Alana Maxson

I attribute my success to three core principles: intellectual curiosity that drives me toward emerging technology before others see its potential, brutal honesty delivered with genuine care that builds trust with clients and colleagues, and the discipline to execute relentlessly across every dimension of my life. I learned early from my entrepreneur parents that calculated risk-taking and resilience in the face of setbacks are essential to building anything meaningful. The same discipline I developed as a classically trained musician performing professionally at age 12 and as a competitive figure skater for 11 years carries through to how I manage high-stakes client relationships and navigate the competing demands of business, family, and community. I show up, I tell the truth, and I deliver—that's what people can count on. Ultimately, my success comes from listening deeply to understand complex problems, being transparent about what I see, and refusing to let myself or the people I work with settle for less than what's possible.

The best career advice I ever received was: "Everything you say and do is a reflection of the inner you." That simple truth taught me that integrity isn't situational, it's innate—it shows up in how you treat people, whether you follow through on commitments, and whether your honesty comes wrapped in compassion or just ego. That consistency creates raving fans, whether they're clients trusting you with their most complex problems or colleagues leaning on you during life-changing decisions. When everything you do reflects your values, people know exactly what they can count on.

Invest in learning the technology deeply, not just the sales pitch. Clients and colleagues will trust you when you can cut through complexity and solve real problems, not just present solutions. Finally, don't be afraid of calculated risk. Startups, emerging technology, and unproven markets are where you'll learn the most and differentiate yourself. Everything you say and do is a reflection of who you are—so show up with integrity, work relentlessly, and never let anyone convince you to settle for less than you're capable of achieving.

The biggest opportunity is AI—it's transforming how businesses operate and think about technology strategy. Clients need trusted advisors who can cut through the hype and help them navigate real business applications without getting distracted by every new tool. The challenge is the relentless pace of change. Cybersecurity threats evolve constantly, and clients are making massive investments in transformation without always having clarity on what success looks like. My role is to listen deeply, ask the right questions, and deliver honest guidance on what will actually move their business forward versus what's just noise. The other challenge is balancing virtual sales with relationship-building. I prioritize in-person meetings because technology decisions at this level aren't just about features—they're about trust, and trust is built face-to-face.

Integrity, honesty, and follow-through are non-negotiable for me. Everything I say and do is a reflection of who I am, so I operate with complete transparency even when it's uncomfortable. I value showing up for people—whether that's clients, colleagues, or family—and being someone they can count on. I'm driven by a genuine desire to help people win, whether I'm solving business challenges, mentoring careers, or supporting family. Resilience and calculated risk-taking matter deeply to me. In the cybersecurity world, building and maintaining that trust is imperative.