throughout my career in technology.
What qualifications do you have?
My background blends technology, strategy, and leadership. I have formal qualifications in tech and management, but much of my education has come from experience, i.e.: leading technology and trust initiatives at companies like Amazon, PayPal, and now DigiCert. Each chapter has deepened my understanding of both cybersecurity and human behaviour.
Has your career path been a smooth transition, a rocky road, or a combination of both?
A bit of both. I wouldn’t call it linear, but I would call it intentional. As a woman in technology, there were times I was perhaps underestimated, but that also built resilience and focus. Every challenge became a learning opportunity and, ultimately, a reason to lead differently.
What specific challenges do you see women facing in the industry?
Visibility and representation. Women are often under-mentored but over-measured, and that creates a confidence gap. I see women hesitate to apply for roles unless they meet every requirement, while men are more comfortable stepping forward at 60 percent. That’s not about capability; it’s about confidence and culture. The more women we see in leadership, the more we change that mindset.
What is the best career advice you can give to others?
Own your story. Don’t wait for someone else to define your trajectory. One piece of advice I always share is to “look two levels up and one level down” – understand where you’re heading and make space for others who are following you. Leadership is about both visibility and lift.
If you had to pick one mentor who had the biggest influence on you, who would it be?
I’ve had several mentors, but one in particular taught me to think of myself as a “brand with purpose.” That shift – from focusing on what I do to why I do it – completely changed how I approached leadership, communication, and impact.
From where do you draw inspiration?
From people who simplify complexity. Whether it’s an engineer building secure systems or a young professional finding their voice, I’m inspired by those who lead with curiosity and courage. And, honestly, my children inspire me most. They remind me why representation matters and why creating inclusive spaces isn’t optional.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced to date?
Early in my career, it was finding my voice in rooms where I was often the only woman, or the only woman of colour. Later, the challenge became using that voice to create systemic change. Building cultures that are both technically rigorous and deeply human continues to be one of the most rewarding challenges of my career.
What qualities do you feel make a good leader?
Empathy, clarity, and accountability. Great leaders create trust by being transparent, even when the answers aren’t easy. They listen deeply, act decisively, and measure success by the impact of their teams, not just their own achievements.
From a work viewpoint, what has the last 12 months been like?
Transformative. At DigiCert, we’ve been redefining what digital trust means, moving from reactive security to proactive assurance across products and ecosystems. It’s been a year of progress, collaboration, and setting the foundation for the post-quantum future of all systems, including AI.
What would you say are the biggest tech-based challenges we face today?
Complexity and trust. Technology is evolving faster than regulation and human understanding. As AI, automation, and quantum computing converge, the challenge isn’t just innovation, it’s ensuring people can trust the systems that power their lives.
What can be done to encourage more women into the industry?
Start early. Encourage girls to be curious about how technology works, not just how it’s used. And once they’re in the industry, create environments where they can thrive – not just survive. Mentorship, sponsorship, and visible leadership make a huge difference. We can’t be what we can’t see.
Give us a fact about you that most other people wouldn’t know.
I love analogies. One of my favorites is that digital trust is like oxygen – when it’s there, you don’t think about it; when it’s gone, everything stops. That’s how I think about leadership, too: creating the conditions where people can do their best work without even noticing the systems that support them.
