Uma Rajagopal

Cyber Security Leader | Board Member | Mentor | Lifelong Learner Dynamic Leader with 20+ years of IT industry experience with emphasis on optimizing enterprise Cyber Security, Risk and Compliance for organizations. Trusted advisor who develops executable IT cyber strategies and manages complex programs. I bring people, processes, & technology together around proactive cyber defense.

What makes you a Risky Woman?

I am a strategically bold, technically sharp IT/InfoSec Leader. I am incredibly curious about why things are the way they are. I redefine failure as learning opportunity to move forward. Passionate about giving back to industry & raising up other women, involved in many non-profit organizations as Advisory board member.

Name your top 3 achievements

1. Being a working mother and raising my children to grow my legacy of giving back to the communities that need us the most – Honorable few mentions – iloom.org, passitforward foundation.org, InfoSecGirls, GirlswhoCode, Cloud Security Alliance.
2. Pursuing Masters degree & Cyber industry top Certifications while caring for young boys with their full year tennis tournament schedules apart from their school related activities, Committed Non-profit volunteering/advisory work, and demanding full time job. Topping it off, finishing the degree within a year is one of my greatest achievements.
3. Mentoring and training women in cyber security and seeing them in great positions to add value to the industry is another heart fulfilling moment.

What is the biggest risk you’ve taken in your career?

Took a step back on my role from leading the teams to individual contributor to care for my newborn twin boys for a couple of years. Daring step when my career was going in the right direction steadily at that time, but never ever I regretted once on my decision.

What’s something most people don’t know about you?

I was once shy and partly introverted but came a long way to overcome those. I am a vegetarian and an avid exerciser.

What is the best quality for successful leaders in Risk?

Become a trusted advisor. Great leaders need to be able to take risks in order to be innovative which is often perceived positively and inspire others. They set clear goals, understand their strength & weakness and plan for failure and resiliency. Leaders take responsibility and they are not afraid to learn from their failures. A great leader is the one who uplifts other people to be leaders without giving a second thought.